Tonight legendary Chicago-bred alternative rock singer-songwriter Patti Smith will be gracing the Hammer Museum. NY-based actor/MC Mos Def is poised to take on the Key Club in Hollyweird. And, lastly, local indie pop outfit the Parson Red Heads (LAist Review, #2, #3, #4) will be performing at the Echo with none other than LA-based folk pop trio the Chapin Sisters. But we strongly suggest heading over to Spaceland to catch Portland-by-way-of-Chicago folk rock outfit Fruit Bats. LAist favorites, San Franciscan psych rockers Citay are slated to kick things off. more ›

Tonight Nashville-based alternative rock super-group the Dead Weather are poised to take LA by storm, playing at the Mayan Theatre with none other than Tyvek. Swedish psych rockers Dungen are poised to perform at the Troubadour with equally heady acts like Kurt Vile and Woods. And, lastly, local alt-rockers Dawes will be closing out their month-long residency at the Echo with NY's own folk rock quartet Chief. But we strongly suggest heading over to Spaceland to catch Portland-by-way-of-Chicago folk rock outfit Fruit Bats. San Francisco-by-way-of-Wisconsin indie pop act A B and the Sea will be kicking things off. more ›

Fri 5/19 - Kelley Stoltz / Irving / The Little Ones @ the Echo ($10) – This is a very strong lineup for the indie pop fans. San Francisco’s Kelley Stoltz put out an overlooked album earlier this year on Sub Pop. He sounded great at the Echo in February, but his set was cut short by a DJ night. Hopefully he won’t be rushed tonight. He writes songs that are informed by all the classic music you love from the late 1960s / early 1970s, but still manages to make them his own. Download “The Sun Comes Through” You've already heard us talk about Irving several times before. Their latest album is super catchy and they always put on an energetic live show. Their songs cover the spectrum from early 1980s, Cure-influenced songs to Elephant 6 pop. Download “Situation” The Little Ones are one of our favorite new local bands. They seemed to spring out of nowhere (the lead singer was actually in a popular emo-ish band called Sunday's Best) and immediately caught the attention of the blogosphere. They play sing-along indie pop in the mold of the Shins and Fruit Bats. Download “High on a Hill” more ›

Gram Rabbit Cultivation (Stinky) – They’ve got a unique sound (kind of like Calexico mixed with trip-hop) and they’re from Joshua Tree. This is their second release and they’re performing live at Tower Sunset on 4/20 at 6:00 PM and the Echo on 4/21. Listen to some tracks on MYSPACE. more ›

Fri 4/14 – The Greenhornes @ Troubadour ($12) – This Cincinnati three-piece plays quality retro rock’n’roll that’s heavily influenced by The Yardbirds. The band includes the rhythm section that played on Loretta Lynn’s great album, Van Lear Rose, and they're also members of the Raconteurs (along with Brendan Benson and Jack White). Download Pattern Skies more ›

Listen to a track HERE more ›