Tempe Musicians Booking List 2023-25

Tempe Musicians Booking List

Nothing beats local, live music

You feel live music in your bones and in your soul. It connects you with others and with the place you hear it. And when it’s local musicians, you feel the added power of knowing them, seeing them rise and calling them your own. Our local musicians capture the heartbeat of our city - our energy, our character, our optimism.

Live music is part of Tempe’s history and identity, and this list celebrates Tempe and Valley-wide musicians who are making music now, redefining the old narratives and forging new, original sounds. So check out these local musicians and put them at the top of your playlist today!

About the list

This publication, created by Tempe Community Arts, highlights the work of locally based musicians. It connects musicians with event organizers, local businesses and others looking to book performances. Beginning in 2017, the Tempe Playlist has grown into a program for the professional development of musicians and for sharing their work with the community. Since its creation, the Tempe Playlist has generated new bookings for a significant number of bands.

This new list was created by soliciting submissions for the 2023-25 Tempe Playlist Program and is comprised of professional, established and emerging musicians and bands who perform in a variety of styles and venues. The artists were chosen by a panel of Tempe residents and music professionals. The panel recommended these musicians because of their demonstrated professionalism, innovative approaches and diversity of styles. Musician contact details are provided so you can reach out to them directly. For more information visit tempe.gov/TempePlaylist

Have questions? Contact:

dani_godreau@tempe.gov

ellen_sickenberger@tempe.gov

About Tempe Community Arts

The City of Tempe’s Community Arts programming strengthens relationships and builds connections within the arts, community, and city. Classes, workshops, arts grants, and special events create opportunities to meaningfully experience and engage in arts and culture. Programming occurs in diverse locations around the city, and shares the voices, perspectives, and experiences of the Tempe community.

Special thanks to the Tempe Municipal Arts Commission

Our programs include

Arts Classes at Edna Arts

Studio Artist Residencies

Music Under the Stars

Arts in the Parks

Free Art Friday

Creative Aging

Tempe Playlist

Dance Tempe

Tempe Jam

Arts Grants

Art 6

Booking a musician you found here? Tag us and mention the Tempe Playlist Program!

@tempecityarts

Photographers

As a part of the Tempe Playlist Program, bands received a free, professional photoshoot at Dream Factory Studio paid for by Tempe Community Arts. Special thanks to our photographers Mike Williams and David Blakeman who captured many of the striking images included in this document.

A Casual Divorce: 5

Alex Kling: 6

Bad Cactus Brass Band: 7

Belaganas: 8

Bogan Via: 9

Bohemian Insurgence: 10

Carol Pacey & the Honey Shakers: 11

Cheap Hotels: 12

Chrome Rhinos: 13

Dan E.T.: 14

Danielle Durack: 15

Dorsten: 16

E. Alo: 17

Haley Green: 18

Jane Vanderbilt: 19

Janelle Loes: 20

Japhy’s Descent: 21

Jerusafunk: 22

Joey Gutos: 23

Katie Mae and the Lubrication: 24

Lauren Case: 25

Miguel Melgoza: 26

Mississippi Nova: 27

One Way Sky: 28

Phoenix Afrobeat Orchestra: 29

Pijama Piyama: 30

Prime Society: 31

Remi Goode: 32

Sammi Martinez: 33

Saraswathi Jones: 34

Scattered Melodies: 35

Serena Nicolle: 36

Shawn Johnson: 37

Snailmate: 38

Solh: 39

Sophia Bavishi: 40

Sundressed: 41

Taylor Anderson: 42

The Blood Feud Family Singers: 43

The Hourglass Cats: 44

The Psychedelephants: 45

The Woodworks: 46

Tindal Muzic: 47

Walt Richardson: 48

A Casual Divorce blends elements of pop and jazz with a theatrical art-rock flair. Their strong vocal harmonies and jazz improvisations will leave you wanting more! Their two lead singers met at an open mic in Tempe and, since then, the band has played in venues all over Tempe including the Yucca Tap Room, Unity Through Community, Time Out Lounge and the Tempe Festival of the Arts.

