Features
Michael Jackson
In the first in a new series, in which our writers tell of encounters with the famous, Julie Cruickshank tells of a strange meeting with Michael Jackson in Foyle’s bookshop in London.
Eoghan Lyng
In her series, 'A Life in Music', in which she chats to Pennyblackmusic writers about how music has affected and influenced them, Cila Warncke speaks to our Irish writer Eoghan Lyng.
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities
In his regular column ‘In Dreams Begin Responsibilities’, Steve Miles begins to looks at the topical issue of mental health and its effect on music and songs by Leonard Cohen, Suicidal Tendencies and The Smiths.
Led Zeppelin
In 'Ten Songs That Made Me Love...' Julie Cruickshank writes of her favourite songs by 70's rock giants Led Zeppelin.
Bandcamp Explorer
In 'Bandcamp Explorer' Mark Rowland examines some of the best soul records available on Bandcamp.
Lita Ford
In her ‘Raging Pages’ book column Lisa Torem reflects upon ex-Runaways’ guitarist Lita Ford’s 2016 autobiography, ‘Living Like a Runaway’.
Mary Wilson
In 'Raging Pages', her regular book column, Lisa Torem examines 'Dream Girl: My Life as a Supreme', the 1987 autobiography of Motown star and Supremes member Mary Wilson, who died in February.
Bandcamp Explorer
In his ‘Bandcamp Explorer’ column Mark Rowland examines some of the best lo-fi bands and albums that are available on Bandcamp.
John Lennon
In 'The Image That Made Me Weep, Lisa Torem writes of a life-sized statue of John Lennon that she discovered while visiting Havana.
Erasure
Fiona Hutchings picks ten personal milestones from the tracks of British pop pioneers Erasure.
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities
In his column ‘In Dreams Begin Responsibilities’ European Sun and The Short Stories’ Steve Miles reflects on the role of silence in music.
Fiona Hutchings
In the second in her new series, 'A Life in Music', in which she will be talking to a Pennyblack writer about how music has affected and influenced them, Cila Warncke speaks to Fiona Hutchings,
U2
In her 'Raging Pages' book column Lisa Torem examines a comprehensive volume about the work of Irish rockers U2 recently penned by Pennyblackmusic writer Eoghan Lyng
Depeche Mode
Fiona Hutchings in 'Ten Songs That Made Me Love...' writes of her favourite songs by Depeche Mode.
Bandcamp Explorer
This month's Bandcamp Explorer column is an ode to the compilation album, with six great examples to be found on Bandcamp. Let Mark Rowland be your guide.
Joy Division
In this month's 'The Image That Made Me Weep' column, Dave Goodwin takes us on a deeply personal journey into a black-and-white picture of Joy Division's Ian Curtis
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities
In his new column, European Sun's Steve Miles continues to assess what punk means to him, and in the second part of a two part article examines the latter five out of ten groups that transformed his life.
Nicky Crewe
In the first in a new series, 'A Life in Music', in which she will be talking to a Pennyblack writer about how music has affected and influenced them, Cila Warncke chats to Nicky Crewe.
Nathan Hall
In his ‘Under the Radar’ column Keith How finds that ‘On the Blink’, a new set of songs from South Wales psychedelic mystic Nathan Hall is both inventive and pleasing, and makes vintage yet modern folk pop music.
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities
In his new column, European Sun's Steve Miles admits that he is ‘a punk through and through’ and verifies the point by citing in the first part of a two part article five out of the ten incomparable bands that changed his life.
Alison Cotton/Jenny Sturgeon
In a double edition of 'Under the Radar Keith How discovers two rather special releases by two very talented women artists from different ends of the “new folk“ spectrum, both equally beautiful and beguiling.
Black Sabbath
Dodson and Fogg's Chris Wade in 'The Image That Made Me Weep' writes of a poster of Black Sabbath that he had as a ten-year old child.
Status Quo
In ‘The Image That Made Me Weep’ Malcolm Carter reflects upon a photo taken at a Status Quo gig he attended with his son in 2009.
Duran Duran
Fiona Hutchings takes us through ten formative memories from the pop titans Duran Duran.
Miscellaneous
Dave Goodwin in 'Vinyl Stories' talks to some of our writers about their vinyl purchases of 2020.
Bandcamp Explorer
Mark Rowland takes a deep dive into the fare on offer this month on Bandcamp, a site that has become established as a melting pot of nascent talent. Taking on the genre formerly known as indie, here is his guide to 'alternative alternatives'.
Clash
Eoghan Lyng selects tracks by punk legends The Clash for this month’s edition of 'Ten Songs That Made Me Love...' Following the band’s progress, the cuts chart the outfit’s progress from London upstarts to their incorporation of many of the musical trends that came to define the 1980s.
Tim Buckley
In 'The Image That Made Me Weep' Adrian Janes examines the melancholic back cover photograph of Tim Buckley's 1974 last studio album, ‘Look at the Fool’.
Bandcamp Explorer
In his new series 'Bandcamp Explorer' Mark Rowland reviews some of the spooky genres on Bandcamp.
