Music

When Chuck Berry cut his debut single “Maybellene” at Chess Records in 1955, it’s hard to say whether he or Leonard Chess knew exactly what was about to happen. The song was recorded while black Americans were still fighting for basic civil rights and the same year that Rosa Parks refused to give up her […]

There is something about sibling bands. A perfect example is the Everly Brothers, a band and brothers that show off the power of two voices that have spent a lifetime singing together. Lompoc is about to be graced by not two, but four sibling musicians who blend their vocal and instrumental harmonies into a tapestry […]

There’s nothing quite like a large group of zombies, werewolves, vampires, superheroes, and fantasy characters bumping and grinding on the dance floor. Halloween, a day largely anticipated by kids waiting for a day of free candy, is still popular with kids over the age of 18. Local dance band Steppin’ Out has been invited to […]

The Santa Maria Philharmonic Society is gearing up for the opening concert of its season—the first full concert season the Philharmonic has offered since it underwent restructuring over a year ago. A variety of performances will be offered throughout the season, including some concerts with smaller ensembles, and a showcase of the orchestra’s full might. […]

Music has a powerful connection to our memories, so much so, that everyone holds an inner catalogue of their favorite songs from growing up. These could be the chart-topping songs that debuted while you were in high school, or older songs you remember your parents or grandparents listening to. Temple Beth El in Santa Maria […]

The 1960s rock ’n’ roll scene was incredibly turbulent, with band after band releasing albums that morphed the popular style into many genres we still hear the echoes of today. Within this crowd of young, voracious musicians were those who wanted to turn rock ’n’ roll inward, toward the roots of blues and country that […]

Music television has definitely seen some radical transformation since reality TV took over. Channels like MTV and VH1 began humbly enough, showcasing music videos and programs that highlighted artists, but each began spawning offshoot channels as television programming changed. One local music writer, the editor and owner of the online Xombiewoof Magazine, Joseph Timmons, is […]

Standing Sun Wines owner and winemaker John Wright is up past his feet in work right now, literally. The harvest season is nonstop work for local winemakers, and Wright’s outfit isn’t any different, despite his business’s boutique wine output. “You can’t give up, you can’t stop, you have to push through,” he said. “It’s like […]

The complexities of hosting a world-class musical ensemble in concert are numerous—dressing rooms, proper permitting, keeping the artists fed, and many other factors need to be considered. One local nonprofit, Viva el Arte de Santa Barbara, brings big-name bands into Santa Barbara County’s Latino music scene, but couldn’t do it without the help of ready […]

Nobody can argue the massive influence that one particular four-piece band had on the Memphis soul sound of the 1960s. Booker T. and the M.G.’s began as the house band for Stax Records, but have become known for so much more, fueling a generation of soulful rockers with their smooth instrumental sound.   Today on […]

A hailstorm of harmonies descended on the ubiquitous SLO Brew on Aug. 28 when the New Times Music Awards began. The annual music awards ceremony was at once a celebration and epic competition, showcasing the collected musical talents of artist from San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties. Before the bands battled, the winners of […]

Lompoc has the reputation as a sleepy town, but the community wakes up when a world-class musician strolls through town. Janet Robin, a powerhouse guitarist and singer-songwriter from Los Angeles, made a stop on Aug. 22 at Michael’s Place in downtown Lompoc and exhibited her masterful skills with the instrument. “I’ve played Lompoc once before, […]