Herbie Hancock Celebrates Wayne Shorter [08/23]
Photos by Jen Uskolovsky Wayne Shorter is known as one of the greatest jazz composers and saxophonists of all time. When asked about his commitment to music over other art forms, he replied by accrediting music’s sense of “velocity and mystery”. He had a uniquely wonderful way of articulating the joys of music and jazz,…
Scowl x Militarie Gun @ 1720 [9/8/23]
Photos by Luna Seng-Lay While we sat in Los Angeles traffic, I told photographer Luna that this particular show was exciting for a host of reasons. This was only her second hardcore show with her first being the one I took to her a couple weeks prior. So while she didn’t necessarily understand why, she…
An Interview with Kid Bloom: Constructing Authenticity & Connection
It’s a warm Friday afternoon in Los Angeles, the kind of afternoon that lends itself to lounging outside and casual conversation. Although we are not able to be together in person, we almost recreate this as we chat with Kid Bloom over Zoom while he sits under a tree to hear more about his newly…
An Interview with The Brook & The Bluff: A Tapestry of Time
The Brook & the Bluff, a five-man band hailing from the depths of Alabama, has been on the radar of many since they’ve exploded on Spotify with hits like “Everything Is Just a Mess” and “Masks.” Their music is the type you’d expect to hear in a coffee shop or at a backyard party –…
Tessa Violet @ The Fonda Theatre [09/6/23]
Photos by Isabella Appell and Siena Wong As I stood in line, eagerly awaiting entry into The Fonda Theatre, I couldn’t help but admit that this wasn’t my usual scene. Neon yellow hair, upbeat music, and everything pink, Tessa Violet was the epitome of my concert nightmare. 8:00 pm rolled around, however, out ran Violet…
Columbo Album Review
I have been a listener of Bruno Major since his 2017 album, A Song For Every Moon. His ambient musical style allows a person to sink into each song, landing at least one of his songs on almost all of my playlists. Columbo is Major’s third studio album and is arguably the most minimalist member…
Fleet Foxes x My Morning Jacket @ Hollywood Bowl [8/28/23]
Photos by Luna Seng-Lay In a world where we’ve grown accustomed to music pumped directly into our ears through headphones and viewed through pixelated screens, there’s something raw, something genuinely electrifying about experiencing it live. It’s a visceral urge that tugs at your soul, beckoning you away from the sterile digital realm and into the…
d4vd @ El Rey Theatre [8/10/23]
Photos by Luna Seng-Lay El Rey Theater recently hosted a night of musical enchantment, where attendees of all ages gathered to witness an electrifying performance that spanned generations. The unexpected presence of Miranda Cosgrove herself added a star-studded touch to the lineup, her interactions with fans providing a unique bridge between the opening act and…
Outside Lands 2023: Ultimate Deep-Dive into a Memorable, Musical Melting Pot
As Outside Lands ushers in its 15th year anniversary, this year’s three-day experience is joined by an ever-evolving diaspora of over 250,000 eager festival goers. Located within fog-blanketed meadows and towering cypress trees, San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park offers the perfect backdrop for this year’s distinct melting pot of music, culture, and art. It’s a…
Yoke Lore @ the 9:30 Club [8/22/23]
The 9:30 Club is Washington D.C.’s legendary haven for music lovers, and tonight Yoke Lore and Girlhouse added their names to the list of historic musicians to perform here. I walk in to find its mezzanine and floor adorned with friends and lovers, all bound by their affection for both each other and this unique…
concatenation: august 23
Gloubi-boulga: the French word for mishmash — a confused mixture. So I only listened to one new EP this August, you got a problem with that?
Interview with Disco Lines: Outside Lands 2023 Exclusive
House music has long been a staple sound of any festival worth their salt. Outside Lands certainly backs this statement up, as headliners like ODESZA and FISHER electrify the main stages of Golden Gate Park this year. The festival even features the beloved SOMA Tent, a stage fully dedicated to house and other electronic dance…
Interview with Poolside: Outside Lands 2023 Exclusive
As August is slipping away, the summer sun is gradually being replaced by the cool autumn breeze of September. And while the shift into fall may bear exciting promises of sweater weather and changing leaves, that is not to say that beach trips and rooftop raves won’t be missed. But… who said the sunny vibes…
“Self Control”: Seven Years of Frank Ocean’s Soulful Summer End
Some days when the sun goes down and the night’s muggy air sits on my shoulders, heavy as a phantom embrace, I find myself lying down alone in my neighborhood park and listening to “Self Control.”
Wild Child @ Belly Up Tavern [08/10/23]
Wild Child and the Belly Up Tavern are a match made in heaven. Over the past few years, San Diego has become sort of my home away from home. It’s like LA, but turned down several notches. Going into the Belly Up Tavern, I felt an extremely San Diegan vibe. Everyone is relaxed, there’s plenty…
Taylor Swift Who?
Beck @ Kia Forum [8/07/23] Photos by Timothy Norris It’s hard to compete with Taylor Swift, but the Swiftie dads know “Where It’s At.” And so do my sister and I, as we enter LA’s famous Forum. The musical behemoth that is Taylor Swift is playing just next door at Sofi Stadium. Luckily we got…
Hard Summer 2023 – Electrifying Los Angeles
Cover photo credit: Jamal Eid Amid LA’s summer heat, Hard Summer 2023 delivered on its promise and did indeed go hard. Hard Summer takes place in Los Angeles’ Exposition Park, LA Memorial Coliseum, and BMO Stadium. Credit: Keiki-Lani Knudsen [Day 1] After a long and arduous process retrieving my partner’s wristband from Will Call, we…
Dayna Madison @ The Presidential Suite LA
Photos by Bankhead of Str8out the Trunk Radio Los Angeles-based dance and R&B artist, Dayna Madison, hasn’t had your traditional journey into the music industry. Madison is a former member of the Memphis Grizzlies’ dance squad, having been trained in dance for the past two decades. However, finding a love for the stage and music,…
One Big, Beautiful Mess
Danny Elfman @ North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre [8/03/23] Photos by Alex Matthews It’s a crisp, Summer night in Chula Vista and I’m ready for Spider-Man. I’m also ready for Batman, Doctor Strange, The Simpsons, Oingo Boingo…I’m ready for it all. Or at least I think I am. I honestly don’t know what to expect…
JPEGMafia @ 1 Strange Night in OC [7/22/23]
As I was stuck in traffic, I could tell that it was definitely not a normal Saturday in Santa Ana. At 4:00, the sidewalks were swarming with people covered head to toe in jester makeup, alt fashion, silver chains, and ripped band tees. Attracting a crowd of about 12,000, the Observatory OC’s “1 Strange Night…
concatenation: july 23
It’s been a month since I’ve been here. On my first night, I wrapped myself in soft white cloth and remembered something I had never experienced. Embraced in the second-hand smoke of the people who came before me, I became alert to the fact that I was somewhere I deeply didn’t understand. Who still smokes…
Wallice @ El Rey Theatre [7/22/23]
Do you remember your indie phase in high school? Were you ever obsessed with artists like Wallows, Dayglow, or Boy Pablo? With these artists blasting in your car along with your A/C in the summer, driving towards your friend’s house or part-time job. Or as you experienced your first love and shared playlists with friends…