San Francisco – UK producer Aaron Jerome aka SBTRKT is no stranger to guarded epiphany. His eponymous 2011 debut had audiences swimming in a sea of mystery, boasting Burial-esque mystique as he played live sets on his first tour, hidden behind the tribal mask that embodied the cover art of his first record. Most of
Chicago – “Well you’re not hardcore, unless you live hardcore!” It seems that perhaps the Radke brothers took this line from The School of Rock to heart. After watching the Jack Black comedy, the three home-schooled Missouri teenagers decided to teach themselves to play music. The end result was Radkey, with Dee on lead vocals
Seattle – Electro-pop trio Little Daylight spent some time with Best New Bands while on tour in Seattle. The Brooklyn band’s first full-length album, Hello Memory, was released this past July on Capitol Records. We went into the Pike Street Fish Fry next door to the venue for some dinner while our former Featured Artists
San Francisco – Canadian goth-dance outfit TRUST descended upon club venue Mezzanine the other night and delivered a brisk albeit deafening set drawn from their two stellar albums. TRUST is the moniker used by virtuoso Robert Alfons, and on his current tour he is supported by two backing members: a cool, androgynous percussionist who skillfully
New York – Hesitant Alien opens with the jarring beeping of “Bureau.” The track sounds vaguely like My Chemical Romance, perhaps only because it features lead vocalist and co-founder Gerard Way’s unmistakable yowl, but there is also something unmistakably different. Like really different. This observation may seem a little “no duh” to some; however, it
Los Angeles – The recent Way Over Yonder music festival was by far the most relaxed southern California festival of the 2014 season. What a relief to have no long lines, no huge crowds, and no massive venue to navigate. Of course, the beachside view on the iconic Santa Monica pier didn’t hurt either. Twenty
Austin – (Ed.: This is the second part of Best New Bands’ two-part interview.) The artist known as Slow Magic has so far kept his name and personal life hidden beneath his neon zebra mask and tattered scarf. The costume has gotten a lot of attention in the last three years, while he’s worked almost
Los Angeles – Up and coming singer-songwriter, Zella Day, who’s been hailed “the happier Lana Del Rey,” opened for veteran musician LP Friday night at The Roxy. Despite the misconstrued description, there’s still an essential sadness embedded in Day’s songs. The eclectic crowd was spellbound by the songstress’ bohemian vibe. Day was dazzling at her
Los Angeles – Electric Youth features L.A. and Toronto-based couple Austin Garrick (he) and Bronwyn Griffin (she). The electronic pop duo have been producing beautiful music together for several years, including the collaboration with David Grellier (aka College) on “A Real Hero,” which was featured in few momentous scenes in the film, Drive. Their long-awaited
Chicago – Never before had I seen the Beat Kitchen so packed. The 17 and over show filled the room with tons of teenagers, who pushed themselves against the stage, excited to see Drowners. As the New York post-punk rockers walked on stage, I heard an “Oh. My. God.” Wide-eyed girls screamed in excitement. Lead