Durand Bernarr’s “Am I Okay?!” Is the R&B Wake-Up Call I Didn’t Know I Needed
LOS ANGELES, CA- There are artists whose names feel familiar long before you can actually place where you know them from. Durand Bernarr was one of those for me. His name always rang a bell, but in that frustrating way where you know you’ve…
Pastel Blank’s “Radiator” Turns Anxiety Into Art-Rock Gold on Unmade in Minutes
LOS ANGELES, CA- Montreal’s indie scene has never lacked for bands willing to get weird, but Pastel Blank seem especially comfortable living in that strange little space where anxiety, humor, and danceable art-rock all collide. Led by songwriter and vocalist Angus Watt, the project…
Failure and Hayley Williams Unite Perfectly on “The Rising Skyline”
LOS ANGELES, CA- Last year, I had the chance to interview a peer of mine, Priscilla Chavez Scott, one of the producers behind “Every Time You Lose Your Mind”, the documentary chronicling the legacy of Failure. Watching that film really drove home just how…
Violet Grohl’s “Cool Buzz” Is a Fierce 90s-Inspired Alt-Rock Knockout
LOS ANGELES, CA- I’ll admit it: I tend to give the children of famous recording artists a little short shrift when it comes to their own musical careers. There’s always that natural skepticism, the quiet assumption that the spotlight arrived before the songs did….
Bella Kay’s “Promise?” Is a Smart, Vulnerable Indie Pop Breakout
LOS ANGELES, CA- At just 20 years old, Bella Kay is already proving she understands one of pop music’s hardest tricks: making vulnerability sound effortless. Her latest single, “Promise?”, arrives with all the hallmarks of a strong indie-pop breakout, but what makes the song…
LAFC Snatches a Frosty 1-0 Victory Over Minnesota
In the land of 10,000 lakes (and apparently one very frustrated soccer stadium), LAFC rolled into chilly Allianz Field on Saturday and reminded everyone why they’re still one of the classiest acts in MLS. The Black & Gold walked away with a gritty 1-0 win…
Lindsey Lomis “All Over You” Review: A Mesmerizing Breakup Anthem That Lingers
LOS ANGELES, CA- I clicked play on YouTube, not expecting much more than a casual first listen, and within seconds I was locked in. Lindsey Lomis doesn’t ease you into “All Over You.” She pulls you straight into it. The tone of her voice,…
Lykke Li Debuts New Era at The Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES, CA- Since her 2022 full length album Eyeye, Lykke Li has stayed low-profile, releasing music more selectively while continuing to refine the stripped-back, emotionally inward direction of that record. That album felt deeply insular, almost like a closed loop of emotion, and…
The Maine Bring ‘Joy Next Door’ to Life at The Novo in Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES, CA- Arizona natives The Maine have had a big spring. They’ve been embarking on their ‘I Love You But I Chose The Maine’ tour across the US for their 10th studio album ‘Joy Next Door’. As a fan since basically the beginning…
