It was 1997 when Madeline Ludlum, then in her early 20s, met her father for the first time. Clean and sober following a longtime heroine addiction, he said he was ready to start a new life. Tragically, his sentiments were short-lived: two years later, he died of an overdose. Ludlum, by then an aspiring hip-hop…Read more Hip-hop artist Mystic releases her debut album

Even among the most avid electronica addicts, the music of Squarepusher (a.k.a. Tom Jenkinson), the 26-year-old DJ prodigy from England, can be described as nothing short of epic. The reason Squarepusher's original compositions -- heavy with noteworthy beats, samples, scratches and improvised instrumentation -- are thought to be the next wave in electronic sounds is…Read more London artist Squarepusher will be performing at the Hollywood Athletic Club July 25

Defined as a self-proclaimed symphonic and lyrical culmination of their lives as professional musicians, Grandaddy recently completed recording its fourth studio album entitled "Sumday," considered by the members to be their best work to date. "Sumday" is set to be released June 10. "After the first six songs were mixed and this half of the…Read more Grandaddy releases new album June 10

Coming off the relatively recent success as a collaborator on the "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" film soundtrack, singer-songwriter Gillian Welch just completed work on her fourth album "Soul Journey," due out in stores June 3. The work, produced by David Rawlings, incorporates hints of many styles like bluegrass, folk and country with spontaneous solo,…Read more Gillian Welch’s new album is due out in stores June 3

The music of trumpeter Erik Truffaz (pronounced true-FAUX) is brimming with a style some jazz aficionados would never label as jazz, at least in the traditional sense and especially by most American standards. But for those who perceive jazz not only as an art form but as a philosophy, they will most likely deem Truffaz's…Read more Trumpeter Erik Truffaz is performing Saturday at the Spaceland of Dreams in Silver Lake

For those Mother Hips fans who have been living under a rock for the past year, the now-defunct band ended its 13-year career in February with a two-day farewell concert in San Francisco. Every member has since then delved into new projects including the group's songwriter and co-guitarist, Tim Bluhm, who has openly embraced a…Read more Manhattan Beach native Tim Bluhm performing May 16

For those who believe jazz is dying or is already dead, they've obviously never heard the music of Kenny Garrett. The famed saxophonist, who was once a member of the Duke Ellington orchestra and has played with the likes of Miles Davis, Sting, Art Blakey and Peter Gabriel, is just one of many living testaments…Read more Jazz is alive in Kenny Garrett’s music

For those electronica addicts seeking a more avant garde musical experience, the outlandish and visually lavish New York City duo Fischerspooner is just the ticket. Casey Spooner and Warren Fischer of Fischerspooner will be performing this Sunday at the Coachella Arts and Music Festival in Indio, Calif., with their extravagant company of dancers and singers…Read more Fischerspooner performing Sunday in Coachella

During his high school days, Brooklyn native Talib Kweli Greene (pronounced Ta-lib Qua-lee, translated from Arabic means, "Student of Truth") spent much of his free time in Manhattan's Washington Square Park hanging with other aspiring MCs who would face off against one another in freestyle rap battles. "When I was a kid, the three artists…Read more Talib Kweli Greene will showcase new work at Coachella

For the English blokes of Gomez, careers as famed trans-Atlantic musicians have turned out beautifully so far. With four albums under its belt, the quintet's eccentric conglomeration of rock, blues, electronica, jazz and soul continues to attract fans from both Europe and America. "When we first went over to America, like anywhere, we were still…Read more Gomez will soon begin its North American tour and perform at Coachella

At a time when it seems as though everyone on the planet is putting out an album for underground and mainstream audiences alike, the task of weeding out the good music from the bad can be quite daunting. Ten years and six albums later, the group Luna is testament to the fact good music still…Read more Luna at the Knitting Factory in Hollywood