Sarah Jaffe

The Top Ten Must-See Concerts in DFW This Week: April 18-24

Can we just take a second to acknowledge that the weather in Dallas-Fort Worth these past couple of weeks has been glorious? Optimal for outdoor shows, BYOB events and the like, the weather should remain this awesome--barring a tornado or two--for a short while longer (before the inevitable Texas su ... More >>

The Ten Must-See Concerts in DFW This Week: March 21 to 27

We're changing it up here a bit, guys. For the past several months you've seen two blog posts outta me each week, breaking up the area's best concerts into two separate blog posts: Freakin' Weekday and Freakin' Weekend. Starting today, you'll get just one: Freakin' Week; which is a go-to guide for w ... More >>

The Rock Royalty Behind Denton's Bars

The 35 Denton 2013 Schedule is Here!

35 Denton has just announced this year's schedule. It was a daunting lineup when viewed as a straight list -- in scrollable, chronological breakdown form its magnitude hits home. The two main stages alone comprise 15 commendable bands, and they aren't even operating on the festival's first night.

Meet Dallas' Marlhy Murphy, the Youngest Performer in SXSW History

SXSW is bringing in their youngest performer ever; her name is Marlhy Murphy and she happens to be from the great city of Dallas. See her in action on Sonicbids. Murphy and bandmate Lydia Night came together to form their band Pretty Little Demons and will be playing this year at SXSW. "We both went ... More >>

Dave Brubeck, Ray Wylie Hubbard and More of Last Week's Top Sellers at Local Record Stores

This is not your everyday top 100 Bilboard list. Each week, we'll tell you what bands are selling in the fine record shops in the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex, where we consumers of music have impeccable taste. Kicking off this roundup are last week's top ten albums at CD Source and Bill's Records, ... More >>

Here are the Winners of the 2012 Dallas Observer Music Awards

Eight of This Week's Top Show Announcements: Jeff Mangum, Morrissey and More

Morrissey Monday, February 18, at Palladium Ballroom, $39.50 We were really looking forward to road-tripping to Wichita Falls to see Moz at the end of the month, but since some of his U.S. tour dates were postponed, we'll just have to throw roses at him in Dallas. Tickets go on sale this Friday at 1 ... More >>

13 of This Weekend's Best Shows: Neil Halstead, The Coathangers, KISS and more

Neil HalsteadSaturday, August 4, at Good RecordsOnce the lead singer of one of the loudest and dreamiest shoegaze acts, Slowdive, Neil Halstead has somehow found himself far away from the style he once perfected. After a decade of playing country pop in Mojave 3, he's now strumming solo, in preview ... More >>

A Rare Look Into the Depths of a Musician's Fanny Pack

Waaaay back before the twin forces of 35 Denton and SXSW happened, we at DC9 had the idea to snap photos of what was in fans' bags, to see what people brought with them to festivals and hopefully not come off as creepy purse-peepers. The idea came to me years ago when, sitting at a bar, I saw a woma ... More >>

An Oral History of the Dallas Music Scene

Some of Dallas' most successful musicians recount the rebirth of its most storied entertainment district: Deep Ellum.

Your 2011 Dallas Observer Music Awards Showcase Performers

A closer look at all 52 acts playing this weekend's Dallas Observer Music Awards Showcase in Deep Ellum

Get To Know Your DOMAXXIII Nominees: Best Cover/Tribute Act, Best Label, Best Producer

​Welcome to our 2011 Dallas Observer Music Awards breakdown, wherein we'll use the weeks leading up to the DOMA showcases on Saturday, October 15 (which is also when voting ends), to explain the nominees in each category Today, we look at the nominees in the Best Cover/Tribute Act, B ... More >>

This Weekend Only, Dallas Observer Music Awards Showcase Tickets Are Just Seven Bucks

​Quite the deal going on for, oh, the next 57 hours or so: Our sister entity, Voice Daily Deals, is offering a steal on tickets to the 2011 Dallas Observer Music Awards Showcase on October 15, selling the passes for just $7. The event, as you already know, will feature performances from the Toadie ... More >>

Kirtland Records' Tami Thomsen Tells Us About Her Start, What She Sees In The Label's Future

Welcome to Local Music 'Mericans , where we meet some of the people behind the local music scene -- those who aren't necessarily members of local bands, but more the people who make the scene move.Tami Thomsen​As a high school student, Tami Thomsen, the main cog in the wheel that is (former Dee ... More >>

Once Again, Record Store Day Was Quite Good This Year on Lowest Greenville.

