-
Twenty One Pilots / Jumpsuit
Twenty One Pilots end their year-long hiatus by dropping two new songs. The first track, "Nico and the Niners", brings a chilled out reggae vibe while "Jumpsuit" showcases the duo's alternative roots. Both songs are featured on the band's upcoming fifth LP, Trench, due out October 5, 2018.
How Seven Nation Army Became A Stadium Chant
The White Stripes' "Seven Nation Army" has become a stadium rock classic with the likes of Gary Glitter's "Rock and Roll Part 2" and Queen's "We Will Rock You". But the song didn't get there by way of American basketball arenas or football stadiums — it started on the football pitch in Europe. In Belgium, fans of the Brugge KV were about to play Italy's AC Milan when the song came on in a bar. It started later at the game, and the rest is history.
Dave Matthews Tiny Desk Concert
Dave Matthews showed up solo to get behind the NPR desk. Armed with only an acoustic guitar and his signature voice, the DMB singer kicked things off with some material from the band's new album, followed up with a few classics. Come Tomorrow is available now.
Gorillaz featuring Snoop Dogg / Hollywood
When you're going to make a song about Hollywood, it doesn't get more West Coast than the D.O. Double G. That's why Gorillaz linked up with Snoop Dogg along with Jamie Principle for a funked up tribute to the LA lifestyle. The single follows four previously released songs from the upcoming album The Now Now, due out June 29, 2018.
Khalid Tiny Desk Concert
At just 20 years old, singer-songwriter Khalid has had a fast rise to the top of the music charts. With five Grammy nominations and a quadruple-platinum single, Khalid's career is off to a successful start. In his first Tiny Desk concert, Khalid and guitarist Jef Villaluna play a few of his best tracks, including the breakout single "Location".
Understanding Hotel California
"Hotel California" by the Eagles is one of the most famously impenetrable songs in the history of rock and roll. Lyrically and musically, the entire composition seems deliberately crafted to get the listener lost and confused. 12tone breaks down "Hotel California" with a bit of music theory in a valiant attempt to figure out what's going on behind the song.
-
![Stuart & Lau Regimen Gym Bag]( "Stuart & Lau Regimen Gym Bag")
Stuart & Lau Regimen Gym Bag
Seamlessly transition from the office to the gym with the Stuart & Lau Regimen Bag. The outer compartments are dedicated to work, with a tasteful blue nylon twill lining, padded laptop pouch, and various organizer pockets. In the center, you'll find the spacious 45L gym compartment, lined with a waterproof, wipe-down nylon. There's also a ventilated shoe pocket, interior and exterior water bottle slots, a rubberized base, and a built-in locker hook. Crafted from waterproof DuraLite fabric with full-grain leather trim and gunmetal hardware, it's built to last a lifetime — the same length as the S&L-backed warranty. Arrives with a leather key ring with a magnetic tab and a luggage tag with a detachable pen.
Width: 19.0" / Height: 12.0" / Depth: 8.5"
Defakto Vektor Watch
Dark and minimal with a superhero name, the German-made Defakto Vektor is a retro-futuristic marvel straight out of an alternative 1950 timeline. Powered by a Miyota 9015 automatic movement, the 39mm watch is the perfect size and its svelte 9.8mm height disappears under shirt sleeves. The black dial and red hands are enveloped by a sphered plexiglas dome for a true mid-century look. The case, which resides on a black cowhide strap, is brushed on the sides and polished on the top and back. And speaking of the back, the Vektor has a see-through case back to show off the movement inside.
-
The Composers Behind Stranger Things
Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein are the creators of the retro synth sounds behind the Netflix hit Stranger Things. The duo was part of the electronic band Survive when the Duffer Brothers approached them to score the series. In this short interview, the composers break down the show's music and how they created the now-iconic theme song.
Interpol / The Rover
Interpol is back with their first album in four years. Lead by the single "The Rover", the record will mark the sixth project for the New York natives. Marauder is set to be released August 24, 2018.
Gorillaz / Humility
The Gorillaz do not know how to slow down. Following last year's Humanz, the virtual band's next album The Now Now is slated for release on June 29, 2018. The first of two tracks of the new record, "Humility" features jazz and soul artist George Benson with a special guest appearance by Jack Black. Watch the second track, "Lake Zurich (Visualizer)" here.
