Tonight local electronic mastermind Flying Lotus will be performing in-store at Amoeba Music in Hollyweird in celebration of his latest tour-de-force—2010's Cosmogramma. LA-based singer-songwriter Nicole Simone, who recently released an EP featuring Jason Schwartzman, is poised to grace the Bootleg Theater with none other than Paige Stark. And, lastly, LA-based garage rock outfit Dirt Dress will be taking on 3 Clubs with Mississippi Man for Future Sounds' 'the Rumble.' But we strongly suggest heading over to the Echo to catch local psych-rockers Spindrift. LAist favorites, Portland-based indie rock outfit Nurses, who had been forced to cancel their previous two debut LA performances, will finally be performing in our lovely city. more ›

Tonight critically acclaimed Virginia Beach-bred hip hop duo Clipse will be performing at the Roxy in Hollyweird. Rock Island-based alternative country singer-songwriter Lissie is poised to grace the Hotel Café. And, lastly, one of LAist's favorite local singer-songwriters, one Mia Doi Todd will be gracing Spaceland yet again... more ›

It's not very often that local songstress supergroup The Living Sisters, comprised of Lavender Diamond's Becky Stark, Eleni Mandell, and The Bird and the Bee's Inara George, perform live, so it's little wonder that they drew a packed house on Tuesday night at the Bootleg Theater as part of Ferraby Lionheart's month-long residency. "Their sweet songs imbued with the cadences of doo-wop, classic country, and folk evoke a nostalgia for the pure and simple songs of last century," noted West Coast Sound last December, reporting that they "...have recorded an album with Vanguard Records that should be released in March." more ›

Tonight Brooklyn's crown jewel TV on the Radio (LAist Review) will be headlining the Glass House in Pomona. Moldy Peaches front woman Kimya Dawson is poised to headline the Troubadour. And, lastly, local chanteuse Eleni Mandell will be gracing the relatively newfangled Grammy Museum in Downtown. But we strongly suggest heading over to Largo at the Coronet's Little Room to catch Lavender Diamond front woman Becky Stark. more ›

So many shows, so little time! Tonight Brighton-based pop rockers the Kooks (LAist Review) and the Whigs will be playing at the newly-renovated Palladium in Hollyweird. Gainesville's Against Me! will be doling out heavy-handed punk rock the Wiltern with Ted Leo & the Phamacists and Future of the Left. Venice-based folk songstress HoneyHoney (LAist Review) will be performing at the Largo at the Coronet. And, lastly, Becky Stark of Lavender Diamond (LAist Review) fame will be playing solo at Tangier in Los Feliz. But we recommend catching weyou. at Mr. T's Bowl. The endearing pop-driven twosome is set to host a wondrous night filled with equable duets. You just can't go wrong! more ›

Earlier this year, Boston-based and self-described "punk cabaret" duo The Dresden Dolls (MySpace) performed at The Wiltern, with guest appearances by cellist Zoë Keating (MySpace), formerly from Rasputina, and violinist Meredith Yayanos (MySpace). Opening were Seatle-based Smoosh (MySpace) and locals Lavender Diamond (MySpace). more ›

Last month, local band Lavender Diamond (MySpace) performed at The Wiltern (MySpace), opening with the Seattle-based Smoosh (MySpace) for The Dresden Dolls (MySpace). more ›

Spring and Summer nights in Los Angeles are some of the most beautiful around. And there's no better way to spend them by sitting under the stars in the presence of your favorite music act. more ›

Last month, the singer-songwriter supergroup trio The Living Sisters (MySpace), comprised of The Bird and the Bee (MySpace)'s Inara George (MySpace), Eleni Mandell (MySpace), and Lavender Diamond (MySpace)'s Becky Stark, performed at the 35th Annual Topanga Days Festival (MySpace). more ›

LA-based Manimal Vinyl Records recently released Through the Wilderness, a tribute to Madonna benefiting her charity. We discussed the concept of Los Angeles' burgeoning lo-fi/whatcha-call-it music scene taking on Madonna classics with Manimal's founder, Paul Beahan. more ›

