Courtesy Photo: Mash-up artist Girl Talk (Gregg Gillis) performed at Dickson Street Theater last Friday at a surprise show.

Gregg Gillis, aka Girl Talk, recently crashed the Fayetteville nightlife scene. In conjunction with Axe body products, the artist played a free last-minute show that was hyped up to the very last second via social media and a sno-cone mobile that distributed tickets.

Girl Talk’s current sound is a kind of Franken-pop product that blends a medley of pop genres into beat-driven dance music. Since the beginning of his musical experimentation, Gillis has approached his music with a type of mad scientist mentality, dissecting songs, lifting layers and reconnecting the pieces to suit his fancy. (It’s aliiiive!)

In a phone interview Friday, Gillis explained that once upon a time he was part of a very avant-garde music community. Sampling pop songs originated, not in conjunction with the party scene, but as a stand against the underground resistance to mainstream popular music. Gillis began experimenting with mash-ups that pieced together different elements of pop music with the intentions of “pissing off the underground.”

“There was a large divide between the underground and the mainstream,” he explained. “I was part of a confrontation with the underground idea that ‘pop is evil.’”

Girl Talk’s first album, “Secret Diary,” is a far cry from the most recent release. The album, which was released almost 10 years ago, was recorded to sound like a skipping CD. The songs are overloaded with low budget synthetic effects and are underpinned by popular rap beats, rock riffs or standout lyrics. Gillis admits that this album is “difficult to listen to.”

Accessibility and popularity have never been a top priority for the artist. His focus is, instead, on what is most interesting for the project. The former engineer explained, “I never intended for this to be a career.” Touring half the year with a live stage is more than he ever imagined, and though he said he is content with his current success, he also said there will come a day when he will want to stop touring.

At 4 p.m. Friday, Gillis had just woken up, and said he was recovering from the night before. He listed his pre-game rituals as eating a bowl of cereal, taking some vitamins and loosening up. Anyone who has never been to a Girl Talk show may ask, “Why does a DJ … ahem, excuse me … mash-up artist … need to loosen up?”

The answer to this and other questions have the same answer. (Why does he wear a sweatband across his forehead? Why does he wrap his laptop in Saran Wrap? Why does he, inevitably, emerge at the end of the show wearing less clothing than when he began?) It’s all because he works his ass off behind that laptop, and it’s a hot, sweaty job.

Girl Talk’s musical project isn’t limited to digital track surgery, but extends into the arena of performance, making his show something to enjoy visually and aurally. Gillis triggers every sample live, with the intent of creating something the audience can watch. The process also makes each live show an original act as an ongoing musical project that is constantly being reworked and evolving to suit the artist’s tastes, the crowd’s responses and the click of the mouse.

Gillis explained that his tendency to shed clothes is part of his stage performance. With no fan base and no production elements, Girl Talk has used stripping and crowd surfing as a method to entertain his audience since his early days. “I try to lose my mind every night,” said Gillis. “It’s a battle of craziness. If you’re not with us, I challenge you to go with us. If you’re with us, I challenge you to go further.”

With popularity has come more stage production, which could also be considered more ammunition in the “battle of the craziness.” At the Dickson Street Theater on Dec. 2, production was amplified with balloons, confetti, custom lighting, dancers and toilet roll guns. “It’s been a long time since I’ve ended a show in my underwear,” Gillis said.

Gillis said his joint venture with Axe, during which he will perform shows in eight college towns, has allowed him to play the smaller, more intimate venues, while incorporating the big stage production of larger venues. For Gillis the idea was to “barely scale it down and force it into a smaller setting.” He also mentioned he enjoys playing larger shows, but “there’s something special about seeing every person’s face.”

Axe’s marketing approach to the concert has proven highly effective, creating a buzz bordering on hysteria in some instances. In Tuscaloosa, when it was rumored that Girl Talk would be handing out tickets in person, things got a little chaotic. Gillis described the scenario: “Hundreds of kids, police cars, people running through red lights.” Let it be noted this was not a simple response to a free show, but to the possibility of meeting Girl Talk in the flesh.

For Girl Talk, face time with his fans is important, which is why you’ll see (at least) a handful of fans dancing behind him at his shows. By inviting people on-stage, the artist incorporates an intimacy that is often absent in large live music sets. “Interaction is easy and it means a lot to the fans,” Gillis said.

Offstage, Gillis hones his live set list and conceptualizes new albums. “I work every day,” he said and described his life as “working doses of both worlds” which includes both wild nights on the road and days of meticulous trial and error of meshing samples.
So what’s next for Girl Talk?

“I have a lot of songs I want to sample,” he said, “and that list grows faster than I can get to it.”

As far as process goes, sometimes he hunts for a particular sound (like ’80s synth pop), or something clicks when he hears a song while grocery shopping, or he revisits old samples that couldn’t be used in previous albums or sets. As far as success goes, Gillis is content where he’s at, but as far as the music, fans can expect to see “more complicated, more involved music,” that is an art form first and a profession second.

Ricky Black AKA Domewrekka is a "ridiculously nice guy" who helped pioneer the dubstep scene in Northwest Arkansas.

By Blair Jackson
TFW Editor

Ricky Black is a local DJ who specializes in dubstep, a genre that has led the trend in the underground electronica scene for the past two years. Under his stage name, Domewrekka, Black has spent seven years perfecting his craft, building a fan base and making plans. This year has held some major milestones for Domewrekka, and he has even bigger plans for 2012.

Black’s passion for electronica started with the club and festival scene.
“I liked to go to parties and dance,” he says. “I liked it so much, I listened to it all day, every day, and all different kinds.”

Eventually, Black’s passion for music evolved into a curiosity about the actual process of meshing beats. He began watching DJs as they worked and started asking questions.
In 2004, Black returned from a pawnshop with a set of turntables. He was set up within two hours, but it took him four years to land a gig.

