Last week everyone was surprised to learn that Spoon would be releasing a new Got Nuffin EP, the band’s first newly recorded material since 2007’s Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga. I was recently able to ask Britt Daniel a few questions about the progress he’s making on recording a new full-length album, how his songs evolve, and just what he thinks of the Keepon robots from the “Don’t You Evah” video…

Junkies, psycho killers, deadbeat parents; Minneapolis MC Ecid’s themes are anything but sunny and whimsical. The Minneapolis-based up and comer has a fascination with the seedier side of life, which he has documented in his recent concept album Red Beretta. Prior to leaving for a whirlwind West Coast tour Ecid discussed the new album with Culture Bully’s Jon Behm, describing the formulation of the album’s themes, the closing of Minneapolis’ Dinkytowner and the question of hip hop as a counterculture.

Now releasing its seventh studio album, Burn Burn, Our Lady Peace finds itself with a freedom that it hasn’t had in well over a decade: the freedom to take their time with a recording, record and produce it by themselves, and ultimately release it under their terms. In addition to speaking on each of these subjects, Raine Maida, lead singer and co-founder of the group, also took some time recently to elaborate on the band’s tour plans, his thoughts on leaving Sony, and his reasoning behind not pursuing a career in mixed martial arts.

As one of three vocalists for the Drive-By Truckers, Patterson Hood shares the role of leading one of the most well-rounded Southern rock bands on the planet. In branching out with the release of his first studio recording, Hood is now reflecting on the past decade and a half of thoughts, songs, memories and stories that he’s written and recorded with Murdering Oscar (And Other Love Songs).

I recently had the distinct pleasure of talking to Frank Black regarding Minotaur, the forthcoming Pixies box set. He proved to be engaging, uninhibited and witty as we discussed a wide variety of topics including the music of the Pixies, their future plans together and the talents of those responsible for designing this gorgeous box set. Having the opportunity to talk with Black was legitimately quite a thrill for me, and it’s something I won’t soon forget.

Though obviously very busy balancing her two projects, Deradoorian took some time to answer a few questions from Culture Bully’s Jon Behm about her future plans for her own work as well as that of the Dirty Projectors. While the young lady may be too serious to joke around, by the sound of it she is looking forward to some rip-roaring crazy rock n’ roll times – Zep-style.

Going into SXSW this year, one of the artists I was looking forward to seeing the most was Baltimore freak folk singer Jana Hunter. Unfortunately the only chance I got to catch her perform was at the now infamous Beauty Bar disaster…

The Cloud Cult documentary “No One Said It Would Be Easy” will be released on April 21, and with it another credit to a band who for the past decade has been restless in creating their art. Lead singer Craig Minowa and the film’s director and editor John Paul Burgess took some time to talk on the film and the process behind it; the idea behind its inception, the documenting process and what we can expect.

A writer and poet in her own right, Sarar moved to St. Paul in 1997 to attend Macalester College and started competing in poetry slams just last year. Despite her rookie status, she won the right to represent Minneapolis at the Women of the World Poetry Slam in Detroit this month.

For over 20 years Propagandhi has offered a blunt alternative to the transparent punk that the genre has come to represent. Within the vessel of the the Winnipeg-based band’s blistering music is are lyrics grounded in a foundation of compassion and humanity that reflect examined ideals rather than superficial presumptions…

Up and coming local favorites Joey Ryan and the Inks are playing a whole slew of Twin Cities’ shows in the next few weeks, from the Turf Club to the 7th Street Entry…

In preparation for the Vernal Pool’s upcoming show at the Triple Rock with Battlefields, Irepress, and Frontier, Ryan Buege met up with Eric Torkelson (vocals, bass) and Heath Rave (drums), discussing the group’s formation, the band’s current influences and the metal-ist subject of them all: the economy.