Music

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FeaturesZion I Spreads the LoveIn Oakland, California, if you mention the name Zion I, most likely people know who you’re talking about. Go further inland and there’s less of a chance people have ever heard of them. However, emcee Zumbi and producer Amp Live are on a mission to change that. They’ve come a long way since their 1997 debut, subsequently spitting out albums on a regular basis for over 15 years. With Amp Live’s futuristic production and Zumbi’s introspective, often metaphysical lyrical content, Zion I stands out amongst the contemporary rappers of today. Zumbi is more likely to rap about yoga before he raps about “da club.” As we continue to sail through the worst economy the world has seen in decades, it’s ironic that mainstream rappers brag about how much money they have, something Zumbi approaches with common sensKyle Eustice · Feb 26, 2015MusicAlbum Review: In Tall Buildings— DriverIf Erik Hall, the mastermind behind the Chicago based band In Tall Buildings, could have everyone listen to two albums it would be Neil Young’s On The Beach and Steve Reich’s…Jed Murphy · Feb 24, 2015MusicINTERVIEW: LADY LAMB THE BEEKEEPERThis month, The BandWagon sat down with Aly Spralto, more commonly known as Lady Lamb The Beekeeper.Clark Lamson · Feb 23, 2015FeaturesNMM: Smoke and Mirrors— Imagine DragonsImagine Dragons, the quartet from sin-city capital Las Vegas, Nevada released Smoke and Mirrors this weekend. Their second studio album stands to fill some large shoes as their debut album Night Visions went platinum winning the band’s number one single “Radioactive” a Grammy for Best Rock Performance. Smoke and Mirrors track “I Bet My Life” has been looping through radio networks since last fall, giving fans a taste of the upcoming album, yet their single is no indication as to the overall sound of the album.Rose Hedberg · Feb 23, 2015FeaturesHumble Fish: Chali 2na Keeps His Ego at BayAs the baritone voice of Jurassic 5 (J5), Chali 2na has been lending monumental contributions to hip-hop culture since he emerged from Los Angeles’ Good Life Cafe scene in the early ‘90s. Originally part of the Unity Committee (with Cut Chemist and Mark 7even), Chali 2na formed J5 after merging with The Rebels of Rhythm (with Akil and Soup) in 1993. After J5’s self-titled debut dropped in 1998, the group followed up with 2000’s critically acclaimed sophomore effort, Quality Control. On the track “Contribution,” Chali 2na spits: “The most that you can spend on any child is time.” It’s a philosophy he took to heart and carried into his family dynamic. Growing up on the Southside of Chicago, the now 43-year-old artist was lacking a strong male role model in his life.Kyle Eustice · Feb 19, 2015MusicAlbum Review: The Potato Pirates— Raised Better Than ThisJust as diverse as the big city itself, Denver punk band The Potato Pirates’ new album has something for everyone.Natalie Allen · Feb 17, 2015MusicInterview: Oliver Ackermann of A Place to Bury StrangersThis month, the BandWagon had the distinct pleasure of having a conversation with lead singer of A Place to Bury Strangers, Oliver Ackermann.Clark Lamson · Feb 17, 2015CommunityMisfits for Music’s Sake: Hypnotic Vibes Wins Battle of the BandsThey are six distinct characters that don’t initially seem to match one another. A juggler, a poet, a bilinguist, a mechanical mind, a beat-boxer, and a Rubik’s cube master, are all musicians with a singular vision: to play good music. And that vision won this funkadelic reggae band the 2014 BandWagon Magazine Battle of the Bands.Rose Hedberg · Feb 16, 2015MusicNew Music Monday: Alabama Shakes — Don’t Wanna FightIn 2012, Alabama locals Brittany Howard, Zac Cockrell, Steve Johnson, and Heath Fogg released their debut album, Boys & Girls.Clark Lamson · Feb 16, 2015

