The Truth Behind EMF’s 1990 Smash Hit ‘Unbelievable’
EMF‘s Ian Dench interviewed about their perennial hit, “Unbelievable,” ahead of the group’s select US tour dates for SPIN‘s “The Why & The How” series: The Truth Behind EMF’s 1990 … Continue reading
Rainbow Kitten Surprise and the Power of Love
Rainbow Kitten Surprise‘s Ela Melo, Ethan Goodpaster and Darrick “Bozzy” Keller itnerviewed about their album, Love Hate Music Box for SPIN: Rainbow Kitten Surprise and the Power of Love The … Continue reading
Diane von Furstenberg: Woman in Charge (Hulu)
Reviewed for Under the Radar: Diane von Furstenberg: Woman in Charge (Hulu) Watch the official trailer for the documentary film.
New Documentary Illuminates the Heart and Soul of Disco
Series director Grace Chapman and DJ/producer Nicky Siano interviewed about the BBC Studios and PBS documentary series, Disco: Soundtrack of a Revolution for SPIN‘s “Watch Me” series: New Documentary Illuminates the Heart and … Continue reading
Seven Music Documentary Films and Series From 2024 to Watch (and Three to Skip)
List of must watch music documentaries and series released in 2024 including a few to skip for Under the Radar: Seven Music Documentary Films and Series From 2024 to Watch (and … Continue reading
Women-Run Shows to Watch
List of must-watch women-created, -led and -run series that are far superior to Fleabag for Book and Film Globe: Women-Run Shows to Watch The next generation of women-led streaming series, … Continue reading
How Music Got Free (Paramount+)
Reviewed for Under the Radar: How Music Got Free (Paramount+) Watch the official trailer for the docuseries.
“Let Yourself Be Idiosyncratic”: Moby Talks New Album ‘Always Centered At Night’ & 25 Years Of ‘Play’
Moby interviewed about the 25th anniversary on his landmark album Play and his new album always centered at night for Grammy.com: “Let Yourself Be Idiosyncratic”: Moby Talks New Album ‘Always Centered At … Continue reading
Here’s How Nile Rodgers ‘Chic-ed’ Up Alfie Templeman’s New Single “Just a Dance”
Alfie Templeman interviewed about his song, “Just a Dance,” a collaboration with Nile Rodgers for SPIN‘s “Singles” series: Here’s How Nile Rodgers ‘Chic-ed’ Up Alfie Templeman’s New Single “Just a … Continue reading
Queenie (Hulu)
Reviewed for Under the Radar: Queenie (Hulu) Watch the official trailer for the series.
New Cyndi Lauper Doc Highlights How Wonderfully Unusual She Really Is
Let the Canary Sing director Alison Ellwood interviewed about the Cyndi Lauper documentary for SPIN‘s “Watch Me”: New Cyndi Lauper Doc Highlights How Wonderfully Unusual She Really Is We sat … Continue reading
SPIN’s Best Albums of 2024 (So Far)
For SPIN‘s Best Albums of 2024 (So Far) write ups on: RIDE Interplay The Last Dinner Party Prelude to Ecstasy
Homeless Encampment by Hollywood’s Sunset Sound Recording Studio Cleared
Homeless Encampment by Hollywood’s Sunset Sound Recording Studio Cleared Mayor Karen Bass’s Inside Safe program moved 30 unhoused from the streets to city-leased housing Read my original news story on … Continue reading
Camden (Hulu)
Reviewed for Under the Radar: Camden (Hulu) Watch the official trailer for the docuseries.
