Heartbreak, but then make it casual. Though Alec Benjamin is only 24 years old, many of the songs on his debut record deal with the loss of childhood innocence and his discovery of life’s less-than picturesque realities. Read more...

Photo: “Let Me Down Slowly” singer Alec Benjamin performed the penultimate show of his Outrunning Karma Tour at the El Rey Theatre on Thursday. (Ashley Kenney/Daily Bruin)

It seemed absurd to see Rise Against perform a “symphony.” Yet Sunday night, the band incorporated different stringed instruments into its traditionally punk repertoire at its “The Ghost Note Symphonies” concert in The Theatre at Ace Hotel. Read more...

Photo: Tim McIlrath, the lead singer of Rise Against, played the guitar alongside the band’s acoustic set for “Ghost Note Symphonies.” The performance featured other string instruments as well, such as the cell (Mia Kayser/Daily Bruin staff)