Wrapped in a thick blanket of Sunday morning fog, Hollywood Forever Cemetery looked magical. In the soft darkness, palms trees and graves emerged on either side of the path, and there was a miraculous quiet that hovered over the cemetery. And then out of the gloom...a beacon of light. No, not the stage, the coffee vendor! Some enterprising folks had thought to put up a stand selling coffee and treats to the bleary eyed masses, which had a huge line trailing behind it of desperate people with cash already in their outstretched hands. Caffeine addiction is no joke. more ›

Tonight Wisconsin-bred folk singer-songwriter Justin Vernon, otherwise known as Bon Iver (LAist Review), will be performing at the Wiltern with none other than Durham's own Megafaun. Brooklyn-bred TV on the Radio's Kyp Malone is poised to stop through the Echo with his solo endeavor Rain Machine. And, lastly, Wasilla's own rock outfit Portugal. The Man will be headlining the Troubadour with Cambridge-based rock duo Drug Rug. But we strongly suggest heading over to Spaceland to catch Telefon Tel Aviv, a Chicago-based experimental electronic duo that experienced the unexpected passing of one of its two members—Charles Cooper—at the beginning of the year. more ›

This week Wisconsin-bred folk singer-songwriter Justin Vernon, otherwise known as Bon Iver (LAist Review), will be performing at the Wiltern with none other than Durham's own Megafaun and by himself at Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Local indie rockers Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros are poised to take on not only the El Rey Theatre, but the Abbot Kinney Music Festival later on in the week as well. Telefon Tel Aviv, a Chicago-based experimental electronic duo that experienced the unexpected passing of one of its two members—Charles Cooper—at the beginning of the year, will be making a triumphant return to Spaceland. And, lastly, French "freak folk" outfit CocoRosie will be headlining the Henry Fonda Music Box. more ›

December is list-making season. And for us music journalists, it is a time to look back on scores of albums, reflect upon the music and recapitulate our favorites. This year we asked some of the staffers what inspired them. The prompt was not limited to albums that came out in 2008. more ›

December is list-making season. And for us music journalists, it is a time to look back on scores of albums, reflect upon the music and recapitulate our favorites. But this year, just like the last, we took this opportunity to flip that tradition upside down, asking the artists that influenced us what influenced them. The prompt was not limited to albums that came out in 2008. more ›

December is list-making season. And for us music journalists, it is a time to look back on scores of albums, reflect upon the music and recapitulate our favorites. But this year, just like the last, we took this opportunity to flip that tradition upside down, asking the artists that influenced us what influenced them. The prompt was not limited to albums that came out in 2008. more ›

December is list-making season. And for us music journalists, it is a time to look back on scores of albums, reflect upon the music and recapitulate our favorites. But this year, just like the last, we took this opportunity to flip that tradition upside down, asking the artists that influenced us what influenced them. The prompt was not limited to albums that came out in 2008. more ›

December is list-making season. And for us music journalists, it is a time to look back on scores of albums, reflect upon the music and recapitulate our favorites. But this year, just like the last, we took this opportunity to flip that tradition upside down, asking the artists that influenced us what influenced them. The prompt was not limited to albums that came out in 2008. 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 ›

As one blogger so delicately phrased it, "CMJ goes out with a whimper". There wasn't a whole lot I wanted to see on Day Five of CMJ. So I rested my weary bones, wandered around Williamsburg, and caught a couple of shows. One highlight was Ha Ha Tonka's performance at Union Pool in Williamsburg at a homey, jam-packed venue. I believe there was a BBQ going on as well. Williamsburg was lovely, flourishing with... more ›

I've always dreamed of attending the CMJ, the annual New York gathering of pretty much every band in the entire universe. The people over at Fader are saying CMJ should be an acronym for Conquering Many Jams. I'm just not sure if I'll be doing the conquering. With thousands of bands to choose from, It's more than likely that the music will be conquering me. As I arrive at the Puck building on Lafayette... more ›

Bon Iver For Emma, Forever Ago Self-released Release Date: TBA So this is the phoenix which has risen from the ashes of DeYarmond Edison's demise. Emma, Forever Ago plays as though it was excavated from the depths of front man Justin Vernon's emotional quarry. Although initially it was not intended for release, each song is as painstakingly crafted as the next. The raw, experimental approach (lo-fi percussion and clap-along resolves) to conventional bluegrass infused... more ›