It’s tempting to call Davia Spain enigmatic—to call her lush, rhapsodic space-opera ‘otherworldly’—but that’s flat wrong. These songs are more visceral and human than any, plaintive lyrics and lovely rubato melodies laid over music that sounds like the Earth itself.  ►

Sister Mary Clarence, this is steamy! Based in whatever neighborhood Akbar is in, R&B / Pop / Sexy Sad artist Aliek (uh-lie-eck) has been backing up some of L.A.’s finest artists for years. And now they’re leaping from the choir pew to the pulpit with this cheeky, smart and sultry video about a pop star and a lusty nun. (The lustiest, it seems. ) ►

If you’ve ever been to a Belly Belt show, you’ve felt the moment—the moment when everyone is staring at the stage, getting it, but not entirely sure what they’re getting. It’s like watching Laurie Anderson or Andy Kaufman: perplexing and wry and sophisticated and unabashed.  ►

Beloved L.A. singer and multi-instrumentalist Biianco had a bad 2017. Brutalized by her own thoughts—and the discouraging words of piss ant jerks—she lost herself, her voice, her VOICE, and probably part of her mind. But lights this bright don’t stay obscured for long. We talked about art—duh. But we also talked about fear and the future and the fucked up past. Biianco is a friend and collaborator—you should be so lucky. This interview by Tolliver. ►

Sharing is caring is creepy. The world is a wasteland, the Amazon is soot, and Selena Gomez is still singing about Justin Bieber. Let it go, girl! In a world where being guarded is the move, Talk2Strangers—a.k.a. Lori LeChien—dares you to bare it all. Or at least to like ... be open to the world around you. She’s one of L.A.’s—nay, the world’s—most gripping vocalists, and her songs are bristling with hooks and unimpeachably earnest. I mean, I’m biased cuz she’s a respected friend and colleague. But check for yourself, jerk! We talked about privilege, sex, guitars, chicken and connection. This interview by Tolliver. ►