Another Local Hip-Hop Name To Know: Big Gemini

Really can’t say I’d ever heard of Dallas hip-hop artist Big Gemini before coming across the above video this afternoon. Don’t really apologize for it either–kind tough to keep up with the Dallas hip-hop scene these days. So much so that I’ll say this quite confidently: Either something’s definitely, definitely…

Turns Out A DFW Artist Not Named Erykah Badu Is Playing ACL…

You won’t see Dallas rapper Pikahsso on the poster for this year’s ACL Fest, but, still you can rest assured that he’ll be there, on stage, performing alongside fellow Texas hip-hop mainstay Bavu Blakes as the two perform their collaborative song “Smiley Faces” on stage on Saturday. And that’s good…

Tonight: Oso Closo, No Matter How Far Away…

We’ve already given you loads of information about Oso Closo’s gig at the Dallas Theater Center. Then, of course, there was Pete’s glowing review of the production. But, tonight, the Denton-based rock outfit is taking a break from its insanely busy schedule performing in The Who’s Tommy for a free…

Last Night: Silver Jews At Hailey’s Club

Silver Jews Hailey’s Club September 20, 2008 Better Than: Robert Wilonsky’s “Till 2” show on The Ticket…if only for a night. David Berman got a warm reception at Hailey’s. (Noah W. Bailey) Local Silver Jews fans had been waiting some 14 years by the time the band took the stage…

Things Get Sunny For Astronautalis

Looks like Astronautalis has converted another fan. If you watched the Season 4 premiere of It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia last night, you may have noticed a minor bit of redecorating to Charlie’s shithole apartment. Seems Charlie is fan of Dallas Observer Music Award-winning rapper Astronautalis. That, or he just…

The Rap-Up: Boyz? Wide Up. Fat Daddy’s? Shut Down

There’s nothing like your venue losing its lease to piss all over your parade. According to Dru Don, the manager for teenage rap group, Wide Up Boyz, the act’s gig originally scheduled for tomorrow night is now officially hosed, since Fat Daddy’s has officially gone out of business. That sucks–for…

Last Night: Pinback At The Loft

Pinback…sits. (Drew Reynolds) Pinback, Kylesa, The Loft Septermber 18, 2008 Better than: Standing behind a guy with a huge head who sways from side to side so that you can’t see the band. My foot was drawn back to kick him (ill-advisedly) in the back of the knee, when the…

Bonus MP3: Calhoun — “Drifting”

It was way back in late March when I first met Tim Locke of Calhoun. I’d missed his band’s set–and at the time not regrettably; I’d gone to the Barley House that evening to see Dove Hunter, and pretty much only Dove Hunter. After Dove Hunter’s jangly, drunken, and yet…

You Like Pop? Swing? Rock? Hear It All With Erin McKeown

Wail on, wailer. In order to get primed for her appearance at House of Blues this weekend, I just got through listening to Sing You Sinners, Erin McKeown’s lively collection of jazz standards from the 1930s and ’50s. That set came out last year, but I haven’t had a chance…

Last Night: The New Year At The Granada Theater

Transona Five, A Weather, The New Year Granada Theater September 18, 2008 Better Than: Sulking and reminiscing about the way things were, that’s for sure. The New Year kept things in line all night. (Sarah Jane Semrad) The New Year’s performance at the Granada Theater last night was, oddly enough,…

Poster Of The Week: Holy Diver

The mini-instrument toting Holy Diver takes home the award this week for combining Hal Samples’ photography, Larry Carey’s artwork and a ridiculous band origin story to promote their show Saturday (or “Saturdau,” as it appears on the poster) at the cover-band haven that is the Lakewood Bar and Grill. And,…

Bonus MP3: Shock of Pleasure — “Superstar”

Supposedly, Kelly Christian sings, too. A few months back, I wrote about Shock of Pleasure’s super attractive front person Kelly Christian and the band’s debut CD It’s About Time hitting the streets. Well, it seems those were just the local streets. The band’s publicist, one Amanda Tropila, has just informed…

Giveaway: Ticket To Saturday Night’s Silver Jews Show

“You’re the man now, dog.” (Brent Stewart) By the looks of Noah Bailey’s excellent piece in this week’s paper, David Berman of the Silver Jews had a hell of a time growing up around the DFW region. So much so that, as Noah points out, Berman even wrote a little…

Bonus MP3: The Theater Fire — “It’s All The Same”

(Brian Harkin) Good Records is the place to be Saturday evening. Fort Worth’s The Theater Fire, as featured in this week’s print product, will give an in-store performance of songs from its great soon-to-be-released Matter And Light, but that’s not even the half of it. The CD release party kicks…

Seeing a Ghost

The drinks are overpriced, the people are overdressed and the wait to get into the place is…well, it’s a little bit longer than the usual lines to get into shows around the area. But here, at this venue, on Friday night, not surprisingly, no one seems to care. This is…