sngalbums: Originally appeared on the Music Court. By my estimation, more music has been made about New York and LA than any other areas combined. Both places are enormous cultural melting pots, a huge draw for artists. But even given the vastness of these cities, the art that comes out of them all too often includes themes of loneliness and solitude. This dichotomy is so … Continue reading Avoid the highways, just take Sunset
sngshows: Originally appeared on Grimy Goods. Words by me, photos by Danielle Gornbein. Earlier this year, Deerhunter was slated to play FYF. “We had to cancel because we had a lot of personal shit to deal with,” Bradford Cox told the crowd Friday night at The Regent. It seems the only thing that Cox has ever had to deal with had been unpleasant, and that’s … Continue reading A Night with Bradford Cox
sngshows: I have a habit of attending shows where I know little to nothing about the bands playing. Usually I have a good grip on one band and the rest of the bill is completely unknown to me. Sometimes the band that I know best is the opener, and the headliner I’ve never heard of and did not care to look up prior to arriving … Continue reading ON AN ON and Eliot Sumner
I have a habit of attending shows where I know little to nothing about the bands playing. Usually I have a good grip on one band and the rest of the bill is completely unknown to me. Sometimes the band that I know best is the opener, and the headliner I’ve never heard of and did not care to look up prior to arriving at … Continue reading ON AN ON and Eliot Sumner
sngalbums: The first time I heard “MY KZ UR BF” I thought I had discovered something other-worldly. I had never really known what art rock was, but the rhythm and reckless amount of falsetto caught me off guard. I listened to that track incessantly for months, I couldn’t let go of how different and fun and impressive and catchy it was. That album ended up … Continue reading Everything Everything – Get to Heaven
The first time I heard “MY KZ UR BF” I thought I had discovered something other-worldly. I had never really known what art rock was, but the rhythm and reckless amount of falsetto caught me off guard. I listened to that track incessantly for months, I couldn’t let go of how different and fun and impressive and catchy it was. That album ended up being … Continue reading Everything Everything – Get to Heaven
Originally appeared on the Music Court. As much as I love looking for the newest, craziest fad in music, I have an appreciation for tradition. The tradition to which I am referring is Americana, as it was basically invented in the Appalachian Mountains. (I learned that from a Belgian movie, I’m a terrible American.) There is something irresistible in the familiar chords, rhythms, and above all, … Continue reading Beginner’s Luck
sngshows: Last Thursday, I visited the Palace Theater for a very rare and special occasion: Laura Marling was headlining, supported by good friends Marika Hackman and Johnny Flynn. Their stop in LA was the last one with Flynn, so ultimately the last one with such a special lineup. It was magic. This was my first visit to the Palace Theater, and I was glad to … Continue reading Laura Marling, Johnny Flynn, Marika Hackman
Originally appeared on the Music Court. Last Friday, June 26th, was a big day. Yesterday I dedicated a medley to the Supreme Court ruling on Obergefell v. Hodges, but with that my day was only just getting started. That night, I also saw Bells Atlas give a life-affirming performance at the Lyric Theater. The warm up act was something to behold. At times, I wanted … Continue reading Bells Atlas, Pegasus Warning, and Mark de Clive-Lowe
Melancholy surrounds us. Artists tend to acknowledge it, perhaps address it in a new light, sometimes even fully embrace it. We Slept at Last is an album that does all of the above, though still not allowing it to ever drift completely into sadness. Marika Hackman isn’t new to the scene, but shows a mastery of skill on her debut full-length effort. We Slept at … Continue reading A Deep Sleep
Sawdust & Gin 