Here in the Northwest Arkansas Times‘ features department, we love writing about music.

But sometimes, a little audio would go a long way to describing what it is we experience while covering the area’s music scene.

Well, here goes.

Today, we’re introducing our new podcast, “What’s Up! in Northwest Arkansas.” It will extend the coverage we already include in What’s Up!, our weekly entertainment section.

For now, the podcast will be bi-weekly and will cover live music, theater, dance and more.

For our first installment, we sat down with songwriter Matt Jones, who is leaving Northwest Arkansas for Los Angeles to further his music career.

He spoke about his final show in the area (Aug. 30 at Club Froggy’s) and also played the tune “Underwhelmed” for us.

For iTunes users, visit the podcast by clicking here.

For those using other audio systems, click here to advance the xml file.

Filed under: Music Industry News, Concert Reminders, NWA Music News by Kevin Kinder. Posted on: August 29, 2008 at 6:19 am
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Dylan Sneed

Although he’s been making a name for himself in Texas — the Dallas Observer called his 2007 release “No Worse For The Wear” one of the best albums of the year — Dylan Sneed is ready for a change. So the Texas native is packing his things and embarking on what he is calling the “Texodas” tour, which will lead him to South Carolina, where he will live and return to touring. On the way, the Americana and folk artist will stop at 8 p.m. Sept. 2 at The Pontiac Coffee House, 515 S. Thompson St., in Springdale. He will be joined by Arkansas artists Adam Faucett and William Blackart. An $8 donation for the show is suggested.

Filed under: In the Spotlight, NWA Music News by Kevin Kinder. Posted on: August 29, 2008 at 6:01 am
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Buddy Jewell COURTESY

With football season around the corner, the Honky Tonk Tailgate Party swings by Harper Stadium at Kay Rodgers Park in Fort Smith on Sept. 6, and features four well-known country performers: Buddy Jewell, Mark Wills, Trent Willmon and Ray Scott.

Although he had been creating a name for himself around Nashville by singing more than 4,000 demo songs, Jewell first stepped into the national spotlight by becoming the first winner of the TV talent show “Nashville Star” in 2003. He’s a native of Arkansas, having been raised in the northeastern part of the state not for from the town of Dyess, the home of one of his idols, the late Johnny Cash.

Jewell, who released a new album in July, recently chatted with the Northwest Arkansas Times about life five years after becoming a radio favorite with songs such as “Sweet Southern Comfort” and “Help Pour Out the Rain (Lacey’s Song).” The article can be found here.

Advanced tickets, which can be ordered at the H Bros Entertainment’s Web site, are $17. Tickets are $20/adults and $10/children at the door.

Filed under: Concert Reminders, NWA Music News by Steve Schmidt. Posted on: August 29, 2008 at 6:00 am
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Glen Campbell’s new album is simply titled “Meet Glen Campbell.”

And it could be called an introduction to a side of the Delight, Arkansas native that we’ve never seen before.

How so? For the album, which was released Aug. 19, the 72-year-old Campbell recorded pop and rock songs, many from artists who were just toddlers when Campbell scored hits with songs such as “Wichita Lineman” and “Rhinestone Cowboy.”

He offers his take on songs such as “Jesus” by the Velvet Underground, “Times Like These” by the Foo Fighters and “All I Want Is You” by U2.

CNN interviewed Campbell about the new record. Check out their story here.

Anyone pick up this record? What do you think?

Here’s a live take on one of the songs Campbell covers on the new album. The track is Green Day’s “Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life)”:

Filed under: Music Industry News, NWA Music News by Kevin Kinder. Posted on: August 28, 2008 at 1:10 pm
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G. Love delivers some of his namesake. Photos by KEVIN KINDER, Northwest Arkansas Times

As a matter of smart showmanship, a headliner should NEVER, under any circumstance, have an opening act that has the potential to upstage them.

Unfortunately for Garrett Dutton, aka G. Love, he chose poorly when selecting the John Butler Trio.

To credit G. Love & Special Sauce, his set was an exercise in fine, fun hip-hop/funk/blues/whatever else you want to call it. But it would have taken a Herculean effort to match the enthusiasm, energy and breathtaking musicianship displayed by the John Butler Trio during its 75 minute hurricane of a set. More on them later.

During his band’s 90-minute set on Aug. 26 at the Arkansas Music Pavilion in Fayetteville, G. Love played a mix of old and new, and a mix of songs that were his own and those that weren’t.

Click the ‘more’ link below to read the full review and see more photos from Tuesday night’s concert.

