One needn’t be a member of high society to mingle over cocktails in an urban loft decked out with the finest vinyl and audio gear that money can buy. Thanks to ListenUpOKC, a casual all-ages lounge in Oklahoma City’s Automobile Alley district, anyone can keep up with the Joneses, especially those named Quincy, Davy, and […]
Evan Jarvicks
Posted inMusic
Selfless summit
When the chance to start a live music event landed in Mike Hilliary’s lap four years ago, he recognized the potential to pay it forward to Norman’s less fortunate. “This offer was a big deal,” Hilliary said. “I saw this as an opportunity to use music and community to help.” Bob Thompson, the long-time owner […]
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Kendra Mars – Remember When I Was Your Dad
“I’m takin’ rap back to pissy floors and crack in the walls,” proclaims “RAP-TURE,” one of four new cuts on Remember When I Was Your Dad?, the debut EP of Kendra Mars. The line isn’t unearned. The Muskogee artist is bold, crass, and unapologetic on the mic, and this is just one of numerous such […]
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Soundcheck: Limp Wizurdz – Vile
One oft-cited crumb of advice to remedy powerlessness is to focus not on outward change but on inner attitude. When a person cannot affect progress in people or systems, the person can at least decide how such forces affect them. This fortune cookie wisdom may have some merit, but it is easier said than done. […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Court cuisine
Pretzels, pizza slices, and other on-the-go snacks have long been favored within the bustling food court hearts of American shopping malls. Quick meals, however, tend to lack soul. They might make an impression for a moment, but the moment dissipates too soon, encouraging shoppers to move on with their day. Malls are designed to function […]
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Soundcheck: Various Artists – ᎠᏅᏛᏁᎵᏍᎩ (Anvdvnelisgi)
“ᎰᎵᎦᏧ ᏂᏥᏫᏪᏍᎬ?” According to the printed lyrics that accompany physical copies of ᎠᏅᏛᏁᎵᏍᎩ, a Cherokee language album released in latter 2022, the preceding question translates to, “Do you know what I’m saying?” Hip-hop artist Zebadiah cheekily and offhandedly mutters it at the tail end of “ᏗᎦᏚᎲᏍᎦ,” a track that is otherwise about big and luxurious […]
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Suave Stiles
“I can hold a mean grudge,” Ace Stiles said. The 18-year-old Tulsa singer-songwriter has seen some rejection. While that may not be a rare experience for most young adults, few can say they’ve been turned down in front of millions of people. Stiles progressed to the televised audition rounds of American Idol’s 19th season. Despite […]
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Soundcheck: Generation Lossless – Advertising Films
In the old 4:3 aspect ratio of an outdated television screen, a teaser trailer for Advertising Films explains that the term generation loss refers to a condition under which recorded media degrades as it is copied and transferred over time. It is especially evident in the VHS format where horizontal waves of static and warped […]
Posted inMusic
Soundcheck: Stunna – Solid Gold
Rock and roll is alive and well. One just needs to know where to find it — Ada, in this case. This oft-overlooked college town is a hidden treasure of original music, from metal to folk to hip-hop styles. It figures that one of its major wayward sons would strike gold with his new band, […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Progressive perk
When Brittani Hunter started a campus coffee cart at Oklahoma State University in 2015, she didn’t know it would plant a seed that would blossom into one of Oklahoma City’s most community-focused establishments a half decade later. At the time, it was simply a project for a business course toward her marketing degree. Today, however, […]