Do You Know Anything About Country Music?

… And can you write? Because this fine music section is in need of a freelance country music writer, someone who knows a thing or seven about the local country music scene, as well as the national one. If this is you, and you can write — as in you…

Dallas Observer Mixtape with Harmonious Discord’s Sean Anderson

Harmonious Discord has survived 17 years during the most turbulent times in the history of the music industry. Under the helm of Sean Anderson, also known as tech-house producer PointBender, the label has cranked out a sizable catalog of releases, mostly from Texas artists, and solidified a core audience of…

Why You Haven’t Seen a Show At Chichen Itza in a While

Since 1994, Chichen Itza has occupied the corner of Richmond and Greenville avenues, slinging some of the best tacos and tortas Dallas has to offer. But about five years ago, Jesse Fuentes, guitarist and vocalist for the band Releaser, decided to use the space to support local bands and whet…

Rebekah Is Coming to Dallas in One of Her Only U.S. Gigs

Although Rebekah has been in the trenches as a working DJ going back to the ’90s, only five years have passed since she had her breakthrough with Chris Liebing and his reputable CLR crew — a seemingly perfect match that came as CLR was unfortunately coming to an end. But the influence of…

Observer Exlcusive: Watch Luna Luna’s First Music Video, “80’s Tune”

In October Luna Luna had barely locked in its sixth member after co-founders Kavvi (vocals) and Gilbert Avila (producer/engineer/keys) were on a search to build a modern indie band. Through open mics at Drugstore Cowboy, friends of friends and college classmates, the band finally came together. Since then the sextet’s earnest charm…

Music News: Bruno Mars, Keith Urban and 30 Seconds to Mars

Bruno Mars just won the Grammy for album of the year, and you’ll be able to catch him in Dallas at a pair of shows this fall. Elsewhere, a couple of Hollywood stars bring their musical acts to town. A couple of album anniversary tours make their way to Dallas…

Dallas Observer Mixtape with Kaycee Unisca

Born out of the bubbling Dallas rave scene in the ’90s, Kaycee Unisca has made the journey from enthusiastic foot shaker on the dance floor to DJ making the feet shake. Like most deejays, he has gone through a few genre phases, but house music has been a constant thread…

In Bed With Rat Rios and Rob Martinez

“In Bed With” is a Dallas Observer series in which we delve into the homes and personal lives of Dallas music industry professionals.  Sammy “Rat” Rios and Rob Martinez are two of Dallas’ most promising artists. Rios is a singer and stage actress, and Martinez is a videographer. They’re both…

Music News: Paul Simon, Justin Timberlake, Ozzy Osbourne and More

Retirement announcements seem to be happening on a weekly basis for some of our most beloved musical acts. On the heels of last week’s farewell call from Elton John, Paul Simon and Ozzy Osbourne are making plans for life away from the road. Fortunately for us, they’ll both hit Dallas…

Reports of Music CDs’ Death Are Exaggerated

Given the continued decline in CD sales overall for the past 15 years, it’s only been a matter of time for big-box stores to stop selling them. The dominant format from the early ’90s to the early ’00s is about to be gone from all Best Buy locations, and Target…

37 Years After It Opened, Bill’s Records Is Still Special

On a chilly Sunday morning, Bill Wisener turns on the “open” sign at his vinyl record store, one of the oldest in Dallas. You’ll recognize Wisener’s shop when you spot the red “Bill’s” sign hanging outside the store, which is nestled next to Poor David’s Pub on Lamar Street in Dallas’…

Dallas Observer Mixtape with Flash 45s: Electrofunk Mix

Dance music genres go in and out of popularity, and electrofunk is about to have its moment again. DJ Flash 45s is best known for spinning his vinyl 45s, but this week he takes a stab at electro. Today, the genre is most commonly associated with techno, but it has…

Dallas Rapper Bobby Sessions Signs with Def Jam

Dallas hip-hop artist Bobby Sessions announced today that he has signed with Def Jam. The announcement comes almost three years to the day since Sessions quit his day job to pursue music full time. In a 2015 interview with the Observer, Sessions said that he only had $50 in his…