“You don’t just learn to beat match and have doors open up,” he says.
Beat matching is the process of matching up the tempos of two different songs, by speeding up or slowing down the track in order to provide a seamless transition between tracks.

“My job is to make sure the music doesn’t stop,” Black says.

And Domewrekka does his job. During a tag-team set between three DJs at Fix Lounge on Nov. 30, the music never lost its pulse — and oh, what a pulse it was. At 140 beats per minute, the tempo of dubstep runs at almost twice the pace of the human heart, and of course, it isn’t as regulated.

When he’s in the DJ booth, Domewrekka serves as the connecting point between the crowd and the music. The success of a DJ relies heavily on the ability to read the mood of the crowd, not only to give the fans what they want, but also to show them something new and exciting. Domewrekka’s rise to popularity can, in part, be attributed to the rise of dubstep, which is his specialty.

One of the unique aspects of dubstep is the sense of the unpredictable. Standard time signatures are interrupted by drops, wobbles and tempo changes. A variety of synthesized sounds, vocals and even acoustic instrumentation are woven into the tapestry of the sound, making it what Black calls, “a smorgasbord of all genres.” The effect of the music is the ultimate mash-up, a type of organized chaos composed of samples, modulated beats and synthesized sounds. From beginning to end, a single dubstep song offers a multi-dimensional experience.

It was the intensity of dubstep that inspired Black’s Domewrekka name.
“I play the hardest kind of music,” he says. “It’s the kind that twists you, takes you on a ride. It’s a head-trip.”

Paring down electronic music into different genres is tricky business. Trance, house, dubstep, drumstep — the categories are based on the technical variants of the songs. For example, drumstep is classified as 170 beats per minute. Drum and base, or D&B, has the same BPMs as drumstep, but has half the snare. Black says all DJs are doing multi-genre sets.

Staff Photo by Blair Jackson: Local dubstep DJ Domewrekka set the mood at Fix Lounge last Wednesday.

“There are so many new genres,” he says. “The sound is constantly evolving.”
As for being a well-known local DJ, Black calls himself a D-list local celebrity, saying “I’m not an Arkansas Razorback player or anything.” For Domewrekka, meshing tracks is a passion, not a full-time job. He also moonlights as a stage technician. During the day he is a full-time father to his two young children, Koa and Maddox, and often spends time playing with the dogs or throwing a flying disc around.

Black’s growing list of achievements offsets his humble self-representation. In the past year, the DJ has opened for Bassnectar, played a set at Wakarusa and organized an outdoor festival. Domewrekka admits he was nervous playing at the larger venues, but says he looked out at the crowd to see his friends and was encouraged.

Another factor behind Domewrekka’s rising success is his unique relationship with his fans, whom he considers friends. One such friend, Shammy Starbrite, remembers when Domewrekka was banned from George’s for playing dubstep a few years back.

“That was when dubstep first hit the scene,” Starbrite says. “It was a little grimier and dirtier, and a lot more underground.”

Earlier this year, at Domewrekka’s Galactic Butterfly Festival, Shammy and her husband Chroma were married on-stage. Domewrekka officiated the wedding as a minister of the religion of womp (dubstep), and the two traded candy rings as a token of their love.

Now, there is evidence of mainstream acclaim for a sound that was once an exclusively underground phenomenon. Skrillex, a dubstep artist who was recently nominated for five Grammy awards, has become the first DJ artist to ever be nominated as Best New Artist. On a local level, Starbrite notes there has been a growing fascination with dubstep within the festival scene for the past few years. “A lot of people started recognizing dubstep because it started happening everywhere.”

Domewrekka says his sets are designed to create a “hard, heavy energy that gets your blood

Staff Photo by Blair Jackson: Dancing to dubstep is a rising trend in itself. At the most advanced levels, robotic pop-and-lock movements are paired with the acrobatics of break dancing.

flowing.” Dancing to dubstep is a rising trend in itself. At the most advanced levels, robotic pop-and-lock movements are paired with the acrobatics of break dancing. For fans with less skill, there are no stigmas on the dance floor. Dancing to dubstep is all about having a good time.

“I enjoy seeing everyone having a good time,” Black says. “When people are dancing, they aren’t thinking about anything.”

After seven years, Black says he is beginning to understand what makes up the backbone of a solid dubstep song. In order to be considered for the Wakarusa set, he was required to create an original track.

“I’m such a perfectionist,” he says. “It took me 15 tries just to get it perfect. Sound engineering is no joke.”

The song, entitled “Wrekkarusa” can be found on soundcloud.com.

Producing an original sound is the next step for Domewrekka. He has ideas for original tracks and is preparing to release at least four EPs in the spring of 2012. For DJs, booking shows is where the money is, and Black is hoping to become a full-time DJ. With an original sound, Black says more shows will come.

“Everyone wants to get paid to do what they love,” says Black, whose ideal show would be in the United Kingdom, the birthplace of dubstep.

George’s Majestic Lounge, Fayetteville: Randy Rogers Band

JJ’s Grill, Fayetteville: Darren Ray

JJ’s Grill, Rogers: TJ Scarlett

Mojo’s Pints and Pies, Fayetteville: Two & 1/3 Men

Pesto Cafe, Fayetteville: Sarah Hughes

Rowdy Beaver, Eureka Springs: Karaoke with Tiny

Smoke & Barrel Tavern: Many Mansions

FRIDAY

Arsaga’s Crossover, Fayetteville: Waoka

The Bayou, Rogers: The Larry’s, Steppin Stones

Downstream Casino, Quapaw, OK: Earl & Them

George’s Majestic Lounge, Fayetteville: George Porter Jr. of the Meters

Greenhouse Grille, Fayetteville: Grazzhopper

JJ’s Grill, Fayetteville: Joe Giles & the Homewreckers

JJ’s Grill, Rogers: Jason Strode

Mojo’s Pints and Pies, Fayetteville: Loose Change

R.O.T.C. Grill, Fayetteville: Bramhall Bros. & The Blues Band

Rowdy Beaver, Eureka Springs: Art Bently

Rowdy Beaver Den, Eureka Springs: Cathead Biscuit

Rowdy Beaver, Fayetteville: Catfish Jackson

Ruth’s Chris, Rogers: Jovan Arellano

Smoke & Barrel Tavern: Guta

SATURDAY

Downstream Casino, Quapaw, OK: Torn, Sweet Trouble

George’s Majestic Lounge, Fayetteville: Chasing Pictures, Day After Mourning, Very Special Guests

