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…
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…
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…
Dallas’ own Dorrough has officially put his mark on the city in creating the new Dallas Cowboys theme song. The track, “Our Time,” will be the official walk out music and promotional audio for America’s team. Stadium DJs played the song during last week’s game against the Denver Broncos, but…
The last time we spoke to Evan Weiss, he had only done solo tours as Into It. Over It. Not too long after that, he started performing with a full band. Then he formed two other bands: Their/They’re/There and Pet Symmetry. With a new band lineup of Into It. Over…
Theft from touring bands happens a lot all over the world, but if there’s a chance to help a band out, especially if they’re from another country, spreading the word never hurts. Louna, a Russian five-piece, was in Dallas yesterday for a show at the House of Blues. As the…
Earlier this week, we announced this year’s Music Award nominees. There are some 200 artists, bands and music industry moves and shakers represented, selected by our panel of experts. Who actually takes home trophies is up to you. Voting is now open: Dallas Observer Music Awards 2013: Official Ballot…
Earth, Wind and Fire are one of those legendary bands that are beyond genre identification. Throughout the ’70’s, ’80s and ’90s, the band’s mixture of R&B, soul, jazz, rock, funk, disco and gospel challenged radio programmers and sold more than 90 million albums. From a tour stop in Los Angeles…
If the title of Charlie Robison’s brand-new album, High Life, is to be taken literally, it would make a great deal of sense. The Bandera-raised Robison continues to do things on his own terms. With a dedicated fan base and a stellar album yet again reminding people why he’s one…
Portland’s the Helio Sequence has been hanging around the fringes of mainstream rock for 15 years. In that time, the duo of Brandon Summers and Benjamin Weikel has released five outstanding albums, including 2012’s Negotiations. From his home studio in Portland, Brandon Summers talked with DC9 about the trials and…
Since Hart Ward penned his classic “Dallas Blues” in 1912, the city has established a proud tradition in the blues genre with its performers, venues and documentarians. Today, Dallas’ blues legacy remains in the hands of a smaller number of people than it has in years past. But some, like…
For the 25th year, The Dallas Observer will honor the fine work of North Texas musicians (and a few behind-the-scenes people as well) with the Dallas Observer Music Awards. We’ve asked experts of all stripes to help us compile a list of the area’s best talent in 40 categories, which…
Hunter Moore hasn’t technically been in business with the notoriously sleazy site “Is Anyone Up?” for some time. But he’ll forever be associated with the revenge porn site he maintained for years. Since the site shut down in 2012, Moore’s had more time to dedicate to traveling around the country,…
Jeff Whittington does not work on the most musically inclined part of your radio dial. Yet the executive producer of KERA’s Think with Krys Boyd and host of the long running Anything You Ever Wanted to Know, a concept started by the late Glenn Mitchell with whom Whittington worked as…
Even though Imagine Dragons have been playing music for a little over four years, the band’s meteoric rise to the top of the charts seems to have occurred over a much shorter time. Hailing from Las Vegas, the band plays unapologetically play infectious, radio-friendly alternative rock. From a tour stop…
If you have never been out to see Horror Remix and their spliced and diced versions of long-forgotten, campy and sometimes even scary horror films … well, then, put simply; you should go! Horror Remix’s hilarious plays on theme, puppet humor, and surprising film curation are reason enough. But tonight’s…
Pete Wentz of Fall Out Boy hasn’t always had it as easy as he does now. After having a hit and miss high school career due to the effects of bi-polar disorder, Wentz played with several Chicago area punk acts before hitting the big time with Fall Out Boy. From…
Also known by his stage name, Honus Honus, Ryan Kattner has been leading the odd band Man Man for a decade. Speaking from his home in Philadelphia and in anticipation of tonight’s show at Dada, Kattner was equal parts affable and quick-witted. On the heels of Man, Man’s find new…
The grand opening of the Steven Alan store on Knox Street last night featured, among other things, an appearance by Austin weirdos White Denim. They were scheduled to perform outside, but of course Mother Nature had other plans. Namely the first big rain storm we’ve had in what feels like…
Kylie Rae Harris, a native of Wylie, has chosen a deliberate path to this week’s release for her new EP, the country-folk-pop gem Taking it Back. For those who frequent shows at Love and War in Texas, The Capital Bar, Hat Tricks, and venues like them, the supremely gifted Harris…
When things go horribly wrong and then keep going that way, there’s no better strategy to maintain your sanity than to think about the story you’ll have. Music writer Jon Niccum has collected a bunch of those stories from musicians and published them in a book called The Worst Gig:…
You love Mumford & Sons. You can’t believe they’re actually bringing their faces to Dallas on Wednesday, September 18th. Your favorite radio hit is that one where they play the flugelhorn really hard for like a full minute straight because it reminds you of how awesome Dave Matthews Band is…
