Kenneth Partridge

Kenneth Partridge's work has appeared in such publications as USA Today, the Village Voice and the Hartford Courant, as well as online at MTV Hive and HowAboutWe, among other sites. He's helped to edit two encyclopedias -- one on Latin music, the other on reggae -- and penned biographies about Louis Armstrong and the opera singer Marian Anderson. He lives in Brooklyn, N.Y., with his beloved wife and slightly less beloved record collection.

Wake Island, ‘Use It As a Weapon’ – Free MP3 Download

Truly an international crew, Montreal foursome Wake Island features musicians from Lebanon, Canada and the United States. It's a brainy band -- one of 'em is studying cell biology -- and that really came through on their 2009 debut, 'Fairytales From the Island,' an attempt to, in their words, "reach a common center" through elaborate, orchestral rock.

Slowriter, ‘Animated’ – Free MP3 Download

A man can only rage for so long. After two years of playing guitar with the math-y Atlanta post-hardcore outfit the Chariot, Bryan Taylor has pulled up a desk chair and parked himself at the computer. There, piecing together tracks for his Slowriter side project, he fits together beats, loops, textures and lyrics, emerging with a kind of spoke-sung electro-pop.

Sugar Glyder, ‘Campfire’ – Free MP3 Download

A self-made 2011 EP and successful SXSW outing landed Sugar Glyder a deal with ORG Music, and now, the North Carolina foursome are hitting the road in support of their full-length debut, 'The Eyes: They See.'

Smashing Pumpkins Wrap SXSW 2013 at Red Bull Sound Select Showcase

As Prince blew minds and brought the funk at La Zona Rosa, the Smashing Pumpkins closed out SXSW 2013 with their own exclusive Austin showcase, performing at the Red Bull Sound Select Stage for a crowd of 350. As mxdwn.com reports, Billy Corgan and the gang turned in a career-spanning set, mixing such classics as 'Cherub Rock' (watch above) and 'Tonight, Tonight' with cuts from last year's 'Oceani

Prince Closes SXSW 2013 With Epic Performance at Samsung Galaxy Party

Prince closed out SXSW 2013 with a nearly three-hour set comprising hits, surprise covers and typically quotable stage banter, according to numerous sources lucky enough to get in. Backed by the latest version of his New Power Generation -- now with 12-piece horn section -- the Purple Yoda held the stage at Austin's La Zona Rosa until 3AM, stringing together a main set and six encores, according t

The Teen Age, ‘Second Youth’ – Free MP3 Download

While not the first band to romanticize those momentous years between middle school and college, the Teen Age gaze backwards on their own terms. On 'Second Youth,' these Brooklyn dudes sound positively spooked, delivering sweet, noisy guitar-pop with an unshakable air of dread. If you're turned on by the idea of Joy Division cutting the Foo Fighters' 'Everlong' for Slumberland Records, this one's

Watch Dave Grohl’s SXSW 2013 Keynote Address

These days, Dave Grohl is everywhere, so who better to deliver the keynote speech at SXSW 2013? The Foo Fighters main man, former Nirvana drummer and 'Sound City' director and all-star bandleader takes to the podium today (March 14) at 12PM EST, and you can watch his entire address right here.

2013 Grammys: Black Keys’ ‘Lonely Boy’ Wins Best Rock Song

The Black Keys' 'Lonely Boy' has won Best Rock Song at the 2013 Grammys. The tune kicks off the Ohio garage-rock duo's seventh full-length, 'El Camino,' which also came up big at tonight's ceremony, earning Best Rock Album honors.

2013 Grammys: Trent Reznor’s ‘Girl With the Dragon Tattoo’ Wins Best Score

Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross have won the 2013 Grammy for Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media for their work on 'The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo,' director David Fincher's 2012 film adaptation of the popular novel of the same name. In winning the prize, the Nine Inch Nails mastermind and his frequent collaborator beat out such Hollywood heavies as John Williams.

2013 Grammys: Skrillex and Nero Win Best Remixed Recording

Skrillex and Nero's remix of 'Promises,' from the latter's 2011 debut album, 'Welcome Reality,' has won the 2013 Grammy for Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical. The digitally doctored tune beat out remixed versions of songs by M83, Deadmau5 and Moby to win the prize -- the first of the evening for a Diffuser.fm-relevant artist.