In the world of stringed instruments, the four-string ukulele has a small and kitschy niche that was associated with the likes of the late Tiny Tim and vaudeville. More recently, it’s gotten a slightly cooler image as artists ranging from actress Zooey Deschanel to musicians Nellie McKay and Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder have been using […]
Music
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Stompin’ at the Speak
The mid-week jazz night has swiftly become a staple of bars and bistros across the country, a seemingly perfect, chill way to wind down and de-stress with some calming music and cocktails or wine. But jazz isn’t always about “calm.” When OKC’s 51st Street Speakeasy was getting its feet back on the ground after the […]
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Homecoming
When Courtney Patton played The Blue Door on March 8, 2020, no one knew it was going to be the last show there for nearly 2 1/2 years. Greg Johnson has owned and operated the beloved venue for the last 29 years. He spent the downtime upgrading what may be the premier acoustic listening room […]
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Close to home
After taking a hiatus from the road during the pandemic, Flatland Cavalry is back on the bus. Touring on the heels of the Far Out West Sessions EP, frontman Cleto Cordero is bringing along his wife, acclaimed Oklahoma country musician Kaitlin Butts. In addition to opening for Flatland Cavalry at The Jones Assembly on this […]
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Soundcheck: Chelsea Days – Chelsea Days
For such a breezy, feel-good band, Chelsea Days sure seems to be haunted by mortality. On track after track of its self-titled studio debut, sunsetted memories and future ghosts swirl in shimmering depths of existentialism. The songs are never outright depressed, but neither do they ever quite find joy. They simply swim with the tide, […]
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Soundcheck: Primal Brain – It’s Still All a Game
Parsing through Primal Brain’s music is like trying to analyze graffiti on an empty billboard. Bordering on incomprehensible without the aid of a lyric sheet, its furiously fast-paced punk songs are brash and forceful in their rebellion. Within the noise are messages of anarchy that never beat around the bush. They are exactly what they […]
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Liberty libretto
The phrase “no justice, no peace” has become such a commonplace call-and-response chant in Oklahoma City protest marches over the past few years that it has become as shorthanded as “Boomer Sooner” in some circles. Though not a new saying, it carries the baggage of polarized present-day discourse due to its renewed popularization alongside the […]
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Soundcheck: Poppa Foster and The Grits – Gravy Baby
This is the one. For many years, Christopher Foster has been a rambling Tulsan, bringing his New Orleans ivory tickling and bandleading to a bustling assortment of musical projects. Not often the type to take the spotlight, he has lent his funky Southern ear to produce local recordings for the likes of Dane and The […]
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Soundcheck: Keathley – Burning Bras
Keathley describes her newer songs as “angry girl music.” It may not seem so at first blush, but listen in. The primal scream album art will begin to click. During the opening seconds of Burning Bras, the new full-band EP from the Guthrie-born singer-songwriter, the soft sweetness is undeniable. Starting track “Lucy” begins with hushed […]
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Getting filthy
Currently on tour to support their 12th album, Existence is Futile, Cradle of Filth’s founding member and vocalist Dani Filth spoke with Oklahoma Gazette ahead of their May 20 show at Diamond Ballroom. OKG: Working with a diverse group of musicians that has revolved over the years, how are you able to keep the Cradle […]