Koga

Read Joshua Pressman's December interview with Alex Lilly. 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). Kevin Bronson at Buzz Bands best described Obi Best frontwoman Alex Lilly's music as "...a gallimaufry of pop, jazz and electro that squirms mightily to free itself from the shackles...

Part of an ongoing series. Two weeks ago, local Kárin Tatoyan (MySpace) performed at The Echoplex (MySpace) as part of Indie 103.1's recently-relaunched weekly Check One Tuesday series. Mouse at Classical Geek Theatre reported that, "She's an impressive talent. Standing on the rainbow-lit stage of cavernous Echoplex and flanked by two tie-and-vest dressed young men -- one with drums, one with strings, both with keys: her band -- Kárin Tatoyan asked for the lights...

Part of an ongoing series. Last Monday, local indie band The Movies (MySpace) continued their month-long residency at Spaceland (MySpace) in Silver Lake, with support from Sarah Negahdari and The Sad Solids (the acoustic version of The Happy Hollows), Rademacher (MySpace), and Vibe Slayer (MySpace). It was also a release party for The Movies' new album Based On a True Story, and what a party it was. Andrew at Amateur Chemist reported that, "The...

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). As for upcoming local shows, Restaurant's are on December 13th at The Prospector (MySpace) in Long Beach and December 19th at Alex's Bar...

Part of an ongoing series. Last week, singer-songwriter Erin McCarley (MySpace) -- previously mentioned here -- filmed the music video for her song "Love, Save the Empty", for the movie He's Just Not That Into You, at a studio in Downtown LA. As envisioned by director Zach Merck: The music video is a passage of time, set within one full day. At first we see Erin after a long night, dressed in the beautiful...

Last month, there was a great night of performances by singer-songwriters that included Carina Round (MySpace) at the Hotel Cafe (MySpace) in Hollywood, as well as Tenlons Fort (MySpace) -- backed by members of Amnion (MySpace), Avi Buffalo (MySpace), Castledoor (MySpace), and The Monolators (MySpace) -- Jenny O. (MySpace), Angela Correa (MySpace), Rachael Cantu (MySpace), and Daniel Ahearn (MySpace) at Mr. T's Bowl (MySpace) in Highland Park. Opening at Mr. T's was rapper Trick...

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. Lenka blogged the day of the show, "Last day of tour!! So sad to end but in a way sooo happy! Haha, not really, but I'm kinda glad to...

Last Sunday was the second edition of Kidrockers, hosted by comedians Seth Herzog (MySpace) and Greg Behrendt (MySpace), with performances by local indie bands The Henry Clay People (MySpace) and The Parson Red Heads (MySpace). As blogged by Red Heads' frontman Evan Way: The next morning we had to be at The Echo at 11am for a really exciting event -- a Kidrockers show with our pals Henry Clay People. What is Kidrockers, you...

Last month, San Diego-based singer-songwriter Anya Marina (MySpace) headlined at the Hotel Cafe (MySpace) in Hollywood, with support from Molly Jenson (MySpace) and New Jersey-based Laura Warshauer (MySpace). When Lindsay Watts reviewed one of Marina's shows last year, she wrote: Anya Marina is a chick we'd like to hang out with. Not only is she an awesome singer (kind of a cross between Jewel and Liz Phair), she's funny, doesn't take herself too seriously...

Part of an ongoing series. NOTE: Since Soundcheck started in January with The Airborne Toxic Event's month-long residency at Spaceland, it seems befitting to bookend 2008 at the same venue with the critically-acclaimed The Movies. Last Monday, local indie band The Movies (MySpace) kicked off the first night of their month-long residency at Spaceland (MySpace) in Silver Lake, with support from the Austin-based The Lemurs (MySpace) as well as locals Eagle & Talon (MySpace)...