For three days in mid-October, FILTER corrals some of the most promising talents from around the globe for a mini showcase-style festival in the heart of Echo Park. Spanning five venues and eight stages plotted within a few block radius, Culture Collide offers a doable tasting of up-and-coming international artists.
Aptly named, Culture Collide, emphasizes a global approach to the music business, bringing in talent from more than 25 countries. Though at first the name may come off as a gimmick, I can assure you it’s not. Walking down Sunset Blvd., venue-hopping through the evening’s shows, a true spirit of worldliness was alive and well as each group of passersby spoke another language.
Check out highlights from the shows:
Adi Ulmansky (Israel) | Taix Front Lounge | Presented by Oleh! Records
Perhaps best known for her high-profile collaborations with dubstep producer, Borgore, 2013 marked a breakout year for Adi Ulmansky with the release of her début solo EP, ‘Hurricane Girl’. From sugary sweet melodies to making beats, and rapping with major ‘tude (think Azealia Banks) – Adi Ulmansky does it all with swag to boot.
Terry Poison (Israel) | Taix Front Lounge | Presented by Oleh! Records
Upbeat and infectious electro pop backed by a full band. Terry Poison knows how to have a good time – get ready to dance. After a recent lineup change the band retreated to Berlin to hone their sound and released the EP ‘Gorgeous‘ this year.
Iceage (Denmark) | The Echo
The boys in Iceage are so punk rock they nearly broke up on stage. Their booze-fueled outburst may have played a part, but the vibe felt like a mix between Pete Doherty and Joy Division. ‘You’re Nothing’, their second album, was released in February 2013 on Matador.
Like Swimming (Sweden) | Lot 1 Cafe
While it’s more of a cafe and less of a music venue, discovering the uplifting pop of Like Swimming after a short stroll down Sunset Blvd made it a worthwhile last stop for the evening. These Swedes make “radio-ready” less of a dirty word.
Birth of Joy (Netherlands) | Taix Front Lounge
Straight up rock with a nod to Jim Morrison and the psychedelia of the 60s and 70s. Holland’s Birth Of Joy filled the room with a fury and the audience took note.
Miami Horror (Australia) | The Echo
We danced the night away to the sunny sounds of indie electro outfit, Miami Horror, during their headlining performance Friday night at The Echo. Having just dropped a killer single featuring Superhumanoid’s vocalist, Sarah Chernoff, we’re stoked to hear the rest of their second album, due later this year.
Liars (US) | World Stage
Based on the raw energy put out in the final 20 minutes of their set, Liars was the standout act of the festival in my book. Not only did this three-piece win major personality points for their stage presence, but they killed it in a major way on “Brats,” my recommended take-home track.
Rhye (US, Denmark, Canada) | The Church
If you thought you were getting into the uber-intimate Rhye performance held in The Church – fuggedaboutit. Entry to this show became a who’s who of Hollywood and had a line wrapped around the block hours before the start time.
Missing this show was a major let down for many, as it’s by far one of the biggest debuts of the year; and the sensual delights of ‘Woman‘ would have been pure magic inside the four walls of a church. Tender vocals tell a feverishly romantic story of love and passion in this soundtrack for getting busy between the sheets.
Gliss (US, Denmark) | Echoplex
The scene at the Echoplex was alive and well with Funky Sole DJs spinning upstairs and a solid lineup sponsored by Red Bull Sound Selects downstairs. Third on the bill was Gliss, a male, female duo who share vocals over hazy synth pop that favors dark and brooding tones.
The Raveonettes (Denmark) | Echoplex
We closed the fest with another Danish, guy-girl rocker duo holding court at the Echoplex. After nearly a decade in the business, the crowd eagerly waited to see what The Raveonettes’s had in store.
Between the fuzzy guitars and soft vocal harmonies, these noise rockers have a penchant for crafting tunes that haunt.
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Post by Nicole/ Twitter: @nikki_redhead
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