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Local Bands Rock: Los Angeles Edition
- by elijay
- -
- June 30, 2008
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LA's got an awesome music scene, but the trick is to see bands before they hit it big. Before they were nationally recognized acts, bands like the Silversun Pickups and Cold War Kids were playing free shows in Silver Lake. While many of these bands have graduated from the whole free show thing, they're still playing around LA in venues that don't have anything resembling a nosebleed section. In the interest in saving you having to buy a pair of binoculars here are a few bands to see before they get "too big."
Earlimart
While this band is named after a town in California’s Central Valley, they’re LA through and through. The band’s sound is very reminiscent of the late Elliot Smith, so expect some somber, but artfully crafted tunes for this band. You can usually catch the band at Spaceland or the Echo.
Earlimart
Meiko
This songbird got her big break while she was working as a waitress at the Hotel Cafe. Armed with an impressive set of pipes and a acoustic guitar, Meiko plays touching ditties that will have you asking the nearest person to slow dance. And as you can probably guess Meiko is a frequent performer at the Hotel Cafe.
The Submarines
Sort of like a softer-sounding version of the White Stripes, the Submarines are made up of a guy and a girl who used to date. Lucky for us, they still get along and can still make beautiful music (pop-folk, to be exact) together.
The Submarines
Jesca Hoop
This kooky singer songwriter is destined for great things. Championed by people like Tom Waits, Jesca Hoop offers a strange brand of neo-folk that rivals the likes of Joanna Newsom. But unlike Newsom, Hoop hails from LA’s very own Topanga Canyon and can often be found singing at the Hotel Cafe.
The Deadly Syndrome
This local group plays a variety of indie rock that rivals the brilliance of Zach Condon’s Beirut. Like Beirut, this indie rock outfit harnesses curious sounds from days of yore in order to create music that is both then and now. This band is graduating to bigger and better things, but you can still find them playing around LA.
The Deadly Syndrome
How To Support Your Friendly Neighborhood Local Band:
Locally Grown
Great Northern
Great Northern offers beautifully spooky melodies that are sure to haunt you. The vocals and the orchestrations are so light and airy they border on heavenly. The band often performs at Spaceland. The song “Home” was also pilfered for a Nissan commercial a little while back.
Airborne Toxic Event
This oddly-named band has been steadily rising from the ranks of anonymity, so you better see them before they become the next Silversun Pickups. The band started off playing their heartfelt indie rock at places like Spaceland and the Echo, but now the band is headlining venues like the El Rey. Seriously, see them now.
Airborne Toxic Event
Sea Wolf
The brains behind Sea Wolf is Alex Brown Church, but he’s often joined on stage by a mini orchestra consisting of bass, cello, keyboards, etc…Church’s brand of indie rock is somewhat akin to Bright Eyes’ sweeping arrangements, but his music is actually more multifaceted (sorry Conor Oberst). Like the aforementioned Airborne Toxic Event, Sea Wolf has moved on from playing shows at the Echo and Spaceland to headlining at the Henry Fonda.
The Bird and the Bee
Greg Kurstin and Inara George make up the Bird and the Bee, a delightfully poppy, retro duo that make groovy tunes without sounding dated. Before becoming involved in The Bird and the Bee singer Inara George put out an amazing album titled “All Rise”—the sound is more folksy than poppy, but definitely worth checking out.
The Bird and the Bee
The Parson Red Heads
Sort of like the Partridge family (some of the group’s members are related), the Parson Red Heads have a passion for the spirit of the ‘60s. The band, who hail from Oregon, now call LA home, and they’ve found quite a following for their sweet psychedelic rock. You can often find the Red Heads playing at venues around Silver Lake.
Priscilla Ahn
If you’re a “Grey’s Anatomy” fan you’ve probably heard the sweet, folky sounds of Priscilla Ahn before—her music was used to orchestrate some overly dramatic part of the show. She regularly performs at the Hotel Cafe, but lately she’s been opening for bigger acts like Brandi Carlisle. Check out “Good Day” and “Dream.”
Bitter:Sweet
This electro pop group plays seriously sexy music that could easily orchestrate a seduction scene in a James Bond movie. If you watched “Lipstick Jungle” (a poor substitute for “SATC” that aired on NBC), you’ll recognize Bitter:Sweet’s music from the opening credits.
Let's Go Sailing
Shana Levy is the heart and soul of LGS (though she usually gets a good deal of musical backup when she performs live). Levy’s music is of the sweet and dreamy variety, though at times it tends to border on the sullen, bittersweet side.
Jim Bianco
Like Meiko, Jim Bianco is one of the Hotel Cafe’s regular performers. A cross between Tom Waits and Elvis Costello, Bianco’s hunky good looks and husky voice are swoon-worthy.
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