The Airborne Toxic Event Channel Bruce Springsteen on 'The Secret' - Song Premiere

Airborne Toxic Event frontman Mikel Jollett followed a simple philosophy while making the band's third album, Such Hot Blood. "I asked myself, 'What would Bruce Springsteen do?'" Jollett tells Rolling Stone. "If you want to do something that's important, you can't fake it. . . I watched the documentaries about making Born to Run and making Darkness on the Edge Of Town and there was a moment where Bruce says something along those lines."

The inspiration from this line was clear and immediate for Jollett. "I remember thinking, ‘You can do a lot more: you can learn to play piano for real, you can learn to sing for real, you can take what you know about songwriting and forget it and then remember it. You can learn other forms, you can rewrite your lyrics 20 times so they're exactly right," he says. "So yeah, it was a choice to try and grow and to push to grow."

Video: The Airborne Toxic Event Perform Live at Rolling Stone

Befitting an album crafted under the guise of Springsteen, the album's forceful opening track, "The Secret," is an anthemic, propulsive rocker that shifts tempos as smoothly as a Ferrari winding along the Pacific Coast Highway. You can listen to the song here in its exclusive premiere; it's also available on the four-song EP The Secret, out March 11th through Island Records.

The track was written in a bar after a night spent driving recklessly around L.A. "I pulled over to a bar somewhere 'cause I was driving along and I was trying to imagine what this song was about and I was like, 'It's about this, it's about this moment. It's about not knowing where I'm going, not knowing what the fuck I'm doing; it's about this moment of restlessness, feeling like I'm on this road and I don't know where it's gonna go and where it's gonna end."

That same exertion and euphoria is evident throughout the 10-song Such Hot Blood. It finds the band pushing themselves in a variety of directions, from the genteel opening of the sweet rocker "The Storm" to "Bride and Groom," an Irish-punk confessional that Jollett calls "maybe my favorite song I've ever written." "The Fifth Day" is ambitious and broad, a simple three-minute ditty that segues into four minutes of orchestration similar to U2's "40."

Regardless of what happens with the album, out this spring, Jollett is glad that Airborne stretched their abilities on it. "It'd be more terrifying to think that life would go on and you would say to yourself one day, 'Oh, I had this opportunity and I squandered it,'" he says. "At a certain point in my life, we had this band and this worldwide audience and there was a moment where you could've stood there and said the thing in front of everyone that you wanted to say and you didn't do it. That's scarier."

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The Airborne Toxic Event Channel Bruce Springsteen on 'The Secret' - Song Premiere

Airborne Toxic Event frontman Mikel Jollett followed a simple philosophy while making the band's third album, Such Hot Blood. "I asked myself, 'What would Bruce Springsteen do?'" Jollett tells Rolling Stone. "If you want to do something that's important, you can't fake it. . . I watched the documentaries about making Born to Run and making Darkness on the Edge Of Town and there was a moment where Bruce says something along those lines."

The inspiration from this line was clear and immediate for Jollett. "I remember thinking, ‘You can do a lot more: you can learn to play piano for real, you can learn to sing for real, you can take what you know about songwriting and forget it and then remember it. You can learn other forms, you can rewrite your lyrics 20 times so they're exactly right," he says. "So yeah, it was a choice to try and grow and to push to grow."

Video: The Airborne Toxic Event Perform Live at Rolling Stone

Befitting an album crafted under the guise of Springsteen, the album's forceful opening track, "The Secret," is an anthemic, propulsive rocker that shifts tempos as smoothly as a Ferrari winding along the Pacific Coast Highway. You can listen to the song here in its exclusive premiere; it's also available on the four-song EP The Secret, out March 11th through Island Records.

The track was written in a bar after a night spent driving recklessly around L.A. "I pulled over to a bar somewhere 'cause I was driving along and I was trying to imagine what this song was about and I was like, 'It's about this, it's about this moment. It's about not knowing where I'm going, not knowing what the fuck I'm doing; it's about this moment of restlessness, feeling like I'm on this road and I don't know where it's gonna go and where it's gonna end."

That same exertion and euphoria is evident throughout the 10-song Such Hot Blood. It finds the band pushing themselves in a variety of directions, from the genteel opening of the sweet rocker "The Storm" to "Bride and Groom," an Irish-punk confessional that Jollett calls "maybe my favorite song I've ever written." "The Fifth Day" is ambitious and broad, a simple three-minute ditty that segues into four minutes of orchestration similar to U2's "40."

