In the span of less than a year, The Lonely Wild has written, produced, designed, funded, and most impressively, profited from a debut record, as well as played a plethora of sold out shows in Los Angeles and San Francisco, in hopes of becoming the next big buzz band in the City of Angels. It looks like the hard work paid off for the L.A.-based Americana fivesome. The boys, and gal, will be packing up their guitars, basses, drums, tambourines, trumpets, and whathaveyous to embark on their next adventure—a self-booked and promoted nationwide tour that begins and ends at the beloved Silverlake club, The Satellite, on June 22nd and August 6th, respectively. – Katrina Nattress
Miracle Parade may not be Christopher Pappas’ first venture into the world of music-making, but this alter ego of sorts is quite a distinguishable one. With his finger on the pulse of what it means to be considered a singer-songwriter today, he takes the core ideals of crafting music and puts his own sweet flavor onto it. His debut album as Miracle Parade, "Hark!…and Other Lost Transmissions", will be released on the Little Record Company label on June 20th. To celebrate this release, he held an in-store record release party at Origami Vinyl on June 17th. Also, Miracle Parade will be doing a Tuesday residency for the Little Record Company at the Satellite starting on July 5th, so if you didn’t make it this past Friday, you’ll have a chance to make it up. – Taylor Lampela
Rather than explaining the majestic swoop of now-defunct L.A. psych troupe Pocahaunted, it’s best to experience the improvisational execution behind their throbbing, freeform drone in a stream-of-consciousness mode. One of their main contributors was bassist/vocalist Diva Dompe, who recently said goodbye to the notion of tagging herself in bands to follow the solo route with last year’s cassette-only release The Glitter End. After turning curious heads with her reconstructed world music sensibilities on a smaller scale, now she’s ready to expose those retrofied, wobbly compositions to a larger audience with a wider release on August 2nd via Critical Heights. – Juan Rodríguez
Any young folk singer/songwriter can say that they are influenced by the likes of Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen and Nick Drake, but very few actually evoke the authentic traveling bug of such troubadours. As a teenager, George Ellias left high school and set his sights on the San Francisco Bay Area, where he would spend time playing music and crafting a perceptive and affable sound. Two years later, Ellias did a stint in New Orleans and then returned to Los Angeles to go to college and study poetry. His studies in and outside of the classroom have conjoined to make up his debut EP, simply entitled ‘EP,’ which will be released on July 5. The seven-track release was recorded between his home studio in Los Angeles and AMP Studio in North Hollywood. The first track, "Ghost Town," showcases Ellias’ ability to captivate listeners with his raw talent as a storyteller and guitar and harmonica player. On the EP, he also plays the recorder and jaw harp. Ellias is set to release a full-length album in late fall. – Karla Hernández
Nestled off the corner of the street in the affluent community of Santa Monica is the intimate playing space of the slightly deceptively named Central Social Aid and Pleasure Club (it’s not a strip club). Boasting a diverse array of acts they present on their stage, it’s a great place to showcase the bands on the verge in the blossoming LA music scene.
This past Tuesday, the dimly lit stage was greeted by the colorful sights and sounds of local four-piece Incan Abraham. Armed with an array of projections of colors, images and patterns flashing across the stage, they brought a visual presence to their already acid-soaked music. The alternating vocal duties of Teddy Cafaro and Giuliano Pizzulo float among the conglomeration of sounds, sometimes threatening to get lost but always emerging from the fog to guide you through.
Nobody there, not even the super hip kids, could resist dancing along to the bright, twinkling synths of “Sunscreen”, or swaying to the dark pulses of “Third Man.” Everyone was having a grand old time with the audience, audibly vocalizing their excitement and encouragement after every song. The acoustics in the tiny space of the Central provide for an all-over physical experience of the music where you can feel Andrew Clinco’s drum beats and Spencer Mandel’s basslines in your chest. It’s disarming, but the surrender is cathartic.
If you happened to miss out on this blissful psychedelic trip, never fear. Incan Abraham is in residency at the Central SAPC every Tuesday in June. And better yet, it’s free. So bring a friend, or two, or ten, and soak up the good vibes. 21+. – Taylor Lampela
Looking for something to liven up those warm Monday evenings? This month, Duniven has a special treat for you at the Silverlake Lounge, where he will hold a month long residency. Duniven, composed of Dan Komin (Bass), Chris Vargas (Drums), Shea Branham (Lead Guitar), Ceci C. (Vocals), Jason B. (Keys), and, of course, Duniven (Vocals and Guitar), has a sound that is guaranteed to shake off that ‘case of the Mondays’ and loosen you up at night. Duniven provides a refreshing sound that separates them from the black hole of good music that’s heard, but easily forgotten. With organs, harmonica, and rusty-raw vocals, they add variance from the same-old, same-old indie-rock scene in LA, destined to leave a mark on your eardrums. Come check them out on Mondays at the Silverlake Lounge. Doors are open at 8:30pm with no cover charge. Only thing required to have a good time is you and your ears! – Mary Broadbent
Los Angeles native Michael Lee’s brainchild, Letting Up Despite Great Faults, is disproving its name, and has been since the band got its start in 2006. In the five years that Lee has been producing shoegaze-y, electro-pop, (á la the Radio Dept.) he has released an EP entitled Movement, which featured a track, “Disasters Are OK,” on a little show called One Tree Hill, and a self-titled LP that was praised by the likes of Pitchfork and Rolling Stone (not too shabby, if you ask me).
