May 23 2013
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Eerie Pop

“Ain’t One” by Haunted Summer

group2The Silver Lake coed duo Haunted Summer returns with another eerie pop track called “Ain’t One” and this time the vibe is brighter with more frequent beats and heavier percussion. But Bridgette Moody’s soothing voice continues to entrance like morning sunshine breaking through tree branches. Their debut LP Through The Woods will be released October 29th and is being produced/recorded by Raymond Richards (Local Natives), Luke Ehret of Boxviolet, and Samuel Bing of Fol Chen. But for now, enjoy “Ain’t One”:

This Sunday, May 26th Free Bike Valet, All Scene Eye, Recording LA, and Heart On present Haunted Summer‘s first headlining show at The Echo with Draemings, Simone White, and White Dove.

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Haunted Summer on Facebook, Haunted Summer on Twitter, Haunted Summer on YouTube, Haunted Summer on Tumblr, Haunted Summer on Soundcloud

May 23 2013
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Blues Rock

“Unusual Love” by The Echo And The Sound

The Echo and The Sound PRESS SHOTThe Echo And The Sound are a blues-punk duo that sound like a desert cantina house band forced to play in order to pay off their tequila tab. But actually, the two guys (guitarist/vocalist Brian Rich and drummer Douglas Jewell) bombard their music with unapologetic grit at local dive venues around Echo Park. Their self-titled debut EP was released earlier this year and recorded on analog by Mark Rain at Station House Studio. Here’s “Unusual Love”:

The Echo And The Sound on Facebook, The Echo And The Sound on Twitter, The Echo And The Sound on YouTube, The Echo And The Sound on Vimeo, The Echo And The Sound on Instagram, The Echo And The Sound on Bandcamp, The Echo And The Sound on Soundcloud

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May 22 2013
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Quirk Pop Rock

“Waste My Time” by Young Creatures

Young Creatures village outside aquaThe Mid-City based quartet Young Creatures write songs that evolve from melodically sincere to quirky pop to heavy driven rock. Their new EP, Habitats, will be released on May 28th and was engineered by Raymond Richards (Local Natives, The Blank Tapes) and mastered by Greg Calbi (Father John Misty, Kings Of Leon). Here’s their first single “Waste My Time”:

Young Creatures‘ album release show will be at the El Cid on Saturday, June 1st with Eastern Conference Champions and Wires In The Walls.

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Young Creatures’ Official Site, Young Creatures on Facebook, Young Creatures on Twitter, Young Creatures on Instagram, Young Creatures on Bandcamp, Young Creatures on Soundcloud

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May 21 2013
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Experimental Electronic Folk

“From What I Remember” by The Polaroid Bear

680484_413289428741694_118280128_oWhen Nolan Gordin records at his home studio in Thousand Oaks, he becomes The Polaroid Bear. As if a singer-songwriter possessed by production software, he plays his acoustic guitar entwined or interrupted by experimental electronics. His second album, This Is All A Ghost, was released late last year and includes the song “From What I Remember”:

The Polaroid Bear will next perform at Tomemitsu‘s album release show on Thursday, May 23 at Lot 1 along with Steffaloo and Fell Runner. And it’s free!

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The Polaroid Bear on Facebook, The Polaroid Bear on Twitter, The Polaroid Bear on Soundcloud, The Polaroid Bear on Bandcamp

May 21 2013
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Day Dream Folk

“Art/Work” by Tomemitsu

01Echo Park denizen Martin Roork (of Basement Babies) goes by Tomemitsu when performing lax folk. As if plucked from a lulling day-dream, his gentle guitar strums and soft vocals are laid over experimental white noise. It’s like sleeping with a lullaby whispered in one ear and a sea shell pressed to the other. His debut EP Modes (an anagram for “demos”) was recently released via Chill Mega Chill Records. Here’s the subtle single “Art/Work”:

Tomemitsu‘s album release show will be this Thursday, May 23 at Lot 1 along with Steffaloo, Fell Runner, and The Polaroid Bear. And it’s free!

chillmegachillshow

Tomemitsu on Facebook, Tomemitsu on Tumblr, Tomemitsu on Bandcamp, Tomemitsu on Soundcloud

May 20 2013
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Garage Surf Rock

“Catch That Train” by Beach Party

beachparty640Echo Park‘s Beach Party sounds like a bunch of skate punks that got stranded at the pier and never went back. Their brand of surf rock can be choppy like the waves but it still sparks a sunny vibe with choruses like “Come on, come on, and let’s have some fun!” (Their garage has obviously been abandoned for the strand.) The band will hit the studio in June to finish recording their debut EP but for now you can enjoy “Catch That Train”:

Beach Party will perform tonight along with The Phils and Whippoorwill for Criminal Hygiene‘s third May residency night at The Bootleg. And it’s free!