Regardless of what happens with the album, out this spring, Jollett is glad that Airborne stretched their abilities on it. "It'd be more terrifying to think that life would go on and you would say to yourself one day, 'Oh, I had this opportunity and I squandered it,'" he says. "At a certain point in my life, we had this band and this worldwide audience and there was a moment where you could've stood there and said the thing in front of everyone that you wanted to say and you didn't do it. That's scarier."

To read the new issue of Rolling Stone online, plus the entire RS archive: Click Here

Electronics Review Center

Read more »

The Airborne Toxic Event Channel Bruce Springsteen on 'The Secret' - Song Premiere

Airborne Toxic Event frontman Mikel Jollett followed a simple philosophy while making the band's third album, Such Hot Blood. "I asked myself, 'What would Bruce Springsteen do?'" Jollett tells Rolling Stone. "If you want to do something that's important, you can't fake it. . . I watched the documentaries about making Born to Run and making Darkness on the Edge Of Town and there was a moment where Bruce says something along those lines."

The inspiration from this line was clear and immediate for Jollett. "I remember thinking, ‘You can do a lot more: you can learn to play piano for real, you can learn to sing for real, you can take what you know about songwriting and forget it and then remember it. You can learn other forms, you can rewrite your lyrics 20 times so they're exactly right," he says. "So yeah, it was a choice to try and grow and to push to grow."

Video: The Airborne Toxic Event Perform Live at Rolling Stone

Befitting an album crafted under the guise of Springsteen, the album's forceful opening track, "The Secret," is an anthemic, propulsive rocker that shifts tempos as smoothly as a Ferrari winding along the Pacific Coast Highway. You can listen to the song here in its exclusive premiere; it's also available on the four-song EP The Secret, out March 11th through Island Records.

The track was written in a bar after a night spent driving recklessly around L.A. "I pulled over to a bar somewhere 'cause I was driving along and I was trying to imagine what this song was about and I was like, 'It's about this, it's about this moment. It's about not knowing where I'm going, not knowing what the fuck I'm doing; it's about this moment of restlessness, feeling like I'm on this road and I don't know where it's gonna go and where it's gonna end."

That same exertion and euphoria is evident throughout the 10-song Such Hot Blood. It finds the band pushing themselves in a variety of directions, from the genteel opening of the sweet rocker "The Storm" to "Bride and Groom," an Irish-punk confessional that Jollett calls "maybe my favorite song I've ever written." "The Fifth Day" is ambitious and broad, a simple three-minute ditty that segues into four minutes of orchestration similar to U2's "40."

Regardless of what happens with the album, out this spring, Jollett is glad that Airborne stretched their abilities on it. "It'd be more terrifying to think that life would go on and you would say to yourself one day, 'Oh, I had this opportunity and I squandered it,'" he says. "At a certain point in my life, we had this band and this worldwide audience and there was a moment where you could've stood there and said the thing in front of everyone that you wanted to say and you didn't do it. That's scarier."

To read the new issue of Rolling Stone online, plus the entire RS archive: Click Here

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Read more »

The Airborne Toxic Event Channel Bruce Springsteen on 'The Secret' - Song Premiere

Airborne Toxic Event frontman Mikel Jollett followed a simple philosophy while making the band's third album, Such Hot Blood. "I asked myself, 'What would Bruce Springsteen do?'" Jollett tells Rolling Stone. "If you want to do something that's important, you can't fake it. . . I watched the documentaries about making Born to Run and making Darkness on the Edge Of Town and there was a moment where Bruce says something along those lines."

The inspiration from this line was clear and immediate for Jollett. "I remember thinking, ‘You can do a lot more: you can learn to play piano for real, you can learn to sing for real, you can take what you know about songwriting and forget it and then remember it. You can learn other forms, you can rewrite your lyrics 20 times so they're exactly right," he says. "So yeah, it was a choice to try and grow and to push to grow."

Video: The Airborne Toxic Event Perform Live at Rolling Stone

Befitting an album crafted under the guise of Springsteen, the album's forceful opening track, "The Secret," is an anthemic, propulsive rocker that shifts tempos as smoothly as a Ferrari winding along the Pacific Coast Highway. You can listen to the song here in its exclusive premiere; it's also available on the four-song EP The Secret, out March 11th through Island Records.

