Interview: Andrew McMahon of Jack’s Mannequin

He may be a star now, but back in the day, Andrew McMahon had to haul his piano into the basement of the former Nile Theatre in Mesa just like the rest of them.”I’ve definitely got a lot of good memories from Phoenix,” McMahon says, remembering the Valley as one…

You Say Party! We Say Die!: XXXX, in “Nothing Not New”

Welcome to “Nothing Not New,” a yearlong project in which New Times editorial operations manager Jay Bennett, a 40-year-old music fan and musician, will listen only to music released in 2010. Each Monday through Friday, he will listen to one new record (no best ofs, reissues, or concert recordings) and write about…

Hot Chip: One Life Stand, in a Round-Up of New Reviews

What this critic says: “One Life Stand is really the tale of two albums: the blisteringly fast-paced first four songs plus the final track versus the sluggish, filler-esque latter half. No other album this year, however, opens as strongly through it’s first four tracks as One Life Stand, and “Take…

Is Taylor Swift a Feminist’s Nightmare?

You may have heard the controversy. Sure, there’s been a ton of talk recently about whether or not Taylor Swift actually deserves the accolades she’s received. Autostraddle has published a lengthy and much talked about essay on why Taylor Swift is a feminist’s nightmare. The crux of the writer’s argument is…

Arctic Monkeys to Play the Marquee

The Valley is getting a ton of runoff from this year’s Coachella. First it was Yeasayer and Beach House. Deer Tick and Vampire Weekend then entered the fold. Finally, Sia and Frightened Rabbit scheduled Phoenix dates around the massive festival in Indio, California. The recent announcement that Arctic Monkeys will play Tempe’s Marquee…

Nick Jonas Says Bob Dylan Can’t Sing

Last Wednesday night, Nick Jonas went on Jimmy Kimmel Live to plug his brand-new album — Nick Jonas and the Administration’s Who I Am — and shoot the shit with Kimmel. During the latter part of Jonas’ segment, his recent role in the new version of “We Are The World”…

Sade and Other New Releases

Sade has long been on the hook-up playlists of many, since the group debuted back in 1983. You know, light some candles, throw your stuffed animals off the bed and put on some smooth R&B stylings from the classic British group. Now the band is releasing their first album in…

“Who” Cares? Super Bowl Halftime Debacle

At this point, the words “sell out” hold little real meaning in our society. Essentially, musicians who are trying to “make it” are constantly forced to choose whether or not to let advertisers or prime-time TV use their music. Those who have already made it, even those are really admirable,…

Allison Moorer: Crows, in “Nothing Not New”

Welcome to “Nothing Not New,” a yearlong project in which New Times editorial operations manager Jay Bennett, a 40-year-old music fan and musician, will listen only to music released in 2010. Each Monday through Friday, he will listen to one new record (no best ofs, reissues, or concert recordings) and write about…

Jack White, Dolly Parton May Team Up

Since moving to Nashville, Jack White always seems to be in the middle of some new and exciting projects. A few years back he produced Loretta Lynn’s Grammy-winning Van Lear Rose, and he’s currently working with the queen of rockabilly Wanda Jackson on her latest endeavor. It turns out that…

Flying Blanket Vol. 2 CD Release Party

Flying Blanket Recording is releasing their second compilation album, titled This is Flying Blanket Vol. 2 and they’re doing it in style. For only $10 you can catch Dear and the Headlights, Kinch, Black Carl, The Love Me Nots, Gospel Claws, and Sister Cities on March 5 at Martini Ranch…

Patrick Stump’s Moustachette Keeps Him Busy

While Fall Out Boy goes on hiatus (thanks, Ashlee “Yoko” Simpson), singer/guitarist Patrick Stump is still busy. Besides crafting a solo album (on which he will play all the instruments himself) the lovable lug is also still promoting his 2008 independent film, Moustachette. Haven’t heard of it? It didn’t even…

Joe Pug: Messenger, in “Nothing Not New”

Welcome to “Nothing Not New,” a yearlong project in which New Times editorial operations manager Jay Bennett, a 40-year-old music fan and musician, will listen only to music released in 2010. Each Monday through Friday, he will listen to one new record (no best ofs, reissues, or concert recordings) and write about…

PBR Brings Lucero To Yucca For Free

A day after playing Coachella, Lucero will be in Tempe playing an outdoor show in the parking lot outside Yucca Tap Room on April 17. The show, sponsored by Pabst Blue Ribbon, will be free and have a carnival-type atmosphere like last year’s Tiki Throwdown. The event will have a…

George Strait, Rufio and More in This Week’s Issue

The music feature story in week’s edition of Phoenix New Times is about George Strait.George Strait is underrated. Perhaps that statement sounds ridiculous: Strait has 34 albums that have sold over a million copies each, seemingly countless hit songs, and a string of sold-out concerts year after year. He’s only…

Jay Reatard’s Cause of Death Determined

According to the medical examiner in Shelby County, Tennessee, where Memphis is located, 29-year-old Jay Reatard died from “cocaine toxicity, and that alcohol was a contributing factor in his death.” His real name was Jimmy Lee Lindsey Jr., and on Jan. 17 he was buried near Isaac Hayes. At the…

The Soft Pack: The Soft Pack, in “Nothing Not New”

Welcome to “Nothing Not New,” a yearlong project in which New Times editorial operations manager Jay Bennett, a 40-year-old music fan and musician, will listen only to music released in 2010. Each Monday through Friday, he will listen to one new record (no best ofs, reissues, or concert recordings) and write about…