Email Author Michael Lopez

2009 Stories by Michael Lopez

• Chairlift

  published September 10, 2009

  Somewhere along the line, Apple Computer Inc. started hiring staffers with a knack for searching out perfect pop songs. These employees have an... More >>

• Chairlift

  published September 10, 2009

  Somewhere along the line, Apple Computer Inc. started hiring staffers with a knack for searching out perfect pop songs. These employees have an... More >>

• Dungen

  published August 20, 2009

  Take psychedelic rock — composed by just one person — then slap on some Swedish vocals, and you'll end up with a recipe for what would... More >>

• YACHT

  published July 30, 2009

  Artists will spend their whole career searching for the elusive beast that will turn out to be their defining work. Portland, Oregon,... More >>

• Discovery

  published July 9, 2009

  "Orange Shirt," the first track off the debut album LP from indie electro-pop duo Discovery, sums up perfectly the funky electro-pop sound... More >>

• Cryptacize

  published June 18, 2009

  A quick history of Cryptacize: Chris Cohen, former Deerhoof guitarist, met Nedelle Torrisi while recording as The Curtains, plucking Torrisi from... More >>

• Your Yellow Dress

  published June 11, 2009

  More often than not, a band's hometown or adopted place of residence heavily influences its music. Bands love to sing about what they know, and... More >>

• Paul Wall and Slim Thug

  published June 4, 2009

  Ladies and gentleman, presenting tonight's performers: In one corner, we have the pride of Houston's Jersey Village High School, "The People's... More >>

• Taking Back Sunday

  published June 4, 2009

  Fresh on the release of their fourth studio album, New Again, Long Island rockers Taking Back Sunday will roll through the Valley to... More >>

• Taking Back Sunday

  published June 4, 2009

  Fresh on the release of their fourth studio album, New Again, Long Island rockers Taking Back Sunday will roll through the Valley to... More >>

• St. Vincent

  published May 28, 2009

  It's often difficult to easily describe just what makes a St. Vincent album such a special work of art. Annie Clark, the brains behind indie-rock... More >>

• The Format Founder Just Wants to Have Some “fun.”

  published May 21, 2009

  It's a liberating feeling to break free from a commitment or relationship that was holding you back. From time to time in the life of an artist, a... More >>

• Zydepunks

  published May 7, 2009

  It's not hard to figure out what kind of music New Orleans' Zydepunks play. Their name gives it away: a mixture of zydeco, punk, Cajun music, and... More >>

• Scott Weiland

  published May 7, 2009

  The early '90s were ripe for the taking, musically. People were tired of the Sunset Strip's hair-metal scene. Alternative rock —... More >>

• Smack Down

  published May 7, 2009

  The early 1990s were ripe for the taking, musically. People were sick and tired of the Sunset Strip’s hair metal scene. Alternative rock -... More >>

• Joy Electric

  published April 23, 2009

  The sounds produced by Joy Electric range from kitschy, '70s-style synth beats to video game-worthy blips — but with rigid song structures.... More >>

• The Joy of Synth

  published April 23, 2009

  The sound produced by Joy Electric ranges from kitschy 70’s synth beats to video game-worthy blips, complete with a rigid song structure. The... More >>

• James Morrison

  published April 16, 2009

  Our friends from across the Atlantic have bestowed many a singer/songwriter upon us. There is a staggering number of skinny, charming Brits... More >>

• The Gaslight Anthem

  published April 16, 2009

  It is often commonplace for a band to land a big festival gig that brings it to regions previously unknown and gives those fans in such uncharted... More >>

• Hot Lips

  published April 16, 2009

  It takes balls (not to mention boundless energy) to play a dozen shows in three days at SxSW, but that’s exactly what the Black Lips did two... More >>

• James Morrison

  published April 16, 2009

  Our friends from across the Atlantic have bestowed many a singer/songwriter upon us. There is a staggering number of skinny, charming Brits... More >>

• Conor Oberst’s Chemistry Set

  published April 9, 2009

  Conor Oberst is a man known to take on any and all musical ventures, starting when the 13-year-old Omaha singer-songwriter self-released an album,... More >>

• Ozomatli

  published April 9, 2009

  Ozomatli play the type of music one would expect from a band that takes its name from the Nahuatl word for an Aztec astrological sign. Their mix... More >>

• Dark Star Orchestra

  published April 2, 2009

  It's perfectly normal to admit you enjoy a small dose of the Grateful Dead. One need not be a hippie or a ponytail enthusiast in his 60s to enjoy... More >>

• This Daily Summer

  published April 2, 2009

  Respecting a band for being out there and doing its thing in front of strangers night after night is something we take for granted in this... More >>