A Note About These Blogs: Since I’m not attending as many shows the first few months of the year, blogs are going to be sparse, focusing mainly on new music. Also, teaching is keeping me busy. Things will pick up as we get closer to Coachella.

Unless indicated, I took all the pics posted on this blog. Feel free to repost – just remember to give credit. Cheers!

Alexandra Savior

Two Saturdays ago, I ventured to a venue I’d never been to (Pico Union Project), to catch a live set by Alexandra Savior, and her opener Pearl Charles.

• Like a lot of small venues in LA, parking was a nightmare. We got lucky, and found a street parking spot, moments after someone left.
• The venue itself was nice, and not overly crowded. Think of somewhere, with charm, that a high school would have it’s prom.
• This was my second time seeing Pearl Charles, and she sounded good. With her band, they formed a tight unit.
• Alexandra Savior was coming off an illness, but the fans loved her set. I expect to see her hitting up festivals over the next couple years, as she gets bigger. Also, check out her latest album.

Yola

• I hadn’t been to the Troubadour since February of 2015, where I caught Magic Giant and Gavin Turek.
• Opener Amythyst Kiah was fantastic, and worth the price of admission alone. Her voice is gold. Also, she was nominated for a Grammy, for her collaboration “Black Myself.”
• Yola was also amazing, going through cuts from her recent album, older tracks, along with a couple of Elton John covers, and a nice reading of The Hollies‘ The Air That I Breathe.”
• Watch both of these acts live, if you can, while they’re playing relatively smaller venues. (High Recommendation***)

New Music Spinning

Suddenly – Caribou // The first new album since the Grammy-winning “Our Love,” Caribou returns with this wonderful effort. Was playing it throughout the day yesterday, and am looking forward to seeing him at Coachella.

Miss Anthropocene – Grimes // Another long-awaited release, the new record from Grimes may not have the punchy pop from her last album, but it all flows together.

Crimson Telephone – The Coathangers // Last year’s headliners at Happy Sundays have just released the video for “Crimson Telephone,” along with some tour dates in June, and SXSW in March.

La Vita Nuova – Christine and The Queens // Stumbled on this 6-song set of electronic-indie gems. Glad I did.

Suck Up – talker // The latest cut/music video from talker. If you aren’t, you should be following her on social media: https://www.instagram.com/talkerceleste/

Also, she’s going to be performing at the Bootleg on March 8. Tix: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/im-glad-its-you-cuffed-up-talker-tickets-94499571763?utm_campaign=mar+8th+i%E2%80%99m+glad+it%E2%80%99s+you+cuffed+up+talker&utm_medium=&utm_source=

grae: Part 1 – Moses Sumney // The album is out. Also, don’t forget the last day of his residency is on March 4, at the Bootleg.

Other Music Happenings…

Angelica Garcia @ Fingerprints Music // Free show tonight at Fingerprints. She recently opened for Vagabon. She goes on at 5pm.

Just Like Heaven Fest // Looks like the Queen Mary fest will be coming back this year. Details still to come, but this is reassuring to people who thought the 80’s-music heavy “Cruel World” Fest was its replacement.

https://www.instagram.com/justlikeheavenfest/

Here’s an ongoing playlist of what I’m listening to throughout the year.