Berklee students cover rock for Under the Influence

Part of the Berklee College of Music's philosophy is to provide an environment where aspiring musicians "learn how to integrate new ideas" and "adapt to changing musical genres," according to the Boston educational institution's Web site.

That line of thinking is reflected in the playing of the Berklee students and alumni who appear on Under the Influence (Heavy Rotation Records), a recently released covers album featuring their versions of songs by The Pixies, Radiohead, R.E.M. and others.

"There's more to Berklee than just jazz," says producer Paul Kolderie, who was approached in late 2010 by Berklee professor Jeff Dorenfeld and his son about participating in the project. "I liked the idea of a radical cover record using students who, for the most part, knew nothing about these bands."

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Well-traveled Rachel Platten maps out headlining tour

For the seemingly always-on-the-move Rachel Platten, summertime will be a relatively stationary period in which the singer/pianist will roll up her sleeves and get to work on a new studio album.

Then again, Platten could end up making another international project, writing and recording in a variety of far-apart locales — just like she did with her most recent full-length effort, 2011's Be Here (Rock Ridge Music).

With travel and relocation so much a part of her life and career, Platten recently found time to talk about some of the places she's been — not long before hitting the road for a U.S. headlining tour in support of her new EP.

Continue reading "ALL AROUND THE WORLD" »

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