Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, Keri Hilson, Far East Movement, LloydGexa Energy PavilionSeptember 10, 2011Better than: a Super Bowl halftime show. Lil Wayne is a shapeshifter — and, at that, one who has already taken on enough forms to be just as at home on his New Orleans streets as he is…
Black Star, Playdough, Topic House of Blues September 7, 2011 Better than: being blown away by a firearm. Although each has enjoyed a remarkable solo career as one of the most important names in hip-hop today, Mos Def and Talib Kweli are perhaps most loved when together as that unstoppable…
Google, that seemingly all-encompassing entity, has its fingerprints all over just about every digital realm of our lives. And, in 2011, in addition to entering the social networking fray, the technology giant is also using the fast-evolving concept of cloud computing — storing data on external servers rather than locally…
We’ve seen our share of bands that have little going for them aside from a gimmick meant to widen their fan base. But Austin’s Foot Patrol might have one of the most unique ones that we’ve ever encountered — an unabashed focus on human feet. Lead singer and keyboard player…
Back in February, when Dallas rapper Big Chief announced that he’d signed a recording contract with Cash Money Records, home to rap superstars Lil Wayne, Drake and Nicki Minaj among others, it came as something of a surprise. Not because Chief was some sort of no-name, though. Anyone who’s paid…
It was supposed to be one of the most hotly anticipated releases in the history of Dallas hip-hop. That was 2010. Turns out the delay in the release of When Pigs Fly from local rap duo A.Dd+ was the most well-calculated move the young group could have executed. Although it…
Checking in under 40 minutes, Datahowler’s full-length debut, Slowdrifter, stands as a rich exploration of a sound that’s distinctively hip-hop at its core, yet simultaneously runs away from many of the formalized conventions of the genre. With a decidedly sci-fi tone dominating the release, Datahowler crafts a soundscape that stands…
Welcome to Unexpected Influences, where we talk to musicians about the music no one expects them to like. Local hip-hop trio Dem Southernfolkz have provided a breath of fresh air in the local scene, laying down the groundwork for the current fire-hot trend that has seen artists such as Sore…
Welcome to a Unexpected Influences, where we talk to musicians about the music no one expects them to like. Datahowler, mad processor of decades of international culture, has a lot on his mind. Born Ross Edman (and formerly using the moniker Objectiv One), he has managed to push himself into…
Welcome to a Unexpected Influences, where we talk to musicians about the music no one expects them to like. As far as unexpected things go, Ashley Myrick can count her 2010 high on the list. She started the year a back up vocalist for local act The Beaten Sea, but…
Best Coast, Wavves, No Joy Granada Theater January 24, 2011 Better Than: Being separated from your best friend/cat. Over the past year, the relationship between Nathan Williams and Bethany Cosentino, lead singers of Wavves and Best Coast, respectively, has been the go-to story in the world of indie rock romance…
Delightfully catchy.That’s exactly how you can describe the folk-flavored indie pop being made by the boy-girl duo Smile Smile. Members Ryan Hamilton and Jencey Hirunrusme are riding high on the success of their Kirtland Records-released sophomore offering Truth on Tape. And while they are strong with their pop sensibilities, it’s…
Welcome to a Unexpected Influences, where we talk to musicians about the music no one expects them to like. In a city as chock full of DJ talent as Dallas is, there still has yet to emerge any real rock star. And yet, if there were such a figure whose…
Welcome to a Unexpected Influences, where we talk to musicians about the music no one expects them to like. With the help of his band, The Northern Lights, Jonathan Tyler has used a passion for a variety of musical influences to fuel his soul-infused brand of Southern rock ‘n’ roll,…
Welcome to a Unexpected Influences, where we talk to musicians about the music no one expects them to like. Long-hailed as one of the region’s Meccas for live music, Denton is a fine place to become well-known. And popularity is just what DJ Yeahdef, née Joey Lietchy, has achieved in…
Welcome to a new recurring feature here on DC9 where we talk to musicians about the music no one expects them to like. We’re calling it Unexpected Influences — because, we hope, that’s what it will show. Very few bands can claim to have ever walloped Dallas year as heavily…
Welcome to a new recurring feature here on DC9 where we talk to musicians about the music no one expects them to like. We’re calling it Unexpected Influences — because, we hope, that’s what it will show. Local hip-hop duo A.Dd+, rappers Paris P and Slim Gravy, has been on…
Welcome to a new recurring feature here on DC9 where we talk to musicians about the music no one expects them to like. We’re calling it Unexpected Influences — because, we hope, that’s what it will show. Dallas rapper galleryCat is known for his multi-instrumental live affairs, which often end…
Long hailed as one of the untouchable patriarchs in the storied past of hip-hop royalty, producer, DJ, and vinyl archivist DJ Shadow has been responsible for some of the most innovative music that the genre has seen over the course of his nearly 20-year career. These days, having not released…
The xx, Warpaint, Zola JesusGranada TheaterOctober 8, 2010 Better than: the build-up to the lightning-hot London trio’s show. The xxThe xx making their Dallas debut came with much anticipation: After being sold-out since late summer, the attitude at the Granada Friday night was electric, with swooning the xx followers whipping…
Memoryhouse, Twin Sister, SLEEP ∞ OVERThe LoftAugust 25, 2010 Better than: ironing out the kinks of that new Windows XP installation. Each of the two non-Texan touring bands who took the stage last night at The Loft have enjoyed a busy summer of touring the United States, with Memoryhouse even…
It’s been a couple months since Sore Losers offered up an epic set at what was then The Lounge on Elm Street, exuberantly performing to a packed room. And if you weren’t there–or you somehow didn’t hear–the duo raised the bar on their already excellent stage show by performing their…
