Studio Visit: Digital Artist and Painter Emma Stern

We visit her Brooklyn space to learn more about how she makes physical artwork based on non-physical spaces

Perhaps surprising for those who have seen artist Emma Stern‘s work online, paint is omnipresent in her Brooklyn studio. It’s on canvases, the worn-in wooden floor, tools and at the feet of furniture. Perhaps less surprising, there are also two computers in the space. A laptop sits open with a digital version of one of her characters blown up in an editing application, while a …

Erykah Badu + James Poyser: Tempted (Squeeze Cover)

Created for Record Store Day, The Roots’ James Poyser and Erykah Badu’s cover of Squeeze’s 1981 classic “Tempted” is a soulful, jazzy and breezy rendition. The arrangement—which includes sparkling percussion and backing musicians including Derrick Hodge, Ali Jackson and Mike Feingold—is layered and lush. Badu’s seemingly effortless vocals are also backed by Thundercat. The record is available in a limited release of 3,500 and is …

Premiere: “Shadowboxes and Porcelain Faces” by Hannah Wicklund & The Steppin Stones

A glimpse at the darkness afoot in our digital lives

At 22 years old, Hannah Wicklund & The Steppin Stone‘s front-woman has already performed more than 2,500 times. It’s a staggering number for a musician of any age, but Wicklund not only got an early start (at age eight), but also continues to sign on for extended stints on the road—including a 30-stop tour right now. Wisdom gained from these travels infuses her exquisite vocal …