Best New Bands » Claire Gallagher http://www.bestnewbands.com News, Reviews and Interviews Wed, 07 Feb 2018 02:08:46 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=3.8.41 Sleeper Agent and Ben Kweller Rule the El Rey http://www.bestnewbands.com/live-reviews/sleeper-agent-and-ben-kweller-rule-the-el-rey/ http://www.bestnewbands.com/live-reviews/sleeper-agent-and-ben-kweller-rule-the-el-rey/#comments Thu, 26 Apr 2012 18:14:05 +0000 Alright, I’m gonna come out and say it: Sleeper Agent is hot.  They’ve recently released their first kick-ass album, Celebrasion, they just played Coachella, they’re in the middle of touring their sweet Kentucky faces off, and, thanks to the band’s ruthless energy, they make it seem pretty effortless.  Now that that’s out, I have another

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  1. Sleeper Agent Wakes Up the Bootleg Driving to the Bootleg Theater last night, I was yawning the whole way there.  School had just started, and I had spent the past two hours reading Shakespeare (seriously…).  I was in serious need of a pick me up, and,...
  2. Grace Woodroofe on the Fire Within Emerging from the white water rapids of independent music like an old soul, is blues songwriter Grace Woodroofe. In a relatively short time, she’s been able to channel some of the most classic and substantial influences into finding the substance within...
  3. 1776 Announce Debut LP, Spring Tour With The Dandy Warhols Self Titled Album Out June 5th on Beat The World Records / The End Records 1776 are a rock band from the small logging town of Longview, Washington. They are Nigel Ledgerwood, Christopher Cook, Mitchell Rupe, and Zach Whiton. For...
]]> http://www.bestnewbands.com/live-reviews/sleeper-agent-and-ben-kweller-rule-the-el-rey/feed/ 0 Record Store Day Is This Saturday. Here Are Five Awesome Releases You Need To Pick Up. http://www.bestnewbands.com/previews/record-store-day-is-this-saturday-here-are-five-awesome-releases-you-need-to-pick-up/ http://www.bestnewbands.com/previews/record-store-day-is-this-saturday-here-are-five-awesome-releases-you-need-to-pick-up/#comments Wed, 18 Apr 2012 21:46:11 +0000 If you’re not one of the lucky ones going to Coachella, fear not, for Record Store Day 2012 is here. (Now that I think about it, even if you will be in the desert this weekend there’ll be a tent there, too. We just can’t win…)  If you aren’t familiar with Record Store Day, it’s

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  1. Concert Preview: Allah-Las, Los Coyotes, and The Cosmic Telegraph Co. Play San Diego on Saturday the 16th! If you’re in the San Diego area, or maybe escaping the LA doomsday that will ensue with the closing of the formidable 405, head on out to the Tin Can Alehouse on Saturday, July 16th for some awesome live music. ...
  2. Portland record store hosts indie veterans this week Legendary Portland record store Music Millenium will be hosting two of Portland’s indie veterans this week, the beloved men of The Decemberists and the lesser-known but also talented Dolorean. The record store, which has been around since 1969 and is known...
  3. Kitsuné Announces Inaugural American Compilation for May 22nd Release For the first time ever the Parisian clothing and music emporium has compiled an eclectic selection of fresh new faces on the North American front with Kitsuné America. After booming in Japan, expanding in South East Asia and steadily developing in...
]]> http://www.bestnewbands.com/previews/record-store-day-is-this-saturday-here-are-five-awesome-releases-you-need-to-pick-up/feed/ 0 New Bands To See At Coachella: Sleeper Agent http://www.bestnewbands.com/festivals/new-bands-to-see-at-coachella-sleeper-agent/ http://www.bestnewbands.com/festivals/new-bands-to-see-at-coachella-sleeper-agent/#comments Thu, 05 Apr 2012 21:49:01 +0000 Ok, I’ll be honest. I’m a little bitter about not going to Coachella this year.  Having gone the past two years, I’m no stranger to that pre-Coachella feeling: in a few weekends I’ll be yearning for the desert sun, the overpriced food, the kick-ass people, and, most importantly, the kick-ass music.  So, while I’m busy

