Miniature Tigers, “Tropical Birds”

Song: Miniature Tigers, “Tropical Birds”Context: Mini T’s release Fortress at Rhythm Room tonight — offering you the chance to see a real live Rock & Roll Mountain Troll. Miniature Tigers – Tropical Birds by ashesofcolor…

Menomena: Mines

Artist: MenomenaTitle: MinesRelease date: July 27Label: BarsukMenomena is a band from Portland, Oregon, that is often described as experimental rock. They’re not. Actually, they’re more conventional than that label might lead you to believe — and that’s a good thing. In fact, at times on their new record, Mines, they…

The Coral: Butterfly House

That’s right — I went from the excitement of knowing I was going to see The Coral perform live to settling for Dick Valentine and his merry band of dipshits.All unfairness aside, Butterfly House, the sixth album from guitar rock revivalists The Coral, finds the band matured from their raw,…

Best Coast: Crazy for You

Artist: Best CoastTitle: Crazy for YouRelease date: July 27Label: Mexican SummerAnd the award for most insufferable indie-pop star of 2010 goes to . . . the singer of Best Coast, Bethany-something-or-other. I’d heard a lot of good things about the debut full-length by this California garage-pop act, and this record is…

NPR Takes on Sound Strike Issue, Quotes Local Music Types

​NPR’s All Things Considered ran a story about musicians boycotting Arizona over SB 1070 called “Sound Strike’ Targets Arizona Immigration Law” yesterday.The story includes soundbites from Alycia Klein, the general manager of Celebrity Theatre, local promoter Psyko Steve Chilton, Yolanda Bejarano of Snow Songs and, ahem, me. Hear the show…

Kesha Starts a Marquee Theatre Dance Party…Holla!

Kesha has spawned a new trend–or, perhaps, a resurgence of an old one: glitter. Everyone and their mom at the Kesha show last night at Marquee Theatre was donning the sparkly stuff, which twinkled oh-so-prettily in the glowing lights from the stage. She also busted out some wicked cool dance…

Vitamin String Quartet: VSQ Performs Lady Gaga

Artist: Vitamin String QuartetTitle: VSQ Performs Lady GagaRelease date: July 27Label: Vitamin RecordsFile under: Profoundly unnecessary.I thought this might be a one-off record by some slumming symphony folks, but, no, this highfalutin foursome have recorded similar tributes to AC/DC, Alice in Chains, Guitar Hero, and, um, 30 Seconds to Mars…

New Hooves T-Shirt Inspired By Black Cactus Haters

This week’s music feature about the Black Cactus Records clique has been causing a little stir, mostly because of a few quotes aimed at various local movers-and-shakers the Cacti aren’t big fans of. Chief among them is Hooves, a band notorious for their drunken antics (read Jason Woodbury’s feature on…

Grizzly Bear, “Knife” (Girl Talk Remix)

Song: Grizzly Bear, “Knife” (Girl Talk Remix)Context: Just thinking about how lucky Tucson is to have that super sweet Girl Talk show coming in September. Knife [Girl Talk Remix]–Grizzly Bear by purpulus…

From Print: Blogs Teased in Our 7/22 Issue

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. Why do indie bands skip Phoenix to play Tucson? Can MP3s of binaural beats really get…

The Books: The Way Out

Artist: The BooksTitle: The Way OutRelease date: July 20Label: Temporary Residence LimitedI left work early yesterday because I realized I’d taken only one day off so far this year, and that was back in February. I came home and turned on a baseball game (TV volume down, because the Cubs…

The Melodians, “Rivers of Babylon”

Song: The Melodians, “Rivers of Babylon”Context: Arizona isn’t the only place facing a boycott — Palestinians are now asking artists to boycott Israel. So far Elvis Costello and The Pixies have signed on. The Palestinians also asked that Boney M’s famous cover of The Melodians’ “Rivers of Babylon” song not…