RECENT ARTICLES

Halsey took the stage Thursday (November 21) for an intimate audience of about 1,400 fans at San Francisco’s Regency Ballroom as part of the Wells Fargo Autograph Card Exclusives music series. Launched in November 2023, the series brings fans close to some of the biggest names in music in smaller venues to feel the sonic power up close and personal.

The global superstar Halsey talked via email to American Songwriter about the experience, how she prepares for smaller shows compared to larger arena concerts, and where she feels she is as an artist today. “I try to take the pressure off of myself, and just make things that speak to me and sit right with my soul,” she tells us.

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Paula Cole is a songwriter you’ve heard likely hundreds of times over. Whether it’s her songs like “Where Have All the Cowboys Gone?” or “I Don’t Want to Wait,” both of which were on the airwaves in the 1990s seemingly every hour, or her new work, Cole is an important figure in the music business.

In 1998, Cole won the Grammy Award for Best New Artist and that same year she (stunningly) became the first woman to ever be nominated for Producer of the Year at the awards show. A trailblazer and an iconic artist. That’s big time.

But now, Cole has new music coming out, including her newest single, “Green Eyes Crying”, which is out today (January 10), and a new LP, Lo, which is set to drop March 1. So, we caught up with the songwriter and performer to get the scoop behind the new music and her lasting legacy.

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Songwriter and performer Regina Spektor is one of the most dazzling artists on the planet. This makes sense considering she cares for each work as if it is its own little thriving universe. Soul-stirring on the piano, Spektor’s voice bounces and her words alight.

Sadly, as you can read below, she has been feeling deep distress due to the dire conflict overseas. Still, she has hope for peace, inspiration, health, and laughter. And her music will assuredly give that to others along the way.

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Krist Novoselic, the former bassist for the iconic grunge band Nirvana, is up to a lot of things today, musically and creatively. From those having to do with his famous band to new projects like his supergroup 3rd Secret, Novoselic is investigating his myriad interests.

The artist, who is based in Wahkiakum County, Washington, recently landed in Seattle (literally flying his own plane) a few days before Christmas and that’s when he connected with American Songwriter for a conversation about new work, Nirvana memories and a brief exploration into the reality of artificial intelligence.

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It’s no secret that the pop star Kesha has been in the news of late and for some pretty dark subject matter, unfortunately. But from darkness can come light, from sadness can come redemption and new surging power. And take note world: Kesha is in her redemptive era. (It’s a beautiful thing to see.)

With the release in May of her latest LP, Gag Order, the sublime pop offering she created with the help of music icon Rick Rubin, Kesha is reclaiming herself in a way that is both blissful and honest. As you can read below, the songwriter and performer feels like she’s herself again for the first time in maybe decades.

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The 34-year-old Atlanta, Georgia-born songwriter and performer Victoria Monét made giant waves in the music industry this year with the release of her debut LP, Jaguar II. Previously, Monét had written for big names like Ariana Grande, Nas, Travis Scott, T.I., Lupe Fiasco, and Chloe x Halle.

Now, on her own as a solo artist, Monét has recently garnered seven Grammy nominations for her debut LP, including those for Best New Artist and Record of the Year. Below, we caught up with the burgeoning star to ask her about her 2023, her songwriting, and what goes into collaborations.

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What do you think your life would be like if a song clip you released on one particular afternoon exploded and went viral? What would you do next if millions and millions of people were seeing your video, hearing your voice, and reaching out to you through the internet?

Well, longtime independent vocalist and songwriter Maiah Manser had to answer each and every one of those questions recently when her life got flipped upside down thanks to the great amount of attention on her newest single, “With A Smile.”

We caught up with Manser, who has a big, beautiful singing voice and an even bigger, brighter future after signing with Arista Records. She answered our burning questions—like what’s it like to garner millions of views on TikTok alone?

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Fans (well, some) fell in love with bass player Derek Smalls when they encountered him in the film, This Is Spinal Tap. The bass player for the iconic group (Spinal Tap) has been a leader in all things hard rock ever since. More recently, the musician has released his latest single, the pink-bashing “Must Crush Barbie.”

We caught up with Smalls to ask him about his history playing bass, the origin of the new anti-Barbie song, what he thinks of Paul McCartney’s violin bass, and much more. Smalls even talked about his childhood growing up and his affinity for the letters LSD.

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Darius Rucker has manifested two separate impactful music careers. While most people can’t muster one rise to stardom, Rucker boasts two. In the 1990s, his South Carolina-born rock group Hootie & the Blowfish released one of the most successful albums of all time, Cracked Rear View, which sold more than 21 million copies.

Later, in 2008, Rucker switched genres and began playing country music, taking advantage of his smooth voice and magnetism. While it’s no easy matter for a Black artist to break into the genre, Rucker did so with flying colors, earning No. 1 songs aplenty. Now, he’s acting as a mentor to many of the artists who followed his footsteps into the country genre.

Today (October 6), Rucker has released his latest solo album, the storytelling-rich country LP, Carolyn’s Boy, the title of which is inspired by the memory of his mother, who passed away some three decades ago. Below, Rucker travels down memory lane, offering his favorite memories with Hootie, what it was like becoming a country artist, and what went into the new LP.

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The 57-year-old Charleston, South Carolina-born Darius Rucker boasts one of the most appealing singing voices in music. From his early days in the rock group Hootie & the Blowfish to his latest career as a country music artist, Rucker has made himself into an all-timer.

But it’s not just his pipes that are appealing. It’s his warm, sunny personality, too. American Songwriter caught up with Rucker, who is set to release his newest record, Carolyn’s Boy, on Friday (October 6). We asked him a few “lightning round” questions about his favorite song, lyrics, and more.

And keep an eye out for our interview with Rucker on Friday (October 6), in which he talks about his mother, Hootie & the Blowfish, Al Green, and more.

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For anyone on social media today, a few things become apparent quickly. Political conversations are horrible. People love sports. But most of all, people love to complain. Indeed, whining and complaining today is an art form. People play downtrodden roles in order to get likes.

But some don’t let themselves fall into victim roles. Some work to triumph over hardships. One of those resilient people is k.flay, the 38-year-old, Illinois-born musician who recently lost her hearing in her right ear. Despite the at-first devastating issue, Kristine Flaherty has not let the hardship beat her.

Instead, she’s facing it head on, using humor to “de-fang” her affliction. The Grammy-nominated k.flay will release her newest album, MONO, on Friday (September 15). Below, she talks about that LP, losing her hearing, and keeping up the good fight. As usual, she is a pleasure to engage with.

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