SXSW ’13 – Day 5

You know SXSW is nearly over when your evenings go from hitting up 2-3 venues/hour to getting to one show/hour to finding one venue and staying there all evening. Well, tonight, my feet decided they were done with the crazy walking so I went to Blackheart and there I stayed for three sets in a row. Wow. Even though all the music was good, my mind regrets all that could have been had I had the capacity to venue hop all night.

But I shouldn’t complain. I did get to see a few bands today. After a brief stop for Irish Breakfast at BD Riley’s, I started my day at The Quantum Party at Whole Foods where I got to catch one of my new favorites, The Wild Feathers. I also briefly popped across the street for one of my old favorites, Frightened Rabbits (I really am loving their new album). Afterwards, I ventured back to Filter’s party at Cedar Street Courtyard where I was able to dance with Brodka and Haerts. Then I simply crossed the street to a cool bar called Oil Tin Harry’s where I caught a bit of Philly’s Zelazowa. It’s a shame that not many people joined me as the brothers of Zelazowa had some great new tunes…

Frightened Rabbit at Waterloo The Wild Feathers

The absolute highlight of my day happened when I was leaving Oil Tin Harry’s to meet Amanda at J. Black’s for The Dunwells. For some backstory, the biggest disappointment of my yesterday was the fact that The Hype Hotel was running over an hour late and I was only able to catch a couple songs of Irish band Kodaline. This wouldn’t be a huge issue except all it took was about 20 seconds of one song for me to fall in love with the band. Leaving was difficult. Then today, a SXSW miracle occurred when I walked past Kodaline playing in a small bar. I still wasn’t able to catch more than a couple of songs, but now at least in total, I’ve almost seen half a set!

Kodaline

The rest of my afternoon included a lovely set by the always charming The Dunwells, singing every word along with Andrew McMahon for Something Corporate’s “I Woke Up In a Car”, and an invigorating walk back to the East side to catch some of the Swinghouse event at Rusty’s and a little Reignwolf at Peckerheads. Somehow, at The Swinghouse event I ended up back-up singer for The Stone Foxes (as long as there is no video evidence, I say that was kinda awesome). So, I guess this marks my SXSW singing debut…

Andrew McMahonThe Stone Foxes

After a happy hour at Moonshine, I decided the best course of action was to sit for a bit in some comfy chairs on the 18th floor of the Hilton Garden inn and listen to Irishman, Declan O’Rourke. Then I took a deep breath and began my night. We caught Sir Sly at Empire Automotive and a second round of Young Guns at Dirty Dog Bar (which, I must say, it not one of my favorite venues) before I headed to Blackheart for the one, two, three punch of Glossary, Jim Lockery & The Solemn Sun, and Frank Turner who, as expected, was an amazing performer. It was the perfect way to close the day and I can’t wait to do it again tomorrow.

Sir Sly Frank Turner

Speaking of the last official day of SXSW, here are some of my recommendations for Saturday the 16th: 

11am- The Never Clock Out Party featuring Ivan & Alyosha (12:30), BOY (1:30), Bernhoft (2:30), The Wild Feathers (3pm), and Civil Twilight (3:30)

4pm- Super Water Sympathy at Firehouse Lounge

5:15- Kassidy at Doc Motoworks

8:15- The Neighbourhood at The Belmont

9:20- Free Energy at The Iron Bear

10pm- Bronze Radio Return at Rebels Honkey Tonk

10:45- Leogun at VEVO TV Control Room

12:50- Frank Turner at Cedar Street Courtyard

 

Did I just plan your day for you? I think I did…

Whatever you end up doing, make the most of your last day at SXSW!

~ Kristen

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 11/15-11/21

Just got done grading a seemingly infinite number of exams…plus a few quizzes. Aside from two musical interludes, that’s all I’ve been up to all weekend. As for the interludes, tonight was The Elizabeth Kill at The Mint and Saturday was Philadelphia goes LA, hanging out with other Philly area natives and checking out some bands with Philly roots (Terrible Things at The El Rey and The Shakers at The Cat Club). All in all, I just can’t believe the weekend is coming to a close!

