See Delta Spirit at the 987 Penthouse Tomorrow

Win a pair of tickets to the intimate set here!

May 14th, 2012
Kristin Houser
Category: News
Delta Spirit LEAD

By now, you’ve surely heard about the amazing, intimate, once-in-a-lifetime, almost-too-good-to-be-true performances that have been going on at the 987 Penthouse the past few months. Back in February, I caught fun.’s performance at the Penthouse mere days before their Some Nights album exploded on the music scene, and earlier that same month LA Music Blog’s Jay Chirinos stopped by the Penthouse to catch Shin’s frontman James Mercer’s solo set. And because we at LA Music Blog always want to share the love, we not only gave away pairs of tickets to these show, we’ve also hooked readers up with tickets to see Neon Trees at the Penthouse. Now we’re doing it again, this time with SoCal’s own Delta Spirit!
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Album Review: Beach House – Bloom

Indie favorites return with a sumptuous follow-up

May 11th, 2012
David Fisch
Category: Lead Story, Review
Photo by Liz Flyntz

Three albums into their career, Baltimore duo Beach House has managed to entrance us with their inescapable dream pop stylings (not that anyone would ever want to escape from it, mind you). Their dizzying sounds have easily worked in Beach House’s favor: Teen Dream was indubitably my favorite album of 2010, thanks in part to the elegance of Victoria Legrand’s vocals; the ethereal, melodic constructions she and Alex Scally produced; and the mesmerizing strength of the album’s lyrical content. Most fans and critics also agreed, leaving one to wonder how Beach House could possibly follow up an album already considered their best offering.
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Interview with Destro

On dance, music, industry, and the Destro Movement

Nick Hartmann
Category: Interview
Destro LEAD

When I first encountered the musical stylings of Destini Rogers, aka Destro, I knew I would have to learn her story as soon as possible. What I came to find was that her dimensions span far past music production and into the realm of entrepreneurship and philosophy. Destro is just getting started on bringing the creative outlets of song and dance closer than ever, but that is a mere footnote to the larger picture goal of liberating artists everywhere, especially in her home of Oklahoma. When she sat down with LA Music Blog, I were able to find out what the “Destro Movement” is all about. Continue reading…

YouTube Discovery: Brianna Gage – “Better Off”

12-year-old’s original song is my current fav

Kristin Houser
Category: Staff Pick, Video
Brianna Gage LEAD

Every once in a while, YouTube reveals itself as a true breeding ground for musical talent. No, I’m not talking about Rebecca Black and Samwell; I’m talking about Kina Grannis, Greyson Chance, Terra Naomi, Justin Bieber…artists who were “discovered” via the site and then went on to land record deals and in some case, international superstardom. LA Music Blog has had the chance to meet one such undiscovered talent, and I’m now predicting she just may be the next name to add to the list of YouTube-launched stars: Los Angeles’ own Brianna Gage.
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Punk Rock Bowling and Music Festival

Live music, bowling, and poker in the City of Sin!

May 10th, 2012
Mary Bonney
Category: Lead Story, News
PRB LEAD

Las Vegas might be known for its twenty-four/seven party scene, non-stop gambling, and endless debauchery, but the City of Sin is about to get a taste of good old-fashioned punk rock. The fourteenth annual Punk Rock Bowling Bowling and Music Festival is coming to downtown Las Vegas May 25-28 with a lineup that boasts over sixty bands ranging from old-school pioneers like NOFX, Rancid, and Pennywise to up-and-comers such as Dead to Me, Amoebas, and The Avengers. The three-day outdoor festival offers punk rock fans a great chance to bowl some strikes in their bowling tournaments, enter Texas Hold ‘Em competitions, and watch incredible live music with 5,000 of their closest friends. After the large stage performances, four late night clubs will stay open for more intimate shows as well.
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Aesop Rock Announces Tour

Los Angeles date set for July

Jay Chirinos
Category: Lead Story, News
30508.x-news-aesoprockinterview

As reported earlier this year, left field rapper extraordinaire Aesop Rock will be returning this summer with his first album in five years. Now a tour has been announced in support of the new release, and Aesop (or Mr. Rock to you) will be coming to Los Angeles as part of the tour.
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Santigold – Master of My Make-Believe

The long-awaited sophomore album raw, raw, rocks

May 9th, 2012
Lauren Kent
Category: Review
Santigold LEAD

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…

Show Review: James Morrison @ The Avalon

Soulful Brit brings emotional songs to life

May 8th, 2012
Mary Bonney
Category: Review
James Morrison

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.
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Animal Collective Releases New Single

Returning with new material after three years

David Fisch
Category: News
animal-collective

Announcement! Announcement! Baltimore’s experimental wunderkinds and critical favorites Animal Collective return with new material!
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Chevelle & Dead Sara @ Club Nokia

LA bands plays hometown show supporting Chevelle

Ben Gill
Category: Review
DeadSara:Chevelle

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.
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