National Public Radio

Top Five Must-See Shows in Phoenix This Weekend: Merle Haggard, Modest Mouse, and More

Of all the things Merle Haggard and Sigur Rós have in common, this is perhaps the most important: They're both playing in Arizona on Friday. But that doesn't guarantee they'll end up in today's Top Five Must-See Shows in Phoenix This Weekend. Of course, if you're at Country Thunder this weekend, ... More >>

Polica @ Rhythm Room

Top Five Must-See Shows This Weekend in Phoenix

Awesome 'ish alert: Drake and Riff Raff are collaborating. Yeah, totally. Along the same lines: It's the weekend, and all sorts of great shows are scheduled for Phoenix. We've gone ahead and rounded 'em up for you, including a broken-hearted industrial party at the Rogue, a night of experimental mu ... More >>

Night Beds @ The Sail Inn

Ricky Brindley, What Are You Listening To?

Ricky Brindley Brindley performs with sketch comedy troupe Bully Mammoth tonight at the Tempe Center for the Arts at 8 p.m. For more information, go here. When you put your key in the ignition and turn on the radio, what station would play right now? The station that plays my iPod or 91.5-FM (NPR ... More >>

David Tyda, What Are You Listening To?

David Tyda Tyda is the owner of EATERAZ.com, Arizona BBQ Festival and Arizona Taco Festival. He invites you to Flavors of the West Sunday, Feburary 17. For more information, go here. When you put your key in the ignition and turn on the radio, what station would play right now? I know it's not m ... More >>

The Wild Flag and Portlandia Star Had One Hell of a 2012

Top Five Must-See Shows in Metro Phoenix This Weekend

Curious about what's going on around town this weekend? Need some suggestions where to rock, dance, or krump in the Valley of the Sun? Don't fret: These are our Five Shows to See This Weekend.

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.

Endangered Wright House Is Phoenix Architecture Worth Preserving

Andrew Jackson Jihad Song Closes Out New This American Life Episode

After the first Presidential debate this last Wednesday, much ado was made about Mitt Romney's gleeful pledge to stuff and baste Big Bird by cutting federal funding to PBS and other pinko commie media outlets. Phoenix folk-punk heroes Andrew Jackson Jihad are clearly fans of the monstrous alphabet ... More >>

Henry Rollins Won't Tell You Who to Vote For (But He Really Thinks You Should Vote)

See also: OFF!'s Dimitri Coats Talks Phoenix Oil Theft Charges See also:Henry Rollins on Occupants, the Occupy Movement, and the RadioYesterday, 458 episodes of legendary maverick pirate/BBC radio broadcaster John Peel's radio program were mysteriously uploaded to SoundCloud. For fans of radio that ... More >>

ArizonaTunes: River Jones Launches a Hopeful "Local Alternative to iTunes"

See also: River Jones, What Are You Listening To? See also: River Jones Music Featured in NPR's Wavelength MagazineChances are, you've heard the name River Jones thrown around, either surrounding the many artists his label represents (such as Courtney Marie Andrews, Sareena Dominguez or You Me and A ... More >>

Steve Conrad on KJZZ's Record Stash, Nina Simone, Collecting Soundies, and How Shane Kennedy Inspired His Crescent Ballroom Gig

Although it's been more than five years since Steve Conrad pulled a regular air shift on local public radio station KJZZ, the 38-year-old disc jockey still gets many chances to share his love of jazz, blues, and soul songs on vinyl. From time to time, Conrad says he helps out fellow KJZZ jock Blais ... More >>

Obsessed with "Call Me Maybe?" You're Not Alone

As much as everyone might be sick of Carly Rae Jepsen's smash hit "Call Me Maybe," none of us can get the song out of our heads, much to our chagrin. Let's admit it: We're all secretly jamming out when we're all alone in our car or bedroom. We're not proud of that, but it just keeps happening and we ... More >>

What Are the Top 10 Most "Spotified" Songs in Phoenix?

You have to look pretty hard for someone who doesn't have an opinion about Spotify, the Swedish music streaming service that launched in 2008 and hit the States in 2011. It's hard to deny its ease, selection, and um, free-ness, but it's also been a magnet for controversy. In both the controversial ... More >>

Five Summer Releases We're Excited About

To our extreme delight, there are quite a few artists that are dropping new music this year for the first time in a long time. We've been waiting seemingly forever for No Doubt's next album. Thankfully a few other artists didn't leave us hanging for as long. We've selected five albums you definitel ... More >>

Four Must-See Shows This Weekend (And One Psychedelic Movie)

Saturday, May 19: Yellow Submarine @ AMC Desert Ridge The actual Beatles don't actually show up in the 1968 animated flick Yellow Submarine (not until the end at least, and that's not John, Paul, George, and Ringo providing voices), but don't let that dissuade you from taking in a special noontime ... More >>

