Like most high school kids, Alexandra Patsavas took an early interest in rock ’n’ roll. But unlike most high school kids, she’s turned it into a career. Patsavas, who heads up Chop Shop Music Supervision is the one responsible for turning TV shows like The O.C., Grey’s Anatomy and Gossip Girl into hit-making machines for indie rock bands. She recently phoned in from Los Angeles to talk about her latest project, a web series called Rockville, CA, which unites her with The O.C. creator Josh Schwartz. About a couple of young co-eds who develop a love/hate relationship after meeting at the local indie club, it features live performances in each episode. You can check it out here. 

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With some additional attention from the movie Cadillac Records being modeled after Chess Records, Muddy Waters fans found elements of his iconic musical legacy hitting the silver screen. But on this posthumous DVD Live At ChicagoFest (on April 21 on Shout! Factory), the blues guitar slinger is the sole star of the show, capturing the legend in his prime as he headlines two nights at the Windy City’s most treasured festival of that time.  (more…)

Battle In Seattle the directorial debut of Stuart Townsend (best known for portraying Anne Rice’s Lestat in Queen of the Damned) actually handles the protest objectively and tells the story perfectly for someone unaware of the events. From November 30^th to December 3^rd 1999, a peaceful protest against policies discussed at the World Trade Organization took place. The protests turned violent between authorities and protesters who disrupted the city and focused the attention of the entire world on the Pacific Northwest. (more…)

Between 1995-2008, Chicago’s hard rock act Filter released four studio CDs, appeared on a variety of soundtracks and compilations, plus charted on several occasions across the rowdy and raucous trip. The Very Best Things (out March 31 on Reprise/Rhino) finally compiles all of the above in a one stop shop for everything essential relating to the Richard Patrick-led outfit. (more…)

The Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival has added over a dozen musical acts and a full comedy program to its 2009 event. Added acts include  Public Enemy and Ani DiFranco along with reggae mainstays the Itals and Wailing Souls, African superstars Amadou & Mariam, underground rapper Murs, metal favorites Shadows Fall and High on Fire, R&B ingénue Janelle Monáe, electronic soul duo Pretty Lights, bluegrass guitarist Tony Rice, and indie-world buzz bands Passion Pit, Hockey and White Rabbits.

Throughout the mid-1990s through early 2000s, Superdrag rode the typical bell curve of pretty much every rock n’ roll band. The foursome found fame in the Knoxville scene by recording and touring independently, soon scored its big break by signing with Elektra and then broke up at a creative peak. Members pursued the obligatory solo projects, but fans always yearned for the band to get back together.

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The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions take place on Saturday, April 4. The Hall recently announced the artists who will induct this year’s honorees. Run-D.M.C. will be inducted by Eminem; Metallica will be inducted by Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers); Jeff Beck will be inducted by Jimmy Page (The Yardbirds, Led Zeppelin); Bill Black will be inducted by Garry Tallent (Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band); DJ Fontana will be inducted by Max Weinberg; Spooner Oldham will be inducted by Paul Shaffer; Little Anthony will be inducted by Smokey Robinson; Bobby Womack will be inducted by Ron Wood (Rolling Stones).

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Record Store Day isn’t until April 18, but another batch of exclusive releases have just been announced. You’ll only find these limited editions at your independent stores; check with local shops on April 18 to see what they have available. The additions to already announced titles from the likes of Wilco and Flight of the Conchords include the following: a Brandi Carlile 7-inch single including “Downpour” and a live version of the song “A Promise To Keep” (1,000 copies nationally); a Modest Mouse 7-inch single including the two brand new tracks “Satellite Skin” and “Guilty Cocker Spaniels”; Queen’s first EP, a limited edition, numbered CD, on sale for the first time in the U.S. (1,500 copies nationally).

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The name Jon Troast may still be somewhat new to the singer/songwriter scene, but after making an appearances on Garrison Keillor’s “A Prairie Home Companion” on National Public Radio, he’s quickly becoming a household name. And speaking of households, the Lake Geneva, WI bred-tunesmith will see his fair share of them across the next hundred days thanks to his unconventional tour schedule. (more…)

Even though Leonard Cohen is one of the most celebrated underground songwriters of all time, he’s perhaps best known for penning the immortal anthem “Hallelujah,” perhaps made even more famous by its predecessor Jeff Buckley. But no matter if it’s the cover version or the original, the song is one of the most chilling and moving ballads in rock history and it’s slated to make a pair of new appearances on two new Cohen projects. Come March 31, Live In London (Sony) hits streets on CD and DVD chronicling the singer/songwriter’s most recent tour. (more…)