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Filed under: Concert Wrap, Music Industry News, NWA Music News by Kevin Kinder. Posted on: August 27, 2008 at 3:32 pm
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Gary Allan photo by Tony Baker

According to his Web site, country star Gary Allan is on his way to Fayetteville.

The musician responsible for the No. 1 Billboard Hot Country Hits “Man to Man,” “Tough Little Boys” and “Nothing on But The Radio” will appear at the Arkansas Music Pavilion on Oct. 16.

Interestingly, the concert would extend the season at the AMP by another few weeks. Previously, the blog was told the Oct. 3 concert by Bruce Hornsby and Ricky Skaggs would be the Fayetteville venue’s final concert for the season.

But, whose to complain when we get more music than we expected?

No word on ticket prices at this time. We’ll update you when we have more information.

Filed under: Music Industry News, Concert Reminders, Concert Announcements, NWA Music News by Kevin Kinder. Posted on: August 26, 2008 at 2:13 pm
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Above, Sonic Youth performs “Incinerate” at the Dickson Street Music Festival in April 2008.

Fall classes at the University of Arkansas started yesterday (Aug. 25), and that means there are plenty of new faces in the area, some of which, surely, who have not experienced a music-friendly atmosphere such as Fayetteville.

Consider this Local Rock ‘n’ Roll 101.

College, when many are introduced to different cultures — and divergent music tastes — for the first time, is a great place to discover new bands. It’s where I was introduced to many of the groups I consider my favorites: Wilco, The Jayhawks, My Morning Jacket, etc…

With that in mind, MSN has a guide to all the music you need to know.

Sort of. There are some strange inclusions on their list, and a few the blog thinks ought to be mentioned. Click below for the list, and for our take on some other artists people should get acquainted with.

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Filed under: Music Industry News, Concert Reminders, NWA Music News by Kevin Kinder. Posted on: August 26, 2008 at 2:11 pm
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John Butler COURTESY

Near his residence in Fremantle on the western coast of Australia, natives refer to John Butler as the “Million Dollar Hippie” following the booming success of his own Australian-based record company, Jarrah Records.

Well before, though, his current American tour of his band, The John Butler Trio, with G. Love & Special Sauce and Tristan Prettyman, the usually outspoken “hippie” decided to ditch the dreads — as well as any type of political message. As he told the Northwest Arkansas Times recently, the Australian (by way of America) is letting his music do all the talking this time around. The article can be found here.

Butler’s band, along with the other two acts, will be stopping by the Arkansas Music Pavilion for a show Tuesday (Aug. 26) starting at 7 p.m. Tickets, which are $25, can be purchased at the AMP Web site.

Filed under: Concert Reminders, NWA Music News by Steve Schmidt. Posted on: August 22, 2008 at 2:59 pm
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Keller Williams photo by C. Taylor Carothers, Special to the Times

Keller Williams has been in Northwest Arkansas plenty of times. He told the blog he likes playing in the area. He specifically name-checked George’s Majestic Lounge, where he’ll play Aug. 30 as part of the venue’s 81st anniversary celebration. He likes the fans there, and he likes the way the venue operates.

Of course, fans seem to like him, too. The performer has released more than a dozen albums. He’s called a one-man jam band, and that’s an accurate assessment. Although Williams has performed with several bands (notably, the String Cheese Incident) he enjoys his time on the road as a solo artist, just he and the four or five guitars he’ll play during any given evening. Williams called the Northwest Arkansas Times earlier this week from his home in Virginia. Read more about his solo work, his instruments and his loved for The Grateful Dead in the story we published today (Aug. 22).

Follow the jump below to see the full festival lineup and read more about George’s Birthday Festival, which takes place Aug. 28-30.

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Filed under: Music Industry News, Concert Reminders, NWA Music News by Kevin Kinder. Posted on: August 22, 2008 at 6:03 am
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Boom Kinetic

Party rockers, part-time ’80s music cover band and local music veterans Boom Kinetic are slated to release a free EP to music fans at a show tonight at George’s Majestic Lounge, 519 W. Dickson St., in Fayetteville. The musicians in the band, which was formerly called Molten Lava, were members of such former local groups of B-Side and The American Years. The three-song EP features original music and is called “Text me. LOL! :).” It was recorded at Vibe56 Studios in Nashville, Tenn. The show begins at 9 p.m.; admission is $8. Local rockers Thanks for Nothing will also perform.

Filed under: Concert Reminders, NWA Music News by Kevin Kinder. Posted on: August 22, 2008 at 6:01 am
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