Don Cornelius, creator and first host of Soul Train, the iconic television dance show was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound early this morning in his Encino, California home. The short, but obviously shocked response from ?uestlove, drummer of The Roots, is a good indicator of the weight of…
We’re knee deep in finishing up our 100 Greatest Songs of Arizona list (to be released next week). It’s been a lot of fun digging through Arizona’s musical past and present, and also pretty mind blowing to realize the contributions Arizona’s artists have made to America’s musical culture as a…
On any given evening, you’re likely to find Dario Varela inside of a Valley nightclub. If it’s during the weekend, he’ll be working the mixers at joints like Oceans Seven. On other nights, however, he’s usually on the other side of the DJ booth, observing other selectas order to help…
I’ve never spent any time in Philadelphia, but I feel as if I have. Two of my favorite records of 2011, Kurt Vile’s Smoke Ring for My Halo and War on Drugs’ Slave Ambient both came from the town, sharing a blue-collar yet still out-there aesthetic. Adding the works of…
Denying the cuteness of the cats isn’t an option when those little critters are standing in on some major artists’ album covers. This week we’re bringing you The Kitten Covers, a modified collection of classics.Alfra Martini, the creator of The Kitten Covers, offers something for everyone, from Nat King Cole to The…
You know, if Coachella didn’t sell out in record time, I’d argue that a lot of Phoenicians wouldn’t really need to head out to Indio to catch some big-time shows. M.Ward and fIREHOSE? Coming to Phoenix. Florence and the Machine? Coming to Phoenix. At the Drive In, Refused, Godspeed You…
Have you opened your chakras and found your power animals yet? Well, you should. Maybe then we wouldn’t have to write about all of these assholes that ruin our music-going experiences. If you’re having a hard time quieting your mind long enough to find that inner peace, you can always…
Wanna know what would happen if you’d mix ravers, clubbers, house-heads, and the usual Scottsdale crowd all in one place, all at the same time? You’d likely get the same scenario the ensued on Sunday night at Myst in Scottsdale…
There’s no getting around it: At raves, things can get weird. Awkward. Uncomfortable. Rave newbies often just don’t know what they’re getting into. True ravers — not frat boys looking to act nuts or the randoms who know one song by a certain DJ — follow a code of conduct,…
The term “punk festival” conjures up images of bratty tweens with asymmetrical haircuts crowd surfing at Warped Tour. Remember when Warped Tour actually had punk bands and was, you know, good? It may seem like a bygone era, but the annual Punk Rock Bowling Music Festival in Las Vegas caters…
The Sara McAllister Duo serves up a sweet taste of mood-lifting acoustic ska/reggae that soothes the soul. It’s good stuff, but not the sort of thing I picture Barbie and Ken listening to while cruising to their playset mansion…anti-Barbie music, anyone?While two of the duo’s dates have already come and gone, you…
Wasn’t it cool to see Andrew Jackson Jihad play as a full band last month? Oh, you didn’t make it, and like Brad Dwyer you’re bummed you missed it? Lucky for you, you get another chance because AJJ is hitting the road with ROAR and Laura Stevenson and the Cans,…
When she was young, Nika Danilova trained to sing opera but often lost her voice due to performance anxiety. When Danilova began performing as Zola Jesus in Madison, Wisconsin, her harrowing voice slowly grew confident among thickets of tape hiss and ambient synths. On her latest full-length, Conatus, Danilova’s voice…
Heard the news? Jack White is coming out with a solo album. If first single “Love Interruption,” is any indication, Blunderbuss will be loaded with fluttering woodwinds, electric piano, and White in full-tilt gospel mode. It’s pretty good — I mean, not quite as daring as that ICP collab –…
Most people try their damnedest to keep their love of porno under wraps, probably outta fear of looking like a major perv. Renowned hip-hop Kool Keith, however, isn’t one of ’em. The Dirty South artist has been anything but shy about his love of pornography. Kool Keith’s rapped about it…
One of our favorite Kickstarter success stories was last year’s Unite and Take Over, a graphic collection of songs inspired by the lyrics of The Smiths. Editor and writer Shawn Demumbrum took to the crowd-funding site to raise the $3,000 needed to press the comic. It worked. The book debuted…
When she’s not spending her time being a gossip girl, Taylor Momsen is content with leaving her fans still wanting more. At least that’s what the lead singer of The Pretty Reckless did last time the band performed here, when they limited their set to just half an hour. Talk…
Citizen Cope at Marquee Theatre I’ve been to more exciting Citizen Cope shows over the past few years, but last night’s solo acoustic gig was still a tight show for different reasons than I’m used to. Clarence Greenwood sounds fabulous when he plays with his band, but he held his…
Here’s to “intentionally flowery-bullshit.” In this week’s installment of Record Heat, Brad Dwyer remembers the urge to push to the front of the crowd and dance at a show. In light of our “Don’t Be an Asshole or: A Few Words On The Subject of Concert Etiquette,” it’s important to…
They Might Be Giants Marquee Theatre Sunday, January 29, 2012 How many F-bombs can you drop in a PG-13 movie? Is it one? Two? However many, last night’s They Might Be Giants show certainly earned its 14-and-over “rating,” with the “Johns,” Flansburgh and Linnell, peppering their set with colorful language…
It’s only January, but Tucson acoustic popsters Roll Acosta are having a good year so far. The group is set to play its second residency show at The Rogue Bar on Friday, February 3 as part of the Occupy Rogue Bar series. The Foleys and Field Tripp will join Roll…
Want to know what new release discs and platters are moving across the Valley at local record stores? We’ve got you covered with another installment of What’s Selling. North Phoenix music shoppers are satisfying their diverse palette by picking up a range of music genres last week at Zia Records…
