I got to interview kranky co-founder, Bruce Adams, about his new book and some of his favorite music from the label and otherwise. I thoroughly enjoyed speaking to Bruce about his new book, how capitalism and social media are ruining everything, and the strange and depressing end of an era we seem to be at… Continue reading Bruce Adams Big Ups
Honestly, I think I should conduct more interviews on a hike through black oak savannas at dusk in late September. This was the most pleasure I've ever had listening back to an interview. Mike Weis is possibly the most inspiring person I know, in addition to being my favorite living percussionist. Writing this article changed… Continue reading Mike Weis Takes the Long Road to Pure Sound
I wrote up this rad label in LA called Dinzu Artefacts for September's Tape Label Report. I highlighted a release from Slow Bell Trio, which features Mike Weis, who I am presently also writing a Lifetime Achievement article on. The other highlighted release is from a duo called Neti-Neti. Check it out! © COME AWAY… Continue reading Dinzu Artefacts in September Tape Label Report
It was an honor to write about why Omnivore's Rounds is such a hidden gem. This record has been a favorite for the past decade since it was released, but for some reason it pulled me back in hard this year, and I noticed when I would play songs from it for others that they… Continue reading Omnivore’s “Rounds” Bends Circuits and Fears About Female Agency
Here it finally is! I worked on this for about two months. It's the opening act of the work I am doing on the book the world needs about how Northeast Ohio modernized rock music and played an enormous role in shaping the last half-century of culture in America. Anton Fier's departure from this realm… Continue reading The Cup, the Dream, and the Tin Can: Kicking Out Half a Century With David Thomas
I am so very pleased that I finally got to publish the phrase "Heather Lewis's heartfelt a capella rippers." This is a favorite of the year and a record that is a really interesting document of a lot of different threads in American music converging at the same time--check it out! © COME AWAY WITH… Continue reading Cheri Knight’s American Rituals AOTD
I've been following Lifeguard for about a year and a half now and it's so exciting to watch them take off! It's an honor to play a supportive role in their success in any capacity. They're on tour right now, and if it's possible for you to see them live, you absolutely must. Read more… Continue reading Lifeguard’s Crowd Can Talk AOTD
It was my honor to be trusted with writing up this must-listen solo debut from Kyle Kidd on American Dreams Records, and it is my joy that Kyle feels so seen and honored by it. I'm glad all the time I spent dancing with the bubbles in the the bath to it paid off. Check out the album… Continue reading Kyle Kidd’s Soothsayer AOTD
For July's TLR I wrote about two fascinating tape labels--Orb Tapes out of central Pennsylvania and Tymbal Tapes out of Lincoln, Nebraska--both of which are extremely thoughtful and well-curated labels run by people who are passionate listeners and devoted workers in DIY music culture. Definitely check it out if you are down for some truly… Continue reading Tape Label Report, July 2022
I think I broke my brain writing about this band, but the good news is that my brain only broke in order to reform as a bigger, better brain and I may even be able to do fractional math now. Please get acquainted with my favorite band in Chicago, je'raf, who are in my opinion… Continue reading The Sonic Family Tree of Chicago’s je’raf
COME AWAY WITH EMD 