is a nice dude, and writes great folk music. Although born and raised in Southern California, he's recently moved to the big apple, and has been blowing the doors off of anyone that stands in his way, and has become a sought after fixture in the East Village roots scene. His songs are witty and thoughtful, and his guitar skills are only rivaled by his harmonica riffs.
Anyways he apparently checks his email, and agreed to answer some burning questions. So let's get crackin: How long have you been making music? And what are your influences?
I've been seriously writing music since about 22 years old. I messed around with electric guitars since I was 12. But it wasn't until I was 19 and I really heard The Beatles White Album that I wanted to write my own songs.
I wanted to know where that music came from which led me to Chuck Berry, 50s rock and roll, and then eventually Bob Dylan, Blues, and Traditional Folk. Then it became this american roots music thing that I was and currently am obsessed with. Why did you leave Los Angeles for New York?
Where else (if anywhere) would you consider relocating to? I left Los Angeles mostly cause I grew up there and was sick of the person everyone thought I was and expected me to be. Also LA doesn't really have a scene at all for roots music.
I was reading some Bob Dylan biographies when I decided to move, so there was never a choice other than NYC. Sometimes I think of the Northwest, like Berkeley or Portland, maybe Seattle. I'd like to spend some time up there.
If someone in the subway tried to mug you, would you use your guitar like a weapon, and bludgeon them with it? The Aussie group The Grates were in LA for the final show of their US tour. Before they flew home to gear up for the release of their forthcoming LP , which will be released in the US next month, the band was nice enough to answer some questions for us.
LAist: We are very big fans of yours. Now that you are big stars and loved, will you consider recording your next album in LA? Also why did you record in Chicago and not LA?
How did we wrong you? How can we make it up?
Really, it's what have yous ever done to Brian Deck?
Our terms were we go where he goes he wanted Chicago. What then, has L.A.
done, to keep him trapped in familiar surroundings? Also, this one time in L.A.
I slipped over a bit of grungy wire it cut my leg. SUE! L.
A. home of the rich famous, home of The Bloodarm *LOVE*. We have done so badly to your band The Bloodarm.
Will they ever, ever forgive us? When let them down partying many times due to our impressive work loads pussy nature of being. How can we make it up to them?
LAist: Patience where do you get your clothes? When will you have your own line?
I get my clothes from second hand shops, that are usually over priced mind you.
I hate paying anything over 20c for clothes from a second hand shop usually end up paying over 20 bucks! I think that one day will join the Olsen empire then have a line of clothing called 'Mary-Kate? Patience Ashley!
". This would be after I've lost my voice due to excessive talking after shows in loud rooms.
LAist: If you were Britney Spears, wouldn't you have a chauffeur if you were pregnant and had a baby in your arms?
No way! She's a little Aussie battler that one is, ain't she? The other day our band was talking about her with every passing day we love [Britney] more but we're not really her demographic are we?
Sucks, cos if we were her demographic she'd be pampered in big fluffy love! I have friends that are the real life Sperderline it's a treat to know them. They don't know that's what I call them though.
Their infectious mix of samples, funk, rock and cheerleading results in a guilty pleasure that's easy to forgive. After their recent gig at the , LAist tracked down the band and got an inside track on what made The Go! Team tick.
With influences ranging from Prince to Brian Wilson, sound is hard to pin down. And if you ask the band, that's the way they like it. With the exception of a few songs, they've ditched the formulaic verse-and-chorus routine we've all been accustomed to hearing.
The result is something that lengths front man Will Love would go for the sake of his art.
They regularly pull off the difficult task of creating edgy, satirical songs like "Combat Baby," Monster Hospital" and "Glass Ceiling" that are catchy and politically charged. The fact that they can pull off this balancing act is a credit to the band's relentless goal to stay true to the music.
As guitarist Jimmy Shaw states in this interview, the band is never satisfied with their own work. is no exception. Emily Haines' voice moves between a whisper and a wail one "Empty" as she miss it at all.