Angry Geese and the Ongoing Debate on the Ethics of Foie Gras

The end of foie gras in California is rapidly approaching. On July 1, the full provisions of SB 1520 will go into effect and both foie gras production and sale will be prohibited. SB 1520 was signed into law by Arnold Schwarzenegger way back in 2004. The law gave a seven-year grace period in which C ... More >>

Sushi Sickness: CDC Reports Spicy Tuna Linked to Salmonella Outbreak

The CDC is tracking a sushi centered salmonella outbreak that has sickened 116 people so far. Of that number, 12 were sick enough to be hospitalized. The CDC has only interviewed about half of the people affected by this outbreak but among those people 91% reported eating sushi prior to becoming ill ... More >>

2012 RPM Challenge: Five Valley Artists (And Yours Truly) Attempt to Record an Album in One Month

The 2012 RPM Challenge - who will finish and who will fold? Five Valley artists (and yours truly) pledge to record an entire album in the month of February​Some musicians get into the game for the instant gratification of sex, drugs, and money. The RPM Challenge is clearly not for those kind o ... More >>

Failed Resolutions: Some of Robrt Pela's Favorite Memoirs are Total Busts

​In this week's issue of New Times, you'll see our annual Resolution Guide. This year: a collection of writers and contributors resolved to love their city. Some failed and succeeded (read Snapshots of a City, and New-Found Love for a Hometown), and others found reasons to love Phoenix because of ... More >>

Wilco at Gammage Auditorium, 1/21/12

Wilco Gammage Auditorium Saturday, January 21, 2012 Plenty of derisive things get said about Wilco being "dad rock." You can't get around the fact that songwriter Jeff Tweedy, bassist John Stirratt, drummer Glenn Kotche, guitarist Nels Cline, and multi-instrumentalists Pat Sansone and Mikael Jor ... More >>

President Barack Obama Calls Phoenix Mayor-Elect Greg Stanton

President Obama and Phoenix Mayor-elect Greg Stanton​The call from the White House was going to come in at 1:15 p.m.Perhaps it would be an executive that deals with local governments. Maybe, maybe the VP?Nope. It was President Barack Obama on the other line."Please hold for the President of the Un ... More >>

St. Vincent at Crescent Ballroom, 10/20/11

Shawn Anderson​St. Vincent Crescent Ballroom Thursday, October 20 On the lightrail ride home, the words of a friend: "Do you think she was wearing that ring to ward off potential stalkers or is there something she isn't telling us?" Sounds like a funny question, but it isn't all that unrea ... More >>

Andrea Beesley-Brown, What Are You Listening To?

​Andrea Beesley-Brown Beesley-Brown is the owner/operator of The Royale Mesa's newest independently owned microcinema. I've also done shows in the Valley for the past 5 years under the moniker of the Midnite Movie Mamacita. When you put your key in the ignition and turn on the radio, what statio ... More >>

Bon Iver and Fleet Foxes Bring an Indie Super-Show to Phoenix

Five English Riot Songs

London is burning. Storefronts are busted. Looting is rampant. And rioters are reducing many of the city's buildings to piles of timber. But what is it all for?

Little Dragon: Ritual Union

Stream Ritual Union in its entirety​There's not a whole lot of overwhelming new releases set for July, but there is certainly a strong core of solid albums set to be released throughout the month. It's quality over quantity, and Swedish electronic/synth-pop quartet Little Dragon are helping beef u ... More >>

Mayor Phil Gordon to Joe Arpaio: No Chain Gangs at All-Star Game

Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon says chain gangs at the MLB All-Star Game would be "unconscionable."​Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon says he told America's self-proclaimed "toughest sheriff" to keep his chain gangs away from the Major League Baseball All-Star Game tomorrow night at Chase Field.Maricopa County ... More >>

Mayor Phil Gordon: Joe Arpaio Agrees to No Chain Gangs at All-Star Game

Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon says chain gangs at the MLB All-Star Game would be "unconscionable."​Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon says America's self-proclaimed "toughest sheriff" has agreed to keep his chain gangs away from the Major League Baseball All-Star Game tomorrow night at Chase Field. Maricopa C ... More >>

Best Cover Songs in Other Languages

Rave On Buddy Holly, a 19-track tribute album, was released on June 28, 2011.​Last week, Fantasy Records and Hear Music released Rave On Buddy Holly, a 19-track tribute album dedicated to the bespectacled rock and roll icon. Artists like Paul McCartney and Lou Reed cover Holly classics o ... More >>

Live Wire

The Eight Best Local Records of 2011 (So Far)

​July is almost upon us, which means we're more than halfway through 2011. It's already been a busy year for local music, with dozens of Valley bands releasing new albums, playing local shows, and heading out on tour. We've picked eight of our favorite local albums released so far in 2011. It w ... More >>

Morning Light Rail Commuters Share Their Tunes With NewTimes

Kholood EidJoe Chavez of Phoenix listening to music on his commute Friday morning on the Light Rail.​​These days, people are plugged in like The Matrix -- only they're plugged into their iPods, smart phones, and mp3 players rather than machines on an underground ship. Our detachment from the rea ... More >>

Kara Roschi, What Are You Listening To?