JJ’s Grill, Fayetteville: Brian Odle

JJ’s Grill, Rogers: Ocie & the Heartstrings

JR’s Lightbulb Club, Fayetteville: BRONCHO, The Holy Shakes, Memphis Pencils

Mojo’s Pints and Pies, Fayetteville: RJ Mischo

Rogue, Fayetteville: Dreamfast video shoot

Rowdy Beaver, Eureka Springs: One Night Stand

Rowdy Beaver Den, Eureka Springs: Smith & Reed

Rowdy Beaver, Fayetteville: Art Bently

Smoke & Barrel Tavern: Daikaiju! with the Voyageurs

UARK Ballroom, Fayetteville: Fayetteville Jazz Collective

SUNDAY, NOV. 20

Common Grounds, Fayetteville: Jones and Leah

Copeland’s, Rogers: Claudia Burson Trio

Emelia’s Kitchen, Fayetteville: Drew Packard and Friends Jazz

George’s Majestic Lounge, Fayetteville: John Ervin

Greenhouse Grille, Fayetteville: Beth Stockdell

Pesto Cafe, Fayetteville: Shannon Wurst

MONDAY

JJ’s Grill, Fayetteville: Will Gunselman

JJ’s Grill, Rogers: Jeff Fox

The Perk, Fayetteville: Open Acoustic Jam

Pesto Cafe, Fayetteville: Darren Ray

TUESDAY

JJ’s Grill, Fayetteville: Jeff Fox

JJ’s Grill, Rogers: Russ Hutchison

Mojo’s Pints and Pies, Fayetteville: Nate Hancock

Pesto Cafe, Fayetteville: Jed Clampit

WEDNESDAY

Greenhouse Grille, Fayetteville: 3 Penny Acre

Iron Horse Coffee House, Rogers: Rogers Jazz Society

JJ’s Grill, Rogers: Ashley McBryde

Jose’s, Fayetteville: Karaoke

Smoke & Barrel Tavern: DJ Mixx Tenn

THURSDAY, NOV. 24,

THANKSGIVING DAY

Venues

Arsaga’s Crossover, Fayetteville: 527-0690, The Bayou, Rogers: 246-9337, Common Grounds, Fayetteville: 442-3515, Copeland’s, Rogers: 246-9455, Downstream Casino, Quapaw, OK: 918-919-6000, Emelia’s Kitchen, Fayetteville: 527-9800, George’s Majestic Lounge, Fayetteville: 442-4226, Greenhouse Grille, Fayetteville: 444-8909, Iron Horse Coffee House, Rogers: 631-9977, JJ’s Grill, Fayetteville: 443-0700, JJ’s Grill, Rogers: 372-4460, Jose’s, Fayetteville: 521-0194, JR’s Lightbulb Club, Fayetteville: 444-6100, Mojo’s Pints and Pies, Fayetteville: 935-3459, The Perk, Fayetteville: 856-6382, Pesto Cafe, Fayetteville: 582-3330, Rogue, Fayetteville: 571-5200, R.O.T.C. Grill, Fayetteville: 521-2674, Rowdy Beaver, Eureka Springs: 253-8544, Rowdy Beaver Den, Eureka Springs: 363-6444, Rowdy Beaver, Fayetteville: 287-4227, Ruth’s Chris, Rogers: 633-8331, Smoke & Barrel Tavern: 521-6880, UARK Ballroom, Fayetteville: 582-0400.

Candy Lee, the voice of the folk jazz band Candy Lee and the Sweets has returned to Northwest Arkansas to kick off her tour of the Southern states.
After a solo tour last summer, the singer/songwriter/artist is settling into a routine at her new home in Jacksonville, Fla., and is planning a new album.

“I am really super excited about coming back to Fayetteville,” Lee said. “It’s my favorite place in the world.”

Lee’s fragile, folksy voice (with a tone that rivals Leslie Feist) skips across notes like stones in a brook.

The music of her most recent album, “The Gate,” bares simple lyrics, three-part harmonies and upbeat tempos that blend into playful, sweet melodies that often border on soulful.
The album is a record not only of Lee’s music, but also of her personal journey through spiritual and philosophical revelations.

Music, according to the artist, is also her preferred method of introspection.
“Music is the most important thing in my life,” Lee said.

“It’s a really good way to explore what’s on my mind and get it out there. And to relate with other people because I find that that’s really powerful. It’s really cool to connect with people on that level. That’s what I like about writing about such personal things.”

Described as “children’s songs for adults,” Lee uses simple lyrics to explore the complexities of the human experience. Drawing inspiration from Friedrich Nietzche, Edmund Burke, Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, and even from her own experience in the restaurant industry, the album is Lee’s autobiographical exploration of some of humanity’s most personal and unifying questions.

“It’s been said in different religions, in Christianity for example, ‘Become like a child,’” Lee said.

“In order to learn anything, you have to step back into a childlike perspective where you’re able to learn and see the world in a way that’s fascinating. Kids have this wonderful joy and excitement with the world around them, because it’s new and things are happening everyday.
“We become jaded as adults and think there’s nothing left for us to learn, but if you step back into that childlike perspective you learn not only to be humble but to learn new things everyday.”

