The L.A. native rapper known as “Bambu” describes himself as “a dad, a comrade, an organizer, an artist, a worker, a fan, a soldier, a thinker, a do-er and a fighter until death.”

     In a world where the hip hop chart-toppers continue to sell a superficial story of ”riches and bitches,” it really can be a struggle for artists of politically conscious hip hop like Bambu to get their voices heard. But on Saturday night at the Knitting Factory in Hollywood, he rocked the stage reflecting on all of these aspects of his life while still maintaining a groove that kept the audience jumping.

His latest album, The Exchange, dropped on Sept. 11, and is available online through his Myspace - (see bottom).

This is Bambu’s “I Scream,” off of I Scream Bars for the Children:

     The show also included performances by a local duo called U-N-I, featuring one MC from Los Angeles, and one from Seattle. They were recently nominated by MTV as an L.A. Breakout Artist. They gave an enthusiastic and goofy performance, with the highlight being their song “Beautiful Day,” off of Fried Chicken and Watermelon, which is great to see live, but also has an awesome music video:

     The show also featured a Seattle MC-DJ duo called Common Market. Unfortunately, they were unable to perform due to an equipment malfunction. This group is also well worth checking out for those interested in music that promotes a well-crafted and empowering message.

This is “Trouble Is,” off their new album, Tobacco Road, released in January:

Overall, the show was well worth its cost ($10), in spite of the equipment malfunctions. The Knitting Factory is a cool little venue to check out for future shows, featuring lots of local up-and-coming artists. Their schedule is available online.

Bambu

Common Market

U-N-I

Looking for things to do this weekend that wont hurt you financially (as most events in LA tend to do)?

This Saturday from 1 - 4pm, The Flock Shop, a cute little store in Chinatown specializing in graphic t shirts, jewelry, art, and funky clothing, is hosting an art show for local artist/illustrator Patrick Hruby. There will be complementary drinks and most likely a sale since they are re-opening their store. Here is the location …it’s in the same courtyard as the Grand Star Jazz Club.

The Flock Shop is also located directly underneath Ooga Booga, a great place to find records by local bands (such as the ones playing at the Eagle Rock Music Festival) as well as amazing compilations of African/South American music. Not to mention, they have a huge selection or art zines, books, and clothing. Although the highlight of the store for me is these $10 cassette mixtapes ranging from french chanson to old school hip hop to funk to new wave hits that you have never heard before. 

Also this Saturday, all of Eagle Rock (rather, Colorado blvd) will be glowing and vibing to a music festival from 5pm till midnight. Its free and over 60 artists will be performing- among them are Abe Vigoda, Earlimart, Crystal Antlers, Mika Miko, Pizza!, The Parson Red Heads, One Trick Pony, etc. more info.

On Sunday night, the hilarious hip hop group hailing from Southern California, Sparrow Love Crew, will be playing at Cinespace in Hollywood with The Nights (they are great) and The Yelling. The show is 21+ but admission as well as vodka will be free between 9:30-10:30.

Not everything in life is free but these events are and they are a nice way to support local artists. Not to mention great surprises lie ahead for those who haven’t explored these particular areas of town. 

Hello there. I’m KSCR’s Music Director and every week I submit a playlist with the top 30 most played albums at KSCR that week to the College Music Journal (CMJ), which tallies similar reports from college radio stations across the country. This helps them publish charts akin to the Billboard charts, but for music circulating on college radio stations as opposed to commercial stations. KSCR’s genre directors also submit the top 10 albums played within their respective genres: Hip Hop, Electronica / RPM, Jazz, Loud Rock / Metal, and World music. Here is the list for what was played last week:

Radio 200

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Welcome . . .

. . . to the ‘08 - ‘09 Season of BANDWIDTH.

It is our goal to provide our readers with the best in alternative content and coverage.

We focus on music, Los Angeles, art, entertainment, news, culture, subcultures, countercultures, utopias, neophilia, viral videos, music videos, pancakes, politics, crepes, fashion, love, death, Natalie Portman, hope, nihilism, local bands, foreign bands, bands that may or may not actually qualify as bands, photography, philosophy, concerts, lions, tigers, bears, dragons, albums, movies, poetry, Palin’s daughter’s baby’s daddy, TV shows, robots, the Trojans, aliens, Danny Glover, and other amazing things.

We’re a blog (duh) and a magazine (due out in December). We write about cool stuff everyday. And, we also plan to take over your entire fucking world.

So, enjoy our fresh resolve to make your life more entertaining, and we really do value your readership.

Again, welcome to this new writing season, and thanks for paying attention.

Love,
Bandwidth

At the risk of making this page look like an ‘I HEART KANYE’ lovefest, we got some good news for all y’all Ye fans. Looks like the graduate will be bringing his good life and the “Glow in the Dark” tour to L.A. Here’s the list of places where he’ll show up for some fake sh*t.

Yeah, you saw the sign right. We also like umbrella-ella-ellas, skaterboys, and superstars.

YO! What if… nah… but… they were at that award show… YO! DAFT PUNK WILL BE THERE!!! Of course I’m kidding, but I’m also praying, wishing and dreaming. We might like Kanye (not as much as Kanye likes Kanye), but we love Daft Punk.

Tickets go on sale Friday 2/15 at 10 am on ticketmaster.

Here’s the new (READ: creepy) “Flashing Lights” video while you wait to get your money right or, you know, wait for the tix to go on sale.

While the rest of the world awaits the arrival of the holidays during the month of December, Southern California audiophiles eagerly anticipate information regarding an event less wholesome than Christmas, but undoubtedly more epic than the well-loved holiday.

