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…
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…
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…
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…
A VERSION OF THIS APPEARED IN THE KW RECORD NOVEMBER 23, 1999 By Nick Krewen Jim Johnston may not be a household name, but he’s ready to rumble. Last week, he bodyslammed Mariah Carey‘s Rainbow to the mat and placed Foo Fighters‘ There’s Nothing Left To Lose in a Tongan Death Grip. He drop-kicked Counting Crows‘ This Desert Life out of the ring and bulldogged Choclair‘s Ice Cold…
