It’s almost May—the flowers are in bloom and spring has officially sprung—and what better way to celebrate the sun than with a Tuesday night residency at Central SAPC featuring the sparkling, synth-heavy sounds of DWNTWN? The Los Angeles-based dream pop trio has set up shop in the intimate Santa Monica venue for the month of
Crystal Castles Get Dark With (III)
It’s been two and a half years since Crystal Castles released their sophomore album, and in that time it sounds like Ethan Kath and Alice Glass have matured a bit. Known for their arcade-like electronics and bratty punk rock mentality, the Toronto-based duo decided to simplify things a bit the third time around. Kath did
Introducing Thomas Azier
Thomas Azier is a Berlin-based electro-pop artist whose sound is both nostalgic and current; revisiting the sparkle and magic of the genre, so often ignored in the post-internet music era. Bridging the analogue and digital worlds with symphonic precision, his music is an anthem for the present, pulling from the past, looking to the future.
Divine Fits Play Their First Show In Los Angeles
Since the announcement back in May that Spoon’s Britt Daniel, Wolf Parade/Handsome Furs’ Dan Boeckner and New Bomb Turks’ Sam Brown formed a band, Divine Fits have been on everybody’s radar and rightfully so. Though its members are highly influential in the indie music world, this is not your typical “supergroup,” and that was proven
Album Review: Sharliza Jelita, Strange Things
My search for groundbreaking Southeastern Asian gems has led me to this eccentric London-based, Singaporean-born soul by the name of Sharliza Jelita. Sharliza is indeed her name (with last name Rahman); but coming from a Malay/Java point-of-view, to end a stage name with the word ‘Jelita’ (which means ‘beautiful’ or ‘lovely’, depends on the context)
The Helio Sequence Announce New Album And Tour Dates
It’s been a quiet few years for Portland, Oregon-based duo The Helio Sequence. The two-piece, comprised of singer/guitarist Brandon Summers and drummer Benjamin Weikel, have released four studio LPs, the last being 2008’s Keep Your Eyes Ahead. In the four years since the electro-folk-pop outfit’s last album, the guys have kept a low profile, but
Album Review: Parallels, XII
Canada seems to be the breeding ground for crunchy electro pop these days, and Toronto-based Parallels may be one of the groups that helped start it all. The synthpop trio formed in 2008, when Cameron Findlay, the former drummer of fellow Canadian electro poppers Crystal Castles, teamed up with vocalist/composer/producer Holly Dodson. Since its inception
Album Review: White Arrows, Dry Land Is Not A Myth
Ever since White Arrows released its Fireworks of the Sea EP this spring, the quintet’s full-length debut has been on my radar. The L.A.-based five-piece created its own brand of electro pop, incorporating calypso and tropical beats with soaring synthesizers and catchy lyrics, and its unique sound hooked me instantly. With all this anticipation built
Dragonette Video Out Today
An energetic pop anthem with a pulsing beat, Dragonette unleashed the Let It Go single earlier this month complete with remixes by Laidback Luke, The Knocks and Faustix & Imanos. Today they strike again. Join the band on a disturbing adventure in the brand new“Let It Go” video. Martina explains, “These weirdos think you need
Casiokids Release Aabenbaringen Over Aaskammen
The Norway-based electro-pop outfit Casiokids have been generating a fair amount of buzz in North America this year, stealing the country’s heart with its spectacle of a live show (imagine shadow puppets, animal costumes and video projections). But just because we Americans have recently discovered the fun, childish nature of the Norwegian quartet, doesn’t mean