Spring doesn’t officially start for another month, but here in Southern California, everything is in full fucking bloom. Including the music. And man was there a lot of music happening last week. So here’s a quick brief on everything you’ve been missing out on. –Maya Eslami

Zig Zags Release New Single – “Riddle of Steel” 

Zig Zags, my favorite local thrashers, leaked the first taste of their new 7″ that drops February 24th on Famous Class. “Riddle of Steel”, the b-side to the opener “Ripping Death”, is the same Zig Zags we know and love, with an added, completely welcomed kick in the front teeth. And if the thought of facial mutilation isn’t getting you off on this, $1 from each sale of the “spray tan orange” limited EP will be donated towards Planned Parenthood (buy that here). So fork it up, and listen up. 

Zig Zags local tour dates: 

2/16-Santa Ana-Constellation Room w/ The Coathangers

2/17-Los Angeles-Resident (7” release party) w/ The Coathangers

2/18-San Diego-Casbah w/ The Coathangers

Mellow Out with Michael Nau’s “Love Survive” 

I never thought I’d be discovering new music in yoga class, but that’s exactly where I stumbled upon Michael Nau. His soothing approach to indie folk is like a cool breeze on these increasingly warm, contentious, politically strangling days. If I could just go one fucking day without a Trump alert… but Michael Nau keeps those thoughts at bay. His debut album Moving dropped last year on Suicide Squeeze, and although it may be a little too mellow for some, that happy medium is where it all begins. 

Listen to Happyness

Happyness reminds me so much of Girls, that my brain did a double take when I heard their lead single “Falling Down”. These casual indie Brits debuted in 2014 and quickly garnered comparisons to Yo La Tengo, Pavement, and Sparklehorse. But I’m sticking by my Girls vibe. Their sophomore album Write In drops April 7th on Bar/None Records. 

Meatbodies released their new album ALICE (finally!)

Meatbodies released their long anticipated album ALICE last week on In the Red. Driven by Chad Ubovich’s proclivity for fuzzed-out acid psych thanks to his days of bassing for Ty Segall and Fuzz, ALICE is exactly the kind of album I need in my life. And so should you. Listen to their single “Haunted History” and catch them 

Meatbodies’ Tour Dates: 

2/18-The Cellar Door-Visalia, CA

2/19-The Chapel-San Francisco, CA

2/24-Barboza-Seattle, WA

2/26-The High Water Mark-Portland, OR

2/27-The Catalyst-Santa Cruz, CA

3/2-The Bunkhouse-Las Vegas, NY