No matter which side of the Atlantic he’s lived on – or which incarnation his music has taken, the Wedding Present or Cinerama – David Gedge has always been a creative force, the rare artist whose razor-edged guitar work is matched by his lyrical bite. Almost any of the Wedding Present’s early albums would be […]
If it’s so spooky to be young, why is Meredith Meyer smiling? In the video for the title track to her 2009 album “It’s Spooky to Be Young,” the Oklahoma-raised, L.A.-based songstress has the grin of the only person in the room who gets the joke. And maybe she is. Her sneaky-good collection of dreamy […]
It’s the second night of Paul McCartney’s stand at the Hollywood Bowl. … Megadeth plays to a sold-out Palladium. … Bad Religion continues its 12-show run at the House of Blues venues – the next three nights the veteran punk-rockers are in Anaheim. … Mini Mansions [pictured], whose name I heard on a couple tongues […]
A subtle shift of emphasis from California-born, New Zealand-based Ryan McPhun is revealed on the new Ruby Suns album “Fight Softly,” which came out this month on Sub Pop.” Predecessor “Sea Lion’”was a breezy collage of world music whimsy that was one of the highlights of 2008, a really easy listen. This time around, the […]
Join me on Indie1031.com at 11 this morning for two hours of Buzz Bands LA music. I’m woefully unprepared this morning, but it could be turn out to be fun … a heaping helping of local music, some previewing the April residencies, and some other nifty tracks that have caught my ear. Here’s the playlist, […]
[Wishing Norah Jones a happy birthday this morning as I stare at the ominous skies and tonight’s concert calendar:] It’s not going to rain on Paul McCartney at the Hollywood Bowl, is it? C’mon clouds, get the with program. … Melissa Auf der Maur rocks the Viper Room to celebrate the release of her new […]
Most-heard question last week: “So how was your South by Southwest?” Me: “Kind of a blur … I think … I mean …” My assignments for SPIN.com kept me beyond busy, so the week was a parade of bands, sleep deprivation and more bands, and I didn’t get to catch a lot of the buzzy […]
No instrument is safe (and, for that matter, neither are the Edge’s guitar tones) in the Temper Trap’s “Sweet Disposition.” The Australian quartet blew through town recently for an exhilarating show at the Fonda Theatre that reinforced the notion that there’s still an audience (and a young one at that) for well-done atmospheric rock. Singer […]
Russian-born, L.A.-based songstress Marina V (it’s short for her rather lyrical last name, Verenikina) possesses a lilting voice, a knack for sugar-coated melodies and, lucky for her, a devoted fanbase. Thanks to her supporters’ largesse, she raised funds from a campaign on her website to make her latest album, “My Star,” with producer Guy Erez. […]
It’s the final night of the March residencies: Warpaint, the L.A. quartet whose star continued to rise at SXSW and whose debut album is due out in late summer/early fall, joins the party tonight at Spaceland for Moonrats‘ residency. … At the Silverlake Lounge, Square on Square and Model/Actress support Seaspin at its finale. … […]
