Song: Calexico, “Crystal Frontier” (Live in Nuremberg)Context: When I spoke with Calexico frontman Joey Burns in the wake of the Giffords tragedy we discussed this song, which he suggested as a wake-up tune aboard the space shuttle for the astronaut husband of a famous fan of his band, Gabby Giffords…
Playing for a room full of record store geeks sounds like a nightmare assignment for most bands — imagine Christian Bale being forced to reenact scenes from The Dark Knight in a room full of Comic Book Guys. That’s exactly what Calexico is up against at this weekend in Laveen,…
It’s a cliché, but there’s a reason people say that being in a band is a lot like being in a relationship. In fact, a lot of times, being bandmates can be even more straining than being husband or wife. At least when you’re married to someone, you (probably) have…
Questing for female pop stardom? It’s not so hard, really. First, make sure you can sing decently well. Don’t sweat it too much — though it’s now mostly thought of by the masses as a gimmick, Auto-Tune is actually a useful tool for fixing anything Randy might describe as “pitchy.”…
Although they’ve been good friends for many years, Elton John has finally revealed that he’s sick of Billy Joel’s light stints in rehab, according to People.John told Rolling Stone in this week’s cover story that he has recently been upset about Billy Joel’s unstable lifestyle. He said that they’ve had…
In this week’s issue of Phoenix New Times, we profile local pop singer Dawn Jameson (read the story here.) Since we last talked to the singer, Jameson has partnered with Lost Angels Foundation of Hope, a charity that raises awareness about child prostitution. She wrote a track for the foundation…
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 did Coachella sell out so fast? Why does Keller Williams love Yo Gabba Gabba! so…
It’s not often that a Brooklyn-based band takes up an interest in Arizona. In fact, it’s usually the other way around. But for punk rockers Outernational, our desert home is of particular fascination. Their members see Arizona as both a real and symbolic frontier, representing most of the political unrest…
The White Stripes have officially broken up, according to Pitchfork.This is bad — but not unexpected — news. Jack seemingly starts a new project every year or two and the Stripes simple, punky songs have seemed increasingly at odds with the Zeppelinesque arena rock of The Dead Weather and, to…
Song: Zoë Keating, “Escape Artist”Context: The Compound Grill in north Phoenix just announced a show featuring former Rasputina cellist Zoë Keating, who has also played with DJ Shadow and Dresden Doll Amanda Palmer. Apparently she now tours solo, using “a foot-controlled laptop to turn herself into one-woman orchestra.” Sounds pretty…
Would you like to see fewer (possible no) concerts played in the state of Arizona until SB 1070 has been repealed by a state legislature more interested in getting a gun into the hands of every man woman and child and making Obama hop through hoops to get his name…
Ticketless Coachella-type music fans in Phoenix, worry not: a good number of bands playing the festival are coming through the Valley before and after Coachella.At the top of this list has to be French dance/electro/pop trio Yelle. Once they wrap things up at Coachella, Yelle will embark on a small…
Need the album now but can’t wait another agonizing week?…
Phoenix metal band Hemoptysis is getting a lot of love for their soon-to-be-released album Misanthropic Slaughter.The band, which Phoenix New Times sponsored at South by Southwest and featured in print last March, put the album up for pre-order yesterday on their web site.Misanthropic is technically the band’s debut — Who…
An internal Jive Records memo that contains information about Britney Spears’ upcoming album has been leaked, according to Rolling Stone.The memo stated that Britney’s album will be released on March 15. It also revealed collaborations with Dr. Luke and Max Martin.The majority of the information in the memo was in…
Song: Abe Vigoda, “Throwing Shade” Context: Abe Vigoda plays Rhythm Room Wednesday night. This song is off their much darker and far less tropi-punky 2010 record Crush. Throwing Shade by Abe Vigoda…
The Go Team’s sound is difficult to describe. For starters, there are six members in the band — one of which, Ninja, combines a mixture of rapping, chanting and singing in her lead singer duties. Hell, the band was strictly a studio effort until Ninja came along to give them…
Song: Arctic Monkeys, “Take It or Leave It”Context: I’m really excited for the new Strokes record. In the meantime, here’s a cool cover of a Strokes song from Arctic Monkeys. Arctic Monkeys – Take It or Leave It by mmcizmar…
Local rapper Mr. Miranda — yes, he’s related to the Miranda Warning guy — is putting together a Rick James tribute record. The Super Freak Tape: A Tribute to Rick James won’t be out immediately but since tomorrow would have been the late singer’s birthday Miranda is putting it out…
But one song does not a full album make. Cut Copy has made the entirety of Zonoscope available for album stream. However, there’s a small catch…
After facing charges for cocaine possession in September, Bruno Mars is taking a plea deal, according to MTV News.He’s scheduled to appear before a judge in Las Vegas on February 4, a week before the Grammy Awards. He will be pleading guilty to his charges.As long as Bruno Mars, whose…
A rapper with Tucson roots has recorded a song about the Giffords shooting tragedy.Li’l Zay, an 18-year-old who previously weighed in on SB 1070, has a new song called “1-8-11,” which echoes Marvin Gaye’s big question: “What’s Going On?””Like most people I just couldn’t believe it, I wanted show my…
