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Archive for the Features Category
Doppelgängers: Shiv Mehra of Deafheaven and Eric Wareheim of Tim and Eric
Posted in Doppelgängers, Features with tags Deafheaven, Eric Wareheim, Shiv Mehra, Tim and Eric on 09/11/2026 by Kurt OrzeckPet Sounds #92: Left Arm Tan’s Best Friend Is Goose … the Dog
Posted in Features, Interviews, Pet Sounds with tags Daniel Hines, Left Arm Tan on 09/10/2026 by Kurt Orzeck
Seasoned musician Daniel Hines launched his band Left Arm Tan (RIYL Calexico, the Jayhawks) in Fort Worth, Texas, in 2010 with relatively modest ambitions. The charming alt-rock crew also includes Brian Lee (lead vocals, piano, guitar); Mark Belding (horns, steel guitar, guitars, harmonies); Jeff Scroggins (bass, harmonies); Shawn Light (guitars, mandolin, keys, harmonies); and Tim Manders (drums, harmonies).
Hines underwent a series of surgeries last year but also wrote a gobsmacking 57 songs, breathing new life into his band, which had split for a short period. The resulting record, When Tigers Smoked (which means “once upon a time” in Korean, and was produced by Old 97’s and Damnwells collaborator Salim Nourallah), comes out October 9.
Arguably even trustier than Hines’ band, though, is his Australian Shepherd, Goose, who entered Hines’ life during COVID and just turned 6 years old. Enjoy our exchange with Hines and, of course, the pics of him and his pooch (yes, we know you well, dear readers).
Continue readingOn Tyranny: Frontman of Canada’s Elephant Stone Says ‘Being an Artist Already Makes You Political’
Posted in Features, Interviews, On Tyranny, On Tyranny with tags authoritarianism, Canada, Elephant Stone, fascism, On Tyranny, trump, tyranny on 08/27/2026 by Kurt Orzeck
“Canada feels more united than I’ve ever seen it.”
–Elephant Stone’s Rishi Dhir
When The Bad Penny caught wind that a band had released a song called “Fascists Killed Yer Rock ‘N’ Roll” as a single, we immediately invited them (Elephant Stone) to participate in our ongoing series On Tyranny, which focuses on how fascism affects artists artistically, emotionally and personally – and lets them set an example for other musicians that it is OK to criticize and protest the government.
Rishi Dhir, leader of the psych-pop squad from Montreal, graciously accepted our offer and answered some questions related to artists and the potential ways in which they interact with authoritarianism. We bring you the interview, which was conducted over email, on the eve of the 20-year-old group’s new album, ASHA, coming out tomorrow via Elephants on Parade in tandem with Little Cloud Records.
Continue readingThe 10 Best Chilean Bands, According to Guitarist for Santiago-Based Noisy Punk-Rock Squad Niño Nuclear (Exclusive)
Posted in Exclusives, Features, Interviews, Lists, The Visionaries, Videos with tags Adelaida, Cóclea, Fother Muckers, Las Olas (Noisepop), Mano de Obra, Niño Nuclear, Paracaidistas, Perrogato, Playa Gótica, Protistas on 08/26/2026 by Kurt Orzeck
Well, try this one on for size: Five days ago, we published the Venezuela installment of The Bad Penny‘s new series in which we touch base with a seasoned musician from a non-U.S. country to get real-life recommendations (as opposed to artificially generated ones from Spotify) about the best bands in that artist’s homeland. Diego Ramirez, frontman of heavy garage-rock band Joudy, cultivated the list for that edition of the series, and one of the artists he deemed exceptional is another heavy garage-rock band Niño Nuclear. (If you don’t know about Ramirez’s harrowing escape from Venezuela due to rampant violence, be sure to read the story and watch the accompanying video interview in this edition of The Bad Penny’s On Tyranny series.)
While Niño Nuclear relocated to Santiago, Chile, in 2019, the band left an indelible mark on the country where they were born – but are thriving even more so now. After hearing Ramirez talk glowingly about the members of the group – including guitarist/bassist Frank Pereira; Mechu and Julio, who both provide vocals and play guitar; bassist Fernando and drummer Leo – we thought what better musician to enlighten us about the top 10 best bands in Chile for the latest edition in our series.
Here are los seleciónes de Señor Frank:
On Tyranny: Frontman for Hardcore Heroes Angel Du$t Says ‘Brown People Are Being Ripped From Their Families and Sent Off God Knows Where. It’s a Really Dark Time.’
Posted in Features, Interviews, On Tyranny, On Tyranny with tags Angel Du$t, authoritarianism, fascism, gaza, hardcore, Justice Tripp, On Tyranny, Run for Cover, trump, tyranny on 08/25/2026 by Kurt Orzeck
Some bands – especially hypocritical ones that refer to themselves as “punk” or “hardcore” – have the audacity to blaspheme those traditions by lamely copping out with “we don’t do politics” as an excuse.
Baltimore’s Angel Du$t – who would burn retinas if they were any hotter right now – are not one of those cowardly bands.
In the latest edition of On Tyranny (published without that header on Post-Punk), we interviewed Justice Tripp – the band’s mainstay member and lead vocalist – who does not mince words. Ever.
Continue readingOn Tyranny: Brandi Carlile’s ‘Concert for Minneapolis’ Is Now Free to Watch on YouTube
Posted in Features, News, On Tyranny, On Tyranny with tags activism, authoritarianism, Brandi Carlile, fascism, ICE, immigration, On Tyranny, protest, trump, tyranny on 08/24/2026 by Kurt Orzeck
It seemed inevitable from the moment that Brandi Carlile walked onstage to perform a massive benefit concert in the wake of the ICE-provoked melees that occurred in Minneapolis six months ago that her performance would be historic. Now the soaring singer-songwriter is helping solidify the importance and magnitude of the show by making it available for free on YouTube for all to see.
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