28 March 6th-March 12th, 2025 phoenixnewtimes.com PHOENIX NEW TIMES | NEWS | FEATURE | FOOD & DRINK | ARTS & CULTURE | MUSIC | CONCERTS | CANNABIS | FRI 3/7 SAT 3/8 MON 3/10 THURS 3/6 AMERICAN MILE WITH KEVIN REDLICH & THE HOLY HEATHENS, WHAT IF WE’RE ROBOTS DOORS: 6:30PM / SHOW: 7:00PM THE MCCHARMLYS WITH TWIN SEAS DOORS: 7:00PM / SHOW: 8:00PM EARLY SHOW TRASHY ANNIE WITH THE THOMAS JAMES BAND DOORS: 2:00PM / SHOW: 3:00PM DON WILLIAMS & COMPANY DOORS: 7:00PM / SHOW: 8:00PM GREGORY DILLON WITH SNAILMATE, BOGAN VIA, ASTRUD AURELIA, BBGAIL SHOW: 6:30PM - 7:00PM help grow Phoenix rap since 2011. In that time, the label has, according to its website, emphasized a commitment to the “five pillars of purpose,” which are “creativity, positivity, innovation, unity and [serving as a] true force for good in the world.” Over its 14-year history, the label has released 24 distinct projects by Eighty Two, G-Owens and DN3, among others. While the label’s most recent release was in 2022, they held their holiday showcase at Yucca Tap Room in late December 2024. But you don’t last this long without planning ahead, and Earsweat has even more releases plotted for the near future. Fervor Records Label head David Hilker chose the word “fervor” to best demonstrate his robust passion for music. Since 1989, the label has released music while also giving back to Phoenix’s unhoused community. The label is currently rolling out big singles from NuR&B artists KEAGAN and blakk. nostalgia, veteran R&B artists The Sugar Thieves and Paris James, alt-rock band Noonday Devils and local jazz favorite Francine Reed. Additionally, the label reissues more than 75 vintage and undis- covered pieces of music per year under the Mascot Records archival line. The label is also focused on expanding its international presence, specifically in the United Kingdom, as well as partnering with DJs in the United States and U.K. on remixes of Fervor-released tracks. Gilgongo Records Another label located in Tempe, Gilgongo Records began releasing music in 2004. Local artist James Fella has spent the last two decades releasing more than 170 records, and is set to release even more throughout 2025. That lineup of LPs includes full-length projects by alter- native artist Paul Arámbula, experimental duo Sobbing Honey, visual/performance artist Anna Holmer and rock band Soft Shoulder. As Fella told Phoenix New Times in 2011, the label is informed by his own musical faves and an appreciation for “old-school” label practices. By tapping into the diverse Tempe scene, Gilgongo continues a long lineage of truly great labels providing a channel to eager bands and artists. Caleb Dailey and Micah Dailey of Moone Records. (Photo by Charity Kolbo) Phoenix’s 9 best record labels from p 26 Moone Records Established in 2013 by brothers Micah and Caleb Dailey, Moone Records boasts a lineup of nearly 30 recording artists, including German musician Markus Archer, experimental singer Tashi Dorji and Japanese music ensemble Maher Shalal Hash Baz. With a focus on stripping back excess noise to help the audience earnestly focus on the music, Moone is known for hosting a series of intimate artist showcases, including those from people’s houses. Moone may call itself another “minimal art label,” but what sets the company apart is the overarching sense of curiosity, inventiveness and raw passion that defines its entire roster. The label has big plans for the future, and Moone continues to add new depth and texture to the local music scene. Related Records Self-described as a “very small operation,” Related Records was founded in 2013 by local musician Ryan Avery. They had origi- nally intended to work with various friends and collaborators in releasing music from their genuine smorgasbord of artistic projects, including Hi My Name Is Ryan, Drunk & Horny and The Best Friends Podcast. However, the label has since culti- vated a roster of 30 or so artists, including California punk band Fatty Cake and the Puff Pastries, jazz-pop artist Mooey Moobau, experimental pop artist Mary Ocher and electronic dance duo Quintron & Miss Pussycat. Related may be on the smaller side, but its contributions to local music are immense. Slope Records As anybody who has been to Phoenix has already deduced, the label took its name from the Sunnyslope neighborhood. Founder Thomas Lopez began Slope in 2015 as something of a hobby, but when he made waves among the record label “scene” in Arizona, he quickly pivoted. Slope has since gained a label of 30 punk artists, including skateboarding icon Duane Peters and bands like Feederz, Nip Drivers, Surfbort and U.S. Bombs. The label hasn’t released any “new” projects since 2019, and its social media accounts remain untouched. However, in that same period, Slope released more than 46 projects, mainly classic reissues from Brainz, FuckEmos and Nip Drivers, among others. Read the full article at phoenixnewtimes.com.
