Cover Story
Tom Petty
First published in 2015.
“I was born a rebel,” Tom Petty once sang, and he wasn’t kidding. As a certifiable legend of rock music who has sold tens of millions of albums and filled countless arenas, he still takes a passionate stand about the things he believes in.
Take the environment, for example. Standing at the plate glass window of his Malibu beach house, he points out a spot where several dolphins are about to appear. “You’ll see...
Jason Derulo
MAGIC MAN
Mixing genres and producers, chart-topper Jason Derulo conjures up his own brand of pop
By Russell Hall
Jason Derulo’s songs are fixtures on the pop charts, but he’s hesitant to label his music as simply pop. He’s proud of his many influences, and his latest album, Everything Is 4, features an array of musical styles. For some artists, that could spell a lack of cohesion, but Derulo’s collection gels through the sheer force of his...
John Legend & the Roots
John Legend remembers vividly the day that he and Roots drummer and bandleader Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson first met 10 years ago. Legend, then an aspiring singer, songwriter and keyboardist attending the University of Pennsylvania in the Roots’ hometown of Philadelphia, had been drawn to the buzzed-about series of public jam sessions the hip-hop group had been putting on at the Five Spot nightclub on Bank Street. “They were the heart of the...
TAYLOR SWIFT
HEARING RED
Taylor Swift turns up the emotional heat on her latest smash album
By Russell Hall
t’s midafternoon, and word has been circulating throughout the day that Taylor Swift is set to star as Joni Mitchell in a forthcoming biopic—but nothing’s confirmed. “If you see paparazzi shots of me shooting a movie,” Taylor says, “then you’ll know I’ve signed on to do it.” In any case, it’s quite likely the 22-year-old Swift will sooner...
IMAGINE DRAGONS
Imagine Dragons finds success takes some getting used to
Sudden fame can be a double-edged sword. Just ask Imagine Dragons’ frontman Dan Reynolds. “It sounds cliché,” he says, “but I never got into rock ’n’ roll for fame or drugs or girls. For me, rock ’n’ roll was about people doing what they wanted to do and saying what they wanted to say. I’m hardly a typical rock star. I have a wife and a 2-year-old daughter, and I love...
Neil Diamond
Road Scholar
With his latest, Melody Road, pop legend Neil Diamond proves every song is a learning experience
Neil Diamond has been writing songs for 50 years, so you might think it comes easy. Not so. Although melodies spring forth almost magically—“If I have a natural gift, that’s it,” he says—lyrics remain his bane. “It’s grunt work, requiring huge amounts of patience, diligence and focus. It’s ditch-digging, and unfortunately...
Slash
World of His Own
Eighteen years after Guns N’ Roses, Slash releases an explosive new record that finds him at the peak of his creative prowess
I’m an energetic and aggressive player,” declares Slash. “I attack hard—it’s very much a physical thing for me. What excites me most is the off-the-cuff, spontaneous energy you get from live performance. That has a huge impact on me.”
That impact began at a young age when the future musician—born...
Ed Sheeran
UNPLUGGED & ON FIRE
Ed Sheeran pushes acoustic boundaries to find new musical territory
He arrived on the mainstream music scene three years ago with a massively successful debut album of delicately crafted acoustic ballads. So it might have been understandable if the world had gotten used to thinking of Ed Sheeran as a laid-back, reliable balladeer. But the 23-year-old troubadour has since emerged as a pop phenom, a creative dynamo whose varied...
MIRANDA LAMBERT
SLOW BURN
Country firecracker Miranda Lambert keeps the sizzle but embraces her softer side on her latest
A decade ago, Miranda Lambert burst onto the country scene, branded as a volatile, gun-totin’ spitfire. But these days the sassy singer-songwriter has mellowed a bit. “All the fiery stuff is what set me apart in the beginning,” Lambert says, “because no one else was doing it. With success, I’ve been able to calm down and acknowledge...
SARAH McLACHLAN
TIME TO SHINE
Life’s hard knocks stoke the creative fire for Sarah McLachlan
By Russell Hall
For Sarah McLachlan, life in recent years has been punctuated by loss and change. Her 2010 album, Laws of Illusion, mourned the dissolution of her near decade-long marriage. Since then she’s endured the death of her father, and—less traumatically—ended a 24-year partnership with her management team and record label. “Losing my dad, separating from...
ROBIN THICKE
SMOOTH BLEND
Robin Thicke scores by blurring the lines between pop, soul and hip-hop
By Russell Hall
Although many artists become more serious with age, Robin Thicke sees himself on a reverse course—shedding youthful intensity in favor of a more freewheeling aesthetic. “I started out with very lofty ambitions,” says the 37-year-old. “The guys I admire got more serious as they got older. John Lennon went from ‘Help!’ to ‘Working Class...
