It’s that time again. It’s time for us to pick our favorite music video of the week! A lot of good material was released over the past few days but we had to narrow it down to one. We based our decision on creativity, music, and most importantly why you won’t see it on MTV…but should!
And the pick of this week is…
A fresh round of new album releases this week shows us the consequences of some things not washing out (at least for You, Me, and Everyone We Know), even Trent Reznor can’t resist facebook (at first denying the offer, then accepting and scoring it “a shade darker”), and despite being arrested for drug possession and pining emotionally about the past, Kid Cudi’s musical odyssey continues as a bold step into a newer, deeper sound.
When you live in Los Angeles, you’ve had plenty of chances to catch the powerful all-female band, Warpaint. As a community, we’ve all actually been quite spoiled with all the opportunities to dive into great droning shoegaze. Yet even with those facts, there was still no doubt in my decision to see them again during FYF Fest 2010.
Although it took a while for me to get used to some of their more upbeat songs (“Elephant” also has a much faster tempo now), their ability to get down to all the dark, gritty psychedelia and sensuality as a tight-knit collective is absurdly impressive – every single time.
Last week, we took time to go venture out of our usual Silverlake and Echo Park areas and hit up Occidental College for a Warpaint show. Although it felt odd to walk onto campus for a show, the night absolutely took us right where we wanted to be on 4-20 – through music, of course. However, it was a rocky start as we walked into a venue which looked much like a mess hall at summer camp. Not that we were disappointed with openers, Animal Style or Dunes, it’s just that we have never been to a show where kids were sitting cross legged on the floor before.
There is no doubt that Los Angeles’ Warpaint is one of the most mesmerizing shoegaze bands out there right now. We should know. We’ve featured them in our Know Your LA Bands series and they earned a spot in our Bands To Watch Out For In 2010 list. With their angelic looks, haunting vocals, and ability to throw down on any instruments they switch to on stage, these three ladies – and guy – have created the gorgeous album, Exquisite Corpse. The title combines beauty with the supernatural and this is exactly what you see in their new video for “Elephants.”
There is no doubt that 2009 has been a great year for music. We’ve had fun listening and sharing some of these artists with you through our BeatCrave Fav series, and we’ve also compiled a Top Albums of 2009 list like everyone else.
Today, we’re going to skip ahead and focus on the future and what great music will be coming our way in 2010. January is only a few weeks away and we want to fill you in on who we think will be the next big thing local, national, AND international. Take a look at the list of artists and bands who we believe are the bands to look out for in 2010 below!
It’s finally here! It’s the week of CMJ Festival 2009 in NYC and it all starts tomorrow. The Big Apple will literally be bursting with more noise than usual from October 20 and through October 24. If you’re going to be in the area, make sure you do your last minute registration. You have until 6:00pm tomorrow.
After that, passes will be available onsite at the Judson Memorial Church which is located at 55 Washington Square South, between Thompson and Sullivan Streets.
Also, we assume you’re planning a schedule before you go. (It gets crazy!) So check out our top pick of LA bands who will be playing CMJ this week. We’ve got dates, locations, and times for you below!
The annual Sunset Junction Street Fair officially kicked off yesterday, and BeatCrave was there to cover the goods for you!
What started out as a very hot and sticky day eventually transformed itself into the perfect breezy summer night just in time for the late acts such as Delta Spirit and Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band. Although there were three stages altogether at the festival, the Bates stage was the place to be for both your favorite and upcoming bands.
Check out what each set had to offer through the day in the re-cap below! We’ve also got a photo gallery for your viewing pleasure.
BeatCrave brings you luscious band, Warpaint, as part of our Know Your LA Bands series. Although your research on this band may be obscure, word of mouth is by far the best resource for this four-piece band. Better yet, take in a live show of Warpaint’s and throw all your research away. With three rad females and one bad ass male drummer, this band brings you the atmosphere of mystique, beauty, and psychedelia all at once. With gorgeous vocals eloquently coming from all three girls, the melodies are lilting yet seductive and their instrumental skills speak for themselves in a live setting. It’s almost impossible to define Warpaint’s exact sound in a wikipedia entry or summarize it in a bio. The essence of this band is an organic experience.
