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September 30, 2007
10 Days.....what happens in 10 days? If you guessed the release of a new Radiohead album then you are correct. Forgoing a label release, Thom and the boys made this statement on their website, Dead Air Space, this morning: Hello everyone. Well, the new album is finished, and it's... [continue]
| September 29, 2007
Earlier this month, the LA-based and green-minded The Ditty Bops (MySpace) completed their six week Summer Farm Tour (which began at the Henry Fonda Theater) with a performance at Farm Aid at Randall's Island in New York, complete with an introduction by actress and fellow environmentalist Daryl Hannah. I... [continue]
September 28, 2007
Artist: Colleen Album: Les Ondes Silencieuses Label: The Leaf Label Release Date: Summer 2007 Colleen - "Sun Against My Eyes" After an insanely hectic week this was the album to listen to. While I'm not a devotee of classical music, I've very much enjoyed this minimalist work by Colleen,... [continue]
José González In Our Nature Mute Records Release Date: 09/25/07 As contrived as it may be, there is a time and place for everything. My father always conveyed this notion to me with the "lightning in a jar" metaphor. When an artist is experiencing the heyday of their career,... [continue]
September 27, 2007
Sunday night was in a word, magical. Rufus Wainwright transformed the Hollywood Bowl into a beautiful tribute to Judy Garland. At one point he thought he felt a drop of rain, but unlike Judy's 1961 performance at the Bowl, the weather remained cool and cloudburst free. The audience showered Rufus... [continue]
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September 26, 2007
Coming your way in the next week are Ulrich Schnauss, who was interviewed and whose album Goodbye was reviewed on LAist this month, and and Welsh minstrel Gruff Rhys of Super Furry Animals fame. Gruff Rhys will be playing on Wednesday, October 3rd at the Rec Center Studio in Echo... [continue]
The Phil Spector jury, after 6 ballots, concludes that they are deadlocked at 10 and 2. Spector watched, leaning back, chin down, eyes fixed and unblinking. Mistrial for Phil! Once again, a celebrity gets into hot water and walks away relatively unscathed. Lana Clarkson -- pictured here, in an... [continue]
You’ve heard their tracks on the Blade movies, Zoolander, and Romeo Must Die. You know their work from the theme song to Bones. You’ve gamed to their music on Dance Dance Revolution and Gran Turismo 4. You’ve even listened to their radio show on Indie 103.1 (on Community Service... [continue]
Last Friday night in a small, nondescript office space in the middle of Denton, Texas, The Strange Boys put on an unforgettable show for twenty five unsuspecting kids. After hearing Keith and Sean rave about them, I saw them at the Fuck Yeah Fest and they absolutely blew me... [continue]
By now everyone knows who and what Dave Grohl does and has done. There are very few artists in the world of Rock and Roll that are as capable and as adaptable as he is with the art form and not to mention as skilled as he is. From... [continue]
September 25, 2007
Following a successful debut festival last year which brought in over 12,000 music lovers, LA Weekly is going all out with a second huge bash right in the heart of Downtown. Yes, it’s time once again for Detour. 'Nuff said. You can see the sweet list of artists in... [continue]
September 24, 2007
Artist: No Age Album: Weirdo Rippers Label: Fat Cat Records Release Date: 08/28/2007 Perhaps you had a chance to see No Age at one of their shows at the end of the August at the Troubador or perhaps the Fuck Yeah Fest. If you missed them you'll have a... [continue]
Devendra Banhart Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon Release Date: 09/25/07 XL Recordings A lot of people hate Devendra Banhart. He's definitely one of the most polarizing artists that I listen to. I've explored innumerable avenues of elucidating this matter and nothing has come close to sating me. Within the... [continue]
September 23, 2007
On Monday evening, the winner of the 2nd annual Polaris Music Prize will be announced. This is not earth shattering news because many don’t even know what it is. The Polaris Music Prize is Canada’s equivalent to the U.K.’s Mercury Prize. It is an award given to the best... [continue]
LOUD. Epic. Bombastic. Brooding. Inspiring. Powerful. Political. Rocking. Pounding. Confrontational. Theatrical. Captivating. Dynamic. High Tech. Simply Amazing. Did I mention Loud already? Full review (with 25% less hyperbole) and pics after the jump....... [continue]
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September 23, 2007
Median Median's Relief Halftooth Records Release Date: 09/25/2007 Representing North Carolina and the group The Justus League, which also includes underground favorites like Little Brother, Median in jumping onto the scene with his debut album, Median’s Relief. The album embodies a variety of life experiences, with Median adding a... [continue]
September 22, 2007
LAist had a chance to see the Chemical Brothers at the debut of their US tour at the sold-out Hammerstein Ballroom in NYC last night. It's their first headlining appearance in the US in over 5 years and they brought it, full on. They will be headlining the Nocturnal Festival... [continue]
