The decision regarding how to present songs in recorded form can be a tricky one for some bands. That’s especially true for acts like Margot & the Nuclear So and So’s, a Indiana chamber-pop band that can’t even decide what to put on its records. Margot and Co. had a…
Elton John has been a superstar for decades. His latest collaborator, Leon Russell, on the other hand, has been something of an obscurity for most of his 40-something-year career, which started as a session musician and featured one semi-hit album, 1972’s Carney, and a few other charting records before his…
Spanish electronic rockers Delorean have to be feeling pretty good about their name right now. With the recent re-release of Robert Zemeckis’ brilliant Back to the Future trilogy, the public’s odd fascination with the car that made time travel possible — and possibly fueled by the pure Colombian cocaine smuggled…
As far as American cities and music go, Miami is underrated. While Pitbull and Rick Ross have done their part to represent their hometown (if only by endlessly repeating its area code), music falls way down the list of things we associate with South Florida. There’s certainly plenty of pop…
THURSDAY 4 27th Avenue Bar: R&B Thursdays (old-school R&B) Airia Nightclub: Ladies Night with DJ Circle, & D-JR (hip-hop, Top 40, remixes, house, electro) AZ88: Josh One (rare groove, urban funk) Bikini Lounge: DJ Shane Kennedy (jazz, blues, country, R&B, rarities, vintage vinyl) Blue Martini: Rewind Thursday (retro) Bobby C’s:…
Artist: Matt & KimTitle: SidewalksRelease date: November 2Label: FaderI suppose I should mention up front that I didn’t like Tears for Fears in 1985 and I still don’t 25 years later, even in a nostalgic sense. So it stands to reason that I have little use for Matt & Kim…
Say adios to Club Rain, as the lascivious Latin dance den located in south Scottsdale has been replaced with an entirely new joint. Club Trinity now occupies the Papago Plaza space that formerly housed Rain and will focus more on dishing out hip-hop and Top 40 tracks instead of cumbias…
This week, New Times ran a list in our print publication highlighting some of the most interesting posts published at Up On The Sun over the past week. Here are links to those posts.Did Never Shout Never singer Christofer Drew mean to diss his band in his interview with New…
A few weeks ago Kanye West announced on his Twitter page that the original artwork for his upcoming album My Beautiful Twisted Dark Fantasy had been banned here in the US.Technically, the artwork wasn’t banned. Instead Kanye’s record label, strongly suggested that the album artwork be replaced for fear that…
There was plenty of after-hours activity taking place across the Valley over Halloween weekend, including plenty of freaky late-night fetes and fiestas that went down past the midnight hour. Over at Afterlife in Scottsdale, costumed craziness was ensuing during the club’s Seven Sexy Sins Bash.Over the course of the evening (and…
In a recently taped interview with Matt Lauer, George W. Bush claimed that Kanye West’s candid outburst on the September 2, 2005 Concert for Hurricane Relief telethon — “George Bush doesn’t care about black people” — was the “worst moment” of his presidency. The worst. Bush has a new book, Decision…
Gucci Mane had a good time on the road in the ATL yesterday, according to All Hip Hop. Taking after T.I., are we, Gucci? Both were arrested for traffic violations just months after doing time for a year. Who’s next, 50 Cent?Gucci, whose real name is Radric Davis, had a…
None, however, hold a candle to the upcoming December 8 Wu-Tang Clan show. Billed as a “reunion show” — a difficult accomplishment since founding member/media darling Russell “Ol’ Dirty Bastard” Jones passed away almost six years ago — their Celebrity Theatre gig will be interesting, to say the least. While…
Song: Barbra Streisand, “Send in the Clowns” [Live]Context: Today’s soundtrack is dedicated to John Boehner. And to the spineless Democrats in California who failed to back Prop 19. And to the people of Iowa who removed the Supreme Court justices responsible for the state’s landmark gay marriage decision. And to…
Artist: Gospel Claws Title: C-L-A-W-S Release date: October 26 Label: Common Wall Media Gospel Claws are a local band (Tempe, I’ve been told) that is currently enjoying a little bit of national exposure, residing in a reasonably high position on some relatively obscure indie-rock-tallying chart. I’m glad somebody’s listening because…
Song: David Guetta featuring Kid Cudi, “Memories”Context: What’s the better current hit single called “Memories,” this one from French house producer David Guetta or the song by Weezer? Actually, here’s a better question: Why has no one mashed them together yet? David Guetta – Memories by larsvoogsgeerd…
The phone number has been disconnected. The website hasn’t been updated for months. And on a recent Friday night (usually when bars are the busiest) the place is locked up and deserted. Yup, for all intents and purposes, it appears as though Club Mardi Gras in Scottsdale is closed for…
The dance-punk DIY-ers are back at it today with the release of their third album, Sidewalks. “Cameras,” the album’s lead single, was released in late August and features some funk-riffic horns mixed with pounding drums. Matt & Kim are in a solid stride from their last album, 2009’s Grand and…
William Fucking Reed, and the other DJs behind Sticky Fingers have decided to wash their hands of Rips. They’re leaving behind the vintage dive bar, which has served as the original home of the trendy rock ‘n’ roll dance night since it launched back in April, and headed for the…
Disney star and Joe Jonas’ former girlfriend Demi Lovato has checked herself into a treatment center, according to Pop Eater.Lovato felt that seeking help was important enough to drop her tour schedule. The 18-year-old was on tour with the Jonas Brothers. She’s getting help with “emotional and physical issues she…
Tennessee pop rockers Kings of Leon were what people wanted most this week at Zia Records Chandler.Indie hipsters Steel Train’s self-titled album from earlier this year was a hot item. The album Lil Wayne wrote from prison was in pretty high demand as well. The latest release from the hardcore…
It looks like Christofer Drew has crushed the hearts of thousands of girls across the country.Since Up on the Sun last talked to Drew in this totally true interview (which Drew Tweeted himself), where he announced he’s moving on from his current pop project Never Shout Never to form the…
