The ever-beautiful Azure Ray took the Troubadour stage last Friday in support of Drawing Down the Moon, their 4th full-length album. Minimal and dreamy, the duo of Maria Taylor and Orenda Fink (and back-up band) kept the crowd mellow but enthralled. Tim Fite and The Whispertown2000 opened. more ›

With the big four (Pavement, Sonic Youth, Spoon, and Jon Spencer Blues Explosion) making a stop in LA, pre-Matador 21, Thursday night meant spinning the "Which 90s Band Do I See?" wheel and not really caring where it landed. While it could be argued that the only choice was the Pavement/Sonic Youth/No Age show at the Bowl, for those of us who caught Pavement in Pomona pre-Coachella for their reunion debut (and have seen Sonic Youth and No Age a few times before), it meant heading to the Troubadour to fall in love all over again with the leather clad JSBX and their rockabilly sex appeal. Which, by they way, hasn't faded in the ten years since I saw them last at the Fillmore. (Except maybe the pants were tighter back then? Hard to say.) more ›

How is it possible, after all these years, that the signature growl, hair, and impressive catalog of rock anthems can still seem so fresh and so clean, clean? The Troubadour's small stage was home to Chris Cornell's intimate second solo show in his Songbook series (the first having been a stint at Hotel Cafe back in December), which meant an acoustic journey down memory lane. more ›

We realize it can be a pain to juggle your main band, your side project, and your side project's side project. The various tour schedules alone could spell breakup in even the best of situations. There is a solution, however, and the folks of Years, The Happiness Project, and Do Make Say Think have got it on lock-down. Tour the entire lot on the same bill. Genius! more ›

For the uninitiated, La Roux are the current (and richly deserving) darlings of England's resurgent synth-pop scene. After emerging last Fall as though they sprang fully formed from the head of drum machine Zeus, the London-based duo (singer/keyboardist Elly Jackson and keyboardist co-writer Ben Langmaid) has gone from "who?", to "Holyfuckingshit" in less time than it took the Bush Administration to hoax the Democratic caucus into accepting their transparently idiotic WMD claims. Their first single, "Quicksand", recorded before they even had a proper record deal, debuted in December and quickly became an international iPod staple. In short order, they subsequently: more ›

Brooklyn’s School of Seven Bells returned to L.A. last night with their tribaldelic dream-pop. If you haven’t been initiated into this cultish trio, School of Seven Bells is guitarist Ben Curtis (formerly of Secret Machines) and identical twin vocalists Claudia and Alejandra Dehaza (formerly of artsy vocal group On! Air! Library!). The sisters intertwine harmonies in styles tough to pigeonhole, except to say they are exactingly crafted (with hints of everything from The Roches to the Bulgarian Women’s Choir). Curtis jabs heavily processed chords and splashes bright colors. And everything rests on electronic beats that feel one step ahead of trends. more ›

Last Wednesday, local indie band Obi Best (MySpace) -- previously mentioned here -- performed at the Hotel Cafe (MySpace) in Hollywood. Opening were Miami-based singer-songwriter Rachel Goodrich (MySpace) and the Rio de Janeiro-based Kassin +2 (MySpace). more ›

This past Saturday, the first annual OId Bank District Holiday Block Party was held at the intersection of 4th and Main in Downtown LA. The main stage, booked by Little Radio (MySpace), featured local bands Restaurant (MySpace), Dawes (MySpace), Rumspringa (MySpace), The Like (MySpace), Whispertown 2000 (MySpace), and The Afternoons (MySpace). more ›

Last month, the Hotel Cafe Tour (MySpace) -- mentioned previously here -- whose all-female singer-songwriter lineup was comprised of locals Emily Wells (MySpace), Lenka (MySpace), and Meiko (MySpace), as well as Jaymay (MySpace), Thao Nguyen (MySpace), and Rachael Yamagata (MySpace), concluded at the Henry Fonda Theatre. more ›

Love Psychedelico, who have been rocking out Tokyo since 1997, recently released their US debut, This Is Love Psychedelico, on HackTone Records. This week they will be bringing the thunder to the Troubadour will their full band, then bringing it on down low for an acoustic set at The Apple Store in Santa Monica. 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 ›

Tuesdays are usually slow nights in LA for music and as bands prep to head Texas-way for SXSW, we'll probably see even fewer choices like tonight. But fewer doesn't mean worse. Mountain Goats and Jeffrey Lewis (great video below) play at the Troubadour tonight (and tomorrow), Working For A Nuclear Free City is back with another concert, this time at Cinespace (though it's a private premier party. Crash?) and LA Weekly says to head over to Glendale and check out The Scene. more ›

