It was almost as if a giant, grumpy deity wielding a garden hose came down from the sky on Saturday morning and announced, "You kids are having too much fun! Cool it." Rain poured from the sky in the early morning, and the gorgeous seventy degree weather evaporated over night. Austin was suddenly engulfed in forty degree temperatures and high wind, turning the summery celebration into a chilled autumnal fest. Not that it stopped anyone from attending shows outside. The masses were out (granted in slightly decreased numbers) wrapped in scarves and hats, ready to rock out. 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 ›

Starting tomorrow, over 50 singer-songwriters and bands will participate in "Ho-Ho-tel" 2009, a three-night fundraiser with the proceeds benefiting the LAFD's "Spark of Love" Toy Drive, at the Hotel Cafe in Hollywood. more ›

I don't know if you've noticed, but there seems to be a very healthy country/folk scene growing in Los Angeles. Which is a little unexpected, LA is not the first city that you think of when you think of Americana, but the developing sound is nothing short of wonderful. From Olin and the Moon, to Dawes, to Leslie and the Badgers, The Whiskey Saints, Parson Red Heads, and Mississippi Man, there is definitely something in air. To add to that list, please include Lissie (Maurus) a young lady originally from Rock Island, IL who has been calling LA home for the last five years. Her debut EP Where You Runnin' has been making huge waves. In fact, I don't think I've seen critics this excited about an EP since Bon Iver's Blood Bank EP earlier this year. And for damn good reason too. more ›

Tonight legendary New Jersey-based horror punk progenitors the Misfits (LAist Review) will be headlining the Key Club. Eisley, a familial, Texan indie rock quintet, are poised to grace the Troubadour with none other than Miniature Tigers (LAist Interview, Review). And, lastly, local rockers War Tapes will be taking on the Smell in Downtown. But we strongly suggest heading over to the Orpheum Theatre in Downtown to catch the conclusion of Maine-bred folk singer-songwriter Ray LaMontagne's three-night stint. LAist favorite, Rock Island-based alternative country singer-songwriter Lissie is slated to kick things off. more ›

Tonight Maine-bred folk singer-songwriter Ray LaMontagne will be continuing a three-night stint at the Orpheum Theatre in Downtown with LAist favorite, Illinois-based alternative country singer-songwriter Lissie. As mentioned previously, South Carolina-by-way-of-Seattle folk rockers Band of Horses are poised to headline the Avalon with none other than local indie rock outfit Sea Wolf (LAist Interview, Review, #2, #3), as well as a bevy of of other great musicians, to benefit the Pablove Foundation. And, lastly, Swedish indie rockers Peter Bjorn and John (LAist Review, #2) will be taking on Club Nokia in Downtown. But we strongly suggest heading over to the Henry Fonda Music Box to catch St. Albans-based dance pop outfit Friendly Fires (LAist Review). LAist favorites, acclaimed British indie rock outfit the XX are slated to kick things off. more ›

This week Maine-bred folk singer-songwriter Ray LaMontagne will be taking on a three-night stint at the Orpheum Theatre in Downtown with LAist favorite, Illinois-based alternative country singer-songwriter Lissie. The Swell Season, an indie folk duo formed by Irish musician Glen Hansard and Czech singer and pianist Markéta Irglová, are poised to grace the Wiltern with Idaho's own pop folk singer-songwriter Josh Ritter in tow. St. Albans-based dance pop outfit Friendly Fires (LAist Review) will be headlining the Henry Fonda Music Box with none other than acclaimed British indie rock outfit the XX. And, lastly, London-based electro-infused rock duo the Big Pink will be performing at the El Rey Theatre with Long Beach natives Crystal Antlers (LAist Review) and LA-bred goth/dance-infused rock duo IO Echo. more ›

Earlier this month was "Ho-Ho-Tel 2008" at the Hotel Cafe (MySpace) in Hollywood. The three night fundraiser, with proceeds benefiting the LAFD's "Spark of Love" Toy Drive, featured a "very good" all-star lineup of singer-songwriters and bands that included The Abdomen (MySpace), Sweet Talk Radio (MySpace), Alvin Stewart (MySpace), Holly Conlan (MySpace), Laura Jansen (MySpace), AM (MySpace), The Paper Raincoat (MySpace), Meiko (MySpace), Buddy (MySpace), Gary Jules (MySpace), Brian Wright (MySpace), Joe Firstman (MySpace), Greg Laswell (MySpace), Cary Brothers (MySpace), and Butch Walker (MySpace) for Friday, while Sunday included Jenni Alpert (MySpace), Rob Giles (MySpace), Shane Alexander (MySpace), Charley Turner (MySpace), Lissie (MySpace), Austin Hartley-Leonard (MySpace), Jay Nash (MySpace), Brother Sal (MySpace), Chris Pierce (MySpace), Jim Bianco (MySpace), Pedestrian (MySpace), Andy Clockwise (MySpace), Foster Timms, Tim Jones (MySpace), and Truth and Salvage Co. (MySpace). more ›