Pages

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Odessa previews self-titled debut at Bootleg album release show

Odessa previews self-titled debut at Bootleg album release show
Mark E. Ortega
GrimyGoods.com
April 29, 2015

The last of singer-songwriter Odessa’s April residency at The Bootleg culminated in an album release show on Monday for her self-titled full-length debut. The album dropped Apr. 28.

Her album has been highly-anticipated since the release of the song “I Will Be There,” which was featured in ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy. Odessa played that song and many others from her new album to a solid crowd at The Bootleg.

Click here to read the rest...

Sunday, April 26, 2015

Damien Rice and Marketa Irglova stun Greek Theatre into combo of heartbreak, laughter

Damien Rice and Marketa Irglova stun Greek Theatre into combo of heartbreak, laughter
Mark E. Ortega
GrimyGoods.com
April 26, 2015

Last October, Damien Rice delivered one of the two or three best performances I was lucky to see in 2014 performing in a church in front of a few hundred people. Needless to say, the bar was high when I got the opportunity to see Rice and Marketa Irglova perform at the magical Greek Theatre on Friday night.

Somehow, Rice exceeded those expectations. Performing a handful of songs from his 2014 masterpiece My Favourite Faded Fantasy as well as old favorites, Rice kept the mood light in between delivering his usual gut-wrenching songs, regularly busting up the crowd into laughter.

Click here to read the rest...

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Alabama Shakes give special intimiate performance at Apogee Studios

Alabama Shakes give special intimiate performance at Apogee Studios
Mark E. Ortega
GrimyGoods.com
April 21, 2015

Just a few days removed from their second of two tremendous sunset Coachella sets, the soulful Alabama Shakes performed a much more intimate — and just as affecting — set at Apogee Studios yesterday in Santa Monica.

I myself had just returned from my second weekend in the desert, and anyone who has been to Coachella before can attest that it usually necessitates a 24-hour recovery period of doing nothing but sleep. This year, one hour of seeing Brittany Howard and her band was enough to shake me out of that funk. Not one minute into the set-opening “Miss You” and I was moving my feet as though I hadn’t just watched three straight days of live music.

Click here to read the rest...

Friday, April 17, 2015

Chet Faker soothes Club Nokia with chill vibes

Chet Faker soothes Club Nokia with chill vibes
Mark E. Ortega
GrimyGoods.com
April 17, 2015

Chet Faker was in a celebratory mood Wednesday night at Club Nokia in downtown LA.

Exactly one year ago to the day, the Aussie electro-funk artist released his debut full-length Built on Glass, which led to his meteoric rise and subsequent sold out shows across the world.

Click here to read the rest...

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Royal Blood leave fans speechless (and one fan shoeless) at Fonda

Royal Blood leave fans speechless (and one fan shoeless) at Fonda
Mark E. Ortega
GrimyGoods.com
April 15, 2015

Just two days removed from their excellent Coachella debut, British rockers Royal Blood shook the Fonda Theatre to its core on Monday night.

Still feeling the effects of Coachella myself, the duo of Mike Kerr and Ben Thatcher shook me out of the funk that comes with three long days in the desert. By midway through their set, I wished I was up in the pit section where a bunch of younger people were getting a pretty good mosh going.

Click here to read the rest...

Monday, April 13, 2015

Florence + The Machine gives transcendent Coachella performance

Florence + The Machine gives transcendent Coachella performance
Mark E. Ortega
GrimyGoods.com
April 13, 2015

Damn it is good to see Florence + The Machine on the main stage at Coachella.

Another of the seemingly endless Coachella legacy performers, Florence Welch definitely outshined the evening headliner Drake, and was probably one of the two or three best performances of the entire weekend.

Click here to read the rest...

Drake doesn't live up to Coachella-ending billing

Drake doesn't live up to Coachella-ending billing
Mark E. Ortega
GrimyGoods.com
April 13, 2015

Let me preface this review of his Sunday main stage closing Coachella set by saying I’m not the biggest Drake fan.

