AKA Aaron Valenzuela, the early 2000s vibes of the Bay Area-based artist are no accident, and are elevated. His new album “Mall of Fortune” tackles themes of love, existentialism, and yearning for true human interaction.

Liz Wendelbo and Sean McBride have a deep love for analog instruments, Greek mythology, and perfumes inspired by their haunting yet bubbly synth tunes

Sunny Moonshine asked internet friend and Filipino dream popper Eyedress about what makes an artist, touring in America for the first time, and the shapes/colors of music before meeting IRL at a shared gig.

The VA rapper moved to LA for some head space and to find himself outside of the RBLE crew. Regardless of mounting features, he stays grounded remembering the first XX Fans.

The former political journalist turned a long love affair of music into a committed relationship. She’s showing her devotion with her latest project, her most emotional and challenging venture yet, Exploded View.

The Grammy-nominated songwriter talked about why she stopped putting words in other people’s mouths and sung them for herself, why sad songs rule, and the “sad state” of radio music.

Alexandra Mackenzie fights anxieties and apathy with brooding electronica, tacking issues that plague our everyday with sounds unlike anything else.

The duo have finally released their long awaited (and equally confectious) follow up to 2013’s “Free Candy.” Back from a time traveling adventure, they’re in present and ready to fork into a “Peace of Cake.”

From his influence on rap to tests of his character, Weird Al Yankovic has proven parodies aren’t just funny business. His cultural impacts over 4 decades earned him a well-deserved star last week, literally cementing his accomplishments.

Before Samuel Lunsford got signed via a Stones Throw mixtape, he was playing instruments with a musical family, DJing friend’s parties, and rapping as Joneski. Then, he decided to challenge himself with a softer, funkier persona with his debut, ‘Exotic Worlds and Masterful Treasures.’

When I met Merrill Garbus back in 2015, I was just a fan girl making a zine. Regardless, she was down to talk about her philanthropy and podcast that would come to be.

Making a name for herself with her Grammy-winning self-titled record, Annie Clark’s confidence and flamboyant setup cemented her rockstar cred on her 2015 tour. Her appreciation for fans and band, however, shows it hasn’t gone to her head.

This Mother’s Day, let’s look at the influential women whose loss aligns with the demise of the “Old Kanye.” We’ll see how her life and death shaped Kanye’s music, and affected the man he is today.

Back with her first album in 4 years, the former rock girl trades guitars for synths and solitude for gratitude. She’s through the flog and scaled Mt. Everest back to New York, finding herself along the way.

A week later, and we’re still reeling. We asked bands and fans what shows they dug, which parties were the wildest – and we have the pics to prove it

Sheer Mag’s biggest fan, Ryan Bright, tells you why their throwback sound rocks

Bouncing from basements to touring with rap’s biggest names, and making a few infamously awkward TV appearances, punk-rapper Juiceboxxx’s journey is anything but boring. 

Danny Tamberelli has been up to a lot since his stint at Nickelodeon. The former “All That” and “Adventures of Pete and Pete” star covers his band Jounce, lending his voice to animation, and go-to sunscreen choices with contributor and fellow ginger Davey Jones.

Rachel Sparkman has been gettin’ RVA’s brashest female-fronted bands together for one day a year, and this time has expanded to a whole naughty weekend.

Rumored not to be her real name, we chatted with the elusive Australian about life, love, and moving across the world

We asked our readers to name their top albums this year and what made them so special. after over 30 responses, we compiled the data to find Popscure’s definitive top 5, plus honorable mentions. 

While artist’s like Kendrick Lamar and SZA helped catapult hip hop and R&B into the year’s top genres for the third in a row, some of the best deserve a little more light

Soup’s tranquil yet upbeat beats are as soothing as a bowl of chicken noodle on a rainy day. Get your fix at “Thanks For Listening” this Saturday.

The DIY rapper did it his way without ever getting signed. Now he’s shedding his hard shell and wearing his heart on his sleeve with new album

During our chat, the RVA native filled us with wisdom in response to non-sequitur

The legendary R&B artist’s performance proved good things come to those who wait.

Curated by Cat Baker, this unique and interactive, one-night-only art show is back for it’s second year. Viewers walk between different Uhauls filled with unique voices of queer artists.

The illustrator and woodworker talked to us about normalizing sex, reclaiming power, and letting go of realism to find her hyperbolized characters & signature shapes.

The VMFA Fellowship recipient’s bold paintings explore the familiar with words that could be discounted as apathy but may instead be acceptance. We talked about the “Fear of Acceptance” and finding balance.

The NYC-based photographer took his love of drag to the big apple when he moved there a few years ago, shifting from on the stage to behind the scenes. Since, he’s captured wild club nights and some of the queer community’s biggest stars.

