Daniel Hill

The Six Best Anti-Ryan Wasoba Comments in RFT History

This week, I bid adieu to the Nitpick Six column I have written weekly for nearly two years. I am very grateful to RFT for this platform and to every person who has read any entries -- even those who would have clicked a "dislike" Facebook icon on them if given the option. Let's go out in flames by ... More >>

The Ten Best Shows in St. Louis This Weekend: May 31-June 2

Things have been crazy around here, to say the least. I can't say for sure, but I have a theory that music editor Daniel Hill hasn't left the office in days and has only stopped working on the RFT Music Showcase for an occasional George Costanza-style under-the-desk nap. See the fruits of our labor ... More >>

Out Every Night: The Best Shows in St. Louis from May 20 to 26

Next weekend looks pretty awesome, though anything does when an extended weekend awaits most of us thanks to Memorial Day. Keep that extra sleep time in mind while slogging through the work week and affording yourself some time to enjoy visits from acts like Andrew W.K., Soundgarden and El Ten Eleve ... More >>

Are "Paperless Tickets" Really "Anti-Fan" Restrictions? Growing Practice Among Ticket Vendors Draws Criticism

Ticket scalping has been an issue for major events ever since selling tickets began. From the venues to the bands all the way down to the fans, nobody likes scalpers. Make that, especially not the fans: Fast-fingered scalpers snatch up tickets en masse, leaving many fans disappointed and empty-hand ... More >>

Out Every Night: The Best Shows in St. Louis from May 6 to 12

Guys, Daniel Hill made it rain blood yesterday. You know, for Slayer. We don't know about you, but this past weekend was a pretty intense party, blustery weather be damned. And it don't stop. Keep things moving this week with visits from the likes of Har Mar Superstar and more, and look forward to s ... More >>

The Ten Best Shows in St. Louis This Weekend: April 26 to 28

Hey stuff: Stop breaking! It's been an interesting week of recovery for RFT Music. Our website totally beefed it last weekend, our blog server gave itself some sort of boo-boo that still has a flimsy band-aid holding it together for the time being, and most disconcertingly, our stealth music editor ... More >>

Taylor Swift Red Tour at the Scottrade Center 3/18/13: Review, Photos and Setlist

Taylor Swift | Ed Sheeran Scottrade Center March 18, 2013 When music editor Daniel Hill assigned me to review Taylor Swift's Red tour at Scottrade Center, I assumed I'd have to pull his Bieber shenanigans to live through it. Thousands of screeching teenagers? No Serious-Musicians-In-Capital-Letters ... More >>

The Ten Best Shows in St. Louis This Weekend: March 8 to 10

Working for an alt-newsweekly can be pretty damn entertaining. Outside of reporting on the latest in local music, food and news, we get to investigate messed up Craigslist ads gone viral, exchange yo momma style comebacks to St. Louis city haters and even play the occasional pranks on each other (se ... More >>

The Best Concerts in St. Louis This Week: February 11 to 17

Perhaps one of the greatest joys of this here job is seeing what bands come up with for press photos. They range from strange and deranged to just plain silly (as shown above in string form). In case you missed it last year, my predecessor and now music editor Daniel Hill compiled a list of the 15 m ... More >>

The Ten Best Shows in St. Louis This Weekend: February 1 to February 3

The line-up this weekend is as schizophrenic as the weather! Lesson learned: always wear layers, and be thankful if there's a partially broken umbrella in your desk because it's still better than having to wade home in squishy boots. Dress accordingly, especially if you intend on getting hot and hea ... More >>

Nostalgia Is The Enemy Of Critique

Art and life co-habitate, informing, imitating, and enriching each other constantly. Each week in Better Living Through Music, RFT Music writer Ryan Wasoba explores this symbiotic relationship. In order to review music, one must judge the song/album/artist subjectively, only associating it wi ... More >>

2012's Best Hip-Hop Artist Nite Owl Signs Deal with Monarchy Records

St. Louis based hip-hop artist Nite Owl, whom we named Best Solo Hip-Hop artist in our music awards last year, has recently signed a deal with Monarchy Records, a division of the Spectra Music Group. The deal places the rapper on a roster that includes Fredro Starr of Onyx and soul singers Tony Terr ... More >>

The Best Concerts in St. Louis This Week: January 14 to 20

Whenever Kiernan Maletsky (remember that guy?) first announced to our small freelance music writing staff that Daniel Hill would be taking over the reigns at RFT Music, it was sort of emotional. Kiernan put in some really heartfelt words. It was nice. Daniel's response? He assured us all that the se ... More >>

Seven Local Artists to Watch in 2013

What St. Louis Taught Me

This is my last day as music editor of the Riverfront Times. It's been 21 months and two weeks since I moved to St. Louis from Denver, and there has not been a more dynamic stretch in my life. My predecessor, Annie Zaleski, offered me some tips when I started, just as her predecessor had. Daniel Hi ... More >>

