Part of an ongoing series. Last month, local band Lavender Diamond (MySpace) performed at The Wiltern (MySpace), opening with the Seattle-based Smoosh (MySpace) for The Dresden Dolls (MySpace). Tonight, Lavender Diamond and Benji Hughes (MySpace) perform at The Greek Theatre, opening for Rilo Kiley (MySpace). And next Wednesday, Lavender Diamond lead singer Becky Stark performs a solo show at The Echo (MySpace), with Palms (MySpace), who were formerly known as The Finches (MySpace), and......

Last month, the singer-songwriter supergroup trio The Living Sisters (MySpace), comprised of The Bird and the Bee (MySpace)'s Inara George (MySpace), Eleni Mandell (MySpace), and Lavender Diamond (MySpace)'s Becky Stark, performed at the 35th Annual Topanga Days Festival (MySpace). George's upcoming shows are on July 16th and 23rd at Tangier in Los Feliz, debuting a new collaboration with Van Dyke Parks (MySpace). And Mandell's upcoming shows are on June 11th and 18th at Tangier.......

LA's Lavender Diamond has headlined shows in London and supported the Decemberists on their U.S. tour last fall. But tonight is their first-ever headlining gig in Los Angeles, with The Finches and Winter Flowers at Safari Sam's. We last caught up with Becky Stark, Lavender Diamond's 25-year-old frontwoman with the delicate voice in June 2005. Last weekend, we were lucky to chase her down near chicken corner for an update. So, what's up with you......

Tues 5/30 - Bedroom Walls / Let’s Go Sailing / Lavender Diamond @ Troubadour ($8) – Catch three strong local bands on one bill. Bedroom Walls has a new, critically acclaimed album on Baria Records. Download “Somewhere in Newhall (string quartet version)” Let’s Go Sailing is Shana Levy with various members of Silversun Pickups, Tanya Haden and others helping her out from time to time. Lavender Diamond is Becky Stark backed by some other......

TUESDAY • Join a lonely hearts club for A Violet Valentine tonight at The Echo, featuring Dntel, The Long Lost, Becky Stark and Winter Flowers, with DJ sets by Jimmy Tamborello, frosty, Sobbing Sara and Tommy DeNys, a picture show by Chad Misner and treats from Hip Hop Chocolates. Things kick off at 9 PM; admission is $5. [18+] • Tangier features Benji Hughes, Gus Seyferrt, Tom Brosseau, Vincent and Mrs Green and Kirstin......

THURSDAY • Night one of GSL's Flood & Mudslide Season Warm-Up Party takes place tonight at The Echo, featuring Veronica Lipgloss and the Evil Eyes, Year Future, Demonstrations and Sexytime Explosion. Doors open at 7 PM. Tickets are $10, or $18 for a two-night pass. • Nouveau popsters Nouvelle Vague are at Tangier tonight with Becky Stark and DJ Senor Amor. Tickets are $25. • Catch Mellowdrone acoustic tonight at Spaceland; doors open at......

Becky Stark performs this Monday, June 13th at Tangier, 8pm, $14; and Tuesday at El Cid, $8. Becky Stark smiles as she sings sometimes. Not a knowing smile, nor self-assured; it’s a curious, wondering look – “Are you on my side?” Her body floats beneath the gauzy layers of an ancient wedding gown, anchors the stage like a soft image drawn in peach-colored light, deep inside an old kinetoscope. Behind her, the band thumps......