Paul Waclawsky once called Los Angeles home, and he gave birth to the Boxing Lesson here a long decade ago before packing his bags for Austin. Musically, the singer-guitarist has relocated to a space station for “Big Hits!,” the band’s first full-length in five years. Always purveyors of the psychedelic tip of shoegazing, Waclawsky and […]
There may be no rock ’n’ roll configuration more exhausted creatively than the power trio. Belters and shredders come and go, substituting bombast for vitality and technical showmanship for true musical dialogue. Which brings me to young L.A. trio the Vim Dicta, who have succumbed to none of the perils of cliché. The band – […]
Tuesday’s show rundown: ‣ Booker T. Jones, joined by special guests Anthony Hailton, Jay James, Kori Withers and more, headlines the El Rey Theater behind his new album “Sound the Alarm,” which marks the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer’s return to Stax Records. ‣ Bosnian Rainbows [see last week’s post] plays the First Unitarian […]
Western Scene debuted their expansive pop-rock last year after Tom Pritchard, formerly of San Diego’s the Dynamite Walls, began collaborating with Jason Burkhart (Kenan Bell’s bandmate). Their melodically rich music, made with producer Hugo Nicolson, ranges from propulsive singles such as “Listening” to lovelorn tracks like “For You,” and last week the band, without much fanfare, […]
Ah, the Monday madness: ‣ Justin Bieber plays the Lakers Championship Celebration at the Staples Center. Oh wait. It’s just regular Biebs show. ‣ Australia’s Amethyst Amelia Kelly, better known as Iggy Azalea, headlines the Echoplex. Travi$ Scott supports. Above is video evidence that she can “Bounce.” ‣ Your Monday night residencies for June roar […]
Incoming: Justin Bieber, Booker T, Patty Griffin, Rachael Yamagata, Bosnian Rainbows, Com Truise, Robert Plant, Mavis Staples, David Ford, Ozomatli, Colin Stetson, the Soft Pack, Baths, Allah Las, Mike Epps, Erykah Badu, Wanda Jackson, Everclear, Beyoncé, Paper Route, Donavon Frankenreiter, Twin Shadow, Eric Burdon & the Animals, Snoop Dogg, Bob Log III, R. Kelly, Damian […]
It’s officially the first weekend of summer, so on today’s L.A. Buzz Bands Show on KCSN, I’ve loaded up the playlist with new songs. Join me at 7 p.m. on KCSN (88.5 FM, streaming at KCSN.org) for fresh tunes from Johnathan Rice and A House for Lions, along with some brash new rockers from forthcoming […]
‣ Big night at the Hollywood Bowl, where duets rule the day. Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell perform behind their recent release “Old Yellow Moon,” and She & Him – the pairing of M. Ward and Zoey Deschanel – play songs from their new album “Volume 3.” ‣ Iron & Wine visits the First Unitarian Church. […]
I may have been the only person the planet less than enthusiastic about tweak job Mr. Little Jeans did a couple of years ago on Arcade Fire’s “The Suburbs,” but there’s no denying the pretty colors conjured up by the Norwegian songstress’s new single “Oh Sailor.” Born Monica Birkenes and now based in Los […]
‣ Folk singer Iris DeMent [pictured] plays a full-band show the First Unitarian Church (2936 W. 8th St.) behind the release of her first album in 16 years, “Sing the Delta.” ‣ Opening night at the Hollywood Bowl brings Steven & Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Patti Austin and John Legend to the legendary venue for […]