Lee took her vision a step further with the album artwork. Illustrated as a children’s storybook, each page depicts a variety of scenes — from islands, to caves, to dragons — all of which feature a cartoon Candy Lee.

The simple, soul-baring songs of “The Gate” are captivating in quality and messages, but fans can expect a completely different experience live.

On the album, there are layers of synthesized strings that have not yet found a place on the stage, and depending on the show, you can find Lee solo with a guitar or backed up by her band, The Sweets.

Lee says the highlight of her homecoming will be playing with her band again. “They’re some of my best friends,” she said. Comprised of Jennifer Graham (bass, vocals), Emily Jenkins (vocals), Dan Dean (djembe and percussion) and Warren Dietzel (mandolin), the Sweets met through mutual friends and contacts in the Fayetteville music scene. “It came together piece by piece,” Lee said. “It was a nice organic type of thing.”

In Jacksonville, Lee is waiting tables and playing venues in hopes of breaking into the local scene. With her second tour under way, and a new album in the works, her hometown fans can rest assured that they will be hearing more from Candy Lee.

As far as future plans, Lee says she would like to “go all the way with it.”

She dreams of touring full time and opening for bands, such as the Avett Brothers, The Decemberists and Sufjan Stevens.

Until then, you can catch her this weekend at the Greenhouse Grille. If you can’t make it to her live show, be sure to check out her website candyleemusic.com, where you can listen to her entire album.

Lucero will appear Friday and Saturday, Feb. 24-25 at George's Majestic Lounge in Fayetteville.

FAYETTEVILLE

Thursday, Feb. 24

George’s Majestic Lounge: 101 Runners with Mardi Gras Indian Big Chief Monk Boudreaux, Lord T & Eloise
Rogue: Well Well Well, The Plaid Jackets, Kilroy
Smoke & Barrel: DJ Night with Shortfuze

Friday, Feb. 25

Arsaga’s on Crossover: Reese Neal
Billy’s Bar and Grill: Staggering Odds
Ella’s: Yaniv
George’s Majestic Lounge: Lucero, Cory Branan, Earl and Them
Greenhouse Grille: Alex Lewis
JJ’s Grill and Chill: Nu Un Yun
Maxine’s Tap Room: Wooly Moon, Assateague
Mojo’s Pints & Pies: Toe Funk Jam Band
Rogue: Groovement
ROTC Grill: Ransom
Smoke & Barrel: Fred Talley’s CD release party with Soundchild Crew and DJ EQ

Saturday, Feb. 26

Arsaga’s on Crossover: Hogeye Ramblers
Drifters: Rockin’ Red Dirt Revival with Benjamin Del Shreve, Chad Sullins, Jason Stringfellow, Gib Stones
Ella’s: William Reyes
George’s Majestic Lounge: Lucero, Colour Revolt, George McConnell
JJ’s Grill and Chill: Ouachita River Band
Mojo’s Pints & Pies: Dirty Dogs
Rogue: The Story Changes, Jarris, Newsletter & Silent Waits, The Archer
Smoke & Barrel: Kris Lager Band

Sunday, Feb. 27

George’s Majestic Lounge: Corey Smith, Matt Stillwell
GoodFolk Productions: Susan Herndon
Greenhouse Grille: Candy Lee & The Sweets
Lit Lounge: Jody’s Living Room open mic
Teatro Scarpino: Kevin So, Jason Reddecliff
Terra Studios (Durham): Dave Baer

Monday, Feb. 28

JJ’s Grill and Chill: Stevie Tombstone
Mojo’s Pints & Pies: Teddy Sablon
The Perk on Wedington: Open acoustic jam

Tuesday, March 1

Salty Dog: Open acoustic jam

Wednesday, March 2

Common Grounds: Sarah Hughes
George’s Majestic Lounge: Kip Attaway
Greenhouse Grille: Shout Lulu
Mojo’s Pints & Pies: Johny Arrendondo & Friends
Rogue: Amy Levere
RZ’s Coffeehouse (UA campus): Cletus Got Shot

BENTONVILLE

Friday, Feb. 25

Celtic Grill: Taylor Clayborne

Sunday, Feb. 27

Arend Arts Center: New Christy Minstrels

Wednesday, March 2

Boston’s Restaurant and Sports Grill: acoustic open mic

EUREKA SPRINGS

Saturday, Feb. 26

Caribe: Stevie Tombstone
Chelsea’s Corner Cafe: Ocie Fisher and the Heart Strings

FORT SMITH

Friday, Feb. 25

Landry’s: Sugar Free Allstars

Saturday, Feb. 26

Landry’s: Travis Linville

ROGERS

Friday, Feb. 25

Bayou: Fender City Jets
JJ’s Grill and Chill: Jason Strode
Ruth’s Chris: Emily Knight

Saturday, Feb. 26

Bayou: Tuesday Blues Project
JJ’s Grill and Chill: TJ Scarlet

Sunday, Feb. 27

Copeland’s: Claudia Burson Trio (brunch)

Monday, Feb. 28

JJ’s Grill and Chill: Jeremiah Jones

SPRINGDALE

Saturday, Feb. 26

The Hub: Native Son, Restaurnaut, Pride of the Thicket

WEST FORK

Saturday, Feb. 26

Lil O’ Oprey: Live jam

Jarrod Gorbel will perform Monday, Feb. 21 at Rogue Pizza Co. in Fayetteville.

