Author: Kristen

New Music Tuesday 6/24/14 f. K.Flay, My Goodness

Posted on by Kristen

New week, new music! Check out what we’re listening too:

K.Flay – Life As A Dog

K. Flay is like none other. She crafts lyrics like a hip hop artist and has no problem conquering the straight up rap style, but she couples this with slowed down indie synth beats and adds a punk-rock edge to create a unique sonic experience. Life As A Dog is her newest album, self-released with the help of a Pledge Music campaign. This is the kind of record that is easy to get lost in with its lazy beats and K. Flay’s laid back, transfixing vocal. My favorite tracks are the somewhat more punchy “I’m Good” and the single, “Thicker Than Dust”, an anthem of friendship which feels lyrically relevant and has me singing along by the second chorus.  I’m always in the market for something refreshing and compelling, and this album is just that. I highly recommend you checking it out!

Watch the video for “Thicker Than Dust” here: http://music-mix.ew.com/2014/06/24/exclusive-music-video-k-flays-hook-filled-thicker-than-dust/

 

My Goodness – Shiver + Shake 

I’ve been looking forward to more from this band since I heard their single, “Cold Feet Killer” last year. Listening to the stream of this album, I hear everything you might want from a promising rock band.  They’ve got the punch, the guitars, the bluesy accents, the howling vocal, the beats that make you want to bang your head and move your feet…more of this in my ears please!

You can stream the album here. Listen to “Sweet Tooth” to get a good taste

 

Other albums we hope to listen to soon:

  • Ed Sheeran – X
  • Carsie Blanton – Not Old, Not New
  • SPEAK – Pedals
  • Anberlin – lowborn
  • Rachel Taylor – Come Alive EP

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar 6/23-6/29

Posted on by Kristen

Last Friday I actual took a day off *gasp* to head out to Pomona and go to Warped Tour. My full recap will be posted later this week, but it was a much needed (albeit overly hot) mini-vacation that left me musical re-charged and with an extreme craving for lemonade. Another musical highlight was my involvement with High Voltage Radio Hour where we chatted with our special guests from OK Go about their new video, time with the Muppets, and upcoming album. You can listen to that interview as well as our stellar musical selections here: http://iamhighvoltage.com/2014/06/22/good-writings-transpose-you/

This week is your last chance to see French Style Furs (Cold War Kids + Barcelona) for their June residency at The Satellite. Monday night also features the wonderfully cutesy/quirky/folky Carsie Blanton at The Hotel Cafe, Danish singer Nabiha playing with White Sea and Until The Ribbon Breaks at Bootleg, and a stellar line-up of singer-songwriters at Room 5 for Monday Monday. All those shows are free so good luck choosing there…

And here’s what I’ve got for the rest of the week:

 

Monday: Chasing Kings and French Style Furs FREE at The Satellite (9pm)
ALSO: Carsie Blanton at The Hotel Cafe (7pm)
ALSO: Nabiha, White Sea, and Until The Ribbon Breaks FREE at Bootleg HFi (9, 10, 11)
ALSO: Zero 1 at The Dragonfly (10pm)
ALSO: Monday Monday at Room 5 featuring Chi McClean, Jessie Payo, Jesse Thomas, Michael Doman, Ray Don, Joel Eckels, etc (8pm)

 

Tuesday: The Moth & The Flame at Bootleg HiFi (9:30)
ALSO: George Stanford FREE at The Piano Bar (10pm)

 

Weds: The New Electric Sound and Omniflux FREE at Hemingway’s (9pm)
ALSO: Badass Bands Blog Presents at Silverlake Lounge f. Anthony settecase, Fire The Animal, Cinderella MOTEL, and The Echo and The Sound (8pm)
ALSO: Mark Ballas, Dylan Chambers, Casey Abrams, and Haley Reinhart at Room 5 (8pm)
ALSO: Taylor Locke Band at The Satellite (10pm)
ALSO: Wild Party at Bootleg HiFi (8:30)
ALSO: A Celebration of Mike Viola at Largo f. Inara George, Mandy Moore, Susanna Hoffs, Dan Wilson, Andrew McMahon, and more (8:30)

