Albums are completely dead. Trends show that users are barely downloading songs nowadays, let alone buying albums. Streaming is where it’s at. And streaming services now have their own charts, too. Ex-music industry exec ranter Bob Lefsetz had an interesting take on the fall of the album and the trends involving Spotify, MOG, YouTube, and [...]
Lana Del Rey, the internet sensation touted as one of iTunes Artists to Watch in 2012 made a disastrous spectacle from her first appearance on Saturday Night Live last night. Almost immediately, legions of people have colored the internet blasting Lana’s performance, including celebrities like Juliette Lewis. Lana’s performance was stiff as a nervous school [...]
It’s a cute video. Just a week ago, I saw The Daylights open for Needtobreathe in Atlanta. Rumor has it that a year before, these guys were just hanging out in Los Angeles not sure if they wanted to continue with the band. And just like that, someone came up with a creative concept, threw [...]
Terrestrial radio is littered with talented musicians opting for half-baked formulaic shards of what they once were. All right. All right. We get it. You’re 31 and you still like to snarl. Excessive drinking makes you cool. I bet you could kick my ass. Your lame attempt to relate to the wannabe bad-ass population is [...]
Who is the best songwriter of all time and what makes them the best? Although I have some theories on how to manipulate songs to make them blockbuster hits, the subjectivity is the true discussion. Some people have a natural gift at picking up the lyrics of songs and singing every last line as if [...]
RUMOR HAS IT THAT Ray LaMontagne cut his early set short last Monday at Atlanta’s Chastain Park due to chatter in the open amphitheater, reports a venue insider. Ray and his band performed several cuts off of his new album God Willin’ & the Creek Don’t Rise with his band to a largely noisy crowd and clocked roughly an [...]
In a recent interview with Elvis Costello for Sundance Channel’s “Spectacle” show, Bruce Springsteen made a bold statement. He said “Musicians are always bothered! Something bothers GOOD musicians every single day” so they can keep writing those great songs (paraphrasing). He’s so right! Since the majority of love songs are so often break-up songs, it’s a safe bet that musicians [...]
I have a secret. And I think I let it slip out this weekend. And it was NOT pretty. I got a chance to spend some time with people I met through Twitter and ultimately, RadioPotato.com last night. Three super-cool girls that are REALLY into music and v-e-r-y into Sugarland. Maybe because I have interviewed Eddie Owen from [...]
It’s no secret that rock stars get laid. Some of the fugliest dudes can get some serious hot chicks…and I promise you, it’s not because of their milk-and-cookies wholesome personality (see Hot Chicks with Douchebags - they might not be rock stars but it’s pretty damn funny). It usually has something to do with a microphone, tight pants, and a guitar. A [...]
Music trivia and useless thought-provoking musical “what-if” scenarios reign supreme in the Rizk family. Not too long ago, I embarked on a road trip from Atlanta to Charleston with my brother. Another futile musical debate was imminent. This trip’s burning question? What is YOUR definitive artist for each decade? Not THE definitive artist, although that’s debatable too…but YOURS! Here’s [...]
Before the Jersey Shore was aware of the convenient short cut of an orange spray tan, I used to pile on my way-too-dark foundation, pour myself into my hoochie mama ho’ clothes and head down the shore to see my favorite local band play at Jenk’s Night Club on the Point Pleasant boardwalk. Back in the dirty days of ’99, this [...]
My friend, Jason once told me that if a homeless man was beating on a garbage can, I would think he was the most amazing musician. I did see Bjork’s movie Dancer in the Dark and while this concept may not be unheard of, there are plenty of bands/artists that I can’t stand. I started [...]