A true Tempe native, Alex Kling has been playing in bands in and around Tempe for 25 years! He has performed in many venues that are staples of the Tempe music scene including the Marquee. Alex has toured with bands in Andalucía, Spain, Canada and across the U.S. However, he will always call Tempe his beautiful hometown and continues to perform here.

Bad Cactus Brass Band

badcactusbrassband@gmail.com

Bad Cactus Brass Band began in 2009 with a vision of representing the Phoenix Metro Area, just as New Orleans brass bands give voice to their neighborhoods. Within a year, they were “on tour at home,” playing second line, funk and jazz at over 100 local events each year. Their original tunes have roots in soul, groove and hip-hop, and their albums can be found on all streaming services.

Belaganas is a Tempe-based band that performs alternative hip-hop and bedroom pop. Formed by frontmen and vocalists Joey J and Shanker, the band quickly grew to include the rhythms of drummer Nick Wille. They are known for their captivating live performances and emotionally-charged music. The trio began writing music in the summer of 2016 and, since then, has gone on to release several singles detailing nostalgic teen angst and punk-style anthems delivered through hip-hop sonics.

Bogan Via

Since 2012, Bret Bender and Madeleine Miller have been creating emotionally complex, evocative synthpop under the moniker Bogan Via. They exploded on the burgeoning Arizona music scene, playing house shows and opening for touring acts like Twin Shadow, Little Dragon and WHY?. Some of their first home recordings attracted the attention of Consequence of Sound and local record label Common Wall, which signed the band later that year. Bogan Via continues to play at esteemed venues around Tempe and the U.S.

Formed by Rebecca De La Torre, Bohemian Insurgence combines Southern soul and Americana songwriting with Latin and Afro-Cuban rhythms. Original compositions in English and Spanish are delivered with an earthy, acoustic-electric combination of American and Latino instruments. The band covers famous Latin and Latin-jazz artists like the Buena Vista Social Club, Astrud Gilberto, Celia Cruz and more.

Carol Pacey & the Honey Shakers

info@carolpaceyandthehoneyshakers.com

Website

Carol Pacey & the Honey Shakers are impressive members of the Tempe music scene with upbeat and catchy songwriting, big vocals and memorable guitar and bass riffs, alongside pounding drums. The four-piece band’s sound is so unique, they have garnered their own musical genre: Americana-thrash-pop. Established in 2011, their most notable performances were opening sets for The Smithereens, 10,000 Maniacs and Dramarama.

Cheap Hotels is a band from Tempe consisting of drummer Jordane Raub and songwriter Ian Wilson. Drawing from early 2000s indie rock and surf-pop from the ‘60s, Cheap Hotels’ music seeks to capture a fleeting, wistful feeling familiar to all. They have been featured at venues around the Valley including Valley Bar, Crescent Ballroom and Rebel Lounge. Focusing on achieving a unique sound, the band records their music at their Tempe base of operations (Ian’s house).

Chrome Rhino

Chrome Rhino’s style of rock ‘n’ roll will dazzle your senses while stomping you into the dust like you’re on fire. Recently named “Best Band” by the Phoenix New Times, this adventurous and energetic Phoenix quartet embody the escapism we’re all looking for. Their tunes combine the kaleidoscopic twists and turns of Electric Light Orchestra, the screaming guitars and lush vocal harmonies of Queen and the playful wildness of Alice Cooper and Tenacious D. Chrome Rhino serves dexterous musicianship, eclectic songwriting that’s whimsical yet deep and a generous helping of nostalgia. Chrome Rhino has played in venues all around Tempe and the U.S., including Crescent Ballroom, Rebel Lounge and Rhythm Room.

Danny Torgersen, a.k.a. Dan E.T., has built a reputation for being one of the most prominent and prolific trumpet players in Phoenix. Renowned for his talent and on-stage charisma, Torgersen is one of the most sought-after musicians on the scene. He has played with well-known bands like Weezer, toured with multiple groups and opened for talented performers including CeeLo Green. In addition to the trumpet, he is also an established singer/ songwriter, composer, multi-instrumentalist and a larger-thanlife cartoon character. It’s more than likely he’s an extraterrestrial.

