Artists you should know: Jazz Xperiment

Jazz Xperiment is an example of what happens when a jazz player and a blues/rock musician team up and try something new.

Randy Freeman (the jazz guy) and Jim Hampton (the blues/rock guy, who also plays in Rockaholics) have been friends for 30 years, but two years ago they decided to start Jazz Xperiment. Read more →

Artists you should know: Shiver Fox

Shiver Fox is a new band from two local musicians who have done well for themselves in the past. Trey Tosh, an accomplished rock and blues artist, joined forces with Kyle Baker, who toured nationally and internationally with rock band Flight 409. Together, they call their new project "modern vintage" -- that means its dripping with classic influences, but also has the attitude and energy you'd expect from two guys in their early 20s.

Shiver Fox's EP release party is tonight at Starline, 831 E. Fern Ave. It starts at 9 p.m. and has a $10 cover. The first 50 people through the door get a free Shiver Fox T-shirt. Advance tickets are available at The Laundry Room for $8. Read more →

Down Word hopes to sell out show at Starline

Local rock band Down Word is determined to sell out its first headlining show at Starline on Saturday night -- even knowing that it's got steep competition over at the Save Mart Center.

But this funk-driven rock band that channels the energy of Rage Against the Machine has been doing a lot of things right lately. Read more →

Keeney swaps hard rock for acoustic approach

A hard rocker turning acoustic isn't something you see too often.

It did work for Staind's Aaron Lewis, and Fresno's Michael Keeney hopes it works for him too. Read more →

Artists you should know: Jem Bluestein

If you follow folk music in Fresno, then the Bluestein name needs no introduction.

The Bluesteins are Fresno's first family of folk. Patriarch Gene Bluestein was a folk musician and professor who had his children playing music from a young age. Many years later, they're still at it. Read more →

Artists you should know: Whisky Row

Local country duo Whisky Row have a good chance to make an impression with the country music industry this weekend.

Whisky Row - Mike Pereira and Jason Ruffoni, both 32 and from Kerman - is competing in the regional competition of the the Colgate Country Showdown, a prestigious talent competition for up-and-coming country musicians. Read more →

Artists you should know: The Kids' International

Ben Bartel, David Shaw and Berto Vicente were playing in a hard-core/screamo band when they decided they needed a change of style.

"Let's write music that anyone could come to a show and enjoy," Bartel says. Read more →

Artists you should know: Reality Sound International

Last weekend, Fresno reggae crew Reality Sound International was one of four to compete in Club Dread's Sound Clash in San Francisco.

In addition to that, the DJ trio of Daddy Spleece, Papa Roots and Ras I Chant hold down a weekly show at Veni Vidi Vici (Thursdays) and a weekly radio slot 6-9 p.m. Sundays on KFSR, FM 90.7. Read more →

Artists you should know: Shauvone Guzman

Singer Shauvone Guzman is a diverse talent -- she's released music as a solo artist, sung in church choirs and performed in theatrical productions at Sunnyside High School.

Her latest venture is bringing her back to Sunnyside's performing arts theater, at 6 p.m. Saturday for the CD release concert for "He's the Only One." Tickets cost $5, or $3 for students. We got the scoop from Shauvone. Read more →

Artists you should know: 1/4 to Four

Initially, pianist Henry Winckel set out to record a solo jazz CD.

Yet ideas change -- and his end product was a group featuring Jimmy Haslip of The Yellowjackets and Paul Perez of Tower of Power. Read more →

Artists you should know: The Overdubs

A lot of bands talk about being families. The Overdubs, though, really do have family ties -- with husband-wife and father-son pairs.

We caught up with member Ryan Townsend before the band's show at 7:30 p.m. today at Kuppajoe, 3673 N. First St. Cover is $5. Give us the history of The Overdubs. The Overdubs began as a side project and evolved. We started in Orange County as Girlfriend in a Coma but I changed the name to The Overdubs when I moved to Davis because everyone thought we were a Smiths cover band. I love the Smiths, but we don't play '80s nights. When we came back to Fresno, I recruited Nathan Bjaaland and Sean Cohea as the rhythm section; we'd all been in a punk band called Chevron Girl back in the day. Of course, Bekah Townsend, my wife, has always been in the band. Now we have another refugee from Chevron Girl, Justin Landis, and father-son duo Gino and Weston Grillo in our crew as well. Read more →

Artists you should know: The Midnight Howlers

If you've been paying attention, you might have noticed The Midnight Howlers playing all around Fresno lately.

The Madera group got together in 2006. Since then, the foursome of Nick Lillies, Chris Stroud, Jared Upton and Jake Zamora has been making noise around town to the point where it's touring and readying its first CD. Next up, the band is playing at 8 p.m. Tuesday at Crossroads, 3315 N. Cedar Ave. Cover is $10. Read more →

Artists you should know: The Human Project

This week, The Human Project sat alongside Linkin Park and Amy Winehouse on the front page of numberonemusic.com.

And what exactly is The Human Project, you ask? It's the moniker of Visalia singer/songwriter Loyd Vandergriff. Read more →

Artists you should know: Los Hooligans

Ska band Los Hooligans is back from its annual winter hiatus.

The band, largely made up of local music teachers, is performing at 8:30 p.m. today at Audie's Olympic, the former Club Fred, at 1426 N. Van Ness Ave. Cover is $8. Read more →

Artists you should know: F-Plus

Saturday marks the second James Brown tribute show put on by F-Plus and Don D., the funky DJs behind the monthly Body Rock night at Veni Vidi Vici.

We chatted with F-Plus about the late Brown and more. Read more →

Artists you should know: The Kids' International

Ben Bartel, David Shaw and Berto Vicente were playing in a hard-core/screamo band when they decided they needed a change of style.

"Let's write music that anyone could come to a show and enjoy," Bartel says. Read more →

Artists you should know: Aspen Hollow

Aspen Hollow is the point where acoustic folk, the indie rock of The Shins and the inventiveness of Radiohead intersect.

This Fresno-based folky, indie, acoustic band (which, it's worth noting, puts on a captivating live show) is headlining at 8 p.m. today at Full Circle Brewing Co., 620 F St. Read more →

Artists you should know: Filthy

Rapper Filthy hails from the same Houston rap scene that in recent years made stars of Chamillionaire and Paul Wall.

Now splitting time between Houston and Fresno, Filthy's got an album in the works and a new single called "We Got It" that features Keak Da Sneak. The two of them will perform at 9 p.m. Saturday at Crest Theatre, 1170 Broadway St. Cover is $15. Read more →

Artists you should know: Tha GIM

Tha GIM recently returned home from getting honored at the Holy Hip-Hop Awards in Atlanta on Jan. 18 and 19.

So we caught up with the Fresno rapper (whose name is an acronym for God In Me) to find out about his experience and what's coming up for him this year. Read more →

Artists you should know: Jet Black Horror

Fresno metal band Jet Black Horror is starting off 2008 with a 20-city West Coast tour that's taking the group to Las Vegas, Portland and Seattle.

It's a big move for a 3-year-old band that has been marred with lineup changes. Now with a stable lineup, the five-piece band is looking toward a big year, so says bass player Matt Turya. We caught up with him from the road. Read more →