September 21, 2007
Yes, that's right, I have a Donnas album. That damn song "Take It Off" was so stuck in my head and the lyrics were so funny that I ended up just buying Spend The Night, even though the girls had clearly changed a bit from the straight Ramones sound... [continue]
Photo by imacri via Flickr You're still running to Eye of the Tiger? Then it's time to download some new tunes for your run. Most of these songs are much more aggressive than Eye of the Tiger -- Hard Metal Rock, Techno and Industrial. For people like myself, it's... [continue]
September 20, 2007
Artist: Five O'Clock Heroes Album: Bend To the Breaks Label: Glaze Records Release Date: September 18th, 2007 I can't tell you how much I needed to get this record. I've been listening to and reviewing a seemingly endless series of shoegazey-type boys without a testicle between them. The Five O'Clock... [continue]
The Swerve Festival is taking place at Barnsdall Park on Friday, Sept. 28th and goes till Sunday the 30th. There will be movies, music and art for all three days. ... [continue]
September 19, 2007
The numbers are in. My very unscientific hypothesis from last week was correct. Kanye West crushed 50 Cent in the battle of hip-hop heavyweights. According to Nielsen's SoundScan, Kanye's Graduation sold 957,000 copies, the biggest first week total of 2007. 50 Cent's Curtis on the other hand only sold 691,000... [continue]
When the Hollywood Bowl schedule listed "Rufus Wainwright sings Judy Garland", I thought this is a show I don't want to miss. Now that his website says that this is the last time he will recreate the famous 1961 Carnegie Hall show, I have started packing my picnic basket.... [continue]
Artist: Caribou Album: Andorra Label: Merge Records Release Date: August 21, 2007 Hey lookie folks, it's another solo project by a brilliant Canadian. Dan Snaith originally released his work as Manitoba until he ran afoul of the Dictators frontman, Handsome "Dick" Manitoba, and had to change his stage name to......... [continue]
Not since Pee Wee's Playhouse has there been a children's show that grown-ups can enjoy as much as kids. Washington DC's local cable-access show, Pancake Mountain, has been attracting rockers like Deerhoof, Scissor Sisters, and Arcade Fire since 2003. Scott Stuckey's concept for the program was to have a... [continue]
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September 18, 2007
After seven days of deliberation, word came from the Phil Spector jury today that they were deadlocked. But the judge isn't ready to let them go yet. Turns out the jury is hung 7 to 5. Either 5 people are saying that reasonable doubt exists that Spector didn't shoot... [continue]
Artist: Sunset Rubdown Album: Random Spirit Lover Label: Jagjaguwar Release Date: October 9th, 2007 Sunset Rubdown is the brainchild of Spencer Krug, member of major indie band Wolf Parade, and seemingly half a dozen other outfits. Instead of the pseudo-dance rock of Wolf Parade, we have a much more lyrically-driven... [continue]
Moving Units Hexes For Exes Metropolis Records Release Date: October 9th, 2007 Come October 9th, throw everything that you thought you knew about the Moving Units out the window. Those minimal dance rock, "Between Us & Them" days are over. After a 4 year hiatus, the Moving Units are... [continue]
September 17, 2007
Leave it to one of LA's premier DJ's to perform eight times in our fair city within a matter of months. We recently got a hold of PB Wolf and asked a few questions involving everything from LA's best source for vinyls to DJ ice cream habits. Check out... [continue]
Here at LAist, we cover many fantastic up and coming artists, as well as those who have toiled in obscurity for far too long, but continue to push new boundaries in music. If any of them are lucky, perhaps they will have a fraction of the career with the... [continue]
I am loving this ATP-inspired idea of playing entire albums from beginning to end. Tonight we hit the Music Box to see The Melvins play Houdini and Mudhoney play Superfuzz Big Muff plus Early Singles. Sadly, we missed Flipper. We were late because I fell down the back steps... [continue]
Kurious Jorge A Constipated Monkey Amaigam Digital Records Release Date: 09/18/2007 The re-release of Kurious Jorge’s album A Constipated Monkey, takes you on a nostalgic journey back to the early 1990s, serving as a prelude to Kurious’ sophomore album. Originally released in 1994, the album shows the earlier production... [continue]
Hezekiah I Predict A Riot Rawkus/Soulspazm Records Release Date: 09/18/2007 Hezekiah teamed up with Rawkus and Soulspazm Records to release his sophomore album I Predict A Riot. Hezekiah has gained mass appeal by his works with Musiq Soulchild, Bilal and Bahamadia, and has now come to create an even... [continue]
September 16, 2007
So I went to see Band of Horses and Dinosaur Jr. a week ago at The Wiltern, mostly to see the former because they have become one of my all time favorite bands, Everything All The Time certainly one of my desert island albums. But I was also excited... [continue]
September 15, 2007
With a ton of much-deserved hype, Calvin Harris descended on the Echo on Friday night. His debut album has been an official repeater in my studio for the last three weeks. I remember my third or fourth listen one night. I heard a song that I really loved, finished... [continue]
