L.A. has got me on my knees

The slow weeks leading up to the summer I had planned have finally come to an end. Next Wednesday Mao and I will being seeing Angus and Julia Stone at the Hollywood Forever Masonic Lodge. Both Tuesday and Wednesday's shows are sold out, but they've just added a third show at The Stronghold in Venice (if you follow the link and become confused by the sight of a website for custom jeans, suspenders, fancy hats, and shiny shoes, don't fret, it's the right place - it doubles as both!), so if you plans of trying to catch them while they are in town, buy quickly.

Mao was also kind enough to alert me to the news that Freelance Whales will be opening for Tokyo Police Club on August 12 at the El Rey Theatre (tickets are already on sale). Seeing as I missed them when they opened for the Shout Out Louds, I'm thrilled that I get to see them after all. They really are one of my favorite bands.

This was also a great week for new music. I picked up the new Black Keys album, "Brothers", and the new one by Band of Horses, "Infinite Arms." I've had TBK on loop for the last couple of days, so I haven't had much time to give BoH a proper listen, but from what I've heard, they're clearly just as good as ever. And just the thought of seeing TBK at the Palladium in September gets me all tingly. Goddamn they are incredible and soulful and sexy.

You know who else has some serious soul: Marcus Foster. Q Magazine made available a new EP version of "Shadows of the City" as their Track of the Day and it's brilliant. It's moody and haunting and lays out a really cool beat. You can listen to it here. It was my favorite track of his to begin with and now he's gone and added a full band and "ghost choir" and managed to make it sound new again. I've said it before and I'll say it again: it's beyond me why this man isn't a bigger name in music. If this is a hint of what we can expect from his forthcoming EP and general evolution as a musician, I can't see him staying one of my favorite secrets for much longer.

If you're following summer festival news, the Austin City Limits Music Festival lineup has been announced! I can't even...I was beside myself when I saw all the bands lined up to play. There might have even been a bit of flailing. It looks to be one hell of a weekend and until the thing sells out, I'm holding onto hope that I somehow make it to this one. A girl can dream, right?

Speaking of festivals, SPIN has compiled a Bonnaroo Mixtape 2010 that is free for download. Get it while you can! It's a pretty standard mix of some of the more well known bands playing, but it's free and a taste of what's to come and you'll never see me turning down free music.