Daniel Hopkins

The 100 Best Texas Songs: The Complete List

100. Tripping Daisy, "Sonic Bloom" Before this album, the band had a grunge-pop affectation, but this song, from 1998's Jesus Hits Like the Atom Bomb, was more heartfelt than anything they'd done before. - Daniel Hopkins 99. Pleasant Grove, "The Plaque at 16ft" Bret Egner wrote "The Plaque at 16ft, ... More >>

The Best Texas Songs of All Time: #79-60

Best Texas songs, #100-80 The Spotify playlist for songs #79-60 79. Lift to Experience, "Falling From Cloud 9" From one of the best albums of any North Texas act in recent history, "Falling From Cloud 9" is one of the more accessible songs on 2001's The Texas-Jerusalem Crossroads. It's probably t ... More >>

The Best Texas Songs of All Time: #100-80

"Between the Hank Williams pain songs And Jerry Jeff's train songs And blue eyes cryin' in the rain Out in Luckenbach, Texas Ain't nobody feeling no pain" - Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson, "Luckenbach, Texas" With that introduction, welcome to the first in a five-part series, in which we attempt ... More >>

16 of the Best Local Releases of 2012 1/2

As we wind down the month of June and find ourselves square in the middle of 2012, there's that old familiar nudge to gather, quantify, qualify and categorize the local music we've enjoyed so far this year. Here are some of of favorites.

At The Drive-In To Play Intimate Gig At Trees Tomorrow

On Friday afternoon, clubs editor Daniel Hopkins played a fun game called How Many Promoters Does It Take To Confirm An At The Drive-In Show, and I believe the tally was three by day's end. As the weekend progressed, social media confirmed that the El Paso band's whereabouts on Tuesday night, especi ... More >>

Preview: DXDW at City Tavern

Sunday, March 18, at City Tavern

Hid In 2612: The New Pop-Up Bar at Cane Rosso, by the Guys Who Brought You Bar 828

A while ago I checked in with Jay Jerrier from Cane Rosso to see how his appearance on Diners Drive-ins and Dives would shape the future of his pizza business. He told us he'd taken control of the space next door and would turn it into additional seating for the restaurant as well as some lounge spa ... More >>

Staff Faves of 2011

Audra Schroeder, Alt-Weekly Vet and Jock Jams Enthusiast, Named Dallas Observer Music Editor

Earlier today, when she formally accepted our offer to become the Observer's next music editor, Audra Schroeder included in her email the above video, along with this message: "Feel free to blast this in the office to get people ready. I'll work on somersaults/tear-away pants." I wish that was al ... More >>

Watch: YouPlusDallas Takes a Cold, Hard Look at the 2011 Dallas Observer Music Awards

​Well, we lied. This will be the last of the 2011 Dallas Observer Music Awards-related items we'll post up on DC9 this year. Swear.Trust us, though, this one's worthwhile. Promise. Our friends at YouPlusDallas were out and about doing their award-winning video thing at at this year's DOMA Showcase ... More >>

20 Years Later: The 15 Best Albums of 1991

​In last week's edition of our regular feature, The Conversation, Pete Freedman and Daniel Hopkins debated on whether 1991 or 1994 was the greatest music year of the '90s. It was an interesting read for sure. And, since this week marks the 20th anniversary of the release of both Nevermind and The ... More >>

Sampling Samuel Adams Utopias With Fellow Beer Bloggers, Taco Trailblazers, Unfair Parkers and Buzz

Patrick Michels​I thought I was lucky back in 2009 when The Boston Beer Company sent a sample-sized bottle of the remarkable but ruinously expensive Samuel Adams Utopias. But in drumming up pub for the 2011 release, the company outdid itself and sent a full 24-ounce decanter, along with a fine Rie ... More >>

Comptroller Shuts Down July Alley, Owner Hopes to Reopen Soon

Daniel HopkinsThe sign posted in the window of July Alley​The Deep Ellum mainstay bar July Alley has been around since long before many of its patrons were old enough to drink. But late last week, the State Comptroller of Public Accounts seized the property for failure to pay state taxes. When it ... More >>

In Anticipation of Record Store Day, A By-The-Numbers Look at Dallas-Area Record Stores

​Record Store Day -- you know, the day when everyone puts down their laptops, logs off of Amazon or iTunes (or, uh, MediaFire), and heads off to support their local brick-and-mortar record store -- is fast approaching. Just two days off now, even. In this week's paper, Daniel Hopkins purveys your ... More >>

Giveaway: Two Pairs of Tickets to See The Raveonettes Tonight At The Granada Theater

In this week's paper, Daniel Hopkins caught up with Sune Rose Wagner of The Raveonettes, and discovered that the male half of the Danish duo is, like, totally bummed about not being as close to his partner-in-crime Sharin Foo as he used to be. Sad face.Fortunately, there's a silver lining in all th ... More >>

Bonus MP3: Here Holy Spain -- "Can't Control"

Today marks the release of Dallas punk trio Here Holy Spain's sophomore album, Division, a disc that Daniel Hopkins called in this week's paper, a "blistering, driving and tearing" release. And that was just in the lead. He also had this to say: [They] paint a pretty clear picture of what their live ... More >>

