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An homage to Heather MacAllister: act one
“I fucked the bassist of the MC5 once,” she admitted. It wasn’t an outwardly surprising confession. At 35, she was stark raving mad in the kindest way, a burgeoning LGBT activist who never quit her day job as world’s most profound debate enthusiast. She stood there…tall, brisk, and ample. She always wore black,
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Pearl Jam: proper rock in Detroit city
“It’s evolution baby,” Vedder proclaimed after a cheeky joke that left the audience roaring for more. It was a dick joke, and it was appropriate. Because, while the band has evolved, they’ve remained relevant, they’ve remained rock and roll. And it’s that ever-present air of charisma that keeps them packing arenas.
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Paolo Nutini: life as soulful fodder
In reading past interviews, the thing that intrigued me most about Paolo Nutini was his mention of the item he cherished most, a wooden rocking horse handmade for him by his grandfather. My intention was to learn to whittle, fashion a miniature wooden horse, and hand it to the young powerhouse-of-tune after watching
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Gary Clark Jr.: passionately demure
Gary Clark Jr. stays hidden in the deep red shadows like Dr. Frankenstein’s beautiful monster. Dark grays and husky purples illuminate his silhouette only slightly. His face is turned to the side in musical meditation and humility, his eyes never quite finding the audience. A smooth, buttery falsetto rings through the crowd,
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Amos Lee: our favorite folk soul brother
A schoolyard nearby is out to recess. The yelps and screams of adolescence drift over walls and echo in the ivy-laced courtyard. Voices and a language I’m not acclimated to just yet. All the same, these sounds are those of vibrance. Not a care in the world. Youth and its attributes. Something we, as adults, […]
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Moonface: in the pale light of day
It was nearly sleet. Driving water fell sideways and the wind, it howled. Something felt off about that night, hazy recollections ensued. Within confines, warmth was granted. The Chopin Theatre allowed a retreat. As we sat in the very first seats we came upon we found we were stage center, steps away from the mahogany […]
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Nicole Wray: vivacious lady in wait
Funkadelic soul sister, Nicole Wray, is blending classic jukebox blues, hip-hop, and contemporary soul to create an ethereal, multi-genre, sound that packs quite the wallop. Her guttural and gritty vocals soar high and bite low. She’s celebrating the new vibe as she tours worldwide in support of her most recent self-titled
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The Lovely Feathers: kinetically hip
Some years ago I picked up a CD from the sale bin at Reckless. That CD led to a fascination with an energetic band that wound up touring through. Their live set was among the best I’ve seen and the men that make-up the musical outfit were very kind and apt at taking the audience […]
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Sunset Rubdown lend insatiable tune
There’s something mumbling around in my head. It’s a tune of epic measure, a thrilling escape from the voice that usually resides there. It comes off coy at first, inching its way to the forefront until I can’t ignore it. It’s tune and it’s verse and for the last number of days I’ve tried feverishly […]