Danielle Durack Website

Phoenix-based singer/songwriter Danielle Durack has a gift for combining the sweetness of contemporary pop with wry, relatable lyrics. Influenced equally by both boygenius and Britney Spears, her catalog is filled with saccharine hooks, streamlined songwriting and a penchant for the dramatic—a true child of 2000s pop. Her 2021 album “No Place” drew the attention of Pitchfork, NPR, Uproxx and other prominent indie music outlets. Danielle Durack is rapidly solidifying as a mustknow name if you care about indie-rock’s next gen.

Dorsten is an international recording, brother-sister band sharing its strong, dynamic indie/folk/Americana sound with the world. Realizing how well they work together, Sophie and Alex joined forces to create lyrics, music and production that are beyond their years. The pair has been performing together for years and has opened for national touring acts and at numerous festivals. They’ve also toured the PNW and London, England where they were invited to record at Abbey Road Studios, Studio 2. Keep an ear out for new music from this creative duo.

E. Alo

E. Alo creates original instrumental electronic music that she calls “melodies made with love.” Her goal is to touch people’s hearts, warm their souls and get their toes tapping with her lo-fi, ambient soundwaves. She has performed at Crescent Ballroom and Flagstaff’s Orpheum Theater, as well as various desert parties and dive bars. E. Alo has been performing and creating music in Tempe for the past eight years and continues to enrich the Arizona music scene.

A singer/songwriter raised by die-hard Deadheads in the Cave Creek desert, Haley Green picked up a guitar when she was 14 and started relentlessly honing her skills at local open mics. Since then, she’s journeyed to countless stages - from dive bars and living rooms to beaches and festivals - and now hosts the weekly open mics at Yucca Tap Room. Her sound can be described as the musical lovechild of Amy Winehouse and Jack Johnson raised on Bob Marley and Sublime. Her performances vary from intimate, solo, acoustic storytelling to a full-band immersive experience.

Jane Vanderbilt

janevanderbilt@me.com

Jane Vanderbilt is an ASU graduate and a Tempe local. She is an American Red Bull X Games DJ, record producer, singer/songwriter and billboard-charting artist and composer. Jane Vanderbilt produces a variety of styles within the genres of pop, hip-hop, house, bass and progressive dubstep. Whether it’s on stage or in the studio, Jane brings big energy & vibes to every space she enters.

Janelle Loes is an award-winning singer/songwriter who knows how to mesmerize an audience. Her distinctive style fuses elements of jazz, pop and contemporary music, while her sultry, melodic voice and narrative style speak to the heart. Her songs are driven by their sincerity and authenticity. Janelle Loes has played at venues and events around the greater Phoenix area including the Desert Botanical Garden, Tempe Festival of the Arts, Mesa Arts Festival, Tempe Mission Palms and more.

japhysdescent@gmail.com

Japhy’s Descent has been playing music in Arizona and throughout the West Coast for 13 years. Whether it’s on a record or in live shows, their combination of blues, hard rock and classic rock creates an electrifying sound. Their performances ooze a blues-drenched, psychedelic, eternal rock odyssey. Tempe Center for the Arts, Tempe History Museum and Yucca Taproom are just a few places the band has jammed.

With a horde of 9 to 11 incredible Arizona musicians, Jerusafunk dives deep into global psychedelia. They conjure a riotous sound influenced by funk, klezmer, afrobeat, jazz and the sounds of Brazil, Ethiopia, Southeast Asia, Turkey, Mexico and Colombia. They have self-funded five tours, two albums and five videos and have performed with George Clinton, March Fourth Marching Band, Harmar Superstar, Calexico, Brownout and Combo Chimbita.

