Body Parts are slowing slipping us the pieces to the puzzle that will become their debut full length release, ‘Fire Dreams’ out Oct 29 on Father/Daughter Records. The latest single, “Unavoidable Things,” showcases the immense vocal abilities of frontman Ryder Bach. His smooth, crooning tenor sails with ease from sultry depths to climactic heights at the drop of a hat. Everything on this track has been turned up to 11 – their Dirty Projectors style harmonies, the 90s style R&B influence, the intricate poly-rhythms – all blended in that experimental pop way that makes you want to keep it on repeat.With every new single, my belief that Bach and his cohorts are aliens from the same planet that produced David Byrne is becoming more and more certain. Catch them live on Aug. 30 at the Skirball Cultural Center with Jenny O. – Jacqueline Caruso

A visceral, in-your-face drum beat invades your brainwaves as a slow motion party scene flashes across the screen to usher in the gritty, hypnotic synth lead. This is the opening sequence to new stroke-inducing video from The Josh Boyd 3 for “Your Scene Our Scene,” an antagonistic, ironic critique of the post-internet climate. The song is perfect for a sweaty dance party at an after-hours club. While frontman and keytar slinger, Josh Boyd’s talk singing/rapping style is confrontational, there’s an inviting jubliance to the chorus. As everyone joins in to shout, “Oh yeah,” it’s as if they’re saying – let’s all just get weird and party together, man. – Jacqueline Caruso

I’ve never had a music experience like I did when I played the EP of Everybody loves Raymond by BRAAINZZ. I was in my room with my friend Ethan when I started playing $iren of Titan. I was working on my resume when I felt my sense of multitasking slowly dissipate until my mind just opened up into a psychedelic trip all on its own. So after hearing the slide guitars, tape loops and some auto-tuning, the next song started playing, NewRita (feat. Slide Show), who is featured in 3 of the 7 songs of the EP. This contagiously experimental group does whatever they want, whenever they want too. A hypothesis in the making, BRAAINZZ’s spacey folk music is mixed with a fusion of country, rap, pitch bending and a new pretentious style called shroom folk; or how he likes to call it – trippy shit. Dick Flair, BRAAINZZ’s resident animator who created the tripped out, airy, kaleidoscopic feel to StoneColdSteveBoston, gave ILLieNel$oN’s a Willie Nelson, auto-tuned, rich sounding voice. Road trips are one thing I suggest while listening to this conscious-expanding album; endless roads and clear skies pave the way for this Highland Park band. – Kayla Hay

There isn’t much known about the newly formed duo, Skeltons. From the looks of their facebook page, co-founders, Alex Rogers (drums, vocals), and Lindsey Schiffman (guitar, vocals), have been recording and playing shows around LA for less than a year. “Lights Off,” is the first song they released off their debut EP. The deliciously carefree guitar riff and the youthful shout-singing during the chorus make this a stand-out track. The song’s overall quirky pop moments – hand claps, male/female harmonies – are just another strand in the fabric of their sound, woven together with bits of laxadaisical garage rock, millennial indie rock a la Eels, and that bourgeoning indie arena rock energy. While the rough edges are still visible, there are moments in each song on their debut EP that jump out and surprise your ears. – Jacqueline Caruso

The stop-and-go drum beat that kicks off "Fight Inertia" by Westwood band The Ten Thousand is the kind that immediately compels your attention. But once they get their gears in motion is when you really discover their songwriting chops, as the tone of "Inertia" is colorful, breezy yet meticulous, and cleverly off-kilter in design. It’s only fitting they got their start playing the college circuit, as they certainly evoke the kind of freewheeling spirit that would provide a caffeine-addled student a natural high after an exhaustive weekend cramming for the big test. This is the second single off their debut EP, Nobody Get Hurt, which is currently available to download for free on their bandcamp page. As they’re preparing for their upcoming EP, Nausea, make sure to catch them at the Bootleg Bar on August 27th. 

The synth-laden, unabashed dance pop explosion that is Hands have released their debut LP, ‘Synthesia’, on indie label Kill Rock Stars. The LA-by-way-of-Philly four piece blazed their buzzingly bombastic trail over the past few years, winning over crowds from The Echo to SXSW and CMJ. With comparisons to Tanlines, Passion Pit, and Hot Chip, these boys are sure reach that ever so glorious international stage in no time. Check out the video for their latest single, “Brave Motion.” Starting in that subtle rhythmic way, the song clamors to the heights of emotional ecstasy with the aggressive indie rock clang of cymbals, strum of guitars, and the soaring, unmistakable vocal prowess of lead singer and all around spitfire, Geoffrey Halliday. The album dips and dabbles along the bridge that connects the past, present and future in only the way the magical synthesizer can facilitate. ‘Synthesia’ is available on Bandcamp through Kill Rock Stars. Hands will be gracing the eastside with their live jubilance Sept. 11 at The Satellite. Check out the rest of their tour dates with ON AN ON below. – Jacqueline Caruso