But as one week ends, another begins. And what a fantastic line-up of shows this week. Greatness, in the form of SD band The Silent Comedy, returns to LA this week Thursday at The Echo. I’m also really excited about The Lonely Forrest, a band that made my SXSW ’10 mix but that I’ve never seen. Plus Queen Caveat, Fitz and the Tantrums, Freelance Whales, Dynamite Walls…I’m exhausted already! Some tough choices will have to be made this week.

Maybe you can help. Here’s what I’m contemplating…

Monday: Chasing Kings FREE at The Silverlake Lounge (11pm)
ALSO: Paris Carney and Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 (8,9) 

Tuesday: The Lonely Forest at Spaceland (8:30)
ALSO: Queen Caveat at The Viper Room (11:15)
ALSO: Val Emmich at The Hotel Café(8pm) 

Weds: AWOLNATION and Fitz and The Tantrums at The El Rey (8pm)
ALSO: Mayday Parade at The House of Blues Sunset (10pm)           
ALSO: Tyler Hilton at The Roxy (10pm)
ALSO: Kate Miller Heidke and Terra Naomi at The Hotel Cafe (7,8)
ALSO: Natasha Bedingfield at The Troubadour (7pm) 

Thursday: The Silent Comedy at The Echo (8:30)
ALSO: Miniature Tigers and Freelance Whales at The Troubadour (9,10)
ALSO: Jack’s Mannequin/Something Corporate and Matt Nathanson at The El Rey (7pm)
ALSO: Joshua Radin at The Music Box (10pm) 

Friday: Dynamite Walls at The Viper Room (11pm)
ALSO: Chris Pierce at The Hotel Cafe (11pm)
ALSO: Avi Buffalo at The Echo (10pm) 

Saturday: Lelia Broussard RECORD RELEASE at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)
ALSO: Teddy Geiger at Spaceland (10pm)
ALSO: Abbot Kinney at The Mint (9pm) 

Sunday: Dar Williams at The Hotel Cafe (8pm)
ALSO: Eisley at The El Rey (10pm) 

To Keep in Mind: 
November 21st and 22nd: Dar Williams at The Hotel Café
December 1st: Eve 6 at The Troubadour
December 2nd: Scarlet Grey at The Troubadour
December 4th: Joe Firstman at Saint Rocke
December 11th: The Black Crowes and Truth & Salvage Co. at Hollywood Palladium
January 22nd: Guster at The Music Box 

~ Kristen

Amanda’s Show Calendar 8/23-8/29

I can’t believe it’s the end of August already! Where the heck did this year go? It’s flying by at breakneck speed for sure. Not much news to report on this end. I’ve been working on a few things but I’ll be sure to share those in due time.

Let’s see what this week has in store for us fine music folk, shall we?

Monday: White  Apple Tree @ The Casbah @9:30 $5

Tuesday: The Flowerthief @ Tin Can Alehouse

Wednesday: Little Hurricane @ Belly Up @9 $8
AND: Joe Gil @ Lestats @9 $?
AND: The Kabbs @ The Casbah @9:30 $5

Thursday: Something Corporate @ Soma @7:30 $25 adv
AND: The Silent Comedy @ W Hotel in downtown San Diego @7 FREE
AND: Bedford Grove @ Prospect Bar @9 $3
AND: Black Hondo @ The Casbah @9:30 $6

Friday: Mississippi Man @ Tin Can Alehouse @9:30 $5
AND: The White Buffalo @ The Casbah @9:30 $12 adv/$14 day of

Saturday: Endoxi @ The Belly Up @9 $12 adv/$14 day of
AND: Longstay @ Tin Can Alehouse @9:30 $5
AND: A Scribe Amidst the Lions @ The Ruby Room
AND: Chris Wilson @ Lestats @9 $?

Sunday: Ricky Stein @ Lestats @9 $?

