It's the first Monday of the month and thus we've got a bevy of new Monday Night Residencies. Local indie rockers the Western States Motel will be kicking things off at Spaceland. And WEAVE! will be embarking on their month-long residency at the Echo. Fresh off the heels of a record release party, LA-based the Monolators will grace the hole-and-corner Pehrspace. Delaware-based pop rock maestros the Spinto Band will be performing at the Echoplex with Scottish indie rockers Frightened Rabbit and one of our favorite local bands, Miniature Tigers (LAist Review). Lastly, Vancouver's own Mother Mother will be showcasing their disjointed yet entirely appealing tunes at the Silver Lake Lounge. But the lineup at the El Rey Theatre tonight is downright irresistible. Swedish songstress Lykke Li (LAist Review, #2) will be accompanied by not only SoCal mainstays the Mae Shi (LAist Interview, Review, #2) and Grand Ole Party (LAist Review, #2, #3), but also St. Albans own electro-pop act Friendly Fires (LAist Review). 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 ›

With two months left until the Feb. 5 California Primary and 31 days until the Iowa Caucus, candidates from both parties are in full election cycle mode as they try to convince voters of their cause. more ›

On Monday night, and after being on tour for two months, Rilo Kiley (MySpace) made their triumphant return to Los Angeles with a performance at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium. more ›

Did you know you can still get tickets for Monday night's Rilo Kiley show at the Santa Monica Civic? Do you know why you can still get tickets for the show? Because it's in Santa Monica. And when the people of Santa Monica aren't trying to destroy old trees and houses, they're looking for things to do Other than see great rock shows. Let's think of things they do on the Westside other than... more ›

The Big Believers, Baker London, The Kris Special, The P. Lacquers @ Mr. T's Bowl more ›

Oh those Swedes and their delightful pop melodies. Indie darlings the Shout Out Louds will play their last US date at the El Rey tomorrow night before heading out for extensive tour globetrotting. Opening the show will be San Diego’s Grand Ole Party and their special brew of vocal domination and dashing, funk-rock riffs. If you like pina coladas and getting caught in the rain, leave a comment citing your favorite Swedish thing (mine... more ›

Metal Skool, The Effects, Bandcamp, DC4 @ Key Club more ›

Let me preface the following review with: I've never seen Grand Ole Party, Everest, or Sea Wolf perform live before. Last night's show at The Echo was exceptional. However, I noticed a palpable disparity between Sea Wolf fans as I traveled from the back to the front of the brimming room. In the back, I experienced insouciant veterans, who felt as though the set list dragged a bit, but ended with a bang. In... more ›

Austin James, Long Live Logos, The Silence @ Viper Room more ›