Rachel Taylor of He Is We just leaked an acoustic version of her own song "Secrets (Hush)" after releasing a teaser of the song just last week. Check it out below!
Currently hard at work on the follow-up to her 2010 breakthrough debut album My Forever (Republic Records), her songwriting this time isn't based on the wide-eyed innocence of youth but instead a wisened perspective of growth and appreciation. "This next album is a make up of the chapters the fans have seen me go through," she explains. "It is my 'thank you' to each and every single prayer, tweet or email sent my way."
With a renewed spirit and physical health back up to par, Rachel is gearing up for the next step - the follow-up to My Forever. "Feeling like I had truly lost everything, I saw what it was that I was made to do," she explains. "I had the hands of each and every supporter raising me up, giving me strength and showing me that I wasn't doing this alone. He Is We is more than just 'some band' but rather a movement of people. People who matter to me and deserve to know it." He Is We's as-yet-untitled second album is due in 2013 on Republic Records.
With no formal album to their name, Silverlake's very own Deap Vally have been creating quite a stir with their heavy, hard-hitting rock and roll since forming two years ago. They've already toured with Muse, the Vaccines and Sonic Youth's Thurston Moore and have performed at the world's most influential music festivals.
Consisting of Lindsey Troy and Pity Party drummer, Julie Edwards, Deap Vally is set to drop their debut album this April with highly anticipated performances at this year's Coachella Music Festival. They just released the official music video for "Lies" which you can watch below.
I just love this song. It's called "Opossum" by the Los Angeles duo, Wardell. Wardell (formerly Brother/Sister) is a band that consists of one brother and one sister who met during a play date set up by their parents. One's black and one's white. They remain brother and sister.
They have a handful of upcoming shows. Be sure to catch them when they perform at The Bootleg on February 6th, The House of Blues on Feb. 9th and at The Troubadour on Feb. 12th.
Marina and the Diamonds performs at Lilith Fair 2010 in Irvine, CA.
photograph by picksysticks
Marina and the Diamonds just revealed the dates and cities for her upcoming North American leg of her "Lonely Hearts Club Tour" which launches May 2nd in Seattle and ends in New York on May 29th. But here in Los Angeles, you can catch her when she performs at Club Nokia on May 11th. Her newest album Electra Heart came out last year and debuted at No. 1 on the UK album charts. **All tickets on sale Friday 1st February, unless stated otherwise** 2nd May: Showbox - Market | Seattle, WA 3rd May: Commodore Ballroom | Vancouver, BC 4th May: Wonder Ballroom | Portland, OR 6th May: Warfield | San Francisco, CA 7th May: Observatory | Santa Ana, CA 9th May: Blvd Social Club | Las Vegas, NV 10th May: House of Blues | San Diego, CA 11th May: Club Nokia LA Live | Los Angeles, CA 13th May: Club Sound | Salt Lake City, UT 14th May: Gothic | Denver, CO 16th May: Granada | Lawrence, KS 17th May: The Pageant | St. Louis, MO 19th May: The Varsity | Minneapolis, MN 20th May: Vic | Chicago, IL 22nd May: St. Andrews | Detroit, MI 23rd May: Sound Academy | Toronto, ON 24th May: Corona | Montreal, QB 28th May: Mr. Smalls | Pittsburgh, PA 29th May: Rumsey Playfield | New York, NY
Happy Birthday to one of my favorite singers of all time, Sarah McLachlan, who also inspired me to start this website focused on women-fronted bands. One of the biggest highlights of my life was when I was finally able to watch Sarah perform at Lilith Fair a few years ago. In fact, my first McLachlan album was Freedom Sessions, alternative and toned-down versions of her songs that is still my favorite records of all time.
"Hold On" from Freedom Sessions by Sarah McLachlan.
Lisa D'amato performs during Facelift LA at Play Lounge in 2011.
America's Next Top Model 2011 All-Star winner Lisa D'Amato revealed pics of what she's calls a "freak accident" that broke her nose and caused multiple cuts on her face.
Since she came in sixth place in season 5 of ANTM, Lisa has had a successful musical career, touring all over the world. Her album, "Flippin' the Bird" came out a couple years ago and she recently got married.
Apparently, the incident occurred after she finished filming an indie movie called Cowboys and Indians in Colorado last week. She told People Magazine that her and the crew were monkying around when they all took a nasty tumble, causing Lisa to go to the hospital to have emergency plastic surgery. Let's wish her the best.
