Latest news with #BuilttoSpill
Sydney Morning Herald
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
Indie rock's favourite songwriter keeps it real on his major label debut
Alex G, Headlights Contradictions? Alex G, full name Alex Giannascoli, has a bunch of them. The Philadelphia musician-producer shuns social media, but The Fader once called him 'the internet's secret best songwriter' as he made his name online via word-of-mouth blogs and message boards, self-releasing albums and EPs on Bandcamp. He's got a lot to say on record – he's only 32, and Headlights is his 10th album – but many interviewers have found that trying to get him to talk about himself or his music is like pulling teeth, and his stage presence was once described in a live review as 'almost shockingly dull', with that summation coming from a critic who declared Alex G was his favourite musician of the last decade. Although he's often compared to '90s indie acts, including Elliott Smith, Built to Spill and Modest Mouse, he's possibly better known to general pop audiences for contributing to eight tracks on Halsey's The Great Impersonator and for writing and singing on Frank Ocean's Blonde and Endless, and also playing in his touring band. Headlights marks a shift from indie label Domino to major label RCA, not that you'll notice a huge difference in Giannascoli's approach. June Guitar opens proceedings, not with any fanfare but with a feather-light touch, on a gauzy, meditative song that hugs a lane close to Tracy Chapman's Fast Car. First single Afterlife wears its country-folk influences on its sleeve, from the sparkling mandolins and acoustic guitar to the video set at a square dance, as Giannascoli recounts a revelation of some sort, singing 'when the light came, big and bright, I began another life'. A couple of tracks push the meter into the red – Louisiana offsets dreamy Auto-Tuned vocals with sledgehammer drums; Bounce Boy has octave-leaping bass, fuzzy synth and an electro-clap beat.
The Age
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
Indie rock's favourite songwriter keeps it real on his major label debut
Alex G, Headlights Contradictions? Alex G, full name Alex Giannascoli, has a bunch of them. The Philadelphia musician-producer shuns social media, but The Fader once called him 'the internet's secret best songwriter' as he made his name online via word-of-mouth blogs and message boards, self-releasing albums and EPs on Bandcamp. He's got a lot to say on record – he's only 32, and Headlights is his 10th album – but many interviewers have found that trying to get him to talk about himself or his music is like pulling teeth, and his stage presence was once described in a live review as 'almost shockingly dull', with that summation coming from a critic who declared Alex G was his favourite musician of the last decade. Although he's often compared to '90s indie acts, including Elliott Smith, Built to Spill and Modest Mouse, he's possibly better known to general pop audiences for contributing to eight tracks on Halsey's The Great Impersonator and for writing and singing on Frank Ocean's Blonde and Endless, and also playing in his touring band. Headlights marks a shift from indie label Domino to major label RCA, not that you'll notice a huge difference in Giannascoli's approach. June Guitar opens proceedings, not with any fanfare but with a feather-light touch, on a gauzy, meditative song that hugs a lane close to Tracy Chapman's Fast Car. First single Afterlife wears its country-folk influences on its sleeve, from the sparkling mandolins and acoustic guitar to the video set at a square dance, as Giannascoli recounts a revelation of some sort, singing 'when the light came, big and bright, I began another life'. A couple of tracks push the meter into the red – Louisiana offsets dreamy Auto-Tuned vocals with sledgehammer drums; Bounce Boy has octave-leaping bass, fuzzy synth and an electro-clap beat.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Modest Mouse Go ‘Psychic' For September Seattle-Area Festival
Earlier this month, Modest Mouse announced their own cruise, which sails Feb. 5-9, 2026, on the Norwegian Pearl from Miami to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. Now, the Isaac Brock-led group has revealed plans for their first festival, Psychic Salamander, which will slither over to Remlinger Farms outside of Seattle on Sept. 13-14. Modest Mouse and upcoming tourmates the Flaming Lips will perform both nights, with the Sept. 13 bill also featuring Courtney Barnett, Built to Spill, the Vaudevillian and Mattress. The next night will offer a complete The Soft Bulletin performance by the Lips, as well as sets from Sleater-Kinney, Yo La Tengo, Friko and Sun Atoms. Tickets will be available May 2. More from Spin: Broken Social Scene Look Forward, Back With Tribute LP, Documentary Lorde Returns With New Single, 'What Was That' Riot Fest Rocks With blink-182, Weezer, Green Day The band have been away from the stage since the conclusion last November of their 20th anniversary Good News for People Who Love Bad News tour but will be back in action throughout the summer. Headline dates begin June 9 in Lake Buena Vista, Fl., and include a month-plus stint of shows in tandem with the Lips, beginning Aug. 1 in Atlanta. As for Modest Mouse's Ice Cream Float cruise, it will boast performances by Portugal. The Man, Kurt Vile and the Violators, Mannequin Pussy, Built to Spill, FIDLAR, Tropical Fuck Storm, the Brock side project Ugly Casanova, the Black Heart Procession and comedian David Cross. Fans can expect a twist on Mystery Science Theater 3000, with Modest Mouse's members offering irreverent commentary about films of their choice, a live Q&A with topics chosen by attendees, a story time during which Brock will read children's books, DJ sets and a 'Parade of Freaks,' which is, well, self-explanatory. Ice Cream Floats also includes a port day in Puerto Plata. To see our running list of the top 100 greatest rock stars of all time, click here.