Keep in Mind:

September 18th- Paramore @ Viejas Arena
September 18th- Hanson @ House of Blues San Diego
September 21st- Phoenix @ SDSU Open Air Theater
September 22nd- Muse @ Viejas Arena
September 25th- The Black Keys @ Soma
September 25/26- Epicenter @ Fontana
October 1st- O.A.R. @ SDSU Open Air Theater
October 1st- Spoon @ Soma @7 $28
October 14th- Frightened Rabbit @ House of Blues San Diego
October 14th- Motion City Soundtrack @ Soma @6 $20
October 21st- Interpol @Soma @7 $25
October 22nd- Flyleaf @ House of Blues San Diego
October 29th- Portugal. The Man @ House of Blues San Diego
November 14th-Blonde Redhead- House of Blues San Diego
November 16th- Mayday Parade @ House of Blues SD
December 2nd-The Dead Kennedys- House of Blues San Diego

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 8/23-8/30

I write to you now from a bench outside one of my favorite dining establishments down the street from where I went to college in Bryn Mawr, PA. I’m waiting for my college roommate and her sister to come pick me up and carry me through the next leg of my east coast journey. I flew in yesterday to Philadelphia in time to see one of my favorite local Philly bands, Alright Junior, at The North Star Bar. It had been a year since I’d seen them and words are hard to conjure to appropriately explain how incredibly happy I was to be in their presence again . It’s one thing to listen to a CD over and over again, but nothing can really replace the live experience and last night was just a validation as to why Alright Junior is one of my favorite bands.  

A week from now I will be writing to you a tad on the late side…I will be a beach house in South Carolina enjoying the singer songwriter extravaganza, Hotel Carolina. I will unfortunately not have internet access so I apologize in advance for next week’s delayed concert list.

For me this week is going to be somewhat dry as far as concerts are concerned. I’ll be in the Washington DC area if anyone knows of a good band playing in those parts please let me know. I’ll definitely be envious of all of you back in LA enjoying all the amazing shows, such as:

Monday:  Hellen Stellar at Silverlake Lounge (10pm)
ALSO: Andy Clockwise at The Hotel Café (6pm)
ALSO: The Outline and Heavy Young Heathens FREE at Spaceland (8:30)
ALSO: Paris Carney and Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 (8,9pm) 

Tuesday: Monster Eats the Pilot , Diamond Light FREE at The Viper Room (11,12)
ALSO: Thriving Ivory at The Troubadour (10pm)
ALSO: Jake Newton at Molly Malone’s (9pm)
ALSO: The Maine at House of Blues (7:30)
ALSO: Fitz and the Tantrums FREE at Amoeba Records (7pm) 

Weds: The White Buffalo at The Mint (10:30) 

Thursday: Filter at The Roxy (8pm)
ALSO: The Shakers and Purple Melon at The Viper Room (9:30,10:30)
ALSO: Rick Cornette at The Cat Club (8pm)
ALSO: Flight from Above at The Troubadour (9pm)
ALSO: The Beth Hart Band at Whiskey A Go-Go (7pm) 

Friday: Sunset Strip Music Festival featuring:
               * The Silent Comedy  (9pm) and Run Devil Run (10pm) at The Viper Room
               * Nico Vega (10pm) and Unwritten Law (11pm) at The Roxy
               * The Other Side of Morning at The Cat Club (9pm)
ALSO: Denim Family Band Reunion Concert at The Hotel Café (11pm)
ALSO: John Williams at The Hollywood Bowl (8:30) 

Saturday: Sunset Strip Music Festival featuring:
             * Queen Caveat at The Viper Room (9:30)
             * Transfer at The Key Club 
             * Street stage with Semi Precious Weapons, Neon Trees, The Smashing Pumpkins, etc.
ALSO: Something Corporate at Club Nokia (7:30) 

Sunday: Tyrone Wells at Saint Rocke (9pm)
ALSO: Travis Warren at The Hotel Café (10pm)
ALSO: Green River Ordinance, Switchfoot, and Goo Goo Dolls at The Greek Theater (7pm) 

…and because I might be late and don’t want you to miss out…

Monday (August 30th): Haim and Whispertown 2000 FREE at Spaceland (8:30)
ALSO: Venus Infers and 8mm at Saint Rocke (8pm)
ALSO: Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 (9pm) 

