Checking in with Megan Jasper, CEO of Seattle’s Legendary Sub Pop Records
Checking in with Megan Jasper, CEO of Seattle’s Legendary Sub Pop Records

Megan Jasper is a true success story. This is funny because she works for the (legendary) record label, Sub Pop, which often bills itself as “Going out of business since 1988.” Clever marketing aside, Jasper is a beacon in the industry. From starting at the label as an intern to becoming its CEO, Jasper oversees quite a bit of music history and future-making from her Seattle-based office.

In the conversation below, American Songwriter asked Jasper about her first days on the job (make sure you check the Kurt Cobain story ). Jasper is also gracious enough to give insight into what a label looks for when potentially signing a new band, how the label looks to honor its local and global music communities and what she loves most about music.

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Q&AJake UittiAmerican Songwriter Magazine
Meklit Hadero on the Origins of MOVEMENT, a Global Music Showcase Highlighting the Relationship Between Migration and Songs
Meklit Hadero on the Origins of MOVEMENT, a Global Music Showcase Highlighting the Relationship Between Migration and Songs

Ethiopian-American songwriter and performer Meklit Hadero is a dynamo. A force. A person to know and cherish. Her music is as spiritual as it is entertaining.

Hadero’s latest project is MOVEMENT, which is a traveling series that highlights the complexity and relationship between migration and music. It begins on May 7 in Seattle at the University of Washington.

We caught up with the artist to ask her about the series, its origins, and what she hopes will manifest from the work that went into creating it. So, without further ado, let’s dive into the wisdom of Hadero here below.

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Q&AJake UittiAmerican Songwriter Magazine
Behind The Song: “Take Me Out” by Franz Ferdinand
Behind The Song: “Take Me Out” by Franz Ferdinand

The hit song, “Take Me Out,” by the Scottish rock band Franz Ferdinand is like a slug to the head. In fact, that was what helped originate the idea.

The track, which was released in 2004 as the band’s second single from their self-titled LP, is likely the band’s biggest song to date. It reached No. 3 on the U.K. top singles chart and it hit that same number on the U.S. Modern Rock Tracks chart. It also hit No. 66 on the Billboard Hot 100.

But where did the inspiration for the song come from? How did the band, which included frontman Alex Kapranos, conceptualize the tune? For starters, it all began, Kapranos says, with a sniper movie.

American Songwriter caught up with Kapranos to ask him about the origins of “Take Me Out.” Here’s what the songwriter, guitarist, and frontman had to say about its beginnings and fitting the sonic puzzle pieces together.

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Q&AJake UittiAmerican Songwriter Magazine
10 Best-Sounding Open World Games
10 Best-Sounding Open World Games

For many video gamers, “open world” options are some of the most fulfilling. These titles allow players to freely explore a virtual world by using their instincts as compasses, rather than following a more stringent and traditional side-scrolling, level-oriented map. Open world games give players the ability to work towards their goals in less structured ways, deciding when and where they’d like to act.

Such an approach delivers a great sense of autonomy and self-determination, and can also provide a more satisfying sonic experience, especially when enjoyed on quality headphones, speakers and sound bars. Soundtracks and sound effects can pop up seemingly out of nowhere, making them that much more memorable and tantalizing. Here’s our list of 10 of the open world games that offer the best soundscapes.

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With Debut LP En Route, Wet Leg is Not Scared
With Debut LP En Route, Wet Leg is Not Scared

Starting a band can be scary. To be a public artist means putting your thoughts, ideas, hopes, and dreams out for anyone and everyone to take in, digest, and, perhaps, even criticize wildly. As a result, thick skin and deep resolve are often needed. Such is the case for the U.K.-born band, Wet Leg, which, over the past handful of months, has become one of the most talked-about groups in the world. With high praise from the Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl, to name one example, Wet Leg is becoming a household name, and that journey is set to continue with the release of the band’s self-titled debut LP, which is out Friday (April 8). But to achieve all this has required, for lack of a better term, a mission statement from Wet Leg’s founders, Rhian Teasdale and Hester Chambers. The duo has had to stick to it closely. And, so far, they have done so admirably, and with a touch of signature irreverence.

