Since the acoustic form has become cliché, it has become more and more difficult to find those who are truly good at their craft. The soothing sounds of Southwestern-style folk/country have, indeed, become popular, even east of the Rockies, and the Acoustic Brotherhood Tour features three of the biggest names…
If the word “loser” actually means “killer Americana musician,” then “The Losers Ball” may actually have an accurate title. Probably, though, it’s supposed to be ironic. The lineup for the third-annual night will feature Exene Cervenka, frontwoman of legendary L.A. punk band X, who just last year released a solo…
[jump] To get your book signed, you need to purchase a copy from Changing Hands, (for $26.99 plus tax) at which time you will receive a voucher which is redeemable for a copy of the book that can be signed at one of the two scheduled events, at 3 or…
Last night began the “In Performance at the White House” concert series, and focused on music from the civil rights era. Both Bob Dylan and Joan Baez performed, though not in fact together. (Initial buzz had specualted that they would be singing a duet.) Smokey Robinson, Yolanda Adams, the Blind…
You may have heard the controversy. Sure, there’s been a ton of talk recently about whether or not Taylor Swift actually deserves the accolades she’s received. Autostraddle has published a lengthy and much talked about essay on why Taylor Swift is a feminist’s nightmare. The crux of the writer’s argument is…
The last few weeks our “What’s Selling” column has focused on record stores in Tempe. But take just a few steps west and kids sure are buying different albums. Even though the ever-trendy Vampire Weekend makes the top 3, Lil Wayne comes out first, and indie rock and hip hop…
At this point, the words “sell out” hold little real meaning in our society. Essentially, musicians who are trying to “make it” are constantly forced to choose whether or not to let advertisers or prime-time TV use their music. Those who have already made it, even those are really admirable,…
Since moving to Nashville, Jack White always seems to be in the middle of some new and exciting projects. A few years back he produced Loretta Lynn’s Grammy-winning Van Lear Rose, and he’s currently working with the queen of rockabilly Wanda Jackson on her latest endeavor. It turns out that…
Flying Blanket Recording is releasing their second compilation album, titled This is Flying Blanket Vol. 2 and they’re doing it in style. For only $10 you can catch Dear and the Headlights, Kinch, Black Carl, The Love Me Nots, Gospel Claws, and Sister Cities on March 5 at Martini Ranch…
Massive Attack is getting porny. And, actually, it was their idea. The band commissioned a series of short films to go with select tracks from their newest album, Heliogland, which is set to be released on Tuesday. The song “Paradise Circus” accompanies a video titled Life of a Pornstar about…
The music feature story in week’s edition of Phoenix New Times is about George Strait.George Strait is underrated. Perhaps that statement sounds ridiculous: Strait has 34 albums that have sold over a million copies each, seemingly countless hit songs, and a string of sold-out concerts year after year. He’s only…
According to the medical examiner in Shelby County, Tennessee, where Memphis is located, 29-year-old Jay Reatard died from “cocaine toxicity, and that alcohol was a contributing factor in his death.” His real name was Jimmy Lee Lindsey Jr., and on Jan. 17 he was buried near Isaac Hayes. At the…
You may remember that little trilogy titled Pirates of the Caribbean, which featured Keith Richards playing the part of Captain Teague Sparrow, the father of Jack Sparrow, played by Johnny Depp. Apparently, Depp’s friendship and fascination with Richards goes far beyond that of a pretend father/son relationship. He plans to…
Okay. We’ve received complaints that New Times makes a point of mentioning all the good bands that don’t come to Phoenix yet rarely, if ever, mention it when they do. So . . . Deer Tick will be coming to the Trunk Space on April 14. Last time Deer Tick were in town, they played…
Eastside Records is one of the last vestiges of the traditional American record store you’ll find in the Valley of the Sun. It has a loyal clientèle and remains one of the best spots to find obscure used vinyl. Even those hard to obtain, single-issue punk albums. Even though it’s…
Chart Attack readers named Lucas Silveira of Canadian rockers The Cliks, the “Throw Your Underwear Award.” This makes him the first transgender man to win. He even beat out Avril Lavigne’s ex, Sum 41 front man Deryck Whibley. Considering that the rock world is progressive, but still has stark lines…
Imogen Heap, who last night won the award for “Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical” at the Grammy’s sported one of the most unique outfits of the night. Her dress actually incorporated an electronic Twitter feed into it. The dress showed Twitter pics sent in by fans, and Heap said that she…
This year’s Grammy’s ceremony was full of instances that just made you scratch your head, furl your brow, and go, “Really?!?” Whether it was a pleasantly surprised reaction, a hearty laugh, or a look of sheer horror, there were plenty of unexpected moments. The night of numerous live performances was…
Since Patti Smith doesn’t make her way out west very often, when she does, it’s a notable occasion. Added to that, last night she gave an intimate talk at LA’s Hammer Museum on the artist Harry Smith — a close friend of hers and highly influential figure in American culture,…
Yeah. The on-stage antics created by Of Montreal were pushed just a little bit further. Right over the edge of the cliff. They had Susan Sarandon come one stage and spank a man in a pig suit with a ruler. Even for those who aren’t easily shocking, this is pretty…
Vampire Weekend tops out the list of best selling records at Zia in Tempe this weekend. While Phoenix sold out their upcoming show at Marquee, they’re not doing too bad in album sales either. Here are the trendy records bought trendy college kids are buying at Zia. 1. Vampire Weekend…
Fat Mike is throwing his name and his dollars behind a restaurant featuring “new American cuisine” in Brooklyn’s Park Slope. It may come as no surprise that the Village Voice was surprised that Mike, who wrote a song titled “Don’t Call Me White” chose Park Slope as his location. (It’s…