Here's what Lisa had to say on her Facebook page: It's only DAY 4 & look how fast I'm healing! I'm still puffy and all types of jacked up but the improvement is huge in just 48 hrs. #AMAZING #SURGERY #recovery now you guys don't get to see my face & new nose till it's perfect in a couple wks! Love you all and thank you with all my heart for the support. Day by day baby!
Today, Coachella finally announced the musical acts set to perform. See below for the lineup. This year's festival takes place on two straight weekends on April 12-14 and April 19-21.
Head over to RollingStone.com right now where they're streaming Tegan and Sara's new album Heartthrob in its entirely. Heartthrob, which drops January 29th, was recently listed on Time Magazine's list of "11 Albums to Look Foward to in 2013" adn will be the album that "finally introduces Tegan and Sara to mainstream audiences." Click right HERE to listen!
Last year was a break out year for Cherri Bomb, the Los Angeles quartet who performed on last year’s Warped Tour have already shared the stage with the likes of Foo Fighters, Filter and Smashing Pumpkins and have also played some of the top music festivals in the world including Sunset Strip Music Festival, Reading Festival, Leeds Festival, SXSW and Bamboozle. Also last summer, their single "Shake the Ground" appeared on Marvel's The Avengers soundtrack alongside Soundgarden, Bush and Scott Weiland of Stone Temple Pilots. Last May, Cherri Bomb releases their debut album "The End of Control."
Read the statement below:
Sometimes, things don’t end up the way we planned or hoped for. We are sorry to inform our fans and friends that Cherri Bomb has parted ways with Julia. Although this decision was extremely difficult, it gives us all the chance to seek out our individual creative paths. We are thankful for the five years we have shared with Julia onstage and off and wish nothing but success to her in whatever road she chooses. The details of her departure are between us and Julia, please respect both her and Cherri Bomb with this difficult development and we hope you will be supportive and understanding to all of us. It is not the first time that we have had to overcome adversity and probably will not be the last but we will always figure out a way to keep going and keep pushing forward. Most importantly, we will never change the passion we have for this band and the gratitude we have for the people we have met on this journey. We have so many exciting things on the horizon and in development; writing new material, rehearsing a killer live show and putting the pieces back together. We will be playing with some temporary guest guitar players, some girls and some boys until we find the right fit for Cherri Bomb. We want you to know that we love all of you and want to thank you for your support and being the best Bomb Squad ever. XO nia, miranda & Rena
Echosmith (consisting of siblings Jamie, Graham, Sydney and Noah) performing on Santa Monica's 3rd St. Promenade. photo by picksysticks
What a journey it has been for LA-based band Echosmith, the sibling quartet that got their start performing for spare change on busker row at the famous 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica.
Weekend performances got them noticed by WB Records when they were originally called Ready Set Go. Today, their label, Warner Bros. Records, sent news confirming that Echosmith will be performing at Vans Warped Tour this summer. Playing on the Ernie Ball Stage, Echosmith is scheduled to show off their skills on the first half of the tour which travels across the U.S. from June 15th through July 12th. And according to the published dates, Echosmith will perform for their home crowd when the tour hits southern California June 20th and 21st at Pomona.
Also, Echosmith will hit the road with Owl City next month for seven dates starting February 10th. Currently, the alt/pop quarted is in the midst of their January residency at AMPLIfy in Los Angeles. Be sure to check them out before they start selling out stadiums!!
Echosmith, which consists of Sierota siblings Jamie (19, vocals/guitar), Sydney (15, vocals/keyboard), Noah (17, vocals/bass), and Graham (14, drums), are currently in the studio working on their upcoming debut album with producer Mike Elizondo (Tegan And Sara, No Doubt, Maroon 5), who signed them to Warner Bros. with WBR chairman and fellow producer Rob Cavallo.
