Former Format Singer Nate Ruess Wants to Have fun. in Arizona

A little more than three years ago, The Format shocked the Valley with the announcement of their breakup. The duo of Nate Ruess and Sam Means seemed poised to put Arizona music in the national spotlight. They had established their own imprint, The Vanity Label, with national distribution through Nettwerk…

Britney Spears @ Jobing.com Arena

She can’t sing, her dancing is questionable, her hooks are purchased, and she has a documented crazy streak — yet Britney Spears has still managed to make the comeback of the decade. She’s currently on her Femme Fatale arena tour, where the visual spectacle trumps the sound quality, and fans…

Michelle Kable, What Are You Listening To?

​Michelle KableThe associate artistic director for the Space 55 Theatre Ensemble invites you to the variety show 7 Minutes in Heaven, every Saturday in June at Space 55 at 9 p.m. Tickets cost $10, and more info may be found at www.space55.org.When you put your key in the ignition and turn…

DJ Seduce Gives Free Download Off ‘Brazil?:?Sambossica 3’

​This week’s issue of Phoenix New Times features a profile on local DJ Seduce, a.k.a Miguel Ivery, who has been bringing Afro-Brazilian sounds to the Valley for the past five years. Seduce recently released Brazil:Sambossica 3, a compilation of up-and-coming Brazilian artists he wanted to introduce to the rest of…

Moving Experience

Unlike modern art where viewers struggle to see anything real in the abstract forms, it’s easy to see the movement in Eric Bowman’s works. The Oregon-based artist’s collection “Off Key, On Point,” inspired by music and dance, features performers literally caught in the act. The impressionistic oil paintings convey action,…

Moving Experience

Unlike modern art where viewers struggle to see anything real in the abstract forms, it’s easy to see the movement in Eric Bowman’s works. The Oregon-based artist’s collection “Off Key, On Point,” inspired by music and dance, features performers literally caught in the act. The impressionistic oil paintings convey action,…

Matt and Kim @ Marquee Theatre

If Matt and Kim had never made it as a musical duo, they probably could’ve found success as therapists. The indie-punk band is sickeningly sweet and happy, putting just as much emphasis on their perma-smiles and interaction with fans as on the music they play. Matt and Kim dance on…

Devin Berko, What Are You Listening To?

​Devin BerkoThe director is the co-founder of Ber Co. Productions, specializing in music videos, commercials, and creative content.  When you put your key in the ignition and turn on the radio, what station would play right now? 103.9-FM. What’s the last song played on your music player? “Jack Sparrow” by…

Rock Biters

Food Network star Guy Fieri’s spiky hair and loud personality have always taken center stage over his grub, so it’s fitting that the celebrity chef’s summer tour is modeled after a rock concert. Thankfully, he won’t be singing any of the tunes that make up the show’s soundtrack. The one-of-kind…

Slam Dunk

With the Phoenix Suns left out of the NBA post-season, the pros might as well keep themselves busy. Steve Nash is enjoying lap dances from Nicki Minaj, while power forward Gani Lawal is doing something that hopefully involves a little less booty-shaking: Judging the Humble Beginning Poetry Contest at Doc’s…

Peachcake Gives This Wasn’t Our Plan EP Away for Free

It’s been less than a month since local pop band Peachcake released their current EP, This Wasn’t Our Plan, and if you haven’t gotten a copy yet, now you can download the disc for free at www.peachcake.bandcamp.com. According to singer Stefan Pruett, the band had always wanted to give away…

Stephen “Psyko Steve” Chilton, What Are You Listening To?

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 mostly listen to NPR…

Jonathan Sakas Isn’t Your Typical Pop Tart

Jonathan Sakas may not look like the new face of electro-pop, but you’ve probably seen his mug plastered on the walls of your favorite bar or on your friend’s refrigerator. The 26-year-old Arizona native takes his full-time job as a musician seriously, relentlessly self-promoting around the Valley with stickers and…

The Pods @ The Trunk Space

The Pods make dirty, sexy music. The group incorporates a lot of styles on their new self-titled album, ranging from metal and grunge to pop. Guitarist/vocalist Dusty Rose describes the album as “spats of glitter and spats of grime,” while drummer Collin Burdette goes even further, claiming the album “cures…

Final Stretch

You’re usually more likely to see fashionistas in bikinis downing frou-frou cocktails at the W Scottsdale’s WET lounge than peeps in workout gear doing stretches. But the icy stares and catty comments that would usually be aimed at such a sweaty group will be suspended for the finale of Free…

World Market

With gas prices still climbing and national terror threats popping up like spring weeds, it’s a tough time to get out of town. Luckily, the Arizona International Festival brings sights and sounds from countries all over the world together in one day — with no passport or papers required. “The…

Jonathan Sakas Debuts “I Just Wanna Rock” Video

​This week’s issue of Phoenix New Times, on news stands now, features a profile on local electro pop artist Jonathan Sakas. Sakas has a show tomorrow, May 26, at Clubhouse Music Venue, and you can get a sneak peek of what to expect from his performance by checking out his…

Michelle Donovan, What Are You Listening To?

Michelle Donovan Donovan is the co-owner of The Nile Theater and The Mantooth Group. This Sunday, May 22, Combichrist performs at the Theater. When you put your key in the ignition and turn on the radio, what station would play right now? 101.1-FM The Beat. I love old school hip-hop…

Taste Makers

When a designer is encouraged to add a little “flavor” to her creations, it usually isn’t meant literally — except at the next Project Ethos show, where flavored Vitamin Water Zero will serve as the inspiration for cutting-edge fashions created by five Valley designers including Rebecca Turley and Tiffe Fermaint…