Elliott Smith (Musician)

River Jones Music Adds Five Bands to Roster; Here's Our Breakdown

The New Year promises to bring excitement to River Jones Music, as the label just added five bands from around the nation to its roster. From Portland comes Bike Thief and Alameda, from Austin comes the Technicolor Hearts, from Seattle comes Sophia Duccini and from Tempe comes local music scene fixt ... More >>

Top Five Must-See Shows This Week

Yeah, yeah, yeah...we get it Mondays suck (we've read Garfield). But it means the start of a new week, which means a bunch of killer shows in and around Phoenix. And here are a few of the coolest, our top five must-see shows this week.

Ten Protest Songs for the Occupy Phoenix and Occupy Wall Street Protesters

Johnny Paycheck​The most common accusation of the Occupy protests has been that those gathered don't have one main voice; a streamlined, focused goal. It's a fair criticism, but it's a little difficult when you've been screwed over from every direction to pin down exactly what you want change.&nbs ... More >>

Bad Lucy Explains "Forward"

​The Morning Infidelity on KWSS 106.7 are hosting their first concert event where, "it's all about performance." Six bands will duke it out tonight at The Rogue Bar for stage supremacy in a winner-take-all battle of the bands (our own Christina Caldwell will be acting as a judge). One of ton ... More >>

River Jones, What Are You Listening To?

River Jones​River Jones Jones is the owner of local record label River Jones Music. When you put your key in the ignition and turn on the radio, what station would play right now? Growing up, I listened to KDKB, KUPD, KEDJ, and KUKQ. Now, I am always streaming music 24/7. But, in the car I liste ... More >>

Cass McCombs: Wit's End

Cass McCombs - Wit's End​Well it's finally here -- the last and final Tuesday of April. We've seen many a solid new release throughout the month, and the prospect of a promising May and June await the collective fancies of new music fans. Today's focus falls on venerable singer/songwriter Cass McC ... More >>

Christopher O'Riley on Ultimatums from Nuns, NPR, and the New Radiohead Album

​ Christopher O'Riley is a classical musician who creates piano arrangements of modern rock songs. He has released tributes to Nick Drake, Elliott Smith, and two Radiohead albums. His latest album, Out of my Hands, features the versions of songs by Nirvana, Portishead, Tears for Fears, The Sm ... More >>

Black Cactus Records Launches Concert Series at Goathead Saloon

​Black Cactus Records does a little bit of everything -- people associated with the local collective design merch, record albums and make web sites for members.Now they're promoting shows, too. With touring bands, even.This Thursday, March 10th, the BC gang brings LA's Goldenboy to Mesa's Goathead ... More >>

Hutch Harris of The Thermals Talks Portland Bands, Elliott Smith, Saturated Music Scenes

Hutch Harris is the nice fellow on the left​Let's just get this out of the way now -- I am originally from Portland, Oregon. I have nothing but love for my beloved Beervana, and anyone that knows me knows that I like to talk your ear off about all things Portland. Hutch Harris, founding membe ... More >>

Kurt Cobain Biopic Could Star Scarlett Johansson as Courtney Love

Scarlett Johansson on the left, Courtney Love on the right. You know, in case you couldn't tell them apart.​So apparently, Scarlett Johansson, who, in case you forgot, collaborated with Pete Yorn on a record last year, is a fan of Courtney Love.According to NME, ScarJo likes Love so much she would ... More >>

By the Time I Get to Phoenix: Courtney Marie Andrews Is the Biggest Star in the Valley's Blooming Pop-Folk Scene

Dr. Dog: Shame, Shame

Considering they already have six albums to their credit, it's great to say Philly band Dr. Dog truly hits their stride with Shame, Shame.With 2008's Fate looming in the background as some of the band's finest work, Shame had a lot to live up to. It mostly does.Shame, Shame, shows just how the band ... More >>

Folk You

Marrying the Mainstream

White men learned to dance, and the emoting was as thick as the eyeliner on the year's best pop-rock records

Trigger Voter

Rock 'n' roll the vote this election year

The Ultimate Rock Fantasy

Mixed Up

"I'm retiring from the humiliating art of wooing girls with music."

Eyes on the Prize

Sensitive indie prodigy Conor Oberst discovers new aggression with Desaparecidos

Pretty Vacant

New Times' panel of critics searches for musical gems in a disheartening 2001

Dark Horse

Though defined by the Beatles, George Harrison's greatest musical breakthroughs were very much his own

Day Break

Before they hooked up with Vagrant Records, Saves the Day were obscure pop-punks. Now they're the hottest indie-rock band around.

Don't It Feel Good?

San Francisco's For Stars leave the sadness and sparseness behind on We Are All Beautiful People

Gloritone

Fainter Farther Still (Hayden's Ferry)

Voices Carry

GBV's Bob Pollard shoulders some personal burdens with Isolation Drills

Behind the Music

Damien Jurado's life is nothing like the bleak, miserable landscape he depicts

Back to Earth

Elliott Smith's 'moment' has passed; now he's just making music

Flanagan's Wake

VH1 vice president's novel about the music business mourns an era just since passed

Elliott Smith

Figure 8
(DreamWorks)

Leona Naess

Comatised
(MCA Records/Outpost)

Obsessions, Passions, Perversions

New Times music critics reveal their deepest, darkest record-buying secrets

Molten Wax

Letters

Critical Mass

A recap of the releases that made it worthwhile to own a CD player in 1998

Recordings

Lord's Prayer

Celebrated busker Mary Lou Lord reluctantly steps into the spotlight with major-label debut

Academy Fight Song

Mr. Smith goes to Hollywood and jumps to the majors

Critics' Choice

A year-end recap of the albums that made it worthwhile to own a stereo in 1997

Recordings

Yo Yo a Go Go

Olympia festival embraces ideals of indie rock

SXSW: C Minus

Spun, Spun, Spun

Pic Hits for the week