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Songbird Award 2019: L. Hotshot

January 9, 2020 2019 Awards Featured Articles

In the past, the Songbird Award has been given to singers whose dulcet voices climb to ethereal heights. You know, like a bird. Then again, what if that bird was not quite a canary on a branch chirping away, but more like a predator hawk soaring toward its prey? Nothing embodies the destructive power of a bird of prey quite like L. Hotshot from Scorpion vs. Tarantula…

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Best Americana Album 2019: ‘Arizona Burrito’ by Jim Bachmann

January 8, 2020 2019 Awards Featured Articles

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…

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Best Punk Album 2019: ‘Bored Again’ by US Depressed

January 7, 2020 2019 Awards Featured Articles Punk

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…

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stripes

Best New Band: Stripes

January 5, 2020 2019 Awards Featured Articles

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…

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Best Live Performer 2019: Dadadoh

January 4, 2020 2019 Awards Featured Articles

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…

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best band keeping it pushing

Best Band Keeping It Pushing: Meat Puppets

January 3, 2020 2019 Awards Featured Articles

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…

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Best Album We Totally Ignored: ‘Twos’ by PRO TEENS

January 2, 2020 2019 Awards Featured Articles

… 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…

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