To Keep in Mind:
September 4th: After Midnight Project at The Key Club
September 18th: Heart at Gibson Amphitheater
September 25th: Band of Horses at Greek Theater
September 25th: Muse at Staples Center
September 30th: BIFFY CLYRO at The Bootleg Theater
October 1st: Brandi Carlile and The Avett Brothers at Nokia Theater LA Live
October 13th: Frightened Rabbit at The Mayan Theater
December 11th: The Black Crowes and Truth & Salvage Co. at Hollywood Palladium

~ Kristen

Amanda’s Show Calendar 8/16-8/22

Wow! What a crazy weekend that was. For those of you who don’t know, Kristen and I spent our Friday and Saturday taking part in the North Park Music thing. It was awesome conferences such as; Touring on a Budget, Future of Radio, Technology and Music, and a keynote speech by Kim Fowley during the day and music all night long. We spent our Friday night with Endoxi, The Dirges, Republic of Letters, and The Silent Comedy. Saturday was spent discovering tons of new music (and enjoying some old) such as Delaney Gibson, The Makepeace Brothers, The Union Line, Citizen Band, Lady Danville, Astra Kelley, Shaimus, and The Rescues. Such a blast!

But on to the music for the week!

Monday: Mississippi Man @ The Casbah @9:30 $5

Tuesday: The Ataris @ The Casbah @9:30 $10 adv/$12 day of
AND: Honeyhoney @ The Belly Up (Sold Out but you might be able to score an extra ticket out front) @ 9

Wednesday: Dan Sartain @ The Casbah @9:30 $10 adv/$12 day of
AND: Echo Revolution @ U-31 @9
AND: Steve Poltz @ Birch Aquarium

Thursday: Fitz and the Tantrums @ The Casbah @9:30 $8

Friday: The Crocodiles @ The Casbah @9:30 $12
AND: Agent Ribbons @ Soda Bar @9 $8 adv/$10 day of
AND: Red Pony Clock @ Tin Can Alehouse @10 $4

Saturday: John Meeks @ The Casbah @9:30 $10 adv/$12 day of
AND: Wolfmother @ House of Blues San Diego @8:30 $25 adv/$27.50 day of
AND: Thriving Ivory @ Anthology @9:30 $16

Sunday: Cary Brothers @ The Casbah @9:30 $12

Keep in Mind:

August 26th- Something Corporate @ Soma @7:30 $25 adv
September 18th- Paramore @ Viejas Arena
September 18th- Hanson @ House of Blues San Diego
September 21st- Phoenix @ SDSU Open Air Theater
September 22nd- Muse @ Viejas Arena
September 25th- The Black Keys @ Soma
October 1st- O.A.R. @ SDSU Open Air Theater
October 14th- Frightened Rabbit @ House of Blues San Diego
November 14th-Blonde Redhead- House of Blues San Diego
December 2nd-The Dead Kennedys- House of Blues San Diego

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 8/9-8/15

I must say, there are a LOT of festivals going on this week. Thursday is the Sunset Strip Block Party celebrating the fact that there will no longer be construction holding up traffic along the strip (YAY!). Saturday is the Venice Beach music festival featuring Keaton Simons . Then both Saturday and Sunday at the Echoplex is the Free for All music festival sponsored by When You Awake and featuring Langhorne Silm on Sunday.  And let’s not forget about Warped Tour  on Weds in Pomona featuring many fantastic bands including my new favorite, After Midnight Project. We could also throw in the North Park Music Thing down in San Diego which I’ll be attending over the weekend.

But really these festivals are just prepping everyone for next week’s Sunset Junction  and the, of course, Sunset Strip Music Festival at the end of the month.

As for what else is going on:

Monday: Of Verona and Soul Puppet FREE at The Troubadour (9:30, 10:30)
ALSO: Matthew Jordan at Saint Rocke (8:30)
ALSO: Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 (9pm) 

Tuesday: Jake Newton at Molly Malone’s (9pm)
ALSO: Holly Conlan at The Hotel Cafe (9pm) 

Weds: Keaton Simons at Cinespace (8pm)
ALSO: Warped Tour in Pomona
ALSO: Semi Precious Weapons at The Staples Center (8pm) 

