Living in the shadows of the major label pop machine, sometimes L.A.’s underground bands don’t get their due. But every year is a good one for Bandcamp EPs, self-released 7″s and indie label cassingles from the Santa Monica Bay to East Los. With sounds ranging from glossy 80s-influenced pop (Yellow Alex, Body Parts) to dusty, groovy psychedelia (Fever the Ghost, Clear Plastic), the always-vital Los Angeles underground has something for every palate. Here are the “Top 10 songs from 2013 by underground L.A. bands that you probably haven’t heard yet, but should,” hand-picked by our new A&R Director, Greg Katz.
Yellow Alex & The Feelings – “Lisa Lisa Lisa”
CLEAR PLASTIC – “Tethered Body”
Pageants – “Musing Of The Tide”
Fever The Ghost – “Rounder”
Body Parts – “Desperation”
Peach Kelli Pop – “Dreamphone”
The Miracles – FRNZ
Young Hunting – “Ride On”
Maston – “Young Hearts”
Batwings Catwings – “Whoa”