Imagine yourself gliding down the PCH with the warm summer breeze blowing through your hair in a red convertible (preferably with fins). This is the vibe that emanates from the Western States Motel's classic Californian sound. Originally a one man band, Carl Jordan formed, wrote, and produced this first album himself in his home in Los Angeles. With his new work hailed by critics as an intelligent, poppy disk Jordan was compared to Jeff Tweedy of Wilco. Rumors have been circling since that Jordan has got himself a proper band. Naturally curious, I caught up with The Jordan before his show at the Spaceland in Silver Lake to see how his new band was working out. more ›

The Go Team! are here to make sure that indie music doesn't take itself to seriously. Their infectious mix of samples, funk, rock and cheerleading results in a guilty pleasure that's easy to forgive. After their recent gig at the El Rey, LAist tracked down the band and got an inside track on what made The Go! Team tick. more ›

With influences ranging from Prince to Brian Wilson, Sabrosa Purr's sound is hard to pin down. And if you ask the band, that's the way they like it. With the exception of a few songs, they've ditched the formulaic verse-and-chorus routine we've all been accustomed to hearing. The result is something that stands out from everything else you hear on KROQ or Indie. Keep reading to find out how the band got its enigmatic name and to what lengths front man Will Love would go for the sake of his art. more ›

Metric is a band that breaks the mold. They regularly pull off the difficult task of creating edgy, satirical songs like "Combat Baby," Monster Hospital" and "Glass Ceiling" that are catchy and politically charged. The fact that they can pull off this balancing act is a credit to the band's relentless goal to stay true to the music. As guitarist Jimmy Shaw states in this interview, the band is never satisfied with their own work.

Their recent effort, "Live
It Out,"
is no exception. Emily Haines' voice moves between a whisper and a wail one "Empty" as she
proclaims: "I'm so glad that I'm an island now / Sickness was fixing me
some /
Coughed out my heart in the last stall / Now that the damage is done / I never
miss it at all." Unapologetic lyrics
like this restore our faith in rock. Metric are: Emily Haines (vocals/synths), Jimmy Shaw (guitar), Josh Winstead (bass) and Joules Scott-Key (drums). The band just wrapped up a series of dates in San Francisco, LA and San Diego. In the midst of this tour, Jimmy Shaw took time out of his schedule to talk to LAist. Continue reading to see what makes the band tick.

more ›

Although they've been playing the LA music scene for nearly two years and
released an eponymous EP, Army Navy are
probably most recognized for being featured on Fox's hit show, the
OC. They also
have a strong fan base in Seattle, thanks to KEXP.
With influences ranging from British pop to Pacific Northwest post-grunge,
Army Navy strikes that enviable balance of being both instantly familiar and
unique. This particular editor thinks (or at least hopes) the band is on the
verge of breaking... so check them out locally while you can. You'll have bragging rights later.


Army Navy are: Justin Kennedy (vocals, rhythm guitar), Ben Gaffin (bass),
Louie Schultz (keyboards, lead guitar and backup vocals) and Josh Zetumer (drums).

Upcoming shows:

• Sunday November 6th at 3 of Clubs with Rum Diary from San Francisco
• Monday November 7th at Silverlake Lounge with Little One and Fielding
• Monday November 14th at Detroit Bar with The Color Turning

Combine the ethereal sounds of Air with a touch of Bowie and Morrissey, and you'll get the tip of the iceberg of Colored Shadows. The band combines complicated, cinematic music with compelling vocals. Though we could draw a myriad of many contemporary comparisons, Colored Shadows' attention to detail is what makes them stand out from the crowd. Vocalist and bassist Lucas Field sat down with LAist and discussed what it feels like to work in LA (as a band comprised of non-LA natives) and gave us some hints at what we could expect from the band's forthcoming album. If this interview wets your appetite, then make sure to catch Colored Shadows during their October Monday night residency at Spaceland. more ›