Joey Gutos

Joey Gutos is a genre-bending indie-pop artist from Tempe with a soulful voice and irresistible guitar hooks. His musical roots are grounded in the works of Motown’s greatest, ‘60s psychedelia and classic blues/folk artists who fertilized the landscape of rock ‘n’ roll. His debut single was featured in a mini-documentary and chosen for the very first iteration of the Tempe Playlist. Joey has performed at notable Arizona venues including Crescent Ballroom, Valley Bar and Rebel Lounge, as well as the main stage for the 2022 Ostrich Festival, for which he opened for The Beach Boys as part of their Sounds of Summer Tour.

Featuring Katie Mae’s signature sultry vocals, Nasty Nick’s psychedelic-infused guitar solos and Pedal Steel Pete’s ‘70s-inspired licks, Katie Mae & The Lubrication is a live band you don’t want to miss! Katie Mae is an independent songwriter from Phoenix who describes her sound as country-adjacent, alt-western music. She’s performed in venues all over the Southwest, both solo and with her band.

“There’s plenty of extra poignant introspection, a heaping helping of rebel attitude, and lots of grit and muscle”

- The Phoenix New Times, The Best Music We Heard in Metro Phoenix in 2021

Lauren Case Website

Lauren Case is an indie-pop singer/songwriter from the Valley. Accompanied by her acoustic guitar, she performs original music that is imaginative, playful and often self-reflective. Her vocals are silky and sultry; reminiscent of Norah Jones but with more of a powerful, raspy kick. She has been featured at events and venues like Comic Con, Chandler Festival of the Arts, the Chicago Cubs spring training stadium and Rhythm Room.

Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, singer, songwriter, drummer and percussionist, Miguel Melgoza, has quickly become one of the busiest musicians in the Phoenix/Tempe music scene. His original music and soulful versions of classics have earned him a steady rotation in some of the Valley’s most esteemed resorts, restaurants and casinos. From folk to funk, rock to reggae, country to cumbia, Miguel has the versatility to keep performances compelling and fun.

Mississippi Nova

mississippinova@gmail.com

Mississippi Nova’s music delivers an unapologetic fusion of cosmic grunge and rebellious soul. While fusing many sub-genres of rock ‘n’ roll, they stay true to their grungy desert roots. Harnessing a sonic wall of power, distortion and melody, the group aims to break new ground aside modern artists such as Highly Suspect, Rival Sons, Reignwolf, Alabama Shakes, The Black Keys, Osees and Ty Segall. They continue to draw crowds at established venues throughout Tempe, Phoenix and beyond.

One Way Sky is an indie-rock band comprised of community members from the Gila River Indian Community and the Tohono O’odham Nation. This four-piece band has performed 200+ shows in the past three years throughout Arizona, California and New Mexico. Their sound is a unique blend of hard-hitting riffs and soaring vocal melodies. Their lyrics are both empowering and poetic, touching on themes of identity and resilience in the face of adver sity. The band also draws heavily from their indigenous roots, show casing the band’s rich culture and deep appreciation for their heritage.

Phoenix Afrobeat Orchestra

phoenixafrobeatorchestra@gmail.com

Led by funky heiress Camille Sledge, the 16-strong Phoenix Afrobeat Orchestra is comprised of the most ambitious and outrageous musicians in Phoenix today - making it the hottest super-group in the scene! PAO has an abundance of original material that melds the eclectic heritage of their ensemble with classic Afrobeat sounds. The outcome is a powerful sound that pays homage to the masters while maintaining a fierce individuality. From concert hall to street fair, fashion show to fundraiser, PAO has shared the stage with musical icons such as George Clinton and The Roots, Turkuaz and Morris Alan.

Photo by Gem Anderson

Pijama Piyama was started by Jonathan Saillant as a once-imaginary collective of desert degenerates. Through a combination of drum samples, Latin percussion, guitars and synthesizers, band leader Jonathan unites electronic samples, cumbia rhythms, jazz and psych rock. Pijama Piyama now exists as a six-piece ensemble that performs regularly in large venues all around Arizona. This group is notorious for starting the party and bringing people to the dance floor with a traditional familiarity as well as some psyched-out nonsense.