FAYETTEVILLE

Thursday, Feb. 17

George’s Majestic Lounge: Old 97s
Maxine’s Tap Room: Robert Hatfield
Mojo’s Pints & Pies: Derek Van Lynn
Smoke & Barrel: Matt & Gus Smith

Friday, Feb. 18

Arsaga’s on Crossover: Amanda Cramer
Billy’s Bar & Grill: Obleo
Ella’s Restaurant: Matt Smith
George’s Majestic Lounge: RJ Mischo, Brantley Gilbert, Brian Davis
Greenhouse Grille: Drew Packard
JJ’s Grill and Chill: Cook County
Maxine’s Tap Room: Rollo Tumasi
Mojo’s Pints & Pies: Jason Wagner and Friends
Rogue Pizza Co.: Starved for Attention, Rocket Coma
Smoke & Barrel: Flipoff Pirates
Teatro Scarpino: DJ Tony

Saturday, Feb. 19

Arsaga’s on Crossover: Rachel Billingsley
Ella’s Restaurant: Lorrie Morris
George’s Majestic Lounge: Brantley Gilbert, Brian Davis
JJ’s Grill and Chill: Jason Strode
Maxine’s Tap Room: Scott Parker, Glory Bones
Mojo’s Pints & Pies: Guta
Rogue Pizza Co.: Amsterdam, Motortrain
Smoke & Barrel: Where’s Lawrence?, Swimming, Memphis Pencils

Sunday, Feb. 20

George’s Majestic Lounge: Tyrannosaurus Chicken
Greenhouse Grille: Beth Stockdell
Jose’s: Zam the Wizard (noon to 3 p.m.)
Lit Lounge: Jody’s Living Room open mic

Monday, Feb. 21

George’s Majestic Lounge: Millionyoung, Messy Sparkles
JJ’s Grill and Chill: Amber and Emma
Mojo’s Pints & Pies: The Phosphenes
Rogue Pizza Co.: Jarrod Gorbel, Atlantic/Pacific

Tuesday, Feb. 22

JJ’s Grill and Chill: Jeff Fox
Mojo’s Pints & Pies: blues jam

Wednesday, Feb. 23

Arsaga’s on Crossover: Cabernet
Common Grounds: DJ SoulFree
George’s Majestic Lounge: Randy Houser
Greenhouse Grille: Sarah Hughes
JJ’s Grill and Chill: Tim Meitzen
Mojo’s Pints & Pies: Johny Arrendondo & Friends
Rogue Pizza Co.: Vore, Self Inflicted, What Army
Whole Earth Organic Lounge: Fayetteville’s Got Talent open mic

Trout Fishing in America will give a family concert at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 20 at Arend Arts Center In Bentonville.

BENTONVILLE

Friday, Feb. 18

Celtic Grill: Tommy Nolen

Wednesday, Feb. 23

Boston’s Restaurant and Sports Grill: Acoustic open mic

EUREKA SPRINGS

Friday, Feb. 18

Chelsea’s Corner Cafe: Mountain Sprout

Saturday, Feb. 19

Chelsea’s Corner Cafe: Flipoff Pirates

ROGERS

Friday, Feb. 18

JJ’s Grill and Chill: Wes & Karl
Ruth’s Chris: Emily Knight

Saturday, Feb. 19

JJ’s Grill and Chill: Keith Nicholson Trio

Sunday, Feb. 20

Copeland’s: Claudia Burson Trio (brunch)

Monday, Feb. 21

JJ’s Grill and Chill: Wiley Seeger

Tuesday, Feb. 22

JJ’s Grill and Chill: Samantha Hunt

Wednesday, Feb. 23

JJ’s Grill and Chill: Jeff Fox

SPRINGDALE

Saturday, Feb. 19

The Hub: Battle of the Bands finals

(Photo Courtesy: Kirk Lanier) Big Bad Gina — Renee Janski, Melodie Griffis and Jori Costello, from left — will perform a Valentine's show at 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 13 at Teatro Scarpino in Fayetteville.

FAYETTEVILLE

Thursday, Feb. 10

George’s Majestic Lounge: Rev. Horton Heat, Ben Miller Band
Maxine’s Tap Room: Michael White
Smoke and Barrel: Scott Leeper

Friday, Feb. 11

Arsaga’s on Crossover: Celtic music jam
Billy’s Bar and Grill: Christain Jerry Band
Ella’s Restaurant: Yaniv
George’s Majestic Lounge: Ultra Suede, Red Ambition, Reckless Kelly, Turnpike Troubadours
Greenhouse Grille: Matt Smith Jazz Duo
JJ’s Grill and Chill: TJ Scarlet
Maxine’s Tap Room: Dirtfoot, Zack Bramhall
Mojo’s Pints and Pies: Tiffany Christopher Band
Rogue Pizza Co.: GSpot, The Town That Dreaded Sundown
Smoke & Barrel: The Pass, Hosta, Messy Sparkles

Saturday, Feb. 12

Arsaga’s on Crossover: Jeremiah’s Call
Ella’s Restaurant: Sarah Hughes
George’s Majestic Lounge: Dirtfoot, Mountain Sprout, Speakeasy
Greenhouse Grille: Al Gibson with Claudia Burson and Walter Savage
JJ’s Grill and Chill: Ocie Fisher and The Heartstrings
Maxine’s Tap Room: Justin Riley
Mojo’s Pints and Pies: Boom! Kinetic
Rogue Pizza Co.: Whiskey King Coalition, Carolina Story    Smoke & Barrel: Sarah Hughes Band

Sunday, Feb. 13

George’s Majestic Lounge: Guta
Greenhouse Grille: Madame Ren Lovely
Lit Lounge: Jody’s Living Room open mic
Pesto Cafe: Shannon Wurst
Rogue Pizza Co.: The Rocketz, Brutally Frank
Teatro Scarpino: Big Bad Gina

Monday, Feb. 14

The Perk on Wedington: Open acoustic jam
Pesto Cafe: Darren Ray

Tuesday, Feb. 15

George’s Majestic Lounge: Elephant Revival, Candy Lee & The Sweets
JJ’s Grill and Chill: Jeff Fox
Pesto Cafe: Jed Clampit
Pig & Whistle: Open acoustic jam
Rogue Pizza Co.: Open mic
Smoke & Barrel: Pretty Things Peepshow
Teatro Scarpino: Live jazz

