Photos by Dylan Simmons of Brennan Wedl at the Walt Disney Concert Hall (5/6/26). UCLA Radio’s Rising Artist Spotlight aims to highlight upcoming artists who have demonstrated unique creativity and talent through their music. Through interviews and features, we delve into their journey, influences, and aspirations, giving listeners a glimpse into the future of music.…
Photos courtesy of Richie Valdez Seattle-born Johnny Whitney is widely known as a lead vocalist of The Blood Brothers. Before their initial disbandment in 2007, the band left a remarkable footprint on the post-hardcore scene of the late ‘90s and 2000s as a result of their eclectic instrumentation and Whitney’s distinct vocal style. That same…
Photos courtesy of Matine Kazemi (@queenmatine / @tripletakecreativeco on Instagram ; @queen.matine on Tik Tok) Last month, I had the pleasure of virtually meeting with Jasmine Rodgers, lead singer of the alternative rock group, bôa. While I was in sunny Los Angeles, she was on the other side of the pond in London. Despite this…
Photos provided by Ashley Osborn/Kia Forum There’s nothing quite like watching an artist embark on their first arena tour. They don’t always sell the best and they require tons of trial and error to nail, but the glint in an artist’s eye as they finally bring to life their creative fantasies at the level of…
In honor of Pride Month, our team of writers set out to highlight the queer artists who have defined modern culture as we know it. For decades, these iconic figures have challenged societal norms to embrace unfiltered identity, unbridled love, and radiant joy. Through music, art, and film, queer artists have reshaped social boundaries and…
Photos by Sofia Cardenas On a warm June evening, indie bands Broken Social Scene and Metric, supported by Stars, stopped at Los Angeles’ iconic Greek Theatre en route to their co-headlining All the Feelings summer tour. Throughout the show, there was a repeated message highlighting the significance of closeness between the three bands. Hailing from…
Photos by Dylan Simmons. Words by Sylvia Ansley & Dylan Simmons. Founded in 2024 by Nicky Palermo of Nothing, annual shoegaze festival Slide Away continues its reputation of bringing back bands from the dead. This year, English shoegaze pioneers Chapterhouse headlined alongside American ‘90s alt legends Hum, both of which reunited in honor of Slide…
Cover Photo Courtesy of Olivia Ezechukwu — Last Wednesday, Atlantic Records showcased their exciting new signee, Charlotte MacInnes, to celebrate the upcoming release of her debut EP, HIGHWATER, which comes out June 26. The five-track EP reflects themes of nature, transformation, and self-discovery. Blending mythical elements with vulnerable lyrics, HIGHWATER embodies MacInnes’ raw talent and…
Photos by Lauren Kim Singer-songwriter Riya Mahesh, known onstage as Quiet Light, has an ear for sentimentality. The classically trained pianist’s sound shines in her careful arrangements, balancing electronica with eclectic samples and acoustic folk instruments. Mahesh’s soundscapes are constructed like a dream sequence. Pitchfork has described her sonic world as one with a “loose logic…
Photos courtesy of Rob Blackman While growing up just outside of London, Jasmine Rodgers fell in love with creating music. As the lead vocalist of the alternative rock band bôa, also composed of Lee Sullivan and Alex Caird, Rodgers has performed across the world, connecting global audiences with heartfelt lyrics and a hypnotic sound. On…