Joe Bonamassa brings his unique Blues twist to Phoenix - AZCulture.com sneak peek

By Matt Marn

Published by AZCulture.com

With his unique flair and creativity for the blues music he loves, it is always a pleasure when blues/rock icon Joe Bonamassa stops into Phoenix. And this time, he had a few extra surprises in store.

The evening before his April 30 concert, Bonamassa was the guest of honor at the Arizona Diamondbacks baseball game. Wearing a custom "Bonamassa" Diamondbacks jersey bearing the number 59, he stood near home plate; with his trademark gold-top Gibson Les Paul at the ready. After he was announced, he began a stirring, bluesy rendition of our National Anthem, moving expertly up and down the neck with a blues slide. Everyone in attendance seemed to enjoy the music - a new, unique way to pay tribute to our nation.

That new, unique spin on the traditional way of things is exactly what Bonamassa does best. The night of the concert, crowds began to flow into Comerica Theatre, many wearing T-shirts of past concerts and music adventures. It was clear everyone present was excited, ready for something big. And with Bonamassa, fans are always in for a unique treat.

As the blues fans headed into the venue, they were met with lights beamed toward the bandstands, and a mist covering the stage. As the concert began, Bonamassa moved out onstage, green spotlight on the blues master, and blue lights on the rest of his band. He started right in with lightning-fast work on the strings, to the great thrill of the crowd.

"Oh, beautiful, if you were mine, I would write you letters, and pour you sweet wine..."

Read more of the article about Bonamassa's concert at AZCulture.com!

Songwriters Sarah Lewis and Gina Loes finish tour in the Valley, meet new friends and fans along the way - AZCulture.com Sneak Peek

By Matt Marn

Published by AZCulture.com

One is a newer singer/songwriter - setting up a tour to promote her newest EP. The other is a member of a full band, with a number of group albums in the books - but remains nervous to get back to her bare-bones, acoustic roots. For both performers, this trip from Canada through the West Coast was exactly what they needed.

The duo, Sarah Lewis and Gina Loes, respectively, began their tour by traveling from their homes in Vancouver, and making their way through Oregon, California, and finally Arizona - meeting new people and new inspirations along the way.

"I love performing," said Loes. "I love being on the road - making new friends and seeing new places. Everything else in my life seems to disappear for that moment. All I have to think about is where we're playing next, and what part of town to explore. You get the unique chance to see tiny, snapshot examples of people and communities along the way."

Read more about Sarah and Gina's tour from the full article, posted at AZCulture.com!

Taylor Jayne remains true to herself in new album, "Fold" - AZCulture.com Sneak Peek

By Matt Marn
Published by AZCulture.com

Local singer/songwriter Taylor Jayne has spent most of her life listening to great music. Ever since her father introduced her to legends like Stevie Wonder, Bob Marley and the Beatles, she has held a deep respect for not only music that evokes strong emotions, but also the powerful words behind each song.

But once she discovered her love for writing her own songs, everything changed.

"That's when it clicked," Jayne said. "I can write my own music; I can make people feel the same way, get the same feelings I get when I hear great music."

Jayne has since gone her own direction, performing her own style of music - and every time she does, it has become a very positive experience. Jayne said it is wonderful to watch her music reach people in that way - it is a nice reassurance of the work and thought she has put into everything.

"I don't know where I would be if I hadn't gotten that kind of support," she said. "Creativity, originality... these are things that should be respected, in a welcome environment."

Jayne's newest project is "Fold," a new album of her original songs, full of her own creative twist.

Jayne said that at one point in high school, she recorded an EP, but she was never satisfied with the result. This new album, however, is a very personal look at the struggles she faced with her own demons - and the journey she had to go through to remain true to herself.

"One day, I said to myself that it was time," she said. "It was time to record something I was truly proud of, something that was me... uncompromisingly me. The writing is from a good place; a good representation of me. I wanted to put good, quality art out there that showed who I was."

Read the full article on Taylor Jayne and "Fold" at AZCulture.com!

AZCulture.com sneak peek: Phoenix Fashion Week provides springboard into style for emerging designers

By Matt Marn

Published by AZCulture.com

While fashion is a difficult industry to break into, Phoenix Fashion Week serves as a great opportunity for emerging designers and models to showcase their talents. Phoenix Fashion Week executive director Brian Hill is putting Phoenix on the map in the fashion scene, and helping talent from across the country use the event as a launch pad to begin their journeys down the runway.

"It started out of need for something to call our own - for our fashion industry," Hill said. "In the past, I was a fashion designer myself - sewing, sales, shipping... everything. I was interested in furthering my own clothing line. That's why I can help emerging designers, because I've been there. We aren't afraid to try, even to make mistakes. But we learn from our mistakes, and improve upon them."

Hill and his team were approached by TIME Magazine, asking to write a story on Phoenix Fashion Week. The article ran in October 2012.

"We were blessed by that opportunity," he said. "It gave us credibility... but we try to stay on course, stay true to our mission. If we help a designer succeed, it's a win-win. If we help launch a successful clothing line, it helps us - but mostly, we want them to succeed."


Read more of this article at AZCulture.com!!

