Icon Fetch

Pianist David Lanz continues his homage to the Beatles with his new CD, Here Comes the Sun. Like his first tribute, Liverpool: Re-imagining the Beatles, this album takes classics by the Fab Four and reworks them with stunning results. Lanz returns to Icon Fetch to talk about choosing this new batch of songs, how “I Am the Walrus” took several months to arrange, and why he decided to include songs by George Harrison this time around. He also touches on an upcoming 25th anniversary edition of his landmark Cristofori’s Dream album.

I See Hawks in LA continue the California folk rock that was pioneered by bands like the Byrds, then twisted and re-imagined by visionaries like Gram Parsons. They’ve just released their fifth album, New Kind of Lonely, which is the band’s first all-acoustic outing. The record still contains their signature dark humor, sharp picking and tight harmonies, all elements the band has perfected over their decade-long existence. Icon Fetch talks with lead singer Rob Waller about recording the new disc live, the story behind some of their twisted tales of suicide and overdoses, and the multitude of ways their unique name has been butchered by clubs around the country.

Norman Greenbaum is known for the 1970 smash hit “Spirit in the Sky.” The song’s unique paring of gospel-inspired lyrics with psychedelic rock backing helped it sell a whopping two million records in its first year of release. But, it’s the song’s universal message that continues to make it one of the most-played oldies on the radio. It’s also been included in almost 50 different movies, in numerous commercials, and even in the hugely-successful Rock Band 2 video game. Icon Fetch talks with Greenbaum about the strange origins of his one big hit, his new, specially-designed website, and how he feels about being called a “one hit wonder.”

The Good Lovelies provide some much-needed sunshine in these winter months with the release of their third long-player, Let the Rain Fall. The Toronto-based trio mixes elements of folk, bluegrass and swing and tops it off with delectable harmonies that bring to mind the Andrews and McGuire Sisters, groups of a forgotten era. Icon Fetch talks to one-third of the band, Sue Passmore, about their (mostly) positive songs, why they often switch instruments on stage, and their decision to cover a rap song on the new record.

Mitch Ryder stormed out of Michigan with the Detroit Wheels scoring mid-60’s hits with “Jenny Take a Ride,” “Devil With the Blue Dress On,” and “Sock it To Me-Baby!” For a shining moment, he was one of the few American artists that could rival the British bands in intensity. But, after the hits dried up, Ryder’s career collapsed in a haze of drugs and shady management deals. He managed to pick himself up and find a whole new adoring audience in Europe.

He’s just written his autobiography, Devils and Blue Dresses – My Wild Ride As a Rock and Roll Legend (Cool Titles), and released a brand new album produced by Don Was called The Promise. Icon Fetch talks with Ryder about doing music his way and the possibility of a musical based on his life. He also tells a great story about how John Lennon saved his life.

Richard Barone returns to Icon Fetch with a brand new album Collection 2: Before and Afterglow, featuring demos and rare tracks spanning his entire career, including a brand-new reworking of the classic “Sidewalks of New York,” plus covers of songs by ELO, Nilsson, and Bobby Fuller. There’s even a seldom heard track from the Snails, Barone’s first band way back in 1976. Icon Fetch talks with the former frontman for the Bongos about unearthing these tracks from his library, writing his autobiography, Frontman, and plans for the 25th anniversary of his landmark solo album Cool Blue Halo. He also discusses a track he just recorded for the Occupy This Album project called “Hey, Can I Sleep on Your Futon?”

Singer Chris Willis first teamed with French DJ David Guetta back in 2001 for the club hit “Just a Little More Love.” Over the next ten years, the duo would put together a string of international dance hits including “Love Don’t Let Me Go,” “Money,” “Love is Gone,” and “Gettin’ Over You,” which also featured Fergie and LMFAO. Now, Willis is stepping out on his own for his first solo EP Premium / Songs From the Love Ship v.1, which has already yielded the number one Billboard Dance track “Louder (Put Your Hands Up).” Icon Fetch talks with the Dayton native about his early roots in the church, the story of hooking up with Guetta, and filming the crazy video for “Gettin’ Over You.”

Rob Shanahan is so good at taking pictures, Ringo Starr has selected him as his personal photographer. For the last 15 years, Shanahan’s work has appeared in countless music magazines, on album covers and inside CD booklets. Now he’s put together his first collection of photographs – appropriately titled Volume One. Through his lens we see a wide array of artists, including legends like Paul McCartney, Keith Richards, Eddie Van Halen, and Elton John, to current pop stars like Christina Aguilera, Avril Lavigne and Jason Mraz. Shanahan talks to Icon Fetch about the string of events that led him to meeting the Beatles’ drummer, and also about getting Ringo together with Stones’ drummer Charlie Watts for afternoon tea.

The Smithereens have become legends for their brand of no-nonsense rock n’ roll, scoring hits with “Behind the Wall of Sleep,” “A Girl Like You,” “Only a Memory,” and “Too Much Passion.” Their first album of original material in twelve years – 2011 – is being hailed as one of the best records of their entire career (it made Icon Fetch’s “Sweet Sixteen” – the Best of 2011 list. Icon Fetch talks with lead singer Pat Dinizio about their upcoming tour of the east coast, as well as the revealing story of why it took so long between releases. He also touches on his current, year-long stand in Las Vegas with his “Confessions of a Rock Star.”

Sophie B. Hawkins first burst on the scene with the sensual hit “Damn, I Wish I Was Your Lover,” from 1992. Her next album yielded another smash in “As I Lay Me Down” in ’95. As she readies her first new full-length album in seven years – The Crossing – for release early 2012, she’s got a song in the brand new hit movie, New Year’s Eve – “Life is a Bomb.” Icon Fetch talks to the native New Yorker about her struggles of trying to do things independently after years of being on a major label. She also discusses how her writing style has changed since becoming a mother, and reveals the interesting story behind “Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover.”