All Photos Brian Feinzimer

Dead.

Flying Lotus
The Observatory
11/12/14

We're caught up with the notion that Steven Ellison, a.k.a. Flying Lotus is a musical genius. But since the release of Flyo's latest album, "You're Dead!" Ellison has become regarded with even more praise, as he's infused even more jazz, psychedelic, and cinematic influences into his layers of hip-hop and atmospheric beats to create a concept album with an elaborate narrative of the afterlife.

Ellison has developed his latest creation into an interactive audio-visual 3D stage show to complete his vision, and the result is an incredible, mystifying experience that resonates long after its over. He brought this ultra-sensory installation to a sold out show at the Observatory last night, supported by the equally talented Thundercat, but took the stage on his own to take audiences on a journey across the unknown.

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Seventeen years ago, Toad the Wet Sprocket's infamous song "All I Want" was one of those inescapable songs on the '90s airwaves competing with the likes of Nirvana and Soundgarden. After a few more Billboard hits from their 1991 album "Fear" along with multiple albums following, the Santa Barbara-based group took an extended break from band life only to come back together in 2010.

October 2013 saw Toad hop to the forefront with their latest album New Constellation, an opportunity to return to their element while each band member still pursues solo careers.

"Starting into my 40's, I feel like this is the age where you reclaim some kind of hope and idealism, but with a little more experience under your belt," says lead vocalist Glen Phillips. "It's through this understanding that happiness is not something that you get by getting what you want, in fact, it's something you work at every day."

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Lucero Archuleta

Krudas Cubensi: Poderosxs!

It's been 25 years since Queen Latifah first rhymed, "The ladies will kick it the rhyme that is wicked / Those that don't know how to be pros get evicted!" on All Hail the Queen, her debut album. That very same "Ladies First" spirit lives on and thrives this Saturday in Santa Ana at an event called "Womyn in Hip-Hop," showcasing the talents of women in all elements of hip-hop culture.

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When experimental rock outfit Swans slowly announced tour dates on their Facebook page, one particular tour stop caught the attention of fans in Orange County. The rockers announced shows in Australia, Japan, Hong Kong, Europe and...Aliso Viejo? That's right, the small town nestled between Mission Viejo and Laguna Niguel and Laguna Beach was supposedly hosting the band's only scheduled California show in February 2015 at some place called the "Theatre National." Never heard of it? Neither have we. But no matter...Swans? in South County? "Hell yeah," we thought. However, we were quickly disappointed.

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Courtesy of David Sauer

By: Allan Katz

You've probably heard this one before: Punk band accrues a cult following. As their chops outgrow the inherent simplicity of their chosen genre discord is sown amongst their fans. Some decry expansive efforts as selling out while others applaud the growth. When you first hear One High Five's anthemic stomp, it's clear that this band knew exactly what they aimed to make. Through a perfect organ riff, horn fill, or hand-clap breakdown, classic rock and punk fervor become seamless. At its center is singer songwriter David Sauer. We caught up with David following One High Five's latest video shoot.

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Lalo the Giant

DJ Carisma

When it comes to spinning hip-hop on the ones and twos, DJ Carisma is the sole woman you'll find on the FM dial in Los Angeles. Her distinctive platform on Power 106 didn't come easy. Deejaying, as with other elements of the culture, is all too often a man's world.

Carisma, who grew up all over Orange County, finally landed in Santa Ana, whose only notable claim on rap radio comes courtesy of a verse in Warren G's "This DJ." While an unlikely launching pad for a girl with DJ dreams, the city influenced Carisma's eclectic take in her mixes. "My dad was always into blues, jazz and classic rock," Carisma says. "My mom was always into her Christian and Hawaiian music. . . . Everyone listened to everything in my family except for hip-hop."

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By: Alex Rendon

It just seems to creep up on you, doesn't it? Suddenly one morning, you notice a few gray hairs have commandeered space on your scalp. This is precious real estate, considering how far that hairline has receded in the past year. Most of your old high school pals are popping out babies, and maybe you've got a few of your own. You think about mutual funds. The time to book that digital rectal exam is steadily approaching.

In life, it's get old or die. And since you're still reading, you're aging. See that bright shiny speck of joviality in your rear-view mirror? That was your youth. Gone. Wave bye-bye.

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By: Jeff Weiss

Riff Raff's hair is a crop circle of braids. His eyes are blue, dilated and deserted. Gold grills glint on his teeth. A boy-band-thin beard zigzags across his face. His chest and neck double as a tattooed billboard for MTV, BET, the NBA, Bart Simpson and Seagram's Seven.
To complete the look, the Hollywood-based, 32-year-old white rapper wears a cherry-red, ruby-laced Icee (as in the frozen drink) chain around his neck. That's when he's not rocking the chain purchased by his label patron, Diplo, the Grammy-nominated DJ/producer and BlackBerry ambassador. Or the gilded, emerald-green chain that Soulja Boy bestowed upon him a couple of years ago during Riff Raff's brief stint on the Atlanta swag rapper's imprint. Over the summer, he released his sophomore album, Neon Icon, on Mad Decent.

Born Horst Christian Simco, Riff Raff was raised on Houston's racially diverse north side and possesses an accent so thick it seems clogged by codeine--more working-class twang than imitated patois. He's the logical spawn of white Texas rapper Paul Wall, but with a better sense of humor. Describing him in print is akin to trying to race piranhas on dry land. His bowl is the Internet, specifically YouTube, where his videos regularly register hundreds of thousands of views.

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Mary Bell / OC Weekly

First Aid Kit is Johanna (left) and Klara Söderberg

First Aid Kit
The Observatory
11/10/14
It's always a surprise to see how indie folk singers can rock out on stage -- just because their album is personal and familiar, their songs confined to your four walls in the dark, doesn't mean it translates to a quiet, intimate show live.

First Aid Kit showed exactly how folk singers transcend quiet spaces at the Observatory in Santa Ana last night. Decked out in gold lame skirts and dresses, Johanna (on the keyboard) and Klara Söderberg (on guitar) came out to the large Monday crowd with guns blazing. It was the perfect first song choice: "The Lion's Roar" made everyone get up and dance as Johanna whipped her golden hair around in a way that would've made '90s Eddie Vedder proud.

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Comedy Dynamics

Dr./Jonathan Katz

One of the most cherished cult classics in Comedy Central history, Dr. Katz Professional Therapist is about to celebrate its 20th anniversary. To mark the occasion, Comedy Dynamics is releasing a recording of a rare live performance of the show featuring the original voices playing their characters, as well as BJ Novak, Eugene Mirman, and Andy Kindler appearing as the guest-star patients. We spoke to Jonathan "Dr." Katz himself about the new release, as well as two decades of Dr. Katz.

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