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EssayJake UittiAmerican Songwriter Magazine
The Regrettes' Genessa Gariano: "There’s a power I feel when I’m holding a guitar. It lets me be something other than what I am physically"
The Regrettes' Genessa Gariano: "There’s a power I feel when I’m holding a guitar. It lets me be something other than what I am physically"

Genessa Gariano is the lead guitar player for the Los Angeles-born band, The Regrettes. The group, who rose to popularity with a string of guitar-driven albums, now have a new record, Further Joy, under their belt that, unlike the rest of their repertoire, is far more selective with its six-string placement. It uses the instrument in tasteful, textured and subtle ways, as opposed to how a traditional garage-rock, guitar-forward album might with its buzzy, fuzzy smacks and punches.

The Regrettes imbue joy in their audiences. The chemistry and camaraderie among the members is palpable, and it’s a big reason why the group has booked gigs at Coachella and Bonnaroo this year, among many more.

We caught up with Gariano to talk to them about their guitar-playing origins, letting go of genre on Further Joy and what they love most about their chosen instrument.

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Q&AJake UittiGuitar World
What’s the Difference Between Baritone Horn and Euphonium?
What’s the Difference Between Baritone Horn and Euphonium?

For young people starting out on brass instruments, the baritone horn and the euphonium are two of the most popular choices. Both are sizable (read: hard to lose) and offer distinctive low-register sounds without being unwieldy like a tuba or sousaphone. Both the baritone horn and the euphonium are also relatively easy to learn to play, especially when compared to the more difficult French horn or trumpet, and are commonly found in brass ensembles, marching bands and orchestras. In this article, we’ll examine what they have in common, as well as what makes each unique.

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14 Songwriting Tips from Music’s Biggest Names—Molly Tuttle, Wolf Alice, Five For Fighting, and More
14 Songwriting Tips from Music’s Biggest Names—Molly Tuttle, Wolf Alice, Five For Fighting, and More

We all struggle with writing at times.

But one of the reasons that that is the case is because we don’t know all the great workarounds that some of the best in the business have figured out (even if that means just keep at it). Sometimes, just a nudge in a new direction is all it takes to get back on the right path toward completion and creativity.

Well, you’re in luck!

Here, we ask some successful artists—from Molly Tuttle to Wolf Alice to John Doe, Five for Fighting, and other Grammy Award-nominees and winners—for their techniques, insights, and tips.

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Q&AJake UittiAmerican Songwriter Magazine
Q&A: Molly Tuttle Talks Bluegrass, Imposter Syndrome and Being Nashville Roommates with Billy Strings
Q&A: Molly Tuttle Talks Bluegrass, Imposter Syndrome and Being Nashville Roommates with Billy Strings

Nashville-based guitarist Molly Tuttle is known as one of the best six-string players on planet earth. If individual fingers were athletes, she’d have 10 Olympians. Yet, as you can see below, Tuttle has also suffered from the concept of “Imposter Syndrome,” or the idea that one doesn’t belong.

Here, in this conversation, we talk with the California-born musician about just that. We also talked with her about her forthcoming new bluegrass record Crooked Tree, out April 1, which she recorded with her new band Golden Highway.

Tuttle talked about her stint living with another great guitar player, Billy Strings when the two were just making their way in the Music City. Tuttle and Strings are longtime friends and collaborators and he, along with others like Old Crow Medicine Show’s Ketch Secor, is featured on Tuttle’s new LP.

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Q&AJake UittiAmerican Songwriter Magazine
Daryl Hall Talks New LP ‘BeforeAfter’
Daryl Hall Talks New LP ‘BeforeAfter’

Daryl Hall has a new solo compilation album, due out Friday, April 1 and it’s called BeforeAfter. The skilled singer and hitmaker, who rose to fame in the 20th century with his pop duo Hall & Oates, talked about the new LP and much more with American Songwriter.

For the 75-year-old Hall, music is his life. It began when he was very young and has continued with his Grammy Award-winning Hall of Fame duo and now into later years with his solo work and popular web series Live from Daryl’s House. In fact, Hall’s new LP features work from his solo albums and from the popular series.

Fans can see the full tracklist for the double album below, along with upcoming tour dates during which Hall will be joined by famed singer Todd Rundgren. The upcoming two-disc set spans Hall’s five solo albums, from Sacred Songs (1980) to Laughing Down Crying (2011).

