L.A. rockers Everest had their share of gut-wrenching, hair-pulling moments during the months they were making their sophomore album, “On Approach.” But the quintet must have swallowed hard when they got word that their label owner and The Man They Admire Most – Neil Young, for cryin’ out loud – said he’d like to talk […]
There’s a touch of Karen O in the vocal delivery of Joy Formidable singer Ritzy Bryan – she has Liz Fraser’s eyes too. The band pack a lot into their three-minute epics: coruscating guitar, thrumming bass notes, an edgy energy and an enthusiastic delivery. They sound ready. The North Walian trio are touring ahead of […]
Three from a bunch of small shows we like tonight: ‣ Electro-poppers Death Kit, who recently performed live on a Gold Line train, headline the Silverlake Lounge. Because it’s humpday and we know a lot of girls named Jessica, we encourage you to download Death Kit’s latest single, “Jessica’s Twenties.” Standing Shadows open. ‣ Michael […]
[Buzzbeats is an occasional feature on Buzz Bands LA authored by Rich Thomas, whose work you can find at his Mining the Landfill blog. Past entries here.] By Rich Thomas Los Angeles’ indie rock and electronic music scenes have always managed to play well with one another. Artists float from label to label, dropping a […]
Not sure I approve of this, so maybe you can weigh in. Bay Area indie-pop outfit A B & the Sea (whom I scribbled about in early July) have covered Katy Perry’s “California Gurls” and married it to the Beach Boys’ “California Girls.” Hmm. Well, it’s free. Me, I wish all songs named “California Girls” […]
It’s not all about labrythian song titles and artwork, although at first blush you might think so of Loch & Key. The new L.A. duo is a collaboration between Sean Hoffman, the former guitarist in American Music Club and Bedroom Walls, and visual artist Leyla Akdogan, and their debut album “Jupiter’s Guide for Submariners” (due […]
[Moment of silence this morning to mark the passing of Fear founding member Derf Scratch …] International Pop Overthrow surges into the second week of its annual celebration of classic and power-pop – with six to eight bands per night at rotating venues, it’s an impossibly unwieldy festival to get your ears around (especially with […]
After releasing one EP each of the past two years, Rumspringa has blown up – in size, at least. Singer-guitarist Joey Stevens, who partnered with Itaru de la Vega in the first incarnation of the band, has ways with the original drummer and annexed three new members, singer-guitarist Cecilia Della Peruti, bassist Richardo Robles and […]
It’s harder to keep track of Ferraby Lionheart’s movements than his music. Born in L.A. and reared in Nashville, the singer-songwriter spent his formative music-making years back in Los Angeles before retreating, after his 2007 Nettwerk debut “Catch the Brass Ring,” to Nashville. He’s spent some time in Sweden, cleared his head on a beach […]
Orange County-bred quintet Young the Giant soared onto the SoCal indie-rock landscape in 2008, back when they were called the Jakes. Their new, slightly obtuse moniker aside, the Giants are young – Sameer Gadhia, Jacob Tilley, Eric Cannata, Payam Doostzadeh and Francois Comtois are all 21 or younger – but their songs brim with grown-up […]
