Billy Strings: Tried and True
The Flaming Lips Respond to Lineup Change
Relix Daily
December 22, 2025
December 22, 2025
FEATURE
Billy Strings takes nothing for granted, including his prowess on the guitar. This is why during his downtime on a Sunday afternoon in mid-October, a few days after returning from a European tour, the musician is back in motion. Or at least his hands are, as Strings, the recipient of countless accolades as an instrumentalist, runs his fingers across an acoustic.
NEWS
Last week, Steven Drozd shared in a since-deleted post that his long tenure in The Flaming Lips had come to an end. After 33 years as lead guitarist, multi-instrumentalist and a primary songwriter with frontman Wayne Coyne, Drozd disclosed on Threads, in response to a fan’s comment asking if he was “officially done with the FLips,” that “They’re done with me – but we’re not talking about it. So yes I’m moving on. Just keep it to yourself for now. OK?” As his unceremonious departure made waves over the weekend, The Flaming Lips’ drummer Matthew Duckworth Kirksey addressed the situation in a collaborative post with the band’s account.
Five records. One legendary night at The Garden.
NEWS
The Recording Academy has announced the 2026 recipients of its Lifetime Achievement Award. The prestigious award will be granted to six artists during the Special Merit Awards Ceremony at Los Angeles’ Wilshire Ebell Theatre on Jan. 31, just before the 68th Annual Grammy Awards.
The shots that didn't make it into print. Until now.
RECAP
On Friday, December 19, Sam Grisman Project performed at the Field Center for the Arts in Port Angeles, Wash., where they welcomed a special guest, virtuoso mandolinist David “Dawg” Grisman. Before assembling at the venue adjacent to the harbor, the band teased the sit-in on social media, adding to preexisting fan speculation. The performance also doubled as the group’s first live appearance since delivering their self-titled debut studio record–a set intended to mimic their live show with an array of traditional songs and classic covers that span Bob Dylan’s archive, Jerry Garcia/Robert Hunter, and well beyond.
NEWS
Sean Ono Lennon has been working on a new song with James McCartney and Zak Starkey, sons of Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, respectively. In a new interview with CBS News, Lennon acknowledged the trio’s collective creative pursuit, the offers they have received to perform live and the overarching kinship that serves as the foundation for their second-generation musical relationship.
RECAP
Yo La Tengo concluded their annual Hanukkah residency over the weekend with the final three stagings of an eight-night run at New York’s Bowery Ballroom. The indie trio’s latest holiday celebration had already included some unforgettable crossovers, including guest spots from Matt Berninger, Bonnie “Prince” Billy, Sun Ra Arkestra, Built to Spill, Norah Jones, This Is Lorelei and Scrawl, and their last lap went above and beyond high expectations with nightly surprises from icons of music and comedy.
NEWS
On December 27, Cotter Ellis will bring some lingering seasonal cheer to New York’s Brooklyn Bowl. Goose’s drummer will host an evening, dubbed Jingle Jamboree and billed to include members of Eggy, Dogs in a Pile, Couch, and more.
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FEATURE
The Sway Machinery have long been the bridge between a few different worlds. Founded by Jeremiah Lockwood, the grandson of a famous cantor who also spent his formative years working with the great bluesman Carolina Slim, the New York-based ensemble has helped bring traditional Jewish heritage music into the 21st century through their inspired original music. Feeling a natural kinship to the various roots and world music scenes flourishing around his native city, Lockwood has also used The Sway Machinery as a vehicle for cultural connection and dialogue, working with renowned musicians around the world to offer a fresh spin on a form of traditional heritage music.
RECAP
Over the weekend, Dogs in a Pile turned in a series of concerts at Ardmore Music Hall in Ardmore, Pa., laying the groundwork for Sunday night’s team-up with a very special guest, Jerry Garcia’s favorite guitarist, Steve Kimock. Leading up to the residency finale, the Asbury Park ensemble welcomed Jonathan Colman and Eli Winderman (Dopapod), bandmates in WCK Trio with John Morgan Kimock, on Friday for covers that touched on originals by Miles Davis [“All Blues”], Jerry Garcia [“Bird Song”], and The Meters [“People Say”]. Saturday, they played a lunchtime set for the kids, teaming up with Rock and Roll Playhouse before scorching the night with another return to the stage.