Riding on the coattails of a successful debut, the indie outfit has been touring the world, and upon returning home from Japan, announced a second EP, Paper Crush, which is set for an August 2 release on Old Flame Records. Until then, Lee and company were nice enough to give us a sneak peek track, “Teenage Tide,” available here (http://soundcloud.com/lettingup/letting-up-despite-great-2/s-LOqfm). -Katrina Nattress
Sometimes we all need a break from it all. So that’s exactly what The Elected’s frontman Blake Sennett did. After an album and a tour with Rilo Kiley as guitarist/co-songwriter, Sennett planned to take a hiatus from music-making, but then it seems like it’s not possible to stay away for too long. Emerging in May 2011, Bury Me In My Rings is The Elected’s third full-length release since 2006’s Sun, Sun, Sun. And it’s a carefully crafted pop album, which is the perfect soundtrack for all those carefree times.
The album is fuzzy and warm with a soulful lilt to it. The woozy nostalgia of tracks such as “Born To Love You” and “Where Are You” seem perfectly at home on an old vinyl record or played as you drive down the highway at dusk with the windows down. Drawing heavily on the influences of folk and pop of years past but always maintaining a footing in the present, Sennett has written a fluid piece of work that feels simultaneously reminiscent and brand new. The melancholy of “Where Are You”, and the six-minute centerpiece ballad “This Will Be Worth It”, provide the real emotional drive to the record, inviting the listener in to connect with the feelings Sennett is pouring out for all to experience. A heavy focus on acoustic guitar melodies and steady drum beats allow for a full, enveloping sound thatwraps you in it’s embrace.
As a side project to a more well-known band, it may seem difficult to step out of the glaring spotlight, but it seems like Sennett has no problems there. His expertise in crafting catchy, but original and charming pop songs is quite evident here. Sennett may have taken a break from music for awhile, but you find a sweet reunion in Bury Me In My Rings, which helps you to take a break from the chaos and stress of the real world in the gentle sounds he’s made. – Taylor Lampala
Superhumanoids makes dreamy pop that shouts summery ’60s harmonies, garage rock’s raw tonality, slick new-wave electronics, and the adventurous dissonance of ’90s indie rock. Originally a solo bedroom project, the LA band quickly evolved into a multifaceted foursome. The band released a new EP in March and is about to release a new 7" scheduled for June 21, including the song "Mikelah", streaming here. If dreamy electro is your thing don’t miss their show at Skirball Center on July 8.
Los Angeles band Living Things have just released their short-film for their new song "Pollen Path," directed by Floria Sigismonid (White Stripes, The Cure, Interpol). "Pollen Path" can be downloaded for free off the Living Things new ‘Mixtape Malocchio’ from their website. Shot on the beach in Malibu, the "Pollen Path" short film stars the daughter of Living Things’ lead singer Lillian Berlin and director Floria Sigismondi. The song and video were both inspired by a dream their daughter had. – (as posted in The Deli LA Open Blog – post your band’s entries, videos, and Mp3s here).
Twangy folk rockers Cave Country will be celebrating the release of their new CD "Pray This Dam Don’t Burn Yet" on Thursday June 9th at the Historical Monument 157 (HM157 for short). These cats know how to rock and how to seduce with slower tunes, so this promises to be a great night for those into the sounds of roots music.
Priscilla Ahn is not the type of singer songwriter that belts out her songs, yet her soft and tender voice carries a strong resonance that demands that all eyes be on her. With a vivid sense of wonder and simplicity, she’s has the type of voice that would blend in perfectly with the beautiful scenery of a summer day in the park, sharing melodies with song birds and unexpectedly stopping passersby in their tracks.
Ahn just released a video for her song "Torch Song," which is the last track of her sophomore album. Released in May and entitled "When You Grow Up," the album is full of dreamy, pop tracks. Ahn travled to England to record the album and played an array of instruments including guitar, banjo, autoharp and piano.
The video for "Torch Song" is free of distractions and merely shows Ahn singing and playing her guitar in front of a lush purple background. The only thing missing is a blue moon as her voice reflects the stillness of a quiet night. Ahn is also offering a free download of the album’s title track here. – Karla Hernández
