Two men, two backing bands with nostalgic-sounding names—in a neo-soul showdown, who reigns supreme?  The '60s-inspired Motown/Philly Soul/Stax sounds of Eli "Paperboy" Reed and Mayer Hawthorne aren't particularly innovative, but they do pack a bonafide wallop. Call them rock 'n' soulers or soul revialists—both are on a sanctifying mission to transcend the label of "imitator." [...]

"When it comes to interviews , it’s whatever people ask, and I try my best not to answer it," said Ira Kaplan, Yo La Tengo's jocular guitarist and singer, at the end of our phone chat yesterday, dodging the most customary of questions: "Do you have anything else to add?"
It wasn't his first demurral. I [...]

From 1964 to 1968, the British Walkers were one of DC’s top rock bands.  They played many nights a week at the Roundtable in Georgetown, released a number of singles, and did some shows in England.  Now, due to the efforts of longtime local rockabilly/roots rocker Billy Hancock, they have reunited decades later for some [...]