Cool Hunting
Ari Bendersky is addicted to music-- most of his friends have never heard of the bands he talks about. He worked for Rolling Stone's online edition, carries his iPod everywhere and still refuses to get rid of all his CDs and their jewel cases (collection hovers somewhere around 1000-- and growing). Over the last year, Ari has interviewed dozens of musicians including Melissa Etheridge, Michael Stipe, Scissor Sisters, Avril Lavigne, Enrique Iglesias, the Darkness, Futureheads, Jet, Phoenix, Radio 4, the Rapture and Howard Dean-- before he flipped out (ok, so he has nothing to do with music; it's still pretty great that he interviewed him. Did you?). He also thinks Chicago is going through a musical renaissance-- watch out for the Redwalls and the Changes.
Currently, Ari lives in Chicago and freelances full time, writing for the Chicago Tribune, Out magazine, the Associated Press, DailyCandy and a variety of ad agencies, where he's done copywriting for Butterfinger, Gatorade, Clif Bar, Texas Instruments and more. He loves his dog, Emma, and his partner, Drew, spicy shrimp tempura rolls, skim vanilla lattes, a respectable Turkey Club, biking, San Francisco (his former home) and a great bottle of red wine, preferably a spicy Zin or jammy Pinot. Oh yeah, and he thinks Scrabble rocks-- even though Drew will never play with him. Some day he'll get off his ass and write a book or two.
One of this season’s most highly anticipated albums finally made its way across my desk –- and it hasn’t stopped playing since I got it. Madonna has outdone herself once again. On Confessions on a Dance Floor, the Queen Chameleon did what she should have done years ago –- create a non-stop, no-breaks-between-songs dance remix album. For years, singles quickly followed up every album...
As with everything Madonna does, she does it with style, creativity and of course a ton of mystery. Step by step, Madge is revealing information about her forthcoming all-dance album, Confessions on a Dancefloor. The first single, the electro-disco-inspired “Hung Up,” is set to drop Oct. 17, with the album hitting stores Nov. 15. (I’ve heard about one minute of "Hung Up" and if...
The wait is almost over. After coming out of complete obscurity to turn the world upside down in early 2004, Franz Ferdinand has spent the better part of the last six months writing and recording. And they’re just now teasing us with the first single from its forthcoming new album. Well, sort of. In connection with URB magazine’s exclusive interview and cover story with...
Your favorite pint glass just got more useful. From Innermost comes a stylish and functional half-pint mug. Currently available only in the UK, the mug comes in white and black and has a twin wall so hot beverages (read: green tea or a vanilla latte) won’t burn your hands and cold beverages stay cool like they’re supposed to. The mugs run £9.95 each (about...
There’s nothing more annoying than when hype isn’t followed by substance. Annie’s debut CD, Anniemal is fantastic, filled with upbeat, uptempo disco beats, breathy vocals with poppy lyrics. When I interviewed her last week, I was taken with her sincerity, her sweet attitude and her excitement about her success and the current buzz surrounding her music. But when I saw her last night in...
Move over Shelby. Step aside Sheryl. There’s a new roots-rockin’ girl in town. And her name is Brandi Carlile. Sure, she may sound like a porn star at first glance of her name, but give her self-titled debut a whirl and porn is the furthest thing from your mind. With hints of Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn and Dolly Parton, this 23-year-old singer-songwriter has the...
With a breakout summer single – Hey Now Now – The Cloud Room is the latest indie band from the Brooklyn art rock scene to capture my attention. With a sound that nods toward Ziggy Stardust-era Bowie and Joy Division, the Cloud Room may get lumped into the new wave of new wave bands but their music has more edge, more heart and possibly...
When I was in Montreal last month doing a story on the city’s music scene, a few people told me to check out Black Mountain, a west coast Canadian band that was doing great things. So when their self-titled CD showed up this week I tore into it and instantly liked what I heard. In what I could only describe as psychedelic metal, Black...
