Interview: St. Lucia (Video)

Jackie Cular Jun 30, 2016

Jean-Philip Groebler, lead singer of St. Lucia, has been immersed in music since he was part of a well-known choir in his native Cape Town, South Africa. Since then Groebler has written jingles for numerous commercials and two albums under the St. Lucia moniker. At Bonnaroo, he talks with me about his latest release. Later in the day he joined Halsey on stage for a rendition of Fleetwood Mac’s “Thunder,” which turned into a rain dance as storms interrupted the performance.

Interview: Civil Twilight (Video)

Jackie Cular Jun 29, 2016

Civil Twilight are an indie rock band from Cape Town, South Africa and have been together for fifteen years. At Bonnaroo, the band talked with me about their latest release, Story of an Immigrant, their TV commercials, and the festival experience.

Interview: Cardiknox (Video)

Jackie Cular Jun 29, 2016

Cardiknox are an indie dance-pop act formed of Lonnie Angle and Thomas Dutton (formerly of Forgive Durden). The duo is about to begin their “Make America Dance Again” tour and have played numerous festivals over the past few years. The band talks about their recent release Portrait, collaboration, and getting crowds excited in my interview with them from this year’s Bonnaroo.

Interview: Sam Means (ex-The Format)

Craig Ismaili Jun 29, 2016

Late last week, I had a chance to sit down for an extensive phone conversation with the wonderful Sam Means. Back in January, Sam released his debut full-length solo record Ten Songs, a record I have connected with a lot during these long, hot summer days in the Northeast. We discuss that record pretty thoroughly before delving into a number of other topics, including why Dog Problems has remained relevant even ten years later and why he feels a The Format reunion is “inevitable,” even if it’s not imminent.

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Self Help Fest 2016

Dave Gaslin Jun 29, 2016

It’s been a few months since I captured images of Self Help Fest 2016 in San Bernadino, CA, but what can I say? Time flies! But better late than never. Check out the gallery below featuring images of A Day to Remember, The Wonder Years, Underoath, August Burns Red, Yelawolf, Letlive., Further Seems Forever, and more.

Interview: Austin Plaine (Video)

Jackie Cular Jun 28, 2016

Austin Plaine is a singer/songwriter who decided that playing the guitar and writing heart-on-your-sleeve lyrics was more rewarding than trying to be a lawyer. Plaine passed up the LSATs and began writing music. He finished his self-titled album last year and I spoke with him at Bonnaroo this year about all of this and more. You can find the full video interview below.

Interview: Aparna Nancherla (Video)

Jackie Cular Jun 28, 2016

Aparna Nancherla thinks depression is funny, or at least her goal is to make listeners laugh when she talks about the topic. The DC native has received the attention of Conan O’Brien, Amy Schumer, Wyatt Cenac, Adam Devine, and many other prestigious comedians. Nancherla fit right in on the comedy stage at the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival and you can find a video of our talk about her new album below.

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A Chorus.fm Forum Tribute to Saves the Day

Jason Tate Jun 27, 2016

One of my favorite things about the forums is watching talented and motivated people come together to make awesome things. Today I’m excited to feature the latest in the “member compilation” series that has been taking shape in our music forum — a tribute to Saves the Day. Below you’ll find a stream of the 12-track cover album dedicated to the band.

Souveneer – ‘Merit Badge Season’ (Album Premiere)

Jason Tate Jun 27, 2016

Mason Maggio of The Republic of Wolves is releasing his new EP under the moniker Souveneer, titled Merit Badge Season, on June 28th. The album will be available on Spotify and iTunes tomorrow, but you can stream it right now below.

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Singles Club: Touché Amoré – “Palm Dreams”

Drew Beringer Jun 24, 2016

I’m lucky. I’ve never lost anyone close to me during my adult life. My grandfather died when I was very young and my six-year-old brain really didn’t understand what was going on. I’ve never gone through what Jeremy Bolm has. The Touché Amoré frontman lost his mother to cancer in the fall of 2014 and much, if not all of his band’s upcoming new album, Stage Four, revolves around processing her death and remembering their life together. The album’s first single, “Palm Dreams,” is a soaring piece of post-hardcore that showcases the continual growth of the band’s songwriting while Bolm attempts to learn even more about his mother even after her passing. In the song premiere’s accompanying article, Bolm tells NPR that “’Palm Dreams’ was written around the realization that I never had a full understanding why my mother moved from Nebraska to California in the ‘70s.”

True Love – ‘Heaven’s Too Good For Us’ (Album Premiere)

Drew Beringer Jun 24, 2016

Detroit’s very own True Love are bound to set the hardcore world on fire with their Bridge Nine debut, Heaven’s Too Good For Us. The LP’s 13 tracks clock in at just over 17 minutes, leaving you breathless and wanting more of the band’s incredible hardcore fury. One things for certain: True Love’s anthems are crushingly uncompromising. Check out the album below, pre-order at Bridge Nine, and catch their set on August 7th in Philadelphia at This Is Hardcore Fest.

Interview: Pierce the Veil (Video)

Jackie Cular Jun 23, 2016

Fans have been waiting with bated breath for a new album from Pierce the Veil. I recently talked with Jaime Preciado (bass) and Tony Perry (lead guitar) about what led to the the delay of their recently released album, Misadventures. The guys also talk about how fans might deal with the violence that occurred at the Bataclan Night Club last year (a venue they once played), as well as the violence at Pulse Night Club, and the murder of Christina Grimmie in Orlando, Florida. We also discuss the band meeting with fans that have terminal illnesses through the Living the Dream Foundation. You can find the entire interview below.

Interview: JJ Julius Son of Kaleo

Jonathan Bautts Jun 22, 2016

Lead singer JJ Julius Son talks about Kaleo’s American debut A/B, what it’s like to see your music reach a worldwide audience, and how anyone can embrace the blues.

The Used Live in Denver

Dave Gaslin Jun 21, 2016

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to photograph The Used in Denver on their 15-year anniversary tour. You can find the full gallery below.

Interview: Nathan Henry of Sherwood

Jonathan Bautts Jun 20, 2016

Frontman Nathan Henry discusses the return of Sherwood and their first record in seven years Some Things Never Leave You, along with the hard work of doing music on your own, the self-doubt and toughness of getting older, and how the experience of being in a band never fully goes away.

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