When the legendary Foo Fighters hit the stage, there was a moment that bridged decades of rock history, connecting modern anthems with nostalgic gems from the 90s. Guitarist Nate Mendel brought this connection to life by performing a cover of Sunny Day Real Estate’s track Seven during their recent tour.
Mendel’s journey into Foo Fighters is an interesting footnote in rock history. He started his musical journey as a member of the Seattle group, Sunny Day Real Estate, before eventually joining the acclaimed Foo Fighters in the mid-1990s.
The band’s formation involved some shifting dynamics. While Mendel was an early fixture, the original drummer, William Goldsmith, departed in 1997 during the recording of their album The Color And Shape, with Dave Gro
When you step back from the relentless hum of modern life, what do you find? For musician Jim James, the answer lies in a deeper exploration of wonder, quiet joy, and the potent balm of music. As My Morning Jacket frontman prepares for an upcoming residency, he is turning inward, gathering his thoughts and his sound for his most personal project yet: the solo album Wowed Out.
Wowed Out is not just a collection of songs; it is a deeply personal meditation on sensory exhaustion. The title itself captures that feeling—the overwhelming stimulation of the contemporary world—yet James uses this experience as a launchpad to find the simple, enduring joys that manage to cut through the noise.
This new 24-track collection marks Jim James’ first solo effort in eight years, and it is built upon a unique foundation. The music originated from scoring for a pair of abandoned film projects, giving the album an inherently cinematic texture. James transformed these original compositions into something profoundly personal, weaving them into a tapestry of feeling.
The creative process involved revisiting years of recordings made alongside longtime collaborator and acclaimed composer Brian Reitzell. Reitzell’s extensive filmography, including masterpieces like Lost in Translation and Lost Child” and “Hands On” champion tenderness, nature, and empathy, positioning them as powerful antidotes to the anxiety and disconnection that so often define modern existence. James reflects that music has always served as his anchor, pulling him back to comfort during times of feeling lost or depressed.
The resulting record is a masterclass in emotional resonance. It was thoughtfully mixed alongside Grammy-winning engineer Emily Lazar, ensuring the sonic quality mirrored the depth of the lyrical content.
The album’s introduction single, “Come Again,” arrived with a powerful message of perseverance. Originally conceived for a scene set in a teddy bear factory, the song evolved into a universal anthem about finding the strength to keep trying and finding joy despite changing directions.
Before the full release of Wowed Out on August 28, James is taking time to share this new vision live. He will join a stellar lineup for July’s all-star Music From the Films of Wes Anderson concerts at the Hollywood Bowl, and he plans to offer an intimate solo acoustic set at Utah’s Song Summit.
North Omaha, nestled along the Missouri River and Carter Lake, is more than just a place on the map; it’s a vibrant cultural crucible. With a rich history steeped in blues, jazz, and the birthplace of Malcolm X, this area pulses with an energy that defines its residents.
At the heart of this creative landscape is Marcey Yates, an artist and visionary whose work bridges the gap between musical genius and community building. He established Culxr House, a dynamic creative hub in North Omaha since 2018, transforming it into a vital intersection where music, fashion, the arts, and civic engagement thrive.
Culxr House serves as a powerful resource for promoting creativity, hosting concerts, art exhibitions, and workshops, motivating Yates daily with a singular drive: to sustain himself while helping others grow. His vision extends far beyond the studio; it is rooted in holistic self-improvement and connection.
Yates’ journey into creativity was shaped by deep personal experiences. His early spiritual foundation taught him how to express emotion through music, instilling a pure sense of feeling that he carries into his art today. This soulful approach evolved as his life encountered hip-hop.
Introduced to the genre by family, Yates absorbed influences ranging from West Coast legends like San Quinn and Kurupt to East Coast giants such as JAY-Z and Nas, alongside foundational figures like Dilla and Wu-Tang Clan. This rich tapestry of sounds became the bedrock of his artistic identity.
Seeking formal training, Yates spent time at the University of Nebraska-Omaha before pursuing music production studies in Arizona. This blend of practical experience and academic knowledge allowed him to hone his craft, leading to solo releases and projects under aliases like Op2mus, including early works such as Vanilla Sky and Social Studies.
The influence of hip-hop proved transformative, fundamentally shaping how Yates built himself. While he remains a core hip-hop producer, his influence has expanded into collaborations with the symphony and opera, demonstrating a mastery that transcends genre boundaries. He is an emcee, recording artist, performing artist, all while remaining deeply rooted in the culture of hip-hop.
With a decade and a half dedicated to perfecting his craft, Yates has continually released projects like Chocolate For Water (2023) and 9 Months (2024). He has been recognized for his community stewardship, earning five Omaha Entertainment and Arts Awards, including accolades for Culxr House: Freedom Summer.
More recently, Yates has continued his evolution with new releases like House Rules and his latest album, Vanilla Sky II, released in February. This work is a celebration of classic boom bap beats and sharp lyricism, balanced by introspective themes on relationships and the challenges of being an independent artist.
In an industry often characterized by superficiality, Yates’s introspective lyrics and distinctive production style offer a refreshing counterpoint. He continues to push boundaries, leveraging his platform through brand partnerships, launching his media company Culxr Media, and pursuing goals that ensure his music reaches everyone’s ears, all while remaining grounded in the love and support of his family.
