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…
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…
It’s 7:45 in West Hollywood, and a line of excited concertgoers can be found assembling along Santa Monica Boulevard. Previously hosting the likes of Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, and Elton John, the Troubadour stands as a vibrant reminder of the rich history of Los Angeles rock culture. That being said, it’s only appropriate…
ZelooperZ @ The Roxy [06/14/23] Photos by Jonguk Yoo (IG: manduruyo) During an exhausting finals week with nothing but late night essay-writing and long work shifts, the only thought keeping me afloat was the anticipation to let loose and experience a unique performance from one of Detroit’s finest artists in the most literal sense, ZelooperZ.…
Orange County, California: home to 40 miles of beaches, world-class surfing, and glimmering sunshine. What could be a better location for a Summer Salt concert? 2012 saw Matthew Terry (vocalist/guitarist) and Eugene Chung’s (drummer) introduction into the Austin, TX music scene, developing a sound reminiscent of bossa nova, 60s rocksteady, and surf psychedelia. Two years…
Photos by Sophia Russo Surfing the wave of Indie Sleaze, (and now Indie Sleaze resurrection) Metric is a powerhouse of synthy, alternative pop rock neighboring the sounds of CHVRCHES, Tegan and Sarah, and Silversun Pickups. Opening for Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, and Garbage, most attendees are still looking for parking as front woman Emily…
Photos by Neel Bonthala It quickly became apparent that the Regent Theater in downtown Los Angeles was the perfect stage for Nathan William’s beach indie-rock outfit, Wavves, to take on. The venue was an intimate space connected to a bar and quaint pizza parlor, a welcome accompaniment to live music. The carefully curated energy of…
Photos by Angela Kan There are a million different places a person can go to on a Friday night in Los Angeles. However, it seemed that everyone arriving to the YouTube Theater that Friday was a part of a community that wouldn’t be anywhere else other than Melanie Martinez’s Portals tour. Upon arrival, my friend and…
Kara Jackson @ Feels Like Floating [05/26/23] Photos by Evan Ibarra To say that May has been an odd month feels like an understatement. Ever since my dog back home passed away at the tail end of April, I’ve spent a good portion of this month grappling with the weird and unsettling reality of learning…
It’s still light outside as I am heading into the venue, so the red light of the “Roxy” sign hasn’t yet started to drip onto the sidewalk. I appreciate the lengthening of the days lately, and this is my first Sunday of the year where the night hints of summer. I grab my press pass…
Photos by Angela Kan One of DTLA’s oldest bars, the Moroccan Lounge is an unassuming little white building lined with blue tiles and a sea blue dome at top. Tucked away on the outskirts of the Arts District and neighboring Little Tokyo, it is easy to miss. Tonight, I’m glad I didn’t miss it. The…
Hippo Campus @ SOMA It’s my good friend Brad’s birthday today and I’ve made the trip to San Diego’s historic SOMA to see the sensational indie-rock band Hippo Campus. I’ve only ever been to the smaller side stage at SOMA. But tonight, I’m eagerly waiting to see Hippo Campus rock SOMA’s sizable main-stage. The impressive…
“album cycle tours? old hat, played out, over! ep cycle tours? IN, fresh, sexy. only the hottest bands tour on ep releases. catch us on the road dishing out the hits and subjecting you to only minimal new music!” Hippo Campus’ Instagram post @thehalocline 5/15/23 Hippo Campus knows why you’re at The Greek. Yeah, they…
Seven is a significant number, representing fullness, completeness, with numerous religious implications. It is also the number associated with the experience of Avey Tare and his newest venture, 7. The name Avey Tare probably doesn’t ring a bell unless you’re an avid listener of Animal Collective. The band is renowned for their unique style and…
As I make my way in line, I am met with smiles and the familiar greeting of a lady that roams from venue to venue, selling bracelets for charity. This is my fourth time meeting her, so she asks me how I am doing, and we exchange pleasantries. She invites me to a yoga group…
Alfa Mist @ The Fonda, 5/4/23 by Harry Frahn (photos by Chloe Gonzales) In a dimly lit concert hall last Thursday night, around 11:30 pm, I watched someone standing barely two feet in front of me whip out their phone and, apropos of nothing in particular, type “Connect w people that was here – same…
When tapping into the ever-evolving tastes of Gen Z, Atlanta-based duo Coco & Clair Clair’s eclectic Y2K sound is nothing short of genius. In the last few years, Y2K aesthetics have dominated social media, and Coco & Clair Clair’s brazen pop-rap sounds straight out of the early 2000s. Their satirical mean-girl lyrics float over their…
Photos by Angela Kan In crooked Old English lettering, “Troubadour” towers above as I enter Doug Weston’s iconic venue. Behind me, trails of a faint conversation between a concert attendee and a security guard float by. Concert-Goer is protesting, incredulous she’s being asked to spit out her gum. Security Guard’s answer is succinct and final:…
Co-written and photographed by Angela Kan On an otherwise uneventful Wednesday night in Hollywood, The Backseat Lovers cast a magical spell on all that rode upon their powerful wave. While the back seat usually puts us into weird positions cramming for the right angle, as I’m sure these four band members have had plenty of…
Photos by Skye Schoenhoeft Leaning against the box office fence, I jolt at the initial booming guitar riffs and screaming that fling out of the front doors of El Rey. While I’m perched off to the side of the crowd, I’m caught in the middle of the scene, veiled in cigarette smoke and the cross…
Photos by Angela Kan As if producing some of the biggest trap-hits of the modern era weren’t enough, Pi’erre Bourne also boasts a successful body of work as a rapper in his own right. My friend Wolfe and I have trekked our way to LA Live’s The Novo in DTLA to see if Pi’erre Bourne’s…