Sara KerensSarah Jaffe packed 'em in to Good Records on Saturday.​ By the time 10 o'clock struck along Lowest Greenville on Saturday morning, the line of people waiting to get into Good Records stretched well past the confines of the store's parking lot -- and the music planned to take place over ... More >>

Centro-matic Announces New Release Date For Candidate Waltz, Plans Tour With Sarah Jaffe.

A whole three months have passed since we first shared with you the above video for "Only In My Double Mind," the awesome lead single off Centro-matic's forthcoming release, Candidate Waltz. So, we'll excuse you if you haven't seen it yet, I guess. Some things have changed over that time, though -- ... More >>

The Top 20 Local Music Videos of 2010

​Back in the day, there was a place for music videos -- on television, and, namely, on the few glorious stations that played them. For the most part, though, those stations are no more -- or they've changed formats so much that the remnants of their storied pasts have become nothing but a distant ... More >>

Listomania: The 15 Best Concerts of 2010

​With apologies to Robert Earl Keen, Devin the Dude, Cake, Hayes Carll and the multitude of also-rans filling up the regional concert calendar in these final weeks of 2010, it's safe to say, I think, that, with Friday night's Wu-Tang show at the Granada Theater, the year in live music effectively ... More >>

The Best Songs in Dallas Music, 2010: Lalagray Offers A Confident Introduction, But Leaves Out The Hard Part, at No. 16

[Over the next few weeks, we'll be presenting our favorite local songs of the year, counting down from No. 25 to No. 1, one track a day. Today, we take an in-depth look at song No. 16 on the list -- and, please, feel free to click after the jump to hear a stream of the track. Also after the jump, c ... More >>

Local Music 'Mericans: Cindy Chaffin

Welcome to Local Music'Mericans, where we'll be meeting some people behind the local music scene who aren't musicians, but more behind-the-scenes folk.Jason JanikCindy Chaffin​Once upon a time, Cindy Chaffin was the mastermind behind Texas Gigs, a blog and database that ... More >>

Good Friday: Heavy Make-Up With Edie Brickell, Dresden Dolls, Kurt Vile & The Violators, Hayes Carll, Stars, Black Mountain, Black Angels, Social Distortion, Misfits, Comrade, Marc Cohn, Pomegranates, Roger Waters & more

Edie Brickell​Certainly not the biggest, but the most notable show coming to town is Heavy Make-Up at The Kessler Theater on Friday night. The group features Edie Brickell, fellow New Bohemian Kenny Withrow and Spin Doctors drummer Aaron Comess. This improvisational band is certain to recall th ... More >>

Crushed Stars

Convalescing in Braille Simulacra Records

The Libertine Announces New Free Live Music Series On Monday Nights. (Plus: The Tracklist From Last Night's Local Hang.)

​Looks like Lower Greenville is about to get a new live music venue--at least on Monday nights. The Libertine has just announced plans to host free concerts from local acts every Monday night. The night will be called "The Hang Up." Huh. Wonder where they got that idea... Anyway, the new weekly se ... More >>

Bonus MP3: The Flowers of God featuring Sarah Jaffe -- "Tunnelvisionary"

Steve GullickAndy Young​Longtime local music fans should recognize Andy Young's name. He was the drummer for the Bella Union-signed Lift to Experience, the iconic area shoegaze outfit that came to prominence in the early '00s during Denton's space rock era. These days, though, Young's working on a ... 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 >>

Bonus MP3: Lalagray -- "Bag of Bones"

Sara KerensAshley Myrick​On Saturday night at La Grange, local singer-songwriter Ashley Myrick, who performs under the stage name of lalagray, will celebrate the release of her debut solo album Devil's Nest. And celebration, indeed, is in order: The piano-driven effort, which Myrick says is five y ... More >>

Tracklist: The Local Hang, Vol. 11

​Had another good time at The Libertine last night for the first-Monday-of-the-month "DJ" night/party/bad decision called The Local Hang, where your ears get stuffed with nothing but local music, because those are the rules. At least, I hope it was a good time. This throbbing sensation between my ... More >>

Telegraph Canyon Gets "Best of What's Next" Nod From Fort Worth Weekly Paste Magazine

Jill JohnsonTelegraph Canyon​Not trying to take the piss out of what should be a celebratory day for Telegraph Canyon today--swear. But, c'mon, we already knew Telegraph Canyon was getting an upcoming Paste mention, so, no, we weren't exactly surprised to day to hear that the band was named to the ... More >>

Turn On Your Television: There's Local Music Everywhere!

