It hardly seems that 14 years have passed since Canada’s New Pornographers dropped their debut full-length, Mass Romantic, upon a whole lot of virgin ears. To say that the indie power-pop band’s initial offering was well-received is an understatement. Critics went cuckoo for it, and the recording found its way…
Not often do you see an Australian folk-rock band and a Korean folk band on the same bill. It’s actually very rare you see a Korean folk band at all. While both Boy & Bear and Run River North come from different backgrounds and musical influences, they’re currently touring together…
What if you could donate to your favorite aspect of heavy metal and receive a private drum lesson with Sacred Reich drummer Greg Hall? Or 25-year-old Metallica shirts that were never even for sale, just given to the crew? Or lunch with Veronica from Benedictum, a recording package at a…
Isn’t this place supposed to be a desert? This new weather system that is moving in promises to bring about a half-inch of rain has already done some damage. Stateside Presents announced today via a press release that the Belle & Sebastian show scheduled for Civic Space Park on Wednesday,…
Duel in the Desert this past weekend at Celebrity Theatre almost became “Deuce in the Desert,” thanks to the antics of controversial L.A. battle rapper Daylyt. That’s because the notorious MC — whose previous stunts include declaring that he’d “fuck Diddy” or performing autofellatio while performing — attempted to take…
Craving a respite from the same stuff you’re hearing on the radio? Check out these four new locally released songs, flavors for any musical taste. “Looking at You,” Jane Joyce Local singer-songwriter Jane Joyce worked with producer Gardner Cole for her new track “Looking at You,” a song she said…
Next month’s Global Dance Festival in Tempe just got more global. Organizers of the outdoor electronic dance music massive at Tempe Beach Park announced two additions to its lineup yesterday that might get fans of both kinky bass and vocal trance stoked for the event…
Summer is officially over, which is both a blessing and a curse. Yeah, the heat may have dissipated (for the moment, at least) but that means the end of all those groovy pool parties. As the swim soirees drop off, however, you’re gonna see club scene activity pick up a…
Khayree Billingslea has some pretty strong feelings about the Tempe Police Department’s Safe and Sober Campaign, the city’s annual zero-tolerance crackdown on parties, underage drinking, and impaired driving. “The city of Tempe turned this place into a police state for three weeks under the guise of preventing people from drinking…
UPDATE, October 7, 2014, at 11:37 a.m.: Due to expected rainfall, the Belle and Sebastian concert has been moved to the Orpheum Theatre. Belle & Sebastian guitarist Stevie Jackson hoped to be celebrating Scottish independence. What better way to commemorate 18 years of making music, the re-release your out-of-print vinyl…
Our annual celebration of the best of everything Phoenix is just around the corner, and in addition to local food and booze, Valley musicians will be providing the entertainment. The event takes place Saturday, October 4, at Burton Barr Central Library. Samuel L Cool J will provide their cool, retro-soul…
It’s said you have your whole life to write your first album. Tucson songwriter Billy Sedlmayr would probably laugh — one of the distinct, wheezing chuckles the Tucson songwriter punctuates most of his statements with — at that sentiment…
As if the 2,200 person capacity Marquee Theatre wasn’t an intimate enough venue for the Phoenix homecoming of the now-platinum four-piece .KONGOS, the four brothers decided to throw their own little welcome home surprise party at Scottsdale’s Rogue in the early afternoon before their Summer Ends Music Festival set. At…
Our desert summer is finally winding down; and really, it wasn’t so bad, now was it? It’s probably in part to the awesome parade of metal shows that came through our fair state since the music industry’s touring season was in full swing. Either way, at least the October nights…
Well, don’t we feel silly? We published an interview with The Album Leaf’s Jimmy LaVelle titled “Why You’ll Have to Visit Arcosanti to Hear The Album Leaf.” The headline was in reference to a quote LaValle gave in response to a question about playing in Phoenix, and he implied that…
Local Americana group The Senators have had an exciting year. The band has recorded a live session album in Paramount Studios in Hollywood, opened for Phillip Phillips in front of 4,000 fans, while also playing the occasional local bit at Sail Inn or Crescent Ballroom. You can catch The Senators…
Once upon a time, there was a city. It was not the largest city, or the smallest. It was not the richest or the poorest. But this city had a reputation, nonetheless. It was known throughout the land as dry and inhospitable — heated to unimaginable temperatures for several months…
Once upon a time, there was a city. It was not the largest city, or the smallest. It was not the richest or the poorest. But this city had a reputation, nonetheless. It was known throughout the land as dry and inhospitable — heated to unimaginable temperatures for several months…
Arizona State University film student Chris Calzada needed a subject for his final project. The 29-year-old Yuma native, who’s been a punk rock fan for years, initially reached out to The Venomous Pinks, who he had seen at Yucca Tap Room a few months ago. Calzada knew an all-female punk…
During the summer of 2013, Bret Bender and Maddie Miller of Bogan Via released their music video for “Kanye.” Directed by Freddie Paull of Electric Legend Pictures, this dark storyline portrays a Bonnie-and-Clyde-type duo who robs Phoenix’s own beloved Revolver Records of their register money and some unreleased Kanye West…
The Butcher Babies have been slaughtering their way through the Valley of the Sun as of late. In fact, the heavy metal band’s upcoming September 27 at PubRock Live will mark their third show in Phoenix during the past year and a half. After getting signed to Century Media, the…
Michael 23 is kind of what you’d call a survivor. Over the past several years, the enigmatic artist provocateur and co-founder of The Firehouse has endured personal tragedies, professional setbacks, financial hardships, stressful legal battles, and other such emotionally draining drama. Like anyone who’s faced such situations, he’s acquired loads…
