Month: September 2014

  • interview by Michael McCarthy You know how they say there’s a first time for everything? Well, here’s a first for Love is Pop – an interview with a black metal band. Wiki’s definition of black metal: “Black metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music. Common traits include fast tempos, shrieked vocals, highly distorted…

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  • On their last single, “Stops My Mouth,” Bat and Ball delivered electronic beats with sparse guitars and cool basslines.  It was a somewhat melancholic tune with a haunting vocal courtesy of Abi Sinclair, who comprises the duo with her brother Chris.  Now they’re back with their new single “Lizard Cuts,” a deeply melancholic song about  “loss, desire…

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  • Sunday September 7, 2014 – Boston, Massachusetts: It’s no secret that I have fibromyalgia and one of the most important things when you have it is getting enough sleep. To that end, I slept in a bit on Sunday, missing the 11 o’clock train from Lowell to Boston, which meant I needed to wait for…

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  • Garbage are back in the studio.  You can listen to an instrumental snippet on their site, so go there now: www.garbage.com

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  • Saturday September 6, 2014 – Boston, Massachusetts: Before I get into my reviews of the individual artists who performed on Saturday, I have to say something else about the people who attended the event. Not only were they peaceful, they were also friendly and trustworthy. I’d like to think that I made a few new…

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  • One of the most interesting things about Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter Jillian Banks’ debut album, Goddess, is how decidedly *not* top 40 it is. Listening to her songs, you can’t help but think “if only.” If only the beats were more boisterous. If only the bass pulsated in a punchier way. If only the tempo were…

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  • Friday September 5, 2014 – Boston, Massachusetts The reason why the headline above indicates that this edition of the Boston Calling Festival takes place in September, as if that weren’t obvious, is simple: there was already a Boston Calling Festival this year, back in June.  I’m still sorry that I didn’t ask for press access, especially since it…

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  • Love is Pop favorites MisterWives are finally making their well-deserved national television debut tonight at 11:35/10:35c on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! MisterWives are currently on tour in support of Bleachers, who we just caught at Boston Calling (review coming very soon).  Meanwhile, they’ve debuted a shiny, new video for “Reflections on BuzzFeed. If you haven’t…

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  • “I feel the magic,” sings Petite Meller during her wonderful, uplifting song “NYC Time.” You’ll feel it, too, on this delightful remix by Betablock3rs, who give it a delicious, thumping beat, rays of sunshiny synth, and perfect drum machine beats. Easily the best remix we’ve heard this month.

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  • I have been covering the Boston Calling Music Festival for my wonderful Love is Pop fanatics but I’ve been so busy between the festival and commuting to the festival that I haven’t had a chance to go through my notes and actually write my coverage for the site yet.  I plan to spend all day…

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  • Much catchier than her usual fare. We like.

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  • DJ Shadow has been one of our favorite electronic artists for decades now. He never fails to be wildly imaginative, letting his thoughts and loops take him in new directions at every turn. And that’s precisely what he’s done here with his highly invigorating remix of Kimbra’s “90’s Music.” Slamming beats, throbbing bass, jangly percussion…

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  • [PRESS RELEASE, as written by her publicist] LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 4, 2014 – This fall acclaimed singer-songwriter Rachael Yamagata will hit the road for an extensive run of headlining live dates in North America. These career-spanning sets will also feature the premiere of a collection of new songs from her forthcoming album to be released…

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