June 19, 2013
Music In The Hood
Photo by Bill Ellison Larry g(EE) performs his signature show.
Out of the box musician has tunnel vision for music
Last month, Dallas soul man Larry g(EE) traveled with his multiethnic-family-style backing band to Nashville and New York City to perform in front of four major label representatives. These showcases follow a whirlwind of a year for the former Odis front man, including a month’s worth of dates with the 2012 Warped Tour, a performance on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live, a spattering of high-profile one-off gigs, and any and every major event in DFW. Th...
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Photo by Will Von Bolton Local rock and soul duo Rise & Shine.
MUSIC Vinyl release party displays boot stomping fun of duo
Last Saturday night it began pouring rain just as I stepped out the door to head to Oak Cliff for a rock show. There is a moment with every Dallas music fan where we have to decide if braving the weather – even without a tornado warning – in the name of good tunes is worth it. Not to be deterred, I, of course, decided to run for the shelter of my car and journey west to celebrate with Rise & Shine and Dovetail during a vinyl release party at T...
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Photo courtesy of Jason Elmore and Hoodoo Witch
MUSIC Elmore revitalizes Texas Blues Rock
There is a funny thing about Texas blues rock: it’s insanely popular pretty much everywhere except Texas. This is what guitarist Jason Elmore reinforced for me during a conversation earlier this week about his most recent five-week tour up to Canada via the Midwest and his upcoming fall dates in Belgium. People outside of Texas can’t seem to get enough of his band, Jason Elmore and Hoodoo Witch, and their most recent album, “Tell You What.” Ho...
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photos by Elena Harding Toadies lead singer Vaden Todd Lewis plays an acoustic set.
MUSIC Toadies 'Rattle' crowd with new video
An eclectic crowd of about 150 people gathered on Sundown at Granada's rooftop deck May 7 for an intimate premiere of the Toadies’ “Rattler's Revival” music video from their new record “Play. Rock. Music.” Due to a career that has spanned more than two decades, the Toadies fan base ranges from twenty-somethings to an older crowd — pink hair to silver — eye patches and white suits. The event began at 8 p.m., the music video played at 8:45 p.m. ...
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Photo by Bonnie Gradillas Quigley Dallas School of Rock Dean's List (Advanced Band) - performing a set from The Funk Show for Rockstravaganza 2013 at Trees in Deep Ellum, April 14. Pictured are: Lead Singer: Jack Quigley, Drums: Seth Simonds, Bass Guitar: Caitland Yeoman, Lead Guitar: Gunnar Ozuna and on Rhythm Guitar: Blake Toppins.
MUSIC Music camps ready to turn up amps
When I was a kid, summer music camps meant days and days with my violin on my shoulder learning the master’s compositions. There was always a fantastic concert at the Meyerson Symphony Center at the end of the session. I enjoyed it immensely, even though my arms would ache and I’d get yelled at to quit tapping my foot in time with whatever piece we were practicing – a habit a violinist should never have. It was cool and I always felt proud of ...
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Photo of Chris Walters (left), JD Souther and Jerry Navarro by Nancy Black
Souther brings soul to Kessler stage
When you take a legendary songwriter, add two amazing musicians and then place them in a beautiful historical theater in Oak Cliff, the result is a magical, musical recipe for your eyes and ears. Last Thursday evening, musician JD Souther, best known for writing hits songs for Linda Ronstadt and The Eagles, was the main ingredient/headliner at The Kessler Theater. But it was the opening act that almost stole the show. Pianist Chris Walters to...
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Photo courtesy of The Deep Ellum Arts Festival
MUSIC 2013 DEAF breaks all records, expectations
Last weekend, the Deep Ellum Arts Festival (DEAF) popped up and tore down after three days of blissful weather, music and traveling merchants in what was one of the most successful and widely attended events in the festival’s history. In last week’s issue I told you that festival weekend is quite seriously my favorite weekend of the year. This year, of course, was no different. In fact this year seemed particularly enjoyable as I walked down ...
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Photo courtesy of Dallas Music/Jenny B. Photography Possessed by Paul James at the 2012 Deep Ellum Big Folkin' Festival.
MUSIC BFF2 promises Folk to folks at second annual event
With SXSW in Austin officially over, this is the exciting time of year when all live music junkies begin making festival plans: Bonaroo in Tennessee, Wakarusa in Arkansas, and a lucky precious few make it all the way to California for Coachella. But festivals come with their own set of hassles – not including the small fortune shelled out just for tickets: travel, camping equipment, being ready for any and all weather possibilities, sunburns…...
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Local Celtic Rock favorites The Killdares will play the Idle Rich Pub’s Saint Patrick’s Day Parking Lot Party. Image courtesy of The Killdares.
MUSIC Bands, pubs ready to get their Irish on
I’m one of those crotchety people who feels lame celebrating Valentine’s Day, especially when it falls in the middle of the week like it did this year. I have a wonderful husband and a happy marriage, so do I really need a holiday dramatized by greeting card companies to acknowledge my union? When it comes to Saint Patrick’s Day though, I adore setting aside a special day to celebrate my heritage with whomever else feels the need! Sure, I make...
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DFW area band Nighthawks offer bold, hypnotic sounds
MUSIC Nighthawks offer bold, hypnotic sounds
I went to college out of state, on the east coast to be specific. Whenever anyone found out I was from Texas, they immediately assumed that I was both a Dallas Cowboys fanatic and a devout lover of country music. While I could always respond that the Cowboys were America’s Team, it got really tedious trying to explain that most of the music people hear on country stations is the Nashville version of music, not the Texas one. At about this same...
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