Tune View: Angel Olsen Packs A Punch

Hey! It’s me, Allegra! Back with another edition of Tune View for Trojan Tunes. It’s a little bit of a slow month for new releases as people are recovering from summer and prepping for fall, but as always there are still great new records to talk about and a ton of awesome upcoming shows. Let’s get into it!

New Releases (Past 2 Weeks)

Oshwa – I We You Me

I can already feel it in the air— Chicago band Oshwa’s sophomore album I We You Me is going to be one of the best and most criminally underlooked records of 2016. Stirring strings, evocative piano lines, and vocalist Alicia Walter’s throaty, rich voice are the secret ingredients to the recipe for delicious and filling contemporary indie rock.

LIYL: Fiona Apple, Kishi Bashi, apple pie fresh out of the oven

Angel Olsen – MY WOMAN

One of the most powerful and intense songwriters of the contemporary era, Angel Olsen has returned with a new album. MY WOMAN fuses her past folk sensibilities with a new and emotional rock sound, bringing her hardships to life in a melodically stunning fashion.

LIYL: Sharon Van Etten, Waxahatchee, staring out the window on a moving train while crying softly

Bastille – Wild World

After 2013’s soaring debut Bad Blood, there was a long wait to see if Bastille’s next album would live up to the unique alt-pop impression created by their cinematic soundscapes. The jury’s still out, but Wild World has finally been released and this 19-song opus takes Dan Smith’s throaty compositions to the next level with added layers of synths and guitars.

LIYL: The 1975, Passion Pit, David Lynch movies

Anna Ash – Floodlights

Songwriter Anna Ash divides her time between Los Angeles and Michigan, and her airy, indie alt-country sound reflects equally the sunsets over the Silverlake hills and the sunrises over the lakes of the northern MI backcountry. Accompanied by a gorgeously tight rhythm section, Ash’s dreamlike voice is the missing ingredient to your fall playlists.

LIYL: Esme Patterson, Emmylou Harris, perfect September nights on the back porch

The Tuts – Update Your Brain

London trio The Tuts describe themselves as “3-tone punk pop,” referring to their diverse skin tones as a point of pride— other points of pride for them being their hugely DIY aesthetic, going the no-manager route and self-funding their records and tours through PledgeMusic. It’s working out fabulously for them— their debut full-length Update Your Brain is a joyous explosion of catchy feminist guitar-pop jams.

LIYL: Kate Nash, Tacocat, girls to the front!!!

Upcoming Concerts (Next 2 Weeks)

Bleached, Criminal Hygiene, Bedbugs @ Rock City Studios Thurs, 9/15
The cream of the crop of LA’s DIY indie-pop-punk scene is gonna be making a scene at Rock City Studios in Camarillo on Thursday. If you’re a Valley kid or reaaaallyyyyy like driving, this is a gig to get to! $12, all ages.

Porches, Japanese Breakfast, Rivergazer @ Echoplex. Fri, 9/16

Porches is a very good band. Their latest album, Pool, is very good. They return to the Echoplex after playing a very good show there in March. You should go to this show, it will be very good. $16, all ages.

Saint Motel, JR JR @ Belasco Fri, 9/16

If you like indie pop but Porches is a bit too indie for you, you have OPTIONS in the form of what is sure to be a delightful show at the Belasco. California rockers Saint Motel are on the road supporting their new album Saint Motelevision, and always-dreamy Detroiters JR JR support. $26, all ages.

Xenia Rubinos, Ruby-Throated @ The Echo Sun, 9/18

Black Terry Cat, the funky and empowering new album from Xenia Rubinos, is a masterpiece, so don’t miss out on the opportunity to see it performed live. LA’s fantastic polyrhythmic Ruby-Throated supports. $10, 18+.

Jazz Night w/ Louis Cole, Brendan Eder Ensemble, Corey Fogel @ Bootleg Sun, 9/18

Another conflict! It’s crazy, I know! So many gigs, so little time, and this is the hardest choice of all. Sunday night’s new monthly jazz series at the Bootleg gets an incredible kickoff with a three-punch lineup of drummer-composers. Come for Brendan Eder’s goosebumps-inducing jazz compositions, stay for Louis Cole being, you know, Louis f**cking Cole.

Jacob Collier @ Troubador Mon, 9/19

If you haven’t heard of Jacob Collier, get acquainted NOW before he takes over the world. This multi-instrumentalist jazz/funk/vocal prodigy is going out on his first major US tour in support of his incredible new album In My Room, and as a protege of the legendary Quincy Jones he’s sure to keep climbing the echelons of musical royalty. $20, all ages.