Hip-hop artist Topic solidified himself as one of the best lyricists and stage performers in Dallas. His transparency about the ups and downs within his personal life and an infectious sense of humor endeared him to fans. Topic has survived several career setbacks, including the highly publicized theft of a…
In 2013, an absurd video of a white man, purportedly an Iowa pastor, performing something he called “Rappin’ for Jesus” went viral on YouTube. “My crew is big and it keeps getting bigger, that’s cause Jesus Christ is my nigga,” the man raps in front of a wall with a cross on it. About…
Jeremy Enigk might not know exactly where his career will go in the future, but he certainly sounds way more open and giving than he used to. For many years, as the frontman of Sunny Day Real Estate and the Fire Theft and as a solo artist, Enigk had a reputation…
Banjos to Beats has assembled some of the most iconic names ever to grace turntables for its summer DJ series Scratch Session. The lineup comprises DJ Nu-Mark, DJ Z-Trip, Just Blaze, Kid Capri, Mix Master Mike, and DJ Jazzy Jeff. The shows will be Fridays at It’ll Do from June…
It’s a great week to find some new summer favorites. Catch ’80s synth outfit Timecop1983 at Curtain Club on Tuesday night or up-and-coming R&B singer-songwriter Bruno Major at Three Links on Wednesday. Hear new music from emo band The Get Up Kids at Trees on Thursday night, Belle and Sebastian…
Hip-hop artist Jamil Kelley has received critical acclaim since he began his career in 2013 under the moniker Buffalo Black. The Oak Cliff native aims to validate past accolades with the release of his new album, Be Like Water. Buffalo Black unveiled his latest project Friday at Spinster Records, where…
What does an artist owe an audience? Is it an evening brimming with songs instantly familiar to those gathered before the stage? Or is a night spent chasing a feeling across a deliberately assembled set list more rewarding, a chance to invite those in attendance to share in the mood…
The house lights faded as the stadium thump of Queen’s “We Will Rock You” thundered to life. Perhaps you’ve heard “We Will Rock You” at the American Airlines Center before — during a Mavericks or Stars game — but you’ve never heard it like that, not with the fog, at…
Though we’ve been greeted with hot summer temperatures a bit earlier than usual, the concert calendar is already looking ahead to the cooler fall and winter months. Ahead this week, we’ve got announcements from ’80s favorites, legendary rock and classical acts, a bit of country and some club shows of…
It can be hard to trust record companies and believe that entertainers sound the same live as they do recorded. This especially rings true for electronic and pop genres. But sometimes, fans get really lucky, and an artist proves to be even better in person. Dua Lipa is one of…
Acid Carousel’s video for “Killer on the Moonbeam” from its EP Street Cowboys is filled with irony and satire, sending up politics and culture to tell the story of life as seen from the background. “The story is that of the killer on the moonbeam,” singer and guitarist Gus Baldwin…
San Francisco rock band The Stone Foxes were in high spirits when the quintet took the stage Tuesday night at Sundown at Granada. Driving into Dallas in their white van earlier that day, the rear suspension on their trailer busted and dragged behind them. The folks at Sundown jumped on…
Rock ‘n’ roll has never been very honest with itself. A music of change and rebellion, it’s also one of hard-and-fast demarcations, an us-and-them fantasy that increasingly has left it trapped inside its own (largely white, largely male) self-image that pits the cool kids against everyone else. But that may be changing…
For 12 years, DJ Lord Byron has provided a Friday night refuge for the goth-industrial dance scene with his weekly party, Panoptikon. The event began in 2006 at the now-defunct Club One in Deep Ellum. Panoptikon has survived several venue shifts and the ever-changing landscape of Dallas nightlife. At 9:30…
On Twitter this weekend, Dallas native Demi Lovato tweeted about pranking her bodyguard with a “lady of the night.” During a Twitter Q&A, Lovato said it was the “funniest prank ever.” “She walked into his room without permission and grabbed him in his ‘area’ and he freaked the fuck out…
Creed Bratton is best known for his role as the idiosyncratic quality assurance director at Dunder Mifflin on NBC’s long-running show The Office. Fans of the show may not realize that Bratton’s talents extend far beyond the non sequiturs and bizarre stories of his on-screen persona. Bratton’s career as a…
If you’re a huge fan of the 2011 remake of Footloose starring Julianne Hough and Kenny Wormald and you follow Wormald on Instagram like us, then you know Wormald is an extremely talented dancer and choreographer. Lately, he’s been posting videos of himself at Playground LA, his dance studio, dancing to…
Sometimes it’s hard to say if farewell tours are just publicity stunts or if some of music’s biggest icons long for the simple life only to realize that arenas filled with adoring fans paying lots of money aren’t so bad. Either way, we’re reaping the benefits as country music superstar…
Dead Sullivan’s Boone Patrello has always preferred to be felt rather than seen. To him, the only thing tantamount to success is his music. There’s no persona, no ego. Just his songs. So far, his methods need not be questioned. With three albums already out in the wild and a…
Spinster Records will host a tribute Friday to all things related to “sad dad” rock. Curator, event planner and all-around record-slinger Kate Siamro hosts the event and says the inspiration came after, “we noticed recently that our listening parties were doing as good as our shows.” The event is part…
Hot weather means some hot shows ahead on the concert calendar for music fans in the metro area. This week, we’ve compiled a mix of cool local acts, touring indie darlings and influential rappers. Check out all the details below. Ice Cube is perhaps the biggest show announcement this week,…
Kenneth Looking Glass, a Comanche Vietnam veteran from Apache, Oklahoma, makes the trek to North Texas and elsewhere to drum and sing when called upon. His drum, made of bull hide, is about 14 inches deep. Looking Glass’ son Jimbo, 40, also drums and sings. Both men have been singing…
