The Coathangers

Atlanta punks the Coathangers come to Texas so often, it feels like they’ve adopted it as a second home. They return to Dallas, following up their March Brofest appearance, and stumble into the back room of Bryan Street Tavern with Sub Pop’s Jaill and locals Sealion. Last year’s third LP,…

Neil Halstead

Neil Halstead’s progression from the dreamy pop of Slowdive to the rarefied country of the Mojave 3 wasn’t the most predictable move, but the British singer-guitarist’s talent as a songwriter has allowed him to dip his toes in a few different pools. As a teaser of sorts for his upcoming…

Lights All Night Moves to Fair Park, Expands to Three Nights

Our report from Lights All Night 2011 illustrated a few security and logistical issues at the Dallas Convention Center, so it’s probably smart that this year’s NYE electronic music festival is moving to the roomier confines of Fair Park. It’s also adding an extra day to the schedule, so it…

How Not To Write About Female Musicians, Part 7,081

This Dallas Morning News review of Gorilla vs. Bear’s weekend concert came to my attention this morning. Now, in my preview piece for this show, I did mention that I appreciated the wealth of ladies on the bill. I pointed it out. Some might consider that stating something that doesn’t…

Nicki Minaj – Verizon Theatre – 7/29/12

Nicki Minaj, 2 Chainz Verizon Theatre Sunday, July 29 I would have been happy just hanging out in the ladies room of Verizon Theatre last night, peaking over the stall, David Attenborough-style, taking notes and observing the various plumage. It’s this neon cult following that’s made Nicki Minaj such a…

Why Every Album You Love Should Be Ripped Apart By a 19-Year-Old

Recently, over at NPR, a 19-year-old intern was tasked with reviewing Public Enemy’s It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back, an album he had ostensibly never heard or had little knowledge of. He reviewed it, didn’t really like it, and was subsequently annihilated in the comments section…

Gorilla Vs. Bear Fest II Takes a Minimalist Approach

Over the past eight years, Gorilla vs. Bear has done something not many music blogs are afforded the luxury of: It’s transcended its local roots and become a national tastemaker, often championing acts that will go on to ascend to buzz heaven (or hell, depending on whom you ask). In…

The Psychic Paramount at LaGrange

Of all the shows I can barely remember seeing, the Psychic Paramount at Emo’s roughly five years ago somehow stands out. It wasn’t some barn-burner of a show, just a random night where the band was so unbelievably on, it made you clutch your beer a little tighter and wonder…

Nicki Minaj at Verizon Theatre

It’s all right to be a lady and feel conflicted about Nicki Minaj. The eternal dance between the business of sexuality, product placement and independent thought has driven her career, and perhaps driven her to take even bigger chances, as this year’s uneven Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded illuminates. 2010’s Pink…

Girls Rock Dallas Showcase at Dada

The inaugural session of Girls Rock Dallas has been rolling along all week, and Saturday at Dada, you’ll get to see all their hard work. While in camp, the girls form bands, learn instruments and write a song, and I can tell you from attending several of the Girls Rock…

Girls Rock Dallas’ Rachel Michaud Digs the Spazzys

See also: Lauren O’Connor opens the history books for Girls Rock Dallas See also: Shiny Around the Edges on Death Grips, Patti Smith We’ve started poking around in locals’ iTunes, iPods, Spotify playlists, CD players, cassette decks, turntables and brains with one question in mind: What are you listening to?…

Tony Ferraro On the Soul of David Ruffin

See also: Shiny Around the Edges on Death Grips, Patti Smith See also: Oil Boom on Donnie and Joe Emerson We’ve started poking around in locals’ iTunes, iPods, Spotify playlists, CD players, cassette decks, turntables and brains with one question in mind: What are you listening to? We don’t even…

Shiny Around the Edges on Death Grips and Patti Smith

See also: Oil Boom on the magic of Donnie and Joe Emerson See also: Vinyl Fantasy’s Nathan Johnson on Sunn O))) We’ve started poking around in locals’ iTunes, iPods, Spotify playlists, CD players, cassette decks, turntables and brains with one question in mind: What are you listening to? We don’t…