Quick notes about some important upcoming benefit shows: ‣ Sasha Vallely is well-known in L.A. music circles as a promoter and singer/multi-instrumentalist (with such bands as the Silver Chords, Spindrift and the Warlocks). Last March, Vallely was in an accident that required neck and spinal surgery, the aftermath of which has left her unable to […]
For several years, Tommy Dietrick of L.A. shoegaze stalwarts Sky Parade staged a weekend benefit at Pappy & Harriet’s called the Clean Air Clear Stars Festival. (Ah, good times.) This year the event has morphed into the Desert Stars Festival, and the news bulletin is that the two-night affair, going off this Friday and Saturday […]
Words and photos by Matt Draper For fans of layered, wafting guitars and introspective yet noisy backdrops, the longtime Sunday night weekly Part Time Punks showered said devotees with the stacked 11-act Shoegaze Festival last Sunday at the Echoplex. Dubbed “the world’s first” (I wonder …), the event featured performances from contemporary ’gazers such as […]
‣ It’s a big night for the Hollywood Bowl as legendary county artist Glen Campbell stops by as part of “The Goodbye Tour.” [See his video for “A Better Place.] Tonight’s show kicks off KCRW’s World Fest at the venue and features guests Dawes, Jackson Browne, Kris Kristofferson, Jenny Lewis, Lucinda Williams and Courtney Taylor-Taylor […]
Top 3 hangs this holiday weekend: ‣ The FYF Fest goes off downtown at Los Angeles State Historic Park, featuring this week’s Weezer, Wavves [that’s video for “Post-Acid,” above], along with the likes of the Rapture, Panda Bear, School of Seven Bells, Best Coast, the Soft Pack, AA Bondy and about 30 others. More on […]
L.A. shoegazers Sky Parade have unveiled the video for “I Should be Coming Up (But I Keep Coming Down,” the track we debuted back in Feburary. It should perk up fans of the Dandy Warhols – the song was produced by Courtney Taylor-Taylor and features Zia McCabe. The foursome’s third album, “Intoxicated,” came out in […]
[Sorry I’m a little late with this today, I was all flustered trying to think of what to do for Jessica Simpson’s 30th birthday Saturday.] My top 5 reasons to slam in the earplugs this weekend: ‣ When I first heard “Hippies” and posted “Friendly Ghost” in March, I knew I’d be hooked on Harlem. […]
[Raising a glass to Siouxsie Sioux on her birthday …] Top 5 musical entanglements this evening: ‣ Berlin techno/house duo Booka Shade visit the Fonda Theatre behind their recently released fifth album, “More!” (which includes the single “Bad Love,” featuring vocalist Chelonis R. Jones). ‣ Onetime indie darlings Voxtrot say goodbye to L.A. – their […]
L.A. popgazers Sky Parade have found psych-rock’s sweet spot on their new single, “I Should Be Coming Up (But I Keep Coming Down),” a three-minute fantasy-vs.-reality lament that pits an urgent rhythmic churn against giddy washes of synths. The song, produced by Courtney Taylor-Taylor of the Dandy Warhols and featuring the Dandys’ Zia McCabe on […]
[Apologies for the server problems that befuddled Buzz Bands all morning. Back to disseminating:] Big doings all over town – under the stars, there is Jackson Browne at the Greek Theatre; Buddy Guy, Dr. John and the Lower 911 and James Cotton at the Hollywood Bowl; and, on a smaller scale but no less enjoyable, […]