" Unapologetic lyrics The band just wrapped up a series of dates in San Francisco, LA and San Diego. In the midst of this tour, Jimmy Shaw took time out of his schedule to talk to LAist. Continue reading to see what makes the band tick.
released an eponymous EP, are probably most recognized for being featured on Fox's hit show, They also have a strong fan base in Seattle, thanks to . With influences ranging from British pop to Pacific Northwest post-grunge, unique. This particular editor thinks (or at least hopes) the band is on the verge of breaking.
.. so check them out locally while you can.
You'll have bragging rights later. Army Navy are: Justin Kennedy (vocals, rhythm guitar), Ben Gaffin (bass), Louie Schultz (keyboards, lead guitar and backup vocals) and Josh Zetumer (drums). Continue reading to find out what the band does when they aren't performing, Gibb.
Scroll to the end of the article to listen to a free MP3, "Snakes of Hawaii," courtesy of the band. In a landscape of copycats and safe bets, pride themselves on taking as many musical twists and turns as possible. Their reveals a sound that is simultaneously raw, edgy and original.
One of to rock to alternative, without losing integrity. Though it was made on a shoestring budget, and consists of only three songs, the EP showcases the band's diversity and appreciation for pared-down production. (Scroll to the end of the article for a free MP3, courtesy of Birdmonster)
venues, and recently wrapped-up a gig at .
On Tuesday we spoke to two of the four members of Birdmonster: Peter Arcuni (Vocals, Guitar) and David Klein (Guitar, Backing Vocals). The remaining two bandmates are Zach Winter If their sound is hard to classify, the band is not mdash;they're hard-working and down-to-earth. They share a common intensity when it comes to crafting songs.
Birdmonster truly want to enjoy the music-making process, and doubly hope that their fans share in that endeavor. The quartet also hope to escape albums. Like negative space in design, the band believes that less is more parts.
Continue reading to discover the band's biggest pet peeve about LA clubs, with their band name.
Combine the ethereal sounds of Air with a touch of Bowie and Morrissey, and we could draw a myriad of many contemporary comparisons, Colored Shadows' out from the crowd.
from the band's forthcoming album.
If this interview wets your appetite, then make sure to Fronted by brothers Tal and Ran Pink, prides itself on constantly pushing the creative envelope. Although they mix both consistent attention to both the music and lyrics. Catchy harmonies, masterfully spun by Tal and Ran, are the common thread which keep listeners coming back for more.
events and their take on the LA music scene.
kindergarten. Despite their differing styles, they share a core love of music and a lack of pretense.
and Ran balance being brothers and musicians, without suffering an Oasis-style Huge are quickly making a name for themselves in the LA music scene. They've been instrumental in sponsoring and creating the successful shows. Huge is also infamous for having a sound that packs a sonic punch, despite the fact that they're a trio.
Continue reading to find out the band's stance on digital music, how LA music compares to New York and where to go to find a killer taco. Can you quickly list who's who in the band? How long have you been performing together as Huge?
and we've played together in different groups over the years (e.g., Sound that Huge was really started.
What prompted the move from New York City to LA? Jason: We had a gig that we booked at the Viper Room. It was a showcase we setup with Ravi, myself and [our old drummer] Yuval.
The music was kind of different then. It was a little poppier. A little less organic.
.. After playing that gig, I met Clive.
[At the time] I was looking for someone else because we weren't that happy with Yuval. He's a wonderful drummer..
. very similar to the drummer from Secret Machine. But our feel is not quite that heavy Zeppelin thing that they do.
Yuval is a masterful, masterful drummer with those kind of pockets. But we were looking for someone that had a little more of the pocket of the Psychedelic Furs.
Also, a friend of mine was producing a television show out here at the time.
He said that if I wanted to move out that he'd give me a place to stay for free. So I dropped everything I had in New York and just kind of gave it a shot, because also we were a little bit tired of the scene. It just wasn't happening in New York.
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