Exile on Main St., The Rolling Stones (1972) My favorite release of 1972 was dropped on March 21 of that year, nine wailing, placenta-sealed pounds, gruntingly pressed in a limited edition of one. My second favorite release is arguably Exile on Main St. The Stones’ double LP is mired in as much pharmacological lore as it is filled with viscerally …
Lil Nas X is the boundary-smashing pop revolutionary of 2021
Rapper-singer-songwriter visionary Lil Nas X is the MVP of Gen Z. Born between the mid 1990s and early 2010s, so-called “Zoomers” have been maligned by naysayers as navel-gazing narcissists and emotionally weak snowflakes. But Gen Zers deserve props for rejecting millennials’ “bottle-up-your-emotions-and-hustle-til-ya-die” ethos, and for prioritizing self-care and confessional vulnerability. Like no other generation before it, Gen Z has made …
When ‘The Boss’ is worth $500 million, it’s time for stars to sell their back catalogs
"It's scorching hot... Hot, hot, hot!"
Bruce Springsteen’s entire back catalog – including songwriting and recordings – reportedly cost Sony Music Group north of $500 million. Even before the official announcement of the purchase in May, Sony Music Group’s chairman, Rob Stringer, told investors he’s spent about $1.5 billion just on music acquisitions since the beginning of the year. “Including rights to some of the most …
How Black women reclaimed country and Americana music in 2021
If 2020 was the kickstart of a reckoning—of country/Americana music (and, really, all of America) being forced to come to terms with its history of racism and exclusion—2021 was the year of reclamation. Even as sustainable, systemic change remains elusive, Black women, in particular, have leveraged the power of streaming platforms and social media to bridge the chasms previously carved …
Jax Artists rickoLus and Ángel García Team Up for a One-of-a-Kind Collab
Backed by The Ángel García Quartet and Good Pluck Trio, rickoLus will perform jazz standards, classic covers and new arrangements from his original song book
Two guys walk into a bar. One is Jacksonville’s most enduring songwriter. The other is a multi-instrumentalist and composer involved in an eclectic list of musical projects. There’s no punchline to this setup. It’s the origin story for an intriguing collaboration between two of the city’s most-respected musicians: Rick Colado and Ángel García. Under the moniker rickoLus, Colado has stacked …
Honored onscreen and in sound, Beverly Glenn-Copeland, a messenger whose time is now
Beverly Glenn-Copeland, or Glenn as he’s known to friends, compares himself to a radio that’s tuned to pick up certain frequencies. These ideas and sounds, which typically defy classification, come to him by way of what he calls the “Universal Broadcast System.” He sees his role as merely to receive and transcribe them, then send them back into the world …
Go | These are the Jacksonville concerts you don’t want to miss this week
Classical, prog punk or salsa: Take your pick
Each and every week the Jacksonville Music Experience team identifies the best concerts in Northeast Florida. This week’s calendar is chocked full of top-notch shows. Here’s what the JME team wants to see and hear. Americana The Wood Brothers – Wednesday, December 1 Ponte Vedra Concert Hall | Ponte Vedra With a new record grounded in improvisation, Grammy Award-nominated Americana trio …
Dave Grohl retraces his life-affirming path from Nirvana to Foo Fighters
Dave Grohl still remembers the first punk show he ever saw: Naked Raygun, in Chicago around 1982, at a little corner bar across from Wrigley Field called The Cubby Bear. “They knew four chords and the singer was, like, on top of my head, and I was against the stage, and it was life-affirming, because I thought … ‘Oh my …
Adele asked Spotify to remove the default shuffle button for albums, and they obliged
Spotify has removed a play button that automatically shuffled songs regardless of an album’s track list, and it’s all thanks to Adele. The singer-songwriter tweeted on Saturday that she had requested the change for the release of her fourth studio album, 30, which arrived on streaming services on Friday. “This was the only request I had in our ever changing …
Go | Tiger Records celebrates two years in biz with new merch and much vinyl
Vinyl shortage be damned: When Tiger Records celebrates an anniversary, the wax is sure to be in plentiful supply. In just 24 months in business, the upstart brick-and-mortar music shop in the heart of Riverside has made a case not just for the viability vinyl records, but for the enterprise of independent music stores, omnino. This weekend, Tiger celebrates two …
Astro, a founding member of the reggae group UB40, has died at age 64
Terence Wilson, a founding member of UB40 who was known by fans of the pioneering reggae band as Astro, has died following a short illness. He was 64. Wilson’s death was confirmed Saturday on the official Twitter page for his group, UB40 featuring Ali Campbell & Astro. “We are absolutely devastated and completely heartbroken to have to tell you that …
Local Spotlight | “Chamomile (Smoke Rings)” by Lazuli Vane
Beaches-based multi-instrumentalist steeps a funk-laced psychedelic brew