Peter Gabriel on Iranian Rapper Toomaj Salehi: ‘This is Barbaric and Must Stop’
Feature on how creatives in the West are joining forces to save dissident Iranian rapper Toomaj Salehi‘s life for SPIN: Peter Gabriel on Iranian Rapper Toomaj Salehi: ‘This is Barbaric … Continue reading
On Streaming, Classic TV Shows Are Dropping the Needle Drops
Music supervisor Gary Calamar of Go Music and music publisher Mara Kuge of Superior Music Publishing interviewed about the disappearance of needle drops on classic series now on streaming for … Continue reading
Purple Rain Book Author Recalls the ‘Playful’ and ‘Soft-Spoken’ Side of Prince
Andrea Swensson, author of Prince and Purple Rain: 40 Years, interviewed about her book and her experiences with Prince for SPIN‘s “Read Me” series: Purple Rain Book Author Recalls the ‘Playful’ and ‘Soft-Spoken’ … Continue reading
Dillon Francis & Diplo In Conversation: 5 Things We Learned From The GRAMMY Museum Event
Five things learned from Dillon Francis and Diplo In Conversation at the GRAMMY Museum on May 15, 2024 for GRAMMY.com: Dillon Francis & Diplo In Conversation: 5 Things We Learned … Continue reading
From Dylan to Radiohead, Kate Hudson Lists Her 10 Essential Songs
Tenth installment of my column for SPIN called “The Essentials” where artists provide an annotated non-music list of essential items, featuring movie star turned rock star, Kate Hudson: From Dylan to Radiohead, … Continue reading
Sexism, Feminism, and the Movement: Kathleen Hanna Doesn’t Hold Back in New Memoir
Kathleen Hanna interviewed for her memoir, Rebel Girl: My Life as a Feminist Punk, for SPIN: Sexism, Feminism, and the Movement: Kathleen Hanna Doesn’t Hold Back in New Memoir In … Continue reading
Mina Alikhani Represents the Islamic Republic’s Capital Offense of “Crimes Against God” Using the Female Form
Iranian American visual artist Mina Alikhani interviewed ahead of her exhibition Crimes Against God for Fine Art Globe: Mina Alikhani Represents the Islamic Republic’s Capital Offense of “Crimes Against God” Using … Continue reading
Pictures of Lily Podcast (Vintage Edition): Episode 5.83: The Cure Robert Smith 1997 Interview
In the 83rd episode of the Pictures of Lily Podcast, we continue our new format where I share my experience about a specific interview from my 32-year archive. In this … Continue reading
Fest Quest: Your Guide to SoCal’s Best Music Events
Round up of Southern California festivals for Los Angeles Magazine’s May 2024 Issue: Fest Quest: Your Guide to SoCal’s Best Music Events From Beach Life this weekend to No Values next … Continue reading
Rolling Stones Muse Anita Pallenberg ‘Was a Real Tornado, Didn’t Give Two Fucks’
Alexis Bloom and Svetlana Zill, directors of the documentary, Catching Fire: The Story of Anita Pallenberg, interviewed for SPIN‘s “Watch Me” series: Rolling Stones Muse Anita Pallenberg ‘Was a Real Tornado, … Continue reading
Kat Calls Lily Moayeri
Join me and writer extraordinaire Kat Bein on her live video Q&A show which streams on YouTube and Twitch. You can watch the episode after it airs here. Subscribe to … Continue reading
Relatives and Associates of Toomaj Salehi, Iranian Rapper Sentenced to Death, Speak Up: ‘He Has Been Condemned to Death for His Music’
Feature on the imprisonment and death sentence of dissident Iranian rapper, Toomaj Salehi, with input from his family and friends for Variety: Relatives and Associates of Toomaj Salehi, Iranian Rapper … Continue reading
Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr. Tommy Lee
Mötley Crüe‘s Tommy Lee interviewed about the group’s single, “Dogs of War” for SPIN: Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr. Tommy Lee The Mötley Crüe drummer on the band’s new single, working … Continue reading
Justice Still Have Plenty of New Textures to Share
Xavier de Rosnay and Gaspar Augé of Justice interviewed for their album, Hyperdrama for FLOOD Magazine: Justice Still Have Plenty of New Textures to Share Following two weekends at Coachella, Gaspard Augé and Xavier … Continue reading
DJ Mag Top 100 Clubs 2024: Avalon, Soundcheck, Hakkasan, ZEROTOKYO
Write ups on Avalon Hollywood (#41), Soundcheck (#53), Hakkasan (#56) and ZEROTOKYO (#63) for DJ Mag Top 100 Clubs 2024 Avalon Hollywood Soundcheck Hakkasan ZEROTOKYO
Under the Bridge (Hulu)
Reviewed for Under the Radar: Under the Bridge (Hulu) Watch the official trailer.