That being said, I had high expectations headed into it, and they weren’t quite met by the mega star rapper’s performance. With all the features on his tracks over the past few years — and this being Coachella — you expected a who’s who to walk out on stage at any given moment. The fact that it was a spotlight-starved Madonna, was a massive disappointment.

Click here to read the rest...

Radiohead's Philip Selway brings life to stellar Coachella set

Radiohead's Philip Selway brings life to stellar Coachella set
Mark E. Ortega
GrimyGoods.com
April 13, 2015

One thinks he would have been better attended had the Coachella schedule simply read “Drummer for Radiohead.” Despite playing to a rather sparse crowd at the Gobi tent on Sunday, Philip Selway brought to life a stellar set.

Click here to read the rest...

Ryan Adams provides Sunday's alt-rock vibes and witty banter

Ryan Adams provides Sunday's alt-rock vibes and witty banter
Mark E. Ortega
GrimyGoods.com
April 13, 2015

Most of Sunday’s performances at Coachella were electronic flavored and the main headliner Drake was hip-hop, but festival stalwart Ryan Adams made it clear rock ‘n’ roll is here to stay.

Adams poked fun at the noise bleed from across the way and provided sarcastic banter in between performing songs from his fantastic self-titled album from last year, plus a few from his time backed by The Cardinals.

Click here to read the rest...

MØ turns an early Sunday at Coachella into MØchella

MØ turns an early Sunday at Coachella into MØchella
Mark E. Ortega
GrimyGoods.com
April 13, 2015

Despite an early Sunday set, breakthrough Danish singer MØ performed to a packed Gobi tent and was one of the early favorites of the day.

Joining MØ on stage at one point was Swedish singer Elliphant and the two performed their song “One More” to much appreciation.

Click here to read the rest...

Gesaffelstein flips bird to Coachella's set time limit

Gesaffelstein flips bird to Coachella's set time limit
Mark E. Ortega
GrimyGoods.com
April 13, 2015

The word on the street is that Gesaffelstein‘s two Coachella performances will be his last live festival sets ever. Sunday’s set in the Mojave tent nailed home the thought that this should be sad news for everyone.

Providing one of the best light shows of the entire weekend, Gesaffestein’s crowd was serviceable considering many people were getting ready to get their spots for Drake on the main stage.

Click here to read the rest...

Jenny Lewis delivers mini-Rilo Kiley reunion, HAIM collab at Coachella


Jenny Lewis delivers mini-Rilo Kiley reunion, HAIM collab at Coachella
Mark E. Ortega
GrimyGoods.com
April 13, 2015

Longtime Jenny Lewis fans like myself had been waiting for what happened Sunday at Coachella’s Outdoor Theatre for a long time.

Fellow former Rilo Kiley member Blake Sennett showed up to play guitar on “Portions for Foxes,” as his new project Night Terrors of 1927 performed earlier in the day. Sennett gave a spirited effort, though his timing was a tad off having probably not performed the song in awhile since the band disbanded in 2007.

Click here to read the rest...

Marina and the Diamonds is the cherry on top at Coachella

Marina and the Diamonds is the cherry on top at Coachella
Mark E. Ortega
GrimyGoods.com
April 13, 2015

Sometimes, even the performers can’t help but get caught up in the moment at Coachella. Towards the end of her set Sunday, British pop star Marina and the Diamonds experienced this.

“Can you take a selfie with me?” the British pop star asked the assembled crowd. “Coachella, thank you, you’re so sweet.”

Click here to read the rest...

Desaparecidos rattle bones at Coachella

Desaparecidos rattle bones at Coachella
Mark E. Ortega
GrimyGoods.com
April 13, 2015

Conor Oberst’s old punk band Desaparecidos played old material as well as new jams from an upcoming album to a reasonably-sized crowd in the Gobi tent Sunday afternoon. They haven’t released an album since 2002’s Read Music/Speak Spanish and have only played a few select shows since that time.

Click here to read the rest...

