'He's Always There': Enslaved on the Omnipotence of 'Heimdal'

Enslaved are the model of what Norwegian black metal should be. During its 1990s heyday, the genre’s music was all about pushing buttons and testing boundaries, finding new ways to freak the pants off the posers. Its mastermind, Mayhem guitarist Øystein ‘Euronymous’ Aarseth, listened to just as much prog as he did satanically inclined riffing—Enslaved took that ball and ran with it.

Written by: Matt Mills | Date: Wednesday, 01 March 2023

Modest Mouse's Isaac Brock on 'The Golden Casket', the Metaverse and Being an Indie Elder-Statesman

Photo: James Joiner When you’re dealing with musicians of a unique ilk, long-winded introductory preambles are mostly pointless. It’s best to let such characters speak for themselves. Having led Modest Mouse for nearly 30 years, and overseen their transition from cult nihilistic alt-rock outsiders to mainstream indie-rock icons, Isaac Brock is the perfect example of someone who needs little fanfare.

Written by: Simon Ramsay | Date: Thursday, 14 July 2022

'It's All One Big Story': Lissie's Past, Present and Future

Photo: Elaine Constantine In this fast-paced and increasingly frantic world, it’s very easy for most of us to forget that life’s a journey, not a destination. It’s a lot harder, however, when you’re Elisabeth Corrin Maurus. Best known as Lissie, the American songwriter has documented her personal odyssey through the medium of music for nearly two decades and is feeling reflective after compiling a pair of retrospective releases that add even more colour and depth to both her personal and artistic development.

Written by: Simon Ramsay | Date: Monday, 23 August 2021

Uncovered Roots: The Joy Formidable On The Welsh Language and Their Debut EP At 10

Photo: Steve Reynolds Some musicians believe that they have cracked the mystery behind perpetual motion, and that the secret is to never stop inching into the future. There are times, though, when a brief pit stop is a welcome distraction; a chance to reframe and understand past achievements in the context of a body of work. 

Written by: Huw Baines | Date: Monday, 18 November 2019

I Want My Audience To Feel Things Beyond The Music: Introducing Camille Christel

Photo: Eleanor Hardwick “I think sometimes you can feel so alone, in so many situations. But the moment you hear something you identify with you feel soothed, you feel less alone. I want people to know that other people have been through similar difficult situations.”

Written by: Milly McMahon | Date: Thursday, 03 October 2019

No Wrong Answers: Russian Circles Delve Into The Making Of 'Blood Year'

Brits know how to deal with the rain. We carry umbrellas all year round and scoff at those who are ill prepared for the inevitable deluge. We’re also painfully aware of the risks that come with attending summer festivals in the UK, and accordingly we arm ourselves with wellies and unflattering plastic ponchos as a matter of routine. 

Written by: Laura Johnson | Date: Thursday, 05 September 2019

Let The Journey Be The Experience: Rob Thomas Discusses The Remarkable Ride To 'Chip Tooth Smile'

Photo: Randall Slavin Calling Rob Thomas the modern day embodiment of the American dream is, admittedly, overly saccharine, a little old fashioned and not necessarily congruent with the undercurrent of emotional angst that’s always fuelled much of his music. Yet he’s certainly travelled a great distance to where he finds himself today, having risen from an extremely dysfunctional background to earn a reputation as one of the finest songwriters of his generation.

Written by: Simon Ramsay | Date: Tuesday, 23 April 2019

Music Is Part Of My Life's Approach: Blick Bassy Returns With '1958'

Blick Bassy channels movement, emotion and stirring vibrations into a sort of universal language through his music. Aspiring to connect with the very heart of his listeners using subtle intonations, harmonious melodies and resonant chords, the instincts behind his music are compelling.

Written by: Milly McMahon | Date: Wednesday, 06 March 2019

Shining Lights: Blackberry Smoke Keep Southern Rock's Fires Burning

Photo: David McClister For southern rock ‘n’ roll fans still mourning the Allman Brothers’ demise and Lynyrd Skynyrd’s recent retirement, salvation isn’t too far away. Although those legends can never be replaced, Georgia outfit Blackberry Smoke have spent the best part of a decade keeping the genre they pioneered alive, kicking and – most importantly - relevant.

