Kurt Vile and the Violators stopped by The Echo in LA last week for an amazing set that included gems from his latest album Smoke Ring From My Halo.

continue reading "Kurt Vile Plays The Echo, LA (Photos)"

There is nothing like watching and listening to a guitar being played by someone who handles it like it was a part of their being. And we were recently treated to two such men–Pete Yorn (above) and Ben Kweller–doing just that at the Wiltern in Los Angeles.

Ben Kweller, who has turned a bit country these days, took to the stage without a band, but not alone. He had his guitar. The young songwriter also had a piano, but that guitar was his true bandmate. Kweller charmed the crowd and made it easy for us to transition right into the man of the evening.

All words and photos by Debi Del Grande

Continue reading and check out more photos of Pete Yorn and Ben Kweller after the jump
continue reading "Pete Yorn, Ben Kweller Play The Wiltern, LA"

The Cars have that singular sound that screams 80′s and at the same time is timeless. Ric Ocasek’s distinct vocals and just solid rock craftsmanship have produced countless hits. C’mon, “Just What I Needed,” “Drive,” “You Might Think,” “Good Times Roll,” are immediately infectious. Not just ironic karaoke fodder, The Cars and their blend of influences were a straight rock band delivering fun music. Well, The Cars are back with Ric Ocasek and while 24 years may have been a long wait for new material, luckily we won’t have to wait much longer.

continue reading "The Cars Return with Ric Ocasek, New Album, New Tracks, Tour Dates"

Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark - Sister Marie Says
Words and photos by Debi Del Grande

After 20+ years of silence, the 80s’ synthpop sensation Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, better known as “OMD” performed two sold-out shows at The Music Box in LA. In fact, the English duo’s entire recent tour was sold out.

I was a little hesistant going in. Would a band I cherish so much sound even close to what they did? Would the new material stand out as the typical “here’s one from our new album” while the crowd heads to get a drink? With other bands from the 80s, it is either amazing (Depeche Mode) or a major fail and embarrassing.

continue reading "Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark Keeps the Nostaliga While Forging Ahead"

Photos by Debi Del Grande

Sometimes I prefer not to listen to an artist’s latest album before a live show. And when that artist happens to be an amazing talent such as Yann Tiersen, I naturally chose to hear Dust Lane for the first time live. And confession time, Amelie is by far one of my favorite movies and that was all I knew of Tiersen. Shame on me for not indulging myself in his other works; lesson learned.

Wrapping up his US Tour, Tiersen brought his craft to the Music Box in Los Angeles. When the curtain finally came up, I visualized Tiersen to be sitting alone on stage with his violin. Instead, Tiersen appeared to be straight out of the Seattle grunge scene in his flannel shirt with a printed T-shirt and a very hip hairstyle. I was immediately intrigued. Who was this man?

Continue reading the review and more photos after the jump
continue reading "Yann Tiersen: Defying Convention in Los Angeles"