'Light Up The Blues 7' coming to the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles on April 26

 What a lineup!

Nathaniel Rateliff and Rufus Wainwright Join Neil Young, Stephen Stills, Billy Idol, Cat Power, Linda Perry, Chris Stills, Christina Applegate, and Very Special Guests For Autism Speaks Light Up The Blues 7 Concert, Celebrating Autism Speaks’ 20th Anniversary, at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles on April 26, 2025

 

Hosted by Kristen and Stephen Stills, the evening promotes understanding and inclusion of people with autism

Tickets are on sale HERE.

Los Angeles, CA (April 1, 2025) – Nathaniel Rateliff and Rufus Wainwright will join Neil Young, Stephen Stills, Billy Idol, Cat Power, Linda Perry, Chris Stills, Oliver Stills, Christina Applegate and more in Los Angeles on April 26, 2025 at the Greek Theatre for the Autism Speaks Light Up The Blues 7 Concert. Hosted once again by Kristen and Stephen Stills, and promoted by Nederlander Concerts, the event will feature performances by autistic musical artists including The Spectrum Bluegrass Band and Abbey Romeo, and will begin at 7:00 PM PST. Tickets are on sale HERE.

Neil Young & Stephen Stills at Light Up the Blues 2023 (Photo courtesy of Light Up the Blues)

​​The Light Up the Blues Concert, presented by the Indianapolis Colts, returns for its seventh year and will celebrate Autism Speaks’ 20th anniversary and the autism community, while helping to fuel Autism Speaks’ work to provide resources and services for all autistic individuals, across the spectrum and throughout their lifespan. Proceeds from the Light Up The Blues 7 Concert will support Autism Speaks’ efforts, which include funding research, increasing early childhood screening and interventions, and improving the transition to adulthood for people with autism.

Kristen Stills and Stephen Stills arrive on the blue carpet at the Autism Speaks Light Up The Blues 6 Concert at The Greek Theatre on April 22, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harmony Gerber/Getty Images) Kristen and Stephen Stills said, “We are once again feeling grateful that we can play a part in helping Autism Speaks to fulfill their mission of creating such meaningful progress for autistic people and their families. There are a multitude of existing challenges and now, here in Los Angeles, we face a new reality of added need for our autism community. The trajectory of getting back to a sense of normalcy is very complex. We know that our support of Autism Speaks will help to ensure that the path will be smoother and approached with sensitivity and care. All the amazing artists joining us to celebrate autistic people will give our audience a night to remember for many years to come and we can’t wait to be with them once again!” “Kristen and Stephen Stills are once again using the power of music to amplify the voices of the autism community, and we’re grateful for their dedication to making this event a force for change,” said Keith Wargo, Autism Speaks President and Chief Executive Officer. “As Autism Speaks marks its 20th anniversary, we’re not just reflecting on how far we’ve come—we’re pushing forward, driven by the voices of autistic people, to tear down barriers and create a world where disability inclusion is a reality. Over the next two decades, we’re redefining what’s possible—fearlessly fighting for access to health and wellness services, employment, and community support so that every autistic person has the opportunities they deserve.” Taking place during World Autism Month, The Light Up The Blues 7 Concert reinforces Autism Speaks’ commitment to standing with the autistic community by encouraging everyone to celebrate differences and include people with autism in all aspects of society. Supporters can help make a world of difference for autistic individuals this April and year-round by visiting AutismSpeaks.org. In addition, Autism Speaks is stepping up to support communities affected by the LA fires by offering tailored virtual resources and partnering with local providers to assist frontline response efforts—maximizing existing resources to make an immediate impact. Over the years, the Light Up the Blues Concert has featured artists and guests including Neil Young, Crosby, Stills & Nash, John Mayer, Jack Black, Patti Smith, Joe Walsh, Willie Nelson, Brandi Carlile, Sheryl Crow, Beck, Burt Bacharach, Dax Shepard, Kristen Bell, Don Felder, Jakob Dylan, Nikka Costa, The War On Drugs, and more, and has raised millions of dollars in support of Autism Speaks, helping to drive the organization’s mission.   About Autism: Autism, or autism spectrum disorder, refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication. We now know that there is not one autism but many subtypes, and each person with autism can have unique strengths and challenges. A combination of genetic and environmental factors influence the development of autism, and autism often is accompanied by medical issues such as GI disorders, seizures and sleep disturbances. Autism affects an estimated 1 in 36 children in the U.S.   About Autism Speaks: Autism Speaks is dedicated to creating an inclusive world for all individuals with autism throughout their lifespan. In response to the pressing needs of the 1 in 36 children and 1 in 45 adults with autism in the U.S. today, Autism Speaks provides resources and tools for autistic individuals of all ages and levels of support. Connecting millions of people with autism and their families to free services, supports, research, innovation and advances in care, the nonprofit serves as a convener for the autism community with the goal of making a real difference for all people on the autism spectrum. To find resources, join an event or make a donation, go to AutismSpeaks.org and follow @AutismSpeaks on social media.    About the Greek Theatre: The Greek Theatre is a 5,901-seat music venue located in Griffith Park, Los Angeles, California. It was built in 1930, opening on September 25 of that year. Designed by architect Samuel Tilden Norton, the theatre stage is modeled after a Greek temple. The Greek Theatre is owned by the City of Los Angeles, Department of Recreation and Parks. The venue is among the City’s most cherished public sites.   The historic Greek Theatre stands as one of the nation’s most beloved and recognized outdoor entertainment venues. Throughout its history, the Greek Theatre has played host to some of the biggest legends in music. This iconic venue has also served as a site for numerous high school graduations, community events and backdrops for television shows and motion pictures. For more information visit: www.lagreektheatre.com About Nederlander Concerts: Nederlander Concerts promotes and produces a wide range of quality live entertainment throughout the United States and in 2024 was ranked among the top 20 promoters in the country by Pollstar magazine.  As a boutique, independent event promotion and venue management firm, Nederlander operates and/or programs the most coveted and awarded small to mid-sized venues, including the Hollywood Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles, Vina Robles Amphitheatre in Paso Robles, The Backyard in Sacramento, Portneuf Health Trust Amphitheatre in Pocatello, Idaho, San Jose Civic, and California Performing Arts Center in San Jose, among others. Also, the company promotes events at third party arenas, theatres, and clubs across the country, including the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, the Grove of Anaheim, San Diego Civic, Bank of America Performing Arts Center in Thousand Oaks, Paramount Theatre in Oakland, Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts in Worcester and many more. For more information on Nederlander Concerts visit  Official Website l Facebook l Twitter l Instagram

