Churchill talks about finding an identity

Churchill is releasing its debut full-length, Happy/Sad, tonight at the hi-dive. It’s been a long time coming — the band has been around for more than two years, and this album has been in the works for half that time. The album, partially funded by a successful Kickstarter campaign, is…

“Born This Way,” Lady Gaga’s glimmering, fabulous return

Lady Gaga’s back with “Born This Way,” which was officially released to much fanfare on her web site. It’s a ridiculous, home-run swing of a pop anthem, replete with about a thousand keyboard tracks and a full-choir chorus that gets an a capella breakdown the last time through. Gaga, somewhat…

Behold the awesome absurdity of Total Ghost

Snowy weather got you feeling glum? Yeah? We hear ya. Luckily, we’ve got just thing to turn that frown upside down. Meet Total Ghost. We don’t know where in the hell these dudes Chön and Biktor came from — they claim to be from Germany, but we suspect they’re about…

Super Bowl XLV halftime show prop bets

There will never be more people watching a musical performance at one time than during the Super Bowl, so it’s a good thing they always pick legends. In order, starting the year after Nipplegate: Paul McCartney, the Rolling Stones, Prince, Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen, the Who and the Black Eyed…

800 the Jewell on founding a label and what inspires him

800 the Jewell (aka Phillip Embry) is a man of many words and even more substance. In addition to his work as a producer, musician and rapper, he is the founder of Jewell Tyme Music, the label that houses such artists as Haven the Great, King FOE, Karma, and others…

Patrick Stump is basically a very talented, very wealthy kid

Patrick Stump’s long-delayed solo debut, Soul Punk, will allegedly, finally be out sometime in February. Up front: We think it’s going to be incredible. Stump has taken an unconventional tack in promoting his solo career, best exemplified by last week’s elaborate a cappella medley of all the songs nominated for…

Eliot Fisk on collaborating with Bill Frisell and improvisation

Although classical guitarist Eliot Fisk and jazz guitarist Bill Frisell have known each other since they first met in Germany nearly 25 years ago, they’ve never performed together — until now. Both are due for solo set tonight, January 20 at DU’s Newman Center, where they’ll join forces for a…

American Idol is dead. What’s next?

Well, that was fun while it lasted. American Idol had its worst season premiere ever, coming off the heels of its first season where winning didn’t translate to commercial pop success. Turns out J-Lo and fossilized Steven Tyler are pushovers trying to make their own careers as much as anyone…