California-based DJ Mary Droppinz combines skills and taste with marketing acumen. The rising star shares the secrets behind her success.
EXPLORE PEOPLE
The British duo shed light on their rural youth, work process, and how an intergalactic voyage informs its latest release, Feorm Falorx.
From '80s synthwave to '90s synth rock, Belarusian post-punk trio Molchat Doma reveals the gear that makes the group tick.
DoNormaal rose to local fame in Seattle with her effortless-yet-determined rapping style and evocative, eye-catching live performances.
Bon Harris walks us through the Nitzer Ebb story, outside projects, and how the SYSTEM-100 changed his musical trajectory.
Listening Guide: Sounds of the D-50
Adam Douglas
The D-50 ushered in a new era of popular music that crossed all genres. Hear the synth in action with this varied selection of tracks.
Listening Guide: Stones Throw Records
Alexander Dias
Stones Throw Records challenges perceptions, demonstrating how a scrappy indie can create a deep cultural impact. Explore these essentials.
Listening Guide: 2010-2023 Hip-Hop
Christine Ochefu
The past decade saw hip-hop go stratospheric. This playlist highlights tracks that helped the genre dominate the international stage.
Sound Behind the Song: “Heart of Glass” by Blondie
Ari Rosenschein
Sometimes, a song’s intro transports us back to a specific time. Learn how the CR-78 formed the playful rhythmic bed for “Heart of Glass.”
CR-78: The Whole Story
Adam Douglas
Before the TR-808 and TR-909 changed hip-hop and dance, the CR-78 changed pop. Here’s the story of the last Roland organ-top rhythm machine.
EXPLORE TECH AND TREND
2020 certainly hasn’t been a typical summer, but at least the world has had one reliable constant: good indie music. Here's a playlist to prove it.
Social media can reinvigorate vintage hits and help them reach broad new audiences. Here are some classic songs that got a second spin.
Bandcamp is a resource for artists and labels of all sizes. Learn how to maximize this essential, fan-favorite platform.
Alin Dimitriu, Saint Ezekiel, Lightfoot, and Ski Beatz share the challenges and rewards of sample pack creation and give tips to producers.
The video game industry is moving ever closer to cloud storage, digital distribution, and other online possibilities.