Eleven L.A. artists cover Paul (and Linda) McCartney on the new charity compilation “RAM on L.A.,” being released digitally on Monday through local blog Aquarium Drunkard’s Autumn Tone Records. Justin Gage, the man behind the blog and the label, explains that as he hatched the idea for a compilation of local bands last year, he […]
[I’m going to ratchet up the frequency of Ears Wide Open, my series of quick-hits on the new L.A. music that reaches my ears – and laptop. Here goes:] Ventura three-piece the Spires have been spreading their Anglophile wings in SoCal for a about five years, their” sweet indie-pop recalling the days of C86 and […]
Cincinnati two-piece Bad Veins, who spent much of last year recording their album (some of it in L.A.) and played some impressive dates around town (including a September gig at the Viper Room), are signing to Dangerbird Records. The L.A.-based indie, home to Silversun Pickups, the Dears, Sea Wolf and Darker My Love, will probably […]
I thought the album “Rearrange Beds” by Australian duo An Horse was out in February, but it turns out March 17 is the physical release date. Whichever, the music of Damon Cox and Kate Cooper is crackling-good indie pop. Their North American tour starts this week at Noise Pop in Francisco, but skips L.A., for […]
Not too long ago, Funeral Party was playing backyard parties in East L.A. Hundreds of kids came; there was cowbell galore; people danced; and life was good. As the group cultivated an underground following and took its act into clubs, they seemed to be inheritors to the Moving Units’ edgy dance-punk throne. Now they are […]
The sweaty, sold-out show by And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead on Nov. 13 at the Echo was a hit with longtime fans of the Texas trio. Spaceland Recordings will release a live album recorded at the gig later this spring – for now, however, they are offering a free download […]
Singer-songwriter Anya Marina has postponed her scheduled show tonight at the Hotel Cafe because of a death in her family. She also has had to scotch two dates in the Midwest supporting Jason Mraz. The rest of the bill at the Hotel Cafe tonight goes on as scheduled, including a record-release show for Sweet Talk […]
Dave Stewart (Eurythmics, if you were born in a latter decade) is offering a little Valentine’s Day gift – the title track off his new EP “Let’s Do It Again.” Of course, the song featuring singer Sierra Swan already has a commercial tie-in, so should I even say it has substantial buzz? Guess not. ||| […]
Eleni Mandell, gearing up for the release Tuesday of her seventh album, “Artificial Fire,” is offering fans a free download of the title track. It’s vintage Mandell – if there is such a thing for a songwriter who slips between rock, pop, jazz and country with a wink of an eye and wry smile – […]
It’s old-school punk meets new-school business model: The new album from Orange County veterans T.S.O.L., released in January, is available for free. Not surprisingly, the album is titled “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Free Downloads.” Marking the 30th anniversary of the band founded as True Sounds of Liberty, T.S.O.L.’s 16th album comes courtesy of […]
