[contextly_auto_sidebar] FRIDAY night I caught the Athens/Atlanta group Futurebirds at the Georgia Theatre. On record, they've developed a style some have called "psychedelic country," but it's also textured in a way that brings to mind the gentle lineage of lush electric-acoustic guitar rock that runs from the Velvet Underground's self-titled album through the Feelies to Real Estate. … [Read more...]
Retro rock with LA’s Dawes
ONE of my favorite newish West Coast bands is the LA quartet Dawes, who both draw from the classical canyon rock of the 60s and 70s and work to carve their individual place in the tradition. The voices of Jackson Browne, the Byrds, Neil Young and others echo through their songs.HERE is my profile of the band in today's LA Times.I really enjoyed talking to singer/guitarist Taylor Goldsmith: We … [Read more...]
Kickass swimmer Diana Nyad
NOT often do I venture far from my music-film-authors obsession to write about sports, but I could not resist the chance to speak to Diana Nyad, the record-breaking swimmer and NPR commentator who has decided, in her 60s, to swim more than 100 miles between Cuba and Florida.We spoke about regrets, physical endurance, killer sharks, nasty jellyfish and the importance of Neil Young for the site … [Read more...]