Neptune Beach has treated Patrick Taylor well. Since arriving in the small ocean-adjacent enclave a year ago, the songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who performs under Lazuli Vane has been productive, releasing the texturally rich and experimentally inclined full-length, 2020’s ambient The Orphic Rite of the Cult of Sedna. More importantly, perhaps, for the young creative, he’s embedded himself within an emotionally …
Go | The best concerts in Jacksonville this week
Porchfest, Surfer Blood and a hip-hop showcase
Each and every week the Jacksonville Music Experience team identifies the best concerts in Northeast Florida. Here’s what the JME team wants to see and hear this week. Jam Band Galactic – Thursday, November 4 Ponte Vedra Concert Hall | Ponte Vedra A mainstay at music festivals for decades, funky and progressive instrumental ensemble Galactic plays the Ponte Vedra Concert …
Hot Off the (Re)Press | Joni Mitchell at Carnegie and R.E.M. at their peak
Two great re-pressings from iconic artists
‘Hot Off the (Re)Press’ is a semi-regular column highlighting reissues of seminal, classic and groundbreaking works. The Jacksonville Music Experience team is made of vinyl enthusiasts. Read more about our love affair with the medium via JME’s Crate Diggin’ features. Live at Carnegie Hall-1969, Joni Mitchell Joni Mitchell, one of the most-celebrated songwriters of her generation, has arguably been one of the …
Jax Photographer Leighton Hoey’s Immersive View of the City’s Music Scene
Hoey's Jax Today photo essay offers a unique look at music in Northeast Florida
In a recent photo essay for Jacksonville Today (the second in an ongoing series for the recently launched newsletter and website), Beaches-based lens-person Leighton Hoey captures the verve and enthusiasm surrounding the city’s burgeoning live music scene. At 23, Hoey’s already a season veteran documentarian of music in Northeast Florida. And, in contrast to the more posed or highly stylized …
Fresh Rotation | Four new songs handpicked by the JME team
New tracks from Parquet Courts, Feels, IDLES and Duval’s own Wes Harris
Each and every week the JME team handpicks the juiciest new tunes from local, regional, national and international artists to concoct the tasty, tall-glass-of-a-listening-experience that is our Fresh Squeeze playlist. Each song is chosen with intention. And so we often feel like they are worthy of a broader discussion (or at least a bit of context). Here’s four new songs (all …
Go | Jacksonville PorchFest in Historic Springfield
Every neighborhood has its charms; only one has PorchFest
Certainly every neighborhood scattered across the vast sprawl of Jacksonville––the largest city by land area in the continental U.S.––has its charms. But the Downtown Jax-adjacent neighborhood of Springfield––with its rich history, walkability and varied range of historic and architecturally interesting homes gleaming with classical columns, fireplaces, crown modeling, decorative banisters, et al––is in a league of its own. And Springfield …
Lawmakers are considering awarding Prince a Congressional Gold Medal
Minnesota’s Congressional delegation wants to award an iconic hometown hero with one of the highest of awards given to U.S. civilians. The bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced legislation Monday calling for Prince to posthumously receive the Congressional Gold Medal. The bill honors Prince for his “legacy of musical achievement and… indelible mark on Minnesota and American culture.” The measure is …
JME DJ Sessions | The beautiful noise of Northeast Florida on First Coast Connect
Listen to three new songs out of Jacksonville
As temperatures are cooling here in Northeast Florida, local artists are heating up––setting streaming services ablaze with brand new tunes. On October’s edition of JME DJ Sessions on First Coast Connect with Melissa Ross, we listened to three songs from some of the region’s most buzzed-about artists. You can read reviews for each song on jaxmusic.org and listen to them …
Local Spotlight | “Stay in L.A.” by Howdy
Jacksonville indie-folk cowboy says "Aloha" to the West Coast
California retains a mythical quality in the hearts and minds of East Coasters. Los Angeles, too––despite its labyrinths of on- and off-ramps, fire hazards and (now) mosquito problems––can weigh heavy on the imagination of a right-coast romantic. A West Coast pilgrammage, then, is a must; if only to realize the grass is always greener. On “Stay in L.A.” Jax Beach-based …
Local Spotlight | The best releases by Jax artists out right now
New singles from Faze Wave and Niki Dawson; albums by LPT and DeAndre Lettsome
The JME team was busy last week, as new music flooded in from across Northeast Florida. New tracks from indie rock quartet Faze Wave and singular vocalist Niki Dawson perked our ears. And meditative and complex new full-lengths from jazz-scene standout DeAndre Lettsome and ten-piece Afro-Cuban salsa orchestra LPT gave us much to chew on. Here are the best new …
This French Pianist Has Been Playing For 102 Years And Just Released A New Album
PARIS — Colette Maze welcomes me warmly into her apartment on the 14th floor of a building overlooking the Seine River. From her flowered balcony, she has a view of the Eiffel Tower. She offers me a whiskey or a cognac — along with a hearty laugh as it’s 10:30 in the morning. It’s that humor, a sense of optimism …