Avril Lavigne
A REBEL RETURNS
Punk-pop princess Avril Lavigne makes a fresh start with a new romance, new label and new album
By Russell Hall
rustrated by disputes with her record label over the direction of her last album, 2011’s Goodbye Lullaby, Avril Lavigne found herself at a low point in the wake of its release. “I wasn’t going to make another record unless I could do exactly what I wanted,” she recalls. But suddenly a new path emerged. “I...
KISS
KISS
For a long time, beginning in 1999, Paul Stanley wasn’t sure Kiss would make another studio album. Worse, he wasn’t sure he wanted to. Ironically, it was the making of the previous year’s Psycho Circus—the much-ballyhooed record that featured original members Peter Criss and Ace Frehley reunited with Kiss founders Stanley and Gene Simmons—that put Stanley in that frame of mind. As he tells it, Criss and Frehley were recalcitrant participants,...
Journey – The New Frontier
How classic-rock juggernaut Journey turned a whole new generation into believers
By Chris Neal
Jonathan Cain is in the midst of a minor crisis. He was just shopping with his son in the Irish capital of Dublin when his wife called to let him know that their laptop computer has gone kaput, the victim of a virus that hacked all their credit cards—except for one, which happens to be a brand that isn’t welcomed by merchants here in Dublin. So while...
ALANIS MORISSETTE
It’s a midsummer morning, and Alanis Morissette is enjoying some rare downtime in her hometown of Ottawa, Canada. Although she’s lived in Los Angeles since the mid-’90s, clearly there’s no place like home. “It’s been a long time since I’ve been here,” she says. “I used to come up three times a year but almost two years have passed this time. Today we’re getting all the cousins together—having about 10 kids in one place. I’m...
RUSH
The Governor General’s Performing Arts Award is the highest honor the nation of Canada can bestow upon its artists. The first recipient was Gweneth Lloyd, who co-founded the Royal Winnipeg Ballet. This year the honorees included Stratford Shakespeare Festival artistic director Des McAnuff, classical pianist Janina Fialkowska, choreographer Paul-André Fortier and several other creative Canadians familiar with respectable, best-behavior black-tie...
NORAH JONES
NORAH JONES
How she made the most unexpected music of her career with some help from Danger Mouse.
In June 2009, Norah Jones was somewhere not many people would expect her to be: in a small Los Angeles studio, cooking up new music with producer Brian “Danger Mouse” Burton.
Ten years ago, Jones’ diamond-selling debut, Come Away With Me, established her as a pop icon with a soft, jazzy touch. Each of her follow-up solo albums—all of which...
JASON MRAZ
JASON MRAZ
A talk about the meaning of music, finding the right sound and his favorite four-letter word.
Jason Mraz is in a noisy Los Angeles rehearsal hall, taking a break from doing something that doesn’t come easily to him: telling other people what to do. Mraz first emerged from the Southern California coffeehouse scene just over a decade ago armed only with a guitar, a sweetly melodious tenor voice and a rapidly growing stack of original...
Bonnie Raitt
Bonnie Raitt
One of music’s most beloved icons slides back into the rock ’n’ roll slipstream.
Bonnie Raitt is always listening. “My ear’s always cocked for a possible direction,” she says. “Something that’s inspirational, either a song I want to do or a songwriter I want to investigate further. We’ve got hundreds of CDs in our collection and files on our computer. I take songs with me on my iPhone and listen every day when I go...
RINGO STARR
RINGO STARR
Rock’s most famous drummer remembers the Beatles and looks ahead to a Starr-filled future.
THE FRAY
Earning scars, telling stories and letting themselves get a little bit louder in the process.
KEITH JARRETT
Jazz’s premier improvisational pianist reveals the joy and anxiety of playing without a net.
SEAN GARRETT
The producer behind some of today’s biggest R&B radio hits takes you into the studio.
ANI DiFRANCO
How...
COMMON
COMMON
Catching up with the rapper, actor, author, poet and unlikely magnet for controversy.
LOU REED
How one of rock’s fiercest iconoclasts found common ground with the mighty Metallica.
PETER GABRIEL
Finding fresh new blood in familiar favorites with the help of a symphony orchestra.
RAY MANZAREK
The legendary Doors’ keyboardist extraordinaire isn’t finished lighting new fires just yet.
JAM & LEWIS
Behind the board with one of the greatest...
CHICKENFOOT
CHICKENFOOT
Sammy Hagar, Joe Satriani, Michael Anthony and Chad Smith are on a rock ’n’ roll mission.
