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The Audiophile
High-definition video transformed movies and TV, and high-resolution audio is changing music, thanks to 3D surround sound and better quality. Each week we publish an in-depth interview with the musicians and engineers making music better, where stars such as Steve Aoki, Imagine Dragons, Foo Fighters talk about their latest releases … and how new HD is helping making them awesome.
Embracing the ’80s and flipping the script with The Shins frontman James Mercer
The Shins completely reworked all eleven songs on their 2017 album, Heartworms, for The Worm’s Heart, and band mastermind James Mercer thinks the Flipped versions are better overall.
Friends, admirers, and collaborators remember Canadian rock legend Gord Downie
Gord Downie leaves behind a recorded legacy with The Tragically Hip that is based in the grit and groove of the finest rock has to offer, along with his beyond-vivid songwriting.
His father did it with sitar, but Dhani Harrison proves EDM can heal, too
An EDM-tinged aura that expands on his film and TV compositional work permeates all throughout Dhani Harrison’s first full-fledged solo album, IN///PARALLEL.
Remembering Tom Petty with an unreleased interview on gear, recording, his legacy
The late Tom Petty discussed the sound he was going after in the studio, what makes for a good engineer, and what his vision of The Heartbreakers’ future was.
Ever wonder how an album is made? Neil Finn live-streamed the process
Out of Silence shows Neil Finn in the moment as a live-streaming music creator, and he plans to continue to utilize the platform to launch new music.
Backed by an orchestra, Kaki King shape shifts yet again on ‘Live at Berklee’
Avant-guitarist Kaki King discusses the philosophy behind Live at Berklee, how to bring classical performance and composition into the modern era.
Deer Tick returns from hiatus with a double-barreled dual album release
Deer Tick is stronger than ever, as evidenced in their two new albums. Acoustic songwriting dominates Vol. 1 and punk-like abandon thunders forth on Vol. 2.
Furious times call for furious songs on ‘Shade,’ Living Colour’s righteous return
Living Colour’s new genre-defying album Shade examines a constant dialogue about what it’s like being an American in today’s topsy-turvy modern times.
The Revolution carries Prince’s purple flag forward … with a little more bass
The Revolution discusses the Purple Rain band’s studio techniques when recording with Prince, the missing bass on When Doves Cry, and what’s next.
The party is the show for Corin Tucker and her Filthy Friends
Guitarist/vocalist Corin Tucker discusses how her new band Filthy Friends keeps their songs feeling current in today’s ever-changing socio-political climate, the current status of Sleater-Kinney, and how to challenge yourself as an artist whenever you play live.
On ‘To The Bone,’ Steven Wilson crafts accessible songs that transcend time
Steven Wilson discusses his new album To the Bone, the secrets of post-modern sound construction, and how to make music feel timeless.
Vök drummer Einer Stef on the ‘Icelandic sound,’ Björk covers, and their first LP
Vök drummer Einar Stef discusses the band’s process, and which Björk covers it should do.
Mellower but still a madman, Black Grape’s Shaun Ryder is all about the music now
Black Grape frontman Shaun Ryder talks ‘Pop Voodoo,’ signing vinyl the “right” way, and how his kids currently view his musical legacy.
Broken Social Scene’s ‘Hug of Thunder’ brings 18 artists together for sonic harmony
Broken Social Scene reconvenes every few years to make beautiful music together, just as they’ve done on their new album, Hug of Thunder.
From floppy disks to $500 music videos, Battle Tapes did it their way on ‘Form’
Battle Tapes mastermind Josh Boardman wanted to flip the sonic script while working of Form, the genre-busting EP that follows up 2015’s Polygon.
Styx crosses solar systems and generations on ‘The Mission’
On their new album ‘The Mission,’ Styx revisits the space optimism of 1977’s ‘The Grand Illusion’ with a new mission: Mars.
‘Tomorrow Forever’ is a long album for an impatient era, but Kickstarter loves it
Matthew Sweet turned to Kickstarter to record Tomorrow Forever, a 17-song forward-thinking melodic riff-fest that somehow never feels long.
Shannon McNally busts borders and opens minds on ‘Black Irish’
Shannon McNally straddles the line between songwriter and song interpreter on ‘Black Irish,’ and isn’t afraid to state the obvious.
‘Undercurrent’ isn’t a Matisyahu album, it’s a soundtrack for life
Matisyahu, the noted Jewish reggae/hip-hop beatboxer who’s taken live improv to another level with his new album, Undercurrent.
Oh, the inhumanity! Rich Robinson of Magpie Salute on the tragedy of autotune
The Magpie Salute, led by Rich Robinson, founding guitarist of The Black Crowes, grooves along like the best jam-masters do.
Finally in surround after 50 years, ‘Sgt. Pepper’ is getting better all the time
Released on June 1, 1967, Sgt. Pepper instantly turned the record album format into an artform that still holds merit to this day.
And then there were 3. Now a trio, Close Talker do more with less on ‘Lens’
The newly reconfigured three-piece Close Talker created aurally exciting angular, atmospheric tones on Lens, which built upon the initial promise of their 2014 debut, Flux.
Less is more on ‘Something Else,’ The Cranberries’ greatest hits resurrected
The Cranberries recently decided to revisit their storied catalog on Something Else by stripping down their biggest tracks to a more raw, acoustic form, as accompanied by a string quartet.