Contributor

Jillian Mapes

Viral Videos

Bon Iver Gets Grammy Treatment: Watch Stunning Spot Feat. 'Holocene'

January 31, 2012 12:20 PM EST

Bon Iver's Justin Vernon previously had some choice words for the Grammy Awards, but it's seems he's changing his tune -- or at least going along with the Recording Academy's stunning new commercial for his band.

News

Justin Bieber to Host 'Saturday Night Live,' Says Alec Baldwin

January 30, 2012 3:45 PM EST

On today's episode of Alec Baldwin's "Here's The Thing" podcast on WNYC, the "30 Rock" actor delves in deep with "Saturday Night Live" executive producer Lorne Michaels, and in the process, reveals that Justin Bieber will host "SNL" in the upcoming months.

Super Bowl

20 Rockin' Commercials You've Never Seen

January 30, 2012 8:00 AM EST

Who can forget famous moments like Madonna's "Like A Prayer" Pepsi ad or Ray Charles for Coke? But what about the odd and shameless world of the ads that most Americans never saw?

News

Craig Finn Finds His Solo Voice, Talks 'Friday Night Lights' & The Hold Steady's Future

January 26, 2012 1:15 PM EST

On the Hold Steady frontman's first solo album "Clear Heart Full Eyes" (released Jan. 24), Craig Finn trades rollicking bar-band riffs and beer-soaked scene lore for a touch of twang and subtle narratives.

Viral Videos

Wilco Gets Animated With Popeye & Olive Oyl For 'Dawned On Me' Video

January 25, 2012 1:09 PM EST

For their new video for "Dawned on Me," the Chicago rockers partnered with King Features to be animated alongside Popeye, Olive Oyl, Bluto and the rest of the "Popeye" gang.

Backbeat

Backbeat: Air Screen Sdtk To 'Le Voyage Dans La Lune' @ MoMA, Cheese-Filled French Embassy

January 25, 2012 7:45 AM EST

Electronic duo Air celebrated their upcoming album, the soundtrack to Georges Melies' 1902 silent film "Le Voyage Dans La Lune," with a film screening and Q&A at NYC's Museum of Modern Art and an after party at the French Embassy with the band, Astralwerks' Nick Clift, Au Revoir Simone, WFUV's Rita Houston and cheese "overkill."

Treasure Island Music Fest 2011: Behind The Scenes

Live

Death Cab For Cutie to Tour With Orchestra

January 18, 2012 4:11 PM EST

Around the release of "Codes and Keys" last May, Death Cab For Cutie told Billboard that they were hoping to bring an orchestra on tour at some point, in order to more fully recreate their strings-tinged 2011 album. It seems the idea has finally come to fruition: The Washington state rockers announced today that they will take Magik*Magik Orchestra out on a month-long North American tour this spring.