There’s a Southwestern slant on the porch-picking sounds of Arizona Burrito, the 2019 album from Jim Bachmann. Mixing up blues and country with a bit of roots rock to keep things lively, Jim Bachmann creates a salt-of-the-earth sound for his plain-dealing lyrical sensibility. Arizona Burrito harbors anthems for the downtrodden, love songs for the heartbroken, and adds that little extra muscle you need when you’re trying to keep that boot of the modern world from crushing the life right out of you…
Continue reading...
Best Punk Album 2019: ‘Bored Again’ by US Depressed
The trio known as US Depressed dropped their debut, Enjoy Your Poodle, in 2016 and followed it up this past May with the often-dreaded sophomore release. But, for these Valley post-punk-rockers, the sophomore slump was just a thing for other bands… lesser bands. Bored Again pairs misery and misanthropy with a fun and feisty sound that you’ll want to listen to from start to finish. And then all over again…
Continue reading...
Best Indie Pop Album: ‘Bashful’ by Danielle Durack
Phoenix singer-songwriter Danielle Durack released her collection of stellar and soft-spoken songs last January. Bashful gently undulates as the listener moves through it. The songs are calm and pensive; bleak at certain moments and powerfully uplifting at others…
Continue reading...
Best New Band: Stripes
Four teens from Tucson make up the super cool band known simply as Stripes who came out swinging this year with their 9-track debut LP, 520. The album was recorded at Midtown Island Studios with Matt Rendon which only adds to the coolness factor. Forming out of the ashes of The Frecks, Stripes dropped 520 in May, but they released a brand new single (and music video) just before the end of 2019. Hopefully this means they have a lot more in the works for this year…
Continue reading...
Best Live Performer 2019: Dadadoh
Whenever DaDadoh takes the stage, he captivates audiences with style and swagger. Whether performing with Spicy Mayo or his mainstay, DaDadoh + the P.O.C., Bryan Preston (aka DaDadoh, etc.) knows how to work a room, even from above floor level, and never fails to bring the energy. DaDadoh is a boon to any band that can ensnare his skills on or offstage. In addition to his charismatic onstage presence, DaDadoh is a talented songwriter, musician, rapper, vocalist, music producer, comedian, hype man, A&R Rep for TVLiFE Entertainment, and all around nice guy…
Continue reading...
Best Band Keeping It Pushing: Meat Puppets
The Meat Puppets formed in Phoenix back in 1980 and, with the exception of two short breaks, they have been playing music together under the moniker for four decades. Despite this long trodden path, the Meat Puppets haven’t lost their ability to crank out fresh tunes for fans, both new and old, rather than relying on old standbys to keep the crowds coming…
Continue reading...
Best Album We Totally Ignored: ‘Twos’ by PRO TEENS
… and that sucks because it means albums like Twos by PRO TEENS might slide right past us after they’re released. We can see the inherent problems with this system because Twos is pretty fucking rad for everyone who likes their surf sludge with a little bit of pop and an extra layer of sullen. And the album came out in August. And we didn’t pick up the review because, once again, it slid right past us…
Continue reading...
Spirit Award 2019: Dani Cutler
Dani Cutler holds the unofficial title of “Scene Mom” within the local music scene, but we thought it was time we made it official. Then we thought, “Can we do that?” I mean, as bloggers, we kind of assign our own authority, right? But, as luck would have it, bloggers and radio show hosts have more than a few things in common and one of those things is a shameless appreciation for our own opinions. So we’d like to take a moment to acknowledge Dani Cutler and her unwavering commitment to supporting the local music scene and the artists who give us a scene to support…
Continue reading...
Radio Phoenix Broadcast of The YabYum Hour: 2019 Favorites
YabYum Senior Editors Mark and Carly stopped by the Radio Phoenix Studios for this end of the year edition of The YabYum Hour. Hosts Anna, Bonnie, and Garrett each pick some favorite tracks while we also debut a new JJCnV song and commemorate David Berman…
Continue reading...
Radio Phoenix Broadcast of It’s Not Our Fault: Santa Claus
On this edition of It’s Not Our Fault, the team welcomes a very special guest to the Radio Phoenix studios: Santa! Yep, that jolly dude has been real busy but he’s taking a break so that Tom and Amy can get inside his head, pick his brain, and find out what this Claus guy is all about. Is he really as jolly as you think? Hear the Xmas music Santa loves, along with holiday tunes that he hates. Make sure to tune in and check out the complete playlist below…
Continue reading...
Radio Phoenix Broadcast of The YabYum Hour: Mattx Presents
On this edition of The YabYum Hour, the crew welcomes Mattx to the Radio Phoenix studios! Focusing on Artist Management and Online Presence Development, on this show he talks about the work he’s doing with up and coming artists as well as sharing a playlist of past and present clients including a special, world-premiere selection from Bear Ghost…
Continue reading...
Radio Phoenix Broadcast of It’s Not Our Fault: Cynthia Black
On this edition of It’s Not Our Fault, Tom and Amy welcome Cynthia Black! She talks about her fascinating music career that started in Cleveland in the 70s and shares some of her influences and insights from a few powerful years in Cleveland’s musical past through today…
Continue reading...