Bonus MP3: Kirby Brown -- "No, MY Generation"

Jim WallKirby Brown​In the paper version of DC9 that will be distributed around town later today, Daniel Hopkins takes a long, hard look at Child of Calamity, the two-years-in-the-making debut, full-length release from folksy local roots rocker Kirby Brown, who will celebrate the release of his ne ... More >>

Giveaway: Five Pairs of Tickets to Tonight's Trashcan Sinatras Show at The Loft

Trashcan Sinatras​In this week's paper, Daniel Hopkins brings our attention to the show that Glasgow-based pop band Trashcan Sinatras will be playing tonight at The Loft to promote their latest acoustic album, Brel. In the article, he describes the band's quick rise in popularity with their 1991 d ... More >>

Poster of the Week: The Walkmen at the Granada Theater on Saturday Night

​ Well, it's about time we gave some love to the Dallas-based music blog Gorilla vs. Bear's visual aesthetic.

Tonight, Tonight: Elephant Six Holiday Extravaganza at The Loft, Ice Cube at House of Blues, Eisley at Good Records and Kevin So at Poor David's Pub

A very eclectic Tuesday evening of music is on hand tonight -- one that features some serious old-school rap and an all-star band nearly too big for its venue, along with a local favorite playing a free show and a quality Nashville songwriter stopping by for the night.

The Cavern Officially Changes Its Name to The Crown and Harp

Daniel HopkinsThe Crown & Harp​Quietly, around the time of the Super Bowl shenanigans, The Cavern changed its name to The Crown and Harp. The name change mostly flew below the radar, but, with the recent news of the Lower Greenville bar's renovations, it wasn't entirely unexpected. A few weeks ... More >>

The Cavern Backs Away From Its Musical Roots, As Renovations Aimed At Turning The Space Into Two-Story Pub Near Completion

Daniel HopkinsThe Cavern's newly renovated upstairs room​If you've ever wondered about the difference between an Irish pub and an English pub, well, The Cavern will soon be able to set you straight, thanks to the face-lift it's currently undergoing -- a renovation that will, in the very near futur ... More >>

Our Critics' Year-End Top Tens: Daniel Hopkins Hails The Walkmen's "Less Is More" Approach on the John Congleton-Produced Lisbon

In this week's paper, you may notice a piece including some of our DC9 writers' choices for best albums of the year. But, space being limited, we couldn't run all of our writers' lists. So, thanks to the power of the Internet, we're doing just that, right here.​Clubs ed ... More >>

Tonight, Tonight: Los Lobos at The Granada and Needtobreathe at House of Blues

A bit of a slow hump day evening, but at least one legendary band is playing our region tonight.

Last Night: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and Grassfight at Trees

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, GrassfightTreesOctober 24, 2010Better than: hanging onto what was left of my hearing.Daniel HopkinsBlack Rebel Motorcycle Club​"Spread your love like a fever." Black Rebel Motorcycle Club pretty much summed up their entire two hour and 15-minute-long set with thos ... More >>

Giveaway: Two Pairs of Tickets to Tonight's Los Campesinos! Show at the Granada Theater

Yesterday on DC9, Daniel Hopkins caught up with Gareth Campesinos, frontman for the Welsh eight-piece indie pop-punk outfit Los Campesinos!, to talk about the band's most recent release (Romance Is Boring), the differences between U.S. and U.K. audiences (there are plenty) and what it's like touring ... More >>

Picture Show: The Five Most Hipster-y Photos from Sufjan Stevens' Show at SMU

All photos by Sara Kerens​If you're a feeler of the Illinoise, and you felt it at McFarlin Auditorium a couple of nights ago, then you know there's more to Sufjan then a banjo and some folk songs. As Daniel Hopkins pointed out in his review of the performance, Sufjan's new album, The Age of Adz, i ... More >>

Giveaway: A Pair of Tickets to See Women at The Nightmare Tomorrow Night

Women​ In this week's paper, Daniel Hopkins caught up with Women's Patrick Flegel to talk about the band's fast ascent and its continued progression--something, Hopkins learns, that's been spurred along by the band's attempts to write songs as it plays upwards of 200 shows a year. Which is fine by ... More >>

Watch: Sarah Jaffe Explains Her Means Of Ignoring Critics In A New, Gorgeous Video Bio

As if you needed more reason to start following Sarah Jaffe, our friends at You Media, which includes have posted the above clip, the second installment of the web channel's "Downbeat Dallas" series, which features DC9's own Daniel Hopkins as its host. Filmed at Jaffe's Sons of Hermann Hall CD relea ... More >>

Fall Indie Fest Announces Three-Day Bill That Includes Reverend Horton Heat, Sarah Jaffe, Telegraph Canyon, Others

​OK, now this is getting ridiculous. Seriously: We like the suburbs just fine (The Suburbs, too, actually), but, c'mon, we're past that part of our lives, and we really don't want to be dragged back out there every weekend. Doesn't seem like we're being given much choice in the matter, though. Dan ... More >>

Take One Down, Pass It Around: Office Sampling of Samuel Adams' New Harvest Collection

​Last week, the Boston Beer Co. sent along a free sample mixed 12-pack, the company's Harvest Collection, which includes the new Samuel Adams Harvest Pumpkin Ale along with a few other varieties and a couple bottles of the flagship Boston Lager. Also included in the package was a loaf of pumpkin b ... More >>

Giveaway: Two More Pairs to This Upcoming Weekend's Oysterfest at Lochrann's in Frisco.

