The Backrooms

Have you ever found yourself in a windowless room, illuminated by fluorescent lights?

Perhaps the room had nothing in it except for a musty smell and some faded yellowish carpet? If any of this sounds familiar, you may have stumbled upon one of the backrooms.

Keep ReadingShow less
'They would have let Hitler buy ads': Sacha Baron Cohen's scathing attack on Facebook

In the 1930s radio had been around for a few decades, but it was only just becoming commonplace, and it was still an exciting new technology that was rapidly connecting the world and contributing to social and political change. In the US, radio was defining President Roosevelt's man-of-the-people image, with his inviting and personable fireside chats. In Europe, however, radio's effect was amplifying a much more virulent form of populism.

Fascism was finding its voice. The blended pride and humiliation of national ego, and the simultaneously mocking and fearful portrayal of the weak and terrifying other, were tapping into impulses that were deeply human and capable of immeasurable cruelty. But by the 1950s, the world had adapted to its new interconnectedness, and it seemed certain that we had left true fascism behind for good. It wasn't until recently, with a new technology to connect us more than ever, that the cycle returned and society began finding its way back to those ancient and ruinous tribal divisions around the world.

This is the what comedian Sacha Baron Cohen, best known for his portrayal of Borat in the film of the same name, and for his cutting political series Who Is America?, was speaking to on Thursday night. He was giving a speech at the Anti Defamation League's International Leadership summit, when he said that "all this hate and violence is being facilitated by a handful of internet companies that amount to the greatest propaganda machine in history."

borat joke


The incredible communicative power of the Internet has the potential to unite us with the kind of populism that brought us the New Deal—or indeed the Green New Deal—or to divide us with a new era of fascism and hate. If CEOs like Mark Zuckerberg, Larry Page, and Jack Dorsey are unable or unwilling to face the tremendous responsibility this power places on their shoulders, we must either wrench this power from them through any regulatory means at our disposal, or face devastation that may well exceed the ravages of World War II.

MUSIC

Cisco Adler Premieres His New Single, Talks New Album and Owning His Truth

"I feel like it's time I have a moment where I focus on myself as an artist."

Photo by James Zwadlo on Unsplash

In the public eye, Cisco Adler is something of an enigma.

The Grammy-nominated songwriter and producer may have been on your radar back in 2008, when his self-titled debut peaked at number 8 on the Billboard 200, and spawned the top 40 hits "Corona and Lime" and "Buzzin." Adler continued to release a handful of solo albums, but to little little mainstream recognition. Since then, Adler has been mostly behind the scenes, crafting hits alongside nearly every pop star in recent memory. G-Eazy, Mike Posner, Fergie, The Internet, Tinashe, and Vic Mensa have all worked with the studio guru at some point in their lucrative careers, and Adler attributes his extensive collaborative catalog to his authenticity with each artist.

"The first session is always like a blind date, and I try to just jump in and start making music," Adler said. "But in the process, I try to understand their goals and their insecurities. Part of being an artist is turning coal to a diamond. What do they want, what do I think they need, what does the label want? It's always a dance." Adler's vulnerability as a creative is why he feels it's, once again, time to craft his own music and tell his own story. His first single in five years, entitled "Somethin' More," premiering exclusively on Popdust, is a care-free summer jam that explores why it's okay to want the better things in life. "I'm happy right now," Adler said. "I've been on this journey obsessed with my craft, and I truly believe this is a natural place for me to be as a musician." I spoke with Adler about his latest single, his new album Hippieland, and how he feels about being back in the spotlight.

Tell me about the new single!

It's a mantra based message about where I'm at.

So what is that Somethin' More that you're looking for?

It's actually about the human element of it being okay to ask for more than you have, as long as you realize you have all that you need. We all want more sunny days and stuff which is cool, that's what drives you and helps you get out of bed in the morning and go after stuff.

It sounds like you're very aware of your accomplishments and of the crazy life you've led.

I'm a blessed man in many ways, and I'm just blessed to be here making music.

I'm curious what your transition was like from a relatively quiet upbringing in Maui to the bustling music industry.

Growing up on Maui I didn't have a lot of connections to the mainland, but in retrospect, it was a huge blessing that centered me. It gave me a hunger and a desire, and I realized I had to get out and see the world. I had songs to write and had to grab every opportunity that came to me. As a teenager, I really connected to hip-hop mainly cause it was my music and not my parent's music. I was instantly in love, and from there I kinda just realized I had to explore. Since then it's been a constant search of just appeasing that hunger and just wanting to make more awesome music.

Where do you think you are in that search right now?

