It’s a summer Tuesday in Kansas City. I’m standing in recordBar, born in a strip mall but now one of the city’s preeminent live music venues. In between sets, I’m at the bar sipping on an energy drink cocktail. I feel like I need a shot of caffeine after a long day, but little do I know my energy level is about to be lifted, whether I’m ready or not.

Garage rock trio L.A. Witch doesn’t need a bubbling cauldron, vials of neon potions, or voodoo dolls to cast a spell on its audience. For over a decade, the group has been captivating crowds with smoky vocals and a simple instrumental setup: guitar, bass, drums.

Once I arrived at Off Broadway, I followed the Pizza Hut delivery driver to the side stage doors and was ushered upstairs to the green room—and I mean it when I say green, because it was quite literally a neon lime green room. There, all the members, except Brad Vaughn, who was unintentionally locked outside for the second time that day I was told, were waiting for me. Jenn Malzone, the lead vocalist and songwriter for Middle Class Fashion, immediately moved from her chair and took a seat on the black floor, the band all reaching for pizza to fuel up for the concert later that evening.

Pride Month in June is a significant time of the year for the LGBTQ+ community, including its wealth of talented artists. Celebrated in a variety of ways, the event brings together millions of participants as they share in the impact that LGBTQ+ individuals have had on history locally, nationally and internationally. Addie Sartino is counted among these individuals.

If you don't know Valerie June, you should and soon will. She hails from the small town of Humbolt, Tenn., but spends her time in New York these days when not on the road sharing her voice.

It all started in the waterbed…well, at least that’s how Jake would say it all started. You’d probably get a different answer from Matt, Tyler, or Eric, and they’d all definitely rag on Jake for bringing up the waterbed in the first place.

Most people start a band with hopes of making it big and skyrocketing their careers. While that isn’t the case yet for Motherfolk, it is where they are headed.

San Francisco-based Destroy Boys have been releasing music since 2015. Currently, the trio is shredding the road on their second headlining tour in support of their new album, Open Mouth, Open Heart. We caught up with lead guitarist Violet Mayugba and drummer Narsai Malik before their Sunday night performance in May at Off Broadway.

The definition of “lifer” is someone who has made a lifetime commitment. Donald Williams is a prime example of being a “lifer” in St. Louis’ music scene. Thankfully, that’s a good thing, as the city’s music culture has benefited greatly from his dedication to his craft going back to the 1980s.