New music: Japanese Breakfast, Ricky Byrd, Jimmy Vivino, Jeremy Graeff

In this column I focus on a diverse field of outstanding new releases available now.

Artist: Japanese Breakfast
Title: For Melancholy Brunettes (& sad women) (Dead Oceans)
You might like if you enjoy: Florence + the Machine, Mazzy Star

Tell me more: Sonically sumptuous, lyrically rich and never less than bewitching, the fourth album from Japanese Breakfast — For Melancholy Brunettes (& sad women) —  is a captivating full-length release showcasing the singular talents of singer-songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Michelle Zauner. The aptly-titled album finds Zauner delving headlong into melancholy, which she notes "as a kind of anticipatory grief, one that comes from an acknowledgement of the passage of time, from the recognition of mortality and finitude." There is dreamy quality across the disc even while each track is enhanced by a unique place in the album's thematic arc. Standouts include the lush opener "Here is Someone," single "Orlando in Love" examining the cost of desire, driving "Honey Water" with its hypnotic-fueled experimental rock drive, the baroque acoustic gem "Little Girl," infectious "Picture Window," country-flavored "Men in Bars" (the latter featuring duet vocals with Jeff Bridges) and lovely closer "Magic Mountain." Japanese Breakfast will perform at the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival on April 12 and April 19 in Indio. Information:  japanesebreakfast.rocks.

Artist: Ricky Byrd
Title: NYC Made (Wicked Cool Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Jeff Beck, Raspberries, Jim Carroll, Stevie Van Zandt

Tell me more: Singer-songwriter-guitarist Ricky Byrd's latest album NYC Made (available courtesy of Little Steven's Wicked Cool Records) is an authentic celebration of the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer's far-flung influences and rock and roll heroes as well as his own winning musical instincts. From catchy riff rock and tuneful power pop to heartland rock and instrumental virtuosity, the long-time lead guitarist of Joan Jett & the Blackhearts presents a wide-ranging selection of outstanding originals across the LP. The mix of material includes the infectious opener "(Ya Get) 1 Life," aptly-titled "Glamdemic Blues" (the latter recalling the stylings of Mott the Hoople and T. Rex), confessional "Sweet Byrd of Youte," celebratory "Then Along Comes You" and the emotive closer "Best Of Times." "Rhapsody in Blues (One For Jeff)" is a dazzling and emotive tribute to the late guitar master Jeff Beck — who sadly passed away in early 2023. NYC Made is a terrific album sure to please long-time fans of Byrd as well as those discovering his signature sound for the first time. Information: Rickybyrd.com.

