Features
Belouis Some
In the inaugural 'Video Vault' column Fiona Hutchings chooses Belouis Some’s 'Imagination' as a music video that had a real impact on her.
Johnny Cash
In our new 'Video Vault' series, Adrian Janes admires the openness and vulnerability for the 2003 video of 'Hurt', the final single which Johnny Cash released in his lifetime.
Maarten Schiethart
In Vinyl Stories Dave Goodwin Talks to our Dutch writer Maarten Sciethart about buying vinyl online and in his native Nijmegen,
Flip Side
In her 'Raging Pages' book column Lisa Torem enthuses about a brilliant new book which introduces us to a colourful chain of Chicago-based record shops
Pennyblackmusic
Our writers and photographers reveal their albums of the year for 2024.
Pennyblackmusic
We reveal the winner of our Book of the Year Award for 2024 and the runners-up.
Vinyl Stories
In his regular Vinyl Stories column Dave Goodwin talks to three of our writers about their favourite vinyl purchases of 2024,
Tommy Mottola
Lisa Torem examines record label executive Tommy Mottola's new memoir 'A New America: How Music Reshaped The Culture and Future of a Nation and Redefined My Life ' about his role in the rise of Latin American music.
Cher
In 'Raging Pages' guest reviewer Nick Dent-Robinson enjoys Cher’s memoir which tells of her difficult upbringing and marriage to and early success with Sonny Bono.
Peter Perrett
In the first of a special, in-depth two-part interview, Steve Miles talks with legendary singer songwriter Peter Perrett about his new album, ‘The Cleansing,’ his life, his career, and why he doesn’t want to be resuscitated.
Peter Perrett
In part two of his interview with Peter Perrett, Stee Miles continus to look back with him over the journey of his life and work, and takes in his observations about Johnny Marr, Bob Dylan, his family and The Spanish Civil War.
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities
In his 'In Dreams Begin Responsibilities' column Steve Miles makes a journey into the past and the future with Tom Robinson,
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities
Steve Miles discusses the newly-published biography of Josef K and writes about the struggles of the urge to be creative.
XTC
In the second of a two part ‘Discography Hagiography’, our series in which we provide a disc-by-disc evolution of music’s greats, Tommy Gunnarsson reflects on the latter part of XTC.'s career,
Melanie
In 'Ten Songs That Made Me Love...' Malcolm Carter reflects on his ten favourite songs by 60's folk singer Melanie.
Depeche Mode
In 'Ten Songs That Made Me :Love' Cila Warncke reflects on ten of her favourite songs by Depeche Mode that explore issues of faith and devotion.
Joy Division
In ‘Vinyl Stories’ Dave Goodwin writes of the kaleidoscopic music culture of Britain in 1980, of discovering Joy Division and the continued impact of him of ‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’ all these years on.
70s Chicagoland Rock Concerts
In her 'Raging Pages' book column Lisa Torem examines a new photo book on 1970's Chicago rock concerts from photographer Jim Summaria and writer Mark Plotnik
Fallen Leaves
In his film column Not Hollywood' Maarten Schiethart reflects on Finnish director Aki Kaurismaki's absurdist romantic comedy 'Fallen Leaves'.
XTC
In the first of a two part ‘Discography Hagiography’, our series in which we provide a disc-by-disc evolution of music’s greats, Tommy Gunnarsson reflects on the early career of XTC.
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities
In his ''In Dreams Begin Responsibilities' column Steve Miles talks to former Public Image lLd bassist, solo artist and practising Buddhist about his top tips for being happy.
Repomen
John Clarkson writes about his ten favourite songs by ReopMen, who were Sheffield's longest-serving indie band.
Funeral Choices
In Vinyl Stories Dave Goodwin takes a morbid but jovial look at various of his friends choice of songs for their funerals.
Byrds
In her 'Raging Pages' book column Lisa Torem reflects on Andy McArthur's new book 'The Byrds: Every Album, Every Song'.
Chris Hludzik
In 'Vinyl Stories' Northeastern Pennsylvanian singer-songwriter Chris Hludzik talks to Dave Goodwin about his work in a recording studio led to his obsession with vinyl.
Cafe No. 9, Sheffield and Grass Roots Venues
Small venues pack a big punch when it comes to supporting live music. They are important for audiences and essential for musicians. Nicky Crewe examines one of the best, Cafe No. 9 in Nether Edge in Sheffield.
Pete Berwick
In her 'Raging Pages' book column Lisa Torem enjoys fellow Midwesterner Pete Berwick’s biker band tribute book, 'Too Wild to Tame: The Story of the Boyzz'.
Luke Haines
In ‘Raging Pages’ guest reviewer Eoghan Lyng enjoys The Auteurs and Black Box Recorder Luke Haines’ satirical overview of pop in his first book in a decade, ‘Freaks Out!: Weirdos, Misfits and Deviants – The Rise and Fall of Righteous Rock ’n’ Roll'.
Pennyblackmusic
Our writera provide their albums of the year for 2023.
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities
Steve Miles talks in his 'In Dreams Begin Responsibilities' column to Illinois musician and former Beauty Shop frontman John Hoeffleur about the empathy behind the songs that he has started publishing on Bandcamp under the moniker of Green Boots.
