Whether she chooses national acts or local heroes, Heather McKearnan coordinates events for Cowgirl every night of the week. That could change as of Oct. 1. McKearnan leaves Cowgirl, where she is also a bartender, to coach at local gym Undisputed Fitness. As for Cowgirl’s musical future, it’s up in the air.

Nobody’s favorite band invented music. That’s why I’m always curious to find out which bands the musicians I’m into pump in their free time. I caught up with some of my favorite local performers to find out what they listen to, far and near.

Metal trio Judgement Day doesn’t have a single guitar or bass. Rather, brothers Lewis and Anton Patzner shred the cello and violin, respectively, in place of the usual instruments. Drummer Jon Bush rounds out the band’s sound with ferocious blast beats and unbelievably intricate fills.

Some DJs are 17 years old. Local legend DJ Oona has been at the helm of a single event, Trash Disco, for that long. With a willingness to experiment and stay current while maintaining her roots, Oona blends house music with disco, soul, hip-hop, rock and more.

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.