There’s an awful lot of the familiar in scruffy pop-punk of L.A.-based trio Upset, from the scratchy guitar chords to the rough-edged production to the teenaged angst. “She’s Gone” (just out on Don Giovanni Records) didn’t come from DIY corner of the 1990s, though; the band features three veterans with mileage on their indie-rock odometers […]
Los Angeles producer/rapper/songwriter Jonezen, neé Chris Jones, just released the music video for “Dedications,” the first single from his forthcoming album “Beautiful Disaster.” It was directed by Raul Perez, and follows his win at the Los Angeles Music Awards for Best Hip-Hop Artist. Following an arrest, doctors told Jonezen that his excessive drinking may kill […]
Here’s what’s on tap for your soggy Thursday: ‣ Long-running Bay area singer-songwriter John Vanderslice brings his sophisticated indie-rock to the Bootleg Bar. Vanderslice’s latest album is titled “Dagger Beach,” his 10th, and he also this year released “John Vanderslice Plays Diamond Dogs,” his re-creation of David Bowie’s 1974 gem. Bent Shapes open tonight’s show. […]
Jackson Phillips and Kevin Friedman – aka L.A.-based electro-pop duo Carousel – burst onto the sunny SoCal scene with tunes off their debut “Palms” EP this past summer, and they’re continuing to churn out these feel-good tunes to prove that the seasons never really change in California. With a residency and tour under their belt […]
Happy middle of the week. Here’s your Wednesday: ‣ Minneapolis’ Polica visits the Fonda Theatre behind their new album “Shulamith,” just out on Mom+ Pop Records. Marijuana Deathsquads open. ‣ Back with a new EP titled “AHJ,” Albert Hammond Jr. holds forth at the El Rey Theatre, with Rathborne opening. That’s the new video for […]
Spencer Krug’s resume is quite lengthy considering he’s been a member of Wolf Parade, Sunset Rubdown, Swan Lake, Frog Eyes and Fifths of Seven. However, it’s his solo material as Moonface that is the most stunning, and his third full-length under the moniker is the most moving yet. On “Julia With Blue Jeans On,” there […]
Gliss made a strong comeback with this year’s gorgeous “Langsom Dans,” and even after several singles, the L.A. band keeps it going by releasing a deluxe edition of the record. The latest release offers two bonus tracks, including the C-Berg remix of “Hunting” and new tune “Drool.” The latter will bring Gliss fans back to […]
French-American songwriter Sydney Wayser grew up in Los Angeles, summered in Paris and, until early this year, was stationed in New York, where she wrestled with a bleak winter and which direction her music would take after releasing solo albums in 2007 and ’09. Her late-2012 dispatch, “Bell Choir Coast,” addressed the latter dilemma. As […]
Here’s what’s up for your Tuesday: ‣ U.K. songstress Jessie Ware makes one more visit to SoCal in 2013 – she sold out the El Rey early back in January, and played Coachella in April as well – tonight at the House of Blues. ‣ Party time at the Echoplex, where Check Yo Ponytail 2 […]
Monday madness: ‣ Since Scottish trio Chvrches last visited L.A. in May, they’ve released their full-length “The Bones of What You Believe” and toured a lot. The indie-pop trio returns tonight for a date at the Wiltern. That’s their video for “The Mother We Share,” above. ‣ Body Parts continue their residency at the Satellite […]
