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  1. SXSW: Baths

    April 5, 2011 by Steph

    This guy won’t get you clean and he hails from the un-noteworthy land of Chadsworth, CA. Besides the fact that Baths was the only electronic act I caught at SXSW, he definitely caught my attention. Having heard his music played the week prior to SXSW by a DJ friend, when I noticed that he was playing so close I had to make it over. The bar was jam-packed with people standing on tables and each rhythmically connected to the music. Each note drags heavily into the next, but not in a tired way. Like running in water–pulling forward despite resistance. Baths doesn’t just beg you to move; it requires it. It’s no wonder why he’s already made it on Pitchfork, Stereogum, Brooklyn Vegan, and the front page of The Deli LA this month.

    MP3 “Hall”

    [audio:http://addicted2shows.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/07-Hall.mp3|titles=Hall|artists=Baths]

     

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  2. The Rumble: LA in April!

    April 4, 2011 by Steph

    THE RUMBLE: LOS ANGELES – APRIL 7TH @ THE ECHOPLEX – FREE!
    21+, RSVP: http://therumblelosangeles.eventbrite.com/

    Featuring Vanaprasta, Stone Darling & Polls

    VANAPRASTA
    …This LA based five piece make soaring area ready indie rock that landed them on Pure Volume’s Top Unsigned bands of 2010 with they’re wowed at SXSW with eight shows that had Consequence of Sound touting them as one of the Top 25 o catch in Austin. Known for their hypnotic live shows full of aggressive guitars and impassioned vocals, VANAPRASTA are going big in 2011 and readying to drop their debut later this year.

    “Sometimes the heavens part and you are witness to rock immortality . . . Steven Wilkin’s vocals are going to knock you sideways . . . Come bring your friends. You can say you knew them when.” – LA Weekly

    STONE DARLING
    This LA based quartet are serious contenders for Best Coast level stardom in 2011 with dreamy indie pop butchressed with fuzzy guitars. Infectious numbers like “All I Wanna Do” and “Can You Get to That” have been on repeat around here for a while, with classic girl group melodies that would put Spector to shame.

    “The whispery, harmony-glazed “All I Wanna Do” by Los Angeles band Stone Darling is the kind of lush and gorgeous pop confection that only takes a few seconds to forever nestle itself inside your collective consciousness.” – Everybody Taste

    POLLS
    Comprised of Julien Bellin, David Franklin, and Chris Newcomer, this local trio are channeling 90s indie rock forefathers like Pavement and Sonic Youth with their self-titled debut EP and have LA tastemakers like Brand X and Buzzbands LA singing the praises of their fuzzy yet melodic pop numbers.

    “Big, driving guitars with noisy flashes of sound. Slowly draws you in like a warm blanket of fuzz on cruise control.” – Surfing On Steam

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  3. Submit an Interview

    April 2, 2011 by Steph

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  4. The Sounds at The Avalon

    March 29, 2011 by Steph

    image

    These guys kick major ass

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  5. Bad Books’ “Baby Shoes”

    March 24, 2011 by Steph

    Not new, and maybe totally irrelevant by now, but this song still sticks with me months later. Somehow it reflects my mood today perfectly. Sticky, hot, violent, and needy, Bad Books’s “Baby Shoes” captures the filth and fierceness of Nirvana and with the purity and honesty of Elliot Smith.

    MP3 of “Baby Shoes”

    [audio:http://addicted2shows.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/03-Baby-Shoes.mp3|titles=Baby Shoes|artists=Bad Books]

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  6. Kids of 88 at The Sattelite

    March 22, 2011 by Steph

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    Checked out Kids of 88 tonight at The Satellite and my feelings are mixed. The beats were heavy and probably the best part of the set, creating a sick vibe their bio describes as “a cross between a late 80s police drama intro theme and a sophisticated super hussy.” The electro melody coming from the laptop and keyboard were certainly danceable, if just a little too simplistic. The drum beats were redundant, but I guess that runs true in the electro/dance genre. The lyrics are sleazy, but in a sultry delectable way. My main gripe is with frontman Sam McCarthy. His vocals were strained and weak, wavering on and off pitch at random. Totally unaware of his lack of vocal control, Sam rocked his body with total confidence in his sensuality, demanding attention to his bony hipster frame writhing on stage. The music was great and would make the perfect soundtrack to an awesome dance party, but watching them somehow pissed me off.