Photographer Richard Perkins shows off some memories recovered from thrift finds, from girlish to ghoulish. Some experiments failed, but it’s all apart of the experience.

Easily bored and often apathetic towards art, you wouldn’t know it looking at Peelen’s broad array of achievements and unique aesthetic. Her multi-media works illustrate the dimensions of her talents.

Finding beauty and glamour in the everyday through abstract scenescapes or candid portraits, Boshart is drawn to the shine in simple things most of us overlook.

Kelly was one of my first interviews for any publication. We drank beers and talked about her intimate paintings, work/art/life balance, and empowering tunes.

She’s done the most in Norfolk, and now New York calls her name. We sipped wine and talked goals and successes, dreams and fears, all apart of growing up.

By rewriting marketing language or removing it from old ads completely, Thomas’ artwork cuts and pastes bits of the past and present to create a complete picture of now. 

No, not that Hank Williams, but the protagonist “could be effortlessly interchanged with the final note of a really sad, heartbreaking, old-fashioned country song.” The trip is a dizzying, visceral journey through the mind, led by a cat named Sid in van they call Nancy.

Big Bruiser Dope Boy’s new book of poetry is staggering in its power and sentiment. It’s not heartbreaking, it’s soul crushing.

The collection of fictions from some authors we’ve covered before and someone we haven’t deliver stories that might not be real, but are so real.

Joey Grantham has been everywhere. Between various bookstores to big cities and even a stint back at his parents, he meshed with writers and made scattered poems a cohesive book.

Shelley Jackson’s new novel is a postmodern puzzle-box that staggers and unsettles. Welcome to the world of Sybil Joines’ Vocational School for Ghost Speakers & Hearing-Mouth Children.

Catch Business captures relatable digital anxiety in her new poetry book, without the possible pretension.

What makes this story so extraordinary is how none of it is actually ever extraordinary. Work is compelling because it’s just so average; this could be anyone’s life, but, in the masterful hands of Bud Smith, it becomes so compelling that you can’t put the book down.

Leah Dieterich’s writing is precisely executed and peppered with gorgeous prose, utilizing ballet metaphors to tell a personal and astonishing story. At times academic, the Soft Skull release is nonetheless captivating.

MacArthur Fellow Maggie Nelson’s 2007 reissue is easily one of the best books of 2018. Candid and heartfelt, Nelson’s narration blurs the lines between poetry and storytelling fluently and with thoughtful contemplation.

Brandon Vedder followed David Bazan around for two years filming conversations about art, faith, truth, and America. Now they’re taking their documentary on tour.

In an era chock-full of seriously classic American films, there’s a sillier B-side. We’re taking some of the whackiest and ranking them based on loftiness of the film’s ideas and the ludicrousness of its execution.

Half a century later, the surreal Kubrick masterpiece made modern sci-fi possible, and commentates on modern tech and mankind’s flaws more present than ever

Danny Tamberelli has been up to a lot since his stint at Nickelodeon. The former “All That” and “Adventures of Pete and Pete” star covers his band Jounce, lending his voice to animation, and go-to sunscreen choices with contributor and fellow ginger Davey Jones.

For better or for worse, original or reboot, writer Davey Jones has stayed faithful to a film that’s become a family bond. Nostalgia won’t cloud his criticisms, however.

Unlike sci-fi of yesteryear full of other-worldly and futuristic tech, UK series Black Mirror uses familiarity, with devices that seem more like predictions than fantasy.

What makes a hit a cult classic, and who benefits? Charles Rasputin gives it all back with his Upside Down parties.

In his fantastical features, director Guillermo del Toro fleshes out life’s harsh truths

If the alleged abuse is fake, it’s unfortunate but in many ways, irrelevant. The perpetuation of the story should be criticized for media’s quick reactions instead of the Empire star’s horrible hoax — both veiled in plenty of falsehood

Get to know the performers playing this weekend in the celebration of feminine energy.

High in the Pennsylvania hills, a spiritual place serves as a lush introduction to Burning Man’s sacred principles. Get to know all 10 and what to expect from the summertime festivities.

A week later, and we’re still reeling. We asked bands and fans what shows they dug, which parties were the wildest – and we have the pics to prove it

In a sea of power-driven Hollywood sexual harassment, Aziz Ansari treads in a murky area. Instead of writing yet another thinkpiece about it, let’s respond to responses, analyze what went wrong and address misguided opinions on both sides. 

Rachel Sparkman has been gettin’ RVA’s brashest female-fronted bands together for one day a year, and this time has expanded to a whole naughty weekend.

How and why mainstream media is missing the point and undermining concern.

What makes a hit a cult classic, and who benefits? Charles Rasputin gives it all back with his Upside Down parties.

For Olympic winners Gabby Douglas and Venus Williams, their hair is the feelings they wear. Per usual, mainstream media doesn’t understand what it means.