pop music – #DKLPHOTOS

Tkay Maidza | Culture Collide | The Echo | 10/18/14 [Review, Vids & Photos]

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THE ACT: Tkay Maidza | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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A highlight of the day, and my personal highlight! Who are you, girl!? It’s pronounced “T.K.,” and readers, you should probably remember that – her rapping is pure fire! She killed it! She sings, too. Tkay combines pistol quick rap and EDM sounds, and her performance seemed effortless, which is a unique style trait to her . . . and she sounded like a boss! Sure there are great rappers and rapid fire lyricists (not that many), but Tkay has her own style, too, ingénue-like, commanding, tough and effortless. She is also reminiscent of M.I.A. and Azaelia Banks. At times, Tkay’s tone and verbal rhythm, as well as her elocution and delivery, reminds me of M.I.A., but Tkay’s effortless brand of fierce is different because it’s definitive, hard and commanding, but less aggressive than M.I.A. This artist is able to go from spitting out rap verses to singing verses. Her elocution and delivery is also reminiscent of Azaelia when she puts vocals over electronic beats and I can see Tkay commanding the Coliseum (my measure of an LA Rave). Tkay’s vocals and performance are unaffected, natural and unproduced, like she thought she’d just drop it right now . From Australia, Zimbabwean Tkayo’s debut mix taped was released October 23, 2014. I watched Tkay’s debut video for “U-Huh” and I loved it, but this 18 year old is so good, she doesn’t need all that production. On stage – just her – done! She had her first NYC performance this week and is being picked up by major online publications like Entertainment Weekly and Fader. Check her out – Rap, Pop, EDM sounds, like it’s no problem! S/O to Derrick who knew this artist would be a highlight! I had a chance to talk with Tkay after the show and she was sweet, in the moment and gracious to her fans – stay grounded girl you are about to be a star.

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November 9, 2014 by dklee13 Categories: ConcertsTags: Australia, concert, Concert Photo, Concert Photography, concert photos, concert pic, concert pics, concert review, Concert Vid, concert video, culture collide, Culture Collide 2014, EDM, electronic music, hip hop, music festival, pop, pop music, Review Leave a comment

Banoffee | Culture Collide | The Echo | 10/18/14 [Review, Vids & Photos]

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THE ACT: Banoffee | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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THOUGHTS [Written by Kate M.]:

Pop, rhythm and EDM. Singer/producer Banoffee is an Australian artist whose performance included mixing her own R&B and sometimes Reggae style beats, throwing down versus once or twice, singing and frontin’ the ultimate cool chick persona and musical ability. Her music is chill vibes and heavy, sick synth production. Banoffee’s beats drop with accented bounces and her vocals are a smooth glaze over electronic beats Pop, R&B and EDM sounds. You could say she’s an EDM and sporty Imogen Heap. She includes “Ninja” and “Let’s Go To The Beach” in her performance at The Echo and I included the link to her debut EP whick dropped October 7, 2014 so you can listen to her unique texture of musical styles. She’s been playing NYC venues this past week – check her out!

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November 9, 2014 by dklee13 Categories: ConcertsTags: Australia, Banoffee, concert, Concert Photo, Concert Photography, concert photos, concert pic, concert pics, concert review, Concert Vid, concert video, culture collide, Culture Collide 2014, EDM, electronic music, indie rock, Martha Brown, Melbourne, music festival, Ninja, pop, pop music, Review, rock and roll Leave a comment

Takeoffs & Landings | Culture Collide | World Stage | 10/18/14 [Review, Vids & Photos]

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THE ACT: Takeoffs & Landings | Facebook | Twitter

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THOUGHTS [Written by Kate M.]:

Good band, they got it done. On lead vocals is Naama, her voice has a unique sound, one you don’t hear often these days in the music age of Electronic and Dance Pop. Truth, I love this girl’s voice – it’s a slightly raspy, feminine Rock voice that meets some good Indie and unique enchanting sounds. Naama’s is not a true muscular voice, but it has a cool texture, a little bit of Pop meets Rock with a unique ingénue sound. I liked it, kind of wanted to see Joan Jett after hearing this band, too. Naama also has showmanship, an intriguing attraction to her movement with her sound. Take Offs and Landings is from Lima, Peru and the other members of the band are Dennis, Christian, Chris, Sergio. Take Offs and Landings was formed recently, in 2013, and is already playing festivals like Culture Collide. Their music is a blend of sinister girl rock and tones that make it seem like they know something you don’t and you are intrigued enough to follow wherever they are leading, which I I think is one reason the lead vocal’s voice struck me, it all went together – their enchanting sound and lead vocals that compliments the magic. Their first album is due to drop at the end of the year.

