Adam Schlesigner (Fountains of Wayne/ Ivy/ Tinted Windows) has been a longtime friend and collaborator of Mike Viola (Candy Butchers). Both have written songs for film and TV including Schlesinger's title song for "That Thing You Do" that was sung for the film by Viola. LAist has spent some time with both of these prolific songwriters learning about their process and projects. (LAist Interview: Mike Viola Makes Pop Music Cool Again) (LAist Interview: Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of Wayne). more ›

After a childhood in Boston and living most of his adult life in NY, Mike Viola has arrived...in LA. We met Mike at a screening of "Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story" and had the opportunity not only to watch the film but hear about how Mike and the team of songwriters created a catalog of songs for a fictional music star. more ›

Tonight Northampton-bred power pop act Fountains of Wayne (LAist Interview) will be concluding their two-night acoustic stint at Largo at the Coronet. Montreal-based electro pop duo Chromeo (LAist Review) are poised to play to a sold-out show at the Keyclub, just before heading into the studio. We're also just getting word that Chromeo has been added to the Love Grenades' show at the Roxy with Sam Sparro. And speaking of duos, experimental two-man band El Ten Eleven will be playing at the Silver Lake Lounge with Creedle, which features Pinback front man Rob Crow. But we strongly suggest heading over to the Echo to catch the final duo we'll speak of, Brooklyn's own experimental rockers High Places. LA locals Hecuba are slated to open to the show. more ›

As you read last week, New York-based pop band Fountains of Wayne begins a two-night acoustic stand at Largo tonight. LAist recently got its hands on a review copy of the quartet’s first DVD No Better Place - Live in Chicago slated for release in March. more ›

Tonight LAist's favorite English electro-pop outfit Metronomy (LAist Review) will be headlining the El Rey Theatre with local experimental rockers the Mae Shi (LAist Interview, Review, #2) in tow. LA-based garage rockers the Ettes are coming through Spaceland with the Useless Keys for this week's edition of Club NME. Local indie rockers Army Navy (LAist Interview, #2, Review) will be rocking out for Obama at the Rock the Vote's Inaugural Bash at the Troubadour. And, lastly, Seattle-based experimental electronic quartet Truckasauras are making their LA debut at Boardner's. But we suggest you head over to Largo at the Coronet to catch Northampton-bred power pop act Fountains of Wayne (LAist Interview). more ›

Was Adam Schlesinger born to write music? Maybe if his neighbor had been a rocket scientist, he would had made another choice. Lucky for us, his childhood best friend's dad worked as a composer. Adam started writing songs at a very young age. He is one of the most sought after and prolific songwriters working today. more ›

Fountains of Wayne played a tight, if not under appreciated, set week last week to a trickling-in crowd who at least knew the words to Radiation Vibe. Chris Collingwood and the boys humbly played the part of the opening act and Squeeze fan. “Enjoy the show!” they shouted, as if one had not just taken place. With a synthy and sexy Take Me I’m Yours, Squeeze emerged with some new players and some old... more ›

British pop new-wavers, Squeeze, have (mostly) reunited and they feel so good. Did you know that Molly Ringwald had a Squeeze poster in her Sixteen Candles room? Did you know that the dreamy blonde lifeguard who worked with me at summer camp had a copy of 45’s and Under in his car. Did you know I can play Yankee Doodle on a ukulele? Slightly subversive post-punk with an energetic and upbeat sound, Squeeze makes... more ›

A Word or 4 dozen : Somehow I totally missed posting that the Shield was on last night and again it was good. I think one would be hard-pressed to find more raw and compelling performances on any other show available on the networks or basic cable. Being a former SF resident, I haven't been able to get enough of Conan's broadcast from the Orpheum theater on Market Street- too bad that's still bum-junkie... more ›

Yesterday we told you how to see 14 pretty good bands this Friday at Coachella, so now let's do Saturday using the Coachooser. more ›

New Music Tuesday has matzofied, seder’d out and re-opened for business on this fine Thursday eve. Please use caution while perusing the list -- these brand-spankin’, ultra-smokin’, bootie-shakin’, earth-movin’, mind-blowin’ new releases might just melt your face off. Especially the Hip Hop Tribute To Bon Jovi. Phenomenal. Well, theoretically phenomenal. You understand. Jarvis Cocker - Jarvis (Rough Trade) Mother Hips - Kiss the Crystal Flake (Mega Force) Brandi Carlile - Story (Sony) The Field... more ›

Every Friday, we at LAist will tell you whether or not you should wake up on Saturday to buy concert tickets. Tomorrow we think you should wake up because Coachella tickets go on sale. Who's playing at Coachella this year? April 27 - Björk / Interpol / the Jesus and Mary Chain / Arctic Monkeys / Sonic Youth / Brazilian Girls / Peaches / Comedians of Comedy / Gogol Bordello / Silversun Pickups /... more ›

Like a presidential election, the information is trickling into the newsroom... Earlier today Andy let everyone know who most of the confirmed artists would be for this year's Coachella. Now we let you know who is playing on what days, etc. April 27 - Björk / Interpol / the Jesus and Mary Chain / Arctic Monkeys / Jarvis Cocker / Sonic Youth / Faithless / DJ Shadow / Peeping Tom / Brazilian Girls / Peaches... more ›

The Jesus and Mary Chain, Tiesto, the Arcade Fire, Interpol, Manu Chao, Willie Nelson, Air, Happy Mondays, Decemberists, Faithless, Gotan Project, the Good, the Bad and the Queen, Paul Van Dyk, Arctic Monkeys, Roots, Jarvis Cocker, Sonic Youth, Crowded House, Placebo, Satellite Party, Stephen Marley feat Jr. Gong, Kings of Leon, DJ Shadow, Kaiser Chiefs, Kokono No. 1, LCD Soundsystem, Nickel Creek, Travis, Damien Rice, Black Keys, Blonde Redhead, Infected Mushroom, New Pornographers, Peeping Tom, Placebo, Rufus Wainwright, the Rapture, Explosions in the Sky, Richie Hawtin, !!!, Benny Benassy, Felix Da Housecat, Hot Chip, Jacks Mannequin, Julieta Venegas, Lily Allen, Lupe Fiasco, Ozomatli, Peaches, Ghostface Killah, Jose Gonzales, Amos Lee, Brazilian Girls, Fountains of Wayne, Regina Spektor, VNV Nation, Coco Rosie, Cornelius, Gillian Welch, Junior Boys, Pharaohe Monche, Roky Erickson and the Explosives, Soulwax, Sparklehorse, the Kooks, Tilly and the Wall, Andrew Bird, Peter, Bjorn & John, the Frames, Gogol Bordello, Comedians of Comedy, Justice, MSTRKRFT, We Are Scientists, Yeva, Grizzly Bear, Amy Winehouse, Avett Brothers, Circa Survive, the Coup, the Cribs, CSS, Digitalism, Erol Alkan, Evil Nine, Girl Talk, Klaxons, the Noisettes, Spank Rock, Tapes 'n Tapes, Fields, Tokyo Police Club, Rodrigo Y Gabriella, DJ Heather, the Feeling, Fratellis, Mike Relm, Silversun Pickups, Busdriver, Brother Ali, Nightwatchman, Bojones, Mika, Pop Levi, Anathallo and Fair to Midland.

THURSDAY more ›

WEDNESDAY more ›