INTERVIEWS
Dead History Is the Oldest New Post-Hardcore Band Around — And They’re Perfectly Fine With That
Dead History is still a pretty new band — almost as much as they very much aren’t. In a similar manner, Dead History could easily be considered a “supergroup” of sorts — except that at least half of the band would laugh at that title. Despite only releasing their self-titled debut album this Friday (June 11 via Landland Colportage), the Minnesotans come by their classic post-hardcore sound in the most earnest way possible. Comprised of vocalist Brad Senne, Matthew Rezac and Brock Specht on guitar, and a rhythm section made of drummer David Jarnstrom and bassist John McEwen, pretty much everyone in the band has deep roots in the northern edge of the ‘90s Midwestern punk, hardcore, and emo scenes. But while their paths may have crossed on occasion before, they didn’t join forces until recent...
DJ Marley Marl’s New Podcast Legendize Sets the Record Straight
Producer and hip-hop legend DJ Marley Marl has changed the rap game as we know it. From pioneering the practice of sampling drum sounds to starting the Juice Crew—and subsequently, Cold Chillin’ Records—he has been cited as a critical influence for artists ranging from The Notorious B.I.G. to RZA. DJ Marley Marl has had a hand in production for a slew of classic albums including Eric B. & Rakim’s Paid in Full to LL Cool J’s Mama Said Knock You Out. With how integral Marl has been to music history, a foray into the podcast space was inevitable. Legendize, which premiered on June 1, features the esteemed personality interviewing artists like MC Shan, Big Daddy Kane and Naughty by Nature alongside co-host DJ Callie Ban. He spoke with SPIN to discuss his new venture and some of the most no...
Moore Kismet on Pride and Inclusivity: “You Should Have the Space to Surround Yourself With Love and Positivity”
Since appearing in the bass music scene when they were just 15 years old, electronic music wunderkind Moore Kismet has quickly progressed from an artist to watch to an industry staple. Known for their sound design prowess and storytelling through synths, their music is unique and ever-evolving, often candidly inspired by the artist’s experiences with love, mental health and personal growth. The young producer and vocalist’s most recent example of this vulnerability was a massive “Pride 2021” DJ mix for Apple Music. Following its June 1st release, Kismet caught up with EDM.com to share their thoughts on Pride Month and industry inclusivity, as well as to reflect on the journey that has led them to the upcoming release of their debut album. ...
Twitter pushes back on ban by Nigerian government
Micro blogging social platform, Twitter, has pushed back on ban by the Federal Government. It described it as brazen affront on citizens fundamental human rights and advised its users and other social media platforms in the country to download virtual private networks (VPNs) to enable them continue to use the platforms for their economic survival and social and political engagements while the “push back on this draconian order by the Nigerian government.” In a statement, Twitter said: “Today, the 4th of June 2021, the Federal Government of Nigeria announced its suspension of Twitter operations, that the application can be used as a platform for activities capable of undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence. “Many Nigerians read the announcement of the ban on Twitter as a reflection of the...
Meet Fuckin Whatever: The Unlikely New Psych Supergroup With Members of Circa Survive, Taking Back Sunday and Grouplove
If the guys in Fuckin Whatever were to announce a tour together with each of their respective bands right now, it would probably be considered one of the top tours of the year — particularly if you’ve been into the whole emo and alternative scene for the last 20 years. Taking Back Sunday, Circa Survive, and Grouplove all on the same bill? Hell, you could even add in Saosin and maybe a special appearance by someone like Bad Books. For a band that contains John Nolan, Anthony Green, Adam Lazzara, and drummer Benjamin Homola, the possibilities are pretty much endless. But while the four friends were all on tour with their own bands for Taste of Chaos in 2016 (Homola was drumming for Dashboard Confessional at the time), they spent a lot of time goofing around in green rooms and parking lots. T...
Belly on ‘Zero-Love,’ Taking a Stand and Teaming With Moneybagg Yo
Belly’s brand of social activism has always been delivered through his music. The Palestinian-Canadian rapper has used his bars to candidly address everything from racial profiling and police brutality to depression and his own mental health struggles. 2018’s Immigrant, depicted a journey saturated by hardship and heartache. Its title track, which features Meek Mill and M.I.A, expressed disdain for America’s broken political and socioeconomic systems. In addition to rapping, Belly has written hits for The Weeknd and Beyoncé, proving just how multifaceted his artistry is. He co-wrote “Blinding Lights,” the biggest song of 2020 and believes his close relationship with The Weeknd is to thank. “What we have is more than just the music we make…it’s much bigger than all of that,” he says. “...
