Phoenix Blog

By Steve Jansen

I’m pretty sure that I don’t know a more interesting cat than James Roemer, the Tempe-based sound artist behind Glochids (pronounced "Glow-kids").

Last year, Roemer worked and lived in the wilds of Nevada. Now, at the moment, he is stationed in Antarctica, where he will be working as a carpenter for six months. (Gotta check out his GLO Blog. There are some amazing photos of the South Pole.)

Glochids’ music reflects Roemer’s non-traditional lifestyle. A just-released album on Distant-Colony Records showcases all sorts of ambient interesting-ness, such as field recordings of “bats pitched down to birds” and solo vocal performances used in the Mr. Fishsticks Shadow Puppet Theatre.

Here’s a short track from the disc called "GGGTTTRRR."

And one of the backing tracks used in Mr. Fishsticks, which was constructed with Roemer’s voice only.

By Yvonne Zusel

Eastern European-gypsy-punk band Gogol Bordello might think they have the market cornered on the gypsy-punk genre. But mustachioed frontman Eugene Hutz & Co. had better think again. New York-based Mad Juana have taken Bordello's formula and put their own twist on it, led by sultry blues-voiced lead singer Karmen Guy and her husband, ex-Hanoi Rocks and current New York Dolls bassist Sami Yaffa. The band draws on jazz and flamenco influences to create their unique sound, which seems like it would lend itself to kick-ass live shows.

The Valley will get the opportunity to find out for itself when Mad Juana makes a stop at the Rogue in Scottsdale on Sept. 6, touring behind their recently released album "Bruja on the Corner."

Because we at Up on the Sun are a bunch of nice guys (we swear) here are not one but two tracks from Mad Juana: "Valhalla" and "Domingo."

By Steve Jansen

Cover art for What I Did On My Summer Vacation

Have you ever wished you had recorded that epic drunken conversation from the night before? Well, that's just one goal of local label onewordlong's What I Did On My Summer Vacation.

Listening to this album, which was only available by download until recently, is like losing yourself in one of those cerebral radio shows on NPR, UbuWeb, or Transom. The focus of What I Did On My Summer Vacation is to document "found sound" through interviews and recorded oddities. The record pulls it off beautifully with audio musings from local personalities such as Jacki O, Pete Petrisko, Archbishop Jason Polland, and Jacob Smigel as well as a haunting track by Lost Media Archive founder B.C. Sterrett.

JRC, who also co-runs the Trunk Space and fronts the Pillowfort performance art project, is the brainchild behind onewordlong, a Best Of Phoenix winner in 2007 whose first release was Hi My Name Is Ryan - Live From The MTC (Remixed).

To listen to a track from What I Did On My Summer Vacation featuring local drunk Kevin Patterson talking his usual nonsense at Grand Avenue's Bikini Lounge, click on the button below. And be sure to pick up a copy of the physical CD featuring the artwork of Camilla Taylor, who sewed a CD jacket using vintage-looking red and white fabric.

By Jonathan McNamara

If you thought Phoenix rockers Juicy Newt gleaned their name from Juicy Newton, you'd be wrong. The name has nothing to do with the Grammy award-winning singer and guitar player. This band name has "a long and not very lady like story" says Juicy Newt drummer Sarah Bingham.

"Suffice it to say Juicy Newt is a nickname for an acquaintance who was very friendly with the boys. She would love you dirty and long but couldn't verbalize any of it. "Newt" is how she referred to her not so private area," she said.

You can hear Juicy Newt's track "To Be So Young" right here on Up on the Sun.

To hear Juicy Newt live, check out their Hollywood Alley show (and CD release party tomorrow night or catch them at The Ruby Room on August 23.

By Steve Jansen

The above flier does indeed say that Foot Ox's new album, It's Like Our Little Machine, isn't out for a few more weeks. But, lucky me, I have it, heard it, and even reviewed it.

In-person, Foot Ox is Teague Cullen's solo singer-songwriter project. On this album, it's Cullen's singer-songwriter and friends project, some who have also released (or will soon be releasing) albums on the Tempe-based Distant Colony label.

By Jonathan McNamara

Last week Music Editor Niki D'Andrea tossed her opinion built on years of musical immersion into the ring of Phoenix-based Slut Sister's newest album Raw Meat. She stated that the album "sounds epic and violent, but it’s the lurching, creepy, stalk-you kind of malevolence, rather than the battering-ram-to-the-eardrums approach."

Consider the torch passed to you, dear reader.

Take in Slut Sister's "Dank Lord" and decide for yourself if these macabre musicians are epically over the top or just skulking around in the shadows.

By Steve Jansen

Art by Rachelle Arbellar

I remember being 21 years old. Staying up really late. Sleeping. Swimming.

That's all I can remember.

Miss Franberry is 21 right now, and though I'm unaware of her daily schedule, I do know that she goes to a ton of shows, plays a bunch of shows, and writes about shows.

By Jonathan McNamara

Did you miss Cute is What We Aim For's performance at Clubhouse music this weekend? Don't fret. Here's your chance to listen to their song "Practice Makes Perfect."

For more information, see Cute Is What We Aim For's official Web site.

By Jonathan McNamara

Last time we saw the Minibosses press start on their own brand of 8-bit Nintendo music, it was under the influence of several spirits at Yucca Tap Room's Shotfest 2. It was good, but unmistakably degraded by a waterfall of alcoholic substances.

Looking for a chance to see the Minibosses at their best (arguably)? See them play with Straylight, Rising Pain, Skinwalkers, Birds Eye View and The Piracy Project this Friday at The Ruby Room. Friday's performance will feature new bassist Robin Vining says Miniboss Aaron Burke. "Our former bassist Ben Baraldi has moved over to guitar duties."

Before you go, check out "Blaster Master / Contra" from the Minibosses album Brass right here on Up on the Sun.

By Jonathan McNamara

What? You think just because Harry Potter is a wizard he doesn't know how to rock? You know what rocks? Petrification...by a basilisk. Have you ever stared into the magic eyes of a massive, serpentine demon and whispered "oh shit" in parsletongue before feeling your very fibers turned to granite?

I didn't think so.

Harry Potter (year 4) and Harry Potter (year 7) have joined forces to present the world with musical stylings inspired by J.K. Rowling's series of magical school adventure stories. Song titles include "Save Ginny Weasley," "Voldemort Can't Stop the Rock" and "Phoenix Tears" which is available for your curious ears right here:

If Harry and the Potters are your kind of Hippogriff, you'll be please to hear that they will be playing with Math the Band and Uncle Monsterface when the Unlimited Enthusiasm tour hits Modified Arts this weekend. For more information, read "Camp Rock" by Jay Bennett.

For more information, see the Harry and the Potters official Web site.

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