Artist Spotlight

Business, Children's Music, Led Zeppelin, Metallica, Music Industry (Trade), Pink Floyd, Record Labels May 24, 2007

Rocking Your Baby To Sleep

May 24, 2007 Soothing interpretations of rock songs provide an alternative to typical lullabies GRAMMY.com Nick Krewen Songs like Metallica‘s “Master Of Puppets,” Nirvana‘s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” and Tool‘s “Opiate” don’t exactly conjure visions of cribs, prams and diapers, but one Los Angeles-based record label is working to change that perception. With such sonic pacifiers as the glockenspiel, vibraphone and harp subbing for wailing guitars and hammering drums, Baby…

Beach Boys, Beatles, Bob Dylan, Education, Residents September 14, 2004

Pop Music 101

Studying Pop Music 101   Nick Krewen GRAMMY.com September 2004 Universities often feature artists in residence, but Andy Hollinden is more interested in featuring the artistry of The Residents. Hollinden, an assistant professor of music at The Indiana University School Of Music, is offering a three-credit course that binds the eccentric music of San Francisco’s most famous enigmatic eyeballs with the absurdist cacophony of Don “Captain Beefheart” Van Vliet and…

Arranger, California, Cello, Prince, United States October 14, 2003

Suzie Katayama – Cellist and Arranger to the Stars

Suzie Katayama…Cellist and Arranger to the Stars Nick Krewen GRAMMY.com October/November  2003 As with most five-year-olds enamored with Saturday morning television, Suzie Katayama was dazzled by the animated images dancing in front of her eyes, fuelling her imagination and making her laugh. But unlike most youngsters, she was equally taken with the variety of sonics bombarding her ears, ranging from the wild sound effects punctuating the action to the music…

Beatles, Business, Elton John, Metallica, Music Industry (Trade), Record Labels May 14, 2003

The sincerest form of low-budget flattery

Tribute labels Nick Krewen Grammy.com May 2003   Imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery, but some record companies are using it in a low-key manner to help pay the bills. Behold the tribute record, that seemingly unassuming piece of product that sits innocuously on record racks alongside the CD catalog of your favorite artist. Unlike some of their higher end brethren that include star-driven lineups and often make…

Bon Jovi, Business, Gaming, Music Industry (Trade) November 5, 2002

They’ve Got Game

Video Gaming and Music in the ’00s Nick Krewen GRAMMY.COM Nov 2002   When you hear the expression “He’s Got Game” in the future, it could mean more than just the competitive spirit. Veteran music stars such as Busta Rhymes, Barenaked Ladies and Bon Jovi — and their respective record labels — are tapping into multi-billion dollar interactive entertainment software companies to explore new promotional opportunities. By placing songs in…