The Royal Treatment: King Zepha grants us an audience
When the album “Introducing … King Zepha & The Bluebeat Renaissance” dropped in 2015, it won a spot on my …
Interviews
Diggin’ the scene with a gangsta lean – Prince Fatty and Earl 16 roll up in an R&B classic
One of the highlights of Record Store Day 2019 was the release of Prince Fatty’s 7” cover of the William …
“A team that stays together, wins together”: A conversation with The Skapones
A new album that’s earning rave reviews from the critics (here, here and here), a rapidly growing fan base with …
Building a Reggae-Steady-Ska record collection: Insider tips from Chicago’s top collector
Recently I realized I couldn’t live another day without an original recording of Theophilus Beckford’s “Easy Snapping” on Coxson Records. …
The Abruptors: Buffalo, NY’s hottest band is getting even hotter.
I first saw The Abruptors a couple years ago in a packed bar in Buffalo, New York. Back then they …
Veteran Reggae guitarist’s first solo record is a tribute to the movie music that inspired him.
Andy Bassford on the making of The Harder They Strum 2018 will go down as one of the best years …
Lost in Space: a pre-launch check-in with Gentleman’s Dub Club
Some bands play it safe, some bands push boundaries. Gentleman’s Dub Club rockets past those boundaries, creating concept albums(!) that …
“History blurs things. Politics blurs things even more.” A conversation with Heather Augustyn, author of Operation Jump Up: Jamaica’s Campaign for a National Sound
As much as I think I know about ska, I’m always learning something new. And that’s true every time I …
Sweet Romance: Don Letts talks Lovers Rock
BBC 6Music listeners know him for his weekly Culture Clash Radio show. Film buffs know him for his feature films …
History Lesson: an Interview with author Eric Doumerc
It’s back-to-school time here in New York so it’s a perfect time to crack open Jamaican Music in England: From …
“I live in a different world” — an interview with Coolie Ranx
Writing a song is easy. Writing a song that combines infectious riffs with sharp, insightful lyrics that stay relevant 20 …
So much love – Adam Flymo Birch and The Vershon’s
Adam Birch strolled by the merch tent wearing a T-shirt, baggy cargo shorts and an ear-to-ear grin. It was 30 …
Supernova Ska Fest 2018: 4-question interviews
The 2018 Supernova International Ska Fest brought some of the best ska bands on the continent to the 1781 Brewery …
Continuity: An interview with Skatalites guitarist Natty Frenchy
My favorite Skatalites show? Every one I’ve ever seen. And that’s true for the recent show at The Haunt in …
Producer Mitch Girio on his work with Jamaican singer Susan Cadogan
Prior to the upcoming shows that Susan Cadogan will be playing in Europe in 2018, we shot a few questions at a man who has helped the singer come up with exciting new tunes so that she needn’t solely rely on her (nonetheless impressive) back catalogue. Canadian producer Mitch Girio talks about how they worked together without ever meeting in person.
An interview with Chuck Wren of Jump Up Records
It will be hard to find a more passionate and out-spoken person in the worldwide ska scene than Chuck Wren. Unfortunately, …
Burning questions for Phoenix City All-Stars
Sean Flowerdew is a busy man. In January, he released Pama International Meets Manasseh, putting the band’s amazing Trojan Sessions …
Getting schooled—an interview with the authors behind Alpha Boy’s School: Cradle of Jamaican Music
As of this post, Adam and Heather have never been in the same room. Heather lives near Chicago and Adam …
Interviews
“I feel so lucky” – Backstage with The Big Takeover
Jamaica meets Motown. That’s the spot-on way The Big Takeover describe their soulful ska sound. Jamaican-born lead singer Nee Nee …
“You adjust. You Move on.” A conversation with The Pandemics
Bosstones-esque vocals, Pietaster-ish lyrics, Slackers-level musicianship and Reel Big Fish energy. You could make a solid case that The Pandemics …