Critic's Notebook

… 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…

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…

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…

The familiar voice of Ryan Berg has been heard across music venues in the Dallas area since his rise to local stardom in recent years. With the release of his debut album, The Velvet Ears, Berg takes listeners on a journey of growth and discovery. Drawing on musical influences such…

Dallas born and raised Scarlett Deering has some pretty big gigs coming up this spring and summer. In addition to the many projects she’s involved in, she’ll play violin with the Eagles on dates in March and July.  The 27-year-old Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual…

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…

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…

This week, two major Dallas-bred music makers play shows in their hometown, including Erykah Badu’s birthday party and St. Vincent’s gig promoting her latest album, Masseducation, at the Bomb Factory. Although it doesn’t include most of its original members these days, The Beach Boys’ stop at Mesquite Arena will include…

If Frank Zappa were alive today, it’s likely he would have much to say about our political landscape. He certainly would have no shortage of material from which to choose — border walls, bathroom legislation and the ubiquitous labeling of people as “snowflakes” would make good fodder for an album’s…

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…

The long-awaited first release from Dallas’ booze-fueled garage-rock outfit The Delzells is finally here. To kick things off, we’re debuting an exclusive new track, “Repopulate,” before the band’s EP release show Friday night at Double Wide. Yellow Jacket is the eighth — and possibly most eclectic — release on the…

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” 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…

Getting your name out there in the music business was tough before the internet came along. Things got way more complicated with emerging media, so old business models have been trying to hang in there ever since. Frisco-based Music Audience Exchange, known as MAX, is taking a modern approach to…

Whether you’re celebrating a relationship or treating yourself this week, love is in the air — and not just Book of Love (although the ’90s synth-pop band’s show at Granada Theater on Friday night is sure to spark some romance). The week’s musical possibilities seem endless, with indie rock icon…

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…

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 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…