Perfect Places has been released from the much anticipated album Melodrama 

The Observatory has been blessing us with fantastic festival line ups lately 

Announced: Feb. 7th 2017 

Festival Date: April 8th & 9th 2017 

Lineup Highlights 

Wildin’ out with DVBBS on a Saturday

DVBBS (Ontario, Canada), Bad Royale (Magicland, CA), Local

The NOVO

Los Angeles, CA - 2/4/17

If I am being completely honest, this was my first legit EDM style show. Don’t get me wrong - it think it’s super great music but before Saturday I just never felt like making the outfit for Hard Summer. One time I saw ZEDD but that was only by chance (he was a surprise set at a show for Bruno Mars). Anyways Local opened the show with some mellow beats that kept the crowd moving up until 10, when Bad Royale promptly walked on stage. Flags were waved during their set, which started getting people moving. Dance pits formed - even one mosh broke out, which was cool and girls were crowd surfing. They even played a spot from “Inside Out” by the Chainsmokers, which was pretty cool if you ask me...

DVBBS hit the stage and things got amazingly turnt. Smoke immediately spat from the stage and as I turned from the photo pit all I saw was a dark figure with a blunt in each hand standing on the stage like a God. EDM shows are wild in the fact that they are just a giant party and now that’s all I want to see. Thanks DVBBS

Big Sean, Sampha, Syd, Vince Staples - Tunes that will carry us through the weekend and be -fuckin- yond. 

Big Sean I Decided and brings out some homies like Eminem, Metro Boomin, Jeremih, Migos and more. Only listened to it twice so far but its an album thats really going to sink in. So far I highly suggest Light. 

Syd released her first solo album FIN that will tear you apart. Recently her Internet family has just been putting out amazing revolutionary sounds. Hers is no different. Its a breeze listen and so pleasant. 

Sampha just put out his heart throbbing album Process that will make the toughest thugs cry. Its magical.

Syd, Matt Martians, Steve Lacy, Patrick Paige II, Chris Smith March 19 @ Fonda Theatre 

Here is a list of shows that are readily available if you would like to rock out instead of cuddle with yourself on Feb 14th. 

The Frights w/ The Buttertones - El Rey Theater

Angel Olsen, Jonathan Richman, Chris Cohen - The Wiltern

Too Close To Touch - Chain Reaction 

Kali Uchis - The Observatory 

Top Dawg Entertainment artist SZA, whose label mates include Kendrick Lamar and Ab-Soul, releases her album “CTRL” Feb. 3 brings us an album that includes personal experiences she has had to deal with in the past. So far we have been able to listen to the first single from her newest studio album “Drew Barrymore” 

Somebody get the tacos, somebody spark the blunt Let's start the Narcos off at episode one Bring the gin, got the juice Bring the sin, got that too Whoa, just shut up, know you're my favorite Am I...

In an interview with Billboard she shared, “Being at ­sleep away camp away from my parents, being the only black girl, not even noticing until I got older, dealing with boys, self-hate, growth, and God. It’s the first time I’m literally writing about my life instead of figuratively writing about it.”

[photo by Mikael Janssen] 

Interview Magazine put up an article of two sisters both equally talented and equally amazing in every way. They sit down to chat and as you read the interview you catch a glimpse of the intimate interaction the two sisters have (duh, they’re sisters). It is 100% familiar because like most of us, we sit down and ask or talk to our siblings, family, and friends it would sound exactly the same. But imagine interviewing your multi-talented baby sister about her perspectives on her own art, something she loves so much. We learn very elusive details about her creation process of the album, also how “Cranes In The Sky” was written eight years ago and why, and how the cover art is the personal piece that was inspired by yet another great work of art - the Mona Lisa.  

The entire interview piece is incredible because rather than the conversation going in a direct line, its more of a back and forth “do you remember” - something that any sister or brother would say to another. Yet we are still learning so much dire information that opens up the eyes of listeners and even Solange’s own sister, who may or may not have known these personal feelings. 

