Though California has an utterly repellent governor whose incompetence seems boundless, the citizens, rich or poor, are resilient. In honor of the California spirit which has been bruised thanks to the horrible wildfires that destroyed parts of my former home, some fine artists have contributed tracks for this compilation of Continue Reading
Los Angeles
Claire Rousay – The Bloody Lady
As I wrap up my vacation in Los Angeles and prepare to head back home to Beijing, I thought I’d share the work of a Los Angeles-based composer who has intrigued me for a while now. Claire Rousay (stylized claire rousay) is a local composer who works in the electroacoustic Continue Reading
Floreana – Floreana One
I don’t do top tens, but if I did, this album might be EP of the year. It’s that good. Imagine early Brian Eno or Tuxedomoon with a sound updated for the 2020’s. Yes, these names are the ones I’m happy to drop for this release. From Floreana’s Bandcamp site: Continue Reading
Sarah Belle Reid – MASS (Extended + Remastered)
Thanks to the magnificent blog a closer listen, I was introduced to the work of a fellow Los Angelino Sarah Belle Reid. I was intrigued by postrockcafe’s description of the album, and after hearing it this morning in between teaching duties, I have to say that the description is apt. Continue Reading
Pyroclastic – Life is an Illusion
Pyroclastic is the brainchild of former member of the Los Angeles Das Bunker Collective Ryant Takai, who was one of the few musicians promoting genres like Industrial Dance, Electronic Body Music and Power Noise. From main member Ryant Takai’s Bandcamp site: “The second coming album focuses on the continuing of Continue Reading
Ulaan Passerine – Dawn
Ulaan Passerine is one of many aliases used by Los Angeles-based guitarist Steven R. Smith. This latest album is a shimmery walk into guitar instrumental territory. Smith produces an elegant kind of instrumental music that would sit well with both post-rock fans and those into a more mellow psychedelic vibe. Continue Reading
bu.re_ – dream sequence ii
Too dense and sumptuous to be labeled ambient music, what Los Angeles’ own bu.re_ offers is a ride on the clouds on your way to something approximating Heaven. The drones emanating from these works are some of the warmest tones I’ve heard this year. Bravo.
The Phonometrician – Cóiste Bodhar
The Phonometrician is fellow Los Angeleno Carlos Morales, and he produces a music that sounds like a post-Industrial Coil supplemented by a very sparse acoustic guitar. It works quite well, and adds to the already immensely wonderful Lost Tribe Sound catalog.
Odeya Nini – Ode
Los Angeles-based composer Odeya Nini is a marvel to listen to. She uses her voice and body to full effect as an instrument and composes profoundly interesting contemporary classical music, and whose works are radical enough to fit into musique concrète. If you enjoy the works of Meredith Monk or Continue Reading
Anna Homler – Breadwoman & Other Tales
There are few experimental artists I hold a loving reverance for in the way I do for Anna Homler. I had the pleasure of meeting and befriending her during the 1990s, and I had the distinct joy of seeing her again when Maja Ratkje performed in Los Angeles several years Continue Reading