Category: Music

Campus, Community, Music

Brass & blues: DMC Jazz Band preps for annual festival

Matthew Martinez

The rhythm section locks into a blues groove, and suddenly the humid South Texas air feels a little lighter. For three days every October, Heritage Park transforms into a sprawling showcase of brass and blues. Yet, behind the scenes, some of the musicians are not just touring professionals, they are local college students. “With orchestra music, it’s more restricted,” said Del Mar College tenor trombonist, David Hernandez. “But with jazz, there’s technically no rules if you know what you’re doing.” The love of jazz is what brings together the community and artists at the Texas Jazz Festival, scheduled for Oct.…

Campus, Column, Entertainment, Music

Covering Austin City Limits Festival as a first-time music journalist

Layla Fonseca

The Austin City Limits Festival celebrated 25 years at Zilker Park for two music-packed weekends, and I attended as media with a three-day weekend wristband for weekend two.  I like to call ACL “home,” having attended four times now. As a concert and festival lover this is my dream festival to work at, and I always joke after festival experiences that I could “write an essay about it.” Months prior I had learned that through my credentials as Editor-in-Chief of the Foghorn News, I could apply for a media pass.  So, at the beginning of September I sent out my…

Community, Entertainment, Music

Rappers delight in collabs at monthly SmokeWalk

Rogelio Garcia

Ryan De La Paz, also known as CEE T, performed at the Aug. 8 SmokeWalk in downtown Corpus Christi hosted by DJ Lill King and the Riding High Podcast. Rappers were on and off the stage all night, with different music groups, genres, and styles of rap being displayed. “I was performing some new, catchier releases, my two hit songs “Bop Yo Head” and “In My Prime,” said CEE T. “I was really trying to show people my stage presence while coming back into performing shows after my songs started blowing up, a big milestone of mine.” SmokeWalk began in…

Entertainment, Music

Music icon Dolly Parton dies at 80

Paul Farias

Beloved country music star and philanthropist Dolly Parton died Tuesday, Aug. 25. Her family confirmed the 80-year-old star’s death. Parton began playing music in the 1950s, with her first album, “Hello, I’m Dolly,” releasing in 1967. That same year, she reached a breakthrough by appearing on “The Porter Wagoner Show.” From there, her career spun off to various mediums such as film, television, a theme park, and even the Broadway stage with the musical adaptation of “9 to 5.” She also contributed to numerous humanitarian causes through her Dollywood Foundation organization. Her Imagination Library organization enriched numerous communities by providing…

Community, Entertainment, Music

A family band with country roots: Texas Bloodline brings, family, community, and music together on stage

Arwen Scafidi

In South Texas, live country music continues to play an important role in shaping local culture and bringing people together. From Corpus Christi to surrounding areas across the Coastal Bend, local bands create spaces where people can gather, relax and connect through familiar songs and shared experiences. Among those contributing to the local music scene is Texas Bloodline, a family band whose connection goes beyond the music they perform. Texas Bloodline consists of lead singer Jesse Lopez, lead guitarist Eric Lopez, drummer Jesse Ryan Lopez and bassist Sam Allred, a close family friend. Together, the group performs a mix of…

Campus, Music

A night of boleros and rancheras with Mariachi Del Mar

Alondra Alonzo

Mariachi Del Mar is set to perform on Heritage Campus in the Wolfe Recital Hall. The mariachi band’s 14 members perform at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 28. The performance will also feature two guest players Mr. Edmundo and Mr. Edalio from the local mariachi group, Mariachi Mexicanisimo.  Mariachi Mexicanisimo performs traditional Mexican folk music in the genres of boleros and rancheras. “The audience should expect to have a great show, with some great music that is in the mariachi world, lots of loved music,” Del Mar Mariachi member Alejandro Carrisalez said.

Column, Entertainment, Music, Review

Brooklyn-based band Makes My Blood Dance had House of Rock jumping

Brianne Dubose

Seeing local music is one of my favorite pastimes. I love seeing a community of people come together under one roof to enjoy a showcase of talent that exists in a city. Being back in Corpus Christi, I took a trip to a venue I had never been in before until recently: House of Rock. A bar, eatery, and stage all in one. I have been now a total of four times and wanted to put a little spotlight on a gem that lies near the shore. What better than to stop in on a night with a lineup of…

Community, Movies, Music

New music commissioner set to bring expertise to Corpus Christi

Brandon Serna

Corpus Christi’s convention and tourist bureau, Visit Corpus Christi, recently appointed a new film and music commissioner of Corpus Christi.  Drew Oaks will take up the mantle as the city’s new commissioner for production of any potential future film or music projects in the city. The hope is that this will allow for interest from large studios to shoot on location in Corpus Christi.  With the new position, the bureau hopes to forge new connections between artists of Corpus Christi, along with the chance of bringing more positive attention to the city and spurring new economic growth to the Coastal…

Campus, Music

Striking a chord for music education

Alondra Alonzo

Music Major Day at Del Mar kicks off on Feb. 16, striking a chord to reach aspiring musicians seeking to pursue their education in the music industry. Last year, several high school students attended Music Major Day and were inspired to pursue their education through this event. This day is dedicated to helping new students discover information on audition dates, resources, scholarships, and grants while also bringing together a community of future students in the music program.  “It’s the passion in performance and intent that brings people together and builds understanding where there otherwise might not be,” music student Mathew…

Column, Music, Review

Valentine’s Day concert featured New Attractions, Animal Mood

Paul Farias

Despite all the time I’ve spent in Corpus, there are still new concert venues popping up. Surf and record shop Needles & Fins, located at 4034 Weber Road, was hosting its monthly concert, with this show having a Valentine’s Day influence. There were only two bands on the bill, making this concert a short experience. Let’s see how this show went. NEW ATTRACTIONS Hailing from San Antonio, New Attractions is a four-piece power pop band that is chock-full of ‘70s cool. Basic catchy chord progressions, love-on-the-brain lyrics, the whole nine yards. I had never heard of these guys before coming…