In this exceptional new episode of BAMM.tv's 'Running The Voodoo Down', host Micah Dubreuil and guest host Will Magid sit down for an interview with Freddie Stone, guitarist and founding member of Sly & The Family Stone, one of the most influential groups in American popular music. Hear the story of this Bay Area native, now a pastor, and his iconic journey through music, fame, addiction, and of course - the joys and struggles of family.

The FBI have listed Juggalos as an 'organized grime gang' - and the Insane Clown Posse answered with a lawsuit.

Music festivals are fun. Music festivals are expensive (a Glastonbury ticket will run you approximately $340) . In most cases, tickets are sold before the lineup of bands is announced. Is it fair that we're asked to fork over cash without knowing what bands we're going to see? More importantly, what are we paying for -- the music or the festival experience? Comment Box is a BAMM.tv production. For all things indie music - fresh tracks, video, docs, and podcasts - go to BAMM.tv Credits: Executive Producers: Nick Hansen, Chris Hansen Producers: Ian McPherson, Chris Davies, Phil Lang Recording Engineer and Mixing: Jerad Paul Fox, Siera Sinclair Host: Ian McPherson Guest: Christopher Davies Music provided by Niteppl - https://soundcloud.com/niteppl

Crowdfunding - collecting financing for a project from a "crowd" of support - has become an increasingly popular mean for artists to pay for the creating of their creative work. It's become so successful, in fact, that celebrities such as Zach Braff, Rob Thomas, and Spike Lee have taken to the platform. Some think the celebrities take attention (and money) away from the unknown artists that need the financial support the most. Host Ian McPherson and Editorial Director Chris Davies tackle this topic and take to the streets for additional opinions. Listen to the episode below.

The basic facts on crowdfunding:

There are more than 100 online platforms that bring together entrepreneurs and consumer-investors for projects that need funding.

The fee on various platforms tends to be 3 to 9 percent of money raised.

Kickstarter is dominant in the U.S., while RocketHub and IndieGoGo currently have better international presence.

The average successful campaign on Kickstarter raises about $7,000, while an average failed campaign raises only about $900 in pledges. The average contribution tends to $75 per person.

While success rates for other sites are not publicly known, Kickstarter reportedly has a success rate of about 45 percent.

Friends, family and local consumers play a crucial role in generating early traction

Credits:

Executive Producers: Nick Hansen, Chris Hansen

Producers: Ian McPherson, Chris Davies, Phil Lang

Recording Engineer and Mixing: Jerad Paul Fox

Host: Ian McPherson

Music provided by Niteppl - https://soundcloud.com/niteppl

Comment Box is a BAMM.tv production. For all things indie music - music, video, docs, and podcast - go to BAMM.tv

A record label representing the now-deceased R&B artist Eddie Bo has filed a copyright claim against Jay Z for allegedly using Bo's 1969 funk single "Hook & Sling Part 1" without permission, according to New York Daily News. The label, TufAmerica, claims the sample appears in Jay Z's 2009 Grammy-winning single "Run This Town," which featured Rihanna and one of the song's producers, Kanye West.

Which leads us to a very confusing topic in the Hip Hop world. Just what constitutes "sampling," when does sampling require permission, and what - if any - monetary compensation is required? Sampling is a fundamental aspect of Hip Hop, and yet it remains a very gray area of the genre.

Host Ian McPherson sits down with BAMM Editorial Director Chris Davies hash it out and test the general public's opinion in the form of online comments and on-the-street interviews.

Comment Box is a BAMM.tv production.

Credits:

Host: Ian McPherson

Executive Producers: Chris and Nick Hansen

Producer: Phil Lang, Chris Davies, Ian McPherson

Sound and Recording Engineer: Jerad Paul Fox

Music provided by Niteppl - https://soundcloud.com/niteppl

In The Independent, Sarah Morrison, asserts that Miley Cyrus has “prompted a modern feminist manifesto.” Cyrus has all but blown up the Internet in the last few months (the Twerk heard round the world, the foam finger, and a certain music video prominently featuring a wrecking ball, to name a few).

She’s also been the recipient of an open letter from Sinead O’Connor warning her against prostituting herself to the music industry.

Miley’s response to Sinead’s criticism was, in addition to twitter feuds, to say, “I am one of the biggest feminists in the world because I tell women not to be scared of anything.”

As we all know, feminism in pop culture is an incredibly nuanced and complex concept. It’s also a very important concept to discuss, and so  our goal at Comment Box is to discuss this particular story - is Miley Cyrus and feminism in pop music? - by taking a closer look at online comments, in studio discussion, and hear from everyday people on the street. Let’s start with the online comment.”

Featuring Sonia Pina (BAMM.tv Latino Producer) and Sophie DeWitt (BAMM.tv A&R)

Credits:

Host: Ian McPherson

Executive Producers: Chris and Nick Hansen

Producer: Phil Lang, Chris Davies, Ian McPherson

Sound and Recording Engineer: Jerad Paul Fox

Music provided by Niteppl - https://soundcloud.com/niteppl

Streaming services like Spotify and Pandora have popularized a new era in music. You don't need to own music to legally access music. How does this relatively new music source impact the artists pocketbook? In short, how do artists get paid, and how much?

Credits:

Executive Producers: Nick Hansen, Chris Hansen

Producers: Ian McPherson, Chris Davies, Phil Lang

Recording Engineer and Mixing: Jerad Paul Fox

Host: Ian McPherson

Music provided by Niteppl - https://soundcloud.com/niteppl

Comment Box is a BAMM.tv production. For all things indie music - music, video, docs, and podcast - go to BAMM.tv

Dogs are extremely loyal creatures who proudly stand by their owners, so the title of this song by Will Sprott is an entirely accurate one - dogs really will love you when nobody else will. Well, apart from those yapping little Chihuahuas that rich ladies carry around in handbags. Those things just point blank don't have souls.

Anyway, we'd probably better focus on the song rather than rambling on about dogs - because it really is a great one, performed by the inimitable Mr Sprott himself and featuring the most unique assortment of backing singers you're ever likely to clap eyes on. It's all there in the latest installment of 'The Neighbourhood', brought to you with our good buddies at Audyssey and Noise Pop.

Oh - and if you like the song, you can download it for free right here.

OTHER BAMM.TV STORIES YOU MIGHT LIKE:

BAMM.tv - Niteppl, 'Cult'

BAMM.tv exclusive - Bartel, 'Snow On Black'

BAMM.tv exclusive - Sol Pereya, 'Te Fuiste'