Nico Vega’s “Gravity” seems to be defying the forces of old age. The L.A. trio’s body-blasting rocker first appeared on 2007’s “No Child Left Behind” EP, then got a slight makeover for the band’s 2009 full-length on MySpace Records. Now, in the hands of director Marcus Dunstan – the man behind three of the movies […]
Chicago-birthed Gold Motel is the new project from Greta Morgan (Salpeter) of the Hush Sound, which churned out three albums of keyboard-driven pop-rock on the Fueled by Ramen imprint from 2005 to ’08. With the Hush Sound on hiatus, Morgan high-tailed it to L.A. to work on a solo project, which has blossomed into a […]
There’s something very Boss-like about the video for Robert Francis‘ “Junebug,” and that’s a good thing. The song, off the 22-year-old’s sophomore album “Before Nightfall” [a Buzz Bands LA fave], is a Springsteen-meets-Buckley anthem that conveys the kind of drama and yearning and imagery that the video seems to be going for. In this case, […]
When does a flashback feel like a step forward? When a new album from Bettie Serveert lands in your mailbox. The Dutch indie-rockers (the name translates to “Bettie Served” and is an homage to Dutch tennis great Betty Stove) carved out a space on my shelves with three great releases on Matador from 1992 to […]
The new album from Eels, “End Times” (out in January), doesn’t futz with the sonic formula Mark Oliver Everett has used to craft his estimable eight-album catalogue, but as much as the L.A. songwriter has ever done, he gives you the feel that you’re looking over his shoulder at his journal entries. “End Times’” meditations […]
As piano men go, Andrew Lynch is something of a shredder. Sometimes his songs – like the ones on his new album “Sun Incisions” – seem to take control of his hands, and, for that matter, his arms and elbows and head and anything else he can strike the keys with. Even given his delirious […]
From Australian comedy outfit Axis of Awesome, here’s the “4 Chords” medley that I only recently found. I think you’ll find some favorites here … (Thanks to @Dangerbird for tweeting.)
Not much to say about these – they’re the songs you love, only different: In lieu of flowers? Steve Cooper and his electro-funk fun bunch Spirit Animal will be giving away and 10-track album of covers and remixes on Valentine’s Day. The digital collection is titled “Brazen Brand” and contains bliptastic reworkings of tunes from […]
Spring Summer is the nom de tune of L.A. songstress Jennifer Furches, whose lovingly orchestrated pop hits the same sweet spot where the likes of Natalie Merchant and the Sundays dwell. Furches is working in the right circles – the debut album features contributions from Patrick Park, Dustin O’Halloran and Robert Schwartzman, among others, and […]
On the night after London buzz kids Mumford & Sons packed the Troubadour, another ballyhooed British band, Wild Beasts, takes on the U.S. by playing the West Hollywood venue. The Leeds four-piece [that’s the video for “We Still Got the Taste Dancin’ on Our Tongues,” above], whose sophomore album “Two Dancers” showcases intensely dramatic pop […]
