Other Tags: Peter Salett, indie music, folk, Country, alternative, film composers, music in films, music for film, music in film, soundtracks
Singer/songwriter Peter Salett held a record release party at M Bar in Hollywood on July 17 for his upcoming album In the Ocean of the Stars. His music has been featured in films such as Judd Apatow’s Forgetting Sarah Marshall, HBO’s Cat Dancers and Down in the Valley starring Ed Norton.On the new album, Salett retains his characteristic folk-country style, but tunes such as True in Time and Miss You are unique in their early 50s/60s pop rhythms and echo-heavy slide guitar. Both tracks are highly recommended downloads, or if you live in NYC, you can pick up a copy of the entire CD when Salett performs at The Living Room on July 23. The video below features highlights from the gig in Hollywood last Thursday, including guest appearances by actor/comedian Thomas Lennon (from Reno 911) and filmmaker David Wain.
Other Tags: Dengue Fever, L.A. bands, Indie Rock, indie music, live music, concerts, Festivals
Saw Dengue Fever at Make Music Pasadena recently. It's the first time I've seen them live. Fun show, and I'd have to say I've never seen a band combine so many divergent styles into one unique sound without sounding forced or like some kind of plastic fabrication. Surf psychedelia fused with Asian-style pop is the closest I can come to relating their sound in the written word. The video below contains a few live clips and short interviews with lead singer Chhom Nimol (that's how she spells it) and guitarist Zac Holtzman. You’ll notice a slight disparity between the questions I asked and the ones Nimol answered, but it was cool to talk with her anyway.
Other Tags: indie, L.A. bands, indie bands, indie music, hard rock
I saw a show by a new L.A. band called Deputy Zero back in February – one of the hottest sets I’ve seen from a local act in more than a few years. The sound fury of the band's live show exceeded its recorded material at the time, but I found out recently they’ve been in the studio, burning out three new tunes in addition to re-recording current tracks they’ve had posted on MySpace. Lead singer Sean Campbell said he was never really happy with the original cuts, and he’s anxious to get the new tracks out. They're releasing the new songs and remixes at a Roxy Theatre show on June 14th. If you live in L.A. or are in town that weekend, it's a highly recommended show to catch. Below is a live performance clip I grabbed from the group a few months ago. It also features a short interview with Campbell, where he answers the question I ask all bands, “How would you change the indie music scene?”
