AltWeeklies Wire
Deafheaven: Vulnerable and Violentnew

Whether they're playing black metal, shoegaze or some collision of the two, Deafheaven are among the most acclaimed acts in music right now
Tucson Weekly |
Gene Armstrong |
03-27-2014 |
Profiles & Interviews
J.D. Wilkes & the Dirt Daubers: Wild Moonnew

What began as an old-timey unplugged side project for psychobilly trailblazer J.D. Wilkes and his pinup-gorgeous wife, Jessica, has evolved on their third album into a swaggeringly electric band that specializes in swamp blues and twangy garage-abilly. Fans of Wilkes' Legendary Shack Shakers will appreciate the after-midnight roadhouse energy of the Dirt Daubers, but this group also crafts concise songs with oodles of melodic hooks that all might have been hit singles in an alternate jukebox universe...
Tucson Weekly |
Gene Armstrong |
01-16-2014 |
Reviews
Howe Gelb: The Coincidentalistnew

On his latest album of avant-twang and alternative folk-rock, the Giant Sand leader and Tucson music-scene godfather sings in an almost spoken drawl, by turns gruff and sweet, that may be familiar to longtime fans. But here it's mixed up close, like an intimate, whispered confidence, as if Gelb were spinning old stories in the privacy of your living room...
Tucson Weekly |
Gene Armstrong |
11-07-2013 |
Reviews
The Family Businessnew

Music has always been part ofthe life of Irish singer Mary Black.
Tucson Weekly |
Gene Armstrong |
11-15-2012 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Mary Black
Mysterious Mummiesnew

A group of enigmatic, somewhat horny ancient ones is descending on the Rialto.
Tucson Weekly |
Gene Armstrong |
10-04-2012 |
Profiles & Interviews
A Hobby Heightenednew

After gaining acclaim thanks to MySpace, Washed Out expands into a full-fledged band.
Tucson Weekly |
Gene Armstrong |
10-01-2012 |
Profiles & Interviews
Buke and Gase: Function Fallsnew

This indie-rock duo from Brooklyn recently changed their name ever so slightly (from the original Buke and Gass) because casual listeners and fans alike were mispronouncing it. The name refers to their unique, customized instruments: Arone Dyer's "buke," a six-string baritone ukulele; and Aron Sanchez's "gass," a guitar-bass hybrid.
Tucson Weekly |
Gene Armstrong |
10-01-2012 |
Reviews
The Mission Creeps: Halloweennew

All Hallows' Eve lasts all year for Tucson horror-rock band the Mission Creeps. This excellent thematic album employs surf-rock, blues stomps, high-Gothic drama, sci-fi soundtrack music and rockabilly twang to help you get your spook on.
Tucson Weekly |
Gene Armstrong |
10-01-2012 |
Reviews
Darlings of Denvernew

The Lumineers embark on their first headlining tour, with a hit record to their credit.
Tucson Weekly |
Gene Armstrong |
09-20-2012 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: folk-rock, The Lumineers
Bobby Womack: The Bravest Man in the Universenew

For his latest comeback—and first album of new material in 18 years—this R&B titan of the 1960s and '70s went to England.
Tucson Weekly |
Gene Armstrong |
08-16-2012 |
Reviews
OCD Rhymesnew

Aesop Rock continues to bring originality to the hip-hop world.
Tucson Weekly |
Gene Armstrong |
08-10-2012 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: aesop rock
Blind Divine: The One Hundred Box Setnew

Many musicians release boxed sets, but those are usually career retrospectives or best-of collections. Meanwhile, Tucson's Blind Divine recently issued a set of five CDs of all previously unreleased material...
Tucson Weekly |
Gene Armstrong |
06-25-2012 |
Reviews
Welcome, Wussynew

See the group that Robert Christgau calls the best band in America.
Tucson Weekly |
Gene Armstrong |
06-23-2012 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Wussy
That Outlaw Spiritnew

J.P. Harris stays handy while developing his own brand of traditional country music.
Tucson Weekly |
Gene Armstrong |
06-18-2012 |
Profiles & Interviews
Last Call Brawlers: The Pressures of Living, The Darkness of Dyingnew

The Brawlers have been around since 1999, and their latest album shows the band's meld of rockabilly, punk and surf music at its most seamless. The local quartet keeps things simple and direct, always opting for heart and guts rather than elaboration...
Tucson Weekly |
Gene Armstrong |
05-08-2012 |
Reviews
Tags: last call brawlers