A Day in the Life of Sam Villavert

Unlike most musicians, Sealion bassist Sam Villavert wakes up at 4:30 a.m. “It’s a ridiculous hour,” Villavert says, “but it helps jumpstart my morning and puts me in a healthier mental state.” For Villavert, 26, exercise is indispensable. Usually, she works out before her 8 a.m. arrival at Nature’s Plate,…

Music News: Mastodon, Broken Social Scene, Buddy Guy and More

We’re one month into 2018 and the concert calendar continues to fill up. There’s good stuff ahead, including a pretty cool alt-rock/metal pairing, a classic blues double-bill, and a visit from the Vampire Weekend mastermind. Also, a local favorite hits a big stage and a couple international acts make  rare…

Dallas Observer Mixtape with Mala Strana

Most DJs go through phases as their musical palette evolves, and Shawn Kasal’s DJ journey has brought him to his current alias, Mala Strana, under which he recently signed to local label Audiophile. It reflects the new, deep techno sound Kasal is channeling behind the decks and in his production…

Dallas’ Modern Electric Builds Second Recording Studio

On a nondescript cul-de-sac off of Haskell Avenue, across from the Cityplace Target, sits an even more nondescript building. Some of the biggest names in Dallas music have recorded here. Jeff Saenz started Modern Electric Sound Recorders almost six years ago. Beau Bedford of the Texas Gentlemen joined him soon…

Best New Music in Dallas

Six Shooter is a recurring feature in which we highlight six new releases by North Texas-based musicians. T.Y.E. — “Playground” & All About Money T.Y.E. is not only one of Dallas’ premiere rappers, but he’s also one of its most prolific. Last year, the Oak Cliff rapper released two full-length…

2018 Fortress Fest Lineup Announced

In its inaugural year, attendance for Fort Worth’s Fortress Festival was so-so, despite a killer lineup. It drew the largest numbers for hip-hop headliner Run the Jewels, so it makes sense that for its second lineup, revealed today, the festival is doubling down on the genre. Nostalgic ’90s hip-hop acts…

Say Anything Cancels Its Two Sold-Out Shows at Trees Next Week

Bummer news, Say Anything fans. The emo band has canceled the rest of its tour — including shows at Trees on Tuesday, Jan. 30, and Wednesday, Jan. 31 — for health reasons. This morning, the band’s official twitter accounted tweeted that frontman and founder Max Bemis has laryngitis.  “We are…

Slayer Announces Farewell Tour with June Stop in Dallas

Heavy metal stalwart Slayer is ready for a nap. In the band’s 37-year career, it has released 12 studio albums, played thousands of concerts and won two Grammys for best metal performance (in ’07 and ’08). This week, the band called it a job well done and announced that its next…