DJ Automatic’s Mixtale Volume II: Theater of the Mind dropped last week and is available for free online. This release marks the second iteration in Automatic’s Mixtale series (the first featured Atlanta rapper TI), and focuses on the life and music of legendary Chicago emcee-actor Common.

Since new owners Bill Wilson and Mike McKey took over in November 2009, The Pub & Grill at Santa Fe Brewing Company has been undergoing some changes. Many of us are psyched—and not just about the beer in cans.

With two stellar bands coming to Corazón in one week—thanks to promoter Tim Franke’s T-Cubed Productions—you’ll have no excuse to be bored, Santa Fe. Funky Afro-beat act The Budos Band of Staten Island and Chicago/Portland folk-rock band Fruit Bats arrive within days of each other.

While I usually don’t go for the coffee-shop vibe of open mics, I’ve recently criticized people for not using W21, and I don’t want anyone to think I’m a hypocrite.

Like holding the door and not peeing on the toilet seat at your girlfriend’s house, so has concert etiquette fallen by the wayside. After an unwelcome experience at Backroad Pizza, I realized an unofficial guide for audiences and bands was in order.

With an incredibly soulful voice that belies his mere 25 years, musician Joshua Panda is straight-up awesome. For his Great Busking Tour, Panda and his band perform two shows in Santa Fe, and arrive early for a little busking.

Move over D Numbers and Venus Bogardus: My heart has been taken by someone else. Don’t get me wrong, I still love you guys and all, but it looks like I might just have a new favorite local band.

I braved the rain one recent Friday night and walked all 20 yards from my house to catch Anthony Leon and the Chain at Tin Star Saloon. I’d heard plenty of good things about the band in the last few months, and figured it was time to see what the hoopla was all about.

There was a time when Santa Feans could shop and congregate at independent record stores. But all that’s left are faceless corporations pawning off radio rock. You only have yourselves to blame, Santa Fe.

What the hell happened to Warehouse 21? The nonprofit teen arts organization was once jam-packed with little- to no-cost classes and countless shows and events. These days, while there are still events at W21, the building often sits quietly and seems abandoned.