Cole Waterman

A product of Midwest malaise, Cole Waterman spent the bulk of his formative years immersed in the works of Tom Waits, the Doors, the Replacements, John Lee Hooker, the Stooges, Captain Beefheart, Morphine, Alice in Chains, John Coltrane, PJ Harvey and Nick Cave. Regrettably grown up, he pays the bills working as a crime reporter in the Michigan mitten. When not using his bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing to chronicle armed robberies and assaults, he explores underground and avant-garde musicians and songwriters, examining their art with an eye toward historical lineages. In his free time, he attempts to break into the world of fiction writing, studies world religions and world history and weighs the practical merits of going back to school to get an MFA in Literature. You can follow him on Twitter @ColeWaterman.
Between the Grooves: Tom Waits – ‘Bone Machine’

Between the Grooves: Tom Waits – ‘Bone Machine’

Between the Grooves takes a deep dive into Tom Waits' Bone Machine. It's the one fans keep hidden amongst themselves, a secret treasure only the devout are privy to and the seasoned are worthy of. Simply put, it is not for the faint of heart.

Greg Dulli Crafts a Nocturnal Solo Debut of Reflective Triumph with ‘Random Desire’

Greg Dulli Crafts a Nocturnal Solo Debut of Reflective Triumph with ‘Random Desire’

Greg Dulli's Random Desire is striking in its unified exploration of what comes after — years after — a heartbreak. Not a mere collection of 10 songs, it is an album in the classic sense, each track as essential as a chapter in a book or a scene from a movie.

Chicago Artist Emily Blue Unveils “17”, Merging Electropop and Hair Metal Ahead of Collaborative Tour  (premiere + interview)

Chicago Artist Emily Blue Unveils “17”, Merging Electropop and Hair Metal Ahead of Collaborative Tour  (premiere + interview)

Chicago avant-pop artist Emily Blue merges electropop and hair metal into a synergy that sounds like they were destined to become entwined.

Stef Chura’s ‘Midnight’ Is a Scorching, Emotive Indie Rock Masterstroke

Stef Chura’s ‘Midnight’ Is a Scorching, Emotive Indie Rock Masterstroke

Midnight fulfills Stef Chura's promise. Broad in scope, its 12 songs cover a range of moods, tones, and energies.

Psych-pop Band the Go Rounds Unveil Trippy Video Ahead of New LP (premiere)

Psych-pop Band the Go Rounds Unveil Trippy Video Ahead of New LP (premiere)

The Go Rounds' "Foxtrot" heralds an album examining "the places, times, and relationships that hold our reflection," says songwriter Graham Parsons.

Mister and Curt Cataract Release Conceptual Rap Album 11 Years in the Making (premiere)

Mister and Curt Cataract Release Conceptual Rap Album 11 Years in the Making (premiere)

After a decade-long gestation, a collaboration between Detroit rapper Mister and UK producer Curt Cataract is bearing fruit. Hear their latest track "Holding It Up".

Cherry Glazerr Perfects Noise Pop Blend on the Incendiary and Vital ‘Stuffed & Ready’

Cherry Glazerr Perfects Noise Pop Blend on the Incendiary and Vital ‘Stuffed & Ready’

With its personal perspectives on the effects of the current cultural zeitgeist, Cherry Glazerr's Stuffed & Ready is not simply a great rock record, but an important document in the early days of 2019.

The Curls Skewer ‘Lowest Forms of Entertainment’ in Outlandish Video (premiere)

The Curls Skewer ‘Lowest Forms of Entertainment’ in Outlandish Video (premiere)

Chicago sextet the Curl's "Hit Em Where It Hurts" is the latest showcase of the group's addictive quirkiness.

The High Strung Release a Jubilant Song as Singer Reflects on Success of ‘Bird Box’ Adaptation

The High Strung Release a Jubilant Song as Singer Reflects on Success of ‘Bird Box’ Adaptation

The new year is off to an auspicious start for the High Strung and one of their novelist singers. Quiet Riots, the band's eighth studio album, is on the cusp of release, prefaced by a DIY video for energetic lead single "If You Wanna Roll"

Detroit Troubadour Ronny Tibbs Share the Retro Pop Gem “30-Year-Old Boy” (premiere)

Detroit Troubadour Ronny Tibbs Share the Retro Pop Gem “30-Year-Old Boy” (premiere)

Ronny Tibbs, a midwestern songwriter with a flair for the vintage, unveils "30-Year-Old Boy" ahead of his new four-year-in-the-making LP.

Pittsburgh Duo Chameleon Treat Unveil Record of Haunting Dream Pop with ‘Basketpusher’ (premiere)

Pittsburgh Duo Chameleon Treat Unveil Record of Haunting Dream Pop with ‘Basketpusher’ (premiere)

Neo-psychedelia and achingly beautiful vocals are the pillars of Chameleon Treat's swirling sound, traits they hone on sophomore record Basketpusher.

ROVR Unveil Gritty, Unhinged Cover of “Seven Nation Army” (premiere)

ROVR Unveil Gritty, Unhinged Cover of “Seven Nation Army” (premiere)

Toledo duo ROVR offers up drastic reworking of the White Stripes' classic "Seven Nation Army".