A.C. Newman and Blaine Thurier of Vancouver's finest supergroup, The New Pornographers, have issued a challenge: Translation: Make a better video than the band can, put it on YouTube, and win an iPhone... or something. (We're wondering if that "something" might include signed Neko Case undergarments, as recent history reminds us that even her used corset is worth as much as an iPhone. The New Pornographers admit that they're not OK Go when it comes... more ›

Fuck Yeah Fest has officially ended and it was Fuck Yeah-tastic. I was on my feet for nearly seven hours, regularly traversing Sunset Blvd to see eleven bands perform on Saturday. Between eight rolls of film and hundreds of digital pictures, this is day one through my lens.... more ›

Honeycut @ MOCA more ›

Congratulations to our Keane winner Stephanie. She will be seeing Keane tonight at the Gibson, not the Greek, the Gibson. After the fire a few concerts had to be moved from the Greek to the Gibson, so if you have tickets to the show tonight head to Universal Studios, not the smoldering hills of Los Feliz. We're also being told not to miss Anjani @ Hotel Cafe tonight where she will be being presented... more ›

Björk - Volta (Atlantic) Bone Thugs -N- Harmony - Strength & Loyalty (Interscope) Barbara Streisand - Streisand: Live In Concert [2 CD] [LIVE] (Sony) Keren Ann - Keren Ann (Blue Note) Brakes - Beatific Visions (Rough Trade) Electrelane - No Shouts, No Calls (Too Pure / Beggars) Elliott Smith - New Moon [2 CD] (Kill Rock Stars) The Clientele - God Save the Clientele (Merge) Page France - Page France and the Family Telephone... more ›

Dar Williams, John West, Chris & Thomas, Debi Nova @ The Hotel Cafe more ›

LA's Lavender Diamond has headlined shows in London and supported the Decemberists on their U.S. tour last fall. But tonight is their first-ever headlining gig in Los Angeles, with The Finches and Winter Flowers at Safari Sam's. We last caught up with Becky Stark, Lavender Diamond's 25-year-old frontwoman with the delicate voice in June 2005. Last weekend, we were lucky to chase her down near chicken corner for an update. So, what's up with you... more ›

The live music scene is so slow today that it's a perfect night to sing some classic tunes. Lucky you, over at the Echo several bands are going to crank out their favorite Smiths & Morrissey songs: Lavender Diamond, the Moon Upstairs, the Sharp Ease, the Tyde, Winter Flowers @ The Echo more ›

Sufjan Stevens @ Wiltern Rocket @ Spaceland Sarah Silverman @ Largo Burning Tree @ King King Brooks & Dunn @ Gibson Metal Skool @ Key Club Jim "Kimo" West @ Ghengis Cohen Dirty Little Secret, The Oohlahs, The Thieves @ Viper Room Lavender Diamond, Winter Flowers, Matt Fishbeck @ The Echo Hatebreed, Black Dahlia Murder, Napalm Death, Exodus @ House of Blues Antarcticans, Meeting Places, Light FM, Soon @ Silverlake Lounge... more ›

Fri 6/9 - Silversun Pickups / Film School @ the Echo ($10) – The Silversun Pickups drop their debut full-length, Carnavas, on July 25th on Dangerbird Records. The record is consistently strong and they're one of the handful of local bands with a really good chance of blowing up this year. Expect to hear a few Smashing Pumpkins comparisons in the reviews (classic Gish/Siamese Dream-era Pumpkins). San Francisco’s Film School frequently gets favorably compared to your favorite Manchester bands. more ›

Tues 5/30 - Bedroom Walls / Let’s Go Sailing / Lavender Diamond @ Troubadour ($8) – Catch three strong local bands on one bill. Bedroom Walls has a new, critically acclaimed album on Baria Records. Download “Somewhere in Newhall (string quartet version)” Let’s Go Sailing is Shana Levy with various members of Silversun Pickups, Tanya Haden and others helping her out from time to time. Lavender Diamond is Becky Stark backed by some other talented, soft 1970’s-style rockers. They’ve gotten a lot of strong national press lately. Download “You Broke My Heart” If you want something less mellow, try Pinback at the Avalon. 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 ›

We think it's important to support local bands. That's why we went to two record release parties last week. more ›

Unless otherwise noted, all shows are free of charge.