Wednesday, Feb. 16

Arsaga’s on Crossover: Singer-songwriter circle
Common Grounds: Joel Schisler
GoodFolk Productions: Fred Eaglesmith
Greenhouse Grille: Effron White
JJ’s Grill and Chill: Jeff Pratt
Mojo’s Pints & Pies: Johny Arrendondo & Friends jazz jam
Rogue Pizza Co.: Rollo Tumasi, Scratch Track, 4 Man Trio
Smoke & Barrel: Pretty Things Peepshow
Whole Earth Organic Lounge: Fayetteville’s Got Talent Open Mic

BENTONVILLE/BELLA VISTA

Friday, Feb. 11

Bella Vista Country Club: Debby Horn and The Invisibles
Celtic Grill: Paddy O’Grille
Gusano’s: Keith Nicholson Trio
Shrimpman’s Yacht Club: Ken Poore

Tuesday, Feb. 15

Boston’s Restaurant and Sports Grill: Will Brand

Wednesday, Feb. 16

Boston’s Restaurant and Sports Grill: Acoustic open mic

EUREKA SPRINGS

Friday, Feb. 11

Chelsea’s Corner Cafe: Brothers No Too Grim

Saturday, Feb. 12

Chelsea’s Corner Cafe: Fossils of Ancient Robots

Sunday, Feb. 13

New Delhi Cafe: Brick Fields

Wednesday, Feb. 16

New Delhi Cafe: open mic

ROGERS

Friday, Feb. 11

Bayou: Kory Montgomery
JJ’s Grill and Chill: Nu UnYun
VFW Post No. 3031: Barb Wire

Saturday, Feb. 12

Bayou: Steppin’ Stones
JJ’s Grill and Chill: Barret Baber

Sunday, Feb. 13

Copeland’s: Claudia Burson Trio (brunch)

Monday, Feb. 14

JJ’s Grill and Chill: Heather McCreary

Tuesday, Feb. 15

Bayou: Blues jam

Wednesday, Feb. 16

Iron Horse Coffee House: Open jazz session
JJ’s Grill and Chill: Jeff Fox

SPRINGDALE

Friday, Feb. 11

The Hub: Everyday Disciple, Lower Ninth, Internecine

Saturday, Feb. 12

The Hub: DJ Knite X, DJ Nemi

Sunday, Feb. 13

Jose’s SouthWest Grille: open mic

WEST FORK

Saturday, Feb. 12

Lil O’ Oprey: Live jam

Nemanja Bogunovic, classical guitarist, composer and arranger, will perform at 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 6 at Greenhouse Grille in Fayetteville. The $75 ticket price includes a four-course dinner. Bogunovic recently appeared at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

FAYETTEVILLE

Thursday, Feb. 3

George’s Majestic Lounge: Nate Hancock & The Declaration featuring Joey Williams and Peter Levin from The Blind Boys of Alabama
Maxine’s Tap Room: Tin Pan Alley Cats
Smoke and Barrel: Aerosault

Friday, Feb. 4

Arsaga’s on Crossover: The Lightnin’ Resophonic Road Show
Billy’s Bar and Grill: Kyle Lee
Ella’s Restaurant: William Reyes
George’s Majestic Lounge: VibesquaD with Eliot Lipp, Gary Hutchinson and The Nace Brothers
Greenhouse Grille: Oona Love
JJ’s Grill and Chill: Wes and Karl
Maxine’s Tap Room: Zack Bramhall
Mojo’s Pints and Pies: RJ Mischo
Rogue Pizza Co.: Guta
Smoke and Barrel: Cletus Got Shot
Whole Earth Organic Lounge: Fayetteville Farmer’s Ball with The Old ’78’s

Saturday, Feb. 5

Arsaga’s on Crossover: Amanda Cramer
George’s Majestic Lounge: Josh Abbott Band
JJ’s Grill and Chill: City Limits
Mojo’s Pints & Pies: Sarah Hughes Band
The Lightbulb Club: New Science Projects, Real Live Tigers, Swimming
Rogue Pizza Co.: Friday Maybe Saturday
Smoke and Barrel: Lollipop Factory, Celestial Discharge, Holy Mountain

Sunday, Feb. 6

George’s Majestic Lounge: Dead Man Flats
Greenhouse Grille: Nemanja Bugonovic
Lit Lounge: Jody’s Living Room open mic
Pesto Cafe: Shannon Wurst
Rogue Pizza Co.: Fuggins Wheat

Monday, Feb. 7

JJ’s Grill and Chill: Twosome Trio
The Perk on Wedington: Open acoustic jam
Pesto Cafe: Darren Ray
Smoke and Barrel: Netherfriends, Memphis Pencils
Wine Cellar: Walter Savage and Friends

Tuesday, Feb. 8

JJ’s Grill and Chill: Jeff Fox
Pesto Cafe: Jed Clampit
Pig & Whistle: Open acoustic jam
Rogue Pizza Co.: Open mic
Teatro Scarpino: Live jazz

Wednesday, Feb. 9

Arsaga’s on Crossover: Caberet
Common Grounds: Tiffany Christopher
George’s Majestic Lounge: Perpetual Groove, Papadosio
Greenhouse Grille: Tiffany Christopher
JJ’s Grill and Chill: Emily Knight
Mojo’s Pints & Pies: Johny Arrendondo & Friends jazz jam
Whole Earth Organic Lounge: Fayetteville’s Got Talent Open Mic

BENTONVILLE/BELLA VISTA

Friday, Feb. 4

Celtic Grill: Jon Knox
Shrimpman’s Yacht Club: Ken Poore

Tuesday, Feb. 8

Boston’s Restaurant and Sports Grill: Jovan Arellano
Celtic Grill: Jon Knox
Kennedy Coffee Roasting Co.: Open mic

