Category: unsorted

Feature: Dirty Projectors and LA Phil Collaborate

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With Bitte Orca, Dirty Projectors made the greatest album of 2009 — and, imho, one of the greatest albums of the last 10 years — a fact which I’ve really, truly gone out of my way to spread. And yet, how was I thanked for my efforts when I landed an LA Weekly feature on the band last year? With an interview by text message. Chalk it up to the distinct, unerring vision of head Projector Dave Longstreth — despite my initial frustrations with the format, the story came out all the better for it. That said, I jumped at the chance to actually speak to the man in advance of his band’s just-passed orchestral extravaganza at Disney Hall. Read about the making of that unique event here.

Things are looking up for Longstreth

News Roundup: No Age, Sister Crayon, Tonalism, Free The Robots, Mishka, Host A Hoedown!

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I’ve been neglectful. Terribly so. Below you’ll find some recent bloggins from the L.A. underground. Click on the links to get the full story, each of which hails from LA Weekly‘s growingly excellent West Coast Sound blog.

tonalism

Some old school Tonalism.

  1. No Age Debuts Songs On Daytrotter, Dean Reminisces
  2. Video Premiere: Sister Crayon’s “(in) Reverse”
  3. Dublab’s Ambient All-Nighter ‘Tonalism’ Headed To Portland
  4. MP3 Exclusive: Free The Robots, “Jupiter,” Forthcoming on Alpha Pup
  5. Mishka Opening To Feature A. Milonakis, Wavves, Best Coast [NSFW]
  6. Host An Indie-Folk Hoedown in Your Kitchen!

Live In LA: Cut Chemist Performs Intimate Set

Over the weekend I had the pleasure of attending a free DJ workshop in Hollywood featuring demonstrations and talks from some real local legends. Arabian Prince gave instruction, and Cut Chemist closed out the afternoon event with a jaw-dropping performance. Read more here, via West Coast Sound.

cutchem

Class is in session. (Jeanette Paredes)

Q&A: Four Tet Talks Euphoria

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I recently had the pleasure of speaking to Kieran Hebden, better known as innovative electronics maven Four Tet, for The A.V. Club on the subject of his superb new album, There Is Love In You (read a review of that here). Check out our chat to learn more about his process, his motives, and why you should start ripping off clothes four minutes into the single, “Love Cry.”

fourtet

Love is all around him.

LA Upcoming: P.O.S., Sloan, Free Energy

A short list of recommended L.A.-area shows for the coming week (plus videos for instant gratification). Click “details” for descriptions.

  • Region: West Hollywood
    Music: P.O.S., Grieves & Budo, Dessa
    Vitals: Troubadour on Friday, February 19
    (details at LA Weekly)
  • Region: Hollywood
    Music: Sloan, Taylor Locke & the Roughs, The World Record
    Vitals: King King on Sunday, February 21
    (details at LA Weekly)
  • Region: Silver Lake
    Music: Free Energy, Mystery Lights, The Blank Tapes, Early Dolphin
    Vitals:     Spaceland on Tuesday, February 23
    (details at LA Weekly)

Q&A: The Vulgar, Decadent World of Wild Beasts

Last month I had the opportunity to interview one of my favorite up-and-coming bands — responsible for the most interesting new music to come out of the U.K. in a few years — Leeds crew Wild Beasts. Truth be told, these guys have been around for a minute, having dropped a hugely promising debut on Domino in 2008, but their latest, Two Dancers, is a strange masterpiece. Learn more from our chat over at The A.V. Club.

singingbeast

A singing Beast.

Live in LA: Dios Throws Free Record Release Show

Dios fans have been doggedly devoted and consistently thwarted over the years. Despite the Southern California band’s immense talent and best efforts, it always just skirts broader fame, a fleeting thing that’s pushed further and further away by confusing name changes and label swaps. But Dios’ latest, WEAREDIOS, should give the band a chance at bigness, and if last night’s performance at the Troubadour was any indication, Dios is ready for the challenge. Read more here.

diosrocks

Psychedelia abounds. (Timothy Norris)

Xasthur Makes Album With Marissa Nadler

This piece, published yesterday via West Coast Sound has been making the rounds thanks to Pitchfork and The Daily Swarm. Read the original here.

At long last, devotees of creeping, hell-sent ambient black metal and fans of spare, heavenly folk-skewed dream pop will have something to lick shots into the air about together. Via her website, Boston-based singer-songwriter Marissa Nadler recently announced that Los Feliz’s Hydra Head Records will release an as-yet untitled album-length collaboration between herself and Alhambra-based doom specialist Xasthur.