Artist: Jimmy Vivino
Title: Gonna Be 2 of Those Days (Gulf Coast Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Joe Bonamassa, Billy F Gibbons, John Sebastian, Tab Benoit
Tell me more: While singer-songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Jimmy Vivino is best known as a long-time member of Conan O'Brien's TV show house band, his wide-ranging career has included work ranging from radio and film to Broadway. Now Gulf Coast Records has released Vivino's full-length label debut Gonna Be 2 of Those Days, a rousing celebration of his formidable talents. The 11-track disc kicks off with the catchy blues-rocker "Blues In The 21st," featuring guest guitar great Joe Bonamassa. Vivino's own skills as a songwriter, virtuoso guitarist and great vocalist shine on that opener as well as across the entire album. The nuanced 1960s-mining "Ruby Is Back," New Orleans-styled title track (the latter featuring guest John Sebastian on harmonica and acoustic guitar), driving blues rocker "Beware The Wolf," swinging romance-themed "Crossed My Mind" and Delta blues acoustic foray "Back Up The Country" are among the album's other highlights. Information: gulfcoastrecords.net.

Artist: Jeremy Graeff
Title: Live From The Wandering Bard [featuring Mark Williams] (Jeremy Graeff Music)
You might like if you enjoy: Owain Phyfe, Renaissance music
Tell me more: Jeremy Graeff' is a top-notch singer-guitarist who tours around the nation as a featured performer at Renaissance Fairs and Festivals; in the fall of 2023 he invited Mark Williams (recorder, flute, harmony vocals) to be his guest on a weekly livestream session. Now five of those bewitching selections appear on the new EP Live From The Wandering Bard, a powerful celebration of Renaissance-styled acoustic music. The opener "A La Una, Yo Naci" (translated to "At One I Was Born") is a powerful and haunting song where Graeff's lead vocals are enhanced by Williams instrumental and vocal talents. The driving "Quen A Omagen" is a work from the Middle Ages from the features a driving rhythm and Williams' dazzling musicianship. Similarly impressive is the duo's version of "Ai Vist Lo Lop" ("I Saw The Wolf"), a medieval song that dates back to the 13th century that is bolstered by Graeff and Williams' elevated harmony vocals. The evocative take on Esther Ofarim's "Una Matika De Ruda" is drenched in melancholy and otherworldly magic. The collection concludes with "Pastimes With Good Company/Quand Je Bois," a captivating medley that concludes with an astonishing display of the powerful vocal interplay between the two singers. Information: jeremygraeffmusic.com.

Robert Kinsler

Martin Guitar & Eric Clapton celebrate 30 Years with new Limited-Edition Guitars

 

Martin Guitar & Eric Clapton Celebrate 30 Years of Collaboration with New Limited-Edition Guitars

NAZARETH, PA – March 30, 2025 – Martin Guitar is celebrating 30 years of collaboration with Eric Clapton with the release of two special anniversary guitars—the 000-42EC 30th Anniversary and the 000-EC 30th Anniversary. Eric’s legendary 1992 MTV Unplugged performance sparked a resurgence in acoustic music and inspired the creation of Martin’s first Eric Clapton signature model, the 000-42EC, in 1995. Over the past three decades, his partnership with Martin has produced some of the most sought-after signature guitars in the company’s history. 000-42EC 30th Anniversary Inspired by the 1939 000-42 he played during Unplugged, the 000-42EC 30th Anniversary is limited to just 300 instruments. It features a solid Adirondack spruce top with antique toner and solid Guatemalan rosewood back and sides for rich, vintage-inspired tone. Golden Era-inspired Adirondack spruce X-bracing enhances resonance and projection, while the Authentic 1939 neck shape with a 1 11/16" nut width provides a comfortable, pre-war feel.   Details like Golden Era 42-style snowflake inlays, Waverly open-gear tuners, and a vintage gloss finish complete the look. Each guitar includes a paper label hand-signed by Eric, a printed certificate of authenticity, and a premium embroidered Harptone case with a matching shroud exclusive to this model.   000-EC 30th Anniversary For players seeking a more understated nod to Eric’s sound, the 000-EC 30th Anniversary is available only through March 2026. It features a solid spruce top and solid East Indian rosewood back and sides for a balanced, resonant tone. The same Authentic 1939 neck shape and 1 11/16" nut width provide a comfortable feel, while the herringbone-trimmed top, antique white binding, and Golden Era 42-style snowflake inlays deliver a refined look.   Each 000-EC 30th Anniversary guitar includes a paper label with Eric’s pre-printed signature and a certificate of authenticity. It also comes in a premium embroidered case.   A Legacy of Excellence Eric’s relationship with Martin began in 1995 with the introduction of the original 000-42EC, which sold out almost immediately. The 000-28EC, introduced in 1996, remains one of Martin’s best-selling models. Over the years, he and Martin have collaborated on a range of limited editions, most recently a trio of Dreadnoughts released in 2023 to benefit the Crossroads Centre, the addiction recovery center he founded in 1998.   In addition to his signature guitars, Eric also personally endorses Clapton’s Choice Signature Strings—his go-to acoustic strings for both stage and studio. Designed to resist corrosion and deliver the legendary sound he demands, they’re available in light and medium gauges.   “If I could choose what to come back as, it would be a Martin OM-45,” Eric has said, underscoring his deep connection to Martin guitars and their enduring sound.   Learn more about these guitars and other new Martin guitars, strings, accessories, lifestyle products, and parts at martinguitar.com.                                                                     -end-   ABOUT C. F. MARTIN & CO.® C.F. Martin & Co. has been making the finest handcrafted acoustic guitars for nearly two hundred years. For some of the biggest names and the most revered musical legends across every genre and every decade. And we’ve been doing it with pure artistic passion, a deep love for all things music, and an unwavering commitment to our community and the environment.   But most importantly, we’re still doing it... for you. For current and future generations of pioneers, rebels, and dreamers. For the beginners, the pros, and everyone in between. We believe music is an unstoppable force. It raises us up. Tells our truths. Gets us on our feet. Expresses our deepest heartaches. And our greatest joys.   So, we’ll continue to make the very best acoustic instruments and strings for as long as there are people like you who love music and love making it. We want to be there to help you tell your story. To help you share your music with the world. To help unleash the artist within.   We’re ready for the next two hundred years. Want to come with us? Visit martinguitar.com.

