Traveling back in time with The Mixtape Tour 2022 in San Diego

Entering Viejas Arena on May 26th was like going back in time. Fans lined the amphitheater, dressed in their best 80s attire, exhilarated and antsy to get inside and start witnessing what the new Mixtape Tour would bring! For those who don’t know, this is the second national Mixtape Tour, with the first before the […]

Tech N9ne turns up St. Louis, Missouri

Tech N9ne recently travelled across Missouri from his hometown of Kansas City to perform for a packed crowd at The Pageant in St. Louis. Tech has played this venue at least 10 times over the years and it was clear he felt right at home. This night, the full room of rap fans were in […]

In memoriam of Andy J. Chaves, beloved artist gone too soon

Andy J. Chaves, the dynamic and ever-unique founding member of Tempe, AZ-based indie/alternative band Katastro, has died at 32. Known for his hard-hitting verses, overflowing charisma and spectacular style (in both fashion and overall swagger), the untraditional vocalist always marched to the beat of his own drum. The very drum that fellow band member and […]

Austin City Limits lineup announced for Fall 2022

Yeehaw, it’s OFFICIAL! The 2022 Austin City Limits Festival (ACL) lineup is here and it’s impressive. Like past years, the headliners are an eclectic mix and wide-ranging, from new-to-the scene artists to billboard chart-toppers to veteran bands that have been rocking festival circuits for years. Given the prowess and clout of ACL and its history, […]

Lil Durk & OTF crew leaves St. Louis lit

Hip hop fans in St. Louis gathered in the open air as Hollywood Casino Amphitheater opened its 2022 season with Chicago’s newest rap superstar, Lil Durk, and the rest of his OTF (Only The Family) crew. The energy in the venue was high before the show even started. As the crowd began to fill in […]

Tech N9ne takes over Santa Cruz’s Catalyst Club

On Tuesday April 19th, I made my way to The Catalyst Club in Santa Cruz for Tech N9ne’s ASIN9NE Tour with special guests ¡Mayday!, Joey Cool and X-Raided. This was my first show back under The Catalyst Club’s roof after two years due to the pandemic — obviously it was a very special show for me. […]

Two full weeks of SXSW 2022

SXSW is known for many things… whether it’s throngs of happy music lovers, rediscovering their love of seeking the best new bands, or the pack of tech guys in networking nirvana. Or, the film geeks and geek-ettes, gawking in gritty discourse over the merits (or lack thereof) of their latest screening. For me, though, SX […]

Eclectic Soundtrax Podcast, Ep. 69: Nathan Ruyle

Welcome to an all-new episode of Eclectic Soundtrax Podcast! Hosts Victor Ramos and Skunk Manhattan are joined by Nathan Ruyle from his new post sound facility in Burbank, CA. Ruyle works as a sound designer, supervising sound editor, re-recording mixer and founder of the independent post-production sound company, This is Sound Design. In a career […]

Reggae Rise Up Florida 2022: Day Three

Last, but definitely not least, it was Day Three of Reggae Rise Up Florida 2022. Early arrivers were rewarded with the energy and great tunes of Tribe of I, Surfer Girl and Hawaii-native Anuhea. Tunnel Vision — the reggae-ska-punk group from southern California — helped keep the vibe going, performing three sets throughout the day: […]

SXSW 2022: Best Bands

SXSW made its cautious, yet triumphant return earlier in March after its abrupt cancellation in 2020 due to the COVID pandemic. The city of Austin took a safe approach to this year’s festival by opening many onsite testing facilities, as well as administering a digital pass for all vaccinated festival-goers. Even with safeguards in place, the […]

Reggae Rise Up Florida 2022: Day Two

The good times kept on rolling at Reggae Rise Up Florida with Day Two! People piled in once gates opened, readying themselves for another momentous day of music. Honey Hounds from Jacksonville started the day off right, with their bluesy style resonating from the Vibes Stage. Kyle Smith then flipped the script withe his punk […]