Story by Katie Kelly Cover photo by Ahmad George In September 2022, Lawrence Matthews performed his last public show as his musical alter-ego, Don Lifted. It wasn’t a small show, either (a headlining event at the iconic Overton Park Shell) and it didn’t come during some lull in his career. In fact, at this time…
As we embark on a new year, we decided to look both backwards and forwards with a handful of some of our favorite Memphis musicians, who shared their reflections on the year that was and their goals for the coming months… Preauxx “2023 Was The Most Successful Year Of My Career. I’m Every Way, But…
By Katie Kelly Growlers in Midtown Memphis is packed. Overflowing really. There are people in groups in the parking lot talking, people in line waiting to get in, and some just hanging out around the venue. Inside, it’s even more crowded. It takes 10 minutes just to get to the bar and another 15 to…
After nearly four years, longtime Memphis musician Paul Taylor is finally returning home to play his first local show of the 2020’s. His triumphant return to the Green Room at Crosstown Arts will take place this Friday evening, where Taylor will be joined by his brand new band, Three Springs. Prior to his highly-anticipated return,…
Story by Katie Kelly; Photo by Anthony Lorenzo I’m in a rush when I go to meet Talibah Safiya. I was at work later than I expected, putting me about 10 minutes behind schedule. As I park, I start stressing about making someone else wait so I channel my inner New Yorker and powerwalk to…
By Katie Kelly When I walk into the studio that R.U.D.Y is working in, there’s a rare moment of stillness. Everyone is seated around one of the computers quietly immersed in their own world. Then a beat starts playing. It’s subtle at first, but grows louder, causing everyone to stop whatever they were doing and…
1. Tell us about your background. How did you get into the music industry? I was born and raised in Memphis and a graduate of White Station High School. Music has been a big part of my life since I was a kid. One of my formative memories is the day my parents decided I…
By Katie Kelly You wouldn’t know it at all from looking at her, but Glockianna is nervous. It’s September 2022 and the rapper is backstage at Rolling Loud waiting to perform alongside her new labelmate Duke Deuce during his set. From her viewpoint, she can see the crowd: a pulsating mass of excitement and energy…
By Katie Kelly When you scroll through MadameFraankie’s Instagram, you won’t see those seemingly obligatory food, scenery, or #OOTD posts that so frequently populate other users’ content. Instead, what you will see are hundreds upon hundreds of videos of Fraankie doing one thing and one thing only: playing her electric guitar. You see, for her…
