Music

The coronavirus pandemic has shut down almost all live entertainment, and our hopes for a return to normalcy have been exiled to next year. But while one avenue of the music industry has been temporarily closed, artists keep fans entertained with in-home engagements and a ton of fresh new music…

Todrick Hall released “Nails, Hair, Hips, Heels” nearly one year ago. But now, he’s re-recorded the song to make it quarantine-friendly. What was once: “Nails, hair, hips, heels, ass fat, lips real / Purse full, big bills, bitch I’m a big deal” is now “Mask, gloves, soap, scrubs, TikTok, Grubhub /…

On Saturday evening, music mogul Kanye West celebrated Independence Day with the announcement that he is running for president in the November election. Breaking the news on Twitter, he wrote, “We must now realize the promise of America by trusting God, unifying our vision and building our future. I am…

It’s June 30, 4:12 p.m. CST. We call Loners Club via Zoom. “Can you hear me? Can you see me?” she says. “Perfect. So, what were you saying?” I answer. “Man, to be honest, I think I forgot,” she says. “Oh wait, no I didn’t. We were talking about who…

When he appeared on the 16th season of American Idol, Plano native and singer-songwriter Ron Bultongez was excited to make a name for himself. While Bultongez was eliminated shortly after making it to the top 24, his hometown still celebrated him. Over the course of the past three years, the…

While we’re supposed to be staying at home, Texas rappers are making sure we still feel the Hot Girl Summer spirit.  Megan thee Stallion received her first Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 last month with the Beyoncé-assisted “Savage Remix,” and now Dallas-based rapper Erica Banks is hot off the release…

Fissionary, aka Charlie Stubbs, is a one-man experimental pop superstar in the making. A relatively unknown artist in the Dallas music scene, Fissionary quietly released its first album Descriptions in late 2018 — a frenetic album filled with message and purpose. Since then, Fissionary has put out a smattering of singles leading…

On Friday morning, Gov. Greg Abbott issued an executive order closing bars and requiring restaurants operate at no more than 50% occupancy. In the past few months, not everyone has abided by shutdown orders, like in the case of Shelley Luther, who became the mockingjay for the reopener movement by refusing…

With Gov. Greg Abbott ordering bars to close and restaurants to dial back on capacity, live music is slim pickin’s this week. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. If you’re still going out (wearing a mask and keeping your distance), you can catch Opening Bell Coffee’s open mic night, Reid…

Taron Lockett has spent his entire career as the drummer for some of the biggest names in the industry. Now he’s stepping from behind the drums to bask in the spotlight. In Dallas circles, Lockett is often introduced (though seldom to his face) as “Prince’s last drummer.” But he’s also…

First, the bad news: “I find it hard to tell you, ’cause I find it hard to take,” but Mad World Records is no more. At least not as regulars know and love. The literal mom-and-pop record shop’s storefront is already closed to customers — for good. After nearly nine years, the…

Dealing with drunk people has always been an unpleasant part of the job for those in the service industry. Trying to get drunk people to wear a mask is a near impossible mask, local venue workers say. In part, that makes sense. People at bars need their mouths uncovered. The…

This pride month, Dallas-based singer Hey Greg, Hello is hot off the release of two new singles. The artist’s new tracks “Can’t Take It” and “In My Head” are emotionally charged pop-punk bangers. While there are many reasons to avoid partying these days, Greg’s songs make it hard to resist…

Sometimes you want to be alone in the crowd.

Once upon a time, Scott Tucker fronted the well-known local band The Orange, but after seeing that project fall apart in the office of a major record label, he is back with a new project, Aztec Milk Temple, and a brand new song, “Digital Natives.” “All those stories that people…

Looking at Christy Ray, Taylor Nicks and Ryan Nicolaidis, one wouldn’t ascribe them a care in the world. Ray is a successful DJ. Nicks is the lead singer of Atlantis Aquarius, and Nicolaidis is a medical aesthetician. They’re all popular characters in the music scene and could’ve easily started a band…

When Bill Wisener died in January, many mourned both the loss of a local music scene icon and an institution, his shop Bill’s Records. Now, the owners of Josey Records, Waric Cameron and Luke Sardello, are buying what remains of the business, Cameron tells the Observer. Josey is a favorite…

Over the past few years, post-punk outfit Rosegarden Funeral Party has made a name for itself as one of Dallas’ most hyped “it” bands of the 2010s. Sadly, the momentum its members have spent the past three years steadily cultivating was abruptly stymied by COVID-19’s merciless economic onslaught against the…