Kara Roschi​Kara Roschi The local artist is co-owner of Practical Art. When you put your key in the ignition and turn on the radio, what station would play right now? I am proud to be car-free! But when I did have one, it was NPR in the afternoons, KSLX in the evenings ('specially Gettin' the L ... More >>

Stephen "Psyko Steve" Chilton, What Are You Listening To?

Maria VassettStephen Chilton​Stephen "Psyko Steve" Chilton The Valley-based music promoter has more than 20 events he's producing, which may be found at www.psykosteve.com When you put your key in the ignition and turn on the radio, what station would play right now? When I am in the car, I ... More >>

Steve Nash, Duck Sauce Team Up With Vitamin Water

​A new commercial for Vitamin Water pairs up Steve Nash and "Barbra Streisand" by Duck Sauce, according to Prefix. What a winning combination.Keeping it classy by wearing a suit and tie to a party and then at a fancy restaurant, Steve Nash plays himself in the ad. There couldn't be a better, more ... More >>

Susan Russo's The Encyclopedia of Sandwiches Is Worth a Bite or Two

​Allow us to posit a theory. You're a fan of sandwiches. No, we're not clairvoyant. What we are is intimately aware of the delicious potential inherit in placing various fillings between two pieces of bread. So too is Susan Russo, a writer for NPR's Kitchen Window, food blogger, and author o ... More >>

Sharon Van Etten on Meeting Musicians in Bars, Dating Guys in Bands, and Going Platinum

Chantal Anderson​Indie music's new sweetheart Sharon Van Etten is making a big splash in the music scene. She's been touring around the country endlessly, making awesome stops including this great performance she did for NPR's Tiny Desk Concert series. Plus she's been playing gigs intern ... More >>

A Band of Screw-Ups at KWSS-FM Work at Waging a 100-Watt Revolution

Pavle Milic, What Are You Listening To?

Pavle Milic​Pavle Milic You can find the co-owner of restaurant FnB at the Old Town Farmers' Market in Scottsdale every Saturday from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. When you put your key in the ignition and turn on the radio, what station would play right now? If my wife drove, it's highly likely that NPR will ... More >>

AZ Biltmore Hosts "Inside the Chef's Studio"

​Any excuse to hang out at the iconic Arizona Biltmore resort is great (oh, that architecture!), but if you've got a thing for gourmet cooking, there's extra incentive to visit, thanks to the new "Inside the Chef's Studio" series. This will be your chance to step inside the Biltmore's main k ... More >>

White Stripes' Most Endearing Moments

The White Stripes: Oh-so-sweet. (We will miss you Jack and Meg!)​Let's face it. The White Stripes is was a band that without question defined music for this generation. Whether you liked them or not (and most everyone did, at one time or other) they were constantly in the news, challenging convent ... More >>

Calexico's Joey Burns on Giffords, Upcoming Show at Corona Ranch

Joey Burns (left) is a big fan of Gabby Giffords. Giffords, in turn, is a big fan of his band, Calexico.​In 2008, Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was given the chance to choose the "wake- up" music to roust her astronaut husband, Mark Kelly, and the rest of the crew slumbering above Earth a ... More >>

Roundup of Music-Related Gabrielle Giffords Stories

Joey Burns of Calexico is a friend of Gabby Giffords.​If you're a loyal reader of all the New Times blogs you may have spotted a few familiar bylines over on our news blog, Valley Fever.All our coverage related to the tragic shooting in Tucson is there for convenience sake, but in case you missed ... More >>

Gabrielle Giffords Murdered in Tucson

Giffords dead: Was it assassination? Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords died today after being shot in the head in Tucson while hosting an event at a local grocery store. Several outlets are reporting there are other fatalities from the shooting rampage. NPR reported the story first.& ... More >>

Gabrielle Giffords, John Roll, and the Valley of Misinformation

Gabrielle Giffords: Her shooting became a rabbit hole of confusion for the vaunted Fourth Estate. Morning news flash: Democratic Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords has been shot, and is in critical condition. Five more are dead, including a child. The shooting occurred as the Congresswoman ... More >>

Nas and Damian Marley's Reggae-Rap Project Explores Their Roots

Minibosses Reach Level 10 and Celebrate a Decade of Rockin' Out to Nintendo