Music - xoJane

What Was Your First Album? Here's Ours!

Marianne — Thu, 16 May 2013 10:00:00 -0400

I remember the crinkle of the plastic wrap on the very first cassette that belonged solely to me, instead of being something I'd "borrowed" from my parents.

How To Trick Yourself Into Summer Cheer When The Weather Is Still Gray And Sad

Kate Conway — Wed, 08 May 2013 12:00:00 -0400

In the interest of not inviting my own bodily harm at the hands of my acquaintances, I have decided to approximate summer to the best of my ability even when the weather outside is driving me to listen to The National and brood about the void of human existence.

Having An Ex Come At Me Like Ray J Is One of My Worst Nightmares

Helena — Wed, 08 May 2013 11:30:00 -0400

The whole sad affair got me to thinking about all the sorry clowns out there who could potentially throw a bitter wrench all up in my flow.

OPEN THREAD: Let's Talk About How Janelle Monáe Is The Awesomest Human Alive (And Also What Other New Music Am I Totally Missing Right Now?)

Lesley — Tue, 07 May 2013 16:00:00 -0400

I have such respect for women who can dance like that in pointy spindly heels.

In Defense of Sad Bastard Music

Claire Lower — Fri, 03 May 2013 14:30:00 -0400

I would say 90% of the music I listen to is “depressing” or at least “vaguely upsetting” and almost always in minor keys.

Listening to Music and Crying In Public: On Mika and the End of a Major Relationship

Alex Goldschmidt — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 12:30:00 -0400

Truly beautiful, organic songs about love can go from being optimistic and positive when we’re in love to crushing and painful when we’re hurt.

What Do You Do When It Seems Like The World Is Ending? I Listen To This One Weird Playlist

Mandy — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 09:00:00 -0400

Some people exercise. Some people get drunk. I listen to music.

I Still Love My Wedding Song Even Though I'm Divorced

Marci — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 14:00:00 -0400

Hearing it barely even qualifies as bittersweet for me. It just feels like any other favorite song.

How To Bewitch Someone and Make Them Love You Using Only the Power of the Mix CD

Emily — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 14:30:00 -0400

Once, in the dusty annals of my romantic career, a mix CD fucking moved me.

Listening to Suzanne Vega: A Personal Timeline Of Abuse And Recovery

Lesley — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 14:00:00 -0400

This is a story about when music is survival.

Everything That Is Wrong With That Brad Paisley/LL Cool J “Accidental Racist” Song: A MOSTLY COMPLETE LIST

Lesley — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 14:30:00 -0400

Everything. Everything is wrong with it. Please, somebody post kitten pictures in comments? PLEASE. I AM BEGGING YOU.

CHAMPAGNE WITH SHIRLEY MANSON: My Interview With The Garbage Frontwoman And Rock God

Tynan Sinks — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 10:00:00 -0400

I rarely think meeting anyone is a big deal. But this is Shirley Manson. This is a big deal.

Margaret Cho Talks About Her Pride in Being Called a "Queer Icon" In Light of Michelle Shocked's Anti-Gay Rant

Margaret Cho — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 14:30:00 -0400

xoJane asked Margaret Cho to shed some positive light on the Michelle Shocked controversy by talking about what an honor and a privilege having a large queer fanbase truly is.

I Interviewed Musician Michelle Shocked in 2011 and It Was Bizarre, to Say the Least

Kristin Rawls — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 17:00:00 -0400

Here’s the dirt on our bizarre one-on-one interactions over the course of two-days at the Wild Goose Festival, an outdoor Christian music festival claiming to be LGBT-inclusive.

Jane's Going to SXSW! Let's Blast Her With Tips

Annie K — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 16:00:00 -0500

First tip: Annie needs to accompany her. There is no other way.

How's A White Girl Supposed To Love Rap?

Chloë — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 11:30:00 -0500

When this article was first conceived, I intended to make the argument that my love for rap is pure and therefore should be allowed to thrive unchallenged.

That's How You Do A Comeback: Demi Lovato's New Single "Heart Attack"

Tynan Sinks — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 11:30:00 -0500

Hold up. Stop the presses. Brand new pop perfection has been bestowed upon us and quite literally nothing else matters.

I Used to Be Terrified of Michael Jackson But My Brothers Have My Back

Senam SistaTV Amegashie — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 12:30:00 -0500

I am going to be 34 in a few months and I still have not seen all of Thriller in one viewing.

I Hate Baby Music! How To Keep The Wiggles Out Of Your Life

Suzanna Samuelson — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 16:00:00 -0500

if you actually LIKE The Wiggles for real, then I guess that’s fine. That said, I maintain that you don’t need that shit.

Great Moments In Badass Music History: Nina Simone And Her Show Tunes Without Shows Written For Them, Yet

Lesley — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 12:00:00 -0500

Yesterday would have been Nina Simone's 80th birthday, so I'm telling you about one of my favorite artists ever.