Weezer / Africa
On the internet, sometimes dreams really do come true. A 14-year-old girl by the name of Mary made a Twitter account with the sole purpose of convincing Weezer to cover the resurgent soft-rock song "Africa" by Toto. It took a few months, but Mary has gotten her wish. Weezer just released this perfect cover and reinforced just how strange a place our online lives have become.
Celine Dion featuring Deadpool / Ashes
Sonny and Cher. Hall & Oats. Daft Punk. Music is full of great duos. Now, we can add one more to the list. For the Deadpool 2 soundtrack, Celine Dion and the Merc with a Mouth join forces for a passionate performance of the song "Ashes."
Making One Instrument Sound Like A Band
At only 20 years old, Alexandr Misko is one of the best fingerstyle guitarists playing right now. His unique style blends traditional fingerstyle with two-handed finger tapping and a percussive touch. At this TEDx talk, Alexandr breaks down his philosophy and demonstrates his incredible technique.
Game of Thrones Theme on Nintendo Labo
Ramin Djawadi is a composer. His credits include two TV shows you might have heard of — HBO's Game of Thrones and Westworld. Normally Ramin has any instrument at his disposal when it comes to composing, but now he's taking a bit more of a challenge by playing the Game of Thrones theme on a Nintendo Labo.
The Real Jailhouse Rock
One of the best funk records ever recorded didn't come from Motown, King, Chess, or Stax. Edge of Daybreak's Eyes of Love was recorded in Powhatan Correctional Center in State Farm, Virginia, in less than five hours and one take for each song. Jamal Jahal Nubi, Harry Coleman, James Carrington, Cornelius Cade, McEvoy Robinson, and Willie Williamske made up the group and created an album that has stood the test of time for almost 40 years.
-
Tekto Gear Automatic Knife
Lightweight, sharp, discreet, and easy to use, this automatic knife from Tekto Gear is their most impressive to date. The knife features a 3.8-inch chrome steel blade with a double-edge that is activated by an automatic mechanism using a dual-action switch. The handle is made using durable rose wood and includes a hip clip and a glass window breaker on the end to use in an emergency.
Presented by Tekto Gear.
Bamford Mayfair Watch
Taking a cue from car dealerships, Bamford Watch Department last year built a "Service Watch" that was lent out to clients while their timepiece was in for maintenance. People loved it and wanted to purchase one for themselves, so the Bamford Mayfair watch was born. Measuring in at a classic 40mm size with Military Grade Titanium Coating (MGTC), the watch is available in two versions — one with a matte grey case, anodized aluminum bezel, and leather strap, and one with a more sinister black case, matte ceramic bezel, and rubber strap. Both watches' indices and hands are finished in LumiNova for legibility and are powered by a Quartz Miyota 2035 movement. The Mayfair is your daily driver. Your vintage Rolex is the one that stays in the garage except on special occasions.
-
City of Lies
In the space of just over six months, hip-hop lost two of its biggest stars to murder. Neither of the cases has ever been solved, and the LAPD has outright stonewalled the investigation at times. City of Lies stars Johnny Depp as LAPD detective Russel Poole, who spent two decades trying to solve the murder of Biggie, and Forrest Whitaker as Jack Jackson, a reporter trying to figure out why the murder was never solved. The film comes to theaters September 7, 2018.
The History of the Orchestra Hit
In 1910, Russian composer Igor Stravinsky invented what would become known as the orchestra hit. Fast-forward to 1979, and Peter Vogel and partner Kim Ryrie would introduce the Fairlight CMI to the music world — and launch the orchestra hit into the pop music lexicon. The Fairlight was a synth with a built-in sampler, allowing musicians to record a sample and play it back at any pitch. The sampler would go on to become a mainstay of pop, from Peter Gabriel to Michael Jackson to Bruno Mars.
The Violin Worth Millions
The violins made by Antonio Stradivari are considered to be among the best instruments ever made. The 300-year-old violins can fetch prices of up to $16 million and the best violinists in the world swear by them. But all that money might be the result of history and hype more than substance. Vox looks at Stradivarius violins and what really makes them so special.
