It’s a steamy day last July in Hollywood, and Michael Sean Fitzpatrick is looking bleary-eyed but satisfied. The Fitz in the Fitz & the Tantrums had just entertained a small cadre of journalists at a listening session for five new songs from the band’s sophomore album. “We had two months to write 32 songs, which […]
We introduced Paper Pilots back in September by sharing a B-side, which is backwards, we know, but “Catch the Lamplight Low” was better than the average B-side. Today, Paper Pilots – the nom de tune of Justin David Bocchieri – officially released their self-titled EP. The lead single (with its intentionally etymologically challenged title) “Lacksadaisical” […]
With a heavy thud, the beginning of Kisses‘ new single hints at the duo’s turn for the dark side of pop … and it’s oh-so-lovely. Although Jesse Kivel and Zinzi Edmundson’s debut “The Heart of Nightlife” shimmered with a brighter palette to capture the upbeat life of Palm Springs, it’s difficult to avert one’s ears […]
Tapioca & the Flea have a whimsical, some-would-say-downright-silly name with a whimsical, some-would-say-just-plain-fun approach to electronic music. Their early songs, being recorded with Lars Stalfors (Cold War Kids, Mars Volta, Surfer Blood), are influenced by current chillwavers and ’80s New Wavers – sometimes it’s like being sucked into a video game only to find a […]
In some ways, A House for Lions are least cool kids on the L.A. block. They aren’t diving down some wormhole chasing a sound from rock’s dark ages, or turning synths up to 10 to attract face-painters, and in an age when costumes often seem to matter a much as the music, it’s refreshing. What […]
When we first introduced Cassorla back in August, one of the big attractions was Ben Cassorla’s clever, quirky Microsoft Paint graphics for tracks off of his band’s debut EP. Now we get a taste of the forthcoming full-length, “Plastic,” and Cassorla’s arrangements are zany and enticing as ever. From its introductory minimal percussion to its […]
Indie-rock trio Torches is rebounding from a 2012 that can be characterized in a lot of ways – let’s just call it adventurous. They followed up two EPs released under the name Torches in Trees by unveiling their fine debut album “Heads Full of Rust.” They played a zillion gigs. And as the year closed, […]
Splash. The Little Ones wrestle with waves in the fun new video for “Argonauts,” one of many highlights on the sextet’s first album since 2008. “The Dawn Sang Along” (out Feb. 12) sounds triumphant in about every possible way, from the brotherly harmonies of Ed and Brian Reyes to the sunny guitars and beats from […]
Remember summer and pool parties? Remember loungin’ outside where it was just you and the sun? Although those times seem years and not just months away, Pacific Air’s chill music video for “Float” reminds those of us currently feeling under the weather that summer definitely beats winter. Who needs seasons? Pacific Air’s “Long Live KO […]
Eastern Conference Champions, Y LUV, Troup, Drive He Said and Western Scene are among the bands rocking the Local Music Stage on Feb. 16 and 17 as Chinatown plays host to the Year of the Snake Lunar New Year Festival. In all, 11 emerging local bands will play the outdoor stage (located steps away from […]