Best of Vinyl 2023
Rounding up what Pennyblack contributors have been spinning on the turntable this year, Dave Goodwin brings us his own list and commentary on a eclectic selection of vinyl purchases
Rock Against Racism
In our new series ‘Those Were the Days’ our writers will be writing about a gig which they wish they could attend again. In the first in the series, Andrew Twambley recollects attending a Rock Against Racism gig with The Clash, X-Ray Spex, The Tom Robinson Band and Steel Pulse in Victoria Park in London in April 1978.
Bob Dylan
For her 'Raging Pages' column, Lisa Torem gives ‘Bob Dylan 1962 to 1970 : Every Album, Every Song’, Opher Goodwin’s new book on Dylan’s studio work high marks.
Beck
Kimberly Bright finds Sonicbond’s new book on Beck to be beautifully researched and totally compelling.
Beat, General Public and the Fine Young Cannibals
Fiona Hutchings reflects on a new book from Sonicbond on The Beat and also General Public and The Fine Young Cannibals, which featured many of the same members.
Is Vinyl Too Expensive?
Dave Goodwin in 'Vinyl Stories' dives headfirst into a debate about the cost of new records, via a detour on the number 52 bus
Graham Nash
In her ‘Raging Pages’ book column Lisa Torem assesses legendary singer-songwriter Graham Nash’s 2014 memoir ‘Wild Tales’.
Spirit
Meticulously researched, the On Track series connects us to the bands we know and love. In ‘Raging Pages’ guest reviewer Nicky Crewe finds this exploration and celebration of the music of Spirit is a reminder of just how innovative and influential they were .
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities
In the third part of his four part series, Steve Miles continues his interview with Craig Finn of The Hold Steady, putting his writing process under the spotlight, and looking at how focus on mental health plays a key role in the band’s bond with the audience.
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities
In the fourth and final part of his series on music and mental health, Steve Miles talks to Heavenly’s Amelia Fletcher, on the band and the tragic death of her brother in 1997.
Suede
In the our series ‘Discography Hagiography’, in which we provide a disc-by-disc evolution of music’s greats, Cila Warncke reflects on the career of Suede.
Chris Bade
Dave Goodwin in ‘Vinyl Stories’ talks to New Jersey music fanatic about his discovery of a long-lost acetate of the 1967 only album by New York Latin band The Nitty Gritty Sextet.
Rick Wakeman
Author Geoffrey Feakes takes a deep dive into the 1970s, when keyboardist/composer Rick Wakeman was at the height of his creative career, in the Sonicbond DECADES series. Lisa Torem in her 'Raging Pages' book column examines it
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities
In this special article spread over four parts, Steve Miles discusses the role of intimacy and belonging in music. He begins by remembering encounters with Joy Division and New Order, and starts to conduct an extensive and wide-ranging interview with The Hold Steady frontman, Craig Finn.
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities
In the second part of this four part article Steve Miles examines the links between religion and fandom with The Hold Steady’s Craig Finn, and ponders the effect of gigs by The Smiths, The Libertines and The Dandy Warhols as he continues to find an answer to the question of why and how music matters so much.
David Bowie
In the second in our series ‘Discography Hagiography’, in which we will be providing a disc-by-disc evolution of music’s greats, Mark Rowland begins by reflecting upon the post 1970’s career of David Bowie,
Bill Wellwood
In 'Vinyl Stories' Dave Goodwin chronicles the start of a beautiful friendship based on a love of vinyl records.
Suzi Quatro
In her 'Raging Pages' book column Lisa Torem leafs through a new and fascinating biography of rock pioneer Suzi Quatro
Is Bandcamp's Videos Any Good?
In ‘Bandcamp Explorer’ Mark Rowland looks at the best of video game music on Bandcamp.
Roy Bond
In his ‘Vinyl Stories’ column Dave Goodwin chats to acclaimed close up magician and Las Vegas performer Roy Bond about the records that have shaped his life
Do Bandcamp's Artists Know What THey're Talking About?
Mark Rowland tries out Bandcamp’s ‘artist recommended’ function in ‘Bandcamp Explorer’.
Frank Sinatra
In her ‘Raging Pages’ book column Lisa Torem examines James Kaplan’s book ‘Frank: The Voice’, which explores the first forty years of Frank Sinatra’s complicated life
Harry Styles
Nick Dent-Robinson reflects upon the meteoric rise of former One Direction star Harry Styles.
Cila Warncke
Over the last two years Cila Warncke in her 'A Life in Music' column has talked to her fellow contributors at Penny Black about their musical tastes, background and aspirations. Now in what is the last one in the series Nick Dent-Robinson talks to Cila about her 'Life in Music'.
David Bowie
In the first in our new series ‘Discography Hagiography’, in which we will be providing a disc-by-disc evolution of music’s greats, Mark Rowland begins by reflecting upon the 1960’s and 1970’s career of David Bowie,
Tom Verlaine
In ‘Ten Songs That Made Me Love…’ Mark Rowland reflects on his favourite ten songs by Tom Verlaine with Television and in his solo work.