Critic's Notebook

Fort Worth native Kelly Clarkson stays on top of pop culture through her firm determination to be true to herself in the face of pitiless music industry.

A favorite in Denton’s rap scene, Pudge has partnered again with Ritchy Flo for a new album, Three Nights In Vegas.

Jam bands are not just bands that jam. The genre is making a comeback in Dallas. But why did it ever go away?

Rapper SMOKESTKZ (“smoke stacks” or STKZ) has become a well-known name in the local hip-hop scene for his hardcore rap tracks, well-produced videos and successful clothing line Soda Plug. His latest album, T.F.M.G., takes a person approach.

The Lone Star State actually produced plenty of stars in the world of music, and there are museums all over the state dedicated to educating visitors on Texas’ greatest artists.

The official Twitter page for Power Trip is clearly tired of people confusing them for the Power Trip musical festival that costs at least $800 just to get into so fans can see acts like Metallica and Tool live in Calfornia in October.

Elev8ted Food won’t be at Addison’s annual Dallas Reggae Festival. The business says this against state law.

North Texas singer Kaela Sinclair has been gone for a minute but is making a stop in her old stomping grounds with M83.

Robert Ellis has a collection of lullabies ready to go, so ditch the Ambien.

Taylor Swift finally graced Dallas-Fort Worth with her glowing, mighty presence last week and some fans who were lucky enough to get into the show are still buzzing from the excitement. The state is considering harnessing that energy to power our weak-ass power grid.

Do you enjoy the tranquil escape of meditation? What about the transportive effects of the finest abstract art? If so, there’s a local music label you should check out.

North Texas-bred country artist Mickey Guyton is now a judge on My Kind of Country, a search for the next big country star.

The Technology Boulevard venue is closing its doors, and managing partner Alex Mendonsa says a new, non-music related venue will replace it.

Imagine running into Dolly and Garth at IKEA. The two country music superstars will be in Frisco hosting the next edition of the Academy of Country Music Awards next month.

They’re no longer going around in “circles.” Rapper Post Malone and songwriter and musician Tyler Armes came to an undisclosed settlement agreement in a federal court in California. Here’s what went down.

Musician and artist IZK Davies released a video about changes in Dallas’ Deep Ellum neighborhood. Gentrification, crime and other controversies gave him plenty of lyrical material.

You might have seen The Mullens playing local stages, if you’ve been out at any point in the past 30 years.

For a band called “little image” this Dallas band sure likes making a visual statement.

Joan Osborne explores some new territory in her latest albums, tackling political and social issues head on with Trouble and Strife and re-releasing some old live favorites with Radio Tracks. She performs Tuesday night at The Kessler Theater in Dallas.

MGK told a crowd at Rodeo Houston that his “life’s in shambles” and the only thing that might be able to cheer him up is becoming an adoptive Texan.

Indie rocker Indigo De Souza is bringing her personal music to crowds who better not be “evil,” drunk, college students.

The Deep Ellum show boasts the best female artists in every type of genre.