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CONWAY @ The Echo

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Conway performs at The Echo supporting her new EP release of Big Talk.
photos by picksysticks
In her first show since she was featured in Rolling Stone's "Top 10 Best New Discoveries of CMJ"Conway had a look of someone with something to prove.  You wouldn't know it when she took the stage, smiliing innocently and dawning a blue, sun-dress and ankle-boot flats, that she would come out punching.
Conway, street-tough with bruising vocals packed quite a wallop as she pulled up her sleeves  like a street fighter cornered in a darkened alley as she bobbed side-to-side, fists raised while striking with feisty, funk melodies in "Big Talk" while in the chest-pounding,"Hustler," she screams defiantly, charging along with deep-pounding drums.  One of the many highlights was her contagious, dream-pop opener "Killer."  And still at the end of the night, it seemed that everyone in The Echo that night talked more of Conway than headliner.

Born in south St. Louis, born again in Brooklyn and currently coming into her own in LA, Conway (aka: Kassia Conway) was known for her gloomy, pop arrangements when she fronted her previous bands All Wrong and the Plans Change and No Love Letters.  Now she's going solo with the release of her debut EP Big Talk, released last month via Columbia Records.  

If you missed Conway, you have a chance to catch her when she performs this Monday at School Night! at Bardot before she heads out on tour supporting The Fratellis.  She'll finish off that tour when she returns back to Los Angeles when they play The Fonda Theater on November 12th.  

Check out more photos of Conway's show right on our Flickr page right HERE.

The Echo Setlist: Killer / Twilight / Big Talk / I'm in Love / Hustler / Sudden Dawn / Without You

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"Big Talk" by Conway
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NONONO @ The Echo

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Stina Wappling, Astma and Rocwell of NONONO
NONONO (Stina Wappling, Astma and Rocwell) at The Echo.
photos by picksysticks
NONONO continues Sweden's knack of breeding bands that write infectious, mid-tempo songs that brings out your inner child and makes you remember what it was like when life was carefree and everything around you looked shiny and brand new.


Stina Wappling of NONONOStina Wappling of NONONO

NONONO are that shiny brand new toy that everyone in the music biz seems to want for Christmas. From CMJ to Perez Hilton, this Swedish trio is the talk of the town and with their upcoing American television debut appearance on Jimmy Kimmel scheduled this Wednesday, NONONO is sure to be on everybody's radar by week's end.  Blame it on their breakthrough single "Pumpin Blood," which spread like wild fire across music blogs along with getting heavy airplay on mainstream and college radio.  

Riding high off their critically acclaimed EP, NONONO made their first ever headling gig at The Echo.  Donning a glittery mini-dress and sneakers,  lead singer Stina Wappling shined onstage, awash in vibrant red and blue stage lights backed by producers Astma and Rocwell. 


NONONO
NONONO makes Los Angeles debut at The Echo.
photo by picksysticks
They sang songs off their debut EP, comprised of a mixture of electropop  that balances between sparkling and moody melodies.  That didn't stop the crowd from dancing during their entire set during hits like "Jungle" and "Fire Without a Flame." And with only a handful of songs to perform (4 in total on their EP)  Stina joked, during their last song that they needed to write more songs so they could come back for an encore.  

More live photos on our Flickr page right HERE.

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"Pumpin Blood" by NONONO

NEW SONG: YELL FOR HELP RELEASES DEBUT EP

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YELL FOR HELP
LA duo Yell For Help releases their debut EP.
photo via Facebook
Check out this new video from Yell For Help.  It's called "Love Will Keep Us Together," and it's off their debut EP which drops today.  With crashing  melodies with heartpounding beats, "Love Will Keep Us Together" is both hypnotic and mind-numbing;  perfect ingredients to jolt your body to dance-inducing convulsions.  Consisting of Fann (vocals, drums, guitar) and Mike Pappas (vocals, guitar, bass), this talented duo from Los Angeles layers the fierceness of Fann's rosie-thorned vocals with Pappas' calm, cool blue singing.  

Based in Los Angeles, the EP was recorded in a little studio in Westwood, with additional recording at Fann’s Eagle Rock-home. Love Will Keep Us Together is available worldwide digitally today.