TORI AMOS
Centuries-old classical compositions helped point this piano goddess in a new direction.
ALICE COOPER
America’s favorite shock-rock legend revisits his most beloved nightmare—with a few twists.
VINCE GILL
One of country music’s greatest guitarists, singers and songwriters finds a space of his own.
LINDSEY BUCKINGHAM
The guitar...
MARY J. BLIGE
JULY/AUGUST 2011 COVER STORY: MARY J. BLIGE
FEATURE: SHINE ON – PINK FLOYD
MUSICIAN: TOM MORELLO, CHICK COREA
PRODUCER: JAY JOYCE
Q&A’s: LADY ANTEBELLUM, KELLY ROWLAND, AMERICA, YES, DOLLY PARTON, BARRY MANILOW
SPOTLIGHT: THE BANGLES, VANESSA CARLTON, THE KOOKS, JEFF BRIDGES, SARAH JAROSZ, LENNY KRAVITZ, GLEN CAMPBELL
WHO’S NEXT: HOPE WAITS, BREANNE DUREN, PETER BALDWIN
INDIE SCENE: BLUE OCTOBER
BEHIND THE CLASSICS: “Tom...
STEVIE NICKS
MAY 2011 COVER STORY: STEVIE NICKS
FEATURE: SUMMER FESTIVAL
MUSICIAN: BRUCE HORNSBY, HERB ALPERT
ENGINEER: MARCELLA ARAICA
Q&A’s: KIMBERLY CALDWELL, DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE, ARCTIC MONKEYS, RAY DAVIES, SUSAN TEDESCHI AND, DEREK TRUCKS, ROBBIE ROBERTSON
SPOTLIGHT: QUEENSRŸCHE, JESSIE J, BOOKER T. JONES, FLOGGING MOLLY, MOBY, AUGUSTANA, HIROMI
WHO’S NEXT: LAURA JANSEN, CARTER’S CHORD, GRAHAM STOOKEY
INDIE SCENE: JONATHAN EDWARDS
BEHIND...
FOO FIGHTERS
MARCH/APRIL 2011 COVER STORY: FOO FIGHTERS
FEATURES: MATCH GAME
MUSICIAN: ALISON KRAUSS, JOE BONAMASSA
PRODUCER: James Stroud
Q&A’s: R.E.M., LUCINDA WILLIAMS, BOOTSY COLLINS, AVRIL LAVIGNE, NIKKI SIXX, JAMES STROUD, STEVE EARLE
SPOTLIGHT: DENGUE FEVER, PANIC! AT THE DISCO, JOHN OATES, BAND OF HEATHENS, WANDA JACKSON, JASON ISBELL AND THE 400 UNIT, THE DUKE SPIRIT
WHO’S NEXT: HENRY WOLFE, FRANCESCA BATTISTELLI, KINA GRANNIS
INDIE SCENE:...
STING
JAN/FEB 2011 COVER STORY: STING
FEATURES: STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN,
MUSICIAN: GREGG ALLMAN, ERIC JOHNSON,
PRODUCER: PETER ASHER
Q&A’s: BRIGHT EYES, THE DECEMBERISTS, DURAN DURAN, IRON & WINE, DOOBIE BROTHERS, JAMES BLUNT
SPOTLIGHT: SOCIAL DISTORTION, ADELE, BEN E. KING, TIMES OF GRACE, CORINNE BAILEY RAE, OVER THE RHINE, THE DEARS
WHO’S NEXT: FUNERAL PARTY, ANNA CALVI, PLAN B,
INDIE SCENE: TIERRA NEGRA & MURIEL ANDERSON,
BEHIND THE...
KEITH URBAN
DEC 2010 COVER STORY: KEITH URBAN
FEATURES: THE INDIE SURVIVAL GUIDE
MUSICIAN: KEVIN EUBANKS, STEVE LUKATHER
PRODUCER: DANIEL LANOIS
Q&A’s: MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE, ANNIE LENNOX, REGINA SPEKTOR, BRYAN ADAMS, AMOS LEE
SPOTLIGHT: YOKO ONO, THE DAMNED THINGS, RHONDA VINCENT, TAPES ‘N TAPES, INXS, CASSANDRA WILSON, CAKE
WHO’S NEXT: HOPE, THE MEMORIALS, STEEL MAGNOLIA
INDIE SCENE: CASEY DESMOND
BEHIND THE CLASSICS: “Hard Knock Life...
