Albert Ching

Despite what national news or teen dramas might suggest, Los Angeles and Phoenix aren't so different. Sure, L.A. has an ocean, but it also has massive shopping centers, myriad freeways, and 80-degree Januarys. So with two Los Angeles bands — Abe Vigoda and No Age — venturing onto Phoenix's turf...

Lynyrd Skynyrd has endured a lot in their nearly 45 years of existence — withstanding allegations of racism over "Sweet Home Alabama," the 1977 plane crash that claimed the life of three band members (including lead singer Ronnie Van Zant), their song "Free Bird" becoming a ubiquitous gag during encores...

Last year, Steve Martin released a 15-song banjo album, The Crow: New Songs for the 5-String Banjo. Sounds funny, right? Well, with winsome songs such as "Pretty Flowers" and guest spots from Vince Gill and Dolly Parton, it was actually a surprisingly earnest affair that ended up picking up all...

Since 1994, Seattle-based indie label Barsuk records has proved that there's more to the area than Sub Pop. It has released music by Death Cab for Cutie, Mates of State, Ra Ra Riot, Nada Surf, and Rilo Kiley. So when Phantogram — guitarist Josh Carter and keyboard player Sarah Barthel...

Sweden is a peculiar country — their furniture comes disassembled and their fish taste like gummy bears — but they’ve put out some good music. For a nation with a population comparable to North Carolina, they’ve put out some pretty diverse stuff, too. While you can draw a straight line...