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  1. Sleeper Agent Wakes Up the Bootleg Driving to the Bootleg Theater last night, I was yawning the whole way there.  School had just started, and I had spent the past two hours reading Shakespeare (seriously…).  I was in serious need of a pick me up, and,...
  2. 5 Must-See Bands On The Coachella Undercard So you’re going to Coachella! If you’re anything like me, you’re probably stoked as a surfer staring at the perfect swell about seeing Radiohead live, but you’re praying they don’t imitate their latest release, The King of Limbs and leave...
  3. THE TREWS Return To The U.S. For Spring Tour THE TREWS are returning to the U.S. for another round of tour dates this spring in support of their fourth full-length studio album, Hope & Ruin. The band returns on April 17 and will kick off a 16-city tour in Bridgeport, CT. ...
]]> http://www.bestnewbands.com/festivals/new-bands-to-see-at-coachella-sleeper-agent/feed/ 0 Brian Lopez on Tucson, His New Album Ultra, and Being Compared to an Octopus http://www.bestnewbands.com/interviews/brian-lopez-on-tucson-his-new-album-ultra-and-being-compared-to-an-octopus/ http://www.bestnewbands.com/interviews/brian-lopez-on-tucson-his-new-album-ultra-and-being-compared-to-an-octopus/#comments Mon, 02 Apr 2012 06:51:58 +0000 In case you didn’t read my review of Brian Lopez’s recently released album, Ultra, go now, oh foolish one, and read it.  There. Well done. Thus, in case you didn’t notice, Brian Lopez is, indeed, awesome. And now, as you arrive at the top of this interview, you, in the privacy of your own mind,

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  1. Album Review: Brian Lopez – Ultra Brian Lopez, a soulful, curly-headed, Tucson-raised singer-songwriter has made his way on to my music radar and left a great first impression with his first solo, full-length album, album, Ultra.  Branching out from his role as the leader of experimental...
  2. BackStory: The Octopus Project’s “Catalog” This installment of BackStory features the story behind Austin, Texas’ The Octopus Project‘s song “Catalog.” And the photo of the band above was taken by Wiley Wiggins– and he directed the video below, too. He’s a man about the Austin...
  3. Album Review: Big Talk’s Debut Album Is a Fun but Forgettable Effort And so Ronnie Vannucci comes crashing into the rock music scene, proving his place as a solo artist and talented musician.  The Killers’ drummer and Jason-Lee-lookalike releases the self-titled, debut album from his solo group, Big Talk, comprised of Vannucci...
]]> http://www.bestnewbands.com/interviews/brian-lopez-on-tucson-his-new-album-ultra-and-being-compared-to-an-octopus/feed/ 0 Album Review: RACES, Year of the Witch http://www.bestnewbands.com/album-reviews/album-review-races-year-of-the-witch/ http://www.bestnewbands.com/album-reviews/album-review-races-year-of-the-witch/#comments Tue, 27 Mar 2012 03:58:16 +0000 Los Angeles band RACES is hitting the scene with their first full-length album, Year of the Witch. Formed in 2009, RACES have distinguished themselves through their alternative, orchestral, rolling melodies and awesomely spastic moments of fuzzed-up, garage instrumentals. This LP is the follow up to their Big Broom EP and limited edition 7” featuring songs

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  1. An Interview with RACES The Los Angeles-based sextet, RACES, had a great 2011, which found the band signing with French Kiss Records, playing numerous shows in its hometown, and geared up for a record release. But last year was just a push for what...
  2. Races and Duniven Play Bardot in Hollywood Bardot–a Los Angeles club tucked into Hollywood’s dense layout–is swanky.  Swanky like an old-school mansion with dark weaving hallways, swanky like tentatively walking in on some exclusive party, unsure of where you belong.  Old friends met and chatted holding colorful...
  3. Album Review: Portugal. The Man’s “In the Mountain In the Cloud” In the Mountain In the Cloud is finally here to reaffirm my ongoing love affair with Wasilla, Alaska’s very own Portugal. The Man.  Out today, this is this hardworking band’s 6th studio album—they’ve been cranking out one album a year...
]]> http://www.bestnewbands.com/album-reviews/album-review-races-year-of-the-witch/feed/ 0 Lady Danville Album Art Contest http://www.bestnewbands.com/previews/lady-danville-album-art-contest/ http://www.bestnewbands.com/previews/lady-danville-album-art-contest/#comments Thu, 22 Mar 2012 14:33:49 +0000 GUYS. Everyone’s favorite down-to-earth, sweet-honey harmonizing Los Angeles band, Lady Danville (fresh off the release of their gorgeous new EP, Operating–listen below), is holding a album art design contest!  You, oh lucky one, get a chance to design the art for singles “Sophie Roux” and “Kids (MGMT Cover)” which are being released soon on iTunes. 

