Leave it to a white boy from Chewelah, Wash., with nerdy red glasses to disguise a letter addressing politics as a love song in the style of D’Angelo. In fact, it wouldn’t be a surprise if a first-time listener already mistook 24-year-old Allen Stone for the infamous soul singer. But even with heavy influences that […]
Seamless harmonies and soft pop melodies are difficult to deny when they’re delivered with such grace, and that’s exactly the case with L.A. band the Young Romans. Pianist Brad Hooks and guitarist Sari Mellafe trade in the kind of shimmering riffs and vocal interplay that appeal to pop sophisticates and romantics alike. Their 2010 “Yesterday […]
‣ Rachel Yamagata headlines a sold-out Troubadour behind her first release in three years, “Chesapeake.” Mike Viola, who released his own new album “Electro de Perfecto” in September, opens. That’s Yamagata’s video for “Even If I Don’t,” above. ‣ Sting does a second night at the Wiltern. ‣ Downtown/Union rocks the Echo behind its new […]
Ever since Letting Up Despite Great Faults unveiled its debut album in 2009, the Los Angeles quintet has been a good bet to satiate fans of shimmering dream-pop. Our money’s on the young protagonist in her battle against monsters in Douglas Burgdorff’s video for “Sophia in Gold” too. The song is the second single off […]
Here’s something for your Sunday: ‣ Japanese noise-punks Melt Banana wind down their two-month North American tour with a date at the Echoplex. 400 Blows roars in to support. ‣ Caught a Ghost rocks the Hotel Cafe, along with Das Tapes and Weapons of Audio. That’s Caught a Ghost’s video for “Sleeping at Night,” above. […]
Tonight’s touts: ‣ Morrissey plays a sold-out show at the Shrine Auditorium. ‣ It’s a night for some very good shoegazer rock at the Satellite – Tennis System (that’s their video for “Arcane,” above) celebrates the release of its album “Teenagers,” with United Ghosts (marking the release of their “Holes Into the Night” 7-inch) and […]
Love can really hurt, and in this David Lewandowski-directed clip, no one understands that more than Friendly Fires frontman Ed Macfarlane. Known for his special effects in Hollywood and in films such as “Tron,” we see Lewandowki’s technical touches as well as Macfarlane’s desperate need for love, which causes a glitchy mess despite the strong […]
The feast on Thanksgiving eve: ‣ Quite a night ahead on Hollywood Boulevard – Morrissey plays the first of his three SoCal dates at the Music Box, and less than two blocks away the Cure closes out its three-night stand at the Pantages Theatre. ‣ Lucinda Williams does the second of her two nights at […]
Earlier this year, Geoff Geis, solo artist and principal provocateur in the band Pizza!, launched his own (cassette/digital) label, Vanity Projects, to release his album “Princess.” Future plans include releasing music by many of his friends in the L.A. underground, including Magick Orchids, the Monolators, Nima and Geoff (his collaboration with Nima Kazerouni of So […]
Good shows big and small tonight: ‣ Lucinda Williams plays the first of two nights at the El Rey Theatre behind her powerful new album “Blessed.” ‣ Manchester’s Wu Lyf hits the Troubadour behind its Pitchfork-approved debut release “Go Tell Fire to the Mountain,” with Crystal Antlers supporting. That’s Wu Lyf’s video for “Dirt,” above. […]
