Interview with Falling Doves' Chris Leyva

Falling Doves. From left: Mike Dorsey and Chris Leyva. Photo by Kelli Hayden.

Falling Doves. From left: Mike Dorsey and Chris Leyva. Photo by Kelli Hayden.

The Falling Doves never play it safe.

Chris Leyva (guitars, vocals) and Mike Dorsey (lead guitarist) create an unpredictable mix of garage rock with jazz, metal, Latin, and pop infusions. Known for their deep lyrical confessionals and aggressive playing, this band is not afraid to combine the classics with the new.

Falling Doves' Chris Leyva chats with us about his musical influences, international touring, and the new upcoming Falling Doves album.

Check out our INTERVIEW.

Falling Doves Social Media:

WEBSITE

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

INSTAGRAM

Szlachetka @ Hollywood's Hotel Cafe

Szlachetka performs "Heart Of My Hometown" at Hollywood's Hotel Cafe. Photo by Jessica Klausing.

Szlachetka performs "Heart Of My Hometown" at Hollywood's Hotel Cafe. Photo by Jessica Klausing.

Szlachetka (pronounced SLA-HET-KA) is out on tour in support of his new album release, Heart Of My Hometown. Rolling Stone Magazine praised the album citing Szlachetka as a ‘New Country Artist to Know.’ That was evident as many Angelinos packed into the Second Stage venue at Hollywood’s Hotel Café on Wednesday night. The music was Americana roots rock superb, the storytelling honed the heartland spirit, and with the added chemistry of Szlachetka’s full band— it was transcendence into musical nirvana.

Check out our CONCERT REVIEW.

Szlachetka social media:

Official Website
Twitter
Instagram
Facebook

Snow Patrol @ LA's Fonda Theatre

Gary Lightbody and Minnie Driver at the Fonda Theatre. Photo by U2Soul/Flickr.

Gary Lightbody and Minnie Driver at the Fonda Theatre. Photo by U2Soul/Flickr.

Snow Patrol performed a legendary set at Los Angeles' Fonda Theatre over the weekend.

Check out Courtney Lavender's REVIEW.

The mark of a great singer is measured less by vocal quality, and more by believability. Do you believe what you are singing? Do others believe you when you sing it? Though he may have tripped up technically at points, I never once doubted what Gary Lightbody was communicating, nor did anyone in the rapt audience. "Heal Me" was dedicated to someone who saved his life. I've been standing in the fire for way too long, he sang, and I could feel the flames.

SONG REVIEW: Aidan James - "What My Friends Talk About"

Written by Jessica Klausing

AD.jpg

Aidan James shakes up the pop scene with his Hawaiian inspired melodies.

At age 9, James uploaded a Youtube video cover of Train’s “Hey, Soul Sister” while playing a ukulele. The video went viral with over 20 million views inspiring the young Hawaii native to venture into a music career.  In the last couple of years he has released an EP, “Live Again,” and a full-length album, “Echoes.” He has toured with many notable acts such as Train, Jack Johnson, Lisa Loeb, and Michael Bolton. Currently, 16 year old, James has been hard at work to release his new full-length album sometime later this year.

In his new single, “What My Friends Talk About,” James uses his ukulele to the bridge the melody gap between contemporary pop and R&B. Think sound wise similar to Jason Mraz’s “I’m Yours.” The ukulele fades as the song progresses into an eclectic fusion of finger-snaps, hand claps, and percussion.

James’ warm vocals evoke a sweet innocence as he admits, “And you know I can’t remember anything before I saw your face.” His versatile talent and individuality shines through on this track. I can’t wait to hear what Aidan James has in store on his new album.

Purchase Aidan James’ MUSIC

Follow Aidan James:

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

Youtube

Spotify

 

Umphrey's McGee @ LA's Wiltern

Photo by Paul Citone.

Photo by Paul Citone.

Jam band Umphrey's McGee made a legendary comeback to Los Angeles this past weekend!

Amidst the hypnotic psychedelic light show and LED visuals, Umphrey’s McGee seamlessly weaves progressive rock, jazz, disco, funk, metal, and electronic genres into a cohesive dance mix. Each band member has a keen musical ear and an uncanny talent to communicate with each other on stage.

Check out the concert REVIEW.

Special thanks to Paul Citone for allowing me to use his amazing concert photographs!

KNOW YOUR PROS: Jack Austin - Fashion Stylist

Photo by Rudy Astudillo

Photo by Rudy Astudillo

Jack Austin is our featured industry professional for March 2018.

Austin hails from Melbourne, Australia but studied fashion in Los Angeles at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising. He currently works as the Head Stylist at Astudillo Photography working alongside celebrity photographer Rudy Astudillo of TV Guide. Austin has worked with many Hollywood starlets and has had his work published in lookbooks and magazines worldwide.

Read more HERE.

Follow Jack Austin on Instagram.

Check out Jack Austin's website.

Valentines Day Song: The Brothers Johnson - "Strawberry Letter 23"

51U3sUiFxkL.jpg

The Brothers Johnson's "Strawberry Letter 23" is our Valentines Day 2018 song pick.

Check out our RECAP.

"Strawberry Letter 23" is a psychedelic transcendence into bliss. The lyrics paint a vivid, colorful imagery about the innocence of love. The heavenly harmonies swirl magically with the funky bass beats and hypnotic chimes. However, the real show stopper is Lee Ritenour's extensive trippy progressive rock layered guitar solo towards the end.