"Love Will Keep Us Together" by Yell For Help
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NEW VIDEO: BEST COAST'S "I DON'T KNOW HOW"

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BEST COAST

Here's the new sun-drenched music video from Best Coast's new single "I Don't Know How." It's off their new EP Fade Away which dropped on October 22nd.  The EP is the first release on Cosentino’s Jewel City label and sets Best Coast off on a new burst of independence and creativity.

Just recently, it was announced that Best Coast will be supporting The Pixies on their 2014 North American Tour on select dates beginning in February. 

"I Don't Know How" by Best Coast
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NONONO MAKES U.S. TELEVISION DEBUT ON JIMMY KIMMEL

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NONONO
NONONO made their U.S. television debut on Jimmy Kimmel.
Riding high off their critically acclaimed EP, NONONO made their first ever U.S. television appearance at Jimmy Kimmel Live last night in a pre-taped performance where they performed their hit single "Pumpin' Blood."

NONONO performs "Pumpin' Blood" on Jimmy Kimmel Live.
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NEW VIDEO: BLEACHED "LOVE SPELLS" JUST IN TIME FOR HALLOWEEN

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Bleached
Jessica and Jennifer Clavin of BLEACHED performs at Filter's Culture Collide.
photo by picksysticks

Just in time for Halloween, Bleached released their new video for "Love Spells," a hauntingly fun, zombie dance party complete with jocks, chearleaders and mummies that are risen from the dead with the power of punk rock from the LA-based band fronted by Jennifer Clavin as she sings: 

"I don't want to see you anymore / You keep on knocking at my door / I told you once, yeah, I told you before / You're a lost cause / Don't work anymore / I know I've seen you before / Are you coming back for more? Will I see you tonight when I open up my heart?" 

Wrapped in playful melodies, the song is actually a sad tale of heartbreak, singing of a loved who she still has feelings for,  who changes during the relationship for the worst and remembering the person she remembered falling in love with.  

"Love Spells" by Bleached
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FOXES ANNOUNCES DEBUT ALBUM 'GLORIOUS' WILL DROP MARCH 2014

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Foxes' Louisa Rose Allen
Foxes performs at SXSW.
photo by picksysticks
Celebrating the release of her new EP Youth, Foxes (aka: Louisa Rose Allen) livestreamed the party, taking questions from the fans onsite and off via Twitter.  Her single “Youth,” which was released this week, currently sits at #25 on the UK iTunes chart and she recently announced that her debut album Glorious will be released in March of 2014.

Foxes will begin her U.S. Tour on November 19that Los Angeles’ Troubadour.

Check out her acoustic performance of “Youth”  at her EP launch party release of Youth below.

"Youth" by Foxes
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NEW VIDEO: "LIES" BY CHVRCHES

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CHVRCHES
CHVRCHES
photo by picksysticks
Here's the new video "Lies" by CHVRCHES which is off their debut album The Bones of What You Believe.  But it was first included in their international hit EP Recover; the EP breaking out in big way creating much of their early buzz that helped them sell out shows all over the map.

CHVRCHES are currently on tour and make their way to Los Angeles when they play The Wiltern on November 18th.

"Lies" by CHVRCHES
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PARAMORE RELEASES NEW "DAYDREAMING" VIDEO WITH LIVE CONCERT FOOTAGE

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Hayley Williams of Paramore
Hayley Williams of Paramore.
photo by picksysticks
Paramore just released their new video for "Daydreaming" off their new record which shows live concert and behind the scenes and backstage footage from their most recent tour.  

"Daydreaming" by PARAMORE .

WINTER'S TALE TRAILER FEATURES SONG "WINGS" BY BIRDY

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Birdy's Jasimine Van Den Bogaerde.
Birdy
The new trailer for the movie "Winter's Tale" just got released and, to my excitement, it featured Birdy's song "Wings" off her newest album Fire Within which dropped last month. Birdy (real name: Jasmine Van Den Bogaerde) is currently on her "Fire Within" tour in Europe. No news, as of yet, of a U.S. tour.  