Prime Society

Prime Society is a Southwest neo-soul rap group turned band, based in Phoenix, featuring a vocalist, rap artist, bassist and keyboardist. Their single, “Paradise,” landed them on Discover Weekly and #2 on the Global Top 150 Independent charts on digital radio. Prime Society was recently invited to Burning Man where they played for thousands and “changed Burning Man forever” according to fans who rushed the stage after their performance. A true fan-favorite, Prime Society has captured audiences throughout Arizona, the West Coast and beyond.

Remi Goode is a trained classical guitarist and choral singer turned alternative folk/pop singer/songwriter. Singing and playing ‘80s folk music since the age of 8, the 23-year-old artist has an old soul and a calming sound. Remi embraces the diversity of her influences while asserting her originality and writing with honesty and introspection. Remi performs frequently with her five-piece band (formerly called Brake for Snakes), who have headlined the Rebel Lounge and Trunk Space and have been featured in places around Phoenix, Tucson and Prescott.

officialsammimusic@gmail.com

Sammi Martinez is a singer/ songwriter from Phoenix with many ties to Tempe. She uses songwriting as an emotional outlet to create soulful, heartfelt music that tells stories of love, heartbreak and finding yourself. She has competed as a finalist in Alice Cooper’s “Proof Is in the Pudding” and has been featured in several of Tempe Center for the Arts’ “In the Spotlight” showcases.

Saraswathi Jones is the solo project of Tanya Palit Husain. Tanya is a Tempe-based composer, musician and former fellow at the Helene Wurlitzer Foundation of New Mexico, the Banff Centre for Arts & Creativity and the City of Tempe. Her eclectic music taps into a diverse palette of influences from rock and hip-hop to Bengali folk songs with a common narrative thread. She’s been found playing in rock clubs, theaters, museums, art galleries and DIY venues from Boston to Los Angeles.

Scattered Melodies

Scattered Melodies was founded in 2012 by bass player Jake Johnston and drummer Josh Montag. Throughout the past decade, they have featured over 40 different musicians from around the Valley, spanning over three full-length albums and multiple EPs. For the past four years, they’ve been rolling with the same cast of seven musicians and have become known for their funky feel, high-energy live shows and creative music videos. They’ve performed at Valley Bar, Last Exit Live and more.

Serena Nicolle is an up-and-coming singer/ songwriter from Phoenix. Her versatile fivepiece band performs at a variety of venues with audience numbers ranging from hundreds to thousands. The band has recently been featured in the Tempe Festival of the Arts and the Arizona Wine Festival. Serena loves to create and perform many different genres and is a verified artist on Spotify, Apple Music and other digital platforms.

Shawn Johnson

Shawn Johnson is a versatile, energetic singer/songwriter with musical influences such as Ben Howard, Ani Difranco, Barenaked Ladies, Blues Traveler, Ben Harper, Dave Matthews and Counting Crows. Since moving to Arizona in 1995, he has released seven LPs, played numerous music festivals and has been part of the Tempe Center for the Arts’ Singer/Songwriter series. You can catch Shawn performing as The Johnson Twins, Shawn Johnson & The Foundation or solo.

Snailmate is a Phoenix-based musical duo. Together, the two create music that fuses synthpunk, grindcore pop and nerd rap for an unpredictable and explosive sound. Formed in 2015, the band is known for their frenetic and impressive live shows. Performing over a thousand shows, Snailmate has cultivated a fervent fanbase that aims to be inclusive. The band prides themselves on shows that are a safe space for all genders and sexualities.

Solh started with duo Craig Price and Jade Sun playing acoustic sets at local coffee shops. As they booked more gigs, they added more band members to fill out their sound, which shaped who they are today. The closest genre to label their sound is retro pop; upbeat grooves with harmonies, Rhodes piano and guitar riffs that give a nod to older influences such as Bill Withers and The Bahamas. They’ve performed at coffeehouses, bars and venues around Tempe and the greater Phoenix area.

