Brett Dennen's latest album is called "Hope for the Hopeless," and with this singer/songwriter, those aren't empty words. He is just as well known for his charity work as he is for his music. Although he's moved from opening act to headliner over the last couple years, Dennen remains down-to-earth and continues to support the Mosaic Project and other non-profit groups. And when it comes to his music, he's really hit his stride. "Hope for the Hopeless" is both fun and thought-provoking, and after one listen, you'll be humming songs like "Make You Crazy" for the rest of the day. LAist recently sat down with Dennen at a practice studio where he and his band were getting ready for his current tour. During this time, he opened up about the album, his unique dance moves and his favorite part about living in Santa Monica. more ›

There’s a spectrum of the singer songwriter: semi-hotties who produce pure pabulum (John Mayer, Jack Johnson) to artists with great lyrics that we’d much rather listen to than moon over (think Bob Dylan and Van Morrison). And then there’s everyone else. more ›

Last Sunday and Monday was Obama Nights! at the Hotel Cafe in Hollywood. The sold-out Barack Obama Presidential Campaign fundraisers, featuring an all-star lineup of 23 singer-songwriters, included Marina V (MySpace), Caitlin Crosby (MySpace), Laura Jansen (MySpace), Charlotte Martin (MySpace), Charley Turner (MySpace), Brother Sal (MySpace), Terra Naomi (MySpace), Priscilla Ahn (MySpace), Greg Laswell (MySpace), Cary Brothers (MySpace), Jim Bianco (MySpace), and Butch Walker (MySpace) for Sunday, while Monday included Kelly Dalton (MySpace), Marié Digby (MySpace), Tim Myers (MySpace), Schuyler Fisk (MySpace), HoneyHoney (MySpace), Rocco DeLuca (MySpace), David Ryan Harris (MySpace), Chris Pierce (MySpace), Tom Freund (MySpace), Ben Lee (MySpace), and Brett Dennen (MySpace). more ›

Last weekend, the 24th Annual Abbot Kinney Festival took place in Venice. One longtime attendee noted that in past years, the quality of musical entertainment wasn't particularly memorable, so she was pleasantly surprised at the lineup this year, which included locals WAZ (MySpace), Buddy (MySpace), Laura Jansen (MySpace), Holly Conlan (MySpace) with Pedestrian (MySpace), Steve Reynolds (MySpace) with Cary Brothers (MySpace), Brian Wright (MySpace) with Sally Jaye (MySpace), Jesca Hoop (MySpace), Greg Laswell (MySpace), and Chris Pierce (MySpace) on the Brooks Stage (booked by the Hotel Cafe), Paul Chesne (MySpace) and Matt Ellis (MySpace) on the Andaluisa Stage, and War Tapes (MySpace) and HoneyHoney (MySpace) at the Palms Stage (although it should be noted that the set times listed on the website for this stage were woefully incorrect). more ›

The Guide to March Rock Music Residencies has been updated with a few more listings -- it seems as if residencies are catching on, which is a good thing. Meanwhile, Howlin Rain plays their last LA concert before a tour promoting their new album, Magnificent Fiend, that was released yesterday. more ›

In an e-mail early, early, early this morning, McCabe's announced something unexpected: The Swell Season will be playing tomorrow night in the guitar shop's intimate performance space. You may not recognize the band's name, but you know them as Irish singer Glen Hansard and Czech pianist Marketa Irglova from the movie Once. The gig got booked serendipitously yesterday when Glen brought his guitar into the shop for repair. Of course, the bad news here is that tickets sold out quickly, probably before the light of day hit. Tonight, McCabe's presents Jackshit, who we interviewed here on LAist last August. more ›

Tenacious D @ The Gibson Sean Lennon @ El Rey Hot Chip @ Henry Fonda Jody Watley @ Vault 350 Partyline @ The Smell Dread Zeppelin @ 14 Below Mimi Fox @ McCabe's Wayne Federman, Margaret Cho, Paul F. Tompkins @ Largo The Damned, The Epoxies, The Adored @ House of Blues Pato Banton & Mystic Roots Band @ Forbidden City (6:30pm) Brett Dennen, The Weepies @ The Hotel Cafe Girls Play Boys, The... more ›

Snoop Dogg, Pussycat Dolls, Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley @ Greek No Means No @ The Knitting Factory Hawthorne Heights @ Wiltern Abby Travis @ Amoeba (free) DJ AM @ LAX Foxycock @ Lava Lounge Track Fighter @ King King Victim of Society, Dork @ Roxy Tom Freund, Brett Dennen @ Largo The Kooks, Trainwreck Riders @ Spaceland Twilight Singers, Stars of Track and Field@ House of Blues Cursive, The Thermals, Eastern Youth @ The... more ›

She Wants Revenge is back tonight. one month later, with Astra Heights and local independents - Monsters Are Waiting. The show is sold out at the Henry Fonda Theatre, but we know you have ways of getting tickets. more ›