Pitchfork

We assess the current state of dubstep by reviewing three recent live events, two showcases from Dubstep Warz-curator Mary Anne Hobbs, and a BBC Radio 1 set featuring Kode9 and Spaceape [above].

Having just released Okkervil River's newest album, The Stand Ins, Will Sheff clues us in to an apocryphal Velvet Underground record, tells us about his favorite microphone that no one else would use, and admits his fantasy about locking himself away to play "Grand Theft Auto" for a whole weekend. [Interview: Tyler Grisham]

Paul Weller, the legendary frontman of the Jam and the Style Council, hits age 50 running with an epic and diverse double-album, 22 Dreams. And he's as surprised as the rest of us.

To kick off a five-part celebration of Sub Pop's 20th anniversary-- and the concert/party the Seattle label is throwing itself this weekend-- we spoke to the men who founded the classic indie imprint, Bruce Pavitt and Jonathan Poneman.

The former Beach Boys star on his latest Van Dyke Parks collaboration, the music of his late brother Dennis, and his love of California.

We talk to Beck about his new album, Modern Guilt, his post-Sea Change transformation, working with Jamie Lidell, how "Loser" was a side project, and why he avoided traditional singer/songwriter material in the first place.

For three decades, Steve Stein has worked at tracks and pieces that effortlessly convey a 10-ideas-a-minute aesthetic overload, whether it's in the service of political agitation, upbeat dance records or-- often times-- both at once. We recently spoke to him about sample culture, making music as a hobby, and how to create a club-friendly song about the Kennedy assassination.