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Takeoffs & Landings | Culture Collide 2014

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November 9, 2014November 9, 2014 by dklee13 Categories: ConcertsTags: concert, Concert Photo, Concert Photography, concert photos, concert pic, concert pics, concert review, Concert Vid, concert video, culture collide, Culture Collide 2014, folk, folk music, indie rock, Lima, music festival, Naama, Peru, pop, pop music, Review, rock and roll, Sergio Leave a comment

Torches | Culture Collide | The Methodist Church of Echo Park | 10/18/14 [Review, Vids & Photos]

To Check Out Other Bands We Caught At Culture Collide CLICK HERE

THE ACT: Torches | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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THOUGHTS [Written by Kate M.]:

Pop, Indie Rock, EDM, Punk – one reason I liked this festival is that every band had unique musical stylings and combinations of sounds, and the US band Torches was no exception. Torches is an Indie, Rock, Electronic blend and the second band of the night with a traditional string instrument, a violin. This band had an Empire of the Sun vibe and sounded like Phoenix, if Phoenix went Indie Rock. If you’re a Friendly Fires fan, you will like this band, but they can’t capture a stage like a Friendly Fires or a Phoenix. Their performance was bland, but it was a church stage and the Festival itself was not well trafficked. Azad Cheikosman, Eric Fabbro and Adrian Acosta make up this Los Angeles-based band and I would have liked to have seen their EP Release show at The Bootleg Theater to get better sense of what they can do, but I listened to their tracks again at home and Torches is tight! I can see some mainstream pop, alternative and electronic sounds with defined rhythmic drums. I thought they sounded like Arcade Fire, Cut Copy, The Mighty Lemon Drops and similar artists, which makes sense because according to their bio they have worked with David Newton (The Mighty Lemon Drops) and Jeff Lipton (Arcade Fire). If you like any of the artists mentioned, or another band I love, The 1975, I would definitely check out Torche. Torches dropped their EP, Endlessly Repeating, on June 19, 2014.

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November 9, 2014 by dklee13 Categories: ConcertsTags: Adrian Acosta, Azad Cheikosman, concert, Concert Photo, Concert Photography, concert photos, concert pic, concert pics, concert review, Concert Vid, concert video, culture collide, Culture Collide 2014, dark pop, Eric Fabbro, folk, folk music, indie rock, music festival, pop, pop music, Review, tribal groove Leave a comment

Solander | Culture Collide | The Methodist Church of Echo Park | 10/18/14 [Review, Vids & Photos]

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THE ACT: Solander | Facebook | Twitter

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THOUGHTS: [Written by Kate M.]

Described as a Pop, Indie, Folk band, Solander is the quintessential example of this, and The United Methodist Church was an apropos venue to hear this poetic and artistic band from Sweden. The duo, Fredrik Karlsson and Anja Linna, are supported by Albin Johansson and Adam Hjertström and, together on stage, they produced music that was a blend of story-telling, artistry and dramatic sounds. The prominent cello melodies from Linna resonated in the church and I thought, “I think this is what Arcade Fire and Lykke Li (who I love!) would sound like if they went completely Folk, or, what Bon Iver would sound like if he went completely Electronic Pop.” Solander’s music was poetry, musical artistry and story-telling set to prominent cello riffs and illuminated by chanting beats of smooth drums and synthesizer melodies. Folk is not my personal music listening choice, but I closed my eyes once or twice and the music took me through heavy movement in my mind and gripping emotional journies. Being an LA native . . . their sound was like the music you would hear in the background of a poignant movie scene . . . if you ever wanted to feel like you were in a movie, this band’s smooth, but dramatic sound and storytelling harmonies takes you there. Their sound is consistent, each song similar, the same rhythm, beats and sounds, but differentiated by their arrangement and inspiration. It seemed to me to me they did this to represent different emotions (this is the movie scene reference). Karlsson, lead vocals, referenced a Swedish poet as inspiration for his song and personal experiences that brought them to this performance. Solander has and has had numerous tour dates, including SWSX this past year, so look online for dates near you. Their third album, Monochromatic Memories, was released February 4, 2014.

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November 4, 2014November 4, 2014 by dklee13 Categories: ConcertsTags: Anja Linna, concert, Concert Photo, Concert Photography, concert photos, concert pic, concert pics, concert review, Concert Vid, concert video, culture collide, Culture Collide 2014, folk, folk music, Fredrik Karlsson, indie rock, Malmö, music festival, pop, pop music, Review, Solander, Sweden Leave a comment

Nina Persson | Culture Collide | The Methodist Church of Echo Park | 10/17/14 [Review, Vids & Photos]

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THE ACT: Nina Persson | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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THOUGHTS: [Excerpted from M. Sloves full-day review that you can read HERE.]

“[…] She sounds good. Not pop. Channeling some Chrissie Hynde type of energy […] [T]his woman can belt it out. Talk about presence! Compared to all the falsetto twink 20-something little duders in skinny jeans who’d been on stage all night, she was a veritable lioness, a fine wine blending hints of Florence and the Machine with aromatic accents of The Bangles. And like Susannah Hoff, she may be a tiny lady but she’s gorgeous and one hell of a pro jock on the microphone. Like her or not, she was in full command of that room and it was no coincidence that she was the first performer of the evening to fill the church hall.”