Clive Davis in 2017 (photo: Francois Durand / Getty Images)
The world of music pauses today to remember Clive Davis, a titan whose influence reverberated across six decades of popular music. With a career spanning more than sixty years, Davis didn’t just manage records; he built entire musical empires, shaping the sounds that defined generations and guiding countless careers from the page of a contract to the peak of global stardom.
Born in Brooklyn in 1932, Davis possessed an innate knack for the industry. After graduating from New York University and Harvard Law School, he joined Columbia Records as an attorney, quickly ascending through the ranks. By 1966, he was already serving as vice president and general manager, a role he ultimately held as president the following year.
From the outset, Davis had an uncanny ability to spot talent. He famously signed groundbreaking acts like Janis Joplin’s Big Brother and the Holding Company, while bringing titans such as Bruce Springsteen, Chicago, Santana, Laura Nyro, and Aerosmith into the Columbia fold. His vision extended across genres, helping steer the careers of Bob Dylan, Simon & Garfunkel, Sly and the Family Stone, Barbra Streisand, and Miles Davis.
Davis was instrumental in transforming the landscape of soul music, partnering with Gamble & Huff to bring Philadelphia International Records into Columbia, thereby profoundly shaping the sound of Black music in the 1970s. After leaving Columbia in 1973, he carved out his own path, authoring the bestselling memoir Clive: Inside the Record Business and founding Arista Records with Columbia Pictures.
The label quickly demonstrated its power, famously signing Barry Manilow’s “Mandy,” which Davis personally discovered and renamed. Arista became a powerhouse, launching careers for artists ranging from Houston and Patti Smith to Kenny G and Sarah McLachlan, and attracting legends like Aretha Franklin, Lou Reed, the Grateful Dead, and the Eurythmics.
Davis’ empire continued its explosive growth. He launched Arista Nashville in 1988, cultivating country superstars like Alan Jackson and Brad Paisley. Later, he partnered with L.A. Reid and Babyface to create LaFace Records, which became a launchpad for massive acts including TLC, Toni Braxton, Usher, Outkast, and Pink.
Perhaps one of his greatest musical triumphs was overseeing Santana’s Supernatural, the 1999 comeback album that sold over 26 million copies worldwide and secured the Album of the Year Grammy. Davis shared producer honors for this monumental success.
His influence on new sounds continued with his launch of J Records, which introduced Alicia Keys to the world with her debut album Songs in A Minor>, an album that swept the Grammys. He oversaw successes across the spectrum, from Maroon 5 and Luther Vandross to Rod Stewart and Jennifer Hudson.
Beyond the charts, Davis channeled his immense wealth into philanthropy. He devoted himself to education, donating significant funds to New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts to establish the Department of Recorded Music. He was also deeply involved in humanitarian causes, including AIDS-related efforts, ensuring his legacy extended far beyond the music industry.
Clive Davis left behind a monumental soundtrack for the world. His life and career are chronicled in the acclaimed documentary Clive Davis: The Soundtrack of Our Lives and his autobiography, which continue to inspire generations who discovered that the true rhythm of life is found in the music.
Pop sensation Olivia Rodrigo is turning her advocacy into an unforgettable event with the launch of Daisy Chain Fields, a massive single-day festival dedicated entirely to women and girls. This isn’t just a concert; it’s a powerful statement that joy, community, and creativity are the ultimate drivers of meaningful change.
Mark your calendars for August 29th, as this incredible event will take place at Great Park in Irvine, California. Daisy Chain Fields is designed to celebrate the voices, artistry, and contributions of women across the spectrum, fostering an environment where connection and inspiration thrive.
Adding to the magic are special guests who will lend their legendary presence, including Karen O, Sarah McLachlan, and Stevie Nicks, ensuring the event is steeped in musical history and powerful feminine energy.
But Daisy Chain Fields is much more than a collection of performances. It is fundamentally built on a mission: to cultivate an inclusive space for dialogue, education, and activism. The festival aims to use the collective power of music and shared experience to inspire progress and social change.
The event acts as a powerful nexus combining entertainment with philanthropy. Net proceeds from Daisy Chain Fields will directly benefit numerous nonprofits focused on critical issues facing women and girls, ranging from reproductive rights and economic empowerment to domestic violence prevention and maternal health.
Attendees can expect far more than just live music. The festival features nonprofit activations, community art experiences, fan pop-ups, local vendors, and immersive installations that deepen the sense of community and engagement.
Partnering with organizations such as Planned Parenthood, Baby2Baby, Black Mamas Matter Alliance, the Center for Reproductive Rights, the National Women’s Law Center, FreeFrom, and the National Domestic Workers Alliance, the event ensures that the celebration directly supports vital causes.
As Olivia Rodrigo shared in her announcement, she emphasized that the core purpose of Daisy Chain is to create space for meaningful moments of connection across generations. She framed the festival’s goal as harnessing the energy of music to serve as enduring drivers of progress and social change.
It’s a powerful reminder that when we bring together creativity and community, we don’t just create unforgettable moments—we build an unbreakable chain of hope. Daisy Chain Fields is proving that music can be a force for good, celebrating the wild beauty of women as they stand strong and connected.