"Come Together" by Echosmith
ECHOSMITH Tour Dates: 1/19 AMPLYFi (Los Angeles, CA)
1/26 AMPLYFi (Los Angeles, CA)
2/10 The Canopy (Urbana, IL) *
2/11 The Loft (Lansing, MI) *
2/24 House Of Blues (Cleveland, OH) *
2/28 The Rave (Milwaukee, WI) *
3/10 Knitting Factory (Spokane, WA) *
3/23 The Pageant (St. Louis, MO) *
4/05 Altar Bar (Pittsburgh, PA) *
6/15 White River Amphitheatre (Auburn, WA) ^
6/16 Portland Expo Center Parking Lot (Portland, OR) ^
6/19 Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre (Chula Vista, CA) ^
6/20 Pomona Fairplex (Pomona, CA) ^
6/21 Pomona Fairplex (Pomona, CA) ^
6/22 Shoreline Amphitheatre (Mountain View, CA) ^
6/23 Ventura County Fairground (Ventura, CA) ^
6/26 NMSU Practice Field (Las Cruces, NM) ^
6/27 Quail Run Park (Mesa, AZ) ^
6/28 TBA (Las Vegas, NV) ^
6/29 Utah State Fairpark (Salt Lake City, UT) ^
6/30 Sports Authority Field (Denver, CO) ^
7/03 Klipsch Music Center (Noblesville, IN) ^
7/05 The Flats At Molson Canadian Amphitheatre (Toronto, ON) ^
7/06 Darien Lake Performing Arts Center (Darien Center, NY) ^
7/07 PNC Banks Arts Center (Holmdel, NJ) ^
7/09 Farm Bureau Live at Virginia Beach (Virginia Beach, VA) ^
7/10 Merriweather Post Pavilion (Columbia, MD) ^
7/11 Comcast Center (Mansfield, MA) ^
7/12 Susquehanna Bank Center (Camden, NJ) ^
* Opening for Owl City
^ Warped Tour (Ernie Ball stage)
Victoria Cecilia of Gliss performs at The Viper Room
photo by picksysticks
It's been awhile since I've written about Gliss, the art/pop trio from Los Angeles as evidenced by the photograph I took years ago at The Viper Room (as you can see, I was shooting black and white film back in the day).
Today, after several years in the making, their new record Langsom Dans drops with the help of some from people behind Trent Reznor, Beck and Ladytron in Michael Patterson and Henrik Jonsson who had success with Lykke Li, The Knife and the Concretes.
Back then, it was Martin Klingman taking on the bulk of the vocal duties with Victoria Cecilia sharing background duties. Their sound were propelled by heavily on fuzzy-grunge guitars and rock/alternative melodies. Now with Langsom Dans, they seemed to have switched roles with Victoria taking lead on vocals while also transitioning atmospheric moods from alternative pop to a more ominous and dreamlike setting.
Described as 'late-night art pop' this trio have recently premiered their new video for their single "Weight of Love," a beautiful song with impressionistic dreamscape melodies filtered through the serene vibe of west coast sunsets.
Look for them to perform this March at SXSW and beginning in February, they start their Monday residency at Los Globos in Los Angeles.
Only 20 years old, upcoming Brit sensation,Charli XCX, is readying her much anticipated release of her debut album by teasing us with the first official video for her single called "You (Ha Ha Ha)." This song officially gets released on February 4th with her debut album dropping sometime this spring. In fact, Time Magazine named Charli XCX (aka: Charlotte Aitchison) one of the "11 Albums to Look Forward to in 2013" describing her voice that "...outshines many more seasoned singers," and her songs that are "...alternately gorgeous, anthemic, throbbing and occasionally weird, with soaring vocals and swelling choruses that sweep you up in their melodies." Check out her new video for "You (Ha Ha Ha)" below.
Here's the Life Down Here's new video for "All That You Are" which is off their debut album "The Beginning."
As regulars playing venues such as The Roxy, The Viper Room, House of Blues and The Key Club on the famed Sunset Strip, this LA-based band had a breakout year last year when they opened up for Paramore last August putting them on the fast track to stardom. Currently they're touring local high schools in California.
Adam Green and Binki Shapiro's album drops Jan. 29th.
Simple and fresh melodies with complimenting duet vocals, Adam Green & Binki Shapiro are a match made in heaven. Adam, from the indie outfit The Moldy Peaches and Binki from indie darlings Little Joy joined forces after a text offer offer from Adam. From the few songs and videos on YouTube, you get a feeling of euphoria through their performances of restrained pop melodies. Their new self-titled debut album is available on January 29th, the same day they'll be performing at one of my favorite venues here in Los Angeles - The Bootleg Theater.
"Just to Make Me Feel Good" by Adam Green & Binki Shapiro performed at Cafe de la Danse in Paris last year.
Tegan and Sara just released another single off their new album, Heartthrob, which drops January 29th. It's called "Now I'm All Messed Up" and it was originally written as a bare-bones ballad accompanied by piano until producer, Greg Kersten, tweeked it into a power ballad.
Recently, Time Magazine listed Tegan and Sara's upcoming record as one of the "11 Albums to Look Forward to in 2013" stating that "Heartthrob may be their breakthrough album," and will be the album that "finally introduces Tegan and Sara to mainstream audiences."