JOHN LEGEND & THE ROOTS
NOV 2010 COVER STORY: JOHN LEGEND & THE ROOTS
FEATURES: MILES TO GO, WHOLE NEW WORLD
MUSICIAN: JOE SATRIANI, RICHARD THOMPSON
PRODUCER: DAVE STEWART
Q&A’s: LINKIN PARK, LIZ PHAIR, NATASHA BEDINGFIELD, HUEY LEWIS, JASON BONHAM
SPOTLIGHT: PHIL COLLINS, SUGARLAND, TRICKY, SHAWN MULLINS, BAD BOOKS, DAR WILLIAMS, AARON NEVILLE
WHO’S NEXT: MATT WHITE, SECRET SISTERS, LAUREN PRITCHARD
INDIE SCENE: PETER HIMMELMAN
BEHIND THE CLASSICS:...
TOM PETTY
SEPT/OCT 2010 COVER STORY: TOM PETTY
FEATURES: MUSIC-BASED VIDEO GAMES, STAGE TO SCREEN
MUSICIAN: CARLOS SANTANA, DEREK TRUCKS
PRODUCER: LARRY KLEIN
Q&A’s: JEFF BECK, SARA BAREILLES, MAVIS STAPLES, ROBERT PLANT, HEART, NICK CAVE
SPOTLIGHT: LITTLE BIG TOWN, JENNY & JOHNNY, RAUL MALO, MAROON 5, NELLIE MCKAY, OF MONTREAL, JAMEY JOHNSON
WHO’S NEXT: ESPERANZA SPALDING, JASON REEVES, BRENDAN JAMES
INDIE SCENE: SARA HICKMAN
BEHIND THE...
Sheryl Crow
Issue 05 Cover Story: Sheryl Crow
Features: Albums From Hell, Digital Dilemmas
Gear Feature: Aces of Bass
Musician Feature: The Black Crowes, Jimmie Vaughan
Producer Feature: Bryan-Michael Cox
Q&A’s: Tom Jones, Indigo Girls, Alejandro Escovedo, Crowded House, Aerosmith’s Joey Kramer, Belinda Carlisle
Spotlight: Michael Franti, Squeeze, Nikki & Rich, Fefe Dobson, Goo Goo Dolls, Tegan and Sara, Tim O’Brien
Who’s Next: Ryan Star,...
Sarah McLachlan
M Music & Musicians / June 2010
Issue 04 Cover Story: Sarah McLachlan
Features: Rock At The Movies, Deal Or No Deal?
Gear Feature: Maximum Mixes
Musician: Herbie Hancock, Robert Randolph
Producer: Hugh Padgham
Q&A’s: Jewel, Ozzy Osbourne, 3Oh!3, Timothy B. Schmit, Tift Merritt, Solomon Burke
Spotlight: Devo, Dierks Bentley, Grace Potter & The Nocturnals, Against Me!, Hanson, Punch Brothers, Tonic
Who’s Next: Eli ‘Paperboy’ Reed,...
Stone Temple Pilots
M Music & Musicians / May 2010
Issue 03 Cover Story: Stone Temple Pilots
Features: The Vinyl Frontier, Summer Festivals
Musician: Chester Thompson, Melissa Etheridge
Producer: Alan Parsons
Q&A’s: Merle Haggard, Deftones, Taylor Hawkins, Nas & Damian Marley, Chely Wright, The Black Keys
Spotlight: Minus The Bear, Josh Ritter, Betty Lavette, The Hold Steady, Bill Charlap And Renee Rosnes, Widespread Panic, The New Pornographers
Who’s...
Willie Nelson
Cover Story: Willie Nelson
Issue 02 Cover Story: Willie Nelson
Gear Feature: Get Great Vocals
Features: Rock On Broadway, Social Networking
Musician: Slash, Warren Haynes
Producer: Don Was
Q&A’s: Jakob Dylan, Kaki King, Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, Peter Frampton, Meshell Ndegeocello, George Thorogood
Spotlight: Angels & Airwaves, Jamie Cullum, Mose Allison, The Chieftains, Cypress Hill, Ted Leo & The Pharmacists, Drive-By Truckers
Who’s...
Premiere Issue 01: Alicia Keys
Premiere Issue - Alicia Keys
Issue 01 Cover Story: Alicia Keys
Gear Feature: Mixing Live Sound
Features: TV’s Hottest House Bands, Fighting the Loudness War
Musician Feature: Pat Metheny,
Producer Feature: Al Schmitt, John Fogerty
Q&A’s: Ok Go, Orianthi, Steve Wariner, Little Steven Van Zandt, Angie Stone
Spotlight: Vampire Weekend, Omarion, Juliana Hatfield, Medeski Martin & Wood, Lady Antebellum, Midlake, Freedy Johnson
Who’s...