Childish Gambino / This Is America
Donald Glover uses his latest music video to make a powerful statement. Under his musical pseudonym Childish Gambino, the actor, writer, and rapper dances around an empty warehouse. As he moves around the space, horrific acts of violence unfold around him. The Hiro Murai collaboration dropped during Glover's SNL appearance and has been garnering a lot of attention — 40 million views and counting — ever since.
The Most Prolific Musician in America
You've probably never heard of R. Stevie Moore. But based on the sheer amount of his recordings, you probably should have. Moore has made over 400 records and was a pioneer of the lo-fi recording aesthetic. With a 4,000 song catalog, it would be hard to listen to everything Moore has done.
Prince / Nothing Compares 2 U
In 1984, Prince and the Revolution were rehearsing at the Flying Cloud Drive Warehouse in Eden Prairie, Minnesota for an upcoming tour. During practice, Prince launched into what would become a massive hit for Sinead O'Connor six years later — Nothing Compares 2 U. The amazing composition has just been released for the first time, a reminder of how amazing a songwriter Prince was, even when he wasn't in front of an audience.
-
Playing 37 Guitar Pedals At Once
There comes a time of existential crisis in every guitarist's life where you look down at the pile of steel boxes and writhing mass of cables at your feet and think, "What am I doing?" Fuzz, compressor, delay, distortion, overdrive, modulation — there's a pedal for every occasion and eventually you wonder how it could have gotten to this point. Steve Onotera recently had this problem and set out to solve the only way he knows how — by playing all 37 of his pedals at once.
20 Years of Lauryn Hill
Lauryn Hill's recording career lasted less than a decade, from The Fugee's Blunted on Reality to 2002's MTV Unplugged No. 2.0. Yet that in that short time span, she managed to inspire generations of artists with a mix of vintage soul and thoughtful lyrics. Nerdwriter lets the artist and her music speak for itself in this short documentary covering how her music still resonates two decades later.
-
Tame Impala / Let It Happen
Tame Impala's "Let It Happen" is a psychedelic masterpiece — and YouTube video artist broccoliboys has made the perfect video for the song. Taking Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey, broccoliboys cut out about 153 minutes, streamlining the film to fit the song length without sacrificing the narrative. The video is an excellent edit that changes both the film and the song in an interesting way.
Dan Auerbach Tiny Desk Concert
Dan Auerbach didn't bring the mariachi band to NPR's Tiny Desk this time. Instead, he brought the Easy Eye Sound Revue, which includes some of Nashville's best — and relatively unknown — musicians. With a few tracks from his 2017 album Waiting on a Song, Aurebach showcases his musical range behind the Tiny Desk.
Ramin Djawadi / Heart-Shaped Box
The first season of Westworld had many memorable characters but one of their most notorious was the player piano. Composed by Ramin Djawadi, the park's saloon produced hauntingly beautiful covers of modern songs from Radiohead, Amy Winehouse, and Nine Inch Nails. Thankfully, the old friend is making a return for the follow-up season and is giving us a sample of what's to come with this version of Nirvana's classic "Heart-Shaped Box".
Orchestral Performance of The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
The Danish National Symphony Orchestra does more than traditional classical arrangements. Collaborating with Danish television, the symphony has done several arrangements of famous movie soundtracks. Watch them perform original music from The Godfather, Blade Runner, and more.
Making McPherson Carbon Series Guitars
A good acoustic guitar has always been the province of handcraftsmanship and wood — spruce, rosewood, mahogany, ebony, and the like. But trees take a long time to grow, and environmental awareness and scarcity have led to the adoption of modern materials in the extremely traditional guitar industry. McPherson's Carbon Series acoustics use carbon fiber and modern manufacturing techniques in place of wood, but there's still a lot of specialized handwork that goes into each one.
The Philharmonic Turntable Orchestra
Made up of 30 DJs, The Philharmonic Turntable Orchestra is putting a new spin on classical music. Their debut performance is a tribute to the first LP ever sold in Japan 67 years ago. The record was composer Felix Mendelssohn's Concerto in E minor and the group honors it with this vinyl remix.