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September 15, 2007
Last night the Cinematic Orchestra played to a sold out El Rey crowd of instrumental enthusiasts, like myself. If you haven't heard any of their music then you have no idea what you're missing out on. With nearly eight years under their belt, the UK based outfit, led by Jason... [continue]
Former protégé of super producers The Neptunes, Vanessa Marquez has sang alongside big names like Justin Timberlake, Usher and Nelly. Marquez, best known as the female voice on Timberlake's hit single "Rock Your Body" is on her own and looking to make a name for herself. The Rialto native, who... [continue]
The Scorpions are in town and we were glad to read that we weren't the only ones excited. Look no further than the LA Weekly of all places to get the bandwagon going. Libby Molyneaux breaks it down perfectly: For better or wurst, the Scorpions still live in a... [continue]
Serj Tankian is that lead singer losing his mind screaming into the microphone at those System of the Down shows. You know, the one amping the crowd into a frenzy rivaled only by a pack of starved wolves. Obviously this Armenian from Glendale has enough kaboom to rock a... [continue]
September 13, 2007
A pretty damn good cd came out on Tuesday, the soundtrack to a film about Kurt Cobain called About a Son. The soundtrack has no music from Cobain or any of his bands, instead it's mostly music he was listening to from bands he was fans of. Very few... [continue]
A.C. Newman and Blaine Thurier of Vancouver's finest supergroup, The New Pornographers, have issued a challenge: Translation: Make a better video than the band can, put it on YouTube, and win an iPhone... or something. (We're wondering if that "something" might include signed Neko Case undergarments, as recent history reminds... [continue]
Only one man in the electronica realm could entice me to endure the 378 miles from Los Angeles to San Francisco just for a measly DJ set. Simon Green, a.k.a. Bonobo, hails from Brighton (UK) and has released three full length albums of downtempo that have changed my musical... [continue]
September 12, 2007
Quannum Projects has done their homework to discover and unveil this previously unreleased 60s recording from legendary Chicago funk and soul band Pieces of Peace. The story goes that in 1971 they recorded their only LP, and got offered a Southeast Asia tour. It was on this trip, in... [continue]
People often say that Los Angeles isn't a great audience to play to. Everyone kinda stands back, detached. I've seen it happen, but I don't believe in it. And the Underworld show on Sunday night is just the kind of night Los Angeles isn't known for. And I'm pleased... [continue]
September 11, 2007
It was an odd pairing of acts at the Creative Commons benefit presented by Wired Magazine with indie darlings Spoon headlining the first of three nights at the Fonda and underground hip hop legend Dr. Octagon aka Kool Keith opening. Billed as the kick off event for this weekends... [continue]
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September 11, 2007
I am not a fan of Britney Spears, but I do have respect for her. No really. I do. I think it was pretty damned smart of her to totally whore herself out to the entertainment industry like there was no tomorrow, make loads of money, and then happily... [continue]
Those of you who saw Jack and Meg at the Tower Records - whoops, we mean the Icky Thump Records in-store concert earlier this summer, you might be the only people in LA who will get to see the duo this year in the Southland. According to an email... [continue]
Iron & Wine The Shepherd's Dog Sub Pop Records Release Date: 09/25/2007 Iron & Wine, Sam Beam's moniker, is one of those prolific songwriters that can pump out album after album of, for the most part, flawless tunes. I'd like to think that he just wakes up one day,... [continue]
Last night Spoon played alongside Kool Keith at the Henry Fonda Theatre. Need I say more? Oh and it was for a great cause! Both artists rocked out to raise money for the non-profit organization Creative Commons. This was the third time they've held a CC Benefit. Prior CC... [continue]
As Kanye West says in the latest issue of Rolling Stone, "Hip-hop is the only sport of music. Rock artists aren't thinking about each other to that extent. And these are like the championship moments." Today is that championship moment Kanye is talking about, as both he and 50... [continue]
Joe Zawinul was perhaps the most innovative of the creative leaders of "jazz fusion." With Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, John McLaughlin, and Tony Williams, Zawinul helped shape the very electric sound of Miles Davis' touring band of the late 60's and contributed key compositions to the cornerstone recordings of... [continue]
September 10, 2007
Last Labor Day weekend I desperately needed to escape the disagreeable, torturous heatwave. So I made a last minute decision to fly to Seattle and bumbershoot. As luck would have it, my spontaneity provided for a much more temperate and rainless 70 degree haven. The Bumbershoot Festival has been... [continue]