Based on the book by Mark Kelprin, Winter's Tale is described as a 'paranormal romance' about a master theif who can time travel.  The movie of the same name, stars Colin Farrell, Jessica Brown Findlay, Jennifer Connelly and Russell Crowe and is set in a fantasy New York City, spanning more than a century with a plot that deals with miracles, crossed destinies and the age-old battle between good and evil.   The romantic drama hits theaters Valentine's Day next year.  

Winter's Tale trailer featuring Birdy's "Wings"


Birdy performs "Wings"
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CHARLI XCX @ THE EL REY

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CHARLI XCX
CHARLI XCX performs at The El Rey Theater.
photos by picksysticks
When Charli XCX postponed her headlining North American tour months before she was set to begin, many fans were upset.  Who cancels their headlining tour to go and support another band?  Well, if that band is Paramore, then anyone with a brain wouldn't have passed up that great opportunity. 

CHARLI XCX
Charli XCX at The El Rey Theater.
photo by picksysticks
Now she's back and it looks as though her fans have forgiven her as she finally invades American shores with her stop at the sold-out El Rey Theater in Los Angeles last Monday.  Although it was a school night, that didn't stop the crowd from showing up early, lining up hours before the doors opened and staying late into the night to watch her 14-song set.  

CHARLI XCXHer talent of fusing melodies and beats was front and center, echoing the playful dance sounds of Spice Girls to the vocal pop deliveries of Madonna. 

Charli XCX's debut album True Romance might as well be called her greatest hits album.  It's filled with wall-to-wall hits, and almost every song has been remixed, mashed up and played in every club around the world making her  one of the most sought after artists around, choosing to cancel her North American headlining tour last minute when Paramore asked her to join them on their U.K. tour last month.

Wearing platform sneakers, short white tennis skirt and matching front-tie, buttoned  shirt, Charli XCX launched into her hit "What I Like" as the crowd surged towards the stage; a sea of heads bobbing up and down, dancing to the beat.  

Bathed in rays of saturated red and blues Charli showcased her broad assortment of musical influences and styles - from the lush and fragile pop- ballads like "Set Me Free" and "Stay Away" to the textured melodies of "Nuclear Seasons,""You (Ha Ha Ha)" and "Black Roses." 

Although her major label debut album True Romance came out last April, the mainstream's first introduction to her was through Icona Pop's breakthrough hit song "I Love It" which Charli XCX penned. And it was that song that was the highlight of the night getting everyone singing, dancing and pumping their firsts in the air. 

CHARLI XCX
CHARLI XCX
Charli XCX at The El Rey
photo by picksysticks
Having that flair of '80 retro spunked with vintage, romantic dance melodies in songs like "Lock You Up" and "Take My Hand" made the El Rey feels like some neon-glam prom scene with hazy lights flashing and strobes cutting through the darkened venue; all that was missing was baby blue tux's and spiked punch. 
CHARLI XCX

Charli closed her set with the dark, moody love ballad "You're The One" and the beat-driven with echoing chorus "Grins" after bringing out Chloe Chaidez of Kitten to sing along with Bow Wow Wow's  "I Want Candy."

Recently, Charli revealed that she's already working on writing songs for her sophomore album which she plans on recording in France.  She has already released Superlove which is expected to be


El Rey setlist (Nov. 4th): What I Like / Set Me Free / Nuclear Seasons / Lock You Up / Stay Away / You (Ha Ha Ha) / How Can I / Black Roses / I Love It / Superlove / Take My Hand / You're the One / I Want Candy / Grins

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KITTEN @ THE EL REY

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Chloe Chaidez of KITTEN
Chloe Chaidez of KITTEN crowd surfs at The El Rey.
photos by picksysticks
LA band Kitten brought their glitter-glam rock wrecking ball party to the El Rey Theater where a home town crowd welcomed them with open arms; a sea of sweaty bodies that swelled as soon as the curtains raised revealing the electro-glam darlings. 

Chloe Chaidez of KITTEN

Already opening for such bands as Paramore, No Doubt, Joy Formidable and Garbage, Kitten continues to add to their already impressive resume by touring with Brit sensation Charli XCX.   