 

Thursday: Jake Newton, The Absolute, The Roof Beam Carpenters, Knifeyhead at Silverlake Lounge (8pm)
ALSO: Scarlett Rabe at The WitZend (10pm)
ALSO: Early Winters with Chris Stills and Distant Cousin at The Satellite (9pm)
ALSO: Colin Hay at Largo (8:30)

 

Friday: Zookeeper’s Palace at SIlverlake Lounge (11pm)
ALSO: Radio Black at The Dragonfly (11:15)

 

Saturday: Gun Hill Royals at 5 Star Bar (10pm)
ALSO: Some Go Haunting, Fire in The Hamptons, Deluka at El Cid (10pm)
ALSO: Nina Storey at WitZend (9pm)
ALSO: Sharon Van Etten at The El Rey (9pm)
ALSO: The Watkins Family Hour at Largo (9pm)
ALSO: Sarah McLaughlin at Greek Theatre (8pm)

 

Sunday: Toy Bombs and Great White Buffalo FREE at The Virgil (9pm)
ALSO: Wildcat! Wildcat! at The Petersen Museum (2pm)
ALSO: The Haden Triplets and Xander Smith at Mimosa Music Series at The Federal Bar (11am)
ALSO: Devo at The Wiltern (7pm)

 

 

To Keep in Mind:
July 4th: 98.7 Block Party at Grand Park LA f. Semi Precious Weapons
July 8th: Peter Matthew Bauer at The Satellite
July 8th/9th: The Mowgli’s at The Troubadour
July 10th: Prides at The Troubadour
July 17th: The Silent Comedy at Harvard & Stone
July 19th: Dead Sara and Tonic at Pershing Square
July 21st: Twin Atlantic at The Troubadour
July 21st: Nico Vega at The Roxy
July 22nd: OK Go at The Troubadour
July 23rd: OK Go at The Echo
July 23rd: Nightmare & The Cat at The Roxy
July 24th: The Neighbourhood at Greek Theatre
July 24th: Wolfmother at House of Blues Sunset
July 31st: Foxy Shazam at The El Rey
August 1st: The Griswolds at The Echo
August 2nd: Saint Motel at The Troubadour
August 2nd: Red Wanting Blue at Bootleg Theater
August 5th: Emerson Hart and Tony Lucca at The Hotel Cafe
August 10th: Iron and Wine and Glen Hansard at Hollywood Bowl
August 13th: Reignwolf at The Troubadour
August 17th: Dan Wilson at The Federal Bar
August 23rd-24th: FYF
August 23rd: Lake Street Dive at The Wiltern
August 23rd: Rixton at The El Rey
August 25th: Nine Inch Nails and Soundgarden at Hollywood Bowl
August 26th: Youngblood Hawke at Greek Theatre
August 27th: Ed Sheeran at Staples Center
September 14th: The Avett Brothers at Shrine Auditorium
September 15th: You Me at Six, Young Guns, Stars in Stereo at The Troubadour
September 19th: Kopecky Fmaily Band at The Troubadour
September 20th: Better Than Ezra and Scars on 45 at The House of Blues
September 28th: The Gaslight Anthem at Hollywood Palladium
September 30th: Sam Smith at Greek Theatre
October 2nd/3rd: The War on Drugs at Fonda Theatre
October 3rd: Ben Kweller at The Roxy
October 6th: Carbon Leaf at The Roxy
October 6th: Boy & Bear at Fonda Theatre
October 6th/7th: Lorde at The Greek Theatre
October 8th: twenty one pilots at Hollywood Palladium
October 8th: Sondre Lerche at The Troubadour
October 9th: Wakey! Wakey! at The Roxy
October 10th: The Pretty Reckless at The Wiltern
October 16th: Hozier with James Bay at Cathedral Sanctuary at Immanuel Presbyterian
October 18th: Kodaline at The Fonda Theatre
October 27th: Rachael Yamagata at The Troubadour
November 20th: Bastille at Shrine Expo Hall
November 21st/22nd: The Matches at The Troubadour

