Band Profiles Archives - Page 5 of 7

Band Round-Up: Eastside L.A. Edition, part one

On March 22, 2010

A handful of awesome Eastside L.A. bands: Aushua (photo by Angi Welsch), Best Coast, Correatown, Downtown/Union, Le Switch (photo by Charlie Chu), Manhattan Murder Mystery (photo by Laurie Scavo), and Marvelous Toy.

This is a continuation of my two-part “Silverlake Band Update – part 1 and part 2” with bands that I’ve listened to or heard of since then and wanted to give a nod to. Note that these aren’t “new” bands – most have been together for at least a few years now – but they’re newish to me, as most just perform around the Los Angeles area or the West Coast – plus the fact that I’m a hermit and I don’t get out much. If there’s anyone I haven’t gotten to who I should know about, please let me know!

Also, three more blogs to check out: (newish) This Ain’t A Scene and (not so new, but I forgot last time): Surfing On Steam and When You Awake, a very cool place dedicated to the country, alt-country, folk & roots scene.

share this:

Band Round-Up, Part Three – January 2, 2010

By julie

On January 2, 2010

In Band Profiles, Indie Music

The Ropes, Jen Gloeckner, Chop Chop, Steve Middleton, Why I Hope, Mobile Wash Unit, and Build.

Final installment, three of three, of my band round-ups for 2009 (right, it’s not ’09 anymore; never mind that). Come back for much more in 2010. Nice moody, angsty stuff from The Ropes (NYC), soulful singing with strings from Jen Gloeckner, new wave/pop of Chop Chop, and early introspective demos from UK singer-songwriter Steve Middleton. Then there’s the alt-country of Why I Hope (and their evil twin Why I Hate, but since it’s a new year, I’ll focus on the former). Mobile Wash Unit is the creative project of a philosophy professor, named after New York City subway cleaners. The music’s pretty interesting too. And Build are a hybrid classical indie rock ensemble melding many different influences for a very cool and sophisticated sound.

share this:

Band Round-Up, Part Two – December 30, 2009

By julie

On December 30, 2009

In Band Profiles, Indie Music

some amazing ladies - Theresa Andersson, Erin McKeown, Alicia Jo Rabins, Nomi Ruiz of Jessica 6, and Shilpa Ray.

Part two of three in my band round-up to clear the decks before 2010. I’ll start with a truly astonishing “one-woman-band”, Theresa Andersson, who completely blew me away when I saw a performance she did for Morning Becomes Eclectic. There’s also singer-songwriter Erin McKeown, and Girls in Trouble (a.k.a. Alicia Jo Rabins) whose two years living in Jerusalem inspired her self-titled debut album. From the psychedelic and dreamy Farewell Republic to the bluesy garage punk of the Willowz, and the pop punk/electro of Jessica 6, centering around Nomi Ruiz’s haunting vocals. Oh, and Shilpa Ray and Her Happy Hookers. You just know you’re in for something good with a name like that.

I’m also featuring Sake Of The Song.com, a very cool site where musicians sell their own hand-crafted merchandise to raise money for recording projects. It’s an awesome time to be an indie musician right now, with so many DIY opportunities and a wide-open playing field – it’s a great time to be a fan as well!

share this:

Band Round-Up ~ part one ~ December 28, 2009

By julie

On December 28, 2009

In Band Profiles, Indie Music

Whole lot of catching up to do, and some really fine music. From Memphis-based Star & Micey, to the experimental Inca Ore and Japanese psychedelic band Yura Yura Teikoku, Scottish folk/pop of Frightened Rabbit, and a flashback to the 1980s with Relation and Pylon. Moody pop with Scanners, alt rock of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, and a Motown-inspired chanteuse from New Zealand, Gin Wigmore.

share this:

Parson Red Heads October East Coast Tour Dates (but not Boston, bummer!)

By julie

On October 9, 2009

In Band Profiles, Gigs, Indie Music, Road Trips

Ok, so technically this isn’t a show preview, because they’re not coming to Boston, and the closest they’ll be is a 2+ hour drive away near Albany (I’ll let you know what it ends up being). But I thought I would mention The Parson Red Heads and their East Coast visit, as they’re a great band I’ve been enjoying for a little while now. They have a lovely psychedelic and folky, upbeat sound with delightful harmonies, reminiscent of bands such as The Byrds, Big Star, CSN&Y, The Kinks, Fairport Convention, and Wilco.

share this:

Band Round-Up, part V – 9 September 2009

By julie

On September 8, 2009

In Band Profiles, Gigs, Indie Music

Here’s Part V of my Band Roundups, featuring Num9, Stephen Soul, Liz Lohnes, NoArt Productions, Rescue Aurora, and others.

share this:

Band Round-Up, part IV – 7 September 2009

By julie

On September 7, 2009

In Band Profiles, Gigs, Indie Music

Continuing with my band roundup of artists I’ve recently been sent information on. Some of these people have been around for a while but I’m not terribly familiar with their work, so apologies to hardcore fans if the background information provided elicits a kind of “well, duh” reaction.

share this:

Band Round-Up, part III – 3 September 2009

By julie

On September 3, 2009

In Band Profiles, Gigs, Indie Music

Finally, part III of my ‘band roundup’, which includes The Willowz, The Bloody Beetroots, Har Mar Superstar, Yacht, and John Forte. If you’re in one of the bands I’m profiling and there’s new information, please let me know, and I’ll add it in.

share this:

Laura Lee Imhoff w/Hugh McGowan at Toad, Cambridge, August 19, 2009

By julie

On August 23, 2009

In Band Profiles, Reviews

(from her MySpace page)

Wow. Seriously… wow. Yes, it’s been four days since the show and much of this time has been spent fretting about my camera meltdown (more about that later), but I have to say something about this wonderful performer, before more time goes by, and just ahead of another show she’s doing tomorrow night at The Lizard Lounge.

share this:

Band Roundup, part II – 20 August 2009

By julie

On August 20, 2009

In Band Profiles, Gigs, Indie Music

Continuing where I left off last time, here’s part II of my ‘band roundup’. If you’re in one of the bands I’m profiling and there’s new information, please let me know, and I’ll add it in.

share this:

screams, whispers and songs from planet earth

Category: Band Profiles Page 5 of 7

Band Round-Up: Eastside L.A. Edition, part one

Band Round-Up, Part Three – January 2, 2010

Band Round-Up, Part Two – December 30, 2009

Band Round-Up ~ part one ~ December 28, 2009

Parson Red Heads October East Coast Tour Dates (but not Boston, bummer!)

Band Round-Up, part V – 9 September 2009

Band Round-Up, part IV – 7 September 2009

Band Round-Up, part III – 3 September 2009

Laura Lee Imhoff w/Hugh McGowan at Toad, Cambridge, August 19, 2009

Laura Lee Imhoff w/Hugh McGowan at Toad, Cambridge, August 19, 2009

Band Roundup, part II – 20 August 2009