Category: FEATURES

Feature stories and artist interviews

SOUNDGARDEN REVEAL NEW VIDEO FOR “BLACK RAIN”

Soundgarden have just released their first new music video in over 10 years for the song “Black Rain,” which is available on the upcoming career retrospective album Telephantasm, in-stores 9/28. The sci-fi leaning animated video was directed by Brendan Small, creator of the animated metal show, Metalocalypse.

SKOPE / SERJ TANKIAN RECORDING STUDIO CONTEST

In anticipation of the release of Serj Tankian’s sophomore studio album Imperfect Harmonies on September 21st, Serj Tankian is giving you the chance to win two huge prize packs! One (1) Grand Prize winner will receive a recording software bundle of AmpliTube iRig/ AmpliTube Fender/ Miroslav Philharmonik plus the T-RackS 3 Mastering Software, an Epiphone…

ERK THA JERK “PERFECT MISTAKE” VIDEO

Erk Tha Jerk’s new clip for “Perfect Mistake,” a single off The Prelude, the forthcoming free EP release and precursor to his imminent debut Nerd’s Eye View, breaks music video conventions in such a way that it’s hard to consider it a part of the same medium – less MTV fare than short film.

RICK SHAFFER SHOWS STOLI HOW TO STEP OUT ON HIS OWN

I must say that I am excited today for two reasons. One is that it’s the weekend and the other is that Rick Shaffer agreed to be featured in ‘Skoped Out.’ Rick Shaffer is the other half of the incredibly popular group, The Reds. We are not here to talk about The Reds though as…

NATHAN SHAFFER SPEAKS TRUTH ON “COME BACK AMERICA”

“What I’m trying to say is, ‘Come back America, come back to freedom.’   I’m not feeling free anymore. Is anyone in this country?” Asks Shaffer.   “Most people in this country aren’t free, and they don’t even know it. They’re slaves to a broken tax system, corporate greed, and laws that infringe upon our…

EPIC RECORDS & OH LAND OFFER MP3 “SUN OF A GUN”

Her soundscapes are lavish, crunchy, symphonic, brute and captivated with rhythms that fly apart.   Oh Land’s self-titled EP will be available in October via Epic Records, with her US debut album to follow in 2011.   Don’t worry, we’ve got some music to offer you and your friends in the meanwhile.  

GOO GOO DOLLS: ENDLESS STAYING POWER

Elvis once said: “The music industry changes every six months.” With that premise in mind you look out over the scope of the music industry and the list of bands that have come and gone is endless. It seems the market mantra is to come, do something significant (or widely popular) and then fade into…

SULLY ERNA RELEASES VIDEO EPK FOR ‘AVALON’

Sully Erna’s latest masterpiece, Avalon, was released today on Universal Republic Records.   The album features an array of eclectic compositions unlike anything he has ever written in the past, an epic body of work that has taken him over 2 years to compose, record and finally release, utilizing the hypnotic sounds of tribal rhythms,…

CANIBUS OFFERS MP3 “MERCHANT OF METAPHORS”

Canibus treats his fans to another strong release off his latest album C of Tranquility, dropping October 5th on Interdependent Media. The album will feature prduction from DJ Premier, Jake One, The ARE, Scram Jones, Tha Bizness, and D/R Period.

JIMMY RAE JAZZIN’ IT UP WITH CHELSEA BARATZ

Prepare yourself as Chelsea Baratz brings to you her invigorating style of Soul Jazz.   This young virtuoso is partial to her trusty sax, but she also sings & produces, plays drums, clarinet, piano and flute.   This multi-talented & multi-dimensional musician doesn’t just give you the same old jazz; Chelsea throws in elements of…

SKOPE EXCLUSIVE: THRIVING IVORY LISTENING PARTY

Thriving Ivory’s sophomore Wind-up album, Through Yourself & Back Again, reflects the lessons they’ve learned following the release of their successful self-titled debut. “Do you dream/That the world will know your name?” they asked prophetically in the band’s pop radio hit, “Angels On The Moon,” a song inspired by the heroics surrounding 9/11.

FARRAD RELEASES VIDEO FOR “MISUNDERSTOOD”

Farrad has become a hot name because of his flexibility: club hits aren’t all he does. He’s comfortable with synthpop and disco, but he can also apply his pipes to dirty soul and heavy rock, too. For such an expressive instrument, Farrad’s voice is surprisingly sturdy — he can go toe to toe with big…

STOLI SEES BIG THINGS AHEAD FOR DARIO BENITEZ

I have been excited all weekend to introduce my guest for this week. I knew this musician was talented as I listened to his new album which is totally in Spanish and I did not even notice until I was halfway through. Allow me to introduce the next big thing, Dario Benitez. Dario has got…

THE BEATLES VIDEO & IMAGES FROM ED SULLIVAN SHOW

When The Beatles stepped onto Sullivan’s New York stage on Sunday, February 9, 1964, to make their American TV debut, 86 percent of all TVs on at that hour–73 million Americans–tuned in.   It was the most-watched program in history to that point and remains one of the most-watched programs of all time.