I'm sitting at the table, I'm eating, and to my left are empty plates of all the awesome shit that I ate, and to my right are more exotic delights. More delicacies. And I feel I'm slowly heading down that table. It's not about the destination, there's no timeline. I just wake up and I have to create.

What's next for you?

I feel that this is definitely an "artist" moment for me. Having that catalog and all those collaborations have kinda pushed me into this clearing, and now all I see is me, and I feel like it's time to speak my truth and have a moment where I focus on myself as an artist.

You feel this is your time.

I also feel like the music is in a good place. I'm not trying to just be out there when stuff is just going through changes. I like to learn and help other artists and take what they know and learn from it. I feel like we're at a magical moment. I feel like it's the end of the overproduced pop wave and we're heading into a more trap/punk rock movement, I feel like we're just back at a more organic, instrument-based moment, and I just kinda decided "alright, it's time to pick up my guitar."

Do you feel you've learned different lessons from each artist?

I'm definitely learning every day in the studio. Every session influences the next. As a producer and a songwriter, It's almost like acting. I'm just finding different hats to put on, then at the end of the day, I leave with a new lesson. Every day you change and grow as a human, and I find that the most successful artists are the most open to critiques, they're not fighting any of the collaborations. The ego of the young artist is definitely something we wrestle with, but it's a dance.

Who is someone you particularly connected with?

Fergie. She was just an incredible talent and a ridiculous singer. She was just hugely open. I think at the end of the day I'm not gonna work with someone a second time if we didn't have a lot of fun. It has to be fun and it has to be awesome. Also, I'm working with this kid Yung Pinch and he's absolutely brilliant. We had an instant magical trust, and obviously, with Shwayze, those were just magical sessions.

What details can you give us about Hippieland?

There's some stuff brewing. We're just putting some of the magical dust on it now. It's a special collection of music from me, I'm just really proud of this music, and I think it's my truth.

Cisco Adler will be performing at The Mercury Lounge on April 27th. Get tickets here.


Mackenzie Cummings-Gradyis a creative writer who resides in the Brooklyn area. Mackenzie's work has previously appeared in The Boston Globe, Billboard, and Metropolis Magazine. Follow him on Twitter @mjcummingsgrady.


POP⚡DUST | Read More...

Afrojack on the Key to Longevity and His New Single "Sober"

Alesso on His New Song "REMEDY" and Why He's Not Slowing Down

Don't Let Conspiracy Theories Ruin Nipsey Hussle's Legacy

New Releases

Vampire Weekend Strikes New Chords

The indie band pays homage to the '70s and the sea in new two-track single.

Vampire Weekend

Can Nguyen/Shutterstock


Vampire Weekend is back at it again.

They've announced a new double-album, Father of the Bride, set to drop on May 3rd, and are premiering songs from it two at a time. Following the release of "Harmony Hall" and "2021," their latest sneak-peak further showcases how the band's sound has evolved from the bubbly indie rock we all know and love, into the more mature and sonically nuanced Vampire Weekend of today.

The A-side of this two-for-one single musically echoes a time when singles were still predominantly released on two sides—the 1970s. The opening track of the release, "Sunflower," featuring The Internet guitarist, Steve Lacey, opens with the bass and guitar meandering up and down a major scale together.

This syncopated, playful introduction then roots the listener firmly in a verse that could make a Phish fan's ears perk up. With "Sunflower," Vampire Weekend, with the help of Steve Lacey, shows us what a classic rock jam-band would sound like in 2019. The lyrics, about dreading going out into the sun (appropriate for a band who frequently pays homage to vampires), paired with this devil-may-care instrumentation, create an ironically upbeat anthem for the shut-in.

Flip the digital record over, so to speak, and you'll find the atmospheric and somewhat aquatic ballad, "Big Blue." Arpeggiated chords waver and unfurl in the distance as Ezra Koenig tepidly croons: "Big blue, for once in my life I felt close to you/ I was so overcome with emotion/ When I was hurt and in need of affection/ When I was tired, and I couldn't go home/ Then you offered protection." A steel guitar eventually flies above everything else, reminiscent of a seagull cawing along to Koenig's meditation on whether or not he's alone.

Vampire Weekend appears to be attempting to grow and try new things with this material. Fans should be in for a pleasant surprise when the full double-disk LP finally drops on May 3rd.

Sunflower / Big Blue



Dustin DiPaulo is a writer and musician from Rochester, New York. He received his MFA in Creative Writing from Florida Atlantic University and can most likely be found at a local concert, dive bar, or comedy club (if he's not getting lost somewhere in the woods).


POP⚡DUST | Read More...


Billie Eilish Releases Homophobic New Song

Brass Tracks is Just Trying to Focus on Themselves

The National's "You Had Your Soul With You" Teases Dramatic New Album