Listen to “Synthesizers” here BUY HERE Butch Walker leaves the producer seat for songwriter once again alongside the Black Widows for the release of their 6th album, The Spade now out on Dangerbird Records. After producing hits for Avril Lavigne, Katy Perry,
Listen to “Guilty Filthy Soul” here Buy Here Listen to “Sail” here Buy Here Santa Monica based, Awolnation, is the solo project of Aaron Bruno. The concept behind his music not only comes out in the genre-mashing nature of his sound, a hi-fi pulse of electronic-rock/hip hop, but also encompasses his brand(of AWOL), which he [...]
Listen to “Monk” here BUY HERE Psychedelic garage band, Mini Mansions, is an American modern-day Beatles, if you put aside their ethereal, grunge-goth sound not too far from a more pop-inclined Pink Floyd. “Monk” shows the whimsical side of their many catchy tunes off the LA threesome’s self-titled debut album. Although, “Kiddie Hypnogogia” is a [...]
Ever heard of Munchausen by Proxy? No? Well they’re only the best fictional band ever. Check out the world famous Jim Carrey in Yes Man and you’ll discover Zooey Deschanel proving her rock chops. Sure her pipes shone bright in Elf, but this actress turned dorky rock star teamed up with guitar maven Matt Ward [...]
I had to go old school for this week, mainly because I can’t get enough of this song. Hopefully you’ll feel the same. Before there was Van Morrison there was Them. I mean they were Them. I mean, err…never mind. Founded in 1964 out of Belfast, the band released one single unsuccessfully before going in [...]
Prince and the Revolution : Darling Nikki Prince, often known for his eroticism in music, came out with the highly sensual hit Darling Nikki whose lyrics are supposedly the reason Parental Advisory stickers on album covers were founded. The song is performed by Prince and the Revolution during a particularly emotionally climactic part in the epic [...]
SO FUN! San Diego resident Nathan Williams makes blistering, doo-wave rock about teenage boredom in sun-drenched suburbia. The self-described surf punk says his sound is about: “buried melody. A combination of musical influence both from my parents and friends growing up.” This means a stew of Beach Boys harmonies and the lo-fi energy of Nirvana and Sonic Youth.
The Filthy Youth : Come Flash All Your Ladies Just when you thought he had won your heart over enough as the connivingly romantic Gossip Boy Chuck Bass, Ed Westwick wins it over yet again fronting his band The Filthy Youth. Another unsigned indie injection into the British music scene that, much to our dismay, has not [...]
San Diego zoo has a couple motionless crocodiles you can look at through a glass window, but San Diego the city created the far from motionless band of the same name. Rumor has it that the Crocodiles’ lead singer has some pretty fancy footwork on the stage and he may look like Bob Dylan but don’t go calling him Bob or Dylan. The duo made use of the drum machine in such a way in Soft Skull (In My Room) it is definitely a hit at first listen. The band also has a blog somewhat appropriately [and hilariously] entitled KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL. Appropriate in that their album released earlier this year is called Summer of Hate and the second song on it is called I Wanna Kill. Despite all these negative titles, their music happens to uplift the listener; it is not at all harsh on the ears nor does it make one want to put razor to wrist. They recently toured with UK band The Horrors but catch them live touring with UK bands Pens and Graffiti Island on their West Coast Summer Tour – Coming to a Spaceland near you this coming Thursday August 27th, Los Angeles! ..and you can look at these Crocodiles from the front row, kill a glass window.
‘White LIGHT WHITE Heat’ editorial with Daniela Mirzac and Jacob by Mike Kobal for SOMA Magazine The Music Issue Volume 23.4 July 2009.
An editorial named after a classic Velvet Underground album absolutely deserves mention. Especially in these times of ripped denim, leather aplenty, sheer sexy fabric, messy hair, smokey eyes, chains, and studs. Sex,drugs, and rock & roll makes its return in this shoot for SOMA Magazine by Kobal. See full spread on PaperMode.