The story goes like this: When Joe Pug was a junior studying playwriting at the University of North Carolina he had an two sequential epiphanies. He decided that he was unhappy in his studies, and he wanted to pursue a career as a musician. So he picked up his things, packed up his car, and headed for Chicago. Three years later, Joe Pug has released his first EP Nation of Heat upon the world, and we are all thrilled he made such a bold choice. more ›

Lately when I browse Craigslist, I am alarmed at how many posts are from musicians who call themselves 'professionals'. Any struggling songwriter or musician, trying to put together a band, at first glance might read that and think, "Oh good, I don't want anyone flaky." But don't be mislead - what this means is that they expect to get paid. Now, more power to you, if you are a professional and you make a living that way, but where the hell are all the folks that just want to start a band? Somewhere in our early 20s, does this just not happen anymore? more ›