SUNDAY, 10/30



• Songa
  Lee-Kitto, Su-a Lee, and Chie Nagatani perform for LACMA's Sunday
  Live series. The concert begins at 6pm in LACMA's Leo S. Bing
  Theatre. Call (323) 857-6234.


• New Valley Symphony Orchestra
  performs Puccini’s La Bohème with vocalists from Opera
  of the Foothills and L.A. Lyric Theater at 1:30pm. The show is not free,
  but the proceeds benefit free concert series at Forest Lawn’s
  Hall of Liberty and free youth concerts at San Fernando Valley high schools.
  It's a worthy cause that allows things like this "free gig guide" to exist.
  For tickets call (818) 789-5466.


• Rosemary's Billygoat,
  Stigmeta, Brendon Small's Deathclock and Dropsonic perform
  at Spaceland at
  9pm. For details, call (323) 661-4380.

Unless otherwise noted, all shows are free of charge.


SATURDAY, 10/22



• Cross Hart Jazz Experience take the stage at the Skirball's Café
  Z. The show starts at 12pm. For info, call (310) 440-4500.


• The Janaki String Trio perform a preview concert at Trinity Lutheran Church
  at 2pm. Call (310) 937-7275.


• Rosalinde
  Gilbert Concert features the The Capitol Ensemble as a part of
  LACMA's Sunday Live series.
  The concert begins at 6pm in LACMA's Leo S. Bing Theatre. Call (323) 857-6234.

Unless otherwise noted, all shows are free of charge.


MONDAY, 10/17




• Colored Shadows continue their
  residency at Spaceland.
  The doors open at 8pm and the show begins at 9pm. Call (323) 661-4380.
  
• John Marx & the Blues Patrol take the stage at Cozy's
  Bar & Grill.
  For info, call (818) 986-6000.
  
• Thom Rotella’s Jazz Quartet play at Hal's Bar
  & Grill at 9pm. Call (310) 396-3105 for more information.
  
• Lavender Diamond continue
  their October residency at the
  echo. The show starts at 8:30pm. For
  details, call (213) 413-8200.
  
• The Words take
  the stage at the
  Silverlake Lounge at 11pm. Call (323) 666-2407.
  

TUESDAY, 10/18



• Trumpeter Elliott Caine and pianist Sergey Kyosayan play at Revo Cafe in
  Glendale at 8 pm. For details, call (818) 549-0809.


• Listen to traditional Irish music at Finn McCool’s Irish Bar & Restaurant.
  Call (310) 452-1734.

WEDNESDAY, 10/19

Grab a jacket, some friends and get out of the house. There are plenty of
free gigs to keep you occupied.

SATURDAY, 10/8

• Catch Hot Club Quartette at Cafe
  Z in the Skirball Cultural Center followed
  by a free screening of Algeria in a Smile. The
  show starts at noon. Call (310) 440-4500.


• DJs Michael Stock and Benjamin White of Part
  Time Punks continue
  their residency at MOCA.
  The show starts at 6pm. It's free with general museum admission. Call (213)
  621-1734.


• The Afro-Brazilian Drumming and Potluck features world percussion
  jams and food at Bang
  a Drum starting at 7:30pm. Admission is free, but this is a potluck,
  so bring food. For info, call (323) 936-3274.

SUNDAY, 10/9

• Mezzo-soprano Hermine Haselböck and pianist Florian Henschel perform
  songs by Alexander Zemlinsky for the LACMA Sundays
  Live Series. The show starts
  at 6pm. Call (323) 857-6234.


• Part-Time Punks present Ariel
  Pink, Indian Jewelry and Blood
  On The Wall
  at the echo at 10pm.
  For more info, call (213) 413-8200.
  

MONDAY, 10/10

• Colored Shadows continue their
  residency at Spaceland.
  The doors open at 8pm and the show begins at 9pm. Call (323) 661-4380.
  
  
• Lavender Diamond continue
  their October residency at the
  echo. The show starts at 8:30pm. For
  details, call (213) 413-8200.
  
• The Words take
  the stage at the
  Silverlake Lounge at 11pm. Call (323) 666-2407.