Beyond the blazing fast drums, aggressive guitars and piercing vocals that have made West Coast punk an against-the-grain entity is the adoption of an anti-authority, do-it-yourself attitude that embraces individuality. Read more...

Photo: Black Flag’s 1981 debut album “Damaged,” featured the anthem, “Rise Above,” that cemented the band’s West Coast punk sound.

There are few places in America where the sun shines brighter than Los Angeles, especially in music. Artists blend the carefree atmosphere of genres like reggae and ska, bringing a relaxing charm to the city’s music. Read more...

Photo: Sublime created what is still regarded as classic Southern California music. Their albums have continued to represent the music of Los Angeles, celebrating the ups and downs of life.

The human voice is an extremely versatile instrument. It can bend, run and stretch over as many as four octaves. While singing has generally been accompanied by instruments such as the piano and the guitar, some artists have thrown aside instruments in favor of their own voices. Read more...

Photo: Rising to fame on the NBC show “The Sing-Off,” Pentatonix, originating from Arlington, Texas, and now based in Los Angeles, has found a way to transform traditional a cappella music through stretching the limits of beatboxing and vocality.