Kate Sullivan

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5 Questions with Donna Summer

Kate Sullivan
Photo by Mark LidellWhen did you realize you had a voice from God? I think I write about that in my [2003] book, Ordinary Girl. I heard God speak to me when I was 8. It happened while I was singing — I heard this voice say, “You’re going to......
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Shit & Payola

Kate Sullivan
It made me kind of sad to read last week that Audioslave’s former record label had bribed radio stations to play their song “Like a Stone” when it was released a few years back. I mean, a public revelation like that has got to be fairly emasculating for a band......
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Rock The Bells!

Kate Sullivan
Is it just us, or is underground hip-hop kind of, you know, happening again? The Rock the Bells festival, now in its third year, has taken the place of the defunct Smokin’ Grooves tour — at least for lucky SoCal fans — as a summertime gathering for the conscious/groovy types,......
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Glam-rock Sunglasses

Kate Sullivan
Photo by Nitin Vadukul Six reasons the new Missy Elliott record, The Cookbook, is my favorite-ever Missy record: 1. It’s yummy, and soft. It’s got curves instead of sharp edges. Missy’s not a robot this time and she’s not doing rave drugs or acting like Busta Rhymes. Nothing wrong with......
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10 Questions With Brendan Benson

Kate Sullivan
What work of art has most shaped your ideas about love?I liked Love in the Time of Cholera, and The Satanic Verses. But everyone’s asking me about love and romance and shit, and I don’t really fucking get it. Making up these answers, I’m losing my mind! [laughs] Everyone thinks......
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10 Questions With John Oates

Kate Sullivan
What’s your fave Hall & Oates song? “She’s Gone.” Setting aside your general soul roots, am I nuts or is there a serious and specific Hall & Oates vibe on the Chi-Lites’ “Oh Girl”? There is a connection with the soul tradition of Chicago that is very close to me......
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2005 LA Weekly Music Awards

Kate Sullivan
Photos by Ted Soqui The 2005 L.A. Weekly Music Awards, held Tuesday at the Henry Fonda Theater, were a real love fest, with bizarre juxtapositions at every turn. Favorite moments included watching Best Electronic DJ nominee Claudette Sexy DJ laugh her ass off to 8-Bit (who performed with a video......

I, Songwriter

Kate Sullivan
Illustration by Erik SandbergEccentricity is a great rock tradition, and usually tolerated with some affection. Jack White can post his surgery photos online, John Frusciante can freely discuss talking to ghosts, and Ozzy can strangle his wife during a blackout — it’s all good. Somehow, though, Rivers Cuomo’s brand of......

He Can Hear Music

Kate Sullivan
Photo by Wild Don LewisHardly anyone’s heard of Jeff Barry, and yet his rhythms are in our blood; his sounds, sensibilities and worldview are part of our collective DNA. When gay couples began lining up to get married in San Francisco last year, their anthem was “Chapel of Love,” which......
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Superfan Strikes Again!

Kate Sullivan
Photo by Wendy LynchChristopher O’Riley isn’t nearly as famous as the things he does. In fact, he’s probably most often described in casual coffeehouse conversation as that Radiohead piano guy. I mean, that’s who he is. He’s the guy who plays earnest, classically inspired renditions of Radiohead songs on the......