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  1. Concert Preview: Lady Danville Headlines a Sold Out Show at the Troubadour this Saturday Lady Danville, everyone’s favorite indie-rock-nerd-chic UCLA grads, returns to headline a sold out show at the Troubadour this Saturday, the 26th.  Lucky for me, I will be in attendance.  Lucky for you, this means a review will follow, so you...
  2. Concert Review: The Ladies Love Lady Danville Another night, another amazing concert. Let me just start by saying, I never cease to be blown away by the amount of talent abounding in the fine city of Los Angeles.  That said, I found myself once again at the...
  3. Lady Danville Returns to UCLA for Acoustic Coffee House Charity Benefit Show Last night, I made the quick jaunt up to the Covel Grand Ballroom on “The Hill” at UCLA (essentially, the heart of on-campus housing/dorm life/pajama-clad kids sipping coffee at 10 pm and giggling loudly) to see a concert held by...
]]> http://www.bestnewbands.com/previews/lady-danville-album-art-contest/feed/ 0 See Yellow Ostrich at the Bootleg Theater Next Week http://www.bestnewbands.com/previews/see-yellow-ostrich-at-the-bootleg-theater-next-week/ http://www.bestnewbands.com/previews/see-yellow-ostrich-at-the-bootleg-theater-next-week/#comments Mon, 12 Mar 2012 18:10:40 +0000 Yellow Ostrich will take on Los Angeles (fresh off SXSW) next week with their show at the Bootleg Theater.  If you haven’t heard of Yellow Ostrich, know that they’re much more cool cat than big bird; that is, their music is innovative and interesting–expect a unique use of of vocals and strangely catchy rhythms over

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  1. YELLOW OSTRICH Debuts “The Shakedown,” Off Upcoming LP STRANGE LAND Barsuk Records is thrilled to debut “The Shakedown”, the second single off Yellow Ostrich’s sophomore LP Strange Land, out March 6th. Singer/guitarist Alex Schaaf noted Neil Young’s influence on the guitar part, while claiming that “the song is about imaginary...
  2. Yellow Ostrich & Peter Wolf Crier take Schubas do312 in Chicago Yellow Ostrich If Animal Collective, Vampire Weekend, and Morning Benders, had a love child and added a shot of whiskey, you would get Yellow Ostrich.  Last night, Schubas do312 proudly celebrated their one year anniversary, and I had the pleasure...
  3. Yellow Ostrich, Parlovr, and Exitmusic Play Dynamic Sets at Glasslands Alex Cooper of Parlovr I almost didn’t even go to this show at Glasslands on Friday (8/19), due to a spontaneous apocalyptic thunderstorm. The upside was that the storm was fleeting, but the downside was that I missed most of...
]]> http://www.bestnewbands.com/previews/see-yellow-ostrich-at-the-bootleg-theater-next-week/feed/ 0 Album Review: Brian Lopez – Ultra http://www.bestnewbands.com/album-reviews/album-review-brian-lopez-ultra/ http://www.bestnewbands.com/album-reviews/album-review-brian-lopez-ultra/#comments Tue, 28 Feb 2012 05:23:10 +0000 Brian Lopez, a soulful, curly-headed, Tucson-raised singer-songwriter has made his way on to my music radar and left a great first impression with his first solo, full-length album, album, Ultra.  Branching out from his role as the leader of experimental three-piece group Mostly Bears (which, according to Wikipedia, [awesomely] sounds like “Radiohead circa 1996 getting

