Sierra Kusterbeck, Blake Harnage and Devin Ingelido are quickly rising in popularity as the harmonic alt-rock trio Versa Emerge. After nothing short of a stellar performance at Warped Tour, they retire to their bus before heading back into the chaos that is Warped Tour to check out the crowd and other bands. Sierra and Blake graciously pause for a moment to share some words with me. Read more…
Posted in Features
Looking uncharacteristically calm and relaxed, Chris Barker from Anti-Flag and I retreat into the shade of a parked semi truck to escape the blistering summer heat while we share a few words.
Posted in Features
As an introduction, allow us to debut a brand new feature for you. This piece ushers in eight straight days of Warped Tour 2010 coverage. As a result of all the outstanding bands we saw, spoke with or covered at this year’s festival we decided to put something special together. Preceding six interviews and our main festival coverage, here we have for you a special full-frame photo essay. This feature will show you in the fullest frame we can provide, photos and captions of what our team experienced at this year’s Warped Tour in Pomona California.
All photos by Pamela Lin
Posted in Features
The throngs clad in hot pants and beads crowding the gates of the NOS Events Center in San Bernardino for Insomniac’s Audiotistic Festival belied the controversy surrounding raves after the Electric Daisy Carnival death a month earlier. The only indication of the post-EDC fallout was the line marked “Refunds” for under-18 ticket holders. But with the baking desert sun setting and a major lineup on four stages to come, the excitement of the young crowd swelled in the long lines brought about by ID checks.
Mixing with big electronic acts like A-Trak, Craze, and N.A.S.A. were top underground hip hop artists including Kid Cudi, Talib Kweli, and The Cool Kids. Bassnectar was a hit on The Boombox main stage, starting his set just before midnight. On side stages, DJs took advantage of the more intimate tents to mix booming beats for the sweat-swapping ravers. Insomniac added to the atmosphere with costumed characters and dancers writhing in front of the stages including a troupe of silver-painted girls wearing nothing but pasties. Read more…
Posted in Features
Indie rock band Hypernova no doubt felt right at home playing the intimate stage of West Hollywood’s Troubadour on July 16. After all, lead singer Raam and his bandmates got their start playing underground gigs in their native Iran – where rock music is illegal – before making a highly-publicized exodus to the United States in 2007.
Between songs, Raam expressed his love for Los Angeles where Hypernova recorded their recently released debut album Through the Chaos. The packed crowd, which included many fans from the local Persian community, was entertained with a moody set that touched on all aspects of the band’s repertoire from dark alternative pop to thick dance rock. If the enthusiastic response was any measure, Hypernova will soon be known far more for their music than the story behind it. Read more…
Posted in Features
Electronic music festivals have come under attack recently. As we previously reported regarding the now infamous Electric Daisy Carnival in Los Angeles, a young girl’s death has prompted municipal authorities in the area to scrutinize the practice of these gatherings and their safety. Far from new—whether it be “raves,” club shows or open-air festivals—the scene has always drawn controversy due to its association with illicit drug use. At various times even in the U.S., lawmakers (including our current Vice President) have proposed legislation aimed at curbing the ability of so-called “raves” to operate unfettered. Trying to pin down the dividing lines between electronic dance and what constitutes rave-centric music can be as hard as defining what punk music really is; ask any fan and the answer will be radically different.
Although the image of thousands dancing in below-radar warehouses to throbbing techno beats may be a seldom occurrence nowadays, electronic music as a whole has veered oddly close to the mainstream again, arguably even closer than the late 90’s period brought to life by much of the British big beat scene. And while The Chemical Brothers, The Prodigy and Fatboy Slim may never have quite cemented the widespread and enduring acclaim of the masses, the aggressive dance of the now is poised to attempt the same feat. Leading the charge in Los Angeles (along with Insomniac Events) has been the concert series Hard. After already canceling a slated M.I.A. headlining performance in Los Angeles under a cloud of dubious circumstances, their effort went to their Hard Summer event, headlined by the Belgian electro band Soulwax. Could the event, its fans and the promoter rise to the challenge and display why electronic dance belongs in the mainstream? Sadly, the answer is no.
Posted in Features
For half a decade now, the Canadian-based Dragonette have been churning out their eclectic blend of danceable electro-pop, collaborating with the likes of Cyndi Lauper, Kaskade, and most recently Martin Solveig. Their current international tour, spanning across Europe and North America, is just about to kick off and they generously take a few moments to speak with us beforehand. Read more…
Posted in Features
Flight delays and lost baggage are but a few of the hurdles Dan Black and his touring band have encountered on their quest to entertain the nation. On the road, time becomes very limited between sound checks, practicing and playing shows. However, Black takes a moment to sit down and chat with me. “There have been quite a few near disasters with the gear on the travel over here.” Black tells me. “But the show must go on!” Read more…
Posted in Features
Having previously been swept away by their live performance the Henry Fonda Music Box, I eagerly awaited the arrival for Justin Boreta of The Glitch Mob. I patiently sipped my tea at the small coffee shop in Silverlake while brimming with curiosity of the coming conversation. Upon arrival, Boreta grabs a cup of Joe before sitting down with me. Read more…
Posted in Features
The second day of EDC 2010 turned out to be a hell of a party in Los Angeles. Capacity on the main stage field was closed off to kids getting in around 5pm and the only way in was through the surrounding bleachers. That didn’t stop the kids from continuing to jump over fences onto the field. At one point Lil’ Jon stopped the music during Laidback Luke’s set and told everyone that if they saw someone jumping over the fence to, “If you see a motherfucker trying to go over the fence, you pull the motherfucker down!” Van Buuren closed out the night on the main field with a pyrotechnic and firework show that lit up the Los Angeles skies.
Posted in Features