Written by: Simon Ramsay | Date: Thursday, 01 November 2018

Imagination Is Key: How The Sheepdogs Are Keeping Rock 'N' Roll Colourful

It’s virtually impossible to do anything completely new in the realm of rock'n'roll, especially when some of the greatest acts of all time have already pioneered, innovated and explored the genre to its very limits and beyond. Does that mean like-minded young bands should just lazily imitate their predecessors or even give up? Hell, no. They need to follow the example set by the Sheepdogs, write the best songs possible and spice them up with as many stylistic and instrumental flavours as their talents will allow.

Written by: Simon Ramsay | Date: Wednesday, 31 October 2018

Out Of The Shade: Doyle Bramhall II Steps Into The Limelight

There won’t be many musicians with an address book as impressive as Doyle Bramhall II’s. From Elton John and Roger Waters to Sheryl Crow and Alain Toussaint, not to mention his position as Eric Clapton’s right-hand man for nearly two decades, the Texan born singer, songwriter, guitarist and producer has often been the go-to collaborator for some of the greatest names in the business. Such a role inevitably meant putting his own career on hold, but with the release of ‘Shades’ – his second solo album in two years - he’s finally taking centre stage.

Written by: Simon Ramsay | Date: Thursday, 11 October 2018

Never Bored: Ugly-Pop Band Skating Polly Discuss Life On Tour

Wanderlust is a word usually associated with gap years and middle aged people who want a fancy way of saying they’re bored with the life they’ve made for themselves.

Written by: Laura Johnson | Date: Monday, 10 September 2018

(How To Thrive) As Ghosts: 10 Years on Keeping It Simple and Their Second Act

As they continue to enjoy one of the most surprising musical resurrections of recent times, alternative rockers 10 Years appear to be defying F Scott Fitzgerald’s suggestion that there are no second acts in American lives.

Written by: Simon Ramsay | Date: Tuesday, 04 September 2018

It All Starts With The Song: The Beating Heart Of Country Star Brent Cobb

Photo: Don VanCleave It may sound like wishful thinking, but in an ideal world music would begin and end with nothing but a great song. There’d be no record companies or publications trying to shape our tastes. Image would be unimportant. Sales irrelevant. Radio airplay redundant. The only thing that would matter would be the creativity of the musician and how they reflect themselves through their art.

Written by: Simon Ramsay | Date: Friday, 31 August 2018

Not For The Faint Of Heart: Myles Kennedy Takes Us Inside 'Year Of The Tiger'

We’re all probably guilty of taking our favourite songwriters for granted; expecting them to pour their trauma into art we often consume purely for the purpose of entertainment. But do we ever truly consider what they must have been through to produce such deeply personal music? And would we be comfortable releasing the contents of our lives for the whole world to hear and critique?

Written by: Simon Ramsay | Date: Friday, 29 June 2018

Sometimes If Things Feel Unreal, You Just Have To Roll With It: Ripley Johnson On Wooden Shjips' 'V'

Photo: Jason Powers Standing at the helm of a leading contemporary psych band will place considerable strain on your time, but Wooden Shjips’ Ripley Johnson always seems to find room to experiment.

Written by: Graeme Marsh | Date: Thursday, 17 May 2018

'We've Found Our Mojo Again': The Magic Numbers Return With 'Outsiders'

If you abandoned the Magic Numbers once the afterglow of their early success faded, you’d be well advised to return to the fold and renew your allegiance. With their radiant harmonies once again set to stun, ‘Outsiders’ is a superbly crafted comeback that mixes together guitar-driven rock ‘n’ roll, swinging ‘70s glam and heartfelt Americana to produce a sound that, if we all play it loudly enough, will bring forth some glorious summer sunshine.

Written by: Simon Ramsay | Date: Wednesday, 16 May 2018

Live, Energetic, Off The Cuff: How Black Stone Cherry Discovered Their 'Family Tree'

Photo: Harry Reese Lots of rock ‘n’ roll groups try to embody the mythic notion that they’re some kind of swaggering last gang in town with a special camaraderie. While many start off that way, over time reality usually bites and they end up becoming decidedly unromantic business concerns with a clear pecking order. It’s refreshing to discover that, after 17 successful years, Black Stone Cherry remain the same four friends who grew up together in Kentucky.

Written by: Simon Ramsay | Date: Monday, 30 April 2018

Beyond The Supernova: Talking G3 and Guitar Innovation With Joe Satriani

Photo: Joseph Cultice When he broke onto the scene in the 1980s Joe Satriani was surfing with the alien, but over the course of the last decade the six-string guru has been riding a wave of popularity that continues to pick up pace. If we were to use Satch’s storming resurgence as a barometer, any claims the guitar is losing its lustre are clearly built on a bedrock of hot air.