Artist: Animal Collective Album: Strawberry Jam Label: Domino Recording Company Release Date: September 10, 2007 - Today I know there are some folks who hate my reviews so maybe this is the band for you. When I first put this CD on in my car I was pissed because... [continue]
Necro grew up in Brooklyn listening to rap and heavy metal, and took all those influences and fused them together. Like if death-metal and hip-hop had a baby after a failed abortion. And while it's so good you will want to memorize every word, don't let your girlfriend listen... [continue]
September 9, 2007
Tonight marks the first night of alt-rock band Acute's residency at Tangier. Every Sunday this month will be glorious thanks to frontman Isaac Lekach's wonderful taste in music. He has organized a fantastic lineup for their month long residency. Michael Runion, Taylor Goldsmith (of Simon Dawes), and Whispertown2000 will... [continue]
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September 9, 2007
Artist: Shocking Pinks Album: Shocking Pinks Label: DFA Release Date: September 17th, 2007 New Zealander Nick Harte is Shocking Pinks and this CD of seventeen tracks is a remastering and repackaging of two of his previous releases. I found this DIY project remarkable in that the only trace of... [continue]
September 8, 2007
Every since we announced that Canon would be playing tonight at Union Station, I've started to really like their music after buying a few tracks on iTunes (they even were an iTunes Staff Pick). Since then, they have become staples on my iPod for working out and for at home... [continue]
September 7, 2007
The rise of Common from the depths of underground hip hop has been a thing too watch. The Chicago emcee has constantly been one of the strongest and most consistantly solid emcees in the game, but was painfully under-listened and under-respected. He has always enjoyed critical success but it... [continue]
Austin-fave Spoon is coming to town for three shows next week and LAist has two pairs of tickets for all of you fans that love bouncing to Gimme Fiction. If you’d like to get access to the SOLD OUT show on September 11 at the Henry Fonda Theater, just... [continue]
Jason Bentley spends four nights a week in the basement studios of KCRW at Santa Monica College. 20 years ago that was virtually the job description of a DJ, but Jason's one of those DJ that didn't exist 20 years ago. He's as likely to be found talking music... [continue]
In her closing arguments, defense attorney Linda Kenney Baden showed a video montage of witnesses who said they couldn't put the gun in Phil Spector's hand. The defense is trying to convince the jury that Lana Clarkson, a marginally talented, fairly beautiful actress/model whose career was on the wane,... [continue]
Looking for a way to cool off this weekend? The beautiful voice of the beautiful Bebel Golberto can be heard on Saturday night at the Avalon. Gilberto is touring in support of her album Momento but she will be playing plenty of other tunes from her nearly 20 year... [continue]
Like many Americans, the first time I heard Underworld was in Trainspotting, the 1996 Danny Boyle movie when "Born Slippy.nuxx" plays over the ending. Eleven years on, I still explain Underworld this way, and some people remember it. I think that's a testament to both the song and the... [continue]
Stevie Wonder never ceases to amaze. He is a true icon, a kind spirit, and funny. The man is really funny and the crowd loves him. I think the concert of the summer has to be Stevie Wonder at the Greek this past Wednesday. I'm not just saying that... [continue]
September 5, 2007
Posted on behalf of the lovely Diana Bonebrake. Diana's photo essay after the jump!... [continue]
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September 5, 2007
Artist: Various Album: CINEMATIC: Classic Film Music Remixed Label: Six Degrees Records Release Date: 09/11/2007 Finally an album for hardcore cinephiles and downtempo/electronica fans - lucky me, I'm a denizen of both camps. Producer Bob Duskis paired up film classics by Ennio Morricone, Henry Mancini, and Nino Rota with electronica... [continue]
When Chris Douridas moved from Dallas to take over "Morning Becomes Eclectic" at KCRW, his first hire was Liza Richardson. Liza's had a varied career at the station, hosting multiple shows over the years and her musical choices are as varied as her resume. She currently hosts Saturday night's "The... [continue]
September 4, 2007
Artist: Small Sins Album: Mood Swings Label: Astralwerks Release Date: 09/25/2007 The Small Sins is a group led by former Carnations member, Thomas D'Arcy. Small Sins is his baby and you can tell as every song is almost, but not quite, overwhelmed by his presence. This album starts very solidly,... [continue]
September 3, 2007
While public television has a reputation of stuffiness with TV classics like "Masterpiece Theatre" and "Nova" documentaries, public radio, especially here in Los Angeles, is on the cutting edge of music and news reporting. Keeping that edge sharp on the music side is KCRW's (89.9 FM and KCRW.com) morning music... [continue]
September 2, 2007
Saturday I decided to go for the $130. "Premier Pass" at the Long Beach Blues Festival. It was money well-spent. Not only did it get me into the same area as the $1500 pass package, but I was able to get right up in front of the stage. They... [continue]