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Erika Rasmussen on June 20, 2019
In 1965, William “Poogie” Hart, singer and songwriter for Philadelphia R&B and soul group The Delfonics, turned a barbershop connection into a record deal. Hart, along with his brother Wilbert and Randy Cain, would go on to score hits like “La-La (Means I Love You)”—which was inspired by Poogie’s baby boy, who…
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Conor Agnew on June 20, 2019
International Make Music Day is a massive, free, grassroots event celebrated simultaneously in more than 750 cities worldwide. The goal is for people to open their ears to the musical stylings of their neighbors or share their own tunes, fostering a stronger sense of community and a greater appreciation for musicianship. San…
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Nick Veronin on June 20, 2019
One of the first artists to join Claude Von-Stroke’s iconic San Francisco electronic music label Dirtybird Records, Christian Martin is known for his danceable yet off-kilter take on house music. The co-founder of the Dirtybird BBQ now has a label of his own, Trippy Ass Technologies. In addition to funneling a variety…
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Wallace Baine on June 20, 2019
We’re a ways down the road from 1995, the year Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill went supernova on the charts. The record ultimately went platinum 16 times over. Now, on the eve of her 45th birthday, the Canadian-born singer and songwriter will perform an acoustic show while—in true woman warrior style—expecting the…
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Erika Rasmussen on June 20, 2019
This Kalamazoo-bred country singer started his career writing songs for artists such as Lady Antebellum, Tim McGraw and Blake Shelton. Then Hurd struck out on his own, releasing his self-titled EP in 2017. A romantic, he dropped “Diamonds or Twine” as an acoustic wedding gift to his wife—powerhouse country singer-songwriter Maren Morris—the…
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Bill Kopp on June 12, 2019
Matchbox Twenty formed in Orlando in 1995; by the following year the rock band had landed a contract with Atlantic. The group’s debut album was a worldwide blockbuster, certified 12-times platinum in the US. Four tracks off Yourself or Someone Like You were released as singles; all made the Top 10. Subsequent…
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Founder Mick Jones is the only remaining original member of this band, which after more than 40 years still holds a significant place in the hearts of hard rock and power pop fans. Known for the likes of “Double Vision,” “Urgent” and “Hot Blooded,” Foreigner’s songs still get referenced in pop culture,…
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Nick Veronin on June 12, 2019
In the Bay Area punk rock pantheon, few bands loom as large as Rancid. Fewer still have legit South Bay cred. Though Rancid was born in Berkeley—an offshoot of Operation Ivy and incubated at the legendary Gilman—they found a kindred spirit and second guitarist in Campbell native Lars Frederiksen, who joined the…
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Nick Veronin on June 12, 2019
With an ear for American primitive songcraft, a vocal delivery reminiscent of Tom Waits and a childhood split between Detroit and Alabama, Tim Higgins is the kind of artist music journalists are drawn to. Phrases like “Southern Gothic poetry,” “dark cabaret” and “Rust Belt” burn brightly from within his press kit—springing from…
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Erika Rasmussen on June 12, 2019
On Jun. 19, 1865, federal troops rolled into Galveston, Texas, to enforce emancipation. Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. Presented by the African American Community Service Agency, the 38th annual festival features family friendly activities, performances, art and information on community services. Local rap, hip-hop, R&B, gospel and…
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