Wednesday, Feb. 9

Boston’s Restaurant and Sports Grill: Acoustic Open Mic

EUREKA SPRINGS

Friday, Feb. 4

Chelsea’s Corner Cafe: Gera Black & Blue

Saturday, Feb. 5

Chelsea’s Corner Cafe: Pajama Party
New Delhi Cafe: Stevie Tombstone

Sunday, Feb. 6

New Delhi Cafe: Brick Fields

Wednesday, Feb. 9

New Delhi Cafe: Open mic

ROGERS

Friday, Feb. 4

Bayou: The Bullfrogs
JJ’s Grill and Chill: Daryl Brooks Band
VFW Post No. 3031: Barb Wire

Saturday, Feb. 5

Bayou: Blew Reed
JJ’s Grill and Chill: Jovan Arrellano

Sunday, Feb. 6

Copeland’s: Claudia Burson Trio (brunch)

Monday, Feb. 7

JJ’s Grill and Chill: Miller and Buford

Tuesday, Feb. 8

Bayou: Blues jam
JJ’s Grill and Chill: Stevie Tombstone

Wednesday, Feb. 9

Iron Horse Coffee House: Open jazz

SPRINGDALE

Saturday, Feb. 5

The Hub: Native Son, Restaurnaut, Pride of the Thicket

WEST FORK

Saturday, Feb. 5

Lil O’ Oprey: Live jam

Les Malfecteurs — a Cajun band from the Lafayette, La., area — will perform Friday, Jan. 28 at Teatro Scarpino in Fayetteville.

FAYETTEVILLE

Thursday, Jan. 27

George’s Majestic Lounge: Alpha Rev
JJ’s Grill: Jamie Wolfe
Maxine’s Tap Room: Jazz Quartet
Mojo’s Pints & Pies: Effron White

Friday, Jan. 28

Arsaga’s on Crossover: Hogeye Ramblers
Billy’s Bar: Russ & Mike
George’s Majestic Lounge: The Bel Airs, Benjamin Del Shreve, A Good Fight, SilverStone, Rocker Lips
Greenhouse Grille: Walter Savage Jazz
JJ’s Grill: Keith Nicholson
Maxine’s Tap Room: Marshall Mitchell
Mojo’s Pints & Pies: Toe Funk Jam Band
Rogue Pizza Co.: Charliehorse
Smoke & Barrel: Graham Wilkinson
Teatro Scarpino: Les Malfecteurs
UArk Ballroom: Fayetteville Jazz Collective

Saturday, Jan. 29

Arsaga’s on Crossover: Reese Neal
Drifters: Arson Anthem, Haarp, Warbeast
JJ’s Grill: Steppin’ Stones
Maxine’s Tap Room: Rollo Tumasi, The Great Scotts, Mac & Steve
Mojo’s Pints & Pies: Dirty Dogs
Mount Sequoyah Conference and Retreat Center: Buddy Mondlock
Rogue Pizza Co.: Black Pearl
ROTC Grill: Earl & Them
Teatro Scarpino: Boris Silva
Temple Shalom: Yaniv Taubenhouse

Elephant Revival, a neo-acoustic quintet from Nederland, Colo., will perform Tuesday, Feb. 15 at George’s Majestic Lounge in Fayetteville.

Sunday, Jan. 30

George’s Majestic Lounge: Cadillac Jackson
Greenhouse Grille: Candy Lee and the Sweets
Lit Lounge: Jody’s Living Room open mic
Rogue Pizza Co.: Fuggins Wheat
Terra Studios (Durham): Cripple Creek

Monday, Jan. 31

Mojo’s Pints & Pies: Teddy Sablon
The Perk on Wedington: Open acoustic jam
Pesto Cafe: Darren Ray
Wine Cellar: Walter Savage & Friends

Tuesday, Feb. 1

George’s Majestic Lounge: Truth & Salvage Co, Jonathan Tyler & The Northern Lights
Maxine’s Tap Room: Lougow, Ramona Cordova
Mojo’s Pints & Pies: Blues jam
Pesto Cafe: Jed Clampit
Pig & Whistle: Open acoustic jam
Rogue Pizza Co.: Open mic
Teatro Scarpino: Live jazz

Wednesday, Feb. 2

Common Grounds: Junior Soapbox
George’s Majestic Lounge: Waka Winter Classic
Greenhouse Grille: Kevin Baker
Mojo’s Pints & Pies: Johny Arrendondo & Friends
Whole Earth Organic Lounge: Fayetteville’s Got Talent open mic with Ken Smith

BENTONVILLE/BELLA VISTA

Friday, Jan. 28

Bella Vista Country Club: Debby Horn and The Invisibles
Celtic Grill: Taylor Clayborne

Tuesday, Feb. 1

Boston’s Restaurant and Sports Grill: Will Brand
Kennedy Coffee Roasting Co.: Open mic

Wednesday, Feb. 2

Boston’s Restaurant and Sports Grill: Acoustic Open Mic

EUREKA SPRINGS

Friday, Jan. 28

Chelsea’s Corner Cafe: Earl & Them
Pied Piper: Desi and Codi

Saturday, Jan. 29

Chelsea’s Corner Cafe: Speakeasy
Pied Piper: Desi and Codi

Sunday, Jan. 30

New Delhi Cafe: Brick Fields

Wednesday, Feb. 2

New Delhi Cafe: Open mic

FORT SMITH

Friday, Jan. 28

Landry’s: Buffalo Fitz
Second Street Live: Rani Arbo & Daisy Mayhem

Saturday, Jan. 29

Landry’s: Some Guy Named Robb

Wednesday, Feb. 2

Landry’s: Satellite Hearts

ROGERS

Thursday, Jan. 27

JJ’s Grill: Mendy Johnson

Friday, Jan. 28

Bayou: Daryl Brooks Band
JJ’s Grill: Clint Scrivner
VFW Post No. 3031: Barb Wire

Saturday, Jan. 29

Bayou: Hamilton Loomis
JJ’s Grill: Jason Strode

Sunday, Jan. 30

Copeland’s: Claudia Burson Trio (brunch)

