[Contest] Win A Pair Of Tickets To See Monarchy in Los Angeles or San Francisco!

The SKOA family has been long time supporters of electro-duo Monarchy pretty much since the site began. From the moment we heard their 2010 self-titled debut we knew we had found something remarkable and have been obsessing over every last scintillating synthy screech ever since. We're happy to report that to celebrate the recent release of their latest EP, Almost Human, the duo have set their sights on the states to grace us with their presence and we want to make sure you have absolutely no excuse to not check them out! (Unless you're in NYC like Kibbe and Sprout are, but we digress.)

ANYWAY

If you live in the Los Angeles or San Francisco area and love Monarchy, keep reading! 

We have two pairs of tickets to give away to see Monarchy LIVE in Los Angeles or San Francisco! To enter for a chance to win, simply leave a comment on this post with your favorite Monarchy song! Have your entry in no later than Thursday, September 18th, 2014 at 2pm PDT.

Winners will be able to choose from one of three two (the one on 9/21 is free!) shows: 

9/18/14 - Echoplex - Los Angeles, CA

9/19/14 - Popscene Club at Rickshaw Stop - San Francisco, CA 

9/21/14 - Folsom Street - San Francisco, CA 

While you anxiously await to see if you've won tickets to either of the shows, you can make sure you have all the lyrics to their Almost Human EP memorized by having a listen below.

Good luck! 

[Watch] Matt Mahaffey/sElf - "Back In Black (AC/DC Cover)"

Just because it's Monday doesn't mean the first few hours of it have to suck! This video is an oldie but a goodie so I like to share it when the opportunity presents itself. Matt Mahaffey, backup guitarist for Beck on occasion and frontman for the band sElf (circa 90s etc) is probably one of the most talented and underrated artists to date. He's produced and written a TON of stuff that somehow still manages to keep him under the wire. If this video doesn't showcase in the 2:46 that it runs just how incredibly talented he is, well... guess you'll have to scour eBay to check out his Self records for yourself. Dude is rockin drums and an omnichord and pulls this cover off stunningly well (minus the part where he forgets the words, haha).

Goldfrapp Announces Hollywood Bowl Performance

Celebrating the release of Head First, Goldfrapp will make their long-awaited Hollywood Bowl debut in LA with a rush of upbeat synth pop. This show is part of the KCRW’s World Festival series.

 

Also appearing on the bill: Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club featuring Omara Portuondo. Omara Portuondo, the legendary Cuban vocalist from the Buena Vista Social Club (and former dancer and singer at the famed Tropicana Club), performs nostalgic torch songs and salsa rhythms. Additional artists TBA. Tickets available at www.HollywoodBowl.com.