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  1. Album Review: White Denim’s “D” Is an A+ The Background: Ah, White Denim. I remember the very day when my love affair with their distinctly deft sounds began.  ‘Twas a chilly October night last year.  I was at the El Rey, seeing Portugal. The Man for the first...
  2. Album Review: DIgitalism’s “I Love You, Dude” Let me preface this review with this: I know little about electronic music.  I’m working with basically Daft Punk, a little bit of Justice and Deadmau5, Air, and Hot Chip as my main references/points of comparison.  However, I look at...
  3. Album Review: Fun. – Some Nights   The boys of fun.–lead singer/songwriter Nate Ruess, Jack Antonoff, and Andrew Dost–are back with their second studio album,  Some Nights, which drops today.  As a long time Nate Ruess fan, from his Format days, I feel qualified and obligated...
]]> http://www.bestnewbands.com/album-reviews/album-review-brian-lopez-ultra/feed/ 0 Album Review: Fun. – Some Nights http://www.bestnewbands.com/album-reviews/album-review-fun-some-nights-full-stream/ http://www.bestnewbands.com/album-reviews/album-review-fun-some-nights-full-stream/#comments Tue, 21 Feb 2012 06:34:57 +0000   The boys of fun.–lead singer/songwriter Nate Ruess, Jack Antonoff, and Andrew Dost–are back with their second studio album,  Some Nights, which drops today.  As a long time Nate Ruess fan, from his Format days, I feel qualified and obligated to review this record.  People who are just beginning to listen to fun. might be

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  1. Concert Review: Fun. Puts the Fun in Funeral Party fun. At the strange hour of 6:30 pm, I headed over to The Wiltern in Los Angeles to see Funeral Party and Fun. open up for Panic! At the Disco.  It was still light outside, and this confused me.  Then...
  2. Video Preview: Fun. in the Studio for their New Album (Plus Fall Tour Dates Announced!) Breaking news, Nate Ruess fans!  Pop-rock trio fun. has a new album coming out next year and has recently released a video through Complex magazine previewing the currently untitled album.  The video features the band in the studio with producer...
  3. Album Review: Moving Units, Tension War EP Genre: Electronic/Rock   Sounds like: part Of Montreal, a bit of Franz Ferdinand maybe, and a whole lot of originality I enter Moving Units’ new EP, Tension War, with a somewhat tabula rasa mindset.  I know nothing of Moving Units outside...
]]> http://www.bestnewbands.com/album-reviews/album-review-fun-some-nights-full-stream/feed/ 0 Concert Review: Kid is Qual, thatwasthen With Help of Andrew McMahon Co-Headline The Troubadour http://www.bestnewbands.com/live-reviews/concert-review-kid-is-qual-thatwasthen-with-help-of-andrew-mcmahon-co-headline-the-troubadour/ http://www.bestnewbands.com/live-reviews/concert-review-kid-is-qual-thatwasthen-with-help-of-andrew-mcmahon-co-headline-the-troubadour/#comments Fri, 13 Jan 2012 20:33:50 +0000 Thursday night, the Troubadour had a killer lineup of L.A. Locals: Kid is Qual and thatwasthen co-headlined, introduced by Acidic and Bikelock.  The crowd consisted of a lot of music veterans and industry people, mainly because Kid is Qual and Bikelock are offshoots of the band Jack’s Mannequin.  This also meant that Jack’s Mannequin lead

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  1. Thatwasthen and The Hush Rock The Troubadour This past Saturday night, I saw thatwasthen and The Hush take on the Troubadour again.  I arrived to venue under the impression that The Hush was taking the stage after thatwasthen, but as I walked in The Hush’s lead singer,...
  2. Concert Review: Buffalo Tom Stampedes the Troubadour Last night, I found myself back at Los Angeles’ Troubadour—my seeming home away from home.  On this uncharacteristically chilly night, I was there to see Buffalo Tom, an Boston-based band who just released their 10th album, Skins. I had given...
  3. Concert Review: St. Patrick’s Day at the Key Club with Phathom, Culprit, thatwasthen, and Bethpage Black Ah, St. Patrick’s Day.  When the beer is green, the tattoo parlors are filled, and the spirit is rowdy.  This St. Patty’s Day, I headed down to the Key Club on the Sunset Strip to check out a showcase of...
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