If you say the word “artist,” most people conjure up the same image–a crazy offbeat character that paints in the dark and enjoys slicing his ear off. While we are positive that Nicholas Kuszyk doesn’t enjoy slicing his ear off (we think), he certainly is eccentric. Kuszyk is a visual artist who has just published a children’s book. Read this unique interview to find out how Odie from Garfield got him into art.

Throughout his nearly thirty year career, David Grubbs has collaborated with members of The Red Krayola, Sonic Youth, and Animal Collective, among others, and remains a major figure in the American avant-garde underground. His solo work features haunting, Jandekian sparsity paired with charmingly off-kilter folk, informed by his punk rock roots and scholarly interest in experimental composition.

Jae Fatal is more than just a rapper, he is a poster child for true talent and underground hip-hop. You’ll get hooked on any of his tracks from the first moment you hear his low, near Barry-Whiteish voice until the last “Ch’yeah!” he throws in to let you know that second guessing your favorite radio jam is a common side effect of his music. The young and upcoming artist recently sat down with us to do an exclusive video interview.

I was raised in a very small town on Lake Huron in Canada. Coming from an environment of vast farm lands and a constantly shifting shoreline was extremely formative for me creatively. I never had television when I was a kid, so I spent a lot of time in the woods, in the water, or in a book. My grandpa drew crude comics in the style of Mad Magazine, my mom owned a clothing store, and my dad ran a restaurant. Everybody around me was always making something, or promoting aesthetics in some way. I attribute my need to be an artist to my family, and to the natural landscape I was born into.

Pepper Rabbit is an experimental band from Silver Lake, CA comprised of lead singer Xander Singh, bassist Shay Spence, and drummer Luc Laurent. Having played about twenty shows in the last few months, including SXSW, the trio is scheduled to open for Local Natives on April 20 in Tucson, Arizona, making it their most momentous performance to date. Xander and Luc graced Artist Advocacy with spiritual anecdotes, a breakdown of how they’ve progressed as a band, and a secret hint as to what the future holds for them.

Since their inception, Fucked Up have always been a somewhat confusing band, one that seemed to thrive on uncertainty. As a result, they are arguably the most interesting and engaging punk band of the new century. It started with the pseudonyms the band adopted (and have apparently dropped), and their shadowy back story. Then, there were the several articles that portrayed a band seemingly always on the edge of breaking up. Whether it be their propensity for 10-minute plus epics (Their “Year Of…” 12″ series), or their seemingly endless output of limited edition 7″‘s and splits with other bands, productivity is the one thing that has always stayed constant. 2010 sees the band preparing to release their third full length, which is apparently a musical entitled David Comes To Life. If it follows the tradition laid down by their previous LPs Hidden World and The Chemistry Of Common Life, it is also certain that it will be no less of an event. Guitarist Mike Haliechuk spoke with Artist Advoacy to discuss the music industry, their relationship with it, and the things that currently drive the band. As you will see, he had a lot to say.

image//will deitz words//holly aileen With my stomach full of my grandma’s Easter feast, I made my way over to the Middle East to see Sleigh Bells.  As I waited in line for the sold out show, I wasn’t entirely sure I was at the right place.  A lot of girls were dressed like me – in a [...]

Last weekend, Blur released a 7″ featuring “Fool’s Day”, their first new recorded song in seven years, as part of Record Store Day. Since the release was only limited to 1,000 copies in the UK, it quickly sold out, and was virtually impossible for US fans to listen to legally. Luckily for us, they’ve decided [...]

Sean Nicholas Savage’s newest release, Movin Up In Society, is imaginative, prophetic, poetic, motivational, and impossibly positive in all the right, simple ways. Savage dismisses all the current trends of the current music ‘scene’ and delivers a record that encompasses the true origins of a great album.

Co-directed by Spike Jonze and James Murphy, the music video for LCD Soundsystem’s new single, “Drunk Girls”, features singer James Murphy dressed in drag and a group of feisty pandas. Watch it in HD below, and check back here for the latest news!