A Taste:

The Dirty Projectors, Chet Baker

Phoenix has taken the indie rock world by storm. However, most importantly, they have the validation of the cast of The Hangover [Check out our exclusive video interview to see that…].

Right now, they continue to dazzle audiences across the U.S. and beyond in support of their phenomenal new album, Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix. It’s a swirling melodic masterwork worthy of your time. What went into Wolfgang? Well, we talked to vocalist Thomas Mars in this exclusive interview about what’s on his playlist.

Thomas shared his playlist with ARTISTdirect.com editor and Dolor author Rick Florino. Check it out below and don’t miss Phoenix!

Thomas Mars’ Playlist:

1. Minnie Riperton

Last night, we played Minnie Riperton.

2. The Dirty Projectors — Bitte Orca

I like the new Dirty Projectors record!

3. Chet Baker — Chet Baker Sings

Chet Baker is nice in the summer. I love Chet Baker Sings.

—Rick Florino
11.17.09

Check out Rick Florino’s new novel Dolor available now for FREE here…

A Taste:

Phoenix, Metric, Muse, Cage the Elephant

“I’ve got some pretty interesting stuff going on in my world right now,” says Dead By Sunrise and Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington with a smile.

Not only did he just release one of the best rock albums of the year, Dead By Sunrise’s Out of Ashes, Chester has spent a fair amount of time spinning his favorite acts for inspiration.

Dead By Sunrise mixes the ethereal whimsy of Depeche Mode with Alice In Chains‘ raw vitality for a sound that’s undeniably badass. It’s definitely an amalgam of many different styles, but, most importantly, it’s personal, real and refreshing.

While on the set for Dead By Sunrise’s next video, “Let Down,” Chester sat down with ARTISTdirect.com editor and Dolor author Rick Florino for this exclusive interview about his playlist. Check it out below and be sure to pick up Dead By Sunrise’s Out of Ashes, available everywhere now!

Don’t miss them when they play your town either!

Chester Bennington’s Playlist:

1. Phoenix — Wolgang Amadeus Phoenix

I really like the new Phoenix album!

2. Metric — Fantasies

I like the new Metric record a lot. It’s really, really good.

3. The Dead Weather — Horehound

This really grew on me!

4. Cage the Elephant

They made an amazing record as well.

5. Manchester Orchestra

There is a lot of really great music out right now.

6. The Airborne Toxic Event

Airborne Toxic Event made one of the best records of the year. Talk about a storyteller, that guy can write lyrics! I feel the same way about Rise Against. Those guys are always making great records. The lyrics are amazing. That’s what’s going on in my world right now.

7. Rise Against

8. Muse

Muse is one of my favorite bands, and they keep getting higher on my list. They may now be my favorite band of all time. Hearing their records is amazing, but when you go see them live you’re like, “I had no idea that it was this badass. I didn’t realize I was going to walk out of here with a broken face.” They’re a band that can play with anybody, and I really enjoy that.

—Rick Florino
10.20.09

Check out Rick Florino’s new novel Dolor available now for FREE here…

A Taste:

Lupe Fiasco, Jay-Z, Phoenix

Marié Digby’s got folky croon that could serve as the perfect soundtrack for a dream.

Her sophomore album, Breathing Underwater, is ethereal and smoky in all the right ways. She’s got a lot of heart, but at the same time, she knows how to carry a big pop hook.

Marié opened up her iTunes and gave ARTISTdirect.com an exclusive look at what she’s spinning. Check out her playlist below!

Marié Digby’s Playlist:

1. Lupe Fiasco — “Shining Down”

Right now I’m really into Lupe Fiasco. He’s got this new song called “Shining Down.” He’s such a smart lyricist and he’s very fresh. I really appreciate everything he does.

2. Jay-Z — “D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune)”

I’ve been listening to “Death of Auto-Tune” by Jay-Z. He and Lupe have been in constant rotation. I love Jay-Z too. I admire rap artists who are unique and fresh and they don’t rap about the things that everyone else raps about. I like those two rappers a lot!

3. Phoenix — Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix

I’m listening to the new Phoenix album. The song “Fences” is great. They’re able to take these chords that shouldn’t normally work in a pop song and put the perfect melody on top of them. I love the vocalist. I’ve been a fan for a long time, and they’re fantastic. I’m upset because I was doing a TV show in this little tiny building in Japan a few weeks ago and they were next door literally 20 feet away doing a show on the same side of this building. I really wanted to introduce myself, but I didn’t have the courage to do it [Laughs].

4. Imogen Heap

I’m obsessed Imogen Heap’s new album Ellipse. I’m obsessed with it. I think it’s epic. I look up to her a lot. She does almost everything by herself. She’s independent. She mixes, writes, produces and plays just about everything on her albums. No one can do what she does.

—Rick Florino
09.20.09

A Taste:

Phoenix, Keane, M83

“This is the best job in the world,” exclaims LIGHTS.

The singer’s elation about her career path is extremely palpable. LIGHTS is music. She lives it, breathes it and loves it. She also happens to be damn good at it. The Canadian songstress crafts theatrical and hypnotic. Her Warner debut, The Listening hits shelves on October 6th, and it’s bound to illuminate everyone that hears it. LIGHTS also comes to life on stage, and you can catch her on tour all fall.

She gave us a gander at her playlist in this exclusive interview with ARTISTdirect.com editor Rick Florino. Check it out below!

LIGHTS’ Playlist:

1. M83

2. Friendly Fires

3. Phoenix

4. Keane

Lately, I’ve been listening to M83, Friendly Fires, Phoenix and the new Keane. I love Keane. They’re amazing. I’m over the moon that I’m getting to tour with them.

—Rick Florino
09.20.09

A Taste:

Phoenix, Hilary Duff, TV on the Radio

“Vegas is a place where a lot of people decide to get raw,” exclaims Zach Galifianakis with a wide-eyed grin.

The comedian and his Hangover cast mates—Bradley Cooper and Ed Helms—definitely got “raw” in the city of sin. In fact, these three tear up the strip like never before. Their exploits are so outrageous and utterly awesome that The Hangover is bound to be remembered as the Vegas comedy of the Facebook generation.

However, over the course of their misadventures, these three cranked a lot of good tunes. The movie’s main men shared their playlists with us in this exclusive feature. You probably won’t be surprised that their tastes are “eclectic” to say the least.

Check out their playlists below and catch The Hangover when it hits theaters this Friday.

Zach Galifianakis’ Playlist:

1. Phoenix

Zach: “I really like this band Phoenix. On set we were listening to the theme from Sanford and Son a lot though.”

2. Hilary Duff

Zach: “I’m also listening to old Hilary Duff.”

Bradley: “I just listen to pretty much whatever Zach burns for me.”

Zach: “Hilary Duff.”

Bradley Cooper’s Playlist:

1. TV On the Radio

Bradley: “I do like TV On the Radio!”

Ed Helms’ Playlist:

1. Punch Brothers

2. Infamous String Dusters

Ed: “I exclusively listen to bluegrass music.”

—Rick Florino
06.02.09