Although the advent of modern technology means new bands have more opportunities than ever to record their music on the cheap, Abril Castillo and Tucson People Magazine are looking to help local musicians record their music professionally while promoting the state's music for the world. 

The T-Town Sessions is a partnership between locally-made Cloud Microphones, St. Cecilia Studios and the newly-developed Tucson People Magazine. Every three months four musicians will be given the chance to use professional recording equipment to make audio and video recordings that will be published on the Tucson People Magazine website as well as their Soundcloud page. Castillo, who will be the videographer for the project, says it will be something like NPR's Tiny Desk Concert series but for Arizona specifically.

"The idea is to expose and show everyone around the world what Tucson is doing," Castillo says. "We want to have a documentary about what is happening in the music scene in Tucson and in Arizona."

The first round of T-Town Sessions will be recorded at St. Cecilia Studios on Feb. 24 and 25. This session's line-up includes Tucson bands The Mission Creeps, Steff and The Articles and the Gabriel Ayala quintet as well as Prescott's Dutch Holly.

"The first session has punk and pop and flamenco and indie rock, but I hope to include hip hop and more in the future," Castillo says. "I don’t want to discriminate or exclude anyone—I want to touch on everything."


The T-Town Sessions are just one part of what Castillo and the magazine will be doing. She says to expect new videos every week showcasing the projects and voices of the Old Pueblo. She also hopes that the sessions will soon be filmed at live events at venues around town like La Cocina and Club Congress.

If you're a local musician looking to participate in the next T-Town Sessions, e-mail your demos to tucsonpeople@gmail.com.