SpaceCream is a 70’s-inspired glam/prog rock band with a modern twist. Hailed as “Anne Wilson starring in Bowie’s edition of Rocky Horror Picture Show,” SpaceCream won last years Battle for Vans Warped Tour at House of Blues Sunset. The group has played all over Southern California, including sold out shows at the Viper Room and Troubadour. Their music is accessible yet complex, lending a voice to anyone who feels they were born in the wrong generation – or on the wrong planet. On January 22, SpaceCream will release their debut album Pterodactyl Sky. If you’re in Los Angeles, be sure to catch the band’s release concert at The Mint!

As I’ve mentioned previously, this year will by my seventh time attending the festival. I’ve discussed how every time I have been (regardless of how “good” the lineup was) I’ve had an amazing time because I made a point to see the shows that were important to me. And as a music lover, even if that number of bands is lower than I’d prefer at the festival, I’d rather pay once and see them all over a weekend that be constantly journeying to parts unknown just to catch a band on tour.

My mentality most likely deviates from the masses that attend Coachella: generally, when the lineup comes out, I’m stoked because there are a bunch of small acts that have been buzzed about all year. And also, generally, I know there will be indie corners of the festival where my friends and like-minded will get to savor the music that made Coachella great.

So this year, before I even saw the lineup for myself, I had heard things such as “This is the best lineup in years!” Even articles outlined rumored booked acts made such declarations before Guns N’ Roses and LCD Soundsystem had confirmed their reunions. And what do you know? While everyone else seems to be raving about this holy grail of Coachella lineups, my initial reaction was “Meh.” Don’t get me wrong, I’m a huge fan of LCD Soundsystem and am very happy to see them playing together again, but that doesn’t make the rest of the lineup amazing, especially since I’m hardly excited about the other two headlining acts.

The fame of the “good” acts can work against them (Axl Rose missed one of his first interviews since announcing the reunion). Usually, I prefer a lineup with some maybe not great top headliners but oodles upon oodles of time dope bands that make up the year’s best indie creds. With this sort of schedule, you will never find yourself without a band to see and greatly contributes to more people going to see the music rather than “have an experience.”

This year, though, there are some pretty impressive names across a variety of genres in the top three lines of each day: aforementioned LCD Soundsystem, Sufjan Stevens, Foals, The Kills, Disclosure, A$AP Rocky, Run the Jewels, Gary Clark Jr., Sia, Major Lazer, Flume, Beach, Miike Snow, and Death Grips, to name more than a few. I’m more ambivalent about some of the artists I’ve seen there before: Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros are less relevant now than they were then–same goes for Matt & Kim and Cold War Kids. I am looking forward to them proving themselves worthy of return visits. As far as bands that really represent the cutting edge and up and coming of the year there is only Deerhunter, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Courtney Barnett, Ibeyi, Years & Years, The Front Bottoms, BADBADNOTGOOD, Kamasi Washington, De Lux, and Girlpool. I know this may look like a lot of artists, but it’s only ten–the same number of artists I selected last year as the best– of the many more I saw.

I know many people will disagree, and it’s not like the festival had any trouble selling out in an hour this week. I am hoping both to make discoveries and get reassurances from the artists I do love. At the same time, I am hoping the process of appealing to the mainstream will slow and eventually reverse, allowing the fest to remain focused on good and deserving artists.

Starting January 18th, The Federal Bar in North Hollywood will present LIVE BAND KARAOKE! Every Monday night, guests will have the chance to belt out hits from rock ‘n’ roll legends including The Rolling Stones, Joan Jett, Aerosmith, and Guns N’ Roses. The event will be led by local rock star Paulie Z, known for leading Wednesday Jam Nights at Lucky Strike in Hollywood. The evening will also feature $5 drink specials and The Federal’s special poutine menu. Starts at 9pm with no cover!