Written by: Simon Ramsay | Date: Tuesday, 24 April 2018

Coming of Age: Press To MECO Forge Ahead on 'Here's To The Fatigue'

Press to MECO are one of a number of interesting, slightly off-kilter alt-rock bands bubbling under in the UK at the moment, with their new record ‘Here’s to the Fatigue’ pushing them into ambitious new territory.

Written by: Katy Westaway | Date: Tuesday, 10 April 2018

Make Something Honest: Cassels Discuss Their Debut LP 'Epithet'

Jim and Loz Beck are brothers from Chipping Norton who have been playing music together since the former was 12 and coaxed the latter, who was 8, onto the drumkit. It wasn’t until Jim moved to London in 2013, though, that they started making a racket under the name Cassels.

Written by: Laura Johnson | Date: Thursday, 05 October 2017

Be Nice or Go Away: The Summer of Milk Teeth

There are are lot of people in this car park. You’ve got a healthy contingent of common or garden emos, along with a handful of crusty lifers venturing out for rare public appearances. Then you’ve got curious kids in H&M Nirvana shirts who want something more. There’s a smattering of norms. Some metal maniacs. Some punks. Several people in onesies. They’re packed cheek by jowl for one reason: Milk Teeth.

Written by: Alec Chillingworth | Date: Monday, 31 July 2017

Wiping The Slate Clean: Pulled Apart By Horses' Tommy Davidson Talks 'The Haze'

Photo: Steve Gullick Sometimes a fresh face can make a big difference.

Written by: Laura Johnson | Date: Friday, 17 March 2017

"It Felt Like Being In A New Band Again": Lower Than Atlantis' Mike Duce Talks 'Safe In Sound'

Lower Than Atlantis have been through the ringer.

Written by: Laura Johnson | Date: Thursday, 02 February 2017

'Nothing About It Feels Easy': Josh Franceschi Talks You Me At Six's New Direction On 'Night People'

Following their appearance at the Isle of Wight festival in 2015, You Me At Six decided to take a break, albeit a short one. A few casual hangouts aside, the five friends waited until the autumn to pick up at drummer Dan Flint’s home studio and start laying the groundwork for the follow up to 2014’s ‘Cavalier Youth’.

Written by: Laura Johnson | Date: Thursday, 05 January 2017

Warren Haynes: A Man In Constant Motion

He’s a singer, a songwriter, a revered guitarist and a musical force of nature. That’s Warren Haynes. From stepping into Duane Allman’s sizeable shoes when the Allman Brothers reformed in 1989, to his time with rock ‘n’ roll jam band Gov’t Mule and a stream of highly eclectic collaborations, his work has always been marked by a multi-faceted sense of artistry.  

Written by: Simon Ramsay | Date: Monday, 15 August 2016

Mike Portnoy: Still Busy After All These Years

The second album from the Winery Dogs might aptly be titled 'Hot Streak', but it's a term that's equally applicable to the astonishing career of their drummer, Mike Portnoy. Since his acrimonious departure from Dream Theater in 2010, the virtuoso sticksman has been involved in a calculator-busting number of projects and collaborations, indulging in many different musical styles without missing a beat.

Written by: Simon Ramsay | Date: Thursday, 11 August 2016

Honne: Pop Songs To Keep You Warm On A Cold Night

As Honne, the Bow-based synth-pop duo Andy Clutterbuck and James Hatcher make music thick with nostalgic atmospheres and reverberating romance.

Written by: Milly McMahon | Date: Tuesday, 02 August 2016

Globelamp: Mixing Dreams With Reality On 'The Orange Glow'

“She perfectly embodied Witch Baby, my purple-eyed, drum-playing, wild-hearted heroine,” is how author Francesca Lia Block describes Elizabeth le Fey, who makes music as Globelamp. Block’s much-loved Dangerous Angels novels have long provided creative impetus for Le Fey, whose world is one where flights of fancy and dark fairytale twists are the norm. “When I was a teenager I read the books and I always liked the imagery of being inside a globelamp,” Le Fey said. “She describes it as seeing the world lit up from the inside out.”

