Category Archives: Music

Music and Musicians

Video Clip of the Week: Plaid, “Wallet”

It’s hard to believe that the electronica duo, Plaid have been around almost as long as I’ve been writing about music. And yet, it’s true.

Plaid released its latest album, Reachy Prints (Warp Records) in mid-May along with this hypnotic video for the track “Wallet,” which was directed by Sabrina Ratté. Ratté offers that, “the video is inspired by the idea of creating a world based on memories, where things seem real but they are in fact a construction of the mind. All the images are made from electronic signals, from which were created a reproduction of a sun, different landscapes and cities. The musical composition induced the vision of bright colors and daylight atmosphere, so the simulated sunlight became a central element of the video, thus creating dazed images where everything is diffused and hard to grasp.”
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New Slash Album Features Artwork by Ron English

Ron English Slash Cover Artwork

World on Fire, the new album by Slash Featuring Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators, which hits stores on September 17th will feature a brightly colored, collage design by Popaganda artist, Ron English.

English previously created the cover art for Slash’s self-titled solo album released in 2010 and he has also designed limited edition, collectible art toys inspired by the former GNR Guitarist, such as this Top Hat-Adorned Bust Sculpture. Very cool!

Video Clip of The Week: Tijuana Panthers, “Cherry Street”

New Order’s “Age of Consent” meets The Undertones in this undeniably bitchen track from Southern California-based Rock trio, Tijuana Panthers. The video seems to focus on a triple homicide investigation, 1950s-era Men’s Office Fashion and the simple joys of Donuts and Coffee, all delivered via an irresistible Rave Up. I can dig it.

“Cherry Street” is the band’s first single from their latest album, Wayne Interest, which was released on June 3rd on the Innovative Leisure imprint. Visit their FaceBook page at This Link. Enjoy!

Tijuana Panthers Band

Video Clip of The Week: The Trews “What’s Fair Is Fair”



Way too many supposedly “Hard Rock” bands these days make music that’s easily revealed to be merely boilerplate Emo from hyper-stylized pretty boys who wish they had the nads to be Stone Temple Pilots circa 1993. But I was alive while Led Zeppelin were still recording new albums. I am not fooled. If you can’t rock me, please don’t try to get in the game.

It doesn’t surprise to learn that the authentically hard rocking quartet called The Trews are from Canada, where music hasn’t yet completely sold out to the Auto-Tune Gods, and that they’ve been doing this Rock Thing for over ten years. Because you can fucking tell. “What’s Fair Is Fair” is a song that gets better and more compelling upon each listen. Musically, try to imagine the dark, broody longing of Pearl Jam’s “Black” delivered with the energy, urgency and precision of STP’s “Interstate Love Song.” Yeah, pretty great. But they keep you engaged visually as well, with literal shooting sparks that race through the support pillars of a darkened, empty warehouse while vocalist Colin MacDonald tells the familiar tale of a relationship destroyed by what was said that should not have been, and what was left unsaid. Simple. Brilliant. Rock.

“What’s Fair Is Fair” is the latest single off the band’s self-titled album, which was released in April, and is available wherever fine music is procured.  Enjoy!

See The Trews on tour now!

June 9 – Watertown, NY – The Ballroom @ Savory Downtown
June 10 – Cambridge, MA – Middle East Upstairs
June 11 – New York, NY – The Bowery Electric
June 13 – Philadelphia, PA – Hard Rock Café
June 15 – Washington, DC – DC9
June 16 – Columbus, OH – Rumba Café
June 18 – Cincinnati, OH – MOTR
June 19 – Louisville, KY – The New Vintage
June 24 – Chicago, IL – Double Door
June 25 – Milwaukee, WI – Summerfest – Uline Warehouse Stage – 8pm
June 27 –Detroit, MI – The Shelter
June 28 – Toledo, OH – Frankies Inner-City
Trews Cover Art

Video Clip of The Week: ASx, “Obstacle Of My Affection”

OK, this week we offer some easy listening (plus a little eye candy for the guys out there) from Australia-born / London-based based solo artist, ASx. The song’s title, “Obstacle Of My Affection,” grabbed me right away, because the cynic in me loves a good, snarky bit of word play on the traditionally romantic. But what reeled me in is the little keyboard riff that reminds me of the main hook from Paul McCartney’s “Wonderful Christmas Time.” So, there’s that.
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