Sophia Bavishi is an indie-pop singer/songwriter who is quickly making a name for herself. Her evenings are filled with performing at local venues, writing new music and creating intriguing and intimate beats. Her music has been described as “moody and mid-tempo pop sounds [that] catch your ear from the get-go.” She has been working on new digital performance concepts that explore how technology and more traditional music applications can come together in innovative and extraordinary ways.

Sundressed was born from sleepless nights and the uncertainty of life on such a chaotic planet. Formed by lead vocalist and songwriter Trevor Hedges, Sundressed serves a blend of emo and indie-rock featuring confessional lyrics and punk-infused melodies. Their music acknowledges mental health issues for others to take solace in. They’ve worked with several incredible labels and are proud to represent Arizona on a national scale. Sundressed is currently signed with Rude Records and recently returned from a U.S. tour.

Residing in Tempe, Taylor Anderson is a singer/songwriter and performing artist. He started studying classical music at an early age and remembers hearing the lush harmonies of the Beach Boys on oldies radio in his dad’s old Subaru hatchback. It wasn’t until college that he started writing songs and playing shows statewide and abroad. From pop to R&B soul, Taylor can hold his own, drawing influences from John Legend, the Alabama Shakes and Amy Winehouse. Currently, he is working with RNW Music as one of their featured songwriters and vocalists.

The Blood Feud Family Singers

bloodfeudfamilysingers@gmail.com

The Blood Feud Family Singers play up-tempo, down-hearted, poetic-philosophic, country-fried hostility for sentimental haters. In more concrete terms, the fivepiece band uses upright bass, fiddle and guitars to combine the literate menace of Leonard Cohen and Elvis Costello with the energetic twang of alt-country acts like the Old 97s. You may have caught them at the Nile Theater, Crescent Ballroom, Last Exit Live and other local music spots.

The Hourglass Cats are a desert rock ‘n’ roll, reggae and hip-hop collective based out of Phoenix. Known for their high-energy live shows, THC finds true individuality in their ability to effortlessly blend multiple genres to create a sound-smoothie that is unique to the Sonoran Desert they call home. They have shared the stage with acts like Portugal The Man, Slightly Stoopid, Passion Pit, De La Soul, CeeLo Green, STRFKR, Allen Stone, Dispatch, Tribal Seeds and many more.

The Psychedelephants

The Psychedelephants are a four-piece guitar band with four albums thus far, recorded with diverse instruments and an experimental approach. Their newest multimedia project, “HAZEL,” is an original soundtrack that accompanies a graphic novel written by lead band member Paul Balazs. Paul also held a five-year residence in the historic Campus House, which previously held other musical icons including The Sugar Thieves and Dry River Yacht Club. The Psychedelephants perform live shows that are emotional, passionate and dynamic with a psychedelic rock feel.

The Woodworks are a heavy-hitting quartet combining elements of psychedelic, funk and grunge rock. Their music shifts moods several times in a single song and keeps audiences on their toes. The Woodworks have been deeply rooted in the local music scene for over a decade, playing some of the long-gone favorite local spots including Long Wongs and the Sail Inn. Each of the four members has gained recognition in their craft individually and, together, this band creates an experience you don’t want to miss!

Tindal Muzic

tindalmuzictheband@gmail.com

Tindal Muzic is an alternative soul duo formed in the Valley. They met while volunteering at a rock camp for youth where they taught songwriting and instrumentation. They were brought together by their shared love of musical influences such as Sade, Erykah Badu, the trip-hop/alternative movements of the 1990s and soul music from the ‘70s and ‘80s. After just one jam session, they formed Tindal Muzic the band, which led to performance opportunities all over the Valley and an upcoming fulllength album.

Walt Richardson is a singer/songwriter and Arizona Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame inductee who has been a Tempe resident since 1974. His styles vary from folk and acoustic rock to worldbeat and reggae. Known as a staple of the Tempe music scene, Walt has performed at venues, clubs, weddings, private parties, concerts and festivals throughout Arizona for the past 45 years.