MusicAlbum Review:The Decemberists — What a Beautiful World, What a Terrible WorldA few weeks ago in our New Music Monday column, I said that the debut singles from The Decemberists’ new album suggested we might be seeing another warm, kind, folksy album. While What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World may sound at first to be just that, it is far away the toothiest album to The Decemberists’ name.Clark Lamson · Feb 12, 2015FeaturesCursive Celebrates te Ugly Organ’s ReissueThe Ugly Organ would prove to be the group’s breakout record, earning accolades from Rolling Stone and Entertainment Weekly. There are several tracks on the album where the use of the cello is abundantly clear and contributes a powerful element to already electric songs. Thankfully, as Cursive gets ready to reissue The Ugly Organ and head out on tour in support of the record, the group has decided to reintroduce the cello at each show.Kyle Eustice · Feb 11, 2015MusicAlbum Review: Montoeros— If You Think You’re In The Wrong Place, You’re Probably HereAl describir así mismos como una banda bilingüe de math/punk/indie rock, Montoneros captura algo por lo que varias bandas locales matarían.Jed Murphy · Feb 10, 2015MusicNew Music Monday: Courtney Barnett — Pedestrian at BestThough original content dates back to 2011, it was with the 2013 release The Double EP: A Sea of Split Peas that Australian rock artist Courtney Barnett first grabbed American attention.Clark Lamson · Feb 9, 2015MusicAlbum Review: Death Grips — Fashion WeekIf you aren’t a prior Death Grips fan, here’s a little background. This is a band that positively described the vibe at their own concerts as “volatile” when speaking to Pitchfork in November 2012. This is a band that left their label over disputes concerning the release of their fourth album, Government Plates for free to the public. This is a band that after later launching their own label, “Third Worlds” in conjunction with Harvest and Capitol Records, broke up seemingly out of no where, and cancelled all upcoming tour dates, including an opening slot for Nine Inch Nails at Red Rocks.Clark Lamson · Feb 5, 2015MusicNew Music Monday: Milo Greene — ControlWhen members Andrew Heringer and Robbie Arnett started sending tracks to each other after they graduated, they soon discovered the hardships of booking their own gigs.Clark Lamson · Feb 2, 2015MusicNEW MUSIC MONDAY: Ryan Bingham — Fear and Saturday NightThink about classic country. People like Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn, Merle Hagard, Dolly Parton. What do you think of? Soulful and sad melodies, and (depending on who you’re listening to) some politically tinged lyrics. Like it or not, country music is a big part of American culture and American music. If you consider yourself a true music lover, its important to give it a chance (if you haven’t already). When you do, you get people like Ryan Bingham.Clark Lamson · Jan 26, 2015FeaturesThe Flaming Lips Get Weird, It’s One Concert To See Before You DieIn 2013, the Lips’ released its 16th studio album, The Terror, which completely abandons any formulaic methods of songwriting and delivers something refreshingly unique. It may not be as commercially accessible as previous efforts, but it’s another descriptive chapter in The Flaming Lips’ story. They followed up with 2014’s With A Little Help From My Fwends and also released an EP called Peace Sword. Once again on a massive nationwide tour, which makes three stops in Colorado, Drozd took some time out of his day to talk about Wayne’s “celebrity status” and drug addiction.Kyle Eustice · Jan 20, 2015MusicAlbum Review: Duchovny —Crystal Broth“It’s not about meth,” says Noel Afan Billups, of Greeley-based band Duchovny, regarding their new EP Crystal Broth.Jed Murphy · Jan 19, 2015MusicNew Music Monday: Shady Elders — The Night Air EPWhile their name might evoke images of seniors engaging in dangerous or illicit activities, the sounds from their previous records featured heavy, lush instrumentation, and a moody melody.Clark Lamson · Jan 19, 2015FeaturesSoul Sonic Forces: Aesop Rock and Rob Sonic are Hail Mary MallonAesop Rock, real name Ian Bavitz, is one of those rare hip-hop artists who has developed such a unique rhyming style, he’s basically impossible to replicate.Kyle Eustice · Jan 15, 2015