It’s been over a year since we heard the infectious “Peaches” from L.A. electro duo In the Valley below. Although we have yet to see a full-length, the duo is gearing up their second EP titled “Man Girl.” They’ve got a Monday night residency at the Echo in support of the new EP as well […]
The video for Max Collins’ single “Sports Bar” gives a new meaning to the billing “one night only.” Collins, of course, is the frontman of L.A. trio Eve 6 (known best for the radio hits “Inside Out” and “Here’s to the Night”) who rebooted with their original lineup in 2011 and released “Speak in Code” […]
Jack Littman is growing his music and shortening his name. The L.A. native, who emerged in 2010 as a singer-songwriter dealing in off-kilter folk, is now going by J Litt, which not only rolls off the tongue, it allows for the endearingly punny new EP title, “Too J Litt to Quit.” The new six-song collection, […]
Maudlin Strangers, the solo project of Jake Hays, has a sleek bad-boy vibe similar to the Neighbourhood. It’s as “bad” as pop music can get, at least. If you’re looking for electro-pop that is darker than most but still sparkles enough to be worthy of a pool party soundtrack, then Maudlin Strangers songs like “Overdose” […]
Manchester Orchestra may have taken a little longer than usual between albums this time around, but the latest record from Atlanta, Ga.,-based rock quintet may be their best release yet. “Cope,” the album out now on Loma Vista and their own label Favorite Gentlemen, teems with raucous hooks and unbridled energy that could fill any […]
The loose, lo-fi rock ’n’ roll of L.A. quintet the Acetates recalls the days before fancy recording techniques smoothed out all the rough edges in folk and blues music. The fivesome of Simon Elbaum, Oren Klein, Nick Wheaton, Brian Morales and Brian Cannady have no problem with frayed edges; the rough-and-tumble feel of their early […]
Breaking up is hard to do. So is making breakup albums. Charlie Wadhams wrestled with both in crafting the songs for “Out at the Bar,” his first solo release since 2010’s EP “Upside Down” and first full-length since 2006’s “Free Up Your Schedule.” Wadhams, long a under-recognized treasure on the L.A. songwriting scene dating back […]
L.A.-based quintet Machineheart traces its roots to Tacoma, Wash., emo-pop band He Is We. Trevor Kelly was co-founder of that band; Jake Randle, Carman Kubana and Harrison Allen were touring members; and model/singer Stevie Scott replaced ailing frontwoman Rachel Taylor as touring vocalist in 2012, a year after they released a full-length on Universal. After […]
Like Jenn Wasner of Wye Oak and Katie Crutchfield of Waxahatchee, Sharon Van Etten is one of those artists who cuts deep to the bone with her lyrics and melodies. But despite the pain, the catharsis has always been Van Etten’s strength. Preparing to release her fourth studio album – titled “Are We There” – the […]
There is a new TV on the Radio album in the pipeline, Tunde Adebimpe says, but for now there he is having fun with the Higgins Waterproof Black Magic Band. It’s a side project with friends Ryan Sawyer (Lone Wolf and Cub), Josh Werner (Lee “Scratch” Perry, CocoRosie) and Alex Holden (Big Numbers), and the […]
