Since I really wish I could have made everyone that entered the last contest a winner, I decided to just go ahead and run another contest starting today. This one wont run as long as the last contest, so you better get your entries in fast! I’ll be choosing the winner for this on Tuesday morning. If you want to be a part of a unique show with some of Phoenix’s best local bands, without blowing that money you need for presents, email derrick@factorymadefuture.com with “Christmas Sweater” in the subject line. Good luck to everyone!

I’ve written about Kinch quite a bit on this site and consider them one of the best bands Phoenix has to offer. The band has played countless local shows, but always goes out of their way to make sure to keep each one fresh and unique. For this year’s Christmas season, the band decided to ask a few other great local acts to come together and play a party that will hopefully become an annual tradition. The bands will be playing shortened sets that are heavy on Christmas songs and collaborations. But don’t worry, the bands will be playing original work as well. And best of all, the proceeds are all going to local charities that help the homeless. Tickets are $10 and available here.

Hornitos and Vice are teaming up to throw one hell of a free party in Phoenix next Wednesday. I write about Kinch a lot on here, so I’m sure all my readers (and most Phoenicians) are familiar with those guys. Brothers Backword will also be in the house along with two DJs that are regulars at The Black Forest Mill. The best part about all this? The event is totally free and has an open Hornitos bar from 10pm to 12am. Hopefully this means more Vice events will be happening in Phoenix in the future. RSVP to the event here.

Civic Space Park at Central & Filmore is quickly becoming the best spot in Phoenix for mixed use events. It’s already home to the amazing sculpture that looks like a giant jellyfish crash landed in the middle of our city, and now they’ve begun to throw free shows there as well.

Tonight the space welcomes What Laura Says and Kinch. The show runs from 7PM to 11PM and is completely free for your enjoyment.

Kinch knows that times are tough right now, so the band is offering their new EP The Economic Chastisement as a free download on their website. You can download the EP here . The band only requests that you share the love and pass it on to as many people as possible.

A couple of weeks back I wrote about the I Heart AZ showcase that Psyko Steve is putting on at SXSW this year. On Friday, Steve is throwing a warm up party for the event at Modified Arts with a bunch of acts that will be traveling to SXSW for the showcase. Come out to this on Friday and lets send these bands off in style.

Factory Made Future is a big supporter of anyone that’s trying to further the local music and arts scene in Phoenix. We’re an even bigger supporter when you do something totally original and manage to benefit the image of Phoenix as a whole in the process. This website is definitely accomplishing that. Once a week they bring you a video of a local artist performing live on the Metro Light Rail. So far they have recorded videos of Kinch, Stephen Steinbrink, Courtney Marie Andrews, and more.

You can check out the videos for yourself at thetraintracks.org

Local promoter Stephen Chilton (better known as Psyko Steve) has produced one hell of a showcase for Arizona musicians at this years South By Southwest festival. The event is going down at one of the best venues in Austin, The Jackalope. It will take place from 12pm to 7pm on Thursday, March 19th. The event is one of the few events taking place during the conference that is completely free and does not require a SXSW wristband for entrance. They’ve gone even a step further and are giving out free beer and gift bags on a first come first serve basis. Obviously, you’ve gotta be 21 to attend this one kiddos. This event is more proof that Arizona is quickly becoming a music mecca of the Southwest. Promoters like Steve that have worked tirelessly are a large part of that breakthrough success.

The event is being sponsored by The Phoenix New Times, Max 3, Modern Art Records, SilverPlatter.info, Flying Blanket Studios, Goodfellas Merch, and Hello Merch. If you’re going to be in Austin for SXSW, don’t miss this under any circumstances!

Fresh off the announcement that they’ll be opening the first day of Coachella, Dear and the Headlights got the opportunity to record a Daytrotter Session. DATH will be bringing local boys Kinch along with them on a West Coast tour leading up to the big Coachella premiere.

Check out the Dear and the Headlights Daytrotter Session here