The Ten Best Shows in St. Louis This Weekend: December 28 to 30

Hey guys, I'm Daniel Hill! Well, sort of. On the computer I'm using, I'm known in techie login terms as "Hillda" at least. Cute nickname, huh? My name's Mabel, and I'm hanging out at Hillda's desk as the new Clubs Editor until somebody around here shows me to a desk of my own. Meanwhile, the real Da ... More >>

The Ten Best Musical Happenings of 2012: Humble Edition

Editor's Note: The end of 2012 is upon us, so we thought we'd put a cap on things by sharing some of our personal favorite shows, albums, events and general shenanigans. Join us as we indulge in some navel-gazing! I am not the most active of local scenesters. I am not up on many of the year's crit ... More >>

2012: The Year in St. Louis Music

Daniel Hill is the New Music Editor of the Riverfront Times

RFT Music has hit the jackpot. Your new music editor is Daniel Hill, who you may know from the most entertaining show review published in my tenure, some of the most authoritative writing about St. Louis' musical history we've had or from his fifteen years playing in bands in this city.

The 20 Best Concerts That Happened in St. Louis in 2012, According to Us

It's been another steller year for live music in St. Louis, whether you were looking for the most legendary living pop artist or the quiet birth of a powerful local band. We've racked our brans and come up with our twenty favorite shows (they're listed below), but what tops your list? Was it The Ur ... More >>

Out Every Night: The Best Shows From December 10 to 16

And now a Public Service Announcement from RFT Music: It's wintertime, folks, and you know what that means: It's cold! And as we all know, in the cold, everything dies. The trees, the bugs, at least one ill-prepared bird I found in my side yard -- and most important for the purposes of this post: t ... More >>

War on Christmas: The Ten Best Songs for the Fight

The War on Christmas is upon us! Time to take sides! Did you know there was a War on Christmas? There is! Us Godless heathens are burning all the mangers, or at least politely asking that they not be forcibly erected (oh, I said it) in public spaces. But you know what? Fine. You want a War on Chri ... More >>

Out Every Night: The Best Shows From November 12 to 18

There's lots of good shows this week for music fans of every shape in size, and I'm not just saying that (this time). Deicide is playing the Firebird on Friday, the same day Carolina Chocolate Drops plays the Sheldon. I'd wager that these two musical experiences will not be alike in many ways whatso ... More >>

Out Every Night: The Best Shows From October 8 to 14

Before we get into it: I am sure you are all already aware that White Rabbits is playing in town this week. And I am sure you've all seen this ubiquitous press photo, wherein all the members of the band are sprawled lazily on the floor, haphazardly surrounded by their hopelessly-tangled instrument c ... More >>

Meet the (Likely) Next St. Louis Hip-Hop Superstar

This week's music feature, written by Daniel Hill, is about Fresco Kane, the East St. Louis rapper formerly known as Gena who recently signed with Jermaine Dupri's So So Def label. Kane (nee Greg Lawary) grew up playing any instrument he could get his hands on. He's been around the scene for some ti ... More >>

DIY to Death: Remembering Dancing Feet March To War

Art and life co-habitate, informing, imitating, and enriching each other constantly. Each week in Better Living Through Music, RFT Music writer Ryan Wasoba explores this symbiotic relationship. RFT's Daniel Hill wrote an article last week about Stlpunk, a localized proto-social networking site that ... More >>

Totally Gay Cop Has a New Totally Gay Seven-Inch

ACAB? ACAF? What about city cops? These questions and more (or less) plagued the minds of the members of Totally Gay Cop, forming the impetus that brought the band into existence in the fall of 2011. Featuring former members of Leeches, Sayonara, Dude Nukem and about a million more, Totally Gay Cop ... More >>

The Ten Best Shows In St. Louis This Weekend: August 10 to 12

Saturday dominates this week's post with a commanding 70% of all picks for the week, though it should be noted that one of our picks, the Open Highway Music Festival at Off Broadway, technically takes place on each of the three weekend days, putting Saturday's lead at eight out of twelve -- or 66 an ... More >>

Swastikas, Lemmy and Screaming Christians: Picking the Winner of the Mayhem Festival

This Friday, the Rockstar Energy Mayhem Festival rolls through our fair city, bringing fifteen purveyors of heavy music to the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre. The scope of artists ranges from old-timers like Anthrax and Motorhead to young guns like The Devil Wears Prada and Asking Alexandria. These b ... More >>

Better Days Saw the Cro-Mags Stabbing Coming and Has a 7" Coming on I Hate Punk Rock Records

Better Days has existed since the beginning of 2010, comprised of hardcore scene veterans and former members of local favorites To No End, the Requiem and Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting (as well as many more). Playing catchy, melodic anthems drenched in positivity and good times, Better Days ... More >>

Out Every Night: The Best Shows From July 9 to 15

The Monday after Independence Day weekend is one most brutal. After a full weekend of barbecue and beer and illegal fireworks, going to work seems all the more objectionable. I'm too damned hungover on Freedom to be productive, personally. My "word of the day" today is "aliquant," which even my spel ... More >>

The Unknown Hinson Legend

At the Unknown Hinson Show, Mans and Womans Alike Will Be Laughin', Cryin' and Wanting to Have the Sexuals

