Dallas Observer Mixtape with Kaycee Unisca

Born out of the bubbling Dallas rave scene in the ’90s, Kaycee Unisca has made the journey from enthusiastic foot shaker on the dance floor to DJ making the feet shake. Like most deejays, he has gone through a few genre phases, but house music has been a constant thread…

In Bed With Rat Rios and Rob Martinez

“In Bed With” is a Dallas Observer series in which we delve into the homes and personal lives of Dallas music industry professionals.  Sammy “Rat” Rios and Rob Martinez are two of Dallas’ most promising artists. Rios is a singer and stage actress, and Martinez is a videographer. They’re both…

Music News: Paul Simon, Justin Timberlake, Ozzy Osbourne and More

Retirement announcements seem to be happening on a weekly basis for some of our most beloved musical acts. On the heels of last week’s farewell call from Elton John, Paul Simon and Ozzy Osbourne are making plans for life away from the road. Fortunately for us, they’ll both hit Dallas…

Reports of Music CDs’ Death Are Exaggerated

Given the continued decline in CD sales overall for the past 15 years, it’s only been a matter of time for big-box stores to stop selling them. The dominant format from the early ’90s to the early ’00s is about to be gone from all Best Buy locations, and Target…

37 Years After It Opened, Bill’s Records Is Still Special

On a chilly Sunday morning, Bill Wisener turns on the “open” sign at his vinyl record store, one of the oldest in Dallas. You’ll recognize Wisener’s shop when you spot the red “Bill’s” sign hanging outside the store, which is nestled next to Poor David’s Pub on Lamar Street in Dallas’…

Dallas Observer Mixtape with Flash 45s: Electrofunk Mix

Dance music genres go in and out of popularity, and electrofunk is about to have its moment again. DJ Flash 45s is best known for spinning his vinyl 45s, but this week he takes a stab at electro. Today, the genre is most commonly associated with techno, but it has…

Dallas Rapper Bobby Sessions Signs with Def Jam

Dallas hip-hop artist Bobby Sessions announced today that he has signed with Def Jam. The announcement comes almost three years to the day since Sessions quit his day job to pursue music full time. In a 2015 interview with the Observer, Sessions said that he only had $50 in his…

A Day in the Life of Sam Villavert

Unlike most musicians, Sealion bassist Sam Villavert wakes up at 4:30 a.m. “It’s a ridiculous hour,” Villavert says, “but it helps jumpstart my morning and puts me in a healthier mental state.” For Villavert, 26, exercise is indispensable. Usually, she works out before her 8 a.m. arrival at Nature’s Plate,…

Music News: Mastodon, Broken Social Scene, Buddy Guy and More

We’re one month into 2018 and the concert calendar continues to fill up. There’s good stuff ahead, including a pretty cool alt-rock/metal pairing, a classic blues double-bill, and a visit from the Vampire Weekend mastermind. Also, a local favorite hits a big stage and a couple international acts make  rare…

Dallas Observer Mixtape with Mala Strana

Most DJs go through phases as their musical palette evolves, and Shawn Kasal’s DJ journey has brought him to his current alias, Mala Strana, under which he recently signed to local label Audiophile. It reflects the new, deep techno sound Kasal is channeling behind the decks and in his production…

Dallas’ Modern Electric Builds Second Recording Studio

On a nondescript cul-de-sac off of Haskell Avenue, across from the Cityplace Target, sits an even more nondescript building. Some of the biggest names in Dallas music have recorded here. Jeff Saenz started Modern Electric Sound Recorders almost six years ago. Beau Bedford of the Texas Gentlemen joined him soon…

Best New Music in Dallas

Six Shooter is a recurring feature in which we highlight six new releases by North Texas-based musicians. T.Y.E. — “Playground” & All About Money T.Y.E. is not only one of Dallas’ premiere rappers, but he’s also one of its most prolific. Last year, the Oak Cliff rapper released two full-length…