Eclectic Soundtrax Podcast, Ep. 70: Zarate Zaaló

On this episode of Eclectic Soundtrax, hosts Skunk Manhattan and Victor Ramos chat with Karate Zaaló (aka, Squiggly Finesse) — keyboardist, vocalist and mastermind of the Bourgeois Mystics. This fantastically eclectic group of intergalactic eccentrics currently reside at their 38-acre Austin-based commune (definitely, not a cult) and make outer-worldly music to inspire (or conquer?) us mere […]

Car Seat Headrest sells out House of Blues, San Diego

Some shows take you by surprise, no matter how prepared you are for them. I’ve been a fan of Car Seat Headrest for years now… having seen them only once, opening up for Death Cab at the Hollywood Bowl. I went to that show specifically for CSH back in the summer of 2019 and remember […]

Kishi Bashi concludes tour at Basement East Nashville

Kishi Bashi is not what you would consider a ‘household’ name in the music industry. He isn’t sharing stages with the likes of Billie Eilish, but he has created his own rabid fanbase during his many years performing. Once a member of the band Of Montreal, Kishi Bashi now has the distinct honor of having […]

Hippo Campus quakes San Diego’s North Park Observatory

Hippo Campus lit up the night in San Diego at the Observatory North Park on April 10th, 2022. The line to get in was wrapped around the building for the sold-out show; you could feel the pre-show excitement in the air. Chatters of wishes to hear old favorites and claims of the band’s fame were […]

Pinegrove impresses San Diego’s Observatory North Park

Pinegrove brought their headlining tour to The Observatory, North Park in San Diego recently on April 5th to promote their latest album release, 11:11 (Rough Trade). Alongside the band were the super vibey dudes of Peaer and a completely down-to-earth guy known as ‘Drench Fries’ (a solo project of Levi Natrass). It was a night […]

Ohana Fest brings female-forward lineup for 2022

Eddie Vedder’s Ohana Fest is back and 2022 is bringing the best lineup yet! This fantastic three-day festival returns to its home along the sunny southern California coast at Doheney State Beach in Dana Point, CA September 30th through October 2nd. With the none other than the Fleetwood Mac queen herself, Stevie Nicks, headlining Day […]

An interview with Anton Newcombe of Brian Jonestown Massacre

After nearly three decades of music, psychedelic rock gods The Brian Jonestown Massacre are still going strong! Longtime veterans in the music scene, they have managed to keep their style fresh and ever evolving. Their 19th studio album, Fire Doesn’t Grow on Trees, is set for release June 24th and they are hitting the road […]

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 […]

Anastasia Elliot emotes pure love in “London” single

Enigmatic artist Anastasia Elliot returns with the third offering off her forthcoming LP, A Petite Mort — a concept album on life, love, loss and rebirth. Known for her colorfully curated style and appearance, Elliot pairs music with visual artistry, creating immersive experiences for her listeners both on and off the stage. Now, with the […]

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 […]

Joywave thrills Nashville’s Mercy Lounge

It seems to be a recurring theme that whenever I attend a concert these days in Nashville, the weather seems to be inclement. The last couple of shows I have attended have all come with either a snowstorm or some type of heavy rain. This Wednesday was no exception, as a tornado warning was called […]

alt-J & Portugal. The Man transfix San Diego

The Pechanga Arena in San Diego was lined up at all entrances on Friday, March 25th for a mashup made in heaven starring two of the biggest names in alternative rock — alt-J and Portugal. The Man. Both bands have made their stake on the radio, on festival bills and, now, on a co-headlining arena […]

My Forte Artist Spotlight: Mobley

How does one describe a phenom consistently setting the bar ever higher in creativity, sound and musicianship? Singer-songwriter, ‘Curator of the Creative’, pitch-perfect (figuratively and literally), multi-instrumentalist, genre-defying performance perfection? Those are but a few of the many impressions Mobley leaves on anyone lucky enough to cross his path. One of Austin’s best and brightest, […]