St. Vincent turns into a superhero at Coachella


St. Vincent turns into a superhero at Coachella
Mark E. Ortega
GrimyGoods.com
April 13, 2015

What makes Annie Clark aka St. Vincent such a compelling performer is that she isn’t just portraying a character. On stage, Clark IS St. Vincent and she blew people away — people walked away feeling as though they were leaving an experience and not just a festival set.

St. Vincent’s crowd wasn’t large as people chose to stay at the main stage after Kaskade and move closer for Florence + The Machine and Drake, but she rewarded those who checked her out. Though her album won her a GRAMMY last year, I now think that she’s that much better live.

Click here to read the rest...

Saint Motel give spirited Coachella performance (with added babes)


Saint Motel give spirited Coachella performance (with added babes)
Mark E. Ortega
GrimyGoods.com
April 13, 2015

An early set time on Coachella Sunday can be a difficult thing for a band to take control of. The crowd (and maybe the band) that did show up are two full days hungover and you can’t count on a large turnout.

Click here to read the rest...

Mac DeMarco charms Coachella with fun singalong and comedy


Mac DeMarco charms Coachella with fun singalong and comedy
Mark E. Ortega
GrimyGoods.com
April 13, 2015

A lot of the headlines that come out of Coachella tend to be who the special guests in a given day were. One of the best from Sunday? Comedian Eric Andre coming on stage during psych-folk rocker Mac DeMarco’s early afternoon set and shaking a comically-sized dildo for a few minutes before proclaiming he just turned 13 years old.

Click here to read the rest...

Sunday, April 12, 2015

Jack White plays all at Coachella: White Stripes, Racounteurs and more


Jack White plays all at Coachella: White Stripes, Racounteurs and more
Mark E. Ortega
GrimyGoods.com
April 12, 2015

Some were a bit wishy-washy when the lineup came out and Jack White was one of the headliners.

Those that took in his performance Saturday night probably walked back that opinion just a few minutes into his mesmerizing set on the main stage.

Click here to read the rest...

The Weeknd tops Coachella main stage with baby-making jams


The Weeknd tops Coachella main stage with baby-making jams
Mark E. Ortega
GrimyGoods.com
April 12, 2015

Nine months from Saturday night, there are going to be a lot of babies that are born as a result of the Weeknd’s main stage closing set.

“This is the greatest night of my entire life,” Abel Tesfaye said at one point during his set. Tesfaye’s bedroom ballads were the perfect setting for many couples or attempting-to-be couples that were holding each other tight.

Click here to read the rest...

Run the Jewels bump Coachella, joined by Zack de la Rocha and Travis Barker


Run the Jewels bump Coachella, joined by Zack de la Rocha and Travis Barker
Mark E. Ortega
GrimyGoods.com
April 12, 2015

Run the Jewels have been lighting the world on fire the past year and Coachella wasn’t any different for the hip-hop duo on Saturday.

The Mojave tent was packed with avid hip-hop fans needing to throw some middle fingers in the air. El-P and Killer Mike had a couple of surprises up their sleeves, like Rage Against the Machine’s Zack de la Rocha coming out for “Close Your Eyes (And Count to Fuck),” as well as drummer Travis Barker performing with them.

Click here to read the rest...

Hozier joined by Este Haim at Coachella, covering The Time's "Jungle Love"


Hozier joined by Este Haim at Coachella, covering The Time's "Jungle Love"
Mark E. Ortega
GrimyGoods.com
April 12, 2015

One of Coachella’s best surprises Saturday was when Hozier brought out Este Haim to perform a cover of The Time’s “Jungle Love.” But the rest of his 50-minute main stage set proved he’s not a gimmick, or a one-hit wonder.

Still, Coachella in 2015 hasn’t exactly been known for big surprises and Este’s entrance to the stage was well-received. “That was so fun, holy shit,” Haim said at the end of the song.

Click here to read the rest...

alt-J continue to rise, attracting a massive crowd at Coachella main stage


alt-J continue to rise, attracting a massive crowd at Coachella main stage
Mark E. Ortega
GrimyGoods.com
April 12, 2015

English indie rockers alt-J continued their rise Saturday at Coachella, playing to one of the larger main stage crowds.

