Honoring Hal Blaine—and the Other Unseen Laborers in the Music Industry
Often relegated to the small print, session musicians helped create the most iconic songs of the last century. Hal Blaine was one of the greatest, and quietest, among them.
Music Industry
Viewfinder: Inspecting R. Kelly's Recording Studio in Chicago
A police officer stands guard in front of R. Kelly's recording studio in the West Loop as city inspectors go through the property on January 16th, 2019, in Chicago, Illinois.
Why Music Communities Fight to Define Authenticity in Pop
From indie to rap to South Texas polka, music communities fight to define authenticity in pop
Pop Charts Still Dominated by Men
New research finds predictions made in the late 1990s that women were nearing equality in pop music have failed to materialize.
The Exploitation of Muggles in Harry Potter's World
In this edition of The Cocktail Napkin, we look academics' fixation on the social and economic problems in the world of Harry Potter, and how music festivals impact the psychological and social well-being.
Music Festivals Show How to Green a Large Outdoor Event
Music festivals, like the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, provide a model for reducing the carbon footprint of large events.
The Cyborg Composer
David Cope's software creates beautiful, original music. Why are people so angry about that?
The Industry of Cool?
Blog chatter has helped flat-lining album sales, but does that chatter even matter?
There's Good In Pandora's Box, Too
The founder of pioneering Internet musical-taste-diviner Pandora sees his service as unlocking hidden potentials in the moribund music biz.