Buskers unite to aid L.A. wildfire victims in Busk-Aid, L.A., March 30, 2025

 

BUSK-AID-L.A.: BUSKERS HIT THE STREETS TO BENEFIT L.A. WILDFIRE VICTIMS, SUNDAY, MARCH 30 IN CITY’S ECHO PARK DISTRICT; PROCEEDS TO SWEET RELIEF MUSICIANS' FUND Performing at various “perches” on Sunset Blvd., artists will include Dustbowl Revival, Ronee Blakely, Ruby Friedman Orchestra, The Living Sisters, Tony Gilkyson, Rick Shea, Craig Elkins, Hollywood Highsteppers, Water Tower Band, Fernando Perdomo, Ilana Katz Katz, Jon Wahl, Magickly Delishous, Enrich'd White, Dallas Don,  Arielle Silver, Water Band, and Fat, Evil Children LOS ANGELES, Calif. – The music community wasted no time in coming to the aid of those rendered homeless following the January wildfires in and around Los Angeles, with benefit concerts popping up in arenas, theaters, nightclubs and roadhouses. Now a fleet of buskers will take to the streets for Busk-Aid-L.A., a benefit featuring both local and out-of-town performers gathering in the 1800 block of the city’s Sunset Blvd., in Echo Park, on Sunday, March 30, from 2:30 - 8 p.m. Busk-Aid-L.A. is presented in association with the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund, who will donate proceeds where most needed among musicians displaced in the fires. The Wild Honey Foundation, an organization devoted to passing on the passion, creativity, and idealism found in rock, R&B, folk, and pop music to future generations, is helping with logistics for the festival. The event is free, with performers stationed at The Echo, Stories BooksCafe, Masa and Señor Fish, all located at or around the intersection of Sunset Blvd. and LeMoyne St. in the heart of L.A.’s Echo Park. Although the music will be free, Busk-Aid will post a QR code (see below) which will link to the contribution page. Among the artists performing at Busk-Aid-L.A.: Dustbowl Revival, the Living Sisters (Eleni Mandell and Becky Stark), Rick Shea, Tony Gilkyson, Carla Olson & Todd Wolfe, Ilana Katz Katz, Ruby Friedman Orchestra, Fernando Perdomo, Magickly Delicious, E'nRICHED WHITE, Dallas Don, Hollywood Highsteppers, Water Band and Fat, Evil Children. There will be last-minute additions and surprises, including a few artists diverting from tour routing to join in. The benefit is being organized by music industry veterans Cary Baker and Liz Garo. Baker was a 40-year music publicity executive at Capitol Records, I.R.S. Records and four other labels prior to writing a book about busking, Down on the Corner: Adventures in Busking & Street Music (Jawbone Press). Garo, who heads Stepping Stone presents, is a longtime Los Angeles concert promoter, organizing shows at such venues as the Regent Theater, Echo and Echoplex, Spaceland, Love Song Bar, among others.  Co-organizer Baker says of the event: “Chicago may be my hometown – and where I saw my first buskers … street blues musicians on Maxwell Street. But L.A., my home of 40 years, is where my soul will forever live. The wildfires were an unspeakable tragedy that affected many friends and acquaintances in the L.A. music scene. I felt the best way I could give back to the community – with busking on my mind following months of book promotion – was a busking event. Not all the participating artists have busking in their past, but all are looking forward to performing on the streets for the worthiest of causes. I was fortunate to partner with Liz Garo, one of L.A.’s most respected concert promoters, and the Sweet Relief Foundation, which will put the proceeds where most needed. Thanks also to a few musicians — Ruby Friedman from Portland, Ilana Katz Katz, a well-known and very passionate subway musician from Boston — who are making long trips to join us down on the corner.” Aric Steinberg, executive director of the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund, says: “We absolutely love the idea of musicians helping musicians, and Busk-Aid-L.A. is a perfect example.  So many notable artists started out as street performers, and it’s so cool to see Cary, Liz and their team harnessing the power of busking to help Los Angeles musicians who have been displaced by the fires.  