    MP3 Ribbons Of Light

    [audio:http://addicted2shows.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Ribbons-Of-Light.mp3|titles=Ribbons Of Light|artists=Kids of 88]

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  7. SXSW: Said the Whale

    March 21, 2011 by Steph

    I was able to catch these guys (and girl) at Maggie Mae’s on Friday at SXSW. They make some amazing folk-infused indie power pop will full vocal harmonies and charming lyrics, mostly about their homeland of Vancouver, Canada. Besides the fact that they rocked the stage, Said the Whale is so freaking nice. I <3 Canadians. While Tyler has the charming good looks of the band and a sweet tenor vocals featured as frontman on the majority of the tracks, it’s Ben’s sweet timbre that I enjoy the most on tracks like “B.C. Orienteering.” I can’t forget Jaycelyn, who rounds out the harmonies on songs like “Dear Elkhorn.” SO great live. Right now they’re touring on their sophomore album Islands Disappear but will be putting out a full length soon and while they’ve yet to receive the recognition south of the border as they have in Canada, I’m confident they will on their next release.

    They’ll be playing a free show at 3 Clubs in Hollywood on Wednesday. See you there?

    MP3 B.C. Orienteering

    [audio:http://addicted2shows.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/bcorienteering.mp3|titles=B.C. Orienteering|artists=Said the Whale]

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  8. I Heart Canadians

    March 21, 2011 by Steph

     

    Although music might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you mention “Canadian prairies,” Manitoba has had some pretty excellent musical exports. Especially as of late. This province is the home of the Weakerthans, Imaginary Cities, Les Jupes, Ash Koley, and Greg MacPherson. Don’t forget that this province was the launching point for Neil Young, Bachman-Turner Overdrive, and The Guess Who. Personally, Imaginary Cities is one of my favorite up-and-comers out of this year’s SXSW.

    MP3 “Hummingbird” from Imaginary Cities

    [audio:http://addicted2shows.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/hummingbird.mp3|titles=Hummingbird|artists=Imaginary Cities]

    MP3 “Myth #3 (The Mountain)” from Les Jupes

    [audio:http://addicted2shows.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/myth3.mp3|titles=Myth #3 (The Mountain)|artists=Les Jupes]

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  9. SXSW: The Jezabels

    March 20, 2011 by Steph

    I’ve been a fan of The Jezabels for a while, but this Sydney band has never made it to LA before. So when I found out they’d be playing at SXSW, I knew I had to see them. Total, I managed to catch 3.2 of their 6 sets. My favorite was one put on by KVRX at Cheer Up Charlie’s, which was totally outside of SXSW on the east side of sixth street and full of college kids partying at their favorite local bar. Although vocalist Hayley Mary battled some feedback from the mic, the set was amazing. Hayley moved to the music in a completely organic way, singing songs like “The Man is Dead,” “Hurt Me” and the single from their most recent EP “Dark Storm.” Each song seems epic and profound; The Jezabels’ moody pop is hypnotizing.

    Oh, yeah! They’re playing at The Satellite tomorrow (and Hotel Cafe on Wednesday) and I’ll be at the former. Besides The Jezabels as a draw, Damien Jurado will be headlining. Definitely a show not to miss!

    MP3 “Mace Spray”

    [audio:http://addicted2shows.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/02-Mace-Spray.mp3|titles=MaceSpray|artists=The Jezabels]

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