News

FILTER’s Top 5 Stories of The Week Featuring The Smashing Pumpkins + More (In Case You Missed It)

By Staff; Photo by Marc Lemoine on May 18, 2013

Sometimes you just can't bring yourself to read every single thing that goes up on the internet. Who has time to go through all of those cat gifs and youtube comments besides us? Don't worry, we get it, and we want to help!

Here for your weekend round-up reading pleasure are the top stories that FILTER had to offer this past week in a delicious bite-size format. Dig in!

News

LIVE, IN PHOTOS: Devendra Banhart Brings Love To The Observatory (5/14/2013)

By Staff; Photos by Christel Robleto on May 17, 2013

Devendra Banhart
The Observatory
Santa Ana, California
May 14, 2013

Last Tuesday night, Santa Ana enjoyed the wondrous sound of Devendra Banhart at The Observatory.

It's no surprise that this show was packed, seeing as Banhart's newest album, Mala, has received a ton of praise. Fans were able to enjoy songs off both this record, as well as old favorites, in a live and animate setting.

Reviews

Cayucas
Bigfoot - SECRETLY CANADIAN
FILTER Grade: 82%

By Daniel Kohn on May 17, 2013

Does a band have to sacrifice its intellect for an infectious pop melody? Cayucas attempt to answer that question on this, their debut effort. The brainchild of Zach Yudin, the LA-based outfit show their range on an eight-song collection that features “Cayucos” and “High School Lover,” both tracks that have garnered some radio attention and with good reason: they’re catchy tunes blending electronica seamlessly with breezy pop and perhaps serve as the best reflections of the band’s MO. The non-electronic tracks have a retro, ’60s-era California pop vibe, like the groovy “Will ‘The Thrill’” and the pleasant “A Summer Thing,” both of which would soundtrack an evening beachside campfire...

Reviews

Dirty Beaches
Drifters/Love Is the Devil - ZOO MUSIC
FILTER Grade: 81%

By Paula Mejia on May 17, 2013

The double album Drifters/Love Is the Devil is Alex Zhang Hungtai’s cathartic response to 2011’s cinematic Badlands. The somber man behind the Dirty Beaches moniker, Hungtai has mastered the shadowed soundscape. You can almost see the cigarette smoke hanging in the air with the leather jacket bravado of “I Dream In Neon.” His growl is the centerpiece of the records, traveling to the very baritone depths paved by Jim Morrison with a gasping immediacy accentuated on tracks including “Casino Lisboa” and “Aurevoir mon visage” (translation: “Farewell, my face”). Both sides of the album act as mirror images of torment. Drifters rattles with verbalized unsettlement of transience, punctuated by...

Reviews

Classixx
Hanging Gardens - INNOVATIVE LEISURE
FILTER Grade: 82%

By Kenny S. McGuane on May 17, 2013

The opening and title track of the debut by LA-based DJ and production team Classixx is an elegant, spaced-out disco romp that swims and swirls around a melodic refrain lifted from the Sandy Stewart–penned 1987 Fleetwood Mac single “Seven Wonders.” It’s a perfect liftoff for Hanging Gardens because just like the Mac’s seminal Tango in the Night, the album is slated for release just in time for summer and you’d be hard-pressed to find a more shimmering or sunnier pool party soundtrack. Lead single “Holding On” is an irresistible keyboard-driven dance floor igniter that’ll most certainly be oozing out of iPods on beaches east to west. Featuring vocal cameos from Nancy Whang of LCD...

News

LOOK: FILTER Presents Local Natives At The Greek Theatre On 9/13!

By Staff on May 17, 2013

An album constantly blasting throughout the office last year was Wild Nothing's Nocturne. And Hummingbird, Local Natives' sophomore LP, has similarly been on repeat since its January release.

This is why we couldn't be happier to announce that on Friday, September 13, Local Natives and Wild Nothing hit the Greek Theatre—presented by FILTER!

News

LIVE, IN PHOTOS: Kate Nash Rocks Out With Style At The Observatory (5/09/13)

By Staff; Photos by Leanna Flecky on May 16, 2013

Kate Nash
The Observatory
Santa Ana, California
May 2, 2013

Lovely English songstress, Kate Nash, came to Santa Ana last week, and we definitely saw that with Miss Kate's new, edgy look, she not only looked the part, but rocked it.

Media

WATCH: Biffy Clyro Shares Poignant Video For “Opposite”

By Staff on May 16, 2013

Last time we checked in with Glasgow's own Biffy Clyro, they were finishing up their latest double album: Opposite s. Now that this aforementioned album has been out since January—and has gained recognition worldwide—the trio unveils the video for "Opposite."

Media

WATCH: !!! (Chk Chk Chk) Gets Funky In “One Girl/One Boy” Video

By Staff on May 16, 2013

Ever since !!!'s (Chk Chk Chk) latest album came out—THR!!!ER—we have been listening to it repeatedly for weeks. This album consists of one unforgettable funk rock hit after the next. If you don't believe us, just watch their video for "One Girl/One Boy," conveniently located above!

News

FILTER 52: “The National: Emotional Transit” Out 05/24/13!

By Staff on May 16, 2013

We are extremely proud to announce the details of our next issue, featuring a cover story on a band very close to our hearts: The National!

(To see a rad GIF teasing the cover image, check out FILTER's Tumblr!)

FILTER 52: The National: Emotional Transit features The National—photographed by Marc Lemoine in their home of Brooklyn, New York—in a revealing piece about the close bond this band of brothers shares, what the new "tour documentary" Mistaken for Strangers actually achieves, fatherhood, and how the band's undeniable chemistry helped create their affecting sixth studio album: Trouble Will Find Me.

Check out all the good stuff inside this issue below and make sure to mark your calendars for May 24, 2013 to remind you to pick up a copy of the latest FILTER!

The FILTER Magazine app for iPad is now available for download in the iTunes store! Get issues of FILTER for just 99¢ each!