All hail my brother for this suggestion. After spending a couple of days in Las Vegas with Ralph, he made me the year’s best recommendation so far, in my humble opinion. Sisters of Black Mountain are a Los Angeles-based psychedelic music-tinged giallo-influenced rock that sounds like French pop seasoning a Continue Reading
Los Angeles
Lavalove – Tan Lines
I owe this one to my niece Abi. She watched the band perform several times and they were good enough for her to insist that I give them a listen. Of course, she has golden ears! Lavalove has a garage rock sound that my brother and I grew up with, Continue Reading
The Secret Society of the Sonic Six – Pickup EP
The Secret Society of the Sonic Six was one of Los Angeles’ greatest bands. They were something like a jitter-funk version of Tuxedomoon and early Yello with the foundation of a hip B-movie soundtrack vibe. They were stunning onstage, and I really do hope that they start playing again.
Lara Sarkissian – Remnants
From Lara Sarkissian’s Bandcamp site: “Born and raised in San Francisco and currently based in Los Angeles, Sarkissian has developed her unique approach to composition over years of relentless experimentation across various disciplines. Her interest in music production initially stemmed from her filmmaking and video editing work, when she began Continue Reading
Margo Guryan – Words And Music
This has to be some of the sunniest psychedelic pop that I’ve heard since childhood! Margo Guryan is a Los Angeles-based singer whose album sounds as if it were made during the 1960s or 1970s with airy production and a soft psychedelic pop sound. As it turns out, this is Continue Reading
Mexican Slum Rats – Slum Rat
I get to do my avuncular duty with a bit of pride today, as my niece, Abi, insisted I listen to her current favorite band. The Mexican Slum Rats are Los Angelinos who are deeply loyal to the L.A. punk scene, but what struck me most by this early album Continue Reading
Various Artists – Los Angeles Rising
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
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