Manu Beker is an independent singer-songwriter from Mexico City and is currently living in Los Angeles where he attends CalArts’ music department. Beker started playing guitar in his early teens and looking to improve his musicianship he expanded to piano and vocals. For a 21-year-old Beker has accomplished quite a few milestones such as releasing three EPs (one of them with his project Sol-Setter), collaborating with Grammy-winning artists and producers, as well as composing scores for television and film.
Seeing Lita Ford as a part of the Showrooms 52 Fridays Concert Series was as incredible as it gets. Not only is she a gracious person, she is a kick ass guitarist and performer. The Showroom is such an intimate venue and being up close and personal with Lita and her band was such an amazing experience.
The Showroom at the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas holds less than 700 people, and to to see Vince Neil and his band perform an intimate venue was incredible! With Jeff Blando on guitar and Dana Strum on bass and add Zoltan Chaney on the drums, the band’s performance was up close and personal. The playlist included a collection of Motley Crew tracks.
With the announcements of Radiohead’s induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Academy Award shortlist nomination of his song “Suspirium,” Thom Yorke ends his tour and the year on a high note.
Gang of Youths is an Alternative Rock band from Sydney, Australia founded by vocalist and guitarist Dave Le’aupepe, lead guitarist Joji Malani, bassist Max Dunn, drummer Donnie Borzestowski, and Jung Kim on keyboards. The band has been active since 2012 but did not release a full-length album until 2015 when they debuted The Positions which took them two years to record. Le’aupepe is not afraid to get personal in his songwriting, in the first album he narrates his struggle with depression to the point of attempting suicide and his relationship with his ex-wife who suffered from melanoma. The Positions quickly got played on Australian radio and obtained international acclaimed. Favorite tracks of this record include “Magnolia” and “The Overpass.”
This duo, currently comprised of Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun, began their rise to stardom in 2012 upon signing to the label “Fueled by Ramen” and shortly thereafter releasing “Vessel” in 2013 – though Tyler Joseph self-released two earlier albums with alternate bandmates, who left the group in 2011.
Hailing from Tampa, Florida, metalcore icons, Underoath, pulled out all the stops to make their visit to the Shrine LA one for the books. In addition to breathing new life into their music career through a rebirth process of refining, rebranding, and releasing a sixth studio album (Erase Me out April 6 via Fearless Records) Underoath blew away expectations with not only a new sound, but a new identity so to speak. Dropping their title as a Christian band and adding additional hints of pop influence to their latest tracks, the newly energized group set their sights on crafting what can only be described as a tour of massive proportions.
In 2010, Ben Rector captured the hearts of audiences young and old with his first album “Into the Morning.” Though not a big enough superstar to headline a tour right away, he combined his talents with other Nashville acts Steve Moakler and Andrew Ripp before diving into a co-headline tour with Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors. In September of the following year, Rector released “Something Like This” to similar success, started to tour on his own, and started to work alongside the likes of Needtobreathe, supporting their tour early in 2012. Fast forward through the release of “The Walking in Between” and “Brand New” in 2013 and 2015, respectively, and you have an artist who has grown year after year both in sound and in audience size.
There’s just something so refreshing about listening to indie-folk music in an intimate and packed venue on a cold Saturday evening. Most shows now are all about size, scale, production, fire, loudness, you name they gimmick, most concerts and festivals have it. Not Caamp. These three bring raw emotion, mastery of their instruments, and a crafty manipulation of quietness to command the attention of audiences, whether performing indoors or out, in a big space or small, at a festival or in a bar.
With the instant classic release of “When the Night” in 2013, followed by a three-year hiatus before the group’s follow-up album “Matter,” it is not surprise the band utilized another lengthy absence of two years to craft their latest project, “Hyperion.” These long stretches, however, do not come from a lack of inspiration or desire. Instead, they reflect the care and attention put into each track of an album before the ultimate culmination of the musical work. This time around, too, singer, synth-player and wife, Patti Beranek, added an interesting twist to the writing and creative process by bearing and giving birth to Indy, her and front man Jean-Philip Grobler’s child.
Energetic and bursting with charisma, Toronto’s Wild Rivers radiate an unbeat sound that’s been quick to capture the hearts and ears of listeners around the world. And with an impressive tally of 30+ million Spotify streams stemming from the release of a single studio album and EP alone, Khalid Yassein (vocals/guitar), Devan Glover (vocals), Andrew Oliver (guitar/bass), and Julien Laferriere(drums) clearly demonstrate a strong knowledge of what makes a good track.