Written by: Laura Johnson | Date: Wednesday, 08 June 2016

Impulse And Experimentation: Baby In Vain On 'For The Kids' And Making The Band Worthwhile

On the surface, it appears that we don’t know much about Baby in Vain. We know that guitarists Lola Hammerich and Andrea Thuesen and drummer Benedicte Pierleoni are all under 25 and from Copenhagen. We know they don’t have a bass player. But, in reality, all you really need to know is that they play squalling grunge of the goosebump-inducing variety and that, one EP in, they’re already a formidable proposition.

Written by: Laura Johnson | Date: Friday, 20 May 2016

A Dreamer In Control: Will Joseph Cook On Writing And Confused Emotions

Writing melancholy lyrics that play upon a revelrous outlook on life and love, Will Joseph Cook’s keys and chords conjure feelings of hope and energy. Down to earth and honest, his songwriting flair and funny guy finesse are on point.

Written by: Milly McMahon | Date: Wednesday, 11 May 2016

Love And Music: Sunset Sons On Making Their Own Waves

Sunset Sons appear haloed by kaleidoscopic stage lights as an enigmatic wave of euphoria passes over the crowd. Currently touring ‘Very Rarely Say Die’, their debut album, the band are halfway through a hectic 14 date UK schedule.

Written by: Milly McMahon | Date: Friday, 22 April 2016

Rainbow Road: Three Trapped Tigers Embrace Sensory Experiences On 'Silent Earthling'

On Three Trapped Tigers’ new record, ‘Silent Earthling’, there’s a track called Rainbow Road, named after the notorious racing circuit on the video game Mario Kart. It might be the most perfect song title of the year.

Written by: Jonathan Rimmer | Date: Monday, 11 April 2016

Skating Polly: Coming Of Age With 'The Big Fit'

Skating Polly formed just over six years ago, when Kelli Mayo was nine and her step-sister, Peyton Bighorse, was 14. They recorded their debut album, ‘Taking Over The World’ in 2011 and since then have done their best to make its title a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Written by: Laura Johnson | Date: Friday, 08 April 2016

Old Soul: Anderson East Talks Late Nights And 'Delilah'

A hoarse voice whispers from far away at the other end of the telephone line. “Is that Anderson East?” I ask. “This is he,” comes the tobacco-tinged response.

Written by: Milly McMahon | Date: Thursday, 03 March 2016

Conrad Keely: Going It Alone With 'Original Machines'

Conrad Keely has fronted ...And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead, through various lineup changes, for over 20 years. The band, which began as a duo when Keely paired up with old friend Jason Reece in Austin, Texas in the early ‘90s, soon expanded, fleshing out their abstract take on rock through an unpredictable live presence.

Written by: Laura Johnson | Date: Friday, 26 February 2016

Coheed And Cambria: Creation Inspired By Crisis

Over 15 years ago, Claudio Sanchez created The Amory Wars, a series of comics set in the planetary group Heaven's Fence. The books tell a complex story that revolves around Coheed and Cambria Kilgannon, their son, Claudio, and the villainous Wilhelm Ryan and General Mayo Deftinwolf. The first seven of Sanchez’s albums with his band, Coheed and Cambria, also delved headfirst into the narrative. Their latest release, ‘The Color Before The Sun’, though, broke the chain of concept albums when it emerged last autumn.

Written by: Laura Johnson | Date: Wednesday, 17 February 2016

Femme: 'I Wasn't Prepared To Wait Around For A Path To Be Put In Place For Me'

Fresh from dashing between London fashion shows, her pastel pink hair cropped into an elfin tangle, Femme rushes into view. Easily identifiable, fronting strong accessories and heavily-layered, feminine outfits, the producer embodies both style and substance.

Written by: Milly McMahon | Date: Monday, 15 February 2016

TesseracT: Building A Future With A Return To The Past

Photo: Tom Barnes As a music journalist, it’s dangerously tempting to be lazy when it comes to interviewing an artist or band for the second (or third) time. For all the talk of progress, you can usually rely on the core elements of their sound to remain the same. “How have you evolved on this record?” Well, once they’ve reeled off a few buzzwords, the real answer is usually “not much”. But still the headline will suggest this new record is their “boldest, most ambitious project to date”.

Written by: Jonathan Rimmer | Date: Wednesday, 03 February 2016

Three Is The Magic Number: The Winery Dogs Hit Their Hot Streak

They may be a power trio featuring some of the most respected and well travelled musicians on the block, but the time has come to surgically remove the 'supergroup' label from the Winery Dogs' back. This is no flash-in-the-pan vanity project for Mike Portnoy, Billy Sheehan and Richie Kotzen and with two superb albums of soulful, melodic and instrumentally adventurous hard rock under their belts, as well as hundreds of live shows, they are every bit the bona fide band.  

