They say that if you want to stay creatively inspired, you should do something that terrifies you at least once a day. Well back in April I had the opportunity to do something that was unbelievably nerve-racking, yet so inspiring: I recorded an episode of my mental health and wellness podcast, The O.K. Show, in…

Guitarist Thomas Fekete, a founding member of indie-rock band Surfer Blood, has died at age 27 of a rare form of cancer. Fekete shared his diagnosis with fans a year ago, dropping out of a tour with Surfer Blood and releasing a solo cassette; artists including Yo La Tengo and Guided By Voices pitched in to help raise funds…

Tony the Scribe: Mixed Blood Tony the Scribe, of Killstreak, is releasing a solo EP called Mixed Blood on Monday — with a release show at Honey the following Thursday. “It’s dark and vulnerable,” writes the rapper, who’s already dropped a chess-themed single called “Checkmate.” Big Cats, Eric Mayson, and Chance York will be on hand to…

You might have seen this story bubbling up on your Twitter feed today: the story that Kim Gordon was attacked by a coyote at Whole Foods in the Silver Lake neighborhood of Los Angeles. Time to burst that bubble: it’s a hoax, according to Gordon herself as well as according to Whole Foods. @KimletGordon did…

Beth Orton has taken down the video for her song “1973,” after being criticized for spray-painting a Joshua tree in the video. Joshua trees are under government protection, and painting them can be harmful. Orton says she believed the tree was dead when she applied the paint, and that she is “truly devastated” to learn…

On stage at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds at Soundset 2016, Sway Calloway shared some words on hip-hop culture: “It’s multifaceted and multidimensional.” The Sway in the Morning host was introducing legendary hip-hop crew (and Jimmy Fallon house band) the Roots, who proved his point in one neo-soul-to-swing-to-beatboxing set. But all day long, Soundset brought together disparate artists…

Minnesota loves a good sequel song, an earnest young musician, and the Vik…okay, well, maybe the Vikings could use a little more love. They’re getting it from six-year-old Obadiah Gamble, who invited quarterback Teddy Bridgewater to his birthday party with a song and video, “Hey Teddy.” The video went viral — it currently has over…

I Self Devine & Muja Messiah, “Midnight On Jupiter (feat. Lady Midnight)” I Self Devine and Muja Messiah released 9th House late last year, and Lady Midnight has two lovely, powerful features on the album. This video, directed by Mychal “Myk” Fisher, takes the first of those two songs through space and sky. If you enjoy this video,…

ZULUZULUU — Greg Grease, DJ Just Nine, MYK, “Proper-T,” Captain Big Bounce, Trelly Mo — are sonic adventurers who defy categorization. Are they hip-hop? Are they funk? Are they soul? Are they Afrobeat? Are they the music of the spheres? Yes, yes, yes, yes, and yes. The band have announced a new album, What’s the Price (Sound Verite Records/RVL),…

On the first episode of his new Sirius XMU show, Julian Casablancas premiered a new Strokes song, “OBLIVIUS,” and announced that a new EP — Future Present Past — will be released June 3. The EP’s two other songs, “Drag Queen” and “Threat of Joy,” later premiered on Beats 1 and BBC Radio 1 respectively, and all three are…