Top shows to consider tonight while giving deep thought to why bands pepper us with breathless press releases for something so mundane as naming an album: ‣ The all-local lineup at the Autry Museum features an interesting mix, including Lord Huron performing with the Calder Quartet. Abe Vigoda headlines, and Gamble House also supports in […]
They’re the first Next Big Thing of the new year: The Vaccines are being hailed as the British quartet that could lift music out of its suffocating, synth-drenched morass. A friend e-mailed me Thanksgiving week to gird my ears (and background me with this excellent piece from the Guardian) – was I ready for the […]
“Psyche or Like Scope” sticks out like a glowing synth on Family of the Year’s otherwise-rootsy 2009 album “Songbook,” but that’s not to say it’s not with its charms. The dreamy song with a tumbling keyboard line sounds almost Euro, so it’s no surprise to read that it’s getting played on France’s Radio Nova. The […]
Club outings to consider tonight while you let that Coachella lineup sink in: ‣ Pop duo Hot As Sun [get “Come Come” here] plays its first live show at the Echo as part of the Foster the People residency. FTP’s “Pumped Up Kicks” EP came out yesterday. Lesands also supports. ‣ L.A./Montreal shoegazers No Joy, […]
For fans of cats, Bobb Bruno and mercifully short songs. ||| Live: Best Coast (is pretty much a lock to) play Coachella. They play the Music Box on Feb. 24 with Wavves.
[Shows to consider while waiting to hear Jason Bentley interview electro-pop sensation David Lynch this morning on KCRW (10:15 a.m.):] Tonight’s top outings: ‣ Olin & the Moon, their new album “Footsteps” getting them some deserved attention, continue their residency at the Echo with fine support from Wire in the Walls and Family of the […]
Cold War Kids have logged a lot of miles since the SoCal-bred quartet first arrived six years ago with their spare, bluesy indie-rock. Two albums, “Robbers & Cowards” (2006) and “Loyalty to Loyalty” (2008), established them as deft storytellers, but for their third, “Mine Is Yours” (due Jan. 25 on Downtown), they’ve turned the narratives […]
[Wayne Coyne turns 50 today. Wonder where that party is.] Top 4 shows for those not expanding their horizons at Gary Lucas’ Captain Beefheart Symposium at the Echoplex: ‣ Stoner metal gods Fu Manchu blast off at the Satellite with a show featuring a performance of their album “In Search Of …” ‣ Plan B […]
Considering the adroit manner that Pepper Rabbit shape-shifts its buoyant pop via a web of guitar, banjo, ukulele, horns, clarinet, keys and drums, there’s something perfect about the video for the single “Harvest Moon,” off the L.A. trio’s debut album “Beauregard” (Kanine Records). The piece was directed by Alex Disenhof and David Altobelli, with nifty […]
Top 5 shows on a very good night for local music: ‣ It’s officially the release date for Olin & the Moon’s new album “Footsteps” – the L.A. quintet (augmented by string players) is celebrating with a Tuesday residency this month at the Echo, where tonight Coyol and Paulie Pesh support. ‣ Willoughby, with Henry […]
