Zappagram #2
Billie Eilish headlines Coachella, Aimee Mann is a great painter, Eddie Vedder's new album is out of this world, and The Melvins are on tour this summer
Zappagram is the mother of all music newsletters, covering the latest in music news, reviews, interviews, releases, discovery, history, and more.
Making a special guest appearance in your inbox every Monday.
Welcome to the second edition of what I hope is fast becoming one of your favorite emails to receive.
When I launched the newsletter last week, it was very well received, and I am grateful to everyone who subscribed for their generous outpouring of support and encouragement. You guys rock!
Let’s do this.
“I haven't understood a bar of music in my life, but I have felt it.” ― Igor Stravinsky
Recent Essays
The latest music essays by Chris Zappa
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Eddie Vedder’s Earthling is Out of This World
A stellar offering for his third solo album
Music News
The latest happenings in the world of music
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This past Saturday, Billie Eilish fulfilled a dream and became the youngest artist ever (she’s 20 years old) to headline Coachella. Damon Albarn joined her onstage for a performance of the Gorillaz hit “Feel Good Inc.” This may have been worth putting up with the constant sandstorms that pounded festival goers all weekend. [via Rolling Stone]
Jeff Tweedy says that Wilco is working on new music and simultaneously preparing for their biannual Solid Sound Festival, taking place May 27-29 in North Adams, MA. [via Rolling Stone]
Jack White is releasing soundboard recordings of every show from his 2022 tour and this is very good news considering his new album kicks much ass. The first few shows are already online and available to stream on nugs.net. [via Consequence]
A new David Bowie documentary is coming soon(ish) to IMAX theaters and will also be available to stream on HBO Max. The film features never-before-seen performance footage and is the only documentary to be officially sanctioned by the late artist’s estate. The film premieres at the 2022 Cannes Festival, but you’ll be able to stream it sometime in spring 2023. [via Billboard]
Sonic Youth recorded a live show in Kyiv during the spring of 1989, and they’ve just made it available for purchase as a digital download on Bandcamp. Proceeds will be donated to World Central Kitchen, a wonderful humanitarian organization working to feed the embattled people of Ukraine. Support a great cause and get a great live album to boot. Win, win. [via Spin]
Aimee Mann recently announced her first solo art show at City Winery in Manhattan. The Washington Post recently ran a story titled, “Turns out Aimee Mann is really good at painting, too” in which they deep dive into her lesser-known other artistic side, drawing comics and painting portraits. Follow her on Instagram where she often shares her artwork. [via Pitchfork]
Music Spotlight
Music-related coolness you should see
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Watch Sarah Jarosz and Chris Thile cover “Teardrop” by Massive Attack. This is so damn good, it gives me chills every time I watch it. [via YouTube]
New Releases
These albums have recently dropped
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- APRIL 15 -
Flock Of Dimes
Head Of Roses: Phantom Limb [listen]
Kurt Vile
(watch my moves) [listen]
Rush
Moving Pictures (40th Anniversary Super Deluxe) [listen]
Upcoming Releases
These albums are coming soon
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- APRIL 22 -
Bonnie Raitt
Just Like That
Primus
Conspiranoid (EP)
S. Carey
Break Me Open
Spiritualized
Everything Was Beautiful
- APRIL 29 -
Bloc Party
Alpha Games
The Head And The Heart
Every Shade of Blue
- MAY 6 -
Arcade Fire
We
Sharon Van Etten
We’ve Been Going About This All Wrong
Suki Waterhouse
I Can’t Let Go
- MAY 13 -
The Black Keys
Dropout Boogie
Florence and the Machine
Dance Fever
On the Horizon
Upcoming albums with no release date yet
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Butthole Surfers, The Cure, Lana Del Rey, and Todd Rundgren
Heavy Rotation
Great music, new and old, getting lots of play
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ALBUM
Jack White: Fear Of The Dawn [listen]
ALBUM
Flock Of Dimes: Head Of Roses/Phantom Limb [listen]
ALBUM
Inhaler: It Won’t Always Be Like This [listen]
SINGLE
Wye Oak: “You Of All People” [listen]
SINGLE
PJ Harvey: “We Float” [listen]
SINGLE
River Whyless: “Motel 6” [listen]
Tour Updates
The latest tour news and announcements
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Robert Plant and Alison Krauss have added additional West Coast dates to their North American summer tour, which starts June 1st.
Primus is touring this spring, and in addition to some of their own songs, they’re playing Rush’s A Farewell To Kings album in its entirety. How cool is that?
The Melvins have added a handful of new shows as headliners to their summer 2022 tour already underway. (They’ve been touring and sharing a bill with Ministry for the last few weeks.)
The Doobie Brothers are reuniting with Michael McDonald for the band’s 50th anniversary tour, kicking off in May.
One show, two acts: Andrew Bird and Iron & Wine. Um, yes please. Their limited-date tour kicks off in June. Don’t miss this one if you’re able to go.
On This Date
Musical happenings of historical significance
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April 12, 1967
Mick Jagger is punched in the face by an airport official at Le Bourget Airport in Paris. Jagger lost his temper after the band was searched for drugs, resulting in them missing their flight.
April 13, 1951
Max Weinberg, drummer for Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band, was born in Newark, New Jersey.
April 14, 1969
Paul McCartney and John Lennon recorded 'The Ballad Of John and Yoko.” Paul played bass, drums, and piano with John on guitars and lead vocals.
April 15, 2001
Jeffrey Ross Hyman, a.k.a. Joey Ramone died at the age of 49 after a long battle with lymphatic cancer.
April 16, 1993
David Lee Roth is arrested in New York's Washington Square Park for allegedly buying a $10 bag of marijuana.
April 17, 1964
Maynard James Keenan, frontman extraordinaire for TOOL, A Perfect Circle, and Puscifer is born in Ravenna, Ohio.
April 18, 2015
In their first year of eligibility, Green Day is inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Off Topic
May or may not be music-related
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FILED UNDER: SCHITT YES
Big news for fans of Portlandia and Schitt’s Creek: Carrie Brownstein is directing Annie Murphy in a new comedy, Witness Protection. No release date has been set, but the film is in post-production and is expected later this year. [via Deadline]
FILED UNDER: RIP
Voice actor/comedian Gilbert Gottfried passed away last week at the age of 67 after a long battle with muscular dystrophy. [via Variety]
FILED UNDER: LOL
This couple recorded a funny remake of Adele’s song, “Hello” and it’s way better than the original. Be prepared to laugh your ass off. [via YouTube]
???
Question of the week
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What have you been listening to? Leave a response and let me know what you’ve got on heavy rotation this week.
Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this newsletter, please share it with others and follow me on Facebook and Instagram.
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Until next week,
CZ
Heavy rotation: "Golden Hour" by Patchnotes. The entire record is fantastic.
Another great one, Chris! I love Motel 6. A great song.