They’ve been regulars on the festival circuit lately, and they proved with their performance that they will be mainstays for years to come. It was only two years ago that they last played Coachella, and in that span they’ve grown their following considerably.

Click here to read the rest...

Drive Like Jehu rock reunion show at Coachella despite sparse crowd


Drive Like Jehu rock reunion show at Coachella despite sparse crowd
Mark E. Ortega
GrimyGoods.com
April 12, 2015

Drive Like Jehu played to a sparse crowd at the Gobi tent Saturday at Coachella, but their long time fans got full effort from the San Diego post-punk band.

When I say sparse, I mean about 100 people. The late night spots opposite the headliners is a death sentence, as Pet Shop Boys faced a similar issue last year.

Click here to read the rest...

Tycho an impressive counter in Mojave to main-stage finishers at Coachella


Tycho an impressive counter in Mojave to main-stage finishers at Coachella
Mark E. Ortega
GrimyGoods.com
April 12, 2015

Scott Hansen has grown Tycho considerably as a live performance over the years, and Saturday night at Coachella he put up quite a fight in the Mojave tent as Jack White raged on the main stage.

Those that opted to skip at least part of White’s gritty rock set were treated to a tantalizing performance from Hansen and his backing band.

Click here to read the rest...

Father John Misty makes one fan's year, and many fans' night at Coachella


Father John Misty makes one fan's year, and many fans' night at Coachella
Mark E. Ortega
GrimyGoods.com
April 12, 2015

Josh Tillman aka Father John Misty put a lot of effort into making one female fan named Amy’s entire year, but his performance also went a long way to being a highlight of many people’s Saturday at Coachella,

Halfway through his set, he brought Amy on stage and had her surrounded by women with pasties and “Eyes Wide Shut” masks as he sang her a cover of Leonard Cohen’s “I’m Your Man” on one knee. Does it get any better than that?

Click here to read the rest...

Jungle proves to be one of Saturday's best feel-good performances at Coachella


Jungle proves to be one of Saturday's best feel-good performances at Coachella
Mark E. Ortega
GrimyGoods.com
April 12, 2015

Jungle had one of the shorter mid-day sets Saturday at Coachella, but damn was it sweet.

The London soul band’s set had the Mojave tent jumping and throwing their hands in the air. There were pockets all throughout the crowd of people dancing in a circle, taking turns showing their best moves.

Click here to read the rest...

Bad Religion's nostalgic punk a hit at Coachella main stage


Bad Religion's nostalgic punk a hit at Coachella main stage
Mark E. Ortega
GrimyGoods.com
April 12, 2015

Bad Religion didn’t mess around in delivering a greatest-hits style set on the main stage late in the afternoon at Coachella on Saturday. Longtime fans were treated to a set of mostly longtime favorites, and they managed to ALMOST get through 18 full songs.

They went so deep that they had to be cut off a few seconds before their final song “Fields of Mars” finished. Still, fans were left wanting more as punk isn’t as prevalent in the lineup as it was when Coachella first came to fruition in 1999.

Click here to read the rest...

St. Paul & the Broken Bones transform Coachella into soul-chella


St. Paul & the Broken Bones transform Coachella into soul-chella
Mark E. Ortega
GrimyGoods.com
April 12, 2015

The way that Charles Bradley brought the soul on Friday, Alabama’s St. Paul & the Broken Bones brought more of it in spades early on Saturday afternoon at Coachella.

With impressive horns and drums and piano behind him, Paul Janeway’s vocals were a great reward for those early risers who were nursing massive hangovers.

Click here to read the rest...

Chet Faker brings serenity to Coachella in late afternoon


Chet Faker brings serenity to Coachella in late afternoon
Mark E. Ortega
GrimyGoods.com
April 12, 2015

Chet Faker’s electrofunk came at the perfect time on Saturday, serving as the midpoint of Coachella’s three-day festival in the late afternoon.

