South By Southwest Music Festival 2015: Monday and Tuesday
In addition to indie favorites like San Fermin and Spoon, stunning new acts like Parlour Tricks help kick off SXSW 2015 on a strong note.
Annie Galvin
Annie Galvin is a writer and academic in Charlottesville, VA. She has written about books, music, and theater for PopMatters, LA Review of Books, Slant Magazine, Washington City Paper, and others. She has a PhD in English and teaches courses on global literature, gender studies, and media at the University of Virginia.
Heaven Don’t Call Me Home: An Interview With the Lone Bellow
Rewriting the rules of Americana, the Lone Bellow are ready for their mainstream moment, working with Aaron Dessner of the National and releasing one of 2015's most anticipated albums.
Deerhoof: La Isla Bonita
Deerhoof's 12th album channels the band's musical chops toward sharp political critique while retaining moments of whimsical release.
Ani DiFranco: Allergic to Water
Allergic to Water, Ani DiFranco's 18th album, lacks the political engagement and sharply hewn wit that distinguished her earlier work.
Banks: Goddess
If you happen to be in the market for a new, hyper-hip iteration of slow-burning electronica, then Jillian Banks is your girl.
Maroon 5: V
It's worth crediting Maroon 5 for having spawned a guilty-pleasure earworm, containing just enough traces of actual instruments to remind listeners that digital synthesizers haven't completely cannibalized rock 'n' roll.