Our Pick: Jake Bellows, Daniel Ahearn's record release, Judson & Mary @ Lot 1 Cafe. Also tonight Akron-bred folk rock singer-songwriter Joseph Arthur will be headlining the Bootleg Theater. Los Angeles-by-way-of-Georgia country-infused folk songstress Amanda Jo Williams is poised to grace the Echo. And, lastly, local indie rockers the Western States Motel (LAist Interview, Review) will be taking on LaBrie's in Glendale with none other than... more ›

This past Saturday, the Third Annual Manimal Festival was held at Pappy and Harriet's Palace in Pioneertown near Yucca Valley, with performances by Diva (BlackBlack, Pocahaunted), Halloween Swim Team, Religious Girls, Gangi, Kenneth Pattengale, Sister Crayon, Dreamtapes, Love Grenades, Dante vs. Zombies, Afghan Raiders, Papercranes, Swahili Blonde, Aska (Moonrats), The Like, Amanda Jo Williams, Juliette Commagere, St. Clair Board, TEARIST, and Jeffertiti's Nile. more ›

Earlier this month, local record label Manimal Vinyl (see our interview last year with its founder) held its 2nd Annual Manimal Festival at Pappy and Harriet's Pioneertown Palace. "In its second year, the two-day event showcases bands on Paul Beahan's record label... alongside musically bohemian peers," described Daiana Feuer from Papermag. "Manimal's experimental pop catalog -- which began most notably by releasing Bat For Lashes' record two years ago -- lends a unified voice to freak folk and its close cousins, many which are collected on yearly tribute albums to Madonna, The Cure, and in 2010, David Bowie. Manimal's focus mainly follows two streams: The ethereal, spooky soloist tradition [and] the dance beat, taking pop to strange outer space." more ›