The track was written in a bar after a night spent driving recklessly around L.A. "I pulled over to a bar somewhere 'cause I was driving along and I was trying to imagine what this song was about and I was like, 'It's about this, it's about this moment. It's about not knowing where I'm going, not knowing what the fuck I'm doing; it's about this moment of restlessness, feeling like I'm on this road and I don't know where it's gonna go and where it's gonna end."

That same exertion and euphoria is evident throughout the 10-song Such Hot Blood. It finds the band pushing themselves in a variety of directions, from the genteel opening of the sweet rocker "The Storm" to "Bride and Groom," an Irish-punk confessional that Jollett calls "maybe my favorite song I've ever written." "The Fifth Day" is ambitious and broad, a simple three-minute ditty that segues into four minutes of orchestration similar to U2's "40."

Regardless of what happens with the album, out this spring, Jollett is glad that Airborne stretched their abilities on it. "It'd be more terrifying to think that life would go on and you would say to yourself one day, 'Oh, I had this opportunity and I squandered it,'" he says. "At a certain point in my life, we had this band and this worldwide audience and there was a moment where you could've stood there and said the thing in front of everyone that you wanted to say and you didn't do it. That's scarier."

To read the new issue of Rolling Stone online, plus the entire RS archive: Click Here

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Read more »

Alanis Morissette Previews New Album in Intimate L.A. Event

Alanis Morissette performs during her 'Havoc and Bright Lights' listening party at Sonos Studio in Los Angeles.Michael Buckner/Getty Images for Sonos

Alanis Morissette previewed her new album, Havoc and Bright Lights, for a few hundred fans last night at a sweltering, packed Sonos Studio in Los Angeles. Before a mix of industry, media and contest winners, Morissette began the two-hour event by showcasing four new songs off the album, including an exclusive track, "Big Sur," that will only appear on a special edition at Target.

Following the four songs, which also included "Celebrity," Morrisette made her way from the back of the space through the crowd to join Billboard's Phil Gallo for a 35 minute Q&A that touched on a range of topics, from the new album to social activism to her songwriting process and more.

The wide range of subjects was fitting for an event celebrating Havoc and Bright Lights. When we spoke with Morissette in the studio a few months ago she said of the new album, "All the things I care about – personal story, the spiritual side, the consciousness side, the rock side – every part of my artist came forth."

Talking last night with Gallo about her writing and recording process, she said, "I put my helmet on and hope for the best." As she added, "I don't know if I should get into . . . " a fan yelled, "Yeah, get into it!"

The space, not much bigger than a nice-sized living room, allowed for a lot of intimacy and encouragement. Among Morissette's main topics were feminism – "This is a great time to be alive as a woman, especially an alpha woman," she said – and activism. Echoing a sentiment she shared with Rolling Stone, she said, "Artists are social activists, whether we want to be or not." But she also believes that is secondary to having children.

"I think parenting is the biggest activism there is on the planet," she said.

Getting back to her songwriting process, she described "You Oughta Know" as a "desperate diary entry." And she addressed the subject of "Celebrity," a song that derides those constantly seeking fame.

"It's a composite," she said. She made sure to put herself in that group of "dancing monkeys . . . I love all the trappings," she said of fame. "I'm as shallow as you can be. I love my 16-inch heels."

With her typical blend of candor and thoughtfulness, Morissette held the room as rapt as if she were backed by a full band, rocking out. To reward the audience for their undivided attention, she closed the night with a trio of acoustic songs, starting with "Hand in My Pocket," during which she busted out the harmonica to tremendous applause.

She followed that with a lovely rendition of "Guardian," which, in its acoustic format, took on a peaceful, easy feeling. The encore wrapped with "Thank U India."

To read the new issue of Rolling Stone online, plus the entire RS archive: Click Here

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Read more »

Alanis Morissette Previews New Album in Intimate L.A. Event

Alanis Morissette performs during her 'Havoc and Bright Lights' listening party at Sonos Studio in Los Angeles.Michael Buckner/Getty Images for Sonos

Alanis Morissette previewed her new album, Havoc and Bright Lights, for a few hundred fans last night at a sweltering, packed Sonos Studio in Los Angeles. Before a mix of industry, media and contest winners, Morissette began the two-hour event by showcasing four new songs off the album, including an exclusive track, "Big Sur," that will only appear on a special edition at Target.