Tuesday, Feb. 1

Bayou: Blues jam

Wednesday, Feb. 2

Iron Horse Coffee: Open jazz session

SPRINGDALE

Friday, Jan. 28

The Hub: Battle of the Band Round 3

Saturday, Jan. 29

The Hub: SilverStone, A Good Fight, Rocker Lips

WEST FORK

Saturday, Jan. 29

Lil O’ Oprey: Live jam

▲ Submit your live music listings at least two weeks in advance to The Free Weekly (rdavis@nwaonline.com). While you’re at it, why not send us a high-resolution, color photo? Hey, we might use it!

Thursday, Jan. 20

George’s Majestic Lounge: Robert Randolph & The Family Band
Maxine’s Tap Room: trees-n-rocks
Mojo’s Pints and Pies: Derek Van Lynn

Friday, Jan. 21

Arsaga’s on Crossover: Victor’s Dad
George’s Majestic Lounge: Uncrowned Kings, FOS Project, Old Crow Medicine Show
Greenhouse Grille: Drew Packard Ultimatic
JJ’s Grill: Nu Unyun
Maxine’s Tap Room: Tommy Nolan
Mojo’s Pints and Pies: Loose Change
ROTC Grill: Joe Giles
Smoke & Barrel Tavern: Six Hung Sprung
Whole Earth Organic Lounge: reggae with HOD-I and Sir Q
The Wine Cellar: Chris Craig

Saturday, Jan. 22

George’s Majestic Lounge: That 1 Guy, Messy Sparkles, Hosta
JJ’s Grill: Joe Giles & the Homewreckers
Maxine’s Tap Room: Banks of Trent Creek
Mojo’s Pints and Pies: Wades Not Coming
ROTC Grill: FOS Project
Rogue Pizza Co.: Heart of Flaws with DJ Bailey, Bizar, StereoKill, The Grody Crew
Smoke & Barrel Tavern: Guta
Teatro Scarpino: DJ Anthony Ball
Whole Earth Organic Lounge: Lucid

Sunday, Jan. 23

George’s Majestic Lounge: Honeyshine, Richard & Martha
Greenhouse Grille: Madame Ren Lovely Trio
Lit Lounge: Jody’s Living Room open mic/jam
Terra Studios (Durham): Stew Kyle & Gene Farris

Monday, Jan. 24

Mojo’s Pints and Pies: The Phosphenes
Pesto Cafe: Darren Ray
The Perk on Wedington: open acoustic jam

Tuesday, Jan. 25

Maxine’s Tap Room: Rob Hatfield
Mojo’s Pints and Pies: Mojo’s blues jam
Pig-N-Whistle: open acoustic jam
Teatro Scarpino: live jazz

Wednesday, Jan. 26

Arsaga’s on Crossover: Steven Kroger
Common Grounds: Three on a Wire
Greenhouse Grille: Sarah Hughes
Mojo’s Pints and Pies: jazz sit in with Johny Arrendondo
Rouge Pizza Co.: Marc Rizzo
Whole Earth Organic Lounge: Fayetteville’s Got Talent open mic

BENTONVILLE/BELLA VISTA

Friday, Jan. 21

Boston’s Restaurant and Sports Grill: karaoke
Celtic Grill: Effron White
Shrimpman’s Yacht Club: Ken Poore

Saturday, Jan. 22

American Legion Post 77: Phil McGarrah & Runnin’ On Empty

Tuesday, Jan. 25

Boston’s Restaurant and Sports Grill: Will Brand
Kennedy Coffee Roasting Co.: open mic

Wednesday, Jan. 26

Boston’s Restaurant and Sports Grill: open mic

Big Bad Gina will perform Friday, Jan. 21 at New Delhi Cafe in Eureka Springs.

EUREKA SPRINGS

Friday, Jan. 21.

Chelsea’s Corner Cafe: Sexual Tyrannosauras
New Delhi Café: Big Bad Gina
Pied Piper: Kris Lager Band

Saturday, Jan. 22

Chelsea’s Corner Cafe: Zach Bramhall Band
New Delhi Cafe: Brick Fields CD release

Sunday, Jan. 23

New Delhi Cafe: Brick Fields

Wednesday, Jan. 26

New Delhi Cafe: open mic

FORT SMITH

Friday, Jan. 21

Landry’s: Tyrannosaurus Chicken

Saturday, Jan. 22

Landry’s: David Newbould
Second Street Live: Sugar Free Allstars

GATEWAY

Friday, Jan. 21

Korner Kafe: live jazz

ROGERS

Thursday, Jan. 20

JJ’s Grill: Will Gunselman

Friday, Jan. 21

Bayou: The Larrys
Eddie Haskell’s: Expendables of Comedy (comedy show)
JJ’s Grill: Leah & the Mojo Doctors
Ruth’s Chris: Emily Knight
VFW Post No. 3031: Barb Wire

Saturday, Jan. 22

Eddie Haskell’s: Another Fine Mess
JJ’s Grill: TJ Scarlet

Sunday, Jan. 23

Copeland’s: Claudia Burson Trio (brunch)

Monday, Jan. 24

JJ’s Grill: Samantha Hunt

Tuesday, Jan 25

Bayou: blues jam
JJ’s Grill: Isayah’s Allstars
Wednesday, Jan 26

Iron Horse Coffee: open jazz session
JJ’s Grill: Jeff Fox

SPRINGDALE

Saturday, Jan. 22

The Hub: Spoken

WEST FORK

Saturday, Jan. 22

Lil O’ Oprey: Live jam