We’re here to help disburse the funds and look forward to jamming in the streets with our supporters.” Schedule  (subject to change) Echo            1822 Sunset Blvd.             2:30pm- 2:50pmFat, Evil Children 2:50pm - 3:20pm  Watertower Band            Sage Restaurant 1700 Sunset Blvd. 3:30pm - 3:50pm Enrich'd White             4pm - 4:20pm Dallas Don          4:30pm - 4:50pm  Magickly Delishous         4:50pm - 5:20pm Jon Wahl Masa 1800 W Sunset Blvd. 3:20pm - 3:40pm  Ilana Katz Katz   3:50pm - 4:10pm  Ronee Blakely    Sticky Rice                     1801 W Sunset Blvd.                       4pm - 4:20pm   Fernando Perdomo         4:30pm - 4:50pm Craig Elkins         5:20pm - 5:30pm Hollywood Highsteppers      Shoe Palace 1700 Sunset Blvd. 4:50 - 5:20 Carla Olson + Todd Wolfe 5:30pm- 5:50pm  Hollywood Highsteppers      6pm - 6:20pm   Ruby Friedman Orchestra             Stories (front) 1716 Sunset Blvd. 6:20pm - 6:45pm The Living Sisters           6:55pm - 7:30pm Arielle Silver         Stories (patio) 1716 Sunset Blvd. 7:10pm - 7:40pm  Tony Gilkyson + Rick Shea             7:50pm - 8:20pm Dustbowl Revival                   Artist bios: Dustbowl Revival Going strong into their second decade after starting from a humble Craigslist ad founder and lead songwriter Z. Lupetin posted in bohemian Venice Beach (where they started busking), some would say Dustbowl Revival’s ever-evolving collective plays a spicy cocktail of folky-funk or booty-shaking jangly rock ’n’ soul: expertly mixing their New Orleans-tinted brass section with their signature Laurel Canyon harmonies and fearless lyrics. Their albums have been streamed over 20 million times and counting with a new one on the way in 2025.   Ruby Friedman Orchestra Fronted by the Portland-based/Los Angeles-bred singer-songwriter Ruby Friedman, the Ruby Friedman Orchestra has a new album, Chimes After Midnight , coming from Label 51 Recordings in June,  The record, described as “Every song, a knockout” by Willamette Week, is the successor to RFO’s highly regarded 2016 release Gem. Friedman says of her new work, “I’m giving voice to remarkable people who time will erase otherwise, ordinary men and women who changed history. Like chimes after midnight, theirs are the voices you would not hear — people in the dark.” Ronee Blakley Singer songwriter, actor, filmmaker, composer, poet. The Oscars, Golden Globes and Grammy nominee starred on Robert Altman’s Nashville, for which she appeared on cover of Newsweek. She was featured in Bob Dylan’s Rolling Thunder Revue in the 1970s and appeared on the hit single “Hurricane.” She also appeared in A Nightmare on Elm Street. Blakley has released twelve albums. She has appeared in films with Wim Wenders, Nick Ray, Walter Hill, Robert Altman and Dylan Tony Gilkyson Born in Hollywood and reared in northern New Mexico, Tony Gilkyson writes songs that speak of ghosts, travels, dreams, and landscapes. A songwriter-guitarist, Tony began recording at a young age with his father, Terry Gilkyson. He has collaborated with songwriters John Doe and Chuck E. Weiss, as well as authors Diane Stillman (29 Palms) and Michael Blake (Dances with Wolves). His musical style blends rock, folk, and Americana, with a distinctive guitar sound that combines traditional and modern influences. Throughout his career, Tony has worked with artists such as Dave Alvin, Lone Justice, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Bob Dylan, Kris Kristofferson, K.D. Lang, and X. His guitar work has been featured in film soundtracks like Walk the Line, The Big Lebowski, All the King's Men, and Don’t Come Knockin’, with producer T Bone Burnett  Hollywood Highsteppers The Hollywood Highsteppers is a class taught at the Silverlake Conservatory of Music, a nonprofit music school serving the Silver Lake/Hollywood/Los Feliz neighborhoods. The class formed in 2019 under the direction of Michael Bolger and serves as a community band. It’s an all-ages ensemble consisting of sousaphones, drums, flutes, trumpets, trombones, saxophones, accordions, guitar, and singing. Most of the repertoire hails from the Second Line tradition of New Orleans. The band also explores other repertoire including Balkan grooves, pop songs, and funk. The Highsteppers recorded a track on a soon to be released album featuring ensembles of the Silverlake Conservatory. They march in community parades like the Doo Dah parade and the Venice Mardi Gras parade. The class is growing and bringing joy to the community.  