“F*ck it dog, life’s a risk.” It’s a statement that truly sums up the music of FIDLAR and one which has given birth to their acronym band name. The surf-cum-garage rock made by Zac Carper and friends seems fueled by cheap beer and youthful anger – longtime staples in both good punk rock and excellent […]
Picks for your busy Friday night: ‣ The Ruby Friedman Orchestra, with their debut release on the way and “(That’s Why I Let You) Hang Around” already in your iPod (we hope), hold forth at the House of Blues on a bill that also includes the Hush and Silent Treatment. ‣ The good news is […]
“It says it’s a pie chart; it’s shaped like a square. Who did that?” It sounds (and looks) like Carrie Brownstein’s work in her quirky sketch show “Portlandia” with Fred Armisen has influenced a bit of Wild Flag‘s new video for “Romance.” The supergroup of former riot grrrls, who have all played in bands such […]
Ben Trokan’s story is a familiar one to any indie band that lived in the major-label margins last decade. His band Robbers on High Street made two albums and two EPs for Warner imprint New Line Records between 2005 and ’07 before the relationship soured. “Everything ground to a halt,” Trokan says. “The label was […]
A couple of weeks ago we shared Spirit Animal’s new single “I’m Around,” which features flourishes from Jenny O and Morgan Kibby (White Sea/M83). Now comes the video from L.A.-based director Ben Fee, which (with Hillary Rose as “Future Babe”) makes the tune all ready for the Syfy Channel. Lovers, separated by time and space. […]
All over the map tonight: ‣ Spindrift, L.A.’s singular purveyor of spaghetti Western psychedelia, celebrate the release of their new album “Classic Soundtracks Vol. 1” at the Echoplex, supported by the Icarus Line and the Gram Rabbit side project the Country. The videos and trailers for the music on Spindrift’s new collection – all collaborations […]
‣ PJ Harvey won the Mercury Prize last night for her eighth album “Let England Shake,” beating out the likes of Adele, James Blake and Elbow and becoming the first artist to win the award twice. “I feel surprised and astonished that I’ve won twice and I do feel proud, it’s amazing,” she said afterward. […]
Wye Oak‘s Jenn Wasner and Andy Stacks spend a day at the carnival, and for one of their more upbeat tracks on their latest album “Civilian,” roller coasters and swing carousels seem appropriate for “Holy, Holy.” There isn’t cotton candy, but the duo from Baltimore, Md., is spending the day on the boardwalk with people […]
The Latebirds may be new to the music scene in the States, but the Helsinki, Finland-based quintet have gone quite far with their soul-laden folk-rock and ’60s pop harmonies. Earning spots on past tours with Wilco, Patti Smith and the Posies, the Latebirds finally hit these shores with their latest record, “Last Of The Good […]
Bad things, man, bad things. The video for “Dirt & Tears” – the new single from Torches (who have changed their name from Torches in Trees) – is full of creepy intrigue, betrayal and murder. It’s so dark and psychopathic, in fact, that if the Los Angeles trio ever does a straight-ahead love song you’re […]