Category Archives: Music

Al Green: The Spirit Is Willing . . .

Posted on June 6, 2019 by ddeal

When I told my sister Karen I was going to see Al Green perform at the Chicago Theater May 7, she replied, “You mean Reverend Green.” Yes. Reverend Al Green. The Al Green who sold millions of records singing about love and … Continue reading →

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Unsigned and on Fire: Alexis Saski of Tennessee Muscle Candy Writes Her Future

Posted on May 27, 2019 by ddeal

What would you do if you were a young musician with a record label interested in you — but you realized that your future with the label meant singing songs you didn’t believe in? Would you somehow make it work? Now let’s … Continue reading →

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What Comes Next After K-Pop’s Big Week?

Posted on April 19, 2019 by ddeal

K-pop is having a moment in America, and for once, BTS is not the only reason. But is K-pop truly achieving mainstream popularity Stateside beyond its fan base?  The genre of pop music born in South Korea is a global phenomenon, … Continue reading →

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The Problem with Mick Jagger

Posted on April 6, 2019 by ddeal

America doesn’t know what to do with Mick Jagger. Jagger famously captured the essence of rebellion and raw sexuality decades ago. At the height of his creative powers and cultural relevance in the 1960s, he was a threat to the … Continue reading →

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Why Ariana Grande Doesn’t Need the Grammys

Posted on February 8, 2019 by ddeal

The old music institutions are losing their grip. The Super Bowl LIII halftime show February 3 was a bust because of a musicians’ boycott. And now musicians who matter are blowing off the Grammy Awards. Childish Gambino, Drake, Ariana Grande, and … Continue reading →

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The Super Bowl LIII Halftime Debacle: What Will Be the Fallout?

Posted on February 2, 2019 by ddeal

Will all Super Bowl drama hurt Big Boi, Maroon 5, and Travis Scott? Continue reading →

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How Rihanna Has Changed the Game for Music, Fashion, and Beauty

Posted on January 22, 2019 by ddeal

No one who follows the music industry accuses artists of selling out anymore when they cozy up to corporations – not at a time when an Apple or H&M ad can do more to get a song noticed than Soundcloud ever … Continue reading →

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David Bowie Blows Your Mind in Augmented Reality

Posted on January 9, 2019 by ddeal

David Bowie visited my home on his birthday this week. He sang “Life on Mars” in my dining room. He performed a mime on my front porch. He showed me the handwritten lyrics to “Ashes to Ashes” while I was … Continue reading →

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Memorable LGBTQ Album Covers of 2018

Posted on December 27, 2018 by ddeal

Record albums refuse to die even though sales are no longer what they used to be. Musicians continue to rely on long-form collections of songs to tell personal stories, and album cover art remains a crucial aspect of the storytelling. In … Continue reading →

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My Sweet George

Posted on November 29, 2018 by ddeal

Why are we sometimes moved to tears when famous artists die? I thought of this question while pondering the anniversary of George Harrison’s death today. I did not know George Harrison. I never met him. Yet when I learned of … Continue reading →

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