This night, the crowd was energetic - maybe because Kitten was playing to a hometown crowd or because the original date, scheduled for last month was rescheduled a month later.  Either way, the crowd was just happy to watch Kitten perform and Chloe rewarded them by jumping into the crowd, jumping off speakers and crowd surfing.  At one point, she even pulled a fan in the front row and gave him a kiss. 

They ran out of the gate with "Japanese Eyes," a dizzying opener that threw the crowd into a frenzy. Chloe, in flexible, breathable, satin shorts, always performs like she's been holding up some pent up energy, waiting until the very last minute, right when she gets onstage, to release all that intensity into an explosive fireball.

Showing they can go from 0 to 60 in a split second, Kitten's set is highlighted when they slow it down with their glitz-romance, shoe-gazey songs "Cut It Out" and "G#" which gave a everyone a lift, transforming the El Rey into one drug-induced high. - even Chloe who climbed up the high speakers and jumped off, momentarily suspended in mid-air and landing softly on the stage below. That led to an inspiring cover of Prince's "Purple Rain" which, in the hands of Kitten, turned Prince's emotional, gospel-inspired love song into a suffering, rock ballad.

KITTEN
Kitten's Chloe Chaidez at The El Rey.
photo by pickysticks
Kitten, touring and supporting their latest EP, Like A Stranger, sang two songs off it - "Doubt" and "Like A Stranger" while "Sugar," off their first EP Sunday School had her climbing up towards the rafters fifty feet off the ground; no safety nets required - leave it to Chloe who is a professional rock star. 

They ended their set with their usual wrecking ball of a song "Kitten With A Whip," one of their few early songs they end with at all their shows that finished off with nearly the entire crowd crashing the stage and dancing. 

KITTEN
KITTEN open up for Charli XCX at The El Rey Theater
photos by picksysticks
Having released three EP's since their formation four years ago, they've shown that they have a sound all their own -from moody-synth pop to electronic-hazy alternative songs that echoes vintage 80s disco and rock. 

Their fiery performance, one not to be missed, will blow you away and has gotten more dizzying and electrifying since they formed four years ago.   Lead by the spark-plug of a singer, Chloe Chaidez, the band's electrifying stage presence is contagious that bleeds out into the audience.   This explains why musical powerhouses in the past, like Paramore, No Doubt and Joy Formidable has asked Kitten to support them on tour.   This time around, they're traveling North America opening up for Charli XCX that began last month in Seattle, go through Canada to New York and will end in Houston, Texas at the end of November.

El Rey Setlist (Nov. 4th):  Japanese Eyes / Cut It Out / Like A Stranger / G# / Purple Rain (Prince Cover)  / Doubt / Sugar / Kitten With A Whip
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NEW VIDEO: ALVVAYS'"ADULT DIVERSION"

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Alvvays

Music, comedians, actors and health care...is there anything Canadians aren't good at?  Alvvays (pronounced: ȯl-wēz) is the latest band I'm growing to love from Toronto, Ontario. 

Their brand of DIY-garage pop echoes the grungy and shiny melodies of The Muffs.  Like that cherry-red corvette, covered in mud that you refuse to wash, Alvvays blends their super catchy songs with crashing drums, soaring, edgy guitars and polishes it with Molly Rankin's starry-eyed vocals.   

They recently released their new video for "Adult Diversion" along with the super infectious "Archie, Marry Me" which will be included on their upcoming debut album in early 2014.

They're currently on tour, mostly on the east coast, that runs through New York with no Los Angeles dates as of yet.

"Adult Diversion" by Alvvays

"Marry me, Archie" by Alvvays
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LILY ALLEN TEASES NEW MUSIC

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Is new music coming from Lily Allen?

**************update*********************

Here it is. Lily Allen just released her first song in four years and she comes out twerking on her new song "Hard Out Here."

"Hard Out Here" by Lily Allen

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Something is cooking in the world of Lily Allen.  Recently, Lily Allen has been in the news a lot lately - recently covering Keane's "Somewhere Only We Know" for the annual Christmas commercial from John Lewis, a department store in Great Britain.  Now, today on her twitter, she's been counting down to some sort of big announcement.  

