Recently, a certain state that shall remain nameless enacted a crazy-ass immigration law that made it the laughing stock of progressives all over the country and the target of fierce opposition by pro-immigration activists. That law mandates, in part, that when law enforcement agents suspect a person who has been…
We put out the call and Arizona’s music community responded.Phoenix New Times is very proud to officially introduce A Line in the Sand, a compilation of protest songs from Arizona artists opposed to SB 1070, the crazy new immigration law which will, in effect, mandate racial profiling of Hispanics to…
Artist: Sleigh BellsTitle: TreatsRelease date: May 11Label: Mom & Pop MusicOnce upon a time, there was this band called Le Tigre. They released three very good records between 1999 and 2004, filled with catchy electro-pop, showy beats conspicuously generated by a drum machine, absurd guitar riffs, and crunchy power chords.Was…
This week, New Times ran a box 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. How was the world premiere of the Glee live tour in Phoenix? Just how douchey is…
Sweeps week is just around the corner which means you’ll soon be left without Grey’s Anatomy’s indie rock picks for a few months. Feast before the famine as Patrick Watson comes to Rhythm Room Friday. The Californian/Canadian has been called “strange, beguiling, beautiful, moving” by NME and a writer for…
Song: Band of Horses, “Laredo”Context: Totally digging this record, goes great with the new couch in my office. Laredo by bandofhorses…
Artist: The Black KeysTitle: BrothersRelease date: May 18Label: NonesuchThe Black Keys have always been a band that I should like. The kind of music they play is generally one kind of music that I’ve always been into. But for one reason or another — they weren’t bluesy enough, they were…
I’m excited to report that our friends over at Electric Mustache recently put up their very first Podcast. The indie music blog, which features a blogger and photographer we love to hire to do stuff for us from time to time, has always been a great read, and I expect…
Phoenix refugees Miniature Tigers have set a release date for their sophomore album, Fortress.The followup to their stellar debut Tell It To The Volcano is set to hit the streets on July 27.The band moved to New York with the rest of the Modern Art records gang late last year,…
James Murphy & co. have crafted another gem of 7-minute plus opuses — songs that are not just long for being long’s sake and don’t just fill those extra minutes with boring white noise or offbeat, experimental saxophones. Murphy has crafted LCD Soundsystem’s name as one of electronic rock dominance,…
Song: Foxy Shazam’s “Oh Lord”Context: OK, Jay Bennett was right, I love this record. Foxy Shazam – Oh Lord by alienhits…
Metal legend Ronnie James Dio — the original metal pioneer and former Black Sabbath frontman — passed away at the age of 67 Sunday morning in Los Angeles. Dio’s death was announced by his wife and manager, Wendy, on his website. It’s a somber time for fans of the metal…
Artist: LCD SoundsystemTitle: This Is HappeningRelease date: May 18Label: DFA/ParlophoneIt’s true what they say: You learn something new every day. Here, I thought LCD Soundsystem was just another electronica act. Then I heard their new record, This Is Happening, and it dawned on me: No, this isn’t just a synth-crazed…
Song: Queen, “We Are The Champions”Context: I’m so proud of what the Up On The Sun team did last year. Queen – We Are The Champions by SWBOY1994…
In case you happened to miss Jared Leto in all his gorgeous glory (pink mohawk, what?!) last night at the Marquee Theatre with his band 30 Seconds to Mars, Up on the Sun presents a collection of reviews by the fans, all in 140 characters or less. @dre6273- 30 Seconds…
It brings me great joy to report that Up On The Sun was named the Best Features Blog in the state by the Arizona Press Club in a ceremony Saturday night in downtown Phoenix. Niki D’Andrea, Jonathan McNamara, Stephen Chilton and I made up the winning team. (Full results here.)The…
It was Gleek heaven this weekend as the FOX show Glee brought not one, but two shows to Phoenix’s Dodge Theatre featuring stars from the show performing all the most popular songs from the musical television program, including “Bad Romance” and “Like a Prayer”. While the Associated Press reported the…
So last night, Carnegie Hall was the place to be. Rolling Stone wrote a review of a star-studded benefit for the Rainforest Fund that included Sting performing a Fine Young Cannibals cover, Elton John doing an over-the-top rendition of Madonna’s Like a Virgin, and the finale to end all finales…
Name: Freddy Krems AKA: DJ Circle Current club nights: I do Toxic Mondays at Zuma, Airia at Wild Horse Pass on Thursdays with D-JR, Fridays at Dirty Pretty all by myself, and then Cream on Saturdays. I’m also in a rotation on Sundays at Martini Ranch for Retox Sundays. Genres…
It’s been a pretty big past two weeks for indie rock: Hold Steady, New Pornographers, Flying Lotus, The National, The Dead Weather. That’s a lot of heavy-hitters. Meanwhile, some lower-profile stuff has been piling up on my desk, so it’s time to give you a rundown of the other stuff…
Song: Against Me! “White People For Peace”Context: All these musicians boycotting Arizona… Against Me! – White People for Peace…
Artist: Male BondingTitle: Nothing HurtsRelease date: May 11Label: Sub PopRemember all the buzz about Wavves last year? I thought they were just okay. Hopefully, their next record (slated for release this year) will be better. In the meantime, I’ll be listening to the new record by Male Bonding, which takes…