 

Animal Hope and Wellness Charity Event - A Dog's Night

Written by Jessica Klausing

26730663_10157085954679447_183.png

Last month the Animal Hope and Wellness Foundation hosted A Dog’s Night at North Hollywood’s Federal Bar. Guests enjoyed a night of vegan appetizers, drinks, and live entertainment. Hosted by Kemble and Jen Walters, guests could participate in a silent auction to help raise money for the foundation. Auction items varied from gift cards to exclusive television set tours. All ticket and auction proceeds went directly to the foundation’s animal rehabilitation services.

DONATE

The Animal Hope and Wellness Foundation (AHWF) helps rescue abused and neglected animals, providing full rehabilitation services, and working to help find them new homes. The foundation has recently been focused on rescuing dogs from the Asian Dog Meat Trade.

Founder and CEO Marc Ching has made countless trips overseas to videotape and document evidence of the brutalities and torture of live dogs before they are slaughtered for human consumption.

Marc Ching photo by Jessica Klausing

Marc Ching photo by Jessica Klausing

Ching has saved thousands of dogs, even going as far as risking his own life to smuggle them out of the slaughterhouses. By raising awareness, Ching and the AHWF team expose these barbaric rituals in order to enact change and force the government to create laws to protect these animals. Ching continues to fight for these dogs and to help the dog farm owners find new occupations.

AHWF has a few upcoming fundraiser EVENTS in March.

VOLUNTEERS are always more than welcome to stop by the foundation's headquarters in Sherman Oaks, California to help with the dogs.

Looking to ADOPT? Look no further than an AHWF rescue pup! Please READ the adoption process on the website.

Petty Cash photo by Jessica Klausing

Petty Cash photo by Jessica Klausing

Petty Cash entertained guests with a powerhouse performance of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and Johnny Cash covers. Setlist highlights included “Ring of Fire,” “Runnin Down a Dream,” and “I Won’t Back Down.”

Surprise musical guests joined onstage were Noodles (The Offspring), Kevin Martin (Candlebox), Mark Schulman (PINK), Brett Scallions (Fuel), Abby Gennet (Slunt), and Sean and Juliette Beavan (8MM).

Noodles photo by Jessica Klausing

Noodles photo by Jessica Klausing

Juliette Beavan photo by Jessica Klausing

Juliette Beavan photo by Jessica Klausing

Kevin Martin photo by Jessica Klausing

Kevin Martin photo by Jessica Klausing

SONG REVIEW: Justin Levinson - "I'll Make It In Hollywood"

Written by Jessica Klausing

5527a26f08dd34068d4b5dfeb8b510.jpg

Los Angeles based singer-songwriter Justin Levinson’s new single “I’ll Make It In Hollywood” promises he’ll do just that. Coupling the ambition to ‘make it big’ in the entertainment industry with doo-wop harmonies and touches of 60’s pop and soul, Levinson embodies the spirit of the struggling underdog: “I’ve been so tired lately/LA can wear you down sometimes/Working for survival while you try to keep your dreams alive.”

“I’ll Make It In Hollywood” is an endearing ballad that instantly soothes a soul, lifts a mood, and inspires a weary mind. The song strikes an inspirational chord of determination to overcome life’s obstacles and see a dream fulfilled. This track follows up his 2017 release, Yes Man.

Check out my interview with Justin Levinson HERE.

Purchase Justin’s music HERE.

Follow Justin Levinson:

Instagram

Facebook

Twitter

ALBUM REVIEW: Brick Briscoe - Songs To Yell To

Written by Jessica Klausing

songstoyellto2 (2).jpg

Brick Briscoe returns with his ninth studio album release, Songs To Yell To. The album is a restless continuation of Briscoe’s knack for brash post-punk songs about sexuality and identity, citing influences from The Ramones, Buzzcocks, and the 70’s era CBGB club scene. 

From the opening chords of the opener, “Give Me a Lift,” you’re pulled into a punk-fueled road trip that twists and turns, driven by Sal Maida’s bass and Frank Funaro’s rollicking drums. Of course, Briscoe is along for the ride with some tongue-in-cheek jabs like, “this haircut cost me 50 bucks and when they write about me, they’re gonna laugh. It’s their choice.”

Fan favorite “Jack the Ripper” returns stripped down, accompanied by a melancholic bass riff that permeates the track with a very different feel than the hard shredder version featured in the What Happened to Me (2000-2014) compilation album.

“Everybody Sings,” has a distinctly low-fi vibe similar to the likes of Guided By Voices. The melodious, punk rock trailblazer “5 Sick 7” follows with Joey Ramone stylized drumming.

No Brick Briscoe album is complete without snarky yet strangely relatable wisdom. Briscoe offers life advice in “I’m Not Impressed By This Life Very Much” with the lyric, “At 20, you suck/at 30, you suck/ at 40, you’re fucked.” Relationships are questioned in “The Great Maybe,” with, “Being with you never made any sense/though sometimes I like the way you dress/if I drink enough maybe I could reinvent you.”

Briscoe seems to acknowledge his offhanded remarks in “Constant Banging” with, “Nice ass/ those were the first words out of my mouth/ I say things I’m not proud of but I can’t help it.”

As Songs To Yell To winds down, it does so gently, with the reflective “Boys Keep Swinging.” An acoustic guitar accompanied by television noise playing in the background, while Briscoe reminisces about life being simpler as a young boy.

If you want to hear an album that captures the spirit of punk perfectly then Songs To Yell To would be a great choice. Brick Briscoe embraces the best elements of abrasive language and delivers it with guitar-driven fury.

Check out Brick’s radio show called “The Song Show.” Join Brick as he discusses various music topics with surprise musical guests. Listen HERE.

Purchase Brick's music HERE.

Recommended Tracks: “Jack the Ripper,” “Everybody Sings,” “5 Sick 7,” and “I’m Not Impressed By This Life Very Much.”