09.05 Portland, OR @ Mississippi Studios (MusicFest NW)

09.06 Seattle, WA @ Sunset Tavern *

09.07 Vancouver, BC @ The Media Club *

09.08 Bellingham, WA @ Wild Buffalo *

09.10 San Francisco, CA @ Cafe Du Nord *

09.11 Los Angeles, CA @ The Satellite *

09.12 San Diego, CA @ Soda Bar *

09.13 Tuscon, AZ @ Solar Culture *

09.14 Scottsdale, AZ @ Pub Rock *

09.16 Austin, TX @ Mohawk *

09.17 Dallas, TX @ Three Links *

09.19 Denver, CO @ Larimer Lounge *

* w/ ON AN ON

Haunted Summer, the new project helmed by John Seasons and Bridgette Eliza Moody, both of whom spent countless years honing their craft in other local bands, is getting ready to explode. They have just released the video for "All Around," their follow up single to the hauntingly catchy, “1996.” This latest tune is equal parts dreamy mysticism and sweet simplicity, while staying true to the duo’s immensely captivating catchiness. But the video release for “All Around,” and subsequent EP release – ‘Something in The Water’ is set for release Sept. 10 with an Amoeba in-store performance – is just the tip of the iceberg for these local lovebirds. They have announced a slew of tour dates that include opening slots for The Polyphonic Spree, a mini tour with French artist Coeur de Pirate, and of course, their October Residency at The Echo. Watch the video below for “All Around,” and check out all their upcoming tour dates. You can see them next at Echo Park Rising this Saturday, Aug. 17. – Jacqueline Caruso

August 17th: Echo Park Rising (Echoplex Stage)

August 18th: Saint Rocke W/ Meiko

August 20th: The Observatory W/ The Polyphonic Spree

August 23rd: House of Blues (San Diego) W/ Polyphonic Spree

September 10: Amoeba In-Store

September 12: The Crepe Place (Santa Cruz) W/ Coeur de Pirate

September 13: Great American Music Hall (SF) W/ Coeur de Pirate 

September 14th: The El Rey Theatre W/ Coeur de Pirate

October: Echo Residency every Monday

The Hsu-nami, a local band to the City that Never Sleeps, is coming to The City of Angeles on August 10th for the first time playing at the Indie Entertainment Summit. The Hsu-Nami has two main albums: Entering the Mandala and The Four Noble Truths. One of the most popular songs is Rising of the Sun from the FNT album, in which front-man Jack Hsu uses a Erhu Violin for most of the solos; the Erhu is an ancient Chinese violin dated all the way back to the Tang dynasty. What makes this band truly different and inspiring is they’re an internationally renowned progressive rock band, or ‘Progressive Erhu Rock’. Hsu-Nami has interesting sound palettes full of heavy guitar riffs, natural melodies, and polished solos. I’m a fan myself of Snake Skin Shuffle and Interlude, and I’m sure you will be to after seeing them perform live tonight at the Ivar Theater in Hollywood. Hope to see you there! – Kayla Hay

The Memory Flux EP is the debut release from LA based producer Lost Midas, who recently scored a deal with British electronic label Tru Thoughts.To promote the EP, Midas has just released a video of the song "Love Undone", a dreamlike cut that steadily unfurls its downtempo, nu-future jazz sample through a variable shuffle of sonic textures and the lounge-inspired vocals of Taylor O’ Donnell. Memory Flux EP won’t be released until September 2nd, but in the meantime, wander with delight over this quite inventive promo.

Location may be a relative term, but it’s worth highlighting that Dear Boy wrote their debut EP in Vauxhall, London. They craft the kind of immaculate pop that shoots right to the heart, handled with the kind of building choruses that are pontedly precise yet playful enough to enjoy at any time of the day. Meaning: it’s subtly downcast, but also obviously cheery, and "Oh So Quiet" takes a page straight from New Order at their most streamlined, a tuneful guitar pop cut that’s performed in a warmly affective tone. Their self-titled EP will be released next month, accompanied by a residency at the Bootleg that will run until September 30th.

Songstress and advice columnist, Nedelle Torrisi, has been releasing music under many names over the years – with her band, Cryptacize, under simply her first name, Nedelle, and most recently under the moniker, Paradise. But her latest album of unabashed love songs, is a debut of sorts; one in which she is embracing her full self by releasing the self-titled album as simply Nedelle Torrisi. The album’s birth is a twisted tale of friendship and perseverance. Torrisi was demoing the songs that would become this album in her room, which was in a shared house with fellow musician, Kenny Gilmore. The two were working a wall apart on their own musical ideas, whilst both touring with other bands – Torrisi with Sufjan Stevens, and Gilmore with Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti. The two decided to collaborate creating a new, synth-laden, R&B inspired sound for Torrisi – which took over two years to complete. The first single, “Double Horizon,” is an exuberant blend of 70s funk and 90s minimalist R&B, with a masterful hook, and the naive glow of young love. Nedelle Torrisi’s self-titled debut is set for release on Sept. 3. She will spend the month opening for fellow collaborator Julia Holter on a string of tour dates. – Jacqueline Caruso

Wed. 09-11-13   First Unitarian Church  Los Angeles, CA *    

Thu. 09-12-13    Great American Music Hall    San Francisco, CA *    

Sat. 09-14-13    Holocene    Portland, OR *    

Sun. 09-15-13    Barboza    Seattle, WA *    

Mon. 09-16-13    Biltmore Cabaret    Vancouver, BC *    

Fri. 09-20-13    Cedar Cultural Center    Minneapolis, MN *    

Sat. 09-21-13    Schubas Tavern    Chicago, IL *    

Sun. 09-22-13    Kobo    Columbus, OH *    

Tue. 09-24-13    Music Hall Of Williamsburg    Brooklyn, NY *    

Thu. 09-26-13    Rock & Roll Hotel    Washington, DC *



* = w/ Julia Holter