New Music, Emerging from your Local Scene
The White Buffalo is many things: hearfelt, baritone, and an excellent raconteur. With a voice thats said to go down as smooth as whiskey, he’ll be heading up The Mint tonight, Dec. 15th. with the show starting at 9:30pm. If you can’t make it then try to grab his EP, Prepare for Black and Blue, or at least check out the video below.
-Angelo Lorenzo
Sometimes I feel like I’ve missed the boat when I finally come across certain bands. It’s especially the case with Letting Up Despite Great Faults, considering I use to work with their drummer many, many moons ago (those are stories for another day). This four piece’s shoegaze sound stay upbeat, never getting too dark or artificial. Their collection of songs lift you up and bring you down at the same time, it’s the fodder for a coastal drive in the winter.
-Angelo Lorenzo
Travis Knight transcends the singer/songwriter category by tapping into a variety of influences for his melodic roots, reggae-inspired sound. Perhaps it’s because the proficient musician—who will play all instruments on his early 2011 solo release Risky Calm Oddity—considers himself a bassist at heart. Knight formed Moss Bluff in Los Angeles in 2005, and has released two full-length albums featuring contributions from Ben Harper’s drummer Jordan Richardson, William Ryan Fritch, and former Matisyahu drummer Jonah David. Songs such as “Elegant DEMO” recall the pre-1980’s basslines of The Police. “Ribbons” is another modern reggae ditty, perfect for a sexy, slow dance. Pulsing with an energetic, memorable chorus, “Arm in the Sun” delights with its lush strings and heavy personal vocals. Knight starts a regular gig at the Viper Room this Wednesday, Dec. 15 at 10:15 pm, and will play every Wednesday at 8:15 pm through January.
-Whitney Phaneuf
I was lucky enough to be in New York City during a performance by L.A.’s Julia Othmer. She is a singer/songwriter with a cute, funky attitude and haunting pipes that leave listeners in awe. Once I escaped the burning cold of the city and ducked into the dim-lit, intimate setting of Rockwood Music Hall, I caught Julia’s set and heard some of her new music as well. She kept the audience in good spirits by the witty stories she told about the meaning behind each of her songs, which I though was rather unique. She captivated listeners with the dramatic pounding of the piano keys and passionate singing. Othmer’s new music should be coming out in early 2011, so stay tuned.
–Jenna Putnam
As aforementioned, cello rock duet Oak and Gorski‘s new EP drops tomorrow, and they have released a free download of their track "Love Destroyer" to butter you up for it. If you dig the track, be sure to pick it up! They will also be playing a record release show on Wednesday at 9:30 p.m., at Hotel Cafe.
It’s free download Friday… well not every Friday, but we’re entitled to make up a few holidays. Big Bad Wolf is giving their self titled EP out for free on Sound Cloud. This quirky collection of songs was recorded over one weekend in a cabin in Big Bear. Opening up with "Yosemite", a song written on a flight home, to closing with the driving and slightly dark "Coal in the Fire", the EP becomes a fitting introduction to the band’s solid musicianship. This one has a spot in my collection.
-Angelo Lorenzo
This post didn’t end up on the wrong blog, I swear! Accordion doesn’t have to equal your great aunt’s polka music, it can be an equal mix of masculinity and beauty much like the mythical unicorn. That’s why The Petrojvic Blasting Company is playing the Monsters of Accordion 2010 tour whose last stop parks it at the Troubadour on Dec. 19th with other squeezebox superstar acts. There is just something about folk and Gypsy punk that allows it to translate from the street corner to the stage so easily, and The Petrojvic Blasting Company is a fine example. If they don’t excite a jig from the crowd, they may be brewing a barrom brawl – I can’t wait!
-Angelo Lorenzo
Live music, local art, and barrels of free hot cocoa make up the pieces of Color Me Indie’s first concert event at Space 2710. Live music will be colored rock n roll by the likes of Blonde Summer (or catch them tomorrow with Kitty), Twin Suns, and The Pocket Rockets. Live art will be provided by the Artcade Collective. It’s an all ages show for $5 with, I have to say it again, free hot cocoa. Don’t be a scrooge!
-Angelo Lorenzo
This album was a pretty pleasant surprise. They’re called Francisco the Man, aptly taken from the book, "One Hundred Years of Solitude", and they made mention of being friends with The Fling, and they aren’t shy about being influenced by their sound. The album was mixed and mastered by TW Walsh (ex Pedro the Lion) and is available on vinyl and as a free BandCamp download. The band play that feel-good kind of rock & roll — the surfer aesthetic paired with sixties AM makes it something of a perfect jam for back porch bbqs with the hint of Tom Petty and Neil Young. The track ‘Television Father’ is a standout, full of swaying rhythm and lo fi vocals.
-From The Open Blog