The BET Hip-Hop Awards cyphers are now the last remaining reason to watch the show every year. You can’t dilute the integrity of the cypher. It’s tradition of the craft that forces the artist to put up or shut up. You cannot feign talent in this format. You can’t turn…
Uninsured persons with serious medical conditions are already fighting against the odds of the hand they were dealt. Treatment and support are the only two things necessary for recovery, and for those who lack insurance, support is the lifeline that must come first, and can be found through surprising means,…
It’s a great time to be a fan of The Marked Men and its offshoots. Not only does the band play out here and there, Mark Ryan’s Mind Spiders have a new album out called Inhumanistic, and there’s a new band called Radioactivity, which is about to release its debut…
Photos by Jim Bricker (except noted)BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA If you want to catch an act in the one and only tented stage at ACL, it’s recommended to do it early in the day or towards the end of the weekend. It always seems to get pretty packed on Saturday…
SXSW’s biggest competition for the title of Biggest Binge of a Music Festival comes this week in the form of New York’s CMJ Music Marathon. In lots of ways, the events are similar: First that they are clearly catered to those within the music industry in one way or another…
This year’s Austin City Limits festival marked the first time the event expanded into two full weekends of entertainment. Unfortunately, huge crowds of 75,000 people weren’t the only things flooding into Zilker Park, and the final day of the fest was cancelled due to dangerous weather (also a first). We…
Austin City Limits debuted a two-weekend format this year. People were clearly ready for it — this past weekend’s installment sold out. The rain cancelled Sunday’s shows, but Friday and Saturday went on as plans. Writer Katie Moulton was there for DC9 at Night, and she took some photos of…
Our Busking series with Globe Trek Productions features mighty Dallas two-piece The O’s, who played a couple songs for us in McKinney a few months back. John Pedigo and Taylor Young formed The O’s in 2008, though both are longtime veterans of Dallas music. Their newest album, called Thunderdog, is…
Matt Berninger moved through a sold-out crowd at South Side Ballroom Saturday night, and you could trace his path only by following the outstretched arms holding up his microphone cord. Even as he was thronged by a respectful audience, he stroked a grown man’s face with something like love, guided…
Before the end-of-the-weekend deluge that cancelled Day 3, it was unseasonably hot in Austin: temps in the low 90s, blazing sun, hordes of fans filling the open plains of Zilker Park, and muggy downpours that only left everyone stickier. In turn, the bands did plenty to turn up the heat…
In Austin, where a “local” act’s following often extends nationally, what does it mean for a band to play inside City Limits? We spoke with members of two Austin-based bands–Jeff Klein of My Jerusalem, and Mario and Cayce Matteoli of The Preservation–to find out what it means to be both…
M Oliver London was known around Deep Ellum as “Moe.” He worked the door at Wit’s End, where he was known for his welcoming demeanor and spirit. He died early this morning after suffering a stroke in late September. He’s been in the ICU for the last couple weeks. A…
Fort Worth’s 1919 Hemphill may not be old enough to hang with the cool kids who can buy music with the “Parental Warning” stickers on them. However, they still can attract the attention of bands and musicians who need a welcoming place to play. The performance art space opened its…
Earlier this week, we brought you part one of Denton’s Pageantry playing some unplugged songs from their recent EP, Friends of the Year. Today, we’ve got them playing the title track. Watch above. You can catch Pageantry next week at Index Festival — they’re also nominated for a Dallas Observer…
Happy State Fair of Texas season, everyone…
“Hello! Here we have calf-fries with a touch of Tabasco, would you like one?” asks an attractive female server wearing tighter-than-tight jeans and boots. For the first time in this Texan’s life, the answer was yes, and it’s a good thing it was (spicy wild boar meatballs and juicy shards…
There is a bit of truth to the joke that every musician in Dallas has been a member of The Polyphonic Spree at one time or another. A staple in the local music scene, this choral symphonic rock group headed by Tim DeLaughter has 17 members onstage at any given…
The temperature is dropping and the changing of the season is finally within reach. Gone are the days of triple digits, at least until next year, and sweet relief has arrived. It feels amazing outside, but there’s always those weirdos who insist it’s “so cold” once it starts to hit…
Kid Congo and the Pink Monkey Birds Thursday, October 10, at Double Wide Kid Congo Powers has one of the most impressive résumés in the punk rock business. The California-born rocker was given the honor of becoming the first Ramones Fan Club president in the mid-1970s before picking up his…
Now for the fun part. On Saturday, November 2, the Dallas Observer Music Showcase will feature some 60 North Texas bands and artists, all nominees for our Music Awards, at several stages in Deep Ellum. Today, we’ve got (in alphabetical order), the first 40 bands you can expect to see…
Since its gradual formation in 2011, Denton’s Pageantry has perfected a heady sound, big and open and dreamlike. You can year on that on the Friends of the Year EP, released this summer. It’s the band’s debut, but people are taking notice. They just toured their way to Chicago, scored…
If we can measure a band’s success in terms of bigwig festival slots and NPR features — and let’s face it, we can — The National just may be the “It” alternative band of the year. They’ll play South Side Ballroom this Saturday — their biggest headlining show to date…