Thursday: Soraia at Good Hurt (11:30)…Philly band alert!
ALSO: The Shakers at The Cat Club (10pm)…part of Sunset Strip Block Party (http://thesunsetstrip.com/blockparty)
ALSO: Queens of the Stone Age and Eagles of Death Metal at Club Nokia (9pm)
ALSO: My Morning Jacket and Avi Buffalo at The Greek Theater (8pm)
ALSO: Semi Precious Weapons at The Staples Center (8pm)
ALSO: Wartapes at The Viper Room (10pm)
ALSO: The Northstar Session at Molly Malone’s (9:30)
ALSO: Freelance Whales at El Rey opening for Tokyo Police Club (8:30) 

Friday: Natalie Merchant at Orpheum (8pm)
ALSO: Soraia at Canter’s Kibitz Room (10pm)
ALSO: American Idols 2010 Live at The Staples Center (7:30) 

Saturday: Venice Beach Music Fest f. Keaton Simons (1:30pm)
ALSO: Rasputina at The Troubadour (10:15) 

Sunday: Langhorne Slim at The Echoplex (4pm)
ALSO: Mississippi Man at The Troubadour (8:30)
ALSO: Levon Helm and Jenny Lewis at The Greek Theater (8pm) 

 

To Keep in Mind:
August 21st and 22nd: Sunset Junction
August 27-28th: Sunset Strip Music Festival
August 28th: Something Corporate at Club Nokia
September 4th: After Midnight Project at The Key Club
September 18th: Heart at Gibson Amphitheater
September 25th: Band of Horses at Greek Theater
September 25th: Muse at Staples Center
October 1st: Brandi Carlile and The Avett Brothers at Nokia Theater LA Live
October 13th: Frightened Rabbit at The Mayan Theater
December 11th: The Black Crowes and Truth & Salvage Co. at Hollywood Palladium

~ Kristen

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 8/2-8/8

I’m about to head off to the first of three evenings this week featuring The Kin, so this will be short.  I’m especially excited about Monday night’s Songwriters in the Round. But that’s just the start of a great week of music as detailed below:

Monday: Paris Carney and Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 featuring Isaac and Thorry Koren (The Kin), Joey Ryan, Kenneth Pattengale, and Joel Eckels (9pm)
ALSO: John Elliot at Genghis Cohen (7pm) 

Tuesday: FREE Lovers Drugs at The Viper Room (9pm)
ALSO: Matthew Jordan at Café Was (two sets, 7 and 8:30)
ALSO: William Fitzsimmons at The Hotel Cafe (8pm)
ALSO: Circa Survive at Bootleg (9:50) 

Weds: The Kin at The Cactus Room at The Standard (7pm)
ALSO: The Hereafter at West LA Concert Series at West LA Civic Center (9pm)
ALSO: Andy Clockwise at Spaceland (10pm)
ALSO: Meiko at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)
ALSO: So & So at Molly Malone’s (11pm)
ALSO: Juke Kartel at The Viper Room (8pm) 

Thursday: The Janks at The Echoplex (10:30)
ALSO: Everest at Bootleg (11:30)
ALSO: The Binges at The Viper Room (11pm) 

Friday: Lights at The Hotel Cafe (7pm)
ALSO: 100 Monkeys at The Viper Room (11pm)
ALSO: We Are Scientists at The Troubadour (10pm)
ALSO: Silversun Pickups and Against Me at The Greek Theater (7:30) 

Saturday: The Janks FREE at Pershing Square (7:30)
ALSO: 100 Monkeys at The Viper Room (midnight) 

Sunday: I’m sure something will come up 

 

To Keep in Mind:
August 12th: Semi Precious Weapons at Staples Center
August 21st and 22nd: Sunset Junction
August 27-28th: Sunset Strip Music Festival
August 28th: Something Corporate at Club Nokia
September 4th: After Midnight Project at The Key Club
September 18th: Heart at Gibson Amphitheater
September 25th: Band of Horses at Greek Theater
September 25th: Muse at Staples Center
October 1st: Brandi Carlile and The Avett Brothers at Nokia Theater LA Live
October 13th: Frightened Rabbit at The Mayan Theater
December 11th: The Black Crowes and Truth & Salvage Co. at Hollywood Palladium

~ Kristen