Faker, aka Nicholas Murphy, had the crowd at the Outdoor Theatre dancing with his laid back vibes. His cover of the hip-hop classic “No Diggity” was one of the evening’s best singalong moments.

Click here to read the rest...

Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness shine through the early Coachella sun


Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness shine through the early Coachella sun
Mark E. Ortega
GrimyGoods.com
April 12, 2015

Prolific songwriter Andrew McMahon pulled out tricks old and new at his Outdoor Theatre set at Coachella on Saturday afternoon.

Songs from his previous lives in Something Corporate and Jack’s Mannequin came to the forefront. But the strong overall message at the end of his set was that he’s still good at writing catchy anthemic choruses that make you wish you were with a group of friends singing them.

Click here to read the rest...

Ryn Weaver proves the buzz is real in Coachella set


Ryn Weaver proves the buzz is real in Coachella set
Mark E. Ortega
GrimyGoods.com
April 12, 2015

Dressed in her finest desert festival gear, rising pop star Ryn Weaver made the most of her early Saturday set time in Coachella’s Mojave tent.

A nice breeze blew through the crowd — which quadrupled in size from the beginning to the end of her charismatic performance.

Click here to read the rest...

Saturday, April 11, 2015

Coachella gets 'Thunderstruck' with AC/DC's explosive headlining performance


Coachella gets 'Thunderstruck' with AC/DC's explosive headlining performance
Mark E. Ortega
GrimyGoods.com
April 11, 2015

For their first show without founding guitarist Malcolm Young (who left the band due to health reasons), AC/DC showed they still got it, playing a marathon set that was still going when Alesso, who started an hour later, had finished up his set at Sahara.

A 20-song set capped most people’s first day of Coachella in 2015, and they certainly went back to their campsites or luxurious hotels pleased. Though they played a handful of tracks from their new album, everyone was there to experience the hits, for which these classic rockers have churned them out over the decades by the dozen.

Click here to read the rest...

Tame Impala give fans the ultimate "trip" at Coachella


Tame Impala give fans the ultimate "trip" at Coachella
Mark E. Ortega
GrimyGoods.com
April 11, 2015

Aussie rockers Tame Impala blew away the main stage crowd at Coachella on Friday with their psychedelic set.

Their music is powerful enough to make you feel like you’re on drugs — even when you aren’t. Lead man Kevin Parker and company have really begun to peak as performers, and Friday’s strong showing could help take them to new heights after performing in Indio just two Coachellas ago.

Click here to read the rest...

Sylvan Esso cranks up the heat at Coachella in Mojave tent


Sylvan Esso cranks up the heat at Coachella in Mojave tent
Mark E. Ortega
GrimyGoods.com
April 11, 2015

Electronic duo Sylvan Esso helped welcome Coachella’s audience as they were still arriving on Friday after a raucous early set at the Mojave tent.

Nick Sanborn was a magician on his gear as he mixed vocalist Amelia Meath’s vocals live as she sang them. The two were able to get people dancing to their song “H.S.K.T.,” everyone singing back “My head, my shoulders, knees and toes” as large dance circles began to form.

Click here to read the rest...

Ab-Soul pays fellow TDE performer Kendrick Lamar respect at Coachella


Ab-Soul pays fellow TDE performer Kendrick Lamar respect at Coachella
Mark E. Ortega
GrimyGoods.com
April 11, 2015


Top Dawg Entertainment’s Ab-Soul performed Friday night in the Gobi tent — and he did a little tribute to fellow TDE member Kendrick Lamar in his set.

Ab-Soul performed Kendrick’s “King Kunta” from his recently-released and highly-acclaimed album To Pimp a Butterfly, showing that TDE are all ride or die together.

Click here to read the rest...

Lykke Li helps Coachella feel all their feels, and also covers Drake


Lykke Li helps Coachella feel all their feels, and also covers Drake
Mark E. Ortega
GrimyGoods.com
April 11, 2015

“No Rest for the Wicked” could be the tagline to Coachella, but it was also a song that indie pop star Lykke Li used to help kick off her emotional rollercoaster of a set on Friday at the Mojave tent.

