Riothorse Royale, the mind- and vocal-melding of singer-songwriters Madi Diaz and Emily Greene, debuted early this year with the hypnotic single “Rabbit Hole,” a song whose allure drew from its metronomic pace and idyllic harmonies. Since then, the duo have released a full EP, “The Guest House,” whose five songs are available for free download […]
The first single from fledgling L.A. quartet Swerve recalls the heyday of Britpop, with alternately sharp/punky and pretty/chiming guitars setting the stage for frontman Gregory Mahdesian’s slightly menacing vocals. It’s the first song from an EP that Mahdesian, who previously played in the rock trio the Simple Pleasures, has in the works. Live, the singer-guitarist […]
The Bird and the Bee’s sophisti-pop imagines a world where meticulous application of eyeliner is favored over face paint, designer cocktails trump designer hallucinogenics and “retro” is something of a class distinction. The duo — singer Inara George and multi-instrumentalist/all-star producer Greg Kurstin — haven’t released any original music since 2009’s “Ray Guns Are Not […]
The arty, airy new EP from L.A.-based Quigley comes sprinkled with a fairy dust and a little existential angst, emblematic, its creator says, to there being “no end to what one person and their laptop can create.” Titled “Initium,” it fits in the kaleidoscopic world inhabited by artists such as Imogen Heap, Ellie Goulding and […]
L.A. quartet Parade of Lights felt as if they were standing atop the medal stand a little over a year ago, when their single “Golden” was splashed all over television during NBC’s broadcast of the Winter Olympics, as well as infiltrating ESPN’s Super Bowl promos and “The Voice.” The band — singer-guitarist Ryan Daly, drummer Anthony […]
Ever feel like, in today’s oppressively digital age, you’re just shadow-boxing with your own paranoia? That’s what’s conveyed in “Revolutionary Interface,” the buzzing first single from fledgling Los Angeles quintet New Technology (who, perhaps in a statement about new technology, have no website or Facebook page). The band is the brainchild of Miles Marsico, bassist […]
I have no idea what could be more fun, the debut EP from the all-star quartet Broken Bats or the party that one imagines got the ball rolling. Formed in Nashville, Broken Bats merge the talents of Matt Friction (Pink Spiders), Denver Dalley (Desaparecidos, Har Mar Superstar and his own project Statistics), Tony Smith (Sleeper […]
Like a lot of would-be “songs of the summer,” Golden Coast’s synth-spiked ditties have the staying power of a Sno-Cone. (Note to self: Try to recall 2014’s “songs of the summer.”) But damned if they aren’t catchy — full of mood-elevating hooks and falsetto that are completely of the moment, as long your moment lasts 3 […]
L.A.-based quartet Monarch debuted in January with the bursting-with-bombast single “Stay.” The second volley from the band — singer Brennan Strawn, guitarist Taylor Johnson, keyboardist Brian Willett and drummer Joel Plotnik — is “Snow White,” a down-tempo meditation articulating a heart full of regrets. It’s produced by Brent Kutzle (the OneRepublic bassist) and appears on the foursome’s […]
Translator had an excellent four-album run from 1982 to ’86. Formed in Los Angeles in 1979 and then based in San Francisco after signing to Howie Klein’s 415 Records, the quartet fused the sound of British Invasion rockers with punk and psychedelia, taking off with the college radio-then-MTV hit “Everywhere That I’m Not.” The foursome […]
