Music

Tracks of the Month: January 2017

January 31, 2017 by

At the end of each calendar month, Artsweek takes a look at new tracks that stood out and made a place in our playlists.
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The Friday Review: I See You by the xx

January 20, 2017 by

For fans of the xx’s previous work, this album keeps their atmospheric instrumentation and their oft-touched themes of love and loneliness.
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Dawes, Dad Rock and the Modern Meaning of Genre

January 18, 2017 by

Genres are, in fact, boxes; they’re compartmentalized for conveniently choosing what we want to consume in a culture constantly flooded with new music. However, some music is best created by challen...
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Artsweek’s Favorite Albums of 2016

January 4, 2017 by

All in all, 2016 was one hell of a year. And, as with any particularly tumultuous time, it left us with some amazing music.
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Get Groovy with Marc E. Bassy at Velvet Jones

December 5, 2016 by

Several of us will be experiencing a different kind of pain as we endure finals week, which is why seeing Marc E. Bassy when he hits Velvet Jones next Wednesday will be the perfect remedy.
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Ten Songs for the Turkey Drop

November 30, 2016 by

If you were a victim of the Turkey Drop, the excitement of seeing your significant other back home after months away at college turned to crying by a leftover turkey sandwich when they said it wasn’...
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21 Savage to Hit Velvet Jones

November 30, 2016 by

21 Savage is young, charismatic and will not filter himself for anyone.
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Neko Case Enchants Campbell Hall

November 28, 2016 by

There was something pure of the way Case poured her heart into her own words, making them echo against the walls of Campbell hall with intention.
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Camp Flog Gnaw Festival Returns to L.A.

November 17, 2016 by

Ultimately, Tyler, The Creator exceeded the expectations of many music-lovers and critics and established his illustrious carnival as a staple of the West Coast festival scene.
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The Garden Rocks Velvet Jones

November 12, 2016 by

In The Garden’s world, there is no focus on wanting to fit in with what is deemed to be cool in the punk scene. They dare to defy gender roles, genre molds and the tangents of normality.
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First Lady of Folk Joan Baez Sparkles at Arlington

November 10, 2016 by

For the past 50 years, Baez — a dedicated social activist — has explored forms of social expression through her music.
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Morrissey Lights Santa Barbara Aglow for Dia de Los Muertos

November 10, 2016 by

As I passed a group of sequin-clad skeletons savaging a Donald Trump piñata, something occurred to me: Morrissey couldn’t have picked a better event to play.
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Election 2016: 6 Songs for a Young, Apprehensive Voter

November 8, 2016 by

Let’s cling to our technology, put our earphones on and reflect on politically aware songs of the past and present.
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Zakir Hussain Taps Whirlwind Beats at A&L Performance

November 3, 2016 by

Santa Barbara was fortunate enough to host Zakir Hussain, one of the world’s most acclaimed tabla drummers. Rising star Niladri Kumar accompanied Hussain on the sitar, which he specially modified to...
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Dia de Los Muertos Celebration Gives Us Vida

November 3, 2016 by

The small venue was filled to the brim with Day of the Dead decorations. Paper marigolds were placed in every available space and paper streamers lined the walls.
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