Ilana Katz Katz Ilana Katz Katz is a blues and Appalachian fiddler, singer, songwriting musical chameleon who has been busking in Boston’s subways since 2008. Known for her signature solo performances, she also lends her fiddling prowess to a plethora of bands, internationally, as a recording artist and special guest. Ilana Katz Katz will fly cross-country to participate in Busk-Aid. The Living Sisters Eleni Mandell and Becky Stark concocted the idea of singing together over cocktails at Little Joy back in the day. Both had been pursuing solo careers as singer-songwriters but both dreamed of a side project focused on harmonizing. Becky already had the name ready and The Living Sisters were born. Their charming, heartfelt and, sometimes, goofy songs exist to spread joy, light, and harmony! Later, Inara George and Alex Lilly joined the band but they’ll be out of town during Busk-Aid. Fernando Perdomo Fernando Perdomo  is a multi-instrumentalist, producer, and singer-songwriter originally from Miami, Florida. L.A. Times dubbed him "The Millennial Answer to Todd Rundgren.” He was featured in the movie Echo in the Canyonplaying guitar for Jakob Dylan, Fiona Apple, Beck, Cat Power, Regina Spektor, Brian Wilson and others. He currently is the guitar player for Marshall Crenshaw on tour. He is a prolific recording artist with hundreds of releases available on his Bandcamp Page. He will be releasing 12 albums in 2025 titled Waves 1-12.   Rick Shea Singer, songwriter, and guitarist Rick Shea’s work speaks for itself. He’s played with legends like Dave Alvin (Shea played on his Grammy-winning album), R.E.M. (for the soundtrack to Man on the Moon) and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member Wanda Jackson among others He cut his teeth in Southern California honky-tonks, and his songs reflect the folk, country, rock and Mexican influences he grew up with. Shea has released 12 albums to wide acclaim (his latest received 4 Stars from Mojo), and toured both the U.S. and Europe. Arielle Silver In the sun-soaked heart of California, Arielle Silver emerges a masterful storyteller, blending the soul of Americana roots with influences drawn equally from Laurel Canyon and Greenwich Village. Silver’s rich lyrics, folk-pop artistry, and enchanting stagecraft has earned her three-time ASCAP Plus Awards, 2025 Winner at the South Florida Folk and Acoustic Music Festival, 2024 and 2025 finalist in the Tucson Folk Festival, second place in the 2024 International Acoustic Music Awards, and among other accolades. Her fifth album, Watershed, premiered in The Bluegrass Situation, Americana Highways, and Twangville, and spent 18 weeks on the Americana Music Charts with adds at over 200 U.S. stations.  Enrich'd White Angeleno noisicians Doten & Sýkora improvise, process then present sound as EW. Gentle nightmare, a bit of psychotic rawk, harsh ambient, who can say? They reintroduce the lost realm of imagination while restoring the false sense of absurdity… doing so since 1985, even. Magickly Delishus  An all- acoustic ensemble of weirdos that plays a mixture of traditional Irish instrumental tunes, murder ballads, and random punk covers. They can frequently be found entertaining and confusing passersby at various neighborhood parks, but they're always down for a good cause. Water Tower Band Water Tower, founded in 2005 by Kenny Feinstein, blends punk energy with bluegrass roots, evolving from The Water Tower Bucket Boys to a Los Angeles-based phenomenon. Their fiercely loyal fanbase, "The Owls," thrives on their DIY ethos, street-busking grit, and explosive live shows. With hits like "AMPM" and "Skante Warrior," they’ve stormed major festivals (IBMA, Telluride, Warped Tour) and toured the UK, sharing stages with legends like Molly Tuttle and Sierra Ferrell. Feinstein’s charismatic emceeing amplifies their rebel spirit. A genre-defying force, Water Tower is bluegrass for the punk generation. Join the revolution. Jon Wahl Jon Wahl was the frontman/founder of LA’s avant-blues Claw Hammer and afterwards his own Amadans, and was part of countless side projects with the likes of Mark Mothersbaugh (Devo), Wayne Kramer (MC5), Ry Cooder, et al. Come see him busk away his latest songs and new twists on older stuff.                                                            # # # QR code for donations via Sweet Relief Musicians Fund below. This code will be posted at all busking locations. Thank you to John Krop (Atomic Pop Monkey) for the flyer art!

