John Legend and the Roots: Wake Up!

So why not combine forces, dust off some older, more obscure R&B classics and introduce them to newer generations, as well as some older generations that weren’t privy to the songs when they were first released? Such is the case for Wake Up!, twelve songs that combine Legend’s remarkable vocals…

Mashup: “Can’t Stop” (Weezer vs. MGMT vs. Coldplay vs. The Kooks)

Song: Can’t Stop (Weezer vs. MGMT vs. Coldplay vs. The Kooks)Context: Still trying to find a recorded version of Weezer’s cover of MGMT’s “Kids.” Nothing doing, though there are lots of low-quality YouTube videos, but this mashup is pretty great. Can’t Stop (Weezer vs. MGMT vs. Coldplay vs. The Kooks)…

Bruno Mars Arrested in Vegas for Drug Possession

Hotel security found narcotics in Bruno Mars’ bathroom Sunday, according to SPIN. He was arrested at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. Apparently he’s discovered that it’s not so easy being in the spotlight all the time.The breakout hitmaker is scheduled to release his new album Doo-Wops…

Borat to Play Freddie Mercury in Queen Movie

British funnyman Sacha Baron Cohen, also known as Ali G, Borat and Bruno, is slated to play Freddie Mercury in an upcoming Queen biopic.As you can see, the resemblance means this isn’t much of a stretch. But will Sacha Baron Cohen really make a good Freddie Mercury?I think so. That…

Far East Movement – Like A G6

Song: Far East Movement, “Like A G6″Context: Someone told me Far East Movement killed it when opening for Mike Posner last week. This is their big single, currently in the top 25 on Billboard and iTunes. A Google search reveals that “a G6” is either something totally obscure or a…

Concert Promoter AEG Live Being Sued For Allegedly Hiring Pushy Doctor

Michael Jackson’s mother Katherine Jackson is suing AEG Live for hiring Dr. Conrad Murray, the doctor that could have been responsible for Michael Jackson’s death.AEG Live is the company that would have produced Michael’s “This Is It” concert series at the O2 Arena in London.Ultimately, AEG cared more about the…

Devo, Weezer, Menomena, and More in This Week’s Issue

This week’s music feature is on Corey Busboom, a local who makes quirky instruments and one-of-a-kind synthesizers. He never thought he’d get a call from Mark Mothersbaugh of Devo. Mothersbaugh was enamored with Busboom’s creative products that he called to buy 12 of them. Life got even better for Busboom…

Devo, “Please Baby Please”

Song: Devo, “Please Baby Please”Context: As reported in this week’s music feature, this is one of the songs from Devo’s new record, Something For Everybody, where you can hear local circuit-bender Corey Busboom’s home-made instruments loud and clear. By the way, I’ll be spinning this song and a few others…

From Print: Blogs Teased in Our 9/16 Issue

This week, New Times ran a list in our print publication highlighting some of the most interesting posts published at Up On The Sun over the past week. Here are links to those posts.What did Paramore singer Hayley Williams think of our piece about why she cannot leave her boring…

Menomena: Enjoy These Busy Experimentalists While They Last

“We learned you can’t force a Menomena record,” says Danny Seim, drummer/etc. of the Portland indie-rock trio, explaining the distance between the release of 2007’s Friend or Foe and this year’s Mines. “When you try, it only makes things worse. One person is really excited to do something and the…

Superchunk: Majesty Shredding

Artist: SuperchunkTitle: Majesty ShreddingRelease date: September 14Label: MergeI can’t the say the new record by Superchunk is as great as their seminal first couple of records — released two decades ago, if you can believe it — but Majesty Shredding sure sounds good to these ears. Mostly because the North…

Mavis Staples, “You Are Not Alone”

Song: Mavis Staples, “You Are Not Alone”Context: The new Mavis Staples record produced by Jeff Tweedy sounds pretty damn good. Mavis Staples – You Are Not Alone by smartleydunn…

John Mayer Leaves Twitter For Good

John Mayer is the type of guy who has better things to do than tweet, so maybe it’s no surprise that social media has gotten him into some trouble in the past.Despite his busy schedule, I’ve always imagined Mayer to be this solo artist who has all day to think…

Of Montreal, “Sex Karma”

Song: Of Montreal, “Sex Karma”Context: False Priest drops today — time to give it a thorough listen. Of Montreal – Sex Karma by rotolo3…