HARD WORK SURE PAYS OFF

When people say the name ‘Bertell’in the dirty dirty South and beyond, the first thing they say is that he’s “one of the hardest working young artists in the industry”.

THE BIRTHDAY MASSACRE DEBUT “IN THE DARK” VIDEO

Undoubtedly one of the most visually stunning and musically exciting bands to grace the scene in a long time, THE BIRTHDAY MASSACRE have unleashed the video for the first single “In The Dark” from their upcoming album Pins And Needles release date: September 14, 2010 via Metropolis Records.

9TH PRINCE’S “SUMMER LOVE” VIDEO FEAT RZA, KINETC & OUTLINES

Babygrande Records is proud to announce the upcoming release of 9th Prince’s new album “One Man Army.” No stranger to the game, 9th Prince is a founding member of Wu-Tang affiliate group Killarmy, brother to RZA and has once again teamed up with Babygrande to bring the rap game what it has been missing: raw…

SNOB DOODLE

Snob Doodle took a few weeks off this summer. But fear not as he is back at it and as relentless & merciless as ever. That is excatly how we like it!

NADIA KAY HEATS SKOPE UP ALL LABOR DAY WEEKEND

Does it get any better than a three day Labor Day weekend, minus Hurricane Earl? When we first spoke with Nadia Kay she was totally confident and focused. She was prepping her new album ‘Reloaded’ and getting ready to film her video “Captain Skylove.” She was a woman on a mission. Well fast forward six…

RAH DIGGA HOOKS UP WITH REDMAN FOR THE RMX

The hip-hop world is abuzz with the promise of a follow-up from one of rap’s most prominent and skilled female emcees, Rah Digga. Following on the heels of her inclusion in BET’s recent documentary My Mic Sounds Nice, Digga delivers a taste of what’s to come with the remix of “This Ain’t No Lil Kid…

OVAL NEW VIDEO FOR “AH!”

The video shows a group of contemporary dancers whose refined motions and postures are coated in a layer of dust, which provides a visceral visual counterpoint and element of vulnerability to the bristling delicacies of the music.

METAL MAYHEM IN CINCY

On July 21, 2010, my brother and I had the opportunity to attend a kick-ass show in Cincinnati, Ohio at the RiverBend Music Center.   The event was the 2010 Metal Mayhem Festival sponsored by RockStar Energy Drink, so lots of excitement in the summer air!   With a great line-up that included: Korn, Rob…

HEART RELEASE ‘RED VELVET CAR’ / TRAILER

With anticipation mounting for Heart’s August 31 release of their first new studio album in six years, Red Velvet Car, Heart is seeing success on the road and at radio with their singles “WTF” and “Hey You” seeing increased airplay on AC, AAA and Classic Rock stations across the country.  

SEPTEMBER 2010 SONICBIDS “ARTISTS 2 WATCH”

Welcome to another amazing month of music from the incredible musicians that make up the Sonicbids.com community. We have chose a select group of amazing musicians that will be speaking directly to the Skope readers. As always we encourage readers to dig deeper and check out their EPK’s.

RANDOM STABBINGS & ARTLESS CRITIQUE, SEPTEMBER 2010

Various Artists, Sounds of Rhythm & Culture (ESL Music) Washington DC-based electronica duo Thievery Corporation are the minds behind this compilation of varying degrees of chill, all of it advanced and terrific.   It’s advertised as the sound of DC, but even though that’s a utopian wet dream, it’s a worthy one.   I can’t…

THE GRACIOUS FEW NEW VIDEO “HONEST MAN”

“Honest Man” is The Gracious Few’s first introduction to their self-titled de ­but, due out in mid-September. On top of the band’s killer lineup, the album’s got some additional star power behind it, courtesy of producer and former Talking Heads member Jerry Harrison and Grammy Award-winning mixer Tom Lord-Alge (whose long list of work extends…

LIKE THEM OR NOT, HERE COMES BARDO

Get ready for this exciting rock band out of LA as they unleash their new EP You Like Me A lot.   The CD Release Party was held at the Hotel Cafe in the heart of Hollywood on Wednesday, August 18, 2010.   And remember, if you couldn’t make the Release Party, then no worries…

HELLSONGS COVER IRON MAIDEN “HEAVEN CAN WAIT”

The Swedish trio HELLSONGS release their subdued but exhilarating renditions of metalhead favorites on September 14 with the album MINOR MISDEMEANORS (minty fresh). With seemingly divine covers of iconic metal bands including Judas Priest, Slayer, W.A.S.P., Pantera, Alice Cooper, AC/DC, Guns N’ Roses, and Iron Maiden, hell has never seemed so blissful.