Local Spotlight | Top tracks from Jacksonville artists out now
There’s so much high quality music pouring out of Northeast Florida right now that we aren’t quite sure what to do with it all. We’ll start by writing about it below. And we’ll also continue to add the standout tunes to our monthly Fresh Squeeze playlist. Beyond that, the rest is up to you. But we’d highly recommend putting these …
Join NPR Music’s Listening Party For John Prine’s Debut Album
For its 50th anniversary, join us in an online listening party for John Prine‘s self-titled debut. NPR Music’s Ann Powers will be joined by John’s wife Fiona Prine, their son Jody Whelan, legendary singer-songwriter Bonnie Raitt and producer Jim Rooney in a live conversation about this monumental album. The event will take place on the anniversary of the album’s release, …
Local Spotlight | “Persian Rugs” by Sailor Goon
An inscrutable blend of pop, R&B and psychedelia
Sailor Goon remains as inscrutable as she is enigmatic. Previous cuts like 2019’s “Milk & Bones” and “Just For Me” up-tuned the equalizers to the Duval psychediva’s signature approach to holograph soul; especially within the latter tune’s overall effect resembling 50 years of R&B micro-dosing and collapsing onto itself. This spring Sailor Goon (aka Kayla Le) regenerated her dreamscapes with …
“Moon Feels” by Ether Chambles
2016 Collection 2: 1st Place Winner – Ether Chambles Local singer/songwriter and 1st Place Winner of The Square, Ether Chambles, performs her song, “Downtime”. [divider/] Artist: Ether Chambles Genre: Music Bio: Chantalle Johnson, who performs as Ether Chambles, is a Jacksonville, FL, native and producer-vocalist who integrates hazy synths and heavy beats to create backdrops for lyrics inspired by poetry …
“Sirens of Sado” by Shoot the Pier
Artist: Shoot the Pier Genre: Music Bio: Shoot the Pier is a local father/daughter band who writes, plays, records and produces original instrumental surf music at our home in San Marco. Our music gets airplay on CA college stations and has been used in movies and commercials. Support Local Artists! Piece: Sirens of Sado Piece Description: Inspiration came from the …
“Various” by Arvid Smith
Artist: Arvid Smith Genre: Music Bio: Perfoming a blend of original compositions as well fusionist treatments of traditional music. Piece: Various Piece Description: Wood & Wire
Joe Bonamassa
August 27 on WJCT
“When You Came Into My Life” by Bogdan Koul
Artist: Bogdan Koul Genre: Music Bio: My name is Bogdan and I am a single man band musician whose origin leads all the way to Russia. I have been recording music since I was 13 and enjoy writing my own songs. Have had experience in leading multiple bands while being the front man. Piece: When You Came Into My Life …
“Objectivity” by Jim Stephens
Artist: Jim Stephens Genre: Music Bio: Born in Los Angeles – moved to Australia for many years – moved from Australia to St Augustine Fl. Rock, jazz, Brazilian music, folk, blues, blue-grass influences in a large catalogue of diverse and original songs Piece: Objectivity Piece Description: The lyrics of this home spun folk song invite the listener to discuss differences …
“Professor Peridot” by Isabella Martinez
Artist: Isabella Martinez Genre: Music Bio: Shark with Legs consists of david enicks, Ryan MacColl, Arden Green, and Isabella Martinez. All of our music comes from our improvised jam sessions at Ryan’s apartment. We like to experiment with all genres of music, but if we had to title our sound, we’d call it soft rock. Piece: Professor Peridot Piece Description: …
“The Hurricane Blues” by William Cost
Artist: William Cost Genre: Music Bio: William is a songwriter/guitarist, arranger and home recording enthusiast. He has been writing songs for 40 years. Recently William has begun producing videos featuring his songs. William enjoys sharing his music on Youtube and has a channel where you can find his videos. William enjoys listening to WJXT and has become a sustainer. Piece: …
“Tears In The Morning” by Patrick Rose
Artist: Patrick Rose Genre: Music Bio: Patrick A. Rose (ASCAP ARTIST) Pat got his first piano at age 7 and his first guitar at age 11. He formed his first band at age 14 in Savannah, Ga. He performs as a solo singer/guitarist, and with the band “Mid-Life Crisis” (www.mif-lifecrisis.net). He has performed throughout the southeast, and owns Rose Recording …
“Song Of The Summer Squall” by Arvid Smith
Artist: Arvid Smith Genre: Music Bio: I am a composer / performer working with stringed instruments in non-traditional as well familiar roles. This approach is reflected in my music not only in sound but in the stylistic blending of various genre. Piece: Song Of The Summer Squall Piece Description: Instrumental / multi layered “Song Of The Summer Squall” draws from …
“Missing Summer” by Bill Sims
Artist: Bill Sims Genre: Music Bio: Shoot The Pier is a Jacksonville, FL based father-daughter band. We write, record and produce original instrumental surf music. Our CD and EP received strong reviews and get current airplay on CA college stations. We are honored to have been featured in the January 2015 Folio Weekly, and pleased our tunes are in films …