Tonight English-born American singer-songwriter, actress, and former stand-up comedian Nellie McKay will be performing Doris Day's songbook at the Alex Theatre in Glendale. Prolific San Franciscan experimental garage rockers Thee Oh Sees are poised to headline KSCR Fest at USC's E.F. Hutton/Founders Park with none other than Eagle Rock-bred indie rock outfit Princeton (LAist Interview), LA-bred psych rock trio the Entrance Band and local blues-infused indie rock duo Rumspringa (LAist Review, #2, #3), among many others. And, lastly, Oakland-by-way-of-D.C. indie pop label Slumberland Records will be ringing in twenty some-odd years of its existence at the Echo with Boston-bred trio Pants Yell!, Melbourne-based sextet Summer Cats and local singer-songwriter Devon Williams, among many other label mates of course. But we strongly suggest doing whatever it takes to get into the Walt Disney Concert Hall to catch critically-acclaimed French duo Air. Tulsa-bred singer-songwriter AM is slated to kick things off. more ›

This week critically-acclaimed French duo Air will be headlining the Walt Disney Concert Hall with none other than Tulsa-bred singer-songwriter AM. Portland-based alt-country duo She & Him, or rather Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward, are poised to perform to a sold-out crowd at the El Rey Theatre with the Living Sisters in tow. Kansas City-bred Grammy Award-nominated pop singer-songwriter Janelle Monae will be taking on a two-night stint at the Viper Room. And, lastly, Portland's own experimental electronic duo YACHT will be gracing the Echoplex with local electro pop mastermind Bobby Birdman, Denver-bred experimental electronic musician Pictureplane and Georgia-by-way-of-South Carolina dream-pop maestro Washed Out. more ›

Officials announced this morning to take heed of the smoke pouring into the Los Angeles basin from the Morris Fire in the Angeles National Forest, but the LA Times finds that it could be sticking around throughout the hot weekend. While a lack of wind is helping firefighters battle the blaze in San Gabriel Canyon north of Azusa, it is also hindering it from blowing away. more ›

We're number one! But if you're gearing up to start cheering, don't hold your breath. In fact, you might want to reconsider breathing in at all. Why? Because according to the Environmental Protection Agency, we have the most toxic air in the country, reports cbs2. more ›

You can start running, hiking and illegally working out on Santa Monica medians again. The Air Quality Management District and the LA County Department of Public Health say that most of LA County air has improved since the wildfires. Areas still of concern are Santa Clarita Valley and the San Gabriel Mountains where visible smoke, soot, ash or an odor of smoke are still present. more ›

Here are the fires and smoke as seen on Sunday from a NASA satellite. The smoke, spread out through the region, is much worse than the smoke last month during the Sesnon and Marek Fires (see that satellite image here). As health officials warn, keep that in mind when you see and/or smell smoke.
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The Air Quality Management District have issued a smoke advisory in the San Fernando Valley for today due to the Sayre fire currently burning. They caution that "all individuals are urged to exercise caution and avoid unnecessary outdoor activities in any area directly impacted by smoke. This includes areas where residents can see or smell smoke." more ›

Due to the Marek and Sesnon fires, the South Coast Air Quality Management District is sending out daily advisories. Today, they warn people in the San Fernando Valley, Santa Clarita Valley and portions of the San Gabriel Mountains near the fires. "Concentrations of fine particulate may reach the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups category or higher in areas impacted by the fires," the advisory says. "As the winds diminish and shift, additional areas may experience smoke and ash, causing air quality to be Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or higher." As usual, they say that outdoor activity and even indoor activity should be avoided. Bad example: Fox 11 showed a man going for a run, jogging suit and all, in Porter Ranch this morning. more ›

The South Coast Air Quality Management District has released a smoke advisory due to the Marek Wildland Fire in National Angeles Forest above the Northeast Valley. They urge people "to exercise caution and avoid unnecessary outdoor activities in any area directly impacted by smoke," in areas where one not only just see smoke, but can smell it. In areas directly impacted by the smoke, " In areas directly impacted by smoke. "everyone should avoid any vigorous outdoor or indoor exertion; people with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly, and children should remain indoors. Keep your windows and doors closed unless it is extremely hot inside. In these cases, seek alternate shelter. Run your air conditioner if you have one. Keep the fresh air intake closed and the filter clean to prevent bringing additional smoke inside." more ›

Today at the California Air Resources Board meeting, a historic plan is being presented that may radically cut greenhouse gas emissions in the state by about 30% by 2020. "The state is proposing a slate of changes including a cap-and-trade system for greenhouse gases, requiring renewable sources to power a third of the state's grid and taxing gas guzzling cars. Their approach will become a model for the nation if climate change legislation of some sort passes through Congress and is signed by the next President in 2009 as is widely expected." Wired is at the meeting updating what's happening. (emphasis added) more ›

A state report (.pdf) to be presented today says that "as many as 24,000 deaths annually in California are linked to chronic exposure to fine particulate pollution," according to the LA Times. That's more than triple the figures announced by the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) when they asked Governor Schwarzenegger and President Bush to declare a state of emergency regarding the 5400 environmental/pollution related deaths a year. more ›

I want to patch my soul on your brain Despite the ominous weather, slight drizzle and wet seats, devoted AIR fans clogged the serpentine Vermont Avenue up into Griffith Park for a show that gained the band an all around standing ovation, which in turn rewarded the audience with the usual encore. In general, the French band only played the most popular songs, leaving the edgier tunes and more experimental solos to their albums... more ›

How the two best shows happening tonight are still not sold out is beyond me. If you dont wanna be outside listening to the pretty music coming from the pretty boys of Air you really should check out the Rentals at the Music Box. Word is there will be some special guests. The Rentals, Goldenboy, Copeland @ The Henry Fonda Air @ The Greek Cat Power @ Avalon Muse @ Irvine Meadows B-52's @... more ›

Don't forget to enter our Labor Day Weekend Contest with the prize to see AIR at the Greek Amphitheater later this month. Recent major events for the Los Angeles Fire Department include a fire last night in North Hills contained to a 12 x 12 foot room where a twenty-something male in serious condition with smoke inhalation and an air ambulance rescue for a two-year-old boy who fell from a pony, dragging him near... more ›

It's 4:19pm. Why are you at work? Doesn't your boss know this is Labor Day weekend? Doesn't everyone get a half day off on Labor Day Friday? But you, there you are, at work. (Like us.) You deserve something special. You deserve to be recognized. You deserve to see Air under the stars up in the trees at the Greek. With special guests Sondre Lerche and your boy, Sea Wolf. They're coming Sept 21.... more ›

Air - Pocket Symphony (Astralwerks) Albert Hammond, Jr. - Yours to Keep [US] (New Line) Antibalas - Security (Anti) Arcade Fire - Neon Bible (Merge) !!! - Myth Takes [Bonus Disc] (Warp) Joss Stone - Tell Me ‘Bout It [SINGLE] (Virgin) KMFDM - Nihil [Bonus Track] (Metropolis) Mary Chapin Carpenter - Calling (Zoe) My Brighest Diamond - Tear It Down (Asthmatic Kitty) Ry Cooder - My Name Is Buddy (Nonesuch) Son Volt - Search... more ›