Stereogum premiered the single which you can check it out right HERE. Check out a live version of the song below:
Ritzy Bryan of Joy Formidable performs at The Troubadour.
photo by picksysticks
Wolf's Law, the follow up to their breakout hit album Big Roar, from Joy Formidable isn't out until next Monday (Jan. 21st) but Rolling Stone.com is streaming the whole album in its entierety RIGHT NOW!!!! Listen to it right HERE. You can also preorder the album on their official website and on iTunes by clicking this LINK.
Be sure to watch them perform songs off their new album this Friday, Jan. 18th, when they make an appearance on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon on NBC.
Fresh off HBO's "Girls" big Golden Globe win for Best Comedy/Musical TV Series and a Best Actress nod for Lena Dunham comes the new music video for Santigold's "Girls," which premiered on Brooklyn Vegan this morning. The exclusive single release is off the 'GIRLS - Volume 1' soundtrack and includes fresh singles and fan-favorites from Robyn, Icona Pop, fun., Sleigh Bells, Grouplove and Fleet Foxes.
The video depicts the essence of New York women, showcasing a variety of shapes, sizes, ages, and personal styles, all accompanied by Santigold’s hard-hitting, light-hearted “Girls” lyrics. Check out a sequence of lip-singing, dancing, femmes, in the new music video for Santigold’s “Girls,” below and you can purchase the soundtrack on iTunes right HERE.
Jillette Johnson will perform at The Hotel Cafe with Kris Allen on February 5th and 6th as part of Kris Allen's "Out Alive" tour.
photo by picksysticks
Hey guys! Here's an artist you should definitely check out. Her name is Jillette Johnson and she's from New York. I got a chance to see her perform last year when she played at the Hotel Cafe. It was a bittersweet show for her at the time, having to leave her hometown in New York just as Hurricane Sandy hit. Her 5-track EP Whisky & Frosting, released two months earlier, is a haunting in it's melodic simplicity. Jillette's weathered and soulful voice is lifted up by the fragile and barely-there piano in songs like "Cameron" and "Torpedo." Jillette returns to Southern California to play a handful of dates with American Idol eighth-season winner Kris Allen as part of his "Out Alive" tour which began January 8th. You can check out both Jillette and Kris when they play The Hotel Cafe on February 5th and 6th! Check out the dates below:
"Cameron" lyric video by Jillette Johnson
"Torpedo" by Jillette Johnsonfeat. Delta Rae
KRIS ALLEN'S "OUT ALIVE" TOUR DATES:
Jan. 8 - Pickle Barrel Nightclub, Killington, VT
Jan. 9 - Brighton Music Hall, Boston
Jan. 10 - Ridgefield Playhouse, Ridgefield, CT
Jan. 11 - World Cafe Live, Philadelphia
Jan. 12 - City Winery, NYC, New York
Jan. 14 - Rams Head On Stage, Annapolis, MD
Jan. 15 - Jammin' Java, Vienna, VA
Jan. 17 - Altamont Theater, Asheville, NC
Jan. 18 - Clayton Center, Clayton, NC
Jan. 19 - Music Farm, Charleston, SC
Jan. 20 - Eddie's Attic, Decatur, GA
Jan. 22 - State Theater, St. Petersburg, FL
Jan. 23 - Backbooth, Orlando, FL
Jan. 24 - High Dive, Gainesville, FL
Jan. 26 - Revolution Music Room, Little Rock, AR
Jan. 29 - Vanguard Tulsa, OK
Jan. 31 - Launchpad, Albuquerque, NM
Feb. 1 - Plush Tucson
Feb. 2 - Soda Bar, San Diego
Feb. 5 - Hotel Cafe, Los Angeles
Feb. 6 - Hotel Cafe, Los Angeles
Feb. 7 - Canyon Club, Agora Hills, CA
Feb. 8 - Constellation Room, Costa Mesa, CA
Feb. 9 - Hard Rock Cafe, Vegas Baby!
Feb. 13 - Sacramento City College, Sacramento
Feb. 14 - Cafe DuNord - San Francisco
Feb. 16 - Mississippi Studios, Portland
Feb. 17 - Tractor Tavern, Seattle
Feb. 19 - In The Venue, Salt Lake City
Feb. 20 - Wheeler Opera House, Aspen
Feb. 21 - Soiled Dove Underground, Denver
Feb. 22 - U of Colorado Boulder
It's been awhile since we've heard from The Bird and the Bee featuring Inara George and Greg Kurstin. Last we heard, in September, they were both working on a new album after Inara gave birth to twins (boy and a girl) in June. Since their last album, a tribute album to Hall & Oates, came out in 2010, both Inara and George have been working on separate multiple project. Inara, for instance, has been singing in the girl group The Living Sisters and have recently released their brand new EP Run For Cover earlier this week. Touring wise? They did mention that, although there are no plans to do an extensive tour, they will be playing shows 'here and there' once their new record comes out. But just today, what got me wondering about The Bird and the Bee happened when watching tv and a Tide 'Everyday Collection" by Target Commerical flashed on my screen and I immediately recognized it as the song "My Love" by Bird and the Bee off their 2009 album Ray Guns Are Not Just the Future.
