Sydney Banta embodies everything we love about the 80s. Banta, who goes by L.A. Girlfriend, creates an illuminating and reckless ambiance of passion, female empowerment and electric pop-punk. She exemplifies all of those on her latest video for "Regina,"  a three-part, larger-than-life visual that is as moving as it is entertaining. Her choreography provokes the audience but her lyrics pull at your heartstrings, and I can’t stop listening.

Banta’s lyrical enlightenment has me itching for more, and as a listener, I crave storytelling through lyrics. But she doesn’t stop there - she passionately holds onto the things that make her unique, and we, as an audience, should praise her for that. And lucky you, LA Girlfriend will be playing at The Echo on April 9. Catch her if you can. Kayla Hay