Last Thursday, Rilo Kiley frontwoman and Silver Lake "Pioneer Woman" Jenny Lewis (MySpace) returned to Southern California, headlining at The Orpheum Theatre with support from openers Pierre de Reeder (MySpace) and the recently-reunited Beachwood Sparks (MySpace). It was the second-to-last stop on Lewis' Tour, which began in mid-September at Spaceland (MySpace) -- see reviews at Web In Front and Classical Geek Theatre -- and The Echo (MySpace). more ›

I've always been intrigued by other "best of" lists, but this year I decided to take it to a whole new level. I e-mailed a handful of bands that I've seen this past year in order to unearth what exactly captivated them in '07. As music listeners, it is our duty to take a keen interest in our favorite musician's influences. After all, they rocked our little world, might as well see what rocked their... more ›

Mon 5/8 – The Submarines / Goldspot @ Viper Room ($10) – The Submarines debut album doesn’t come out until 6/20 but you can sample some tracks on their website or on Myspace. The album has call and response boy/girl lyrics about the two singers’ relationship (both the breakup and reunion). The electronic blips call to mind the Stars and some Folk Implosion. Her voice is in the neighborhood of the woman from Mates of State. Goldspot is a big Nic Harcourt band. If you prefer underground rap go see Soul Position at the Echo. more ›

Fri 5/5 - Islands @ The El Rey ($12) – Montreal’s Islands are an eccentric indie pop band that formed out of the ashes of the Unicorns. Don’t hold that against them, they’re much better than the Unicorns. The band can still be too cutesy at times (the song “Don’t Call Me Whitney, Bobby” doesn’t seem to have anything to do with Whitney, Bobby or Curtis Mayfield) but the arrangements are more fleshed out and enjoyable. Underground rappers Busdriver and Subtitle make appearances on the record; maybe they’ll enhance the live show too? Listen to some tracks at Myspace (“Rough Gem” and “Don’t Call Me Whitney, Bobby” are a good place to start). more ›

Listen to a track HERE more ›

• Tonight at The Echo, New York noisemakers Panthers (featuring former members of Unrest, Orchid and The Red Scare) will be at the helm, plus special guests Lion Fever and Parchment Farm. Doors open at 7:30 PM and tickets are $8. more ›

Tonight at the Troubadour, catch Richard Buckner with Damien Jurado and Dolorean at 7:30 PM. Tickets are $14.00. more ›