Icon Fetch

Kimberley Rew is probably best known for writing “Walking on Sunshine,” the 1985 smash for Katrina & the Waves. While a member of that band, he also penned “Going Down to Liverpool,” later covered by the Bangles. But before his hit-making success, Rew played guitar in the seminal alternative band the Soft Boys along with Robyn Hitchcock, who had a big impact on bands like REM. Yep Roc Records has just released that influential band’s first two albums, A Can of Bees and Underwater Moonlight, with additional bonus tracks.

Over the Rhine has just released a brand-new CD The Long Surrender helmed by studio ace Joe Henry (Solomon Burke, Ani Difranco). The thirteen tracks on the disc are both warm and haunting at the same time. At the band’s core is the husband and wife team of Linford Detweiler and Karin Bergquist, who’ve been making critically-acclaimed music for over 20 years now. Icon Fetch talks with Detweiler about the recording process with such a prominent producer, the unique instruments on the album, and having a little help from their fans in funding their new project.

We all love music, but most of us run in the other direction when anyone mentions music theory; the actual nuts and bolts of it are enough to make most people’s head explode. Until now that is. Author John Powell remedies the situation with his new book “How Music Works: The Science and Psychology of Beautiful Sounds, from Beethoven to the Beatles and Beyond.” Powell does the impossible: he explains the science behind music in terms that anyone can understand. Plus, he interjects enough humor to turn this into a real page-turner. Icon Fetch talks to the author, who is also a physicist, about what distinguishes music from noise, what makes an “A” note, and why ten violins playing together is only about twice as loud as a single violin.

Arizona native Lucy Billings has just released her second album, No Other Road, featuring her personal yet melodic songwriting. The record was warmly produced by John Jennings, who’s worked his magic on several of Mary Chapin Carpenter’s best CDs. Billings talks with Icon Fetch about how she got hooked up with the producer, and gives us some of the stories behind her songs.

Johnny Winter is one of the greatest guitar players of all time. Yet, so little is known about him. Finally, his story can be told. In Raisin’ Cain: The Wild and Raucous Story of Johnny Winter, author Mary Lou Sullivan reminds us that Winter was a major figure in the rock n’ roll of the late Sixties and early Seventies. But, through drug addiction and misguided managerial decisions, his star faded. Sullivan spent countless hours interviewing the enigmatic guitarist. She also tracked down family members, and former musicians and girlfriends to help paint a complete picture of the legendary Texas bluesman. Icon Fetch talks with Mary Lou Sullivan about writing her labor of love.

Ohio Guitarist Kelly Richey has released eleven albums on her own label and toured extensively throughout the Midwest. Recently, she’s begun to branch out, finding new ways to use her talents, including becoming a Life Coach and forming an organization to help bring music to underprivileged schools. Icon Fetch talks to the talented blues player about her last record, Carry the Light, as well as her experience as part of the band Stealin’ Horses, who were signed to Arista Records in the Eighties. We also touch on her upcoming acoustic album and tour.

Pete Anderson spent 18 years as Dwight Yoakam’s guitarist and producer, helping spearhead the “back to basics” movement of the late Eighties. He’s also produced a wide array of artists, including Michelle Shocked, Roy Orbison, Tanya Tucker and the Meat Puppets.

He’s just released a deluxe edition of his fourth solo record, Even Things Up, which adds four bonus tracks, including a searing guest vocal from Bekka Bramlett. Icon Fetch talks with the versatile guitarist and producer about his new blues CD, some of the bands he’s worked with, and what it was like helping start a new brand of country music.

Auditorium is a one-man-band project of Spencer Berger, whose new CD is called Be Brave. The 30-minute song cycle was recorded solely by Berger in his LA bedroom. The album utilizes very few elements; only his lead and background vocals, accompanied by his acoustic guitar and bass. Yet, the result sounds surprisingly orchestrated, with Berger’s haunting background vocals at the forefront. Icon Fetch talks to the leader of Auditorium about the long process of recording the CD, putting together an actual group to promote the album, and how Berger literally ran into opera-star Pavarotti while singing at the NY Met as a child.

Underground pioneer Steve Wynn has been making critically-acclaimed records for over thirty years. He led the Dream Syndicate, who received substantial college radio airplay through most of the Eighties, before venturing out on his own. His latest project, Northern Aggression, recorded with his band the Miracle 3, has a grittier feel than his previous efforts. Icon Fetch talked with Wynn about recording his new record and a recent ESPN-sanctioned “supergroup” called the Baseball Project, which also includes Peter Buck of REM.

Guitarist Wally Bryson was a member of the Raspberries who had an enduring hit with “Go All the Way.” The band released four albums in the early Seventies before breaking up in 1975. Those records are now regarded as early examples of “power pop,” mixing the melodic sense of the Beatles, the intensity of the Who, and the summery harmonies of the Beach Boys. His son, Jesse Bryson, has forged a music career all his own, showcasing his excellent singing with a knack for writing hook-laden melodies. The father / son duo have teamed up to form the Bryson Group. Icon Fetch talks to them about both of their unique musical paths, and also the impact that John Lennon had on both of their careers.