The Growlers have elevated contrarianism to an art, musically in their improbable marriage of goth and surf-rock and aesthetically in their adherence to a DIY ethic embraced by bands whose fans number in the dozens, not tens of thousands. Brooks Nielsen and Matt Taylor write songs like traffic cops give out speeding tickets, frequently and […]
Dead Sara is in the holiday spirit – the L.A. quartet of Emily Armstrong, Siouxsie Medley, Chris Null and Sean Friday has had a 2012 worthy of special place on Santa’s list. Their new holiday single “Snow in Los Angeles,” recorded at Dave Grohl’s Studio 606 and written for Armstrong’s mother, comes out on iTunes […]
Bell Gardens’ orchestral music first appeared on the horizon in 2010, the product of Brian McBride (Stars of the Lid) and Kenneth James Gibson (apendics.shuffle, Furry Things), two guys known for their explorations ambient and experimental electronica. Of which Bell Gardens is neither. On their first full-length “Full Sundown Assembly” (out now in the U.K. […]
Tucked away with L.A.’s own Haim on BBC’s “Sound of 2013” next-hot-band list is U.K. quartet Peace, a band of early twentysomethings that has drawn comparisons to Foals, Friendly Fires, Vampire Weekend and even some classic rock goliaths, all on the basis of their four-song EP, “Delicious.” It’s flavorful indeed, especially the dusting of West […]
Petra Haden is simply irrepressible. The singer-violinist (or is that violinist-singer?) of estimable lineage and even more impressive resumé has undertaken myriad adventures since her days with ’90s pop faves That Dog, including her 2005 album “Petra Haden Sings: The Who Sells Out” – a home recorded, a capella rendition of the English band’s 1967 […]
Mercury Prize nominee Jessie Ware‘s vocals may been most familiar with music fans through SBTRKT’s records, but a handful of singles on her own have her poised to become an international breakout star. Her soulful sound with dark yet seductive elements suggest she’s the Sade for today’s generation. Ware’s vocals take the spotlight in tracks […]
Singer-songwriter Glen Martin’s whiskey-on-the-rocks Americana is equal parts boozy lament and woozy grace. Since he relocated to L.A. from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, he’s collaborated with other bands (including the Quick Hellos) and worked on honing his own songs, which conjure up the geography of both Laurel Canyon and the American South. The gimmick-free production on […]
Caught a Ghost’s Motown-meets-machines magic first came on the radar in 2011 when ex-Red Arrow Messenger mastermind Jesse Nolan unveiled the twitchy yet soulful “Sleeping at Night.” Ensuing months found Nolan not sleeping much at all as he wrangled a band with as many as nine members and live shows that tried to make his […]
Maybe moving from Provo, Utah, to L.A. three years ago affected their outlook on life, but Toy Bombs are calling their forthcoming release “Apocalypse.” The band – originally a meeting of the minds and instruments of Cole Barnson and Brandon McBride – makes prickly indie blues that doesn’t sacrifice pop hooks and isn’t short on […]
There has been no iteration of music more common in the Buzz Bands LA inbox this year than “electro-pop duo.” (Though “folk duo” is a close second.) They proliferate wherever synthesizers and laptops are sold – boy/girl, boy/boy/ girl/girl, it doesn’t matter: They trade in nifty melodies, some stickier than others, and slick production. He […]
