Guest post by John Powell
High school had been like a spiritual awakening as my musical tastes expanded: Belle and Sebastian, Phish, Green Day, and Atmosphere. Genres of all kinds revolved through my Discman daily. I was a senior, playing guitar a ton and writing songs prolifically.…
Music is a powerful medium. We’ve seen it trigger visceral reactions in toddlers who, bereft of self-consciousness, dance enthusiastically without even realizing it when the music moves them. For those of us who have lived a bit longer, often a… Read More
I did not grow up listening to Handsworth Revolution. I really wish I had. I was looking for that clear and present music with a message. Rage Against the Machine politicized me, punk rock and hardcore had the energy I needed and… Read More
With her new album Vessel of Love dropping today on Merge Records, Hollie Cook once again presents to the world a fresh dose of her distinctive brand of reggae-infused tropical pop. Working with producer Martin ‘Youth’ Glover, Cook’s third full length album delivers with deep, stratified arrangements showcasing the… Read More
I will never forget my first time hearing The Gladiators. I found the album Bongo Red sitting on the “To Be Reviewed” shelf at WSUM while I was a student DJ, and picked it up after noticing the… Read More
Back in the 90’s, the American reggae scene contained only a fraction of the bands it does today. The majority of touring acts came from either Jamaica or Africa, but there were a handful of American bands throughout the country playing local shows.… Read… Read More
How can I even begin to describe someone like Jah9? She is not just a musician, but a poet, and her work is immensely important to the world we live in today.
I will never forget riding in a car with two of my strong… Read More
Rootfire is starting a new series about Women in Reggae, to help amplify the voices of the amazing females that have made an impact on this music. These stories are specifically meant to help push women to the forefront when they have historically been held back, whether… Read More