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Beach Party will also perform at The Central tomorrow (Tuesday, May 21st) for Rainbow Jackson‘s third residency show along with Luna Is Honey and Josh Boyd Three. And it’s also free!

RJ Residency Week 3

Beach Party on Facebook, Beach Party on Twitter, Beach Party on Instagram, Beach Party on Tumblr, Beach Party on Soundcloud

May 20 2013
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Garage Pop Rock

“Alan, I’m In Love” By Criminal Hygiene

IMG_6757According to Echo Park dive bar lore, Criminal Hygiene formed after guitarist Michael Fiore and bassist James Pratley Watson ate some burgers, got really drunk, and recorded some songs. The college student duo soon became a skate rat trio when mustachioed Sean “Bird Man” Erickson joined on drums and they’ve managed to spit out abrasive garage-pop rock ever since. They’re almost self-titled debut album, Crmnl Hygne LP (Small Smile Records), was released earlier this year and features seventeen curt tracks that would make any pioneer punk proud.

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The album was also released on cassette today via Under The Gun Records. Check out their latest single “Alan, I’m In Love”:

Instead of gradually creating music videos for each consecutively released single, Criminal Hygiene boldly created an “album video” by assigning each track to a different director and giving them one week to shoot it. The short production timeframe was meant to mirror the same amount of time used to record the album. The result is a forty minute collection of seventeen music videos that includes half-naked girls in dinosaur costumes, drag queens, skateboarding, bathtub murder scenes, lonesome roads, and classic Skinemax footage:

Criminal Hygiene continues their May residency at The Bootleg tonight with The Phils, Beach Party, and Whippoorwill. And it’s free!

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Criminal Hygiene’s Official Site, Criminal Hygiene on Facebook, Criminal Hygiene on Twitter, Criminal Hygiene on Bandcamp

May 17 2013
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Melodic Pop Garage Rock

“6 AM” by Luna Is Honey

luna_promo_twoLuna Is Honey includes Batwings Catwings‘ Josh Crampton and Tremellow‘s Adrian Acosta. When the Manga and Katy Perry obsessed quartet isn’t recording at their Atwater Village studio they’re in the mountains near La Canada Flintridge at their other studio. Today, Higher Life released their new album Gum which features album artwork by Japanese comic artist Ricken and is also available as a limited edition 8-track tape. The tracks were taken from previous releases which makes it a “best of” compilation of mishmash melodic rock being molested by either pop, garage, punk, or R&B. But it also features two new tracks including “6 AM”:

Luna Is Honey‘s single release show is tonight at Cheetah‘s along with Spaceships and Tulips.

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Luna Is Honey also performs this Tuesday, May 21st for Rainbow Jackson‘s third residency show at The Central along with Beach Party and Josh Boyd Three. And it’s free!

RJ Residency Week 3

Luna Is Honey on Facebook, Luna Is Honey on Twitter, Luna Is Honey on YouTube, Luna Is Honey on Tumblr, Luna Is Honey on Soundcloud, Luna Is Honey on Bandcamp

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May 16 2013
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Surf Pop Rock

“Tales And Truths” Music Video by Black Apples

BLACK APPLES ALBUM by ROBERTSEN ASHMANBlack Apples were founded by a pair of brothers (Campbell and Andrew Scarborough) that have moved the band from city to city across the country until finally settling in Echo Park. They’re currently working on a second LP called Patio but they recently released an EP entitled Tales And Truths that trades in the band’s garage rock origins for a more polished pop. But what still remains is the band’s natural allure for surf and psych overtones.

BlackApples - Tales and Truths Cover Art

The title track features a music video showcasing the band performing live interspersed with footage of a pretty woman wandering alone outside:

Black Apples on Facebook, Black Apples on Twitter, Black Apples on Tumblr, Black Apples on Bandcamp, Black Apples on Soundcloud,

May 15 2013
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Experimental Indie Rock

“Great White” by Minnow

IMG_1620 (1)Like Modest Mouse and Yo La Tengo before them, Minnow creates indie rock that builds tranquil guitar intricacies into crescendoing bursts of experimental zest. The sextet (which includes a percussionist) practices at a lockout in Van Nuys where they also recorded they’re self-titled debut EP that was released late last year. They just finished touring the West Coast and will soon release a second EP as a 10″ vinyl via Like Young Records. Here’s their latest single “Great White”:

Minnow on Facebook, Minnow on Twitter, Minnow on YouTube, Minnow on Instagram, Minnow on Bandcamp, Minnow on Soundcloud,

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