Following the four songs, which also included "Celebrity," Morrisette made her way from the back of the space through the crowd to join Billboard's Phil Gallo for a 35 minute Q&A that touched on a range of topics, from the new album to social activism to her songwriting process and more.

The wide range of subjects was fitting for an event celebrating Havoc and Bright Lights. When we spoke with Morissette in the studio a few months ago she said of the new album, "All the things I care about – personal story, the spiritual side, the consciousness side, the rock side – every part of my artist came forth."

Talking last night with Gallo about her writing and recording process, she said, "I put my helmet on and hope for the best." As she added, "I don't know if I should get into . . . " a fan yelled, "Yeah, get into it!"

The space, not much bigger than a nice-sized living room, allowed for a lot of intimacy and encouragement. Among Morissette's main topics were feminism – "This is a great time to be alive as a woman, especially an alpha woman," she said – and activism. Echoing a sentiment she shared with Rolling Stone, she said, "Artists are social activists, whether we want to be or not." But she also believes that is secondary to having children.

"I think parenting is the biggest activism there is on the planet," she said.

Getting back to her songwriting process, she described "You Oughta Know" as a "desperate diary entry." And she addressed the subject of "Celebrity," a song that derides those constantly seeking fame.

"It's a composite," she said. She made sure to put herself in that group of "dancing monkeys . . . I love all the trappings," she said of fame. "I'm as shallow as you can be. I love my 16-inch heels."

With her typical blend of candor and thoughtfulness, Morissette held the room as rapt as if she were backed by a full band, rocking out. To reward the audience for their undivided attention, she closed the night with a trio of acoustic songs, starting with "Hand in My Pocket," during which she busted out the harmonica to tremendous applause.

She followed that with a lovely rendition of "Guardian," which, in its acoustic format, took on a peaceful, easy feeling. The encore wrapped with "Thank U India."

To read the new issue of Rolling Stone online, plus the entire RS archive: Click Here

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All Tomorrow's Parties Moves to New York for September Event

Greg Dulli of the Afghan Whigs performs at Bowery Ballroom in New York.Griffin Lotz for RollingStone.com

ATP Concerts has announced they will be moving this September's I'll Be Your Mirror event from Asbury Park, New Jersey to Manhattan's Pier 36. The festival is still set for September 21st through 23rd, with the recently reunited Afghan Whigs headlining on the 22nd, though the lineup has seen some changes: Louis C.K., Sharon Van Etten, Reigning Sound and Factory Floor will be not able to perform. ATP has added Philip Glass and Tyondai Braxton, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Sonic Youth's Lee Ranaldo, Joseph Arthur, Janeane Garofalo, Lightning Bolt and more.

The Roots, the Antlers, the Album Leaf, the Mark Lanegan Band and Thee Oh Sees are also among those scheduled to perform. The Afghan Whigs' Greg Dulli curated the 22nd lineup, while All Tomorrow's Parties handled the 21st and 23rd. For more information, visit ATP's official website.

To read the new issue of Rolling Stone online, plus the entire RS archive: Click Here

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All Tomorrow's Parties Moves to New York for September Event

Greg Dulli of the Afghan Whigs performs at Bowery Ballroom in New York.Griffin Lotz for RollingStone.com

ATP Concerts has announced they will be moving this September's I'll Be Your Mirror event from Asbury Park, New Jersey to Manhattan's Pier 36. The festival is still set for September 21st through 23rd, with the recently reunited Afghan Whigs headlining on the 22nd, though the lineup has seen some changes: Louis C.K., Sharon Van Etten, Reigning Sound and Factory Floor will be not able to perform. ATP has added Philip Glass and Tyondai Braxton, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Sonic Youth's Lee Ranaldo, Joseph Arthur, Janeane Garofalo, Lightning Bolt and more.

The Roots, the Antlers, the Album Leaf, the Mark Lanegan Band and Thee Oh Sees are also among those scheduled to perform. The Afghan Whigs' Greg Dulli curated the 22nd lineup, while All Tomorrow's Parties handled the 21st and 23rd. For more information, visit ATP's official website.

To read the new issue of Rolling Stone online, plus the entire RS archive: Click Here

Amazon MP3 Download Center

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