Ever since we first saw him in the young band Simon Dawes, Blake Mills has been a marvel. And the guitarist, songwriter and (now) producer continues to be. He’s the subject of a new mini-documentary that takes a look at his prodigious talents. Mills, 25, has not only played astride myriad L.A. artists (and released […]
It’s been six years since Chan Marshall’s released original material (2006’s “The Greatest”) and four years since her last studio album (2008’s “Jukebox”), but Marshall, aka Cat Power, finally returns with “Ruin.” The surprisingly spirited Latin-flavored track is the first single off her forthcoming album “Sun” (due Sept. 4 via Matador) and may surprise fans […]
It’s hard not to be charmed by Sylvie Lewis. The London chanteuse has been busy touring with the likes of Sondre Lerche and Adam Cohen, since 2005’s “Tango and Tantrums,” but Lewis has finally put out new alluring material. Her latest studio album “It’s All True” has musical imprints from the many friends she’s made […]
[Three new tunes from locals we’ve recently written about…] Everest, “Raking Me Over the Coals”– Upon the preparation for their forthcoming album “Ownerless,” Everest has just announced fall tour dates with Neil Young and given out their latest single “Raking Me Over the Coals” as a free download. Inspired by a cold, overcast day in […]
When it comes to suspending your brain somewhere between stoner oblivion and psychedelic bliss, JUJU has mojo. The trance-y rock is the new venture of singer-guitarist Phil Pirrone (Jeffertiti’s Nile, A Static Lullaby, Casket Salesman) and Incan Abraham drummer Andrew Clinco. Over the drummer’s thunderous rhythms, Pirrone loops guitar and bass, building an almost primordial […]
Canadian pop romanticists Stars still have some swoon in them. The Montreal band (with a fervent L.A. following) today unveiled plans to release their sixth album, “The North” (due Sept. 4 via ATO Records). The first single “The Theory of Relativity” starts with a heavier-than-usual (for Stars, that is) synth burst before chugging along with […]
Thursday’s things: ‣ It’s been over three years since Tony and Mike Beliveau, as Crash Kings, have released an album. The brothers, now with a new drummer and additional keyboardist, will rock some new material tonight at the Troubadour, with Vanaprasta and Dreamers Dose supporting. ‣ Amanda Jo Williams [see our premiere earlier this week] […]
Damin Suarez told me a while back that that Go West Young Man was going break up, but thankfully they have not. Purveyors of razor-sharp pop (and architects of a rather criminally overlooked album back in early ’09), GWYM earns high marks in pop’s old and new schools, with full-on keyboard and horn arrangements and […]
[A quick preview of your weekend with these three bands…] Milo Greene, “Take a Step” – After a successful residency in their hometown and a massive national tour with the Civil Wars, L.A. folk and pop-rock quintet Milo Greene is preparing for the release of their self-titled debut by keeping busy on stage and sharing […]
