Gil Scott-Heron passed away today. He was a poet, songwriter, orator and author sharing record labels if not actual records with American giants like Ron Carter, Bernard Purdie, Bruce Springsteen and Blackalicious. He celebrated the 39th anniversary of “Whitey On The Moon” during the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 landing. He spoke to Dan Collins in October 2009.

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Inspired by Daedelus (who led him to the Anticon label), Baths is a part of the new electro movement; instead of creating “club bangers,” Wiesenfeld uses his knowledge of classical and contemporary music to create thoughtful electro that fits somewhere in between dub-step and indie.

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Teenage Fanclub make pop songs like Big Star but make them faster and lasted longer, and their newest Shadows is out now on Merge. They speak now before returning to America and display respectable capability for details on rock ghosts and rock genitals. This interview by Chris Ziegler.

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Harlem moved from one “cockroach town apartment” to another, city to city, settling in Austin, until somebody at Matador finally said, “This band rocks—let’s give them a record deal.” This interview by Daiana Feuer.

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Austin-based Woven Bones are the next installment of dark lo-fi weirdo rock to be introduced into L.A. Bandleader Andy Burr (vocals/guitar) talks to L.A. RECORD about melting faces, being buried with a Velvet Underground record and turning heartache and anguish into rock ‘n’ roll. This interview by Camella Lobo.

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Fans of Prayer of Death should understand that The Entrance Band sounds quite different, occasionally flirting so closely with alt-rock sonic textures that the band’s voice becomes a little less distinctive. Blakeslee is making a conscious effort to explore new directions with this band, whether fans of Prayer of Death agree with it or not, and who can blame him? The Entrance Band will definitely give second thoughts to those fans who painted Blakeslee as a morbid death rocker. But there are times when it’s hard not to miss a little of the menace and danger of Prayer of Death, even as you wish the band all the creative freedom in the world. Sometimes it’s a kick to get spooky, and this album is more groovy than gruesome.

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Sharon Jones is the sparking turbine powering most of the best new funk records from the Daptone camp. She speaks now moments after returning from the hospital to comfort a sick relative, but wouldn’t consider postponing the interview even for a few minutes. This interview by Chris Ziegler.

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