King Washington
King Washington – Photo by Tamarind Free Jones
While King Washington has been around for a decade and has released two full-length albums to date, it seems like now is the perfect time for these guys to make some serious moves. Led by Tyson Kelly, the Los Angeles rockers have gone through a lot of lineup changes, but with members George Krikes and Billy Lee in the groove, King Washington seem to have found their lineup and sound. The band closed the year with an incredible residency at The Satellite and have been working on their third full-length album which is now officially done. The new album “has a more solid, unified sound and more consistent quality of lyrics.” The new songs are described as “mesmerizing and beautiful and take you on a journey.” King Washington’s new album, Potential, is set for release sometime this year.
Upcoming LA Dates: January 18 at The Hotel Cafe — Get Tickets!
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Rebel and a Basketcase
Rebel and a Basketcase
Los Angeles electro pop duo, Rebel and a Basketcase wasted no time dropping a series of addictive new singles last summer. We previously described the band as: “An electro orgy of sound — if Devo, St. Vincent and Bowie had a threesome.” The duo made up of Evan Rachel Wood and Zach Villa are hot-on-the-heels of a full-length record, and we just can’t wait to get our hands on it. Aside from their intoxicating electro-pop numbers that churn from energizer bunny electronic madness to slow-burning heartfelt ditties — Rebel and a Basketcase go for the win with their live performance. From their seducing stage presence to their enchanting performance chemistry, Wood and Villa are an absolute delight to witness live.
P.S. If you’re a fan of HBO’s latest and greatest show Westworld, one of the Rebel and a Basketcase members may look a bit familiar to you.
Upcoming LA Dates: TBA
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The Regrettes
The Regrettes
Pop punk outfit The Regrettes may just be teens, but they are completely for real, immersed in and committed to their music. The group first caught our attention while opening up for Kate Nash at the Echo. After catching the girls one more time at the Burger A-Go-Go pool party, we were enamored and gave these lil rockets a Hot Band Alert feature. With a new lineup, and now their debut album Feel Your Feelings Fool! slated for a January 13 release, this fierce foursome is ready to kick some serious ass in 2017.
Upcoming LA Dates: January 13 “album release show” at The Echo — Get Tickets!
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SadGirl
Sadgirl at the Echoplex — Photos by Michael Espeleta
With a sullen doo-wop sound, Los Angeles trio Sadgirl have managed to swoon the pants off fans this past year, garnering them a growing fanbase that goes beyond the DIY scene of Los Angeles. Sadgirl has had an action-packed year playing small club shows, music festivals, and even toured with Chicano Batman. Their lo-fi throwback sound pulls from the likes of iconic acts such as The Cramps and Roy Orbison, but with a modern twist of their own. Whether listening to them alone in your bedroom or while cozying up with a sweetheart, Sadgirl make timeless music that will always hold a place in your tender-loving rock ‘n’ roll heart. We look forward to what 2017 brings for these rising stars.
Upcoming LA Dates: January 25 at The Echo — Get Tickets!
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Spencer Ludwig
Spencer Ludwig with Capital Cities at Bottle Rock Napa
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Spencer Ludwig is a name you won’t soon forget. Known for his insane trumpeting skills with Capital Cities, Ludwig was always a thrilling part of the indie pop band’s live performance. Now, Ludwig is taking center stage with his solo show, and soon full-length debut album. The singer, songwriter, producer and trumpet virtuoso released a series of debut singles last summer that had fans shimmying across their bedroom floors. With smooth vocals, and those oh-so-funky beats and groovy swagger, Ludwig is strutting in 2017 strong. His swagger (and sound) is only gonna get bigger.
Upcoming LA Dates: January 10 at The Echoplex — Get Tickets!
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Twin Temple
Twin Temple — Photo by ZB Images
So much soul, so much darkness, and so much stage presence. Up-and-coming Los Angeles act Twin Temple have been creating quite a buzz in the underground music scene of L.A. and we see this dynamic duo going pretty far. Composed of husband and wife combo Alexandra and Zachary James, the two bleed passion and life through their enticing goth-soul. Wit just one powerful number out, titled “Girl Trouble,” Twin Temple have a six-song EP underway. Touched by the hands of Todd Simon and Jared Tankel from Dap-Kings and Budos band, their new EP has a heavy New Orleans swagger full of all that sexy brass and them some. If Lafitte’s Blacksmith Bar ever hosts live music, Twin Temple would resonate very well through those candle-lit haunted walls.
Upcoming LA Dates: January 7 at Bootleg Theater — Get Tickets!
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Warbly Jets
Warbly Jets
Coming through the Los Angeles underground music scene with just one song to their name, Warbly Jets have impressed the eyes and ears of many with the release of their single “Alive.” The band are currently unsigned (but we don’t think that will last for long) and have a promising sound that boasts all the greatness of rock ‘n’ roll. Warbly Jets are “alive,” reborn out of the ashes of their own tribulations, soundtracked and affirmed by their own voices and not shouted from the shoulders of others. Warbly Jets aren’t a part of rock’s reincarnation–they’re with its second coming. Check out our interview with the band.
Upcoming LA Dates: January 9, 16, 23, 30 at The Satellite (free shows) — Get Tickets!
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