I generally have a stack of CDs on my desk that I need to listen to. Some of them are for pleasure listening; some of them are albums to possibly write up; some of them are research for upcoming interviews. The stack is always there. I listen to them here and there while I’m working… [Read more…]
December 29, 2011
In a recent interview with Emilio Castillo, founder of the legendary R&B/funk group Tower of Power, we chatted about several things: the band’s longevity, his creative partnership with founding member Stephen “Doc” Kupka, their embrace of Oakland over San Francisco and more. One of my favorite moments of the interview was when Emilio told me… [Read more…]
March 12, 2011
I recently had the pleasure of interviewing San Jose artist Charlotte Kruk and I must say, this was one of my favorite interviews and articles. Kruk is funny, charming, insightful and doing amazing things. This was a print-only piece, so here it is in its entirety: Charlotte Kruk by Cat Johnson No good packaging gets… [Read more…]
March 12, 2011
Bluegrass and old-time music is hot, hot, hot right now. This, I love. I’m totally into a good roots revival and the Bay Area knows how to do it up right. We love a good foot stomp. Here’s a preview of one of the local favorites, the Barefoot Nellies. Read the Article: Barefoot Nellies
March 12, 2011
Need a wardrobe makeover? Urban Darling can help. They will dissect your wardrobe an item at a time, mix-and-match new ensembles or take you shopping to start over from scratch. Not too long ago I had lunch with Corrine Phipps, the founder and CEO of the company and drilled her with a bunch of questions… [Read more…]
March 6, 2011
They’re still rolling! Man, back in the day, these guys were the shizzit. They embodied everything that was righteous and fun about the 80s pop/rock/ska world. Fishbone will always be one-of-a-kind. Read the Article: The Wild World of Fishbone
March 6, 2011
A while ago I spent some time chatting with Sid Enck, the founder of the Tea Shack Project; a loose collective of artists and skateboarders who create t-shirts, bags, skate decks and a bunch of other cool things. Read the article: Birds of a Feather
February 5, 2011
Hailing from Scotland, the Average White Band made an unlikely, yet successful climb to the top of the funk and soul charts in the 1970s…and they’re still going! Read the article: Average White Band
February 5, 2011
I definitely got a touch of baseball fever this year. When the hometown Giants are not only in the World Series, but walk away the winners, the energy and excitement is contagious. Watching so many games also got me thinking about the history of baseball uniforms, and in particular that wonderful lettering, so I did… [Read more…]
February 5, 2011
It amazes me that this guy has sold over 50 million albums, has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and is largely unknown outside of Spanish-speaking communities. Welcome to the wonderful world of Vicente Fernandez: the King of the Ranchera. Read the Article: Ranchera King Vicente Fernandez
January 8, 2012
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