Unknown Hinson, who Daniel Hill spoke with for this week's RFT Music feature, will play the Old Rock House (1200 S. 7th St.) on Friday, June 22. Hinson was born after his mother had "the sexuals" with a stranger and got his name from his father, who he never met. He worked in the circus as a domesti ... More >>

Win Tickets to Childish Gambino

Update: And our winner is Tekoa Bolden, whose Wu-name is Budget Nudist. Thanks for playing to all but one of you. Childish Gambino (a.k.a. Donald Glover) is coming to the Pageant this Thursday, June 7, and we'd like to give you a pair of tickets. It is well-known that Glover came by his hip-hop m ... More >>

Hardcore: Meet the 2012 RFT Music Award Nominees

The 2012 Riverfront Times Music Showcase is a week away. And if that is our own St. Louis Music holiday, then consider this the season: Throughout May, we've been making our cases for all 125 bands and artists nominated for an RFT Music Award this year, introducing the nominees from one or more of o ... More >>

Punk: Meet the 2012 RFT Music Award Nominees

The 2012 Riverfront Times Music Showcase is two weeks away. And if that is our own St. Louis Music holiday, then consider this the season: Throughout May, we've been making our cases for all 125 bands and artists nominated for an RFT Music Award this year, introducing the nominees from one or more o ... More >>

Out Every Night: The Best Shows From May 21 to May 27

We'll start this post off by recognizing the fact that yes, Red Hot Chili Peppers is playing in town on Friday (Scottrade Center); as is Local H (Firebird), but Friday is already well-represented below with another what-is-this-1996 artist, Snoop Dogg, playing at Pop's and roots-reggae pioneer Might ... More >>

Metal: Meet the 2012 RFT Music Award Nominees

The 2012 Riverfront Times Music Showcase is a month away. And if that is our own St. Louis Music holiday, then consider this the season: Over the next month, we'll be making our cases for all 125 bands and artists nominated for an RFT Music Award this year. Each weekday between now and the showcase ... More >>

RFT Spring Arts Guide 2012: Visual Arts

Bands, Promoters and Venues: Here's How to Make Sure We Know What You're Doing!

We here at RFT Music work hard to keep our concert calendars current and provide as comprehensive a list as possible of shows that are happening around town. At the moment we get our information from an amalgamation of sources -- shows submitted online, concert listings on venue's websites, e-mails ... More >>

Out Every Night: The Best Shows From April 2 to 8

Well Spring has sprung, or whatever, though the 90 degree temperatures belie the notion. Flowers, cool breezes, light jacket weather? Nay: air-conditioner-in-April, sweating in the shade, when-the-hell-do-the-pools-open weather -- you'd think we skipped to summer already. This week's list of shows h ... More >>

Out Every Night: The Best Shows From March 26 to April 1

Still tired from last week? Too bad, March is unrelenting. Time to down some coffee, eat some energy bars and pack in the protein (might we recommend some pink slime?) because this week is jam-packed with shows as well. On Friday, two guys named Pete who happen to be legends in their respective fiel ... More >>

Raekwon Showed up at the Gargoyle at 10:55, Ten Minutes After Wash U Faculty Pulled the Plug on His Show

Last night, the Wu-Tang Clan's legendary Raekwon the Chef was scheduled to play Washington University's on-campus music venue, the Gargoyle, alongside Indiana rapper Freddie Gibbs. The small club filled out nicely by 9 p.m., and a packed room waited anxiously to see some of hip-hop's best artists do ... More >>

Out Every Night: The Best Shows From March 5 to 11

This week brings us not one but TWO members of the Wu-Tang Clan (unfortunately on separate nights), Japanese punk-weirdos Peelander-Z, and the first visit ever from Seattle's raw Ramones-y punk band the Spits in its entire ten years of existence. Continuing with the punk rock / hip-hop aesthetic is ... More >>

Seven St. Louis Bands to Watch in 2012: What Are Your Picks?

Ed. In this week's print edition, we talk a bit about seven bands we're think will be worth watching in 2012. They're listed here -- please let us know what you're excited about in the comments below. Karate Bikini Though Karate Bikini has been in existence in some fashion for a few years, it has ... More >>

Seven St. Louis bands to watch in 2012

Biggest St. Louis Music News Stories of 2011: Part Three

​The Return of Gateway to the West Fest From 2002 until 2008, local hardcore hero and all-around-badass Adam "The Devastator" Greer booked roughly 250 shows in the St. Louis area and beyond. I use the term "badass" rather than "promoter", because I don't think he would like being called the P ... More >>

Fugazi's Joe Lally Is Still Moving Forward

A Band By Any Other Name...

​Yesterday, we told you about this Friday's Palace album release show. Palace is the name of a St. Louis four-piece specializing in athletic harmony. Palace is also the first half of the monikers Will Oldham was using in the '90s (Palace Music, Palace Brothers and Palace Songs). Some of you fo ... More >>

St. Louis thrash-punks Cross Examination's rep is built on beer, bongs, riffs and YouTube