Your Guide to Music Festivals That Aren’t Lollapalooza
Curated a list of destination festivals that aren’t necessarily the marquee names for SPIN: Your Guide to Music Festivals That Aren’t Lollapalooza
Blur Works Out the Kinks in Real Time at Pre-Coachella Warm-Up Show: Concert Review
Blur at Fox Theater in Pomona reviewed for Variety: Blur Works Out the Kinks in Real Time at Pre-Coachella Warm-Up Show: Concert Review Listen the the Blur episode of the … Continue reading
Pictures of Lily Podcast (Vintage Edition): Episode 5.82: Electronic: Johnny Marr and Bernard Sumner 2000 Interview
In the 82nd episode of the Pictures of Lily Podcast, we continue our new format where I share my experience about a specific interview from my 32-year archive. In this … Continue reading
Give Me the Libertines or Give Me Death
The Libertines‘ Carl Barât interviewed for their album, All Quiet on the Eastern Esplanade, for SPIN: Give Me the Libertines or Give Me Death ‘Oh Shit’: The Libertines are back with … Continue reading
Khruangbin and the Melodic ‘Time Capsule’
Khruangbin‘s Donald “DJ” Johnson interviewed for the trio’s album, A LA SALA, for SPIN: Khruangbin and the Melodic ‘Time Capsule’ We spoke with Donald “DJ” Johnson, Jr. about the Texas … Continue reading
The Art of Busking: Why the Streets of L.A. Are Among the Best Places to Play
Feature on busking in Los Angeles featuring Katie Ferrara, Sunny War and Eric Burton of Black Pumas for Los Angeles Magazine: The Art of Busking: Why the Streets of L.A. Are … Continue reading
Skipping Coachella? April Is Blooming With Big Band One-Off Shows All Over SoCal
Round-up of concerts happening in Southern California before, in between and after Coachella 2024 weekends for Los Angeles Magazine: Skipping Coachella? April Is Blooming With Big Band One-Off Shows All Over … Continue reading
Folky-Americana-Meets-Country-Soul Style: The Secret Sisters Come Full Circle On New Album
The Secret Sisters‘ Laura Rogers and Lydia Slagle interviewed for their album, Mind, Man, Medicine, for SPIN: Folky-Americana-Meets-Country-Soul Style: The Secret Sisters Come Full Circle On New Album The duo’s latest, ‘Mind, … Continue reading
K-Pop Superstars IVE Tell Us How They Tour in Style
Ninth installment of my column for SPIN called “The Essentials” where artists provide an annotated non-music list of essential items, featuring K-pop superstars, IVE: K-Pop Superstars IVE Tell Us How They Tour … Continue reading
Gossip on Putting the Necessary Care Into Real Power
Gossip‘s Beth Ditto interviewed for their album, Real Power, for FLOOD Magazine: Gossip on Putting the Necessary Care Into Real Power With the release of the dance-punk band’s first new album in 12 … Continue reading
Palm Royale (Apple TV+)
Reviewed for Under the Radar: Palm Royale (Apple TV+) Watch the official trailer for the series.
Homeless Crisis Threatens Legendary Hollywood Recording Studio Sunset Sound
Report on the homeless crisis in Los Angeles, specifically Hollywood, threatening the historic studio, Sunset Sound, with owner Paul Camarata, artist/producer Shooter Jennings and producer/mixer Tony Hoffer, for Los Angeles … Continue reading
Pictures of Lily Podcast (Vintage Edition): Episode 5.81: Daft Punk 1997 Interview
In the 81st episode of the Pictures of Lily Podcast, we continue our new format where I share my experience about a specific interview from my 32-year archive. In this … Continue reading
The Girls on the Bus (Max)
Reviewed for Under the Radar: The Girls on the Bus (Max) Watch the official trailer for the series.
“A Revolution On Canvas”—a daughter’s quest to reclaim her dissident father’s paintings from Tehran
Filmmakers Sara Nodjoumi and Till Schauder interviewed about their documentary, A Revolution on Canvas, for Fine Art Globe: “A Revolution On Canvas”—a daughter’s quest to reclaim her dissident father’s paintings from … Continue reading
The SPIN Interview: Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal interviewed ahead of the release of his album, The Taj Mahal Sextet: Swingin’ Live at the Church, Tulsa for “The SPIN Interview”: The SPIN Interview: Taj Mahal We met … Continue reading
Libraries (Yes, Libraries!) Are Leading the Crusade for New Music Discovery
Feature on public libraries launching their own music streaming platforms and curating artists from their local talent pool and amplifying their work for SPIN: Libraries (Yes, Libraries!) Are Leading the … Continue reading
A Woman of Substance
Creative director Sharoz Makarechi interviewed about her activist cannabis brand, Substance, for Pasadena Magazine January 2024 Issue: A Woman of Substance Sharoz Makarechi created a cannabis brand to spur criminal … Continue reading
Pictures of Lily Podcast (Vintage Edition): Episode 5.84: Blur Damon Albarn 1997 Interview
In the 84th episode of the Pictures of Lily Podcast, we continue our new format where I share my experience about a specific interview from my 32-year archive. In this … Continue reading →