With her new album, August, Shannon Lay challenges us to be joyous. She makes a case for celebration and for perseverance and for life. It is somehow shocking (in a good way!), which speaks volumes about not only the record itself, but also about our current society. Wallowing in sadness is relatable; ruminating on joy […]

Emphatic folk songwriter KERA (fka Kera and the Lesbians) recently revealed a new recording of a song they penned years ago. “Bright Future Ahead” features some additional vocals by friend and now collaborator, Devendra Banhart; all proceeds for the song will be donated to Trans Lifeline. To celebrate the release, KERA will perform at Vocal […]

We are barely getting used to these rather unusual cold days in Los Angeles and on a Sunday staying in is quite appealing. However, on this occasion, heading over to the Moroccan Lounge to check out Vikesh Kapoor was the best decision. Kapoor’s discography is not extensive yet, but his songs are profound and engrave […]

Our sunny city provides plenty of reasons to brood. Recently, the rain has not been a positive influence on anyone’s mood. Though he doesn’t officially live here anymore, Paul Bergmann can relate—he wrote a song to that end. “MaL.A.ise” will appear on the next album from the Fair Moans, Make Yourself at Home; listen to […]

The holiday time brings cheer for most, but when spent away from family or friends, one may become forlorn. Laura Jean Anderson’s recent EP should alleviate the pain, not only for anyone in such a position this December, but for all who have felt self-doubt at any point in their lives. She recorded a series […]

Three students at USC bonded last spring over their love for songwriting, and today their band is one of the most ambitious new acts in the LA Americana scene. Their social media shows they’ve been active for only about ten months, yet they have already put out a full-length record. I can’t be the only […]

Walking up to the Bootleg Theater on Wednesday night, the streets were quiet. Acoustic guitar was the main feature of the night, with emphasis placed on what felt like each individual string for both acts; James Elkington needed little else aside from the instrument and his voice, though The Weather Station performed as a four […]

New Zealand songwriter Aldous Harding is currently on a tour across North America to promote her beautiful new record, Party. The title is a slight misnomer, though, and I knew better than to expect a raucous affair at her LA stop at the Echo last Thursday night. Instead, audiences were entranced by her simplicity. Midnight […]

Tuesday night served for a lovely night of music at the very intimate Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Guests filled in the dimly lit concert hall to enjoy the musical stylings of British sister act trio, The Staves.  Starting the night off was 24-year-old vocalist and harpist, Mikaela Davis. From Rochester, New York. This […]

Love. The only true reason for human interaction since the dawn of time. Is it an emotion? An affirmation? Or a web, uniquely connecting many? You can sense it in a song or a glance, but it remains one of life’s mysteries. Despite its elusive and subjective nature, that four-letter word is still the most […]