Mastering the Master A studio legend details the crucial final step in the recording process Between the final mix and the finished record lies a mysterious final step: mastering. But what is it? Why is it important? Is it necessary? In fact, mastering is vital to the recording process. Imagine having to lunge for the volume knob every time a new song came on the radio, each with a vastly different sound level. Or, consider why your favorite music... 

BILLY JOE SHAVER The Texas legend’s singular songs are inspired by   his remarkable life  Billy Joe Shaver’s weathered Texas accent is every bit as world-weary as one might expect. After all, at 75, he’s lived a full life, from a hardscrabble childhood to personal tragedy to a brush with the law. Meanwhile Shaver’s formidable songwriting talent has earned respect from loyal fans including Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, Elvis Presley, Willie Nelson... 

BUTCH VIG The pioneering platinum producer continues to explore new sonic landscapes By Michael Gallant When Butch Vig helped create Nirvana’s 1991 masterpiece Nevermind, little did he know the project would fundamentally transform the rock world. Though the Grammy-winning, multiplatinum producer had been toiling behind the glass for nearly a decade, that iconic album marked the beginning of a singular career. Following Nevermind, Vig helmed groundbreaking... 

KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERD For the onetime guitar prodigy, home is where the heart—and the blues—are By Jeff Tamarkin Watching icon Stevie Ray Vaughan at just 7 years old impacted Kenny Wayne Shepherd in ways he could never have imagined at the time. “I had a very early introduction to blues music,” says Shepherd, “and watching Stevie Ray altered the course of my life. He played with such raw emotion and passion and fire. From that day forward... 

ANNIE LENNOX The Scottish soul diva soars on a singular standards set Annie Lennox—the wonderfully eccentric, madly soulful former Eurythmics singer—has released a decidedly nonstandard standards album. Nostalgia, the follow-up to 2010’s critically lauded A Christmas Cornucopia, came about totally by accident after Lennox performed some jazz tunes with Herbie Hancock at the 2012 International AIDS Conference. “It struck me that I had this... 

LENNY KRAVITZ The rocker-turned-actor turns rocker again with a new studio album In the 25 years since Lenny Kravitz released his debut album Let Love Rule, he has released 10 studio albums, won four Grammys, and scored hits like “It Ain’t Over ’Til It’s Over,” “American Woman” and “Fly Away.” After recent star turns in such films as Precious, The Butler and the Hunger Games franchise, the 50-year-old singer-songwriter returns to... 

THE FLAMING LIPS                         Putting their own spin on a landmark Beatles album   For many musicians, approaching the crown jewel of the Beatles catalog would take a lot of nerve—but for the Flaming Lips, reimagining Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band was less about intimidation and more about wonder. “Out of sheer curiosity, we picked  some Beatles songs and thought, ‘How are they doing that?’” says frontman... 

MELISSA ETHERIDGE Collaboration takes the Grammy-winning rocker in new musical directions Going into her 13th studio album, Melissa Etheridge had two songs written and was well on her way to recording another set of driving, heartfelt pop-rock tunes—the type that have earned her two Grammys and a devoted fan base—but then she realized something. “I can make Melissa Etheridge songs until the cows come home,” she says. So she dramatically shook... 

THURSTON MOORE Crossing the ocean brought the influential rocker a new wave of creativity  “Permanently? I don’t know what that would mean,” says Thurston Moore, laughing. The 56-year-old singer and guitarist of the legendary alt rock band Sonic Youth is not referring to the potential length of the iconic band’s hiatus, which began when Moore split with wife and longtime bandmate Kim Gordon in 2011. Rather, he’s considering whether his... 

THE MADDEN BROTHERS The Good Charlotte rockers take a detour to explore a new creative path Here’s what you should know upfront about Joel and Benji Madden’s debut record as the Madden Brothers: “It’s completely different from Good Charlotte,” says Joel. “If you’re looking for high-energy pop punk, it’s definitely not that.” The tattoo-covered twins started jamming in their tiny, unheated Maryland bedroom at 15. After moving west... 

LITTLE BIG TOWN   Success brings a wealth of changes for the resilient country rockers For more than 15 years Little Big Town has delivered irresistible harmonies, timeless melodies and compelling songs—but the path to success has hardly been a straight line. In the late ’90s they landed a major record contract, but the deal fizzled. In 2002 the group released their debut album on an indie label—but it didn’t fare well. Three years later,... 

LUCINDA WILLIAMS For one of Americana’s most celebrated artists, the best is yet to come Lucinda Williams has enjoyed a singular 36-year career that has included recording a dozen albums, collaborating with countless artists, and winning three Grammys. Yet the 61-year-old performer harbors no doubt her artistry is still on the ascendant. “I see myself as an anomaly,” says the Louisiana-born artist as she releases Down Where the Spirit Meets... 

JESSIE J The U.K. pop star kicks off her quest to conquer the U.S. with a Bang Bang Jessie J is hoping she finally has America’s attention. With the out-of-the-gate success of “Bang Bang”—the lead single off her latest album, Sweet Talker, that features red-hot pop star Ariana Grande and rapper Nicki Minaj—she’s longing to score her first No. 1 album. “I’ve never had one before anywhere, so that would be my biggest achievement,”... 

KANDACE SPRINGS HOMETOWN: Nashville INFLUENCES: Aretha Franklin, Nina Simone, Billie Holiday ALBUM: Kandace Springs EP, out now WEBSITE: kandacesprings.com “Ever since I can remember, music has been a part of my life,” says Kandace Springs. “My dad was always playing music in the house, in the car, singing in the mall—everywhere! He taught me how to harmonize.” An R&B singer-songwriter, Spring’s father also imparted an appreciation... 

JACQUIE LEE HOMETOWN: Colts Neck, N.J. INFLUENCES: Alicia Keys, Corinne Bailey Rae, Adele ALBUM: Broken Ones EP, out now WEBSITE: jacquielee.com Jacquie Lee was a shy young girl who bravely conquered a tough case of stage fright in fifth grade after securing the title role in her school’s production of Mulan. A half-dozen years later, Lee grew up to be a poised, talented performer who finished as the runner-up on the fifth season of The Voice.... 

MATTHEW KOMA HOMETOWN: Long Island, N.Y. INFLUENCES: Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Costello, Don Henley ALBUM: As-yet-untitled LP, out 2015 WEBSITE: matthewkoma.com The son of a New York singer-songwriter, EDM musician Matthew Koma aspired to write compelling songs at a young age—and he succeeded, landing a publishing deal at just 16. “My favorite songwriters are the ones who tell stories that are rooted in real emotion, but who find a way to get...