Pitchfork

Randy Newman is an under-recognized treasure and a keen-eyed dissector of American culture-- and, if you have kids, he is lurking somewhere in your living room right now.

Among Iceland's economic chaos, the Iceland Airwaves festival celebrated its 10th birthday with a five-day orgy of live music and debauchery that takes over Reykjavík-- basically SXSW on a smaller, much colder scale.

While in Reykjavík for the Iceland Airwaves festival, we sat down with Björk for a lengthy chat about "Náttúra", her new single with Thom Yorke, and the Náttúra Campaign. In the process, she outlined Náttúra's plan for the development of a new, independent, environmentally friendly Icelandic economy. It isn't a quick fix. And it isn't going to be easy. But when has Björk ever taken the easy way out? [Part 2 of 2]

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.

While in Reykjavík for the Iceland Airwaves festival, we sat down with Björk for a lengthy chat about "Náttúra", her new single with Thom Yorke, and the Náttúra Campaign. In the process, she outlined Náttúra's plan for the development of a new, independent, environmentally friendly Icelandic economy. It isn't a quick fix. And it isn't going to be easy. But when has Björk ever taken the easy way out? [Part 1 of 2]

The gospel and soul legend, who recently recorded a live album at Chicago's famous Hideout, talks about the pain of singing the blues, Dr. King, and keeping on Michelle Obama's good side.

Just before the release of his band's ninth album, Skeletal Lamping, we talk to Kevin Barnes about the process of writing and performing by himself, the ways he was affected by the backlash to his song's appearance in an Outback Steakhouse commercial, and how there's a middle-aged black transgender man inside us all.