A cool thing that happened this summer is that, little by little, more people started to read this site. I don’t know how most of you got here, but, thanks for reading! If you like what you see, please check back often or sign up for the weekly newsletter. And, please, share what you enjoyed with anyone else who you think might be into it.
I do like to check the site’s stats, but don’t really live by them because if there’s any lesson to learn from the age of enshittification it’s that numbers do not equal quality. But, since I also don’t like to pick favorite stories, it makes more sense to do a round-up of the five most read stories between Memorial Day and the day I made this list (8/26 in case you’re wondering).
5. NUOVO TESTAMENTO CONTINUES THEIR DANCE POP EXPERIMENTS ON TROUBLE
L.A.-based dance-pop trio Nuovo Testamento released a new EP, Trouble, in July and I recently had the chance to talk to them about how collaborating has changed now about art vs. content and how collaborating has changed now that they’re all living in the same city. Nuovo Testamento is on tour this fall, so maybe try to catch them in your city.
4. PIXEL GRIP EXPLORES THE DARK SIDE OF CLUB POP ON PERCEPTICIDE: THE DEATH OF REALITY
I don’t know why some reviews pop off and others don’t. I mean, I know logically that it’s likely because some rank higher on Google than others and, most likely, it’s because a band is on tour and so people are searching from wherever the tour is heading. Regardless, this take on Percepticide: The Death of Reality, the latest album from Pixel Grip, is the only review that landed in this little top 5. Coincidentally, or not, “Reason to Stay,” from the latest album, has been doing really on the dance floor this summer too.
3. TOMATA DU PLENTY AT MUTMUZ GALLERY AND ART AS A HUMAN ACT
Right now, in L.A., you can check out the art of Tomata du Plenty, the late founder of seminal synth-punk band The Screamers, at MutMuz Gallery in Chinatown. It’s a fantastic show that also includes photos of du Plenty from his days on L.A.’s punk club stages. If you haven’t read my recap of opening night, check it out now and maybe make plans to visit it for yourself.
2. GET YOUR PHYSICAL MEDIA FIX AT ANALOG OUTLAW THIS WEEKEND
Analog Outlaw was in June, but people kept checking out this interview with the duo behind the counterculture-friendly book and physical media fair well after the fact. I think it’s still worth the read because what Analog Outlaw is doing is so necessary right now.
I spoke with Claus Larsen when Leæther Strip played Slipper Clutch in late May and this interview has actually become one of the most read of the year so far. He’ll be back at Slipper Clutch for Leæther Strip’s Fucking Perfect tour on Wednesday, October 8. Tickets are available now and Slipper Clutch is a pretty small venue, so you might want to get yours sooner rather than later.
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Liz O. is an L.A.-based writer and DJ. Read her recently published work and check out her upcoming gigs or listen to the latest Beatique Mix. Follow on Instagram or Bluesky for more updates.
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