​The normal rule of thumb is that you need three examples of something happening before you can call it a trend. Well, how about four? SUPER TREND, DUDES. And, in this case, the super trend is all about your TV. Specifically: Area products and songs on TV. Like, for instance, did you know that DFW ... More >>

Tracklist: The Local Hang with Playlister P, Vol. 7

Kind of amazing.​Another month, another Local Hang at The Libertine. Thanks to everyone who came out. It was great to see you. You all rock. I hope it was a good time. If not, well, at least I know I enjoyed it. So, y'know, there's that.Anyway, I hope to see you all out next first Monday of the mo ... More >>

(Shameless) Gig Alert: The Local Hang Turns Half A Year Old Tonight At The Libertine

​Tonight, friends, marks the monthly return of my little residency at The Libertine on Greenville Avenue. Surely, you recall the premise: Every month, The Libertine does me the honor of taking over its sound system and allows me to run its regular crowd out by playing nothing but local tunes from ... More >>

Tracklist: The Local Hang with Playlister P, Vol. 5

​Many thanks to those who stopped on by The Libertine last night for the fifth installment of The Local Hang. Yep, that's right, our fifth, which, if nothing else, proves that if you and Libertine owner Simon McDonald reach a drunken agreement, he will hold you to it for no less than five months.S ... More >>

Starter for '10

A look at 2010's most anticipated DFW album releases

Good Friday: Spooky Folk, Sarah Jaffe, Eaton Lake Tonics, John David Kent, The Burning Hotels, Drowning Pool, Sara Hickman, Jacob Metcalf, and Dove Hunter The Orbans

​It's been a crazy day around here, what with the big NX35 announcement and all. Part of us doesn't want it to end; the rest of us can't wait for the weekend to start.Oh, who are we kidding? We're pretty stoked about this weekend--and for good reason, too, as there's plenty happening. First, as al ... More >>

Giveaway: Five Pairs of Tickets To Tomorrow Night's Destroyer Show at the Granada

Dan Bejar​Despite his efforts in other, broader outfits like The New Pornographers and Swan Lake, Dan Bejar's Destroyer project comes in a decidedly more toned-down flavor. Under Destroyer, the name of the game is bare, Dylan-inspired folk-pop. And, as the longest-running of his works, it also may ... More >>

Good Friday: Will Johnson, Slobberbone, Blackheart Society

Neon Indian plays these beautiful confines on Sunday.​Not the busiest weekend of shows around town this time around--which I'm OK with as I'm off to Colorado to visit friends and check out Neon Indian's debut at Monolith on Sunday (and you thought we were done with them for the time being.. ... More >>

The Top 20 Dallas Releases of 2008

Ranking the best albums Dallas, Denton and Fort Worth had to offer this past year

The Best Albums In Dallas Music, 2008: So Who Comes In At No. 1?

Assuming you've been keeping up with this blog, then, yep, you've seen me counting down my favorite local record releases of 2008, one record a day, for the past week and a half or so. Well, it all comes to an end right here, right now. Below, a recount of records No. 20 through No. 2. Then, after t ... More >>

Astronautalis and The Riverboat Gamblers Return to Town

OK, so we have a pretty expansive definition of "local"

Gig Alert: August 27, 2008

Sarah Jaffe's Kind of Awesome, and the Kadanes Ain't Bad Neither

DOMA XX: And The Nominees Are...

Good Records Announces Official Eighth Birthday Party Lineup

Con for the City

Bid high, cheapskates

Another At War Trailer, This One Scored by Sarah Jaffe

Sarah Jaffe Writes Score to 'At War'

Locals to Score a Documentary About "The Forgotten War"

Big D's Great Roar

2007 Dallas Observer Music Awards Showcase