Japanese Breakfast releases new album 'For Melancholy Brunettes (& sad women)', Watch the Video for "Picture Window" now

Acclaimed modern rock artist Japanese Breakfast's new album is out today! Below is the official media release and links to hear new music from the release. Make sure to check out the shimmering new video for "Picture Window" too...Robert Kinsler

JAPANESE BREAKFAST

NEW ALBUM

FOR MELANCHOLY BRUNETTES (& SAD WOMEN)

OUT TODAY VIA DEAD OCEANS

WATCH VIDEO FOR ALBUM HIGHLIGHT “PICTURE WINDOW”

2025 TOUR DATES ANNOUNCED

Photo credit: Pak Bae Japanese Breakfast releases her anticipated new album, For Melancholy Brunettes (& sad women), today via Dead Oceans along with a cinematic video directed by Michelle Zauner for album standout “Picture Window.” Produced by Grammy Award winner Blake Mills — an innovator of uncommon subtlety, known for his work with everyone from Bob Dylan to Fiona Apple and quietly regarded as many a legacy artist’s favorite guitar player — and tracked at the venerable Sound City in Los Angeles — the record sees Zauner pull back from the bright extroversion that defined its predecessor Jubilee to examine the darker waves that roil within, the moody, fecund field of melancholy, long held to be the psychic state of poets on the verge of inspiration. The result is an artistic statement of purpose: a mature, intricate, contemplative work that conjures the romantic thrill of a gothic novel.  “Over the course of promoting this new album I’ve often been asked to clarify the difference between melancholy and sadness. I think of melancholy as a kind of anticipatory grief, one that comes from an acknowledgment of the passage of time, from the recognition of mortality and finitude. In some way, too, I think it marks the artist’s condition, constantly observing through that lens,” Zauner says of the album. “‘Nothing thicker than a knife's blade separates happiness from melancholy,’ Virginia Woolfe writes. I wanted this album to capture the moments where that knife slips. When people want too much, when they cede to temptation, when they are seduced and punished.” Japanese Breakfast will be celebrating the album’s release by playing a sold out album release recital tomorrow, March 22 at El Museo del Barrio in New York. Their tour in support of For Melancholy Brunettes (& sad women) kicks off with a performance at the Coachella Music and Arts Festival in Indio, CA and continues with headline shows across North America and Europe this year. The Melancholy Tour is the band’s first tour in three years, following the Jubilee Tour in 2022. All tour dates can be found below and tickets are on-sale now via japanesebreakfast.rocks. WATCH THE “PICTURE WINDOW” VIDEO

