The impressive Wolf Alice announce today second EP “Creature Songs” out May 23rd on Dirty Hit Records. The driving (but a thoughtfully composed sort of drive) “Moaning Lisa Smile” is the EP’s lead single and knocks it clear out in the big chorus, face melting, and must listen categories.
Wolf Alice 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.5
After three different visits by The Crookes to SXSW over the past few years, LA fans finally got to lay their eyes and ears on this engaging Sheffield, UK band. While still young, this is a band about to release it’s fourth album, “Soapbox”. They’ve been looking forward to this LA performance debut for a long time and it’s safe to say that virtually everyone at The Echo was more than pleased with the show. This extremely likable ‘lot’ have winning melodies and play airtight with energetic crispness.
The sound couldn’t have been any better that night of March 23rd. The Crookes nailed current single “Play Dumb”, which was a “Rave’s Fave” on this site. Show opener “Don’t Put Your Faith In Me” is a mid-tempo, wise choice for a second single. It could be that with The Crookes’ melodies, lyrics, and George Waite’s beautiful voice, their breakthrough single just might turn out to be a slower charmer. With strong songs from each of their albums, there are no dull moments at a Crookes show. For their encore, the band slipped into the crowd for a mic-less acoustic version of “The Cooler King” from 2013’s “Hold Fast” album. Word is they only do this when they’ve had a great time, and what a dope way to end a show. That bonding provided great vibes, with pictures and videos being shot from every direction. The great Brit bands need to tour… tour, and the tour some more in America. Such is the case with The Crookes, who hope to be back on our shores soon. Plan to see them when you can. Reviewed By Bruce Rave
The Crookes (Facebook)
Hear Bruce’s “Go Deep With Bruce Rave” weekly new music show on Indie1031/Los Angeles and WSUM-FM/Madison. Details and archived shows can be found on his blog and be sure follow Bruce on Twitter too!
I recently had a chance to hang with The Orwells after soundcheck at the Troubadour in LA, before they played live on Saturday, March 22. You can see their highly-buzzed about Letterman appearance below, and the band is blowing up at an even faster rate because of it. We discussed this, as well as some of their songs, touring with Arctic Monkeys and Fidlar, getting banned from the High Noon Saloon in Madison, and what people can expect from their “Disgraceland” album that will drop in June. Have a listen below. Also, worth noting our chat about the Lettterman gig didn’t come through real well, so I begin by summarizing what happened and what they’ve had to say about it. – By Bruce Rave
The Orwells 
(Facebook)
Hear Bruce’s “Go Deep With Bruce Rave” weekly new music show on Indie1031/Los Angeles and WSUM-FM/Madison. Details and archived shows can be found on his blog and be sure follow Bruce on Twitter too!
It took a minute, but we have recovered. After battling through the post-SXSW plague (aka an annual gnarly cold), curing our hangovers with some proper hydration via resqwater, and yes…actually getting some sleep, we’re back with our annual report from SX. And so it is; straight from the front lines of ATX, here’s a Top 10 report of SXSW Music 2014 highlights from our troops on the ground.
Mike
Jungle
Wolf Alice
Rare Monk
SOHN
KINS
Zella Day
MISUN
SIVU
GEMS
Moses Sumney
Troy
SXSW 2014. I traversed the Doritos #BoldStage, made memories at SXSubway, got social media-relevant at the Tumblr House and sought precious refuge from the apocalyptic World War Z-esque 6th St. throngs; that and I saw some pretty cool bands and artists. From Moses Sumney’s Central Presbyterian stunning vocal sermon to Sango’s star-level beat-making to Soundgarden’s sludgy rooftop stab at Superunkown; the musical component of SX is still at least maintaining a high level. Here’s few of my favorites from the festival.
Moses Sumney
Arthur Beatrice
Sango
Jungle
Angel Olsen
Soundgarden
Sam Smith
Misun
Banks
Kaytranada
Brian Litwin
SXSW 2014 was a big one, making headlines all over the world for puke, corporations and tragedies. For me, SXSW was similar to “Starred” playlist on Spotify; mostly all different genres, all with buzz and a sense of uniqueness. It was a pleasure working with Team B3SCI on their incredible shows and an honor to spend that time with friends in such an incredible city. Here are my 10 highlights of SXSW 2014:
The Preatures
Bipolar Sunshine
Wave Racer
Eagulls
100s
Young and Sick
Cashmere Cat
Kelela
SKATERS
Beat Culture
*Just to sneak one last one in there – the Ray Ban X Boiler Room set was unreal…”
Bruce Rave
Another successful SXSW (South By Sponsorship Week) is behind us. One trend is that there seemed to be fewer rapidly-growing, up and coming buzz bands in that middle level between the big names and the many newbies. Congrats to our Mike and Troy for dropping the first Jungle EP on their B3SCI label, and for Jungle being one of the week’s most talked about bands. I mostly skipped great bands bands I’ve seen, and there weren’t many surprises this year besides the incredibly enthusiastic Gary Numan.
The Strypes
Temples
Gary Numan
Jungle
Moses Sumney
The Crookes
Chloe Howl
Misun
Kid Karate
The Griswolds
The Peach Kings announce today their new “Mojo Thunder” EP, due out June 3rd. The soulful rhodes piano-assisted slow burner “Be Around” is the EP’s lead single and features yet another star-level vocal from the alto of singer Paige McClain Wood. We need more soul in indie rock and roll.
The Peach Kings 
(Official) (Facebook)
Rating 8.4
“Still Don’t Seem to Care” is the debut track from CA band Brother Blyss. What struck us straight away with “Still Don’t Seem To Care” is its different (the chord progressions, the guitar processing effects, rhythmically, melodically, etc); the song is something unique and new. Brother Blyss marry the psych-leaning rhythm-driven sound of early 90’s Manchester bands like The Roses and Inspiral Carpets (minus the hippie spacer bro stuff) with modern bits of menace and guitar layerings and then tie it off w/ a keen melodic sense and songwriting quality. Very well done.
Brother Blyss (Facebook)
Rating 8.4
Sivu dropped yesterday the excellent new single “Can’t Stop”; as an addendum to the release is this very good brooding but intimate and emotionally bare version of Nirvana’s Nevermind entry “Dumb”.
Sivu 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.3
