Los Angeles – Ben Howard fans, gather around: For those who feared the singer-songwriter couldn’t live up to his runaway 2011 debut, Every Kingdom, fear not. In fact, I Forget Where We Were, out this week on Republic in the U.S. and Island Records elsewhere, smashes through expectations. While Howard’s second album has all the wholehearted
Los Angeles – Once in a while someone is fortunate to experience a sound that truly resonates in more ways than one. Islands, the debut record out this week on Communion Records from the London-based trio Bear’s Den, is one of those records that fits that mold. Bear’s Den is a byproduct of the London
Chicago – Last week Foxygen took the Windy City by storm. The LA psychedelic rockers sold out two shows at Lincoln Hall, and their performance on Chicago’s WGN Morning News was the talk of the town. Even English rockers Temples swung by Lincoln Park to watch frontman Sam France put “the LA in Chicago.” With
Brooklyn – Wednesday night at the Music Hall of Williamsburg boasted a sold-out bill and a whole heap of alt-folk rock lovers, some still drenched from the night’s rainy temperaments. On deck to ease the mid-week blues was Sydney’s own Boy & Bear, supported by Nettwerk Music Group label mates Run River North. The night
Chicago – If you haven’t heard of Toronto punk band PUP, it’s time you have. The four-piece has been receiving praise from critics for their wild live shows and their recently released self-titled debut album on SideOneDummy Records. The chemistry between these childhood friends is amazing, and their genuine love for what they do shines
Austin—Another weekend of ACL brings another weekend of Late Night sets. This time I wound up on 6th Street west of I-35 to see Poliça, the Minneapolis electronic group that has been releasing music for two years, starting with 2012’s Give You the Ghost and following that up with last year’s Shulamith. Their music is
New York – Indie folk rocker Courtney Barnett and her band are beginning a month-long North American tour, co-headlining with avant-garde outfit San Fermin. Hot off the heels of a sold-out run of shows in her native Australia and New Zealand, the singer-songwriter will be playing songs from her critically acclaimed release, The Double
Seattle – “Sunday night!” artists kept shouting onstage at Chop Suey on a recent weekend. It was the running joke all night long and those who made it to the Capitol Hill venue on a brisk Sunday evening were fortunate to take in great music by three Pacific Northwest indie bands. Headlining the night was
Los Angeles – Francisco The Man explodes onto the indie rock circuit with Loose Ends. It’s a towering, triumphant record that excites the listener’s mind. Throughout this transition, one’s thoughts are ruminating with questions of their own self-examined life. While the LA-based quartet has been creating music for several years with numerous singles and EPs,
Austin—For someone signed to Atlantic Records, Max Frost still feels a lot like a local artist. His debut EP, Low High Low, couldn’t carry him out from under the shadow of his breakout single, “White Lies.” Add to that the Pentecostal enthusiasm of his hometown audience, the extra helping of love he’s gotten from local