Music

Some people diversify their stock portfolios. Andre Benjamin, best known as Andre 3000 of hip-hop super-duo OutKast, diversified his career. Now, learning to play in different artistic mediums, even branching out into brand marketing, ain’t exactly a rare feat amongst the megastars (and, sadly, even shooting stars) of rap and…

Drum kits crash and explode; uncontrollable feedback erupts; random, screeching wraiths arrive and disappear with an equal lack of warning; relaxed fits of laughter compete with measured, stentorian cable-news reportage. Understandably, Eric Earley can’t quite hear me, and I’m having just as much trouble understanding him. “You’re breaking up. I’m…

Ravi Coltrane is many things: a producer (credits include Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour), a son (his parents were John and Alice Coltrane), and an accomplished jazz saxophonist in his own right (his latest album was 2005’s In Flux). We recently caught up with Coltrane to discuss his upcoming albums,…

My musical tastes are an audio gumbo. On any given day at the office, I bump old and new soul, mainstream hip-hop, experimental, infectious pop, yacht rock, and funk that bleeds through the walls and seeps out of the air vents. Come to think of it, I’m surprised my coworkers…

From this week’s proceedings in the Court of Public Opinion, Case #89675-B: The People vs. Dave Grohl. “The defense may now present its closing arguments.” “Thank you, your honor. Ladies and gentlemen of the jury: As you know, my client, David Eric Grohl, leader of the band Foo Fighters, has…

Rose McGowan. Dita Von Teese. Evan Rachel Wood. They’re all talented, beautiful, and they’ve all been to bed with super-freak Marilyn Manson. Though this will never make sense to us, we can’t help wondering what other entertainment types might satisfy Manson’s appetite for the bizarre. Lindsay Lohan: Lohan is beautiful;…

Ladysmith Black Mambazo, South Africa’s premier vocal group, made the world aware of the power of Zulu music in 1986, when they sang on Paul Simon’s Graceland. Since then, they’ve won Grammys and toured the globe, captivating audiences with their uplifting harmonies and amazing dance routines — but they were…

Chris Walla plays guitar in Death Cab for Cutie, and in addition to producing all his band’s discs, he’s helmed albums for a litany of indie-rock heroes (Decemberists, Tegan and Sara, The Thermals, and more). Walla’s been called Ben Gibbard’s “sonic wingman,” but the perpetually cheerful multi-instrumentalist recently headed out…

Before tax specialists H&R Block admitted to overstating its earnings for 2003 and 2004 by $91.1 million, founder Henry W. Block used to appear in its TV commercials, itemizing “the 17 reasons why you should let us prepare your income tax.” Taking a subliminal cue from the Block head himself,…