The Round Table

Just last week, we introduced you to The Postelles, one of our favorite up-and-coming bands who are set to release their debut EP, White Night (March 2nd). The Postelles, comprised of Daniel Balk (lead vocals & guitar), David Dargahi (supporting vocals & guitar), John Speyer (bass) and Billy Cadden (drums), brilliantly mix power pop and rock with a touch of Motown/doo-wop flair.

Recently, we had the opportunity to ask bassist John Speyer some questions about their unique sound, producer Albert Hammond (The Strokes), the future of music, and dance parties.

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ThinkIndie is not your average, online music store. In fact, its roots are very real – unlike iTunes, which kind of disappears when I don’t have my computer on …

At first blush, ThinkIndie seems like sort of an online, musical farmer’s market. It has members (independent record stores across the country) and they converge at ThinkIndie to pedal their wares (organic awesomeness). Recently, we had the opportunity to ask Tony Davis, site manager for ThinkIndie, some questions about the business model, Lady Gaga and how to appear cool in 2010.

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I have no idea what the child of Edgar Allen Poe and Dr. Frank N. Furter would look like, but I’m guessing it wouldn’t be as pretty as April Smith and the Great Picture Show sound. Luckily, Tim Curry and Poe are only two of the arrows in the April Smith’s quiver. Other influences include Wes Anderson, PJ Harvey, Tom Waits and Electric Light Orchestra.

As you might imagine, April Smith and the Great Picture Show are a bit hard to place. Sultry horns, dancing pianos and the sense that she wouldn’t be out of place in a 1940’s dance hall are just a few of the things that come to mind. Or they do for me – what do you think?

April Smith and the Great Picture Show – “Colors”

Luckily, we don’t have to rely on my questionable ability to name genres. April Smith was kind enough to give us her own thoughts on genre, sinking ships and The Fantastic Mr. Fox. Read our interview with April after the jump.

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I have a love/hate relationship with Janet Jackson. While I’ve nursed a huge crush on her since she was Penny on “Good Times”, and I famously shouted down a relative who insisted Pebbles was hotter than Janet back in the Eighties, she’s not really been on my radar lately. First there was the whole Super Bowl fiasco, which I thought was tasteless. Then there was the way she refused to talk about it, as though she wasn’t responsible for it happening in the first place. THEN there’s the fact that her last couple of albums have been less than memorable. Truth be told, the last worthwhile Janet album was 1997’s “Velvet Rope”.

Anyway, JJ has been largely silent since the death of her big brother Michael in June. She emerged from her cocoon to sit for an interview with Robin Roberts on ABC last night. I must admit, the interview didn’t do much to change my recent ambivalence.

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credit Glamour.com

Rihanna is starting to break her silence regarding the domestic violence incident with then boyfriend Chris Brown. Her media tour includes appearances on Good Morning America and 20/20, which are set to air on Thursday Nov 5th and Friday Nov 6th, but it doesn’t stop there. The singer is also speaking out in her upcoming “Woman of the Year” feature in Glamour Magazine, where she even discusses the “bruised photo” leak.

A very candid Rihanna puts the magnitude of media scrutiny around the incident into perspective by saying, “I felt like I went to bed as Rihanna and woke up as Britney Spears.” We feel you RiRi.

The singer goes on to discuss the leaked photo as well as gives tips to young women everywhere. Check out excerpts after the cut as well as link to full interview.

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