Few things were more welcome and unexpected in 2010 than the startling reemergence of the Swans moniker, as the long dormant pioneers of eighties and nineties post-punk/loud-as-hell-rock (i.e. the type of music that physically hurts to listen to) stormed back onto the scene with the thoroughly astounding My Father Will Guide Me Up a Rope to the Sky. The critically-acclaimed album is not a mere retread of well-worn Swans themes, but a true evolution fueled by lead man Michael Gira's less deafening (but still haunting) work in intermediate project Angels of Light. Despite Gira's well-earned reputation for being a little on the terrifying side, we decided to brave it, and have a talk about growing up and the music industry. All this in advance of the band's sure-to-be-unforgettable performance tonight at Mohawk. more ›

Monday: The only thing people are going to be talking about on Monday is the Willie Nelson show at the new ACL Live Theater, where the patron saint of all things country/amazing will be performing. Either that, or their googly-eyed Valentine's Day Plans. Not romantic but possibly awesome: Death Angel and D.R.I. at Emo's. more ›

Jarboe is one of my favorites. She is really neat, and old, and kind of hot. more ›