Critic's Notebook

The only constant in Markus Schulz’s life is change. Trance music is regularly part of his day, but sometimes it’s dark and other times bright. The sound of his albums changes, and his latest, which releases today, is a good example. Last year, under his Dakota alias, Schulz offered The Nine Skies. “That album came from a dark place, but in time, you realize enough is enough and we [of dance-music culture] need to be the light,” Schulz says.

Justin Quiles has played a major role in the rise of reggaeton through his own music as well as songs he has written for other artists that have hit the charts. You might know him from his releases such as “Si Ella Quisiera,” off his successful 2016 album, La Promesa, or his most recent hit, “No Quiero Amarte,”…

Swetboxx’s great energy, positivity, and welcoming vibes that radiated throughout the entire warehouse. Despite the heat, everyone danced and sweat together and seemed to truly enjoy themselves.

Miami-based Coastcity might be a new name in the music scene, but the duo behind the music aren’t newcomers. With almost 20 years of experience between them, Grammy-nominated musicians Jean Rodriguez and Danny Flores are breaking ground with their latest musical endeavor. Prior to joining forces, Flores was a producer and musician…

Earlier this year, 17-year-old Mercedes Ferreira-Dias found herself on the stage of NBC’s The Voice for Season 14’s blind auditions. And though she almost made it — judge Kelly Clarkson even said, “She’s good!” — it simply wasn’t Ferreira-Dias’ time. Fast-forward a few months, and now she’s representing Miami on Season 15.

Gaby G talks name change and sensual video to new single “Closer.”

Tommi Waring is obsessed with the ’80s. Even though the singer and music producer was born in 1995, he lets the bygone decade permeate every ounce of his music. “I didn’t want to sound like everyone else out there right now,” he tells New Times from his North Miami home. Waring says he’s influenced by artists from 30 years ago…

Joey Maya’s new memoir, The Drummer of Miami Beach: The Story of Joey Wrecked, has plenty of sex and drugs, but where the book really shines is in its depiction of rock ‘n’ roll. There are a thousand autobiographies by famous rockers such as Keith Richards and David Lee Roth that depict…

By day, Joshua Alexander Hicks, age 21, works at a call center where he asks people’s opinions about Florida’s political candidates. By night, the West Kendall native transforms into Ashiyushi, Miami’s “one-man synth-funk” band.

De la Ghetto is a master of Latin urban and reggaeton music. His new album, Mi Movimiento, set for release this Friday, September 28, features a unique mix of genres and collaborations. Born Rafael Castillo to a Puerto Rican family in New York, he is a singer and rapper who grew from humble roots and understands what it is to work hard.

In 2014, Franco Parente ran a filmmaker’s dream of a Kickstarter campaign. After it was announced Churchill’s Pub was changing owners, he sought funding to make a documentary about the legendary bar with the clever title Little Haiti Rock City. There was anxiety over the future of the venue that had been Miami’s live-music oasis since 1979…

The last time the Broward-based goddess of silky-smooth alternative R&B set foot onstage was in 2016. Since then, the singer, songwriter, and producer did a brief stint in Tampa, moved back to South Florida, and gave birth to a beautiful baby girl named Harmony. After a short hiatus, the new mother is back with a punch, serving up her signature dose of sensual bedroom-produced jams with a new track, “Little Bit of Love,” featuring Smkrsroom.

Tom Petty had a complicated relationship with his hometown of Gainesville. He was born, raised, and spent his formative years in the North Florida university town. In the ’70s, he and his band Mudcrutch played all around Gainesville, but once they relocated to Los Angeles in 1974, it seemed Petty…

Desiree Bannister always knew she was destined to sing. “Music has always been a given for me,” she says. “My mom has always said I sang before I talked. She used to sing to me, and I would mumble back to her. It’s always been a part of me, like breathing.”

Grand Central, Tobacco Road, Bardot, the Stage, Vagabond, Bar Black — the list of Miami music spaces lost too soon is long. Now, on an unassuming corner in Allapattah just west of I-95, a low, flat rectangle of a building holds Las Rosas, one of the city’s newest platforms for live music. Its success has largely been the result of a group of passionate old-timers hustling to keep their dreams for the city alive.

Anthony Bourdain was no stranger to the Magic City’s grittier corners. Aside from being a writer, eater, storyteller, traveler, TV host, and chef, he was also a rock ‘n’ roll lover through and through. Bourdain enjoyed a cheap, cold beer from South Beach’s Mac’s Club Deuce, one of his favorite dive bars, just like the rest of us…

The closure of the Wynwood Yard — one of the few midsize music venues in a city desperately in need of them — is yet another stumbling block for musicians looking to stay and thrive in Miami.

The opening verse of “World Spins Madly On,” the breakout single by the indie-folk duo the Weepies, describes an ex-lover suffering from a broken heart. At just under three minutes, this lovely acoustic lament by the husband-and-wife songwriting team of Steve Tannen and Deb Talan is an excellent introduction…

September 2 through 9, Churchill’s Pub, Little Haiti’s legendary live-music mecca, will celebrate 39 years of business. Some performances have been weird, some beautiful, and some beautifully weird. To celebrate this odd anniversary, we list the most Churchill’s-esque shows you might have missed.

Bzzy talks depression and suicidal thoughts in latest project, Before I Jump.

From Vine to YouTube to Universal Music Group, Lele Pons continues to spread her brand to the world

If you’re thinking of staying in for this year’s long Labor Day weekend, are you even from Miami, bro? This town is the best place to party all day or night — or both becuse you’ll have plenty of club, concert, and general debauchery options at pretty much any time of day. Check out this guide to help plan your weekend.