Nation of Language- This Fractured Mind
The playlist below is made up of musical selections from bands and musicians who played in Los Angeles in August of 2021, and others who had or were part of concerts online. The selection includes a variety of genres, and usually includes the artists’ more recent work.
John Cale- Fear is A Man’s Best Friend
This song is from John Cale’s fourth studio album, Fear, from 1974. The Welsh artist was a founding member of The Velvet Underground before leaving and going solo. He also works as a producer and helped create the debut albums for artists including The Stooges and Patti Smith.
Below is a live version where you can see how animated he is as a performer. This version of the song also includes the addition of a bit of Chopin.
Fear Live from the Song Writers Circle (with Nick Cave & Chrissy Hynde)
Freddie Gibbs- Big Boss Rabbit
The playlist below is made up of musical selections from bands and musicians who played in Los Angeles in July of 2021, and others who had or were part of concerts online. The selection includes a variety of genres, and usually the artists’ more recent work.
Biz Markie- Nobody Beats The Biz
Legendary hip hop artist, Marcel Theo Hall, aka Biz Markie, passed away on July 16th, from complications from Type 2 diabetes.
He is best known for his most successful single, Just A Friend (which reached number nine on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1990), but it was his use of comedy and humor in his music that made him such an influential figure in hip hop.
RIP.
Cautious Clay- Strange Love feat. Saba
The playlist below is made up of musical selections from bands and musicians who played in Los Angeles in June of 2021, and others who had or were part of concerts online. As always, the selection includes a variety of genres.
Blackalicious- Make You Feel That Way
This has been such a terrible year for Gen X rappers. Rest in Peace Gift of Gab of the Sacramento duo Blackalicious, who passed away today at 50 years old of natural causes.
Make You Feel That Way is from Blackalicious’ 2002 studio album Blazing Arrow, and has been a long time feel good favorite of mine.
Cheval Sombre- Sunlight in My Room
The playlist below is made up of musical selections from bands and musicians who played in Los Angeles in May of 2021, and others who had or were part of concerts online. As always, the selection includes a variety of genres.
The song above was released as a single on May 7th.
This song by Australian band Skegss is off their latest album Rehearsal, released in March of 2021. The video was shot on drummer Jonny Lani’s farm and is a perfect match for the high energy song. For those unfamiliar with Aussie slang, “Bush TV” is a term for a campfire.
This song is on the March 2021 Spotify playlist and is not only catchy, but also very appropriate for these times.
Holiday Ghosts are from Falmouth, in Cornwall, England. This song is from their recently released (May 21st) album North Street Air. Check them out on Bandcamp and Instagram.
Dry Cleaning- Scratchcard Lanyard
The playlist below is made up of musical selections from bands and musicians who would have played in Los Angeles in April of 2021 if not for the COVID-19 pandemic, and others who had or were part of concerts online. As always, the selection includes a variety of genres.
The song above is from London band Dry Cleaning‘s 2021 album, New Long Leg.
Hopefully next month will include more bands playing live!