Prior to the band’s upcoming August 14th release show for Hannah in the Mansion, Culture Bully’s Ryan Buege was able to connect with percussionist Colin Johnson to learn more about the inspirations behind the new album and the challenges that await these friends as they claim their rightful place among the local rock elite.

Canadian Hip Hop artist Shadrach Kabango, better known as Shad, will be rolling into Minneapolis on the second of August as part of this year’s Warped Tour. Culture Bully’s Jon Behm recently caught up with Shad in order to gain some insight as to what the emcee is doing, what his future plans are, and what’s going on with Canadian Hip Hop.

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…

Following the release of the Background Noise Crew’s Everybody Does This, the group’s T.Q.D. dropped a limited number of copies of The Appetizer EP as a supplemental release in preparation for the emcee’s sophomore album, Clench, Grit, Breathe. Culture Bully is proud to now offer the EP in its entirety as a free download.

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.

Culture Bully is proud to offer Dan Israel’s new album See The Morning Light, in its entirety as a free download. As a supplement to the music Israel also discussed the album with CB’s Chris DeLine, adding a detailed track-by-track analysis of the each song.