When you read something you like on LAist, we love it when you hit the "recommend" button, and we love it even more if you put your two cents' worth in the comments. Getting a dialog going with our readers and making sure we're giving you content you can use are top priorities for us. So here's this week's top posts, as endorsed by you via the recommend feature, or as indicated by the level of talk going on in the comments: more ›

Three weeks ago, The Airborne Toxic Event (MySpace) concluded their January residency at Spaceland (MySpace) in Silver Lake with a show that included The Deadly Syndrome (MySpace) and Castledoor (MySpace). It was a chance to see all three of Kevin Bronson's bands to watch on the same stage in a single night. more ›

More What Made Milwaukee Famous? Yes, more of that! more ›

LA Weekly points us to some hot picks for tonight. About Girl in Coma: "Joan Jett knows a thing or two about rock & roll, and her latest protegees, Girl in a Coma, on her Blackheart label are one of the best and most interesting bands to come out of Texas in a long time," writes Falling James. They also play Alex's Bar in Long Beach tomorrow night. Also, Brian Wahl picks the "rare appearance" of Buddy Collette Big Band, who will be playing at the Terrace Court on the second level of Paseo Colorado at 8 p.m. more ›

Their next Los Angeles show is on March 3rd at The Troubadour (an all ages show at that). See Koga's fantastic photos of Airborne at a Spaceland soundcheck. more ›

UPDATE, 12:10 P.M.: We forgot to remind you that Sia is playing this afternoon in Santa Monica for free. 2:00 p.m., Starbucks, random (see first bullet in Extra, Extra list). more ›

For a band of two 16-year-olds and one 17-year-old, Din Caliber has a huge sound that's quite exciting. And Linda Perry, record label owner/producer (credits include Gwen Stefani, Pink, Alicia Keys, Christina Aguilara), has her eye on them. The home schooled trio practices four to five nights a week for four hours and has played the House of Blues and a few shows at the Whiskey A Go Go. Tonight they play the Knitting Factory on the Main Stage. Also of note tonight is the North Mississippi Allstars who mix punk, rock and down-home blues (it's quite lovely). They'll be sharing the stage tonight with the Drive-By Truckers at the Avalon. more ›

Usually Tuesday nights are slow for music in this town. Not tonight -- the spirit of Super Tuesday and democracy must have rung clear to bookers. Of course, LAist is having a party too, starting at 7:00 p.m. at Seven Grand. Choices, choices. more ›

Despite it being Superbowl Sunday, February residencies got off to a great start last night with Alex & Sam at Tangier. Tonight is the first night of February residencies at Spaceland, Silverlake Lounge, Crash Mansion and The Echo/Echoplex. By last Thursday, The Airborne Toxic Event had gained so much popularity from their January residency, they had to reject 300 people from the door. Case in point, catch these bands in residency early on in the month. more ›

It's the fifth Thursday of the month and this is your last chance to see The Airborne Toxic Event in their January Spaceland residency. KROQ and Indie 103.1 both added their song "Sometime Around Midnight" to their rotations last week and Airborne hears this is the first time in about 15 years KROQ has done this with an unsigned band (Weezer being that 15 year marker). "We also feel incredibly lucky and thankful that so many people seem to like our song. We are just a local band from Los Feliz and we would have never imagined we'd be writing an e-mail like this tonight," they wrote earlier this week. more ›

Shelby Lynne will be performing songs recorded by Dusty Springfield (of 'Son of a Preacher Man' fame) tonight at Amoeba at 7 p.m. It can get bit tight and uncomfortable over there, so if you just want to watch from the comfort of your home, well, there'll be a webcast. Here's Lynne playing at a live session on KCRW back in October. more ›

Last chance to catch bands in their Monday night January residencies. That, plus Fred Armisen, who LA Weekly says "does Prince better than Prince." more ›

Two highly recommended Hip-Hop shows take place tonight. Experience the powerful Gospel of Hip-Hop with KRS ONE at The Roxy or explore some electronic Hip-Hop with Sole and the Skyrider Band. And we mean no disrespect to Peanut Butter Wolf who is playing at El Rey with Chromeo, but we know for sure that show is sold out (scalp away!). The Troubadour has some jazz fusion rock going on (MP3s after the jump) and you can find straight ahead jazz at UCLA. more ›

"Imaginary Places" - Busdriver (and excellent vid filmed on the streets of LA and a great piece too) more ›

"La Gallina" - Ozomatli more ›

Mariachi USA Fiesta 2007 more ›

Jean Paul Yamamoto @ outside Vroman's, Pasadena, 7/27/07 more ›