​Let it suffice to say that there are a lot of bands playing at Lochrann's in Frisco as part of the inaugural two-stage Oysterfest deal going on up there this Saturday. We'd list them all, but, hey, the poster to the right takes care of that much for us.We will, however, say this: It's a nice mix ... More >>

So, Pitchfork Offshoot Altered Zones Launched. And It's Already Showcasing North Texas.

​Last week, we told you about new Pitchfork Media offshoot site Altered Zones, which, instead of heavily relying on writers to fill its site with content, is instead relying on bloggers, including DFW's own Gorilla vs. Bear and Weekly Tape Deck. Well, today saw the launch of the site--and, with it ... More >>

Giveaway: Two Pairs to Tomorrow Night's Mates of State and Free Energy Show at the Granada

Tomorrow night brings Mates of State to town, which is fine and good and all that, sure. They've been great the last two times they've come through. But we here at DC9 are looking most forward to the opening set from Minneapolis' Free Energy, a band that, as Daniel Hopkins explains in his interview ... More >>

And Now, The YouTube of Dallas

​Nice to see someone's found a use for our former home at 2130 Commerce: Reid Slaughter, founder of Park Cities People and former Cowboys & Indians publisher, and Jeff Hinson's YouPlusMedia, whose local offering is essentially the "YouTube for Dallas," in the words of our own Daniel Hopkins -- ... More >>

Info On Saturday's Brew Riot, Plus Notes From Flying Saucer On The Lake's Spring Beer Festival

Jesse Hughey​The last time I went to a Flying Saucer beer festival (the fall 2009 fest at the Fort Worth location), I learned that tasting the big, bad, high-gravity and high-ABV beers before trying lighter brews can throw off your tastebuds and make the latter drinks seem puny by comparison ... More >>

Breweries Whose Best-Known Beers Are Also Their Least Interesting

​Ask for a Shiner in any Texas bar and you're almost certain to get a Shiner Bock without any need to clarify, despite the array of other brews offered by the Spoetzl brewery under the Shiner name. In fact, Shiner Bock is so synonymous with Spoetzl that many casual beer drinkers may not even be aw ... More >>

Giveaway: Three Pairs of Tickets to Tonight's Granada Theater Show with Centro-matic, MATAS and Oh, Lewis

In this week's print edition of DC9, Daniel Hopkins gets all preachy in discussing why you should head to the Granada Theater this evening to catch the all-Denton triple bill of Centro-matic, Matthew and The Arrogant Sea and Oh, Lewis:There aren't too many bands that can do what Centro-matic has do ... More >>

Check Out This Jam: Vic Chesnutt, The Grouch, Metric, Tim Barry, Wheat, Richard Hawley, Owen Pallett, Great Job and Gil Scott-Heron

Welcome to Check Out This Jam!!!, a new weekly feature here on DC9. The idea's pretty simple: It's a chance for us writers to shed some light on the music we've been enjoying of late, regardless of the touring or album release schedules that tend to bear the focus of most of our coverage. Don't thin ... More >>

And The Winner Is...

​Not a bad week, comment-wise--especially considering how everyone is pretty much huddled up in their cubicles this time of year trying to clear things before the holidays...right?It helped that newswriter (and alcohol lightweight) Kimberly Thorpe decided to seek tolerance-building advice so she ... More >>

Giveaway: A Pair Of Tickets To See Vivian Girls Tonight At The Cavern

Quite the bill at The Cavern tonight as Vivian Girls, who Daniel Hopkins caught up with in this week's paper, stop through town for a gig that also features area favorites True Widow and The Uptown Bums. If there's a common theme for the show, which kicks off at 10 o'clock, well, that'd be sludge, ... More >>

Over the Weekend: Margot and the Nuclear So & So's, Telekinesis, and Everything, Now! at Hailey's

[Editor's Note: Never mind the above byline; this review was penned by Observer contributor Daniel Hopkins.]Margot and the Nuclear So & So's, Telekinesis, and Everything, Now!Hailey's Club, Denton May 22, 2009Better than: Sitting at home trying to come up with a more ridiculous band name than Ma ... More >>

What is Radiant Doing New Year's Eve? Nothing, Except Rockin' Jimmy Kimmel's World.

Radiant Bliss

How to survive "Coldplay disease"

Radiant

We Hope You Win (Self-released)

Behind the Music Awards

Artists' secret riders reveal true character, fascinating pickle relish fetish

Rock for Choice

Local musicians pick their favorite albums of 2004

Same Ol', Same Ol'

A report from the North Texas New Music Festival

Rise and Shine

Radiant* lives up to its name, and then some

The Force is With Them

MossEisley is young and talented. Will that be enough to keep these four siblings and the boy next door away from the music industry's dark side?