Shout out - Glover (aka Childish Gambino) just won a Golden Globe for his critically acclaimed television show “Atlanta”, which is a brilliantly written comedy show about the upheavals of the rap game in a city notorious for hip hop gold. 

The point of this post is that Glover took some time out of his thank you credits to shout out Migos for their dope ass song “Bad and Boujee” which he later explained post award show to a reporter who mispronounced “Migos” (but thats besides the point it was just really funny when he corrected her) that it is just a great song to have sex to. Sure. Keep stuntin Glover

Thank You Donald Glover! #Culture 01.27.17 pic.twitter.com/BzSwDZdEPi

— MIGOS™ (@Migos)

January 9, 2017

Photo by: @shutterhappyjose

Recently signed to Matador Records - like yesterday - singer/songwriter Julien Baker made the big announcement with yet another heart wrenching song. This one called “Funeral Pyre” reminding us how music is really a glorified form of poetry. 

“And I would've loved you with the dying fire let you smother me down to the embers... Frostbite turning my limbs as black as cinder of funeral pyre” 

In light of the 7th year anniversary of “Contra”, Vampire Weekend’s sophomore album that was leaked onto the internet in 2010, former band member Rostam Batmanglij took to Twitter to answer some questions about the album. He got around to some questions that gave us insight to the influences of the album, the cover art story, and more. 

@Nickbellitti that's a super good question, i think we felt like contra was going to be a little more electronic generally and it fit more

— Rostam Batmanglij (@matsoR) January 6, 2017

@RileytheMac I thought it was really 80s to put the tonic and fifth in every chord... I wanted to do futuristic 80s vibes

— Rostam Batmanglij (@matsoR) January 6, 2017

b4 contra came out i'd play it for friends & I always played it in reverse order because the last three songs were the ones I loved the most

— Rostam Batmanglij (@matsoR) January 6, 2017

@andreyazizov I searched New York City 1983 on Flickr , and that picture came up

— Rostam Batmanglij (@matsoR) January 6, 2017

Since the band disassembled, Rostam has been working on some of his own projects, announced new music for 2017, and has even scored the new Netflix Original, “The OA” a sci-fi thriller that has been acclaimed as the “adult version of Stranger Things” and was co - written by his brother Zal. 

It has been a while since we listened to the album “Contra” from top to bottom and there are no regrets that is for sure, so here is a personal favorite video from Pitchfork.tv of VW doing a cute little basement set of “Horchata” - enjoy! 

Stay woke LA - the Coachella lineup is here and its got some very expected artists. Passes for the three day festival will go on sale Wednesday 1.4.17 at 11am PST. 

Do you remember when Estelle made Kanye her American boy? Well Im making Kevin Abstract ours. 

Reminiscent of the dreamy adolescent scene most only saw in movies about high school like “Cinderella Story” (or maybe it was just me) this album plays as a fresh new pop soundtrack. Having been released in November and soon after accompanied by a Prom (yessss a real life prom) thrown for all the kids who never went to theirs - it caught the attention of publications such as Fader and the city of Los Angeles itself. 

“American Boyfriend: A Suburban Love Story” gives us truth about what its like to still be struggling through in a mixed viewed culture some of the parents don’t really get, “Can’t tell my family I'm bi, Can’t tell my mother I’m gay - The hardest part of my day is wishing I was fucking straight” Abstract understands what its like to be stressed TF out & translates it into the best possible language ever person in a delicate situation can understand. His melodies and vibes rise above and expand upon what most have already laid down in the pop hop scene. “Miserable America” gives a sweet base beat with a nice 90′s agenda. We take a look into his eyes in “Echo” and have thoughts about replaying “Empty” because that piano is as fresh as a flower. Its a wonderfully surprising album that gives the best type of nostalgia you wont be expecting until you listen to it through and through.    

