Urbanite

Last year, the new Great Googa Mooga festival brought 75 top restaurants and more than a dozen bands to Prospect Park. Yet all anyone remembers is what went wrong: long lines, bad cell service and a shortage of food. By the second day of the two-day fest, most of the problems had been resolved. This year, the organizers are promising a smoother — and bigger — experience. The 2013 edition includes...

For a brief moment in the late ’90s, Beth Hart seemed to be on the verge of big things.

She had a major label record deal, national TV appearances and a role as Janis Joplin in an Off-Broadway show.

Within a few years, all of it had disappeared due to her struggles with drug addiction and bipolar disorder.

More than a decade later, she may have another shot at a big break after...

Success in their native England came fast for Palma Violets. Before they even released an album, one of Britain’s biggest music magazines had already proclaimed them the country’s best new band.

Many groups would have been swallowed by the hype, but Palma Violets lives up to it with raucous live shows and classic rock influenced songs that have elements of The Clash, The Velvet Underground...

As the leader of My Morning Jacket, Jim James has been known for extended Southern rock jams.

Over the past few years, James has added elements of soul, R&B and electro-funk to the band’s sound.

Those influences have come even more to the forefront on James’ first solo album, “Regions of Light and Sound of God.”

amNewYork chatted with him as he got ready to launch a nationwide...

Bands from England and Ireland have been breaking through in the U.S. since The Beatles launched the British Invasion in the 1960s.

Lately, there’s been a bit of a Danish invasion taking place, with several bands from one of Europe’s smaller countries hitting our shores.

Among the most acclaimed is Iceage, a dark, moody and powerful punk band that contains elements of The Clash and Joy...

Fleetwood Mac’s “Rumours” is one of the 10 best-selling albums of all time. What keeps it fresh 35 years later is not only the music itself, but the stories behind the songs. The album was recorded as two couples — Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks, and John and Christine McVie — were in the process of breaking up, and the album reflects that tension and emotion. A deluxe edition of “Rumours”...

Sometimes it takes the British to remind Americans about their cultural treasures. In the '60s, bands like The Rolling Stones brought American blues to the masses. In recent years, singers like Adele tapped into classic American soul. Like them, James Hunter is a soul-obsessed export, and he has performed alongside Van Morrison and Aretha Franklin.

amNY spoke with Hunter as he prepared to...

This year marks the 25th anniversary of Tibet House US, a nonprofit institution founded at the request of the Dalai Lama to promote Tibet's civilization and heritage. For 23 of those years, musicians have gathered to raise money for it. The lineup for this year's benefit includes composer Philip Glass, rock legend Patti Smith, Jim James of indie-rockers My Morning Jacket and beatboxing legend Rahzel,...

It's never easy to follow in a family member's footsteps, especially when that person is considered one of the best ever in your chosen field.

For most of his career, it seemed that Charlie Murphy would live in the shadow of his younger brother Eddie, making a living in movies but never becoming a star. Then, in his 40s, Charlie landed a breakout role on Comedy Central's "Chappelle's...