"My Love" by Bird and the Bee
"Laundry" The Everyday Collection. By Target featuring the song "My Love" by Bird and the Bee.
Los Angeles' Sky Ferreira made her television debut on NBC's Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and sang her hit single "Everything Is Embarrassing." Last we heard her much delayed and highly anticipated album I'm Not Alright is expected to drop in early 2013 (which could be in the next few months) and based on her early L.A. show at The Bootleg in September where she gave us a preview of some of her songs likely to appear on the record, this album is going to be killer!
Wow. Check this out. Time Magazine just released a list of "11 Albums to Look Forward to in 2013" and three artists (Kitten, Tegan and Sara and Sky Ferreira) we've featured here on Picksysticks are on the list. And based on this list that also includes Phoenix, FIDLAR and Arcade Fire, 2013 looks like it's going to be an amazing year of music. Check out below to see what Time had to say and click HERE to see who else made their list.
KITTEN
Last year Kitten, the Los Angeles-based band fronted by 17-year-old Chloe Chaidez, released the debut EP Cut It Out that went viral faster than a video of an actual kitten wrestling a puppy. The six songs on the album were filled with electro-pop beats paired with Chaidez’s phenomenal vocals, which draw comparisons to both Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Florence Welch. While the lyrics verge on the angsty (she is a teenager after all) the choppy beats, catchy choruses and glam stadium-filling sound show that Kitten won’t be sitting at the kid’s table much longer. Their debut full-length release is due out on Elektra Records in mid-2013.
"Cut It Out" by Kitten
SKY FERREIRA There’s nothing indie about Sky Ferreira. The singer/model/actress’s almost meteoric rise to fame has been pushed along by affiliations with A-listers like her mentor Michael Jackson (!!!) and friend Katy Perry, and her single “Everything Is Embarrassing” was the cult hit of 2012. The song’s undeniably catchy beats, simplistic hooks and lovelorn lyrics make for a serious earworm. Ferreira’s much delayed debut album, I’m Not Alright, is scheduled for release in early 2013 and based on tracks like “Lost in My Bedroom” (which came out Jan. 2) and “Red Lips” (co-written with Garbage’s Shirley Manson) we anticipate a hit.
"Everything is Embarrassing" by Sky Ferreira
TEGAN AND SARA
Canadian twin-sister act Tegan and Sara might manage one of the most difficult tasks in the music biz this year: crafting an album destined for commercial success that will also appeal to the band’s diehard fanbase. The duo has been a longtime staple of the indie scene, but Heartthrob (out Jan. 29) may be their breakthrough album. We were immediate fans of the infectious debut single “Closer,” as well as the synth-driven tracks “Goodbye, Goodbye” and “Drove Me Wild.” While Heartthrob will undoubtedly go down in the annals of music history as the ultimate break-up compilation (with track names like “I Was a Fool,” “I’m Not Your Hero” and “How Come You Don’t Want Me”), hopefully it will also be the one that finally introduces Tegan and Sara to mainstream audiences.
Gary Larsen and Nora Patterson of Royal Teeth perform at Filter Magazine's Culture Collide music festival.
photo by picksysticks
Tonight at The Roxy, The Royal Teeth performs as part of ATN Management Presents along with The Active Set, Lakes, Pierce the Arrow and Garrett Lee Robinson. I became a HUGH fan of this six-piece band from Louisiana when they performed at Filter Magazine's Culture Collide music festival here in Los Angeles last October. Leading the charge is Gary Larsen who marches ahead with drum beat command while sharing vocal duties with Nora Patterson whose radiating vocals shines on songs like "My Donna" and "Heartbeat." But it's their hit song "Wild" got them noticed on college radio stations across the nation. It's off their debut EP Act Naturally and you can purchase it on iTunes right HERE. Check out their live performance of "Heartbeats" below:
Here's a cool cover rendition of Taylor Swift's dubstep single "I Knew You Were Trouble." It's from the Canadian band Walk Off The Earth. Even though it's sung acapella, it's still proves pop-dance worthy. Check it out below.
