Their name is misleading-the sound that comes from No Joy is clearly one that they love making. Lush, fuzzed out washes of electric guitars; gentle, haunting vocals; simple and direct drum grooves…it all feels like a universe the band has made for themselves to be happy inside of. In classic shoegazing mode, their stage was [...]

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Screaming Females’ show at the Echoplex on Jan 17th was blistering. Their trio attack reminded me a bit of Jay Reatard’s set on the same stage a few years ago. It is undeniable, though, that you root for tiny Marissa more than a typical band leader if only because she is so unassuming. She brings [...]

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Giant Drag took the stage for the first time as a 3 piece the other night. The addition is a 16 year old guitar phenom. Annie Hardy claimed they had one rehearsal to get it together and honestly the set was a little rocky at first. Pretty soon, though, the combination of force, acerbic wit [...]

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Twin Shadow’s record is easily one of the most exhilarating of the year. Part Morrissey, part Prince-natural, heartfelt pop music of a very high order. George Luis Jr  is responsible for the album, and for the live show he has put together a fantastic band who pump some grit and teeth into the groovy electronica [...]

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Surfer Blood made a fantastic album; fresh, dynamic, exciting. Their live show, however, fails to add much to the formula. They were a little hoarse, a little road-weary and frankly seemed over matched by the size of the room. The Drums, by comparison, managed to put on a real rock show and won the crowd [...]

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Perfume Genius’ music is quiet, intimate and moving, three features which made it perfectly suited for the chapel-like hall at the Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever Cemetery. The room was filled with wooden chairs, funereal candelabras and dim dramatic light, and there was little else to interfere with the natural reverb from the high, vaulted [...]

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photography by Ward Robinson Everyone I know is hating on the new Autolux album. “It sounds like Radiohead… why can’t they stay a rock band… they are playing to click tracks… leave chillwave to the kids…” They are pretty much getting it from all sides. Well I urge y’all to withhold judgement until you see [...]

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photography by Ward Robinson If you play in bands, and ever get any good, you might have the wonderful experience of being in your favorite band in the world. Watching Tokyo Police Club play it is easy to see they feel that way about their own band. They are so genuinely excited to be playing [...]

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photography by Ward Robinson The Clientele have a gentle, quiet approach. Their records are soothing and easy. Live they bring an unexpected intensity to the music that makes the whole room tingle and move. They are pretty to look at and pretty to hear.

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photography by Ward Robinson The atmosphere at the Getty was one of vague exuberance. I asked 4 people who the band was while the Antlers were playing and no one could tell me but they were all loving it.  A gorgeous sunset, an incredible location and The Antlers’ glistening crescendos made for a fantastic night.

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