Whether you call it alt-rock, indie-pop, or DIY punk, viewers and fans alike agree that whatever the genre mashup title reads, Skating Polly will sound like none other than, well… Skating Polly. Raised on the wisdom of 70’s punk and 90’s alt-rock, step-sisters and original founding duo, Kelli Mayo and Peyton Bighorse, were always surrounded by good sources of inspiration. Yet, they’ve also held onto a special pride stemming from fostering their own unique musical flair.
Mac Demarco is a man who needs no introduction by now, he is unarguably one of the most charismatic artists in the scene and has earned the title as the “Prince of Indie”. Demarco made his big debut with Rock and Roll Nightclub in 2012 but many have been following him way before that with his project, Makeout Videotape. During a short span of 5 years, Demarco has released five albums in which he progressively manages to captivate his audience even further.
Girlpool is a Los Angeles based duo fronted by Harmony Tividad who is the lead singer and bass player and Cleo Tucker who plays guitar. The band was founded in 2013 but did not release a full album until 2015 when they released Before The World Was Big, that album launched their careers in a way they never expected. Before the release of that album, Cleo was thinking about going to college in the west coast and leaving the band but the band began to pick quick success and she decided to stay with Harmony and invest more time in the band. The band caught the attention of English record label Wichita and proceeded to sign a deal and release their debut album with them.
The Hallelujah Nights Tour is what LANCO is calling their first ever headline tour. This American country tour reached The House of Blues in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina last night and it was a full house before the show even started.
Nick Cave will have you ponder on your life’s purpose. His introspective discography covers multiple facets of life such as finding love, growing from relationships, experiencing spirituality, witnessing evil, mourning death and embracing the moment.
Cursive is an emo rock band from Omaha, Nebraska. The band was founded by frontman Tim Kasher, Matt Maginn (bass), and Steve Pedersen (guitar) as the aftermath of the breakup from their previous band, Slowdown Virginia in 1995. The band has actively put out albums throughout the years with a few hiatuses and lineup changes in between
The Midwest took over the East Coast last week as Minneapolis punks Dillinger Four and Off With Their Heads brought along newcomers Tightwire to play a few shows in New York City, Washington DC, and Asbury Park, NJ. Their Asbury date at House of Independents was the last of their mini tour and a celebration of Asbury Park music scene legend Jim Norton’s 50th birthday. In addition to the three midwestern bands were Jersey rockers, The Vansaders and their blend of punk and rock n roll. What had transpired was one hell of a birthday party.
Australian indie rocker Courtney Barnett gained recognition in 2013 upon the release of The Double EP: A Sea of Split Peas which is a compilation of her two first Eps. When her first proper debut album, Sometimes I sit and Think and Sometimes I Just Sit came out it quickly became critically acclaimed and was featured on many of the best albums of the year lists in 2015. After constantly touring Barnett Joined forces with Kurt Vile in 2017 and recorded an album titled Lotta Sea Lice, and performed a limited string of shows together in the United States.
On a balmy Los Angeles night, Blood Orange gave a beautiful production of his latest work, Negro Swan, at The Greek Theatre. The Los Angeles Greek Theatre is one of the most charming and historical venues that holds a stage where many iconic artists have performed. And now Dev Hynes, aka Blood Orange, can be added to that list of iconic artists. Accompanying Dev Hynes, openers MadeinTyo and Empress Of all revealed a raw emotion in their live performances. The gradual musical flow into Blood Orange’s final performance was sentimental and blossomed gracefully throughout the evening.
“Erase Me” is a bold opening statement from a band that took a near career-ending hiatus from the post-hardcore rock scene a little over five years ago. However, after an almost decade-long pause since their 2013 Farewell Tour and shockwave-inducing disbandment, Underoath has re-emerged once again with a renewed sense of passion and purpose.
Known for his soothing melodies and thoughtful lyrics, Melbourne-based singer-songwriter, Didirri, is definitely a name that music fans will want to keep on their radar.
With two sold-out headline tours following the release of his breakout single, “Blind You” as well as appearances at Fairgrounds, Grampians, and Boogie Festival, Didirri took his home country by storm in 2017.
Mom + Pop Records, the label behind some of this decade’s (and last decade’s) best indie rock artists, celebrated their 10th anniversary Monday night at Brooklyn Steel. Veterans and friends of label, Courtney Barnett, Sleigh Bells, Tom Morello, Neon Indian, and newcomers Sunflower Bean and Alice Merton played the anniversary show, and Flume headlined the after-party.
Nashville-based phenom and platinum selling artist, Mat Kearney, has been a busy bee for quite some time. Welcoming his first child into the world back in January 2017, change as well as an increased sense of maturity and growth has not only provided the singer/songwriter with a human bundle of joy, but has also helped inspire the makings of a fifth studio album.