~ Kristen

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New Music Tuesday 6/17/14 f. The Pretty Reckless, Sam Smith

Posted on by Kristen

I haven’t gotten a chance to listen to much coming out today, but here’s what I’m most excited about

The Pretty Reckless – Going to Hell 

Has it really been four years since I had “Zombie” on repeat after seeing The Pretty Reckless at Warped Tour? I wonder what Momsen and co. have been up to lately…

Sam Smith – In the Lonely Hour 

Sam Smith has the voice of an angel. When I first heard the acoustic version of “Latch” I knew I had found my new favorite artist. This was confirmed after I caught half of a set at SXSW. In the months in between then and now, I have grown more skeptical as I kept hearing Sam’s voice covered by overly produced dance beats (not my favorite thing to listen to). I haven’t yet listened to In the Lonely Hour. I’m actually quite nervous to do so. You listen and tell me if I’d like it…

Also

  • Miniature Tigers – Cruel Runnings
    Ballyhoo! – Halo
  • Stars in Stereo- Leave Your Mark
  • The Felice Brothers – Favorite Waitress
  • Linkin Park- The Hunting Party
  • Nothing More – Nothing More
  • David Grey – Mutineers
  • Trampled by Turtles – Wild Animals
  • The Collection – Ars Moriendi

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 6/16-6/22

Posted on by Kristen

Work was particularly headache-inducing this week, but life was balanced out nicely with some fabulous musical adventures. They included dinner with the High Voltage crew at Dani Shay’s, an intimate Charli XCX showcase, a drop by casa de Semi Precious Weapons, a classic evening on the Sunset Strip that included Irontom and a run-in with the singer of The Neighbourhood, and two trips to The Hotel Cafe to see new band loves for the first time (Penny & Sparrow and Levi Weaver). I suppose I have absolutely nothing to complain about!

 

Speaking of High Voltage, show pick of the week is our show Wednesday at Silverlake Lounge featuring the aforementioned (and uber talented) Dani Shay.  Warped Tour also comes through So-Cal this week. I hear my LA faves, Queen Caveat, are playing in Pomona and Ventura so I might have to find a way to go see that!

 

Here are the rest of my picks:

 

Monday: French Style Furs FREE at The Satellite (11pm)
ALSO: It’s a School Night at The Avalon f. U.S. Royalty and Alex & Sierra (8:30)
ALSO: Until The Ribbon Breaks FREE at Bootleg HiFi (10:30)
ALSO: Bernhoft at The Troubadour (9:30)
ALSO: Stars in Stereo, My Body Sings Electric at The Viper Room (8pm)
ALSO: Zero 1 at The Dragonfly (10pm)
ALSO: Ed Sheeran, Demi Levato, Colbie Cailat, Andy Grammer at The Hollywood Bowl (7:30)
ALSO: Hunnypot Radio Live featuring Cold Blood Club at The Mint (7pm)
ALSO: Monday Monday at Room 5 f. Clare Means, Jesse Thomas, Michael Doman, Joel Eckels (8pm)

 

Tuesday: Crash Kings at Bootleg (10pm)
ALSO: Bad Suns at The Troubadour (10pm)
ALSO: Allison Iraheta & Halo Circus and Fyfe Dangerfield & Aristazabal Hawkes at The Hotel Cafe (8, 10)
ALSO: In the Valley Below at Brite Space LA (9pm)…need to RSVP http://www.eventbrite.com/e/eventbrite-la-x-la-canvas-present-in-the-valley-below-registration-11511036821?aff=eorg
ALSO: Amy LaVere at The Mint (10:15)
ALSO: Emily Wells at The Echo (10pm)
ALSO: The Mountain Goats at The Mayan (8pm)
ALSO: A tribute to Bob Dylan FREE at The Satellite f. Brian Whelan, The LA River Bend, and more (9pm)
ALSO: George Stanford FREE at The Piano Bar (10pm)