AZCulture.com Sneak Peek: State Forty-Eight Clothing - a perfect fit for Arizona pride

By Matt Marn
Published in AZCulture.com

Spangenberg (far right) and the State Forty-Eight crew

From when Michael Spangenberg was a child, he always knew he wanted to start a fashion line. Now, he has a growing clothing and apparel line to share with Arizona.

Spangenberg grew up in Chandler along with his friend, Stephen Polano, and Polano's younger brother, Nick. Stephen was soon on board with Spangenberg's idea to begin a fashion label, and one morning, the name came to Stephen - State Forty-Eight.

"Nick got involved in the graphic design, and after that, we just went all-in on it - just going for it, using our resources," Spangenberg said. "Fashion shoes, community events, talking to stores... just really going for it."

While none of the three have business degrees or backgrounds, State Forty-Eight is truly taking off. New, fresh designs, local sporting team colors in many of their collections, and social media marketing - not to mention word-of-mouth interest - are helping State Forty-Eight grow into a household name in AZ.

"It all starts in sports for us; for me and Stephen in particular," Spangenberg said. "I remember going to Cardinals games, and half of the stadium is full of fans of the other team. It was embarrassing. It's about pride in our home."

What began as a show of pride in local sports teams has quickly grown into a popular show of pride in all things Arizona. Their collections feature vibrant colors, designs and patterns - including colors of the Phoenix Suns, the Arizona Diamondbacks, ASU, U of A, as well as Patrick Peterson Cardinals designs. Clothing and apparel varieties include men's, women's, and youth T-shirts, hoodies, and hats... even infant outfits - something for everyone in AZ.

"It's just like everywhere else," Spangenberg said. "It's about pride in our hometown. Great weather, sports and activities... It's one of the largest cities in the United States. The local movement has grown - what better way to grow support than from local residents, people who feel the same way as you do. It's a great way to wear your support on your sleeve."

Read more from the article on State Forty-Eight in the full article, featured at AZCulture.com!

AZCulture.com Featured Artist Sneak Peek - Luke Dorsett

Photographer Luke Dorsett

By Matt Marn

Published by AZCulture.com

Luke Dorsett has lived and traveled the world over, from here in Phoenix to Japan, Brazil, Australia, and beyond. His camera lens and eye for storytelling have followed him on his countless adventures, and his work continues to draw attention wherever he goes.

As we sit, reviewing picture after vibrant picture he has captured along the way, they display more than a great eye for beauty and detail; the stories told by the images point to a fearlessness - an adventurous spirit, ready to follow wherever the road turns next.

Ever since he was very young, Dorsett knew tomorrow is never a given. When he was 4, his appendix ruptured, but the doctors didn't believe him, since they had never seen a case that young. He was misdiagnosed at first, and it almost cost him his life.

"I realized, life is short - your days aren't promised to you," Dorsett said. You've got to live each day for what it's worth. I think that realization has made me fearless, in a way, to go after what I want."

Ever since, he has applied his tenacity to everything in life, including what he does and where he calls home.

A camera has been in Dorsett's hands from a very early age, when he grew mesmerized by View Masters and kaleidoscopes, and the vivid colors and images behind the lens. By the time his parents gave him a starter Kodak, he was more than ready for the world of photography.

Dorsett also has experience in music, as an electronic DJ, and his music was featured in Australia, Mexico, Japan, and Brazil. But eventually, he found his way back to his first passion, telling stories a thousand words at a time.

"I really dug the visual stuff since I was a kid," he said. "I got sick of the music I was mixing and producing... headphones and speakers forever. Photography is quiet. It gave me the Zen feeling of being at peace. It's almost like a form of meditation: looking back on my work later, going back to revisit those captured moments. Those moments I capture, they are components of my life... things I live and experience, in and out of this country."


Read the rest of this article on Luke Dorsett at AZCulture.com!

Rockabilly group Whiskey Kiss set to release debut album - and more than a few surprises ...YabYum Sneak Peek

By Matt Marn
Published by YabYum Music and Arts

It starts with a slow, sultry tempo, with a woman's voice singing, "I gotta stay low, ain't nowhere to run... If he looks at me, I'm already done... I gotta stay low... he's a dangerous one."

And with that, the tempo picks up, and never seems to let go. But then, Whiskey Kiss is like that.

With a taste for classic rockabilly but with a new twist, Phoenix rockabilly group Whiskey Kiss is set to release their long-awaited dabut album, Dangerous One. And for their release party - November 29 at the Blooze Bar in Phoenix - they have more than a few surprises in store.

Nick and Niki White of Whiskey Kiss

While it began as a few music lovers getting together to follow their passion, Whiskey Kiss has grown into something else entirely, thanks in large part to phenomenal support from their fans.

Led by husband and wife duo Niki and Nick White, Whiskey Kiss is gaining major attention, and with good reason. Niki's powerful voice and stage presence, paired with Nick's musical skill, gets the crowd cheering right away. And alongside the duo, the recently announced official updates to the Whiskey Kiss roster: Bruce Legge on trumpet, Wesley Hinshaw (of the Quakes) on drums, and new addition Tommy Collins - known for many top rockabilly bands on the upright bass - not to mention perhaps the biggest surprise: Nick moving from upright bass to lead guitarist. All this onstage together, and you have a mix that will keep the crowd cheering all night.

Read the full article on Whiskey Kiss at

YabYum Music and Arts!