In 2010, she announced a semi-retirement from music to concentrate on fashion and personal life.  Last year, she revealed she was in the recording studio making music but has since gone quiet.  So, later today, we'll figure out whether or not her big announcement is the release of a new record.  Fingers crossed. 


"Somewhere Only We Know" cover by Lily Allen
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NEW VIDEO: "LIKE A STRANGER" BY KITTEN

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KITTEN
KITTEN are currently on tour with CHARLI XCX
photo by picksysticks
Check out the new video from KITTEN. It's called "Like A Stranger" and it's the title track off their new EP and it premiered on Life+Times today.  

Set in black and white, the video takes me back to classic MTV videos of the '80s that echoes Madonna's Vogue-esque style and drop-dead gorgeous models to Duran Duran's cinematic symbolism  and the mysterious, dark, story-telling of Michael Jackson.   

Currently, KITTEN are on tour supporting Charli XCX.  Click HERE for tour dates.

"Like A Stranger" by KITTEN

LORDE NEWS - KROQ ACOUSTIC XMAS, LETTERMAN, HUNGER GAMES AND TIME'S MOST INFLUENTIAL

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LORDE
Lorde performs to a sold out crowd at The Fonda Theater in Los Angeles.
photo by picksysticks
Lorde continues dominate the headlines, good or bad - whether it be picking a fight with Selena Gomez and calling David Guetta "gross" to  having her debut album command the top spot on Billboard's Hot 100 for a sixth week. Pure Heroine stay in the Top 10 of Billboard's 200 chart for five weeks while also topping Miley Cyrus in September on iTunes' singles chart.

Last night, the 17-year old appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman and performed "Team" and earlier this week, it was announced that Lorde will perform at KROQ's Almost Acoustic Christmas at Los Angeles' Shrine Auditorium on December 8th.  On top of all that, she was recently named one of Time Magazine's Most Influential Teenagers in the world.  Anything else?  Well, next week you when Hunger Games: Catching Fire hits theaters, you can catch her cover of Tears for Fears'"Everbody Wants to Rule the World" on the soundtrack - a fitting cover since Lorde is practically ruling the world since her release of her new album. 


"Team" by Lorde on David Letterman


TAKEN BY TREES SINGS "SWEET CHILD O'MINE" SONG COVER ON FLOWERS IN THE ATTIC TRAILER

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Victoria Bergsman of Taken By Trees
Victoria Bergsman of Taken By Trees sings "Sweet Child O'Mine" on the Flowers in the Attic trailer.
photo via Facebook
Woah. I remember reading this book way back in high school and then watching the movie. It still freaks me out whenever I think about it. Very dark...especially for a young adult novel.  

Now, Lifetime has is prepping to release their own updated version of the classic book by VC Andrews starring Heather Graham, Kiernan Shipka, Ellen Burstyn, Dylan Bruce and Mason Dye.  And to make it more creepier, check out the newly released trailer with a haunting cover of Guns n' Roses'"Sweet Child O'Mine" sung by Taken By Trees.  

Based on V.C. Andrews' controversial book that quickly became a cult classic, the Lifetime Original Movie Flowers in the Attic premieres on Saturday, January 18, 2014, at 8pm PT/ET. 

Lifetime's Flowers in the Attic offiicial trailer.

"Sweet Child O'Mine" cover by Taken By Trees
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NEW VIDEO: M.I.A.'S "Y.A.L.A."

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The intense, metronic, beat heavy song is called "Y.A.L.A." and it's off M.I.A. latest album Matangi which dropped earlier this month.  Check out the video below which flashes bombastic imagery that comes complete with drug-induced, saturated colors that bleed off your screen.

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CHVRCHES @ THE WILTERN

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Lauren Mayberry of Chvrches
Chvrches perform at the sold out Wiltern Theater in Los Angeles.
photos by picksysticks
It was a warm November night at The Wiltern where Chvrches, on night two of their 10-city winter tour performed to a sold out crowd of 2,000 last Monday.