That’s right, kiddos—Coachella lineup season has come to town.

Officially, Goldenvoice—the event’s promoters—release the 2008 festival lineup on January 21st. This date, nearly a month away, however, has not hindered hopeful Coachella attendees from speculating who will perform at the acclaimed three-day music festival in Indio, California this upcoming April.

Rumors are abound across the Information Super Highway, centering mainly on choice Los Angeles music blogs and the official Coachella message boards. From impossible wish lists (“Say, didn’t Joy Division break up when Ian Curtis killed himself?”) to confirmed performers as verified by ‘the brother-in-law of my mailman’s next-door neighbor’s deceased uncle,’ solid confirmations of potential performers have been nearly non-existent.

Smaller artists, as well as some sub-headliners, present promising cases of performing at Coachella ’08, given word-of-mouth confirmations from the artists themselves, or from artist availability on promotion and booking websites. (Possible appearances are slated from Death Cab for Cutie, The Verve, Portishead, Ladytron, and Caribou.)

Absent, however, from these officially unconfirmed confirmations, are any clear headliners for the festival. In fact, none of the usual contributors to the Coachella Rumor Mill can discern any of the eventual three ‘big name acts’ who will capstone each day of performances.

Usually noted for its promotion of some of the largest names in popular alternative music, as well as its revival of some of the most influential bands in recent musical history, Coachella and Goldenvoice seem to have either missed the boat on 2008’s most anticipated headliners, or have become extremely adept at keeping secrets from the general public.

To crush your Yorke-yearning desires before imagination supersedes logic—yes, I’m talking to you, Mr. Diehard Radiohead Fan—a Goldenvoice employee has confirmed that the famed British experimental rockers will NOT be playing Coachella this year, a pity, considering how the band was suspected for several months to be a shoo-in for the 2008 festival’s leading headliner. Nix any hopes of an appearance by The White Stripes, Led Zeppelin, or My Bloody Valentine as well; these bands, too, by process of research and elimination, show no signs of performing in the Palm Desert come April.

So, where does this leave Coachella and Goldenvoice promoters to turn? Whom shall grace the coveted Coachella Main Stage closing slot that hot, sweltering weekend in April? What bands will music lovers across the world shell out nearly $350 to see?

Two words: TALKING. HEADS.

That’s right, you heard me correctly. The only way that Coachella can regain any ounce of authority and renown in the music festival circuit—especially after losing Radiohead—would be to book the most impossible reunion imaginable. So, Goldenvoice and Co., listen up closely. The following shall be your saving grace.

True, David Byrne isn’t exactly loved by his fellow band members; after disbanding officially in 1991, little hope of a legitimate Talking Heads reunion dwindled away with time between Byrne’s expanding ego and bad blood amongst former members. Yet, as of late, all signs seem to be pointing to a highly improbable, but completely believable chance at a Talking Heads 2008 performance at this year’s festival.

Not happening, you say? Completely unlikely? Perhaps, but, considering a reunion from both the band and Coachella’s promoters’ stance, Talking Heads would benefit themselves and Goldenvoice quite heavily, should a reunion take place this year. With a recent resurgence in their popularity, the band could pull a large draw—both in attendance and cash flow—keeping all pieces of the Coachella machine (audience included) well-oiled and content.

The idea of a Talking Heads reunion has been flittering around the Coachella message board as of late, and to be quite honest, with each passing day and with each potential headliner becoming unconfirmed, the idea suddenly transforms—albeit slowly—from fan-girl fancy to something of a realistic hope.

So, if I were the Talking Heads, I’d reunite at Coachella in 2008. Band mate hatred aside, that cold hard cash would be too hard to turn down.

Vampire Weekend came to the Echo last night and they killed. These witty preps from NY played a great live set, effectively translating their unique sound onto a live stage with a ton of energy. Long live danceable bass lines, airy island guitars, and diverse rhythms. Oh! and that keyboard! The boys got some chops. Did I mention the wonderful lyrics? Hold on, I think I’m drooling.

Indeed, there’s a lot of buzz surrounding this band of four Columbia grads - so much that even MTV got an interview with Ezra, Rostam, Christopher, and Chris. The best part about all of this? Vampire Weekend doesn’t even release their debut self-titled until January 29th. Granted, their notorious “Blue-CDR” of recorded full length promos was leaked and has been floating around the internet for awhile. But, that’s a lot of hype for a band with no official LP. So, why all the buzz?

Answer: Gloriously catchy tunes, excellent live shows, and a fresh sound.

Say all you want about Paul Simon’s Graceland, early Talking Heads, and African tribal music/drums. These kids can play fantastically well, and desearve the attention. Here’s a video of “Mansard Roof”:

Pick of the set: “Oxford Comma.” Vampire Weekend is out 1/29/08 on XL.

Some of my favorite concerts are those by new bands who are still truly humble and grateful to their audiences, Los Campesinos!’s show at the Echoplex on Nov. 27 was just that. Their set was short (but not too short), energetic, and…well as fun as you’d expect a band named Los Campesinos! to be. It was really refreshing to see how truly excited they were to play on the West Coast “in Hollywood” as they kept repeating to the audience in between their songs, and it showed in the energy they put into each of their songs. Some songs I’d recommend would be “We throw parties, you throw knives”, “Don’t tell me to do the math(s)”, and “You!Me!Dancing!”.

Their opening band was The Most Serene Republic who were excellent despite their slightly creepy lead singer…