Written by: Simon Ramsay | Date: Tuesday, 02 February 2016

Under The Influence: Danny Bryant Talks 'Blood Money'

Photo: TX63 Music Photography More often than not, blues musicians are like the proverbial fine wine and their flavour and class increases as they rack up miles on the clock. That is certainly the case with Danny Bryant, whose latest album, 'Blood Money', completes his journey from rough-around-the-edges outsider to genuine title contender.

Written by: Simon Ramsay | Date: Thursday, 28 January 2016

Rock 'N' Roll Redemption: The Temperance Movement Return With 'White Bear'

td#right {display:none !important;} Widespread critical acclaim for their chart-bothering debut album. The patronage of Jimmy Page. Supporting a little known band called the Rolling Stones. It's been a wildly successful few years for the Temperance Movement, and that heady ride looks set to continue courtesy of 'White Bear', their hugely impressive sophomore effort.

Written by: Simon Ramsay | Date: Wednesday, 20 January 2016

Panic! At The Disco: Sinatra Swing And A Yearning For Deathcore

You know Panic! At The Disco. You’ve heard the one about closing the goddamn door. And the one about it somehow being nine in the afternoon. Then there’s that time they covered Bohemian Rhapsody and it was actually really good.

Written by: Alec Chillingworth | Date: Monday, 11 January 2016

Polish Removers: Queen Kwong On Embracing Imperfections With 'Get A Witness'

Queen Kwong might be a distinctive name, but it’s not a household one. In truth it’s never likely to be. As with many great things, this band will be misunderstood by many but truly adored by others. That’s just fine by Carré Callaway, who has spent the last few years battling through the LA scene to get to this point.

Written by: Laura Johnson | Date: Wednesday, 09 December 2015

Alive And Kicking: The Remarkable Rebirth Of Walter Trout

If you've had the pleasure of listening to ‘Battle Scars', the exceptional new album from charismatic blues guitarist Walter Trout, you'll know it's an incredibly honest, unsettling and ultimately inspiring account of how a life-saving liver transplant brought him back from the brink. During his recent UK tour we caught up with Walter to discuss the record and learned how a brush with a higher power has forever changed him.

Written by: Simon Ramsay | Date: Tuesday, 08 December 2015

The Soundtrack To A Life: Kwabs On The Widescreen Songs Of 'Love + War'

Creating a soulful atmosphere, deeply charged with emotional energy, Kwabs’ music tells of hard earned life lessons and epiphanies. Weaving together memories of loves lost and new passions, Kwabena Sarkodee Adjepong creates multi-dimensional audiovisual art.

Written by: Milly McMahon | Date: Thursday, 03 December 2015

Preparation Is Key: Clean Cut Kid's Building Blocks

Clean Cut Kid played their first gig only eight months ago. Yet here they are, hours removed from a set at Cardiff’s Undertone as part of Sŵn Festival, with headline slots at Reading and Leeds’ BBC Introducing Stage and a buzz-heavy breakthrough single, Vitamin C, already under their collective belt.

Written by: Laura Johnson | Date: Thursday, 12 November 2015

Wasn't Expecting That: Jamie Lawson's Slow Burn Rise To The Top

Channel hopping through radio stations right now is a little like having the repeat button locked down on Jamie Lawson’s Wasn’t Expecting That.

Written by: Milly McMahon | Date: Friday, 06 November 2015

Through The Other Side: James Morrison Confronts His Demons On 'Higher Than Here'

The music world is awash with male singer-songwriters. Acoustic guitars and raspy vocals are part of the staple diet of just about every radio station you’d care to mention, with the charts holding up a mirror to their dominance of the airwaves.

Written by: Katie Territt | Date: Tuesday, 03 November 2015

'We Only Wear T-Shirts. Zero Pants': Adult Life With Noisetastic Leeds Mob Blacklisters

With ‘Adult’, Blacklisters have once again released one of the albums of the year, repeating the feat after unleashing their debut, ‘BLKLSTRS’, on an unsuspecting world back in 2012. Stereoboard caught up with the band’s frontman, Billy Mason-Wood, to discuss power ballads, sad angry men…and Phil Collins.  

Written by: Ben Bland | Date: Wednesday, 28 October 2015