The artwork of Santigold’s sophomore release Master of My Make-Believe effectively represents her newfound role as the Xena, Warrior Princess of the music biz. Just one look and you know this chick could unequivocally school you in pretty much anything, whether it’s lyrical craftsmanship or kicking ass with a scepter. Continue reading…
On May 3rd, a line of diverse concertgoers wrapped around the block outside of the swanky Avalon, eager to pack in for a sold-out show featuring one of Britain’s biggest and brightest male voices, James Morrison. Morrison’s soulful, sincere music attracted a huge crowd in the heart of Hollywood, and none of his fans went home disappointed.
Continue reading…
Announcement! Announcement! Baltimore’s experimental wunderkinds and critical favorites Animal Collective return with new material!
Continue reading…
I’ve made no secret of my admiration for Los Angeles’ own Dead Sara — currently touring in support of their self-titled debut album — so when the opportunity came to catch the band opening for Chevelle at Club Nokia, I jumped at it. The chance to interview the Emily Armstrong and company ahead of the show — well, that is just the icing on the cake.
Continue reading…
Hard to choose which album to check out first amongst today’s batch of new release. My all-time-favorite song comes courtesy of a Matt Skiba solo effort (“Good Fucking Bye” off the 2002 Matt Skiba/Kevin Seconds split), so I’m pretty stoked about the new Matt Skiba & The Sekrets release, but I’m also a HUGE Gorillaz fan, so a solo effort from Damon Albarn is mighty alluring. Decisions, decisions. Maybe I’ll just listen to them simultaneously, because who doesn’t love a mash-up? No? OK, well, while I decide which album to listen to first, you can check out our list of notable releases below and let me know in the comments what you’ll be listening to today!
Continue reading…
I’m beginning to believe that anything producer Nigel Godrich touches turns to gold. I’m not suggesting this hypothesis just because every association he’s had with Radiohead‘s Thom Yorke has been incredible; he’s also helped to produce and engineer some of the most memorable albums from artists like Beck and Travis, and he even contributed to the score of Edgar Wright’s cult classic Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World. Luck would have it that Yorke stumbled upon Brooklyn indie rockers Here We Go Magic at the annual Glastonbury Festival, which eventually led them into the studio to work with Godrich on their third album.
That touch of his to Here We Go Magic’s A Different Ship has resulted in the album destined to become the most splendid listen and personal favorite of 2012.
Continue reading…
Dead Sara are a local Los Angeles band whose self-titled debut album was released last month on the band’s own Pocket Kid Records via Fontana/Universal. Currently wrapping up a string of dates with Chevelle before heading back on the road with The Used and playing as a featured band on the legendary Vans Warped Tour this summer, the hard-rocking quartet has been building a considerable amount of buzz on the strength of their electric live performances and the growing popularity of their single, “Weatherman.” I recently sat down with Dead Sara — comprised of vocalist Emily Armstrong, guitarist Siouxsie Medley, bassist Chris Null, and drummer Sean Friday — in advance of their hometown show with Chevelle at Club Nokia.
Continue reading…
Wrestling. Mariachi. Striptease. Burlesque. Midgets. Chickens. Nuns. Altar boys. Unicorns. Monkeys. And to top it all off, a nice Dirty Sanchez. If any of those words appeal to you, you may want to check out Lucha VaVOOM’s Cinco de Mayo (and Cinco de Mayo eve) show this weekend. What better way to spend this momentous holiday than at a distinctly authentic underground lucha wrestling show that combines the worlds of extreme violence and sex.
Continue reading…
Hang in there, Usher fans. I’m awaiting the release of his Looking 4 Myself album just as much as you are. While I’m hoping to get my hands on a review copy of the entire album before its official June 12 release, I am perfectly content with sampling the artist’s second single, “Scream.” Continue reading…
“Youth Without Youth,” the first single from indie rock band Metric‘s fifth studio album, Synthetica (due out on June 7th), details the discontent of youth in revolt. Emily Haines and Jimmy Shaw speak about how the older generation is selling out the younger population in a commentary recording that follows the streaming track on Soundcloud. The band describes the song as having a dose of “’70s sleaze,” and it swells with a drum beat that you can’t help but nod your head to. Emily’s voice adds just enough softness to the rough rhythm to reflect the song’s encompassing theme of the transition from innocent childhood games to the harsh reality of growing up.
Continue reading…
