WHEELS 2.0 CRUISES BALMY L.A.

Jesse? Jesse, where are you? My loser partner in crime has flown the coop once again, this time to New York. I’m almost positive it was difficult for him to leave the 80 degree sunshine of Los Angeles for 15 degrees in the heart of Times Square, never mind the wife and newborn at home, but that’s just the way it goes. For the love of music, anyway. Please help lure him back to L.A. and back to our column with some worthy submissions. You know where to find us, but in case you forgot, allow me to remind you: [email protected].

Ryan Calhoun (www.myspace.com/ryancalhounmusic): Haven’t heard of Ryan yet? Have you heard of iTunes? OK, that’s a start. He’s currently featured under “New and Noteworthy” on the store’s splash page. His latest single “Who We Are.” has gone to #1 on their folk chart and he’s touting a recent sync on MTV’s The Real World. Ryan is a singer/songwriter based in L.A who frequents the Hotel Café circuit and just released a record on his own that went to #5 on iTunes as well. His own experience with relationships, personal struggles and fears inspires his songs, which, at the end of the day, is why he is in the game.

Melinda Doolittle (www.myspace.com/melindadoolittle): Coming out on top of the sixth season of American Idol hopefuls is this R&B sensation, whose debut album is now available. Coming Back to You has been described as a “tour de force that combines the fiery electricity of Tina Turner’s early years with the slick production and lush instrumentation of today’s pop-soul renaissance.” Based on the way she belts the 13 tracks on this album, you’d never have known that Melinda was tone-deaf until age 13. Her love for gospel music and belief in her ability propelled her to persevere, and now that that passion and determination are starting to pay off, as the onetime backup vocalist for Michael McDonald, Aaron Neville and CeCe Winans makes a self-assured move into the spotlight.

Firebug (www.myspace.com/firebug): Juliette Tworsey and guitarist Jules Shapiro came together as indie/psychedelic/rock group Firebug, in the famed Wicker Park area of Chicago before moving the dream westward to Los Angeles, where they added drummer Ty Dennis and bassist Adam Levy. Immersing themselves in the local club scene, they’ve sharing the stage with the likes of Tom Morello and Donita Sparks, and they’ve taken up a residency at Skinny’s Lounge in North Hollywood for the month of February. Meanwhile, the band’s touring efforts over the last year and a half have generated a growing fan base that now boasts north of 46,000 MySpace friends as they organize a national tour. Firebug has received praise from Time Out NY and LA Weekly, they’ve inked licensing and management deals, and their songs “Paradise” and “Girl” have already had spins on Q101 in Chicago and the late, great Indie 103.1 in L.A.