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November 2, 2014 by dklee13 Categories: ConcertsTags: alternative rock, concert, Concert Photo, Concert Photography, concert photos, concert pic, concert pics, concert review, Concert Vid, concert video, culture collide, Culture Collide 2014, music festival, Nina Persson, pop music, Review, Sweden, Swedish, The Cardigans Leave a comment

Beat Connection | Culture Collide | TAIX Main Stage | 10/17/14 [Review, Vid & Photos]

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THE ACT: Beat Connection | Facebook | Twitter

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THOUGHTS: [Excerpted from M. Sloves full-day review that you can read HERE.]

“[…] They had a Jamiroquai-esque sound but didn’t feel super-derivative. Melodic lyrics floated over a heavy drum beat. Good dance vibe for a crowd that was starting to hit critical mass for getting dancey. What can I reduce these guys to…Citizen Cope meets Tears for Fears…? The drums and keyboard resurrected memories of “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” […] The lead singer was getting his sexy on and the ladies liked it. Actually, we all liked it. Dude looked like a Gap model but he could belt out some serious notes. Adam Levine would have turned his chair and had an immediate man-crush.”

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November 2, 2014November 2, 2014 by dklee13 Categories: ConcertsTags: Alternative Pop, Beat Connection, concert, Concert Photo, Concert Photography, concert photos, concert pic, concert pics, concert review, culture collide, Culture Collide 2014, indie pop, Jordan Koplowit, Jordan Koplowitz, music festival, pop music, Reed Juenger, Review, Tom Eddy Leave a comment

De Lux | Culture Collide | Echoplex | 10/16/14 [Photos]

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THE ACT: De Lux | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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THOUGHTS: I don’t know how many times can I say it. I love this band. When I first saw them play opening for Omar Souleyman, I knew that I’d have to see them play again. Catching them at Culture Collide was my third time this year (the second time was at Echo Park Rising). I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. If you’re a fan of the post-punk sounds of the Talking Heads, I’m sure you’ll dig this band. They are heading out on tour for the month of November, and I suggest you buy a ticket and check them out. Seriously. Buy a ticket. Check these guys out.

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October 28, 2014October 28, 2014 by dklee13 Categories: ConcertsTags: alternative dance, club music, concert, Concert Photo, Concert Photography, concert photos, concert pic, concert pics, concert review, culture collide, Culture Collide 2014, dance music, De Lux, disco, electronic music, experimental pop music, music festival, Neo-Disco, pop music, pop rock, Pop Rock Sound, post punk, Review, Seaun Guerin, set list, setlist, sound like Talking Heads, Sounds like Talking Heads Leave a comment

Holy Child | Culture Collide | Echoplex | 10/16/14 [Photos]

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THE ACT: Holy Child | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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THOUGHTS: Holy Child is a lot of fun. If you’re looking for uptempo, energetic pop music with a beat, this is the band for you. They call their music “brat pop”, and I really couldn’t argue with the categorization. Their front woman, Liz, is a sprite full of energy, and I couldn’t help but be infused with the energy she gave out. They have a residency coming up at the Echoplex’s sister venue, The Echo, and I may have to make the trek out to Echo Park to catch them perform again.

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October 28, 2014October 28, 2014 by dklee13 Categories: ConcertsTags: Brat Pop, concert, Concert Photo, Concert Photography, concert photos, concert pic, concert pics, concert review, culture collide, Culture Collide 2014, dance music, music festival, pop music, Review, set list, setlist Leave a comment

De Lux | Twilight Concert | Santa Monica Pier | 7/31/14 [PHOTOS & REVIEW]

CLICK HERE to check out other acts performing a Twilight Concert at the Santa Monica Pier!

Opening for Omar Souleyman was the Los Angeles-based, indie neo-disco band De Lux. I had gotten a little sampling of their music online, but listening to this band’s music live was something else.

De Lux is a favorite of KCRW DJs across the board (they are one of the few acts that ALL of the DJs play in their sets). I could hear why.

They may be a young band, but their sound is pretty damn sophisticated. A little synth-pop, a little electronic, a little disco, a little punk, a little funk … their music is a mish-mosh of styles that really blends together into a unique, almost throwback, sound.

I got to chat with a couple of the guys in the band after their set, and couldn’t help but rave about their sound. Though they’ve heard it before, I really emphasized my observation that their music really reminded me of the Talking Heads. Seaun Guerin, one of the founders and the lead vocalist, in particular, has a voice that’s as oddly wonderful as David Byrnes’ voice.

These guys are playing at the upcoming free music festival in Los Angeles, Echo Park Rising, August 15th-17th (TBD). I’m going to try and make it out for their gig. Hopefully, I’ll be able to snap some more pics of them jamming out.

Follow De Lux on Facebook by CLICKING HERE.