Lykke Li is an immensely talented songwriter and one of today’s best at tackling heartbreak, and you could see thousands of hearts melt as she tore through ballads like “Just Like a Dream,” “Gunshot,” and “Never Love Again.”

Click here to read the rest...

Alabama Shakes bring their A-game to Coachella's Outdoor Theatre


Alabama Shakes bring their A-game to Coachella's Outdoor Theatre
Mark E. Ortega
GrimyGoods.com
April 11, 2015

The Alabama Shakes have built a reputation as stellar performers, and Friday at Coachella on the Outdoor Theatre, they more than lived up to that with a wicked sunset set.

Brittany Howard is a Jill-of-all-trades, her vocal prowess damn near unmatched and her guitar skills respectable. Their music was perfect for the time of day, the sunlight disappearing behind the palm trees as they got a few songs deep.

Click here to read the rest...

Shoegaze fans get a full Ride to Coachella


Shoegaze fans get a full Ride to Coachella
Mark E. Ortega
GrimyGoods.com
April 11, 2015

They got a warm up gig at The Roxy out of the way last week, and legendary British shoegaze band Ride was on top of their game at Coachella on Friday. The Roxy gig was the first of theirs in 20 years and they were one of the auspiciously few reunion acts on this year’s bill. Despite playing to a smaller crowd than deserved in the Gobi tent, Ride rocked it like they were mainstage headliners.

Click here to read the rest...

Action Bronson gets weird with it at Coachella, brings out comedian George Lopez


Action Bronson gets weird with it at Coachella, brings out comedian George Lopez
Mark E. Ortega
GrimyGoods.com
April 11, 2015

You gotta give it to Action Bronson for his creativity when it came to his special guest during Friday’s early afternoon performance at Coachella.

Bronson has worked with a bevy of talented rappers and producers, but the “motherf*cking legend” that he brought on stage was…George Lopez? Yeah. Comedian George Lopez.

Click here to read the rest...

Steely Dan at Coachella 2015: 'We've still got it'


Steely Dan at Coachella 2015: 'We've still got it'
Mark E. Ortega
GrimyGoods.com
April 11, 2015

“We’re still here. We’ve still got it. And if you want it. You’ll have to come and get it,” said Steely Dan guitarist, Walter Becker, in an almost 1990’s pro wrestling promo during their highly-anticipated set at Coachella’s Outdoor Theatre.

Click here to read the rest...

The War on Drugs deliver glorious sunset performance at Coachella


The War on Drugs deliver glorious sunset performance at Coachella
Mark E. Ortega
GrimyGoods.com
April 11, 2015

Philly indie rock band The War on Drugs played lots of stuff off their critically-acclaimed third album Lost in the Dream, impressing fans both old and previously unfamiliar with their work during their main stage performance at Coachella on Friday.

Click here to read the rest...

Kimbra lights up Gobi tent at Coachella day one


Kimbra lights up Gobi tent at Coachella day one
Mark E. Ortega
GrimyGoods.com
April 11, 2015

New Zealand’s Kimbra really knows how to put on a show.

From her outfit to her vocal range to her stage presence, she had the full package working Friday late afternoon in the Gobi tent. Wearing another one of her spectacular outfits, a metallic looking dress underneath an interesting shawl-type thing, Kimbra electrified the crowd from the start of her set until the end.

Click here to read the rest...

Raekwon and Ghostface Killah bring nostalgia to forefront at Coachella


Raekwon and Ghostface Killah bring nostalgia to forefront at Coachella
Mark E. Ortega
GrimyGoods.com
April 11, 2015

Wu-Tang Clan veterans Raekwon and Ghostface Killah celebrated the 20th anniversary of Only Built 4 Cuban Linx in the desert at Coachella on Friday, giving fans a taste of some of ’90s hip-hop at its best.

Click here to read the rest...