Miscellaneous
In 'Ten Songs That Made Me Love...' Cila Warncke reflects on ten of her favourite Memphis soul songs.
Field Lines Cartographer
In our 'Under the Radar' section this month Keith How finds 'The Spectral Isle', the new album from Field Lines Cartographer to be an impressive, fascinating and fulfilling listen.
Silas House
In her 'Raging Pages' book column Lisa Torem examines award-winning novelist and music journalist Silas House's debut novel, 'Clay's Quilt'.
David Bowie
In 'The Image That Made Me Weep' special guest Moon Under Water vocalist Audrey Eade writes about David Bowie and her memories of seeing Ziggy Stardust at his last show.
Fleetwood Mac
In her 'Raging Pages' book column Lisa Torem examines a new memoir by 'Tusk' producers/engineers Ken Caillat and Hernan Rojas
Doug Hoekstra
Nashville-based musician and writer Doug Hoekstra in 'The Image That Made Me Weep' writes of the redisoovery of a reel to reel tape recorder on which he made much of his early music in his late father's house
Cinder Well
'Under the Radar' uncovers a groundbreaking new album from one of the forerunners of the new underground roots music movement. Keith How finds Cinder Well’s 'No Summer' a lo-fi masterpiece, which is both reverential and beautiful.
David Ian Roberts
Keith How in 'Under the Radar' reviews David Ian Roberts' latest pastoral, progressive folk release, 'From The Harbour'.
Who
In 'The Image That Made Me Weep' John Clarkson reflects on a photograph of The Who taken backstage after their performance at Live Aid.
Bandcamp Explorer
In his new series 'Bandcamp Explorer' Mark Rowland reviews the best indie acts on Bandcamp.
Miscellaneous
In the latest 'Under The Radar', Keith How reviews the musical companion to a collection of spooky folk stories, and a power trio from Sheffield by way of Joshua Tree.
Charlie Watts
In her 'Raging Pages' book column Lisa Torem enjoys 'Sympathy for the Drummer: Why Charlie Watts Matters', a new book which pays tribute to the legendary Rolling Stones drummer.
Miscellaneous
This month's 'Vinyl Stories' is a rollicking, rip-roaring and surprisingly hair-raising tale from Pete Smith of life at the sharp end of record collecting,
Mott The Hoople
As part of our series 'The Image That Made Me Weep', we are inviting a different guest with each edition to write of a music photograph that has had an impact on them. Idiot Son frontman Andy Thompson writes of a 2009 Mott The Hoople reunion gig and a photograph from his own collection.
Don Short
In 'Raging Pages' guest writer Nick Dent-Robinson finds fascinating 60's and 70's show business reporter and journalist Don Short's new memoir, 'The Beatles and Beyond'.
Gringo Records
In his new series 'Bandcamp Explorer' Mark Rowland goes orienteering through the Bandcamp wilderness to find its hidden gems and begins by profiling the latest releases of Nottingham label Gringo Records.
Joy Division
In our series 'The Image That Made Me Weep', in which a different one of our writers or photographers writes of a favourite photograph, Cila Warncke reflects on a photograph by Anton Corbijn of Joy Division at Lancaster Gate Underground Station in November 1979.
Sigur Ros
In our series 'The Image That Made Me Weep', in which a different one of our writers or photographers reflects on a favourite image, Keith How writes of the video for Sigur Ros's 'Olsen Olsen'.
Pixies
In our series in which our writers celebrate ten songs that made them love a favourite band or artist, Fiona Hutchings weaves together love, alt-rock and unsettling subject matter in a tribute to Pixies.
Vinny Peculiar
In our new series 'The Image That Made Me Weep', we are inviting a different guest with each edition to write of a music image that has had an impact on them. Singer-songwriter Vinny Peculiar writes about a photograph of his uncle Jim Wilkes, who was a trad jazz musician.
Miscellaneous
Dave Goodwin and record collector Pete Smith share memories and essential tracks from Northern Soul imprint Grapevine Records.
Miscellaneous
In a lockdown special of his regular 'Under The Radar' column, in which he searches out under acknowledged bands and acts, Keith How takes the opportunity to explore some brilliant new music that could easily pass us by.
Tori Amos
In her second book Tori Amos casts a wide net across art and politics, and leaves reviewer Lisa Torem spellbound.
Miscellaneous
Nick Dent-Robinson sheds a contemporary light on a continued and much-debated controversy, namely, Which band is better, the Beatles or the Stones?
Michael Bloomfield
In her 'Raging Pages' book column, Lisa Torem examines a new oral biography by Jan Mark Wolkin and Bill Keenom on 60's folk musician Michael Bloomfield.
Miscellaneous
In 'Vinyl Stories' avid Northern Soul collector Pete Smith tells Dave Goodwin of his decades-long search for a difficult to find vinyl single.
Pefkin
In 'Under the Radar', in which he searches out under-rated bands and acts, Keith How examines Scottish sound collagist/experimental musician Pefkin and her latest album, 'Celestial Navigations'.