We can catch Kevin on tour in LA & OC at least 2 times next year on the “Death Of A Supermodel Tour” at the Observatory on 2.22 & The Roxy 3.25

*insert paper vagina cut out here*

It has been an amazing year for music and even though a woman will not be our next president, women are doing very well running the music scene. After last night I can finally feel secure that we are living in a world where girls leading bands are not compared to Gwen Stefani or Hayley Williams anymore. I am sure most of the crowd in Pomona last night could agree with me. It was a perfectly mixed crowd of great people all there ready to hear what the lineup had to offer.

Getting there a little bit late was my mistake because as soon as 8pm hit The Regrettes hit the stage. I was still standing in line outside with my mom (yes I took my mom with me to the show) and they were the band I was really excited to see. Now as soon as this show got announced about a month ago, I sat down and started listening to the Regrettes on Spotify. With only 4 (at the time now it’s 5) songs this band was an amazing new music discovery for me. They were the perfect combination of beachy punk rock with a nice mellow mix similar to what I found in the Frights. “A Living Human Girl” which is an incredibly real song started and I was singing along while still waiting in line. Cute guys were behind me smoking their cigarettes just watching me bounce around my mom because I was not gonna miss enjoying that song. Finally I got inside and the rest of the set was surreal. By the end of it kids were moshing as hard as they were for the headliner Cherry Glazerr and I was not surprised. It was an amazing performance from an incredible band. Be sure to look out for their new album out in January 2017.

Slow Hollows took the stage next and spent their set performing songs off their latest album “Romantic” and even invited a lively saxophone into stage to jazz out with them. They were very mellow but still carried an underlying punk vibe that the whole crowd seemed to enjoy. My mom leaned over to me and whispered “They look like nerds” which to me meant they were doing something right. They also looked really nice playing in front of the paper vagina cut outs placed all over stage.  

Finally Cherry Glazerr stepped out. I was ready for the blend of psych pop rock that was about to hit me. Clementine Creevy was wide eyed and scanning the crowd before the set and took off in a rage. She howled and rocked around stage coming close to the crowd throwing out her hand to reach out to blissful fans. Then suddenly it was waves of crowd surfers all hitting the stage as they raged onto each song. Songs were played off of every album but of course there are always the crowd favorites like “Had Ten Dollaz” which sounded irresistible when they played it. Cherry Glazerr vinyl lined the rigs and everyone was repping merch. The entire show was a nice punk infused night that all genders were enjoying, which makes me proud to be a part of this forward thinking community.

#savethesmell

If you are not familiar, the Smell represents Los Angeles’ heart for DIY shows. It is a smaller one story venue run off non - profit, love, volunteers, and music. Recently it received a notice of demolition and rather than see the beloved venue wrecked, people have decided to do everything they can to save it (or at least relocate it) 

Next month (January) be sure to catch this amazing lineup for $35. All proceeds will go to the Smell relocation fund in order to help keep new and DIY music alive in LA. 

Saturday January 7th: Please join us at The Belasco Theater in Downtown LA, for a very special 19th Anniversary concert in support of The Smell's relocation fund, featuring performances from Bleached, Vice Cooler, Best Coast, No Age and other amazing guests, including just announced: TY SEGALL!!! Tickets are on sale now!

These releases are so good wtf.. (Hip Hop edition) 

Here are some new singles that will be worth the 4 minute stream...

Flume - My Boo (feat. Vince Staples)

Any song Flume does with Vince Staples is highly encouraged by humanity. This single plays through smooth that when its over you will be eager to hit the repeat button. 

Khalid - Coaster 

Slowing it down, Khalid steals my heart a little more with this new single. I personally can't wait to catch him on his tour through LA next year so yet another reason why 2017 can't come any faster. 

PnB Rock - New Day 

This autotuned hip hop come up is growing on me. After his recently released single “Selfish” I can say that he is onto something, this song is a little bit different - but can't wait to see how the whole album comes together. 

Ab - Soul - The Law (feat. Mac Miller & Rapsody)

Slow jams slide in nicely with Ab. Having just released a new album this month, this Top Dawg is giving us something to pay attention to. His music has soul and production backing his insane lyrics - no wonder Kendrick Lamar took notice. 

Big Sean - Moves & Living Single