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Q&AJake UittiAmerican Songwriter Magazine
Lani Hall Talks Miracle Life Story, Husband Herb Alpert and New LP ‘Seasons Of Love’
Lani Hall Talks Miracle Life Story, Husband Herb Alpert and New LP ‘Seasons Of Love’

It was a miracle. That’s how Grammy Award-winning musician Lani Hall describes it. Hall, who remembers singing songs from the radio in the backseat of her dad’s car at two years old, absorbing them, learning them, would later begin to sing them in her bedroom. They were mostly jazz standards at the time. And doing so was a transforming experience. While she never thought she would become a professional singer, she couldn’t get enough music. But at the same time, Hall kept it all a secret. Until one day. When she was in her late teens, a friend who worked at a nightclub came by her house unexpectedly and heard her singing through her bedroom door. From that chance encounter, a career blossomed. And today that career includes Hall’s forthcoming tender album, Seasons of Love, which is set to release on April 22—her first solo LP in nearly 25 years.

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ProfilesJake UittiAmerican Songwriter Magazine
Wolf Alice’s Ellie Rowsell on the Band’s Origins, Feeling Romantic and Being on Tour
Wolf Alice’s Ellie Rowsell on the Band’s Origins, Feeling Romantic and Being on Tour

Ellie Rowsell, frontwoman for the British-born dream-pop band Wolf Alice, grew up shy. She remembers playing traditional Irish music as a young person, but she didn’t much take to it at first. Like many kids, she wanted to be outside with her friends. But soon she learned that she loved songs, especially singing them.

At first, Rowsell played flute and the tin whistle. But as she began to sing, as the words and melodies tumbled from her lips, she became more entranced by the act. Now, Rowsell and her band are entrancing audiences all over the world—almost like a musical love potion. And the band will continue as they head out on their global touring schedule in 2022, which spans stops in Australia, North America, and a myriad of festivals all over.

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ProfilesJake UittiAmerican Songwriter Magazine
Your Guide to Pacific Northwest Butterflies
Your Guide to Pacific Northwest Butterflies

Did you know that the Pacific Northwest is home to nearly 200 different species of butterflies? That’s right. From Washington to northern Idaho, Oregon and Vancouver B.C., the region is flush with the fluttering, often brilliantly colored winged creatures. At peak times, there are upwards of millions in the area. But here’s where you might be wondering: Where are they, exactly? Allow us to be your guide.

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Q&A: Franz Ferdinand’s Alex Kapranos Talks Whiskey, Songwriting, Early Days and the Band’s New Greatest Hits LP
Q&A: Franz Ferdinand’s Alex Kapranos Talks Whiskey, Songwriting, Early Days and the Band’s New Greatest Hits LP

Formally formed in 2001 in Glasgow, Scotland, the indie rock band Franz Ferdinand has made a global name for itself after some humble, chummy beginnings.

And this month, the band released its first greatest hits album, Hits To The Head, which boasts some 20 of its biggest songs—though, admittedly, it could even stand to include a few more (as you will see below). The new album also features two new tracks from the popular band, “Curious” and “Billy Goodbye.”

We caught up with the band’s frontman, Alex Kapranos, to talk about how he first came to enjoy music, how his father impacted his early years in the art form, how Franz Ferdinand got together (hint: it includes a bottle of whiskey) and how the group came to write some of the biggest songs of this century.

In addition, Franz Ferdinand just announced a big summer tour (see the full list of dates below). Strap in for this thorough, wide-ranging conversation music fans.

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Q&AJake UittiAmerican Songwriter Magazine
A Primer on Video Game Subscription and Streaming Services
A Primer on Video Game Subscription and Streaming Services

The internet is a major part of our day-to-day lives, yet existence with the vast digital realm continues to be much like living in the Wild West. New options, new spaces, new ideas and new services seem to pop up on an almost daily basis. From the early days of email to the modern era of high-speed streaming, the internet is always evolving.

One of the most recent trends is the availability of video game subscription and streaming services. These give gamers the opportunity to access dozens (or even hundreds) of titles at any given time … usually for a fee. The games are streamed in real time, but some platforms also offer players the ability to download titles to their devices and continue to access them as long as they continue to subscribe. With a streaming service, one can theoretically play any game on any compatible device at any time — much like watching a TV show on Netflix® whenever you like via your phone, tablet or television.

We covered the pros and cons of discs versus game downloads in a previous posting, but there is much more to consider when discussing subscription and streaming services. In this article, we’ll describe the main features offered by several prime options. First, however, let’s start with some background.

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