Halfway into Chvrches set, Martin Doherty took center stage, trading off vocal duties with Lauren Mayberry, and thanked the crowd and our warm southern California weather for allowing him to walk outside in short sleeves in the middle winter. He then smoothly transitioned to sing  "Under the Tide" in which he danced front and center in front of the packed house.   

Lauren Mayberry of ChvrchesComing from Glasgow, Scotland where temperatures, this day, dipped below 40 degrees, this trio, it would seem, purposely planned this tour to start in sunny California - being all warm and all. 

It's been a busy year for the Scottish trio who have been touring the U.S. off and on since March in support of their breakthrough hit debut album The Bones of What You Believe.  But it was their singles "Lies" and "Mother We Share," released last year that began to convert the masses. 

Based on those two songs alone and subsequent debut EP, they went on tour, selling out venues across the U.S.  Their Los Angeles and San Francisco dates sold out so quickly, they had to move the concert to much bigger venues to accommodate the demand.  Now, their second time around is no different. The only thing different is that, now, they have a full-length album to tour behind.  

Chvrches set included all of their songs but one from their debut album and they finally got to showcase their moody tunes - equal parts dark and shiny - in a much grander environment with a slick light show polished with glittery-retro dance melodies.

Bathed in saturated greens, reds, blues and oranges, Chvrches' took the stage and opened up to a metronic, beat-driven intro of "We Sink" with lights pulsating and laser cutting the ambient fog onstage.  As a backdrop, three sharp-angled "V's" beset with acid-drop sparkling lights that burned like a beacon, often times twinkling and even throbbing to the Chvrches electro-pop beats.  The "V", also used in their name CHVRCHES, aside from the backdrop also dawned Iain Cook and Martin Doherty's DJ stands. Fans danced from above on the mezzanine, in what looked like standing room only looking down at the backdrop which was positioned like a target, with lead singer Lauren Mayberry bulls-eye-centered right down the middle.  


CHVRCHES are Iain Cook, Martin Doherty and Lauren Mayberry
CHVRCHES are Iain Cook, Martin Doherty and Lauren Mayberry.
photos by picksysticks
They kept it going fast and punch-drunk with "Gun" and "Lungs" before they slowed it down with the free-floating, romantic melodies of "Now Is Not the Time," that included sweet, sing-along harmonies.
Lauren Mayberry of Chvrches
Lauren Mayberry of Chvrches.
photo by picksysticks
Chvrches' strengths lies in that their songs, when performed live, translate well onstage, sounding exactly like their recorded tracks on their album, especially with songs like "Science and Visions,""Lungs" and "Recover" which are blanketed by layers of melodic beats and sugary-sweet synths.  But it's the gem of Lauren's soaring vocals that is the highlight of Chvrches.  It's more striking when she's accompanied by minimalistic arrangements like "Tether" and  "By The Throat," their closest songs they have to a ballad. 

Of course, as expected, the highlight of the night was during the end of their set when they performed "Mother We Share" that got everyone on their feet before closing out the show with "By The Throat." 


Chvrches
Chvrches perform at The Wiltern, Los Angeles.
photos by picksysticks
Since their debut release of their first single "Lies" and then "Mother We Share" a year ago, Chvrches has been put under a microscope as the hype surrounding them grew and grew.  Now, with the release of their debut album this past September, Chvrches have met those high expectations and then some.  

The Wiltern Setlist (Nov. 18th):  We Sink / Gun / Lungs / Now Is Not The Time / Lies / Night Sky / Strong Hand / Science and Visions / Recover / Tether / Under the Tide / The Mother We Share / By The Throat

NEW SONG: "BLACK STONE" BY UME

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UME's Lauren Larson thrashes at The Echo last March.
photo by picksysticks
Just when you thought Austin-based band UME took a chill pill on their newest song "Black Stone" which starts off with slow burning, heavy guitar riffs, they turn it on like a light switch midway into the song to the banshee, hair-flailing, frenetic, guitar-blending band we've come to love.

"Black Stone" is off their new album which is expected to drop early next year on Dangerbird Records.  Check it out below.


"Black Stone" by UME
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