Michelle Zauner on “Picture Window”: “Ever since I was a young girl I’ve dealt with intrusive thoughts of loved ones dying horrible deaths. When someone is running late or they’ve neglected a text or even if they’re just looking over a balcony, my mind has a tendency to run to the worst case scenario, a reflex only exacerbated by my experience of many real deaths. It can be both a relief and a struggle to love someone who doesn’t share this same proclivity for anxiety. Picture Window explores that dynamic. We shot the video while I was living in Seoul last year. My idea was to follow a couple, constantly tracking left to right, as one partner charges boldly forward and the other, progressively anxious, becomes increasingly reluctant to follow. When I met Omega from Balming Tiger, I knew immediately he would be perfect for the first role, his energy and charm were so readily apparent. Gyuri Kim, with her feeling for melancholy and uncertainty, turned out to be a wonderful counterpart. I wanted this video to feel like a short film, and watching it back, it’s bittersweet to look back on my year abroad—the wonderful people I met, the neighborhoods I loved and lived in. The constant tracking from left to right is a reminder of how time continues to pass no matter how forcefully you struggle to beat it back or rush to get ahead of it. I watch out the window as the scenery passes, visualizing all my unlived lives swishing past.” TOUR DATES: Mar 22 - New York, NY @ El Museo del Barrio - SOLD OUT Apr 12 & 19 - Indio, CA @ Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival Apr 23 - Austin, TX @ ACL Live at the Moody Theater * Apr 24 - Dallas, TX @ South Side Ballroom * Apr 26 - Atlanta, GA @ The Tabernacle * Apr 27 - Charlotte, NC @ The Fillmore * Apr 28 - Nashville, TN @ Ryman Auditorium * Apr 30 - Chicago, IL @ Salt Shed * May 01 - Chicago, IL @ Salt Shed * - SOLD OUT May 02 - Chicago, IL @ Salt Shed * - SOLD OUT May 03 - Detroit, MI @ The Fillmore * May 05 - Toronto, ON @ Massey Hall * - SOLD OUT May 06 - Toronto, ON @ Massey Hall * May 07 - Boston, MA @ MGM Music Hall at Fenway * May 09 - Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Paramount * - SOLD OUT May 10 - Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Paramount * - SOLD OUT May 11 - Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Paramount * - SOLD OUT May 12 - Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Paramount * May 15 - Philadelphia, PA @ The Met Philadelphia * May 16 - Philadelphia, PA @ The Met Philadelphia * - SOLD OUT Jun 03 - Sydney, AU @ Vivid LIVE at Sydney Opera House Jun 05 - Melbourne, AU @ RISING at PICA Jun 07 - Auckland, NZ @ Auckland Town Hall Jun 11 - Tokyo, JP @ Zepp Shunkjuku Jun 13 - Osaka, JP @ Club Quattro Jun 15 - Cheorwon-gun, KR @ DMZ Peace Train Music Festival Jun 21 - Milwaukee, WI @ Summerfest Jun 24 - Oslo, NO @ Rockefeller Jun 25 - Stockholm, SE @ Filadelfia # Jun 26 - Copenhagen, DK @ VEGA # Jun 28 - Pilton, UK @ Glastonbury Festival Jun 29 - Manchester, UK @ Academy 1 # Jun 30 - Glasgow, UK @ Barrowland # Jul 01 - Bristol, UK @ O2 Academy Bristol # Jul 03 - London, UK @ O2 Academy Brixton # Jul 4-6 - Ewijk, NL @ Down The Rabbit Hole 2025 Jul 05 - Utrecht, NL @ TivoliVredenburg # Jul 08 - Paris, FR @ Le Trianon # July 10 - Bilbao, ES @ Bilbao BBK Live July 27 - Portland, OR @ Project Pabst Aug 23 - Santa Barbara, CA @ Santa Barbara Bowl * Aug 27 - San Francisco, CA @ The Masonic * Aug 28 - San Francisco, CA @ The Masonic * - SOLD OUT Aug 30 - Bend, OR @ Hayden Homes Amphitheater * Sep 01 - Vancouver, BC @ The Orpheum * Sep 02 - Seattle, WA @ Woodland Park Amphitheater *  Sep 03 - Seattle, WA @ Woodland Park Amphitheater *  Sep 05 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Twilight Concert Series @ Pioneer Park * ^ Sep 06 - Denver, CO @ The Mission Ballroom * Sep 09 - St Paul, MN @ The Palace Theater * Sep 10 - Madison, WI @ The Sylvee * * w/ Ginger Root # w/ Minhwi Lee ^ w/ Tomper WATCH THE PREVIOUSLY RELEASED VIDEOS FOR “ORLANDO IN LOVE” & “MEGA CIRCUIT”

Though Zauner has experimented with science fiction on Soft Sounds from Another Planet and buoyant surrealism on Jubilee, the landscape of European Romanticism that underpins For Melancholy Brunettes and the dense tissue of classical allusion that comes with it marks new territory for a songwriter entering her artistic maturity. She credits a range of antecedents with inspiration. The forlorn café girl in Degas’ “L’absinthe”. The seascapes of Caspar David Friedrich. The passionate longing and wild, undulating moors in Wuthering Heights. Hans Castorp wrapped in his camel hair blanket, dreaming on the Berghof balcony. It is an atmosphere made palpable by the intricate, interlocking guitar arrangements that accompany much of the record, lapping like waves over the meter, often as oblique in their expression of the chord as Zauner can be in her polyvalence of feeling and insight. Sadness is the dominant emotional key of this record, but it is sadness of a rarified form: the pensive, prescient sadness of melancholy, in which the recognition of life’s essentially tragic character occurs with sensitivity to its fleeting beauty. Zauner finds space enough inside it for glimmers of hope. They are the consolations of mortals that poets before her have called out to and that poets after will continue to rediscover: love and labor, and though they run like tonic resolutions through the record’s many episodes.

Album Art Credit: Pak Bae

TRACK LIST:  1. Here is Someone 2. Orlando in Love 3. Honey Water 4. Mega Circuit 5. Little Girl 6. Leda 7. Picture Window 8. Men in Bars (Feat. Jeff Bridges) 9. Winter in LA 10. Magic Mountain Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Bandcamp | Spotify | Apple Music