How Wolf Alice Pulled Back to Surge Forward
As Ellie Rowsell unpacks “The Beach,” one of several climactic, holy-shit moments off her band’s new album Blue Weekend, she describes the song as “classic Wolf Alice, kind of.” What does that mean, “classic … kind of,” especially for an outfit known to never write the same song twice? It means whatever the hell you want it to, as Wolf Alice — perhaps the most acclaimed U.K. rock group of the last decade — have built their reputation on “kind of.” The foursome is kind of incendiary garage punk, kind of dreamy shoegaze, kind of crunchy grunge revival. Yet the product is exact in its singularity; no one kind of sounds like Wolf Alice (a rare feat for any guitar-forward act in 2021). The band’s last record, 2017’s Mercury Prize-winning Visions of a Life, was a master class in shifting dynamic...
Nancy Wilson Puts Her Heart Into You and I
Nancy Wilson’s moment as a cute blond in a convertible wearing a mohair pink and lavender sweater and a sweet smile in the 1982 classic, Fast Times at Ridgemont High was brief but memorable. Almost 40 years later, Wilson—best known as the guitar-slinging sister in the chart-topping and multi-million-selling band Heart—looks even cuter with a post-yoga glow and her hair in pigtails, that same smile in place. Wilson should be smiling. Her first official solo album, the recently released You and Me (1999’s low-key album of covers, Live at McCabe’s Guitar Shop, notwithstanding), debuted at Number 1 on Billboard’s Top New Artist chart, and in the Top 10 of other notable charts. With a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and four Grammy nominati...
IPOB sit-at-home: Black marketers sell petrol at N300 per liter in Ebonyi
Black marketers on major streets of Abakaliki cashed in on the sit-at-home order by the Proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on Monday to make brisk business. They sold the premium motor spirit, otherwise called petrol, for between N200 and N350 per litre, following the closure of fuel outlets in the city due to the IPOB order. In separate interviews with newsmen, a cross-section of the hawkers expressed happiness over the development. Chidi Onu, who said he “made good business”, frowned at the restriction on business activities by IPOB. “Well, it is not my fault that these things are happening. It is high time we sat on a roundtable as citizens to discuss many issues affecting us as a nation. “Yes, the IPOB order has favoured me. I only came out to sell and have something for my ...
How the Women Behind Wakaan Amplify Female Voices in a Scene Dominated by Men
Operating in a genre dominated by men, it’s two women who are propelling the engine of freeform electronic music from behind the scenes. Chloe Suit and Emily Mitchell helm Wakaan as its Marketing Director and Merchandise Director, respectively. Wakaan was launched in 2015 by famed bass music producer and entrepreneur Liquid Stranger, or Martin Stääf, who has since grown the organization into a powerhouse record label and music festival proprietor. And with two innovative, tough-as-nails women driving the brand, it has mutated from an unknown electronic neophyte into a global music and culture hub. Chloe Suit (L) and Emily Mitchell (R) of Wakaan. c/o Wakaan Sadly, Suit and Mitchell are outliers in their roles. A September 2019 survey conducted by the Association for Electronic Music (...
Authentically BIA
Boston-based artist BIA remains authentic to her craft. She found a mentor in Pharrell Williams, was on the 2014 reality show Sisterhood of Hip Hop and a 2017 tour with Ariana Grande that ended with the bombing in Manchester, England, as fans were exiting the arena (Grande immediately suspended the rest of the tour). BIA left RCA in 2019—the same year she and Russ went viral with “Best on Earth” thanks to an Instagram post by Rihanna. Last year’s For Certain EP was her declaration of independence. It’s the most sonically uninhibited she has ever been. “Whole Lotta Money,” one of the singles from For Certain, recently went viral. Additionally, she also has this year’s theme song for the NHL playoffs with “Skate.” Not bad for the Medford, Massachusetts native who recently inked a deal w...
Meet Suzy Shinn, the 26-Year-Old Producer Behind Van Weezer
Suzy Shinn had been working with Weezer as an assistant engineer for more than six years, though she never expected to get called into the big chair. However, the L.A.-based producer’s impressive resume had more than prepared her for that undertaking. At 26, the engineer can boast credits from the likes of Fall Out Boy and Katy Perry to Dua Lipa and Panic! at the Disco. But working with Weezer? That was an all-time career high. “I was so terrified the first day [of working with Weezer],” Shinn recalls over the phone from her home in Los Feliz. “Rivers is a creative and an artist, and it’s hard to be an artist in front of people that you don’t know — and especially vulnerable and intimate when it comes to lyrics and melodies.” While Weezer had previously opted to work with well-known ...