Thursday, April 9, 2015

12 Coachella Acts You Must Experience at Sunset - Music to Fit Your Mood


12 Coachella Acts You Must Experience at Sunset - Music to Fit Your Mood
Mark E. Ortega
GrimyGoods.com
April 9, 2015


There’s few things better than a sunset on the Polo Fields during Coachella. Depending on what sort of mood you’re in, any number of choices at the moment the sun begins to fade could be the right one for you. This guide goes over what might be the best fit for whatever you’re feeling at the moment.

Sunset takes place between 7:12 and 7:14 PM all three days according to Accuweather.com.

Click here to read the rest...

Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Tobias Jesso Jr. charms a sold-out Echo with piano magic and style


Tobias Jesso Jr. charms a sold-out Echo with piano magic and style
Mark E. Ortega
GrimyGoods.com
April 7, 2015


Saturday, burgeoning songwriter Tobias Jesso Jr. played a magnificent, but brief sold-out set at The Echo. With a start time on the early side at 7:30 PM, Jesso’s hour-long set served as a tasty appetizer for most people’s nights out.

Showing a bit of greenness at live performing, Jesso’s banter was bit on the awkward but funny side in between songs. Jesso made a point to note that he hasn’t perfected that aspect of his show yet.

Click here to read the rest...

Monday, April 6, 2015

Kitten packs two nights of rock into one unforgettable night at Troubadour

Kitten packs two nights of rock into one unforgettable night at Troubadour
Mark E. Ortega
GrimyGoods.com
April 6, 2015

Friday night, Los Angeles rocker Chloe Chaidez and her band Kitten went so hard at The Troubadour that the singer strained her voice and had to postpone the second of two scheduled nights at the famed Hollywood venue. Those that were able to squeeze into the sold-out show on Friday were treated to a memorable performance. Chaidez went the extra mile to make the show extra special — overcoming a number of technical glitches and a voice that at times wouldn’t cooperate — really solidifying her reputation as one of LA’s premier performers.

Click here to read the rest...

Friday, April 3, 2015

Death Cab for Cutie preview "Kintsugi" at exclusive iHeartRadio Theater LA performance


Death Cab for Cutie preview "Kintsugi" at exclusive iHeartRadio Theater LA performance
Mark E. Ortega
GrimyGoods.com
April 3, 2015

Thursday night in Burbank, indie rock stalwarts Death Cab for Cutie played a few tracks from their newly-dropped album Kintsugi — the first Death Cab album since co-founding member Chris Walla decided to walk away — at the magnificent iHeartRadio Theater LA.

The new songs sounded built for the larger-scale venues that they’ll play on their upcoming tour (like July 12 at the Hollywood Bowl), except for the token slow ballad “Little Wanderer,” that came later in the set.

Click here to read the rest...

An interview with Kitten's Chloe Chaidez: Connecting with fans on all levels


An interview with Kitten's Chloe Chaidez: Connecting with fans on all levels
Mark E. Ortega
GrimyGoods.com
April 3, 2015


It’s hard to comprehend that Chloe Chaidez, aka Kitten, is just 20 years of age. What isn’t difficult to understand is why Chaidez is so comfortable on stage and known for delivering high energy live shows, given the fact she’s been performing for half of her life.

Much has been made about her young age, but as Chaidez approaches actually being old enough to enter the 21+ venues she has been playing in regularly, less focus will be put on her youth and more on her substance, and Chaidez is just fine with that.

Click here to read the rest...

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

9 Lesser-Known Acts You Need to See at Coachella


9 Lesser-Known Acts You Need to See at Coachella
Mark E. Ortega
GrimyGoods.com
April 1, 2015


Coachella is less than 10 days away! As you start going into Coachella mode and planning your course of action, make sure to check out some lesser known bands this year to get the real Coachella experience. Sure, Jack White, Drake and AC/DC are all a sight to see live — but so are the smaller acts. You just don’t know it yet. After all, that is what Coachella was once all about.

Below we’ve selected nine lesser know bands you need to see this year at Coachella 2015! While we’re no stranger to these bands and have covered many of them numerous times, a lot of Coachella-goers have no idea how great these bands are live. So do yourself a favor and schedule them into your Coachooser.

Click here to read the rest...