You may have seen or heard Ashton Vaughn Charles, AKA The Dapper Rapper, perform with his band, The Color 8. At least I can recall First Fridays of yore when the band would play right on Roosevelt Row in all their splendid glory. Now, Charles has released Arizona’s largest hip hop project to date, “SKU”…
Continue reading...Mark Anderson
Saxophone Story: Austin Rickert
My favorite new record of the season is Oracle by Vampiros Del Espacio…
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Trombone Tale: Steven DeRosia of BowCat
Over the years of covering ska music in the Valley, one name always comes up when I ask about fav bands: BowCat. And you know what, I won’t argue…
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An Insider’s Introduction: Blaze Rock
I first got tuned in to Blaze Rock, aka Marlos Hill, with the late-2016 release of his single, “Defy Gravity”. The next year would see enough new output from him to make me feel like a lifelong fan. After revealing a treasure trove of albums, Blaze Rock took a step back for a few years to focus back on the creation side before he was ready to release a whole new slew of records…
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Saxophone Story: Michael Moynihan of bench sailor
A year after releasing Purple Spectre, Michael Moynihan is back with his new solo project, bench sailor…
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An Insider’s Introduction: Aaron Acero of AZ Local Show
For a little over a year, Aaron Acero has been producing the AZ Local Show, an interview/performance/sketch show featuring both PHX bands and fans…
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Saxophone Story: Aaron Goodman
I first saw Aaron Goodman play the sax with Liam and the Ladies at their very first show in 2009. I was instantly hooked to his style and ability to solo so well over their quirky ska rhythm. These days, Goodman is part of the riff/jam/rock/ska quintet Mr. Incommunicado, who recently released their latest album, ‘Just Say Yes’…
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For the Record: ‘Eye Eye Eye’ by Field Tripp
by Mark Anderson
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After six long years, Phoenix band Field Tripp have released a new EP, Eye Eye Eye…
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Laugh Your (B)ass Off
I’m no expert, but I think we could all use a laugh every once and again. After all, there are indeed many reasons as to why it’s been dubbed “the best medicine”. So, after much thought on the subject, I realized there’s at least one segment of the population we can all agree is funny and deserves indignation: bass players…
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For the Record: ‘Volume 1’ by Kris Wilson
by Mark Anderson
From the very start, Kris Wilson’s new EP Volume 1 simply grabbed me…
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For the Record: ‘MindStatE’ by Strange Lot
Having covered and enjoyed Strange Lot since their very beginning, it’s no understatement when I say their new album MindStatE is their best release yet. Dominic Mena (vocals/guitars/keys/drums) and Tim Lormor (drums/guitar) have left the dusty desert of Phoenix for the rolling hills of Austin and have come out swinging with this new release…
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For the Record: ‘Strange Vibrations’ by Parlor Birds
The much-anticipated debut album, Strange Vibrations, from the Phoenix duo known as Parlor Birds takes listeners on a ride through turns and loops of rocknroll’s history; intermeshed, interwoven, and reinterpreted. Featuring Mike Chapman on “noise, dirt, words” and Chris Kuhar on “thump, rattle, rat-a-tat,” the one constant on the new release is the dusty swagger the band brings to these 11 tracks…
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