Video: Lana Del Rey - "Video Games"

Just beautiful. Order the 7" here.

Show Alert: FYF Fest 2011 - 9/3/11

FYF Fest is back this Labor Day Weekend with a new location and a slew of great bands. Previously held at the Los Angeles State Historic Park, this year the festival will happen in Downtown L.A. at 1st and Main, in the streets around City Hall. That should definitely cut down on the dust, and hopefully they figure out the lines and add more vendors.

As for performers, there are the heavy-hitters like Broken Social Scene, Explosions In The Sky, Descendents, Guided By Voices and Death From Above 1979, as well as No Age, Dan Deacon, Four Tet, Yacht, Pink Mountaintops, Twin Sister, among many others.

Tickets on sale for $35 at noon on Friday, June 17.

Big Black Delta

Jonathan Bates (Mellowdrone/M83 touring guitarist) has a new project called Big Black Delta, named after these. Though rooted in electronica ("snare tones are more important than guitar tones”), there is a lot of diversity to the music. And apparently there are dual drummers live (Mahsa Zargaran and Amy Wood). Check out Bates' studio here and all the free tracks from the BBD site.

IFUCKINGLOVEYOU from Big Black Delta on Vimeo.

News: Free Single from The Republic Tigers

SSM faves The Republic Tigers have a free single from their upcoming EP No Man's Land. The EP will be available on Record Store Day in April, but you can head over to iTunes now to download "Merrymake It With Me." Part of the iTunes SXSW sampler, the track is a fresh batch of sonic goodness with the band's unmistakable blend of guitar, electronics, lyrics and pop. (Listen for the Zaireeka-esque intro.) If you happen to be heading to SXSW, the Tigers hit the Liberty Bar stage at 2:15 p.m. Friday, March 18. But they'll also be a part of the showcase hosted by their label, Chop Shop Records, later that night. They take to the stage at Maggie Mae's Rooftop at midnight (following a performance by Twin Shadow, no less).

Mourning Trish Keenan

Horrible news today of the death of Trish Keenan, half of U.K. greats Broadcast. Touching writes-ups abound, including these from NPR's All Song Considered and The Record, Vulture, The Arts Desk, NME and Click Track.

Show Alert: Godspeed You! Black Emperor @ The Palladium - 2/22/11

Godspeed You! Black Emperor have added a second Los Angeles date. In addition to a performance at the Fonda, the Canadian godfathers of all that is holy and good in the world of apocalyptic post-rock will be playing at the much larger Palladium on February 22, 2011. Tix go on sale today at 5:00 pm here.

Show Alert: Jens Lekman @ Sky Bar - 12/4/10

From Jens himself:
"Hi everyone,
I had some stuff to do in New York this winter so I figured I might as well do a small solo show while I'm there since it's been so long.
It will be special and maybe we can have one of those houseparties afterwards, like we had last time?
If my friends neighbors are cool with that, I'll let you know.
Also, a few days before that I will play a show in LA at the Mondrian. There's still tickets for that one.
Mondrian Hotel Skybar
8440 Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood
RSVP by emailing: skybarla@morganshotelgroup.com
Jens
x

Password: Godspeed You! Black Emperor @ The Henry Fonda Theater - 2/23/11

By now you should know that Godspeed You! Black Emperor have officially reunited and will be touring the United States, with a stop in Los Angeles at The Henry Fonda Theater on February 23, 2011. What you may not know is Goldenvoice is doing a presale on Friday, September 24, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. The password arrived in SSM's inbox this morning, so good luck: TRALALA.

Show Alert: Voxhaul Broadcast, Abe Vigoda, Crystal Antlers @ Abbot Kinney Festival - 9/26/10

OK, gang! This Sunday, head down to Venice for the Abbot Kinney Festival for three stages of free music. Of interest are Voxhaul Broadcast, Abe Vigoda and Crystal Antlers, among many other bands and DJs (including the dublab crew). There will be a smattering of food trucks, two beer gardens, plus all that is good and right (and wrong) about Venice. And there will be bike valet, so DON'T drive! Check the music schedule here.

Show Alert: A House For Lions - The Viper Room & The El Rey

SSM favorite A House For Lions has been gaining traction recently, and will be treating L.A. to (at least) two performances in the near future. The first show is on September 14, 2010 at The Viper Room. The second show is on October 4, 2010 at The El Rey, where they are performing as Jacknife Lee's hand-picked support for Tired Pony. Tickets for that show available here.

The band will be recording an EP in the next month at Red Rockets Glare Studios with Raymond Richards (Local Natives, Parsons Red Heads, Ferraby Lionheart).

In the meantime, here is a video for their track "Evolution Calls":