You’ve heard ‘em all before. Writing about music is like dancing about architecture. Those who can’t sing or dance become critics. Music journalists are people who can’t write, doing interviews with people who can’t think, in order to prepare articles for people who can’t read. That, according to Frank Zappa. My personal favorite assessment of the profession of music criticism comes courtesy of David Lee Roth: “Rock critics like Elvis Costello because rock critics look like Elvis Costello.” If only I sounded like Elvis Costello. Read more »

Tulsa’s much-loved Reggae Fest returns Saturday, only not to Tulsa but to Jenks, thanks to volunteers and two entrepreneurs dedicated to bringing it back to glory. It’s a free festival at Jenks’ RiverWalk Crossing, sporting street performers, local artists and seven bands including local acts Sam & the Stylees, Citizen Mundi, and a rare show from Local Hero. The concerts begin at 1 p.m. with what should be an astounding martial arts performance by a Tulsa troupe of Capoeira students. Amie Nguyen, festival organizer, said she’s pulling off the festival by pairing it with her Green Country Eco-Expo, which showcases vendors touting environmentally responsible products and practices. Read more »

Country stars such as SheDaisy and Sammy Kershaw and newcomers such as Keith Anderson and Josh Turner may headline the third annual Kick’n Up Kountry music festival, but event organizers are making room for the wannabe-future stars, too. The third annual festival Sept. 1-3 in Hallock, Minn., will open with the Colgate Country Showdown Minnesota/North Dakota State Final, featuring contestants for what’s billed as America’s largest country music talent search. The competition will be followed with a performance by Miss North Dakota 2005 Ashley Ford. The Cavalier, N.D., native who attends classes at UND won at the state and regional contests last year and was one of five national finalists who traveled to Nashville, Tenn., in January. Read more »

Atmosphere, a hip hop act coming Sunday to the Alerus Ballroom, is the hottest thing going on the Minneapolis hip hop scene right now, the event promoter says – but he’s not the only one saying good things about Atmosphere and the rapper Slug. Entertainment Weekly magazine said: “With passionate inflection and pristine delivery, Slug toggles neatly among the poetic, preachy and provocative, sometimes hitting all at once.” From Rolling Stone: “One can feel Atmosphere loosening modern hip-hop from its moorings and yanking it into some weirder and far more interesting place. Read more »