Tag: Music

Album review: Chris Stapleton – Starting Over
Arts & Entertainment, Opinion

Album review: Chris Stapleton – Starting Over

By Dalton Grijalva 2020 has been a year of trials and tribulations, but throughout the terrible year there’s been small glimpses of greatness. Enter the beautiful baritone voice of Chris Stapleton. "Starting Over" is the fourth studio album released by Stapleton, the multi award winning face of country music. The cover art may be simple with only a white cover and Chris’s name and title on the corner, but the complexities and storytelling in the album is some of his finest since his debut album, "Traveler". The starting track is fittingly titled "Starting Over," a very wholesome song about going somewhere with the person you love finding a new destination together. It’s a great song for beginning a road trip. Chris’s baritone voice is at its best when he uses a raspy tone on blues songs...
Gem and Jam Festival returns to Tucson, welcoming Tucson-born artist Thriftworks
Arts & Entertainment

Gem and Jam Festival returns to Tucson, welcoming Tucson-born artist Thriftworks

Thriftworks performs on stage at Gem and Jam 2018. Photo courtesy Peter Speyer.  By ELLIANA KOPUT After their 2019 hiatus, Gem and Jam Festival returns to the Pima County Fairgrounds Jan. 31-Feb. 2, 2020. Encapsulating a collective experience of music, visual arts, gemstones, camping and workshops, this festival is a grassroots staple in the Southwest.  The festival takes place in conjunction with the Tucson Gem and Mineral show. The Gem Show itself has several events taking place across town between Jan. 20 and Feb. 21.  “Over 55,000 people are expected to gather and visit Tucson, AZ from around the world during the 3 week Gem and Mineral Show,” reads the Gem and Jam website. “Which has motivated the organizers of the Gem and Jam Festival to provide a unique atmosphere- celebrating the...
Gem and Jam Festival Returns to Pima Fairgrounds Jan. 2020
Arts & Entertainment, Stomping Grounds

Gem and Jam Festival Returns to Pima Fairgrounds Jan. 2020

  By ELLIANA KOPUT  After their 2019 hiatus, Gem and Jam Festival returns to the Pima County Fairgrounds Jan. 31-Feb. 2, 2020. Encapsulating a collective experience of music, visual arts, gemstones, camping and workshops, this festival is a grassroots staple in the Southwest.  The festival takes place during the Tucson Gem and Mineral show, which has several events taking place around town between Jan. 20 and Feb. 21.  Gem and Jam harbors a lineup of local, national and international talent, consisting primarily of jam bands and electronic artists.  Tucson’s own, Soulular juxtaposes an indescribable array of wholesome downtempo beats, vortexual grooves, drum and bass and spacey dubs. Having played at festivals like Oregon Eclipse, Shambhala and June Jam, it’s a pleasure to welcom...
‘Born to Rap’: The Game’s last album
Arts & Entertainment

‘Born to Rap’: The Game’s last album

By COREY MCMULLEN We were first introduced to Jayceon Taylor, better known by his stage name “The Game,” in 2004.  Brought to us as a member from hip-hop group G-Unit, The Game dropped his debut solo album in 2005 with “The Documentary.” For the past 15 years, he’s given us hits such as “Hate It or Love It,” “Old English” and “My Life.” The Game has been consistent for the last 15 years, and for him to say “Born to Rap” is his final album feels like we’re losing one of the last artists from the non-mumble rap eras. He’s truly one of hip hop’s all-time greats,  leaving a lasting impression on the industry. It’s hurting me that “Born to Rap” is the swan song of The Game’s amazing career. Whether you’re a fan or not, it’s undeniable that he has been one of hip-hop’s greats throughout the 2...
Immerse yourself with art and music at Dusk Music Festival
Arts & Entertainment, Stomping Grounds

Immerse yourself with art and music at Dusk Music Festival

  By ELLIANA KOPUT Dusk Music Festival will return Nov. 10 and 11 to Tucson at Armory Park.  The gates will open at 2 p.m. both days, and the event will end at 11 p.m. Saturday and 10 p.m. Sunday. The eclectic music lineup is primarily a combination of electronic, indie and pop music.  General admission two-day passes can be purchased for $109 plus fees. Single-day passes are $59 plus fees. For information on VIP passes, or to make a purchase, go to https://wl.seetickets.us/RelentlessBeats/Dusk2019  To avoid online service fees, all Bookman’s locations are selling hard copy tickets as well.  Here’s a look at the following acts that will perform at the two-day festival. SATURDAY DJ and producer Kaskade is one of the biggest names in EDM. His music encompasses a wide array of house,...
5 great albums you probably missed from 2018
Arts & Entertainment, Opinion

5 great albums you probably missed from 2018

By KYLE KERSEY Car Seat Headrest – “Twin Fantasy” Will Toledo’s reimagined masterwork on romantic teenage angst is stunning in its sheer scope. To think that Toledo crafted this hour-long indie-rock behemoth at only 19 is absurd, let alone that he had this vision all along – simply without the tools to make it a reality. Seven years after its original run, Toledo, now 25, has finally done it properly. At times overwhelmingly dense – as is the case of 10-minute-long tracks like “Beach Life-In-Death” and “High to Death” – and at times short and sweet – as is the case of “Stop Smoking (We Love You)” – Twin Fantasy is exciting and then it’s funny and then it’s breathtaking and then it’s heartbreaking – sometimes all at the same time – and then it’s over. Just like a failed relationship. A...
Groups perform in concert at Pima West
Arts & Entertainment

Groups perform in concert at Pima West

By ERIK MEDINA The Chorale and College Singers will perform its first concert of the Fall semester at 3 p.m. Oct. 21.  The concert will be presented by Pima Community College Music and will be under the direction of Jonathan Ng and accompanied by Shuo Pan.  The program will feature the Chorale singing “Stars Tonight” by Judith Herrington; “Flying Free” by Don Besig; and “Medley from Les Misérables” arranged by Ed Lojeski.  After that, the a cappella choir College Singers will perform “Ubi caritas” by Ola Gjeilo; the motet “Ave Maria” by Josquin des Prez; and selections from “Zigeunerlieder” (Gypsy Songs) Op. 103 No. 6-9 by Johannes Brahms. The Chorale and the College Singers will come together for the final part of the concert to perform the English part song “The Blue Bird” by Charl...