[D] Squared is a local duo comprised of DJs/promoters Derek Michael (Friendly Integration) and Baseck (Darkmatter). Their performances are jam sessions between a variety of classic and high-tech DJ gear. Michael uses Ableton, a Behringer BCF2000 MIDI controller, APC40 Ableton Performance Controller and a Machinedrum. Baseck works with one turntable and a stack of vinyl for scratching along with his trusty Game Boy.

Liz Ohanesian

[D] Squared live at Technique

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Oftentimes, when someone leaves a band, there are months of rumors and official denials of said rumors, then there's a sudden official statement offering some vague reason for the departure, which is usually effective immediately. This isn't the case for Polysics, though. Kayo, a longtime member of the Japanese synth-punk group who has played guitar, bass and synths during her tenure, will be leaving the band. With that in mind Polysics has put together their "best tour," traveling across the States before capping off Kayo's term with the biggest gig of the band's career, at the famed arena Budokan in Tokyo.

Liz Ohanesian

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Remember back in December when we asked when will the awesomely funny manga/anime franchise K-On! will make it out to the U.S.? It seems that the four-panel manga about high school girls who form a band in an attempt to save their school's music club is on the way.

Whether it's IDM, minimal, electro, acid or whatever other name you want use to pinpoint a sound, we love techno. We love the way it forces us to dance, even when we're sitting in front of a computer in an office trying to finish a story. We love the way it affects our walk when we enter a party. We love the way it calms our nerves when we're stuck in a traffic jam. Most of all, though, we love the way it makes us lose track of time, keeping us out on the town much later than we planned.

Below are ten techno jams that we still love, even if we've heard them time and again over the years.

1. Future Sound of London "Papua New Guinea"

It doesn't get much better than this. Future Sound of London's breakthrough club hit "Papua New Guinea" is the classic, late-night jam. Featuring sampled vocals from Dead Can Dance's Lisa Gerrard, it's appropriately ethereal without sacrificing the urge to catch a groove.

Think your pad could stand to be a bit more brutal? Adult Swim is currently selling a real-life version of the blood-leaking, boy-devil fountain that adorns fictional metal band Dethklok's animated palace. Yes, really. For $40,000, you too can be as ridiculously metal as Nathan Explosion and the gang.
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The marble fountain requires a $13,000 security deposit and eight to twelve weeks of production time. The price doesn't include shipping. According to the listing, blood is not included either (drats!).

We want to see photos of the finished product.

Follow @lizohanesian on Twitter.

You can take Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga and any other Grammy-approved lady you wish, but Karin Dreijer Andersson is our pop diva. The mastermind behind Fever Ray and one-half of The Knife, Andersson is unafraid of going against convention, but her experimental nature never comes at the expense of her pop sensibility. She's forward-minded, theatrical and just might be the coolest performer to come along since Bjork. If you aren't convinced of Andersson's superiority yet, read our reasons below.

Timothy Norris

Fever Ray live at Henry Fonda Theater

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Check out more photos in Shannon Cottrell's photo gallery.

Friday night, L.A. fans of Japanese gothic music headed out to Echo Park's Bootleg Theater for the J-Classical Industrial Nation Tour. Presented by J-Rock Internet radio station Tainted Reality, this nationwide tour features live performances from cult bands GPKism and Seileen, as well as a set from Seileen member and popular Tokyo club DJ SiSeN. Though this wasn't the first time most of the artists involved had played in the U.S., this is the tour that could help raise the profile of Japan's goth scene in the States.

Shannon Cottrell

Members of GPKism and Seileen

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Thursday night, residents and diners in Little Tokyo stopped, stared and inquired when they saw the line outside of Anime Jungle/Cure Shop. The crowd of young, often elaborately dressed people were waiting outside of the popular anime and music outlet for a chance to score an autograph and photo opportunity with Japanese bands GPKism and Seileen.

Liz Ohanesian

Members of GPKism and Seileen posing with fans

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After reading the Tweets following news of J.D. Salinger's death on January 27 at the age of 91, it seems as though very few people made it through adolescence without reading The Catcher in the Rye. The book was a revelation for many, serving as some sort of hard proof that anyone who told you that your teen years would be "the time of your life" was delusional. For many, too, Catcher opened up the floodgates for Salinger's other work. So, it makes sense that Salinger has been referenced by those purveyors of angst, rock stars, time and time again.

We've put together a very small sampling of bands, songs and albums that owe a bit of inspiration to Salinger. Feel free to mention your own favorites in the comment section.

The Cure "Bananafishbones"

Taking its cue from Salinger's short story "A Perfect Day for Bananafish," Robert Smith and the gang create a moody, synth-y and totally underrated gem with this song from the album The Top.

Children's television doesn't get much more awesome than when a former member of L'Trimm covers the classic '80s dance tune "When I Hear Music" while on stage with a group of adorable creatures, including a robot with a keytar.