Grill Jams: 5 Songs From Phoenix Musicians To Include On Your Summer BBQ Playlist
It’s easy to spend WAY too much time crafting a playlist to soundtrack your next gathering, focusing on the perfect vibe-setting tracks while you’ve still got plenty of cleaning and organizing to do. We’re here to help speed the process along with five home-grown songs from Phoenix area artists to help fill out your 4th of July BBQ playlist, a blend of raging summer jams and more laid-back, meditative pieces.
Phoenix alt-pop sensation UPSAHL has had a great few years, collaborating with everyone from Dua Lipa, to Madison Beer to Linkin Park’s Mike Shinoda. Her latest track, “Monica Lewinsky” is a razor-sharp banger that pays tribute to the late 1990s and early 2000s tabloid sensations who, in retrospect, are obvious victims of vicious public scrutiny and impossible expectations like Britney Spears, Miley Cyrus, and the titular White House intern. A brief, densely-packed gem, the track begs to be played on repeat all Summer long. upsahl.com // @upsahlmusic
“POCKETS” is the standout track from Hooligans, the impressive new album from Dadadoh + The POC, released this spring. Known for their energetic live shows, Dadadoh + The POC are doing their part to revive (and improve) the rap rock sound that dominated the airwaves 20 years ago; their deft combination of hip hop and garage rock is a unique, inventive take on the frequently maligned genre. “Pockets” is the perfect soundtrack to hazy summer days spent grilling and chilling. @dadadoh
The Darts – “Love Tsunami”
Love Tsunami by The Darts (US)
One look at the artwork for Love Tsunami, The Darts’ most recent EP, and it’s obvious that these songs are perfect Summer jams: the band, decked out in sunglasses and swimwear are chilling in a backyard, complete with kiddie pool, umbrellas, and a tiny grill. The title track is a sugary surf rock nugget, a sunbleached love/lust song featuring a classic-sounding organ riff and even a touch of theremin in there, it’s a retro garage pop rager that will be a standout on any playlist. thedartsus.bandcamp.com // @thedartsus
Ben Franklin – “Holler (The Cycle)”
Son of Soul Vol 1. by Ben Franklin
Alaska born, Phoenix raised musician Ben Franklin is a multifaceted, Grammy nominated artist, with experience as a producer, songwriter, educator, and broadcaster. His latest track, “Holler (The Cycle),” the first single from his forthcoming album Son of Soul, is a soulful bit of realism, a meditation on the cycle of violence that plagues underserved communities around the country. It’s also impeccably produced and performed, recalling the impassioned political pleas of Franklin’s musical ancestors like Marvin Gaye and D’Angelo. bennystaxx.bandcamp.com // @bennyfranksmusic
Thorn.vii & Paklite – “Cloud Keys”
A blissed-out collaboration between two Phoenix-based beat makers, “Cloud Keys” is a blessing straight from the lofi hip hop radio gods. A perfect track for late Summer evenings spent winding down, this one-off loosie is a laid back, deceptively simple operation that feels like it could go on forever before suddenly winding down, just two minutes in, as if somebody accidentally unplugged the turntable. The only option is to press play again and bathe yourself in the vibes! thornvii.bandcamp.com // paklite.bandcamp.com// @thorn.vii // @paklite_music