In this week’s Dallas Observer we profile 30 of the metro area’s most interesting characters, with new portraits of each from local photographer Mark Graham. See the entire Dallas Observer People Issue here.John Iskander is probably in the best mood he’s been in for months. He sits down for lunch…
Ruby JaneFriday, June 29, at McDavid StudioRuby Jane, the 17-year-old fiddle phenom, lives in Austin but got her start right here in Dallas. It’s hard not to love her. Even Willie Nelson has chimed in with praise for the young country singer, who just released her latest album, Celebrity (Empire…
JusticeWednesday, October 31, at Palladium Ballroom, $40Justice is sort of a gateway band for many younger electronic music fans. Their concise jams (I’m partial to their high-profile remix of Simian’s “We Are Your Friends”) make it easy to get on the dancefloor, which is essentially what is expected of fans…
Marina was her name. She had a short, dark mod haircut, and knew how to bring out her blue eyes with layers of teal scarves. We were Myspace friends. Still are, I think. But I never knew what became of her. Last I heard, she went north to try her…
He sat in the cab of a green Isuzu pickup in front of the girls dormitory, dressed in a pair of rumpled cargo shorts and a thrift-store T-shirt. He was waiting to take a girl to the Flaming Lips show. She was three years his senior and had introduced him…
Coldplay, Robyn, Wolf GangJune 22, June 23 at American Airlines CenterIs Coldplay the biggest band in the world? That’s what they were always shooting for. Their latest album, Mylo Xyloto, has only continued their ascent. Its syrupy melodies and sincere lyrics pull in fans by the truckload and make them…
Flo Rida, Cee Lo, B.o.B. Saturday, July 21, at American Airlines Center, $99-$129This show is all part of the “R You on the List” tour. To get “on the list,” you’re going to need at least $99, but it will be worth it to see Flo Rida, right? I’d probably…
People in South America love them some hair metal. But not enough to keep a Dallas promoter out of court. This morning, Courthouse News reported Dallas rock star-turned-attorney-turned-international concert promoter Gabe Reed (Gabe Reed Productions) is being sued for $270,000 over a canceled stadium show in Caracas, Venezuala. The plaintiff,…
The Polyphonic Spree covers Neil YoungNeil Young is getting older. His songs, however, are timeless, effortless gems, graceful in their scruff and nearly impossible to break down. When an artist covers a Neil Young song, it only makes that artist look better.Such is the case with The Polyphonic Spree, who…
Inputting hundreds of music listings per week to be featured online and in print in the Observer, I see the occasional band name so bad I question my existence on this earth. Some are funny. Some are vile. Some are embarrassing. In fact, the idea of having a band name…
It’ll Do Club Grand OpeningSaturday, June 16, at It’ll Do ClubEver driven eastbound on Elm Street until it hits the dead end? Then chances are you’ve seen the It’ll Do Club. Shrouded in the long-forgotten East Ellum neighborhood, this club opening marks another step in Deep Ellum’s expansion. Plus, there…
Beach HouseFriday, September 21, at Palladium Ballroom, $22/$25Would a Beach House fan go buck wild if I said their new album, Bloom, sounds pretty much the same as its predecessor, Teen Dream? I’m not saying Teen Dream isn’t an immaculate record, or that the band’s previous performance in Dallas at…
H2O Music FestivalSaturday, June 9, at The Cotton BowlThere’s something for everyone at H2O Music Festival. For those of us on this side of 30, Weezer has is somewhat familiar. (Remember when Pinkerton occupied our stereo for an entire summer?) They’ll be joined by Snoop Dogg, Ozomatli, Yelawolf, Juanes and…
The WeekndFriday, June 15, at House of Blues, $30/$35-$49.50At age 22, critically acclaimed R&B innovator Abel Tesfaye, the man behind The Weeknd, has accomplished more than most artists in a lifetime. All of his music has been released via digital download, and now it looks like he’s ready to capitalize…
Just last Friday, our new Unfair Park guy Eric introduced us to James Dondero, Highland Capital’s giraffe-eating, cheating, snooping hedge fund manager. In other words, the dude has a lot of money and likes to party.As such, his 50th birthday is approaching on June 22, and a person who works…
In what I consider one of my top five events of the year thus far (don’t worry, birth of my son, you’re safe), The Walkmen have added additional tour dates to their calendar, including a performance in Dallas. The Granada Theater locked the band down on Wednesday, September 19. Tickets…
Summer Cut w/ The Flaming Lips, St. Vincent, Fitz & The Tantrums and moreFriday, June 1, at Gexa Energy PavilionHere we are, fully immersed in this year’s summer festival season, and we’re already peaking. It’s going to be hard to outdo The Flaming Lips, St. Vincent, and everyone else KXT…
Few things are more depressing than hopping from one suburban bar to the next, alone on a weeknight. These places are usually empty, dark and quiet. Like clockwork, walking through the front door elicits an imaginary record scratch while heads turn in unison: “What the hell?” It’s all part of…
The ShinsThursday, October 11, at House of Blues, $39.50The Shins were sort of indie-rock darlings until they got Braff-ed in the mid-Aughts. That’s when they blew the eff up. We haven’t heard much from them since 2007’s Wincing the Night Away, but now that they’ve got a new one under…
Homegrown Music & Art FestivalSaturday, May 26, at Main Street Garden ParkFor the third annual installment of Homegrown Music & Arts Festival, the margins for bands have expanded to include all Texas acts. So this year’s bill will feature Black Joe Lewis, Hayes Carll, Octopus Project and many more. Not…
Josh Tillman, the man behind Father John Misty, a moniker he says is completely arbitrary, seems set on confounding his audience. Judging by the reaction he’s getting, his plan is working. Tillman is in Los Angeles, packing up after the previous night’s show and getting ready to hit the road…
Josh Tillman, the man behind Father John Misty, a moniker he says is completely arbitrary, seems set on confounding his audience. Judging by the reaction he’s getting, his plan is working. Tillman is in Los Angeles, packing up after the previous night’s show and getting ready to hit the road…
