On their own: Houser, Marvel cut paths without courting commercial country
Country artists Randy Houser and Kendell Marvel will perform in Wasilla Feb. 27, at the Jim Beam Jam in Anchorage on Feb. 28 and in Fairbanks Feb. 29.
Music
Shoot Dangs’ debut album release promises foot-stomping and tomfoolery
The Anchorage “bluecrass” band’s debut album features its signature galloping banjo and frenzied, punk-style ukulele.
5 important questions from the riveting Lopez-Shakira Super Bowl halftime show
What will the reaction be to the U.S. and Puerto Rican flag moment? And, what was with the rope?
Veracruz by way of LA: Las Cafeteras blends Son Jarocho music with American pop
The Chicano band, playing in Anchorage Friday, is known for its eclectic blend of folk and spoken word using, traditional Son Jarocho instruments like the tarima, requinto and the quijada (a donkey jawbone).
Anchorage Folk Fest has everything from Cajun to country blues and bluegrass
Blues musicians Jontavious Willis and Jack Broadbent and Cajun group Feufollet will headline over the course of two weekends. Here’s the schedule of workshops, performances and more.
Neil Peart, drummer for influential rock band Rush, dead at 67
A representative for Neil Peart said in a statement Friday that Peart died at his home Tuesday in Santa Monica.
From alt-rock to outlaw country, Aaron Lewis shares struggles amid success
Lewis, who plays Anchorage this week, started out with the alternative rock group Staind. He’s since scored a number of country hits.
Drake takes fashion cue from Iditarod legend Lance Mackey in new music video
In the video for “War," Drake wears a Lance Mackey-edition Canada Goose parka. “I couldn’t help but to get kind of a kick out of it,” said the four-time Iditarod champ.
Dan Bern performs in Alaska for the first time since injuring hand in snowblower accident
The singer-songwriter took to the piano to write songs for his recently released album after a 2018 accident shredded the tips of some of the fingers of his left hand.
Fairbanks band The Avery Wolves brings psychobilly rock, harrowing musical stunts to Anchorage
Infused with campiness, psychobilly band The Avery Wolves put on a show that’s as much a visual spectacle as a musical one. They’ll play Van’s Dive Bar Friday, Dec. 13.
New acts rule as Lizzo, Lil Nas, Billie Eilish lead Grammy nominations
The Grammys are screaming “Cuz I Love You” to Lizzo: The breakthrough singer-rapper scored a whopping eight nominations, including bids for the top four awards, making her the show’s top-nominated act.
Country group Elvis Monroe reunites for Anchorage show
The duo has been a favorite at the annual Backyard Country BBQ and Northern Lights Country Series — they wrote their radio hit “Backyard Family Barbeque” in an Anchorage hotel room — and now Elvis Monroe is bringing a full band back.
New Alaska tunes: The High Pets, Medium Build, Tayy Tarantino and more
Ranging from rock to rap and political response, there are also new recordings out from the Alaska Independent Musicians Initiative and Parker Longbough and a Mr. Whitekeys retrospective DVD.
‘The Voice’ winner Craig Wayne Boyd takes winding road to Alaska
It was only about five years ago that Boyd was “virtually homeless” and trying to make ends meet singing demos Nashville. Then he got the call to audition for NBC’s singing competition, “The Voice.”
Four musicians from Galway bring high-energy ‘Celtgrass’ to Alaska this week
We Banjo 3 blends Celtic and American folk music. They’ll perform in Fairbanks, Anchorage and Valdez this week.
What busking winters in downtown Anchorage taught KillBill Sax
While most 19-year-olds were sneaking into bars for the booze, Hauser was slipping into Blues Central to play in Sunday night jam sessions. After a long detour, he’s back in Anchorage and working on an EP.
Ric Ocasek, new wave pioneer and lead singer of The Cars, found dead at home
The 75-year-old was found in bed by his supermodel wife, Paulina Porizkova, police sources said.
‘Two Tickets to Paradise’ singer Eddie Money dies
He announced his cancer diagnosis via a video last month from his AXS TV reality series “Real Money.”
These musical instruments are tough enough for travel in rural Alaska
Travel by dogsled, snowmachine or small boat can damage expensive wooden instruments. The Sitka Music Festival found a solution.
How State Fair headliner Cole Swindell went from selling T-shirts to hit country songs
Staying humble isn’t hard for Swindell, who spent three years selling T-shirts on tours with Luke Bryan and every bit of his free time honing his songwriting craft.