 

Weds: High Voltage Magazine Summer Issue Launch Party at Silverlake Lounge f. Dani Shay, Sabrina Antoinette, Sex Helicopter (8pm)
ALSO: Gun Hill Royals at Club Moscow (10pm)
ALSO: Sad Robot, Wild Roses at The Viper Room (9pm)
ALSO: Western Scene at The Roxy (8pm)
ALSO: Ivory Deville FREE at Harvard & Stone (10pm)
ALSO: Omniflux FREE at Hemingway’s (10pm)
ALSO: Gavin DeGraw and Matt Nathanson at The Greek Theatre (7pm)

 

Thursday: Scars on 45 with Broken Anchor, Maudlin Strangers, and Stop Motion Poetry at The Hotel Cafe (7, 9, 11)
ALSO: Owl John (Scott Hutchinson of Frightened Rabbit) with Withered Hand at The Echo (8:30)
ALSO: Words & Music by Dan Wilson at Largo (8:30)
ALSO: Fine FREE at The House of Blues (9pm)
ALSO: The Black and The White, Cold Blood Club at The Statellite (9pm)
ALSO: The North at The Mint (10pm)

 

Friday: Yann Tiersen with NO at Fonda Theatre (9pm)
ALSO: Warped Tour in Pomona (11am)

 

Saturday: The Milk Carton Kids with Tom Brosseau at Japan America Theater (7pm)
ALSO: Tournament of Hearts at Molly Malone’s (7:30)
ALSO: No Small Children at The Mint (9pm)
ALSO: Mosco Rosco and The Janks at Bootleg HiFi (10:30, 11:30)
ALSO: Kitten with Liz and Tapioca and the Flea at The El Rey (9pm)
ALSO: Kristin Chenoweth, The Go-Go’s & Pink Martini at The Hollywood Bowl (8pm)

 

Sunday: Grand Ole Echo FREE at The Echo f. Jonathan Tyler (3pm)
ALSO: 10,000 Maniacs FREE at Valley Cultural Center (6pm)
ALSO: Raquel Rodriguez FREE at Bootleg HiFi (9pm)
ALSO: mewithoutYou at The Troubadour (9:45)
ALSO: Janelle Monae at The Hollywood Bowl (7pm)
ALSO: Warped Tour in Ventura (11am)

 

 

 

To Keep in Mind:
June 23rd: Nabiha at Bootleg HiFi
June 25th: Wild Party at The Bootleg
June 26th: Sean Watkins at Largo
July 4th: 98.7 Block Party at Grand Park LA f. Semi Precious Weapons
July 8th: Peter Matthew Bauer at The Satellite
July 8th/9th: The Mowgli’s at The Troubadour
July 10th: Prides at The Troubadour
July 17th: The Silent Comedy at Harvard & Stone
July 21st: Twin Atlantic at The Troubadour
July 22nd: OK Go at The Troubadour
July 23rd: OK Go at The Echo
July 24th: The Neighbourhood at Greek Theatre
July 31st: Foxy Shazam at The El Rey
August 1st: The Griswolds at The Echo
August 2nd: Saint Motel at The Troubadour
August 2nd: Red Wanting Blue at Bootleg Theater
August 5th: Emerson Hart and Tony Lucca at The Hotel Cafe
August 10th: Iron and Wine and Glen Hansard at Hollywood Bowl
August 13th: Reignwolf at The Troubadour
August 17th: Dan Wilson at The Federal Bar
August 23rd-24th: FYF
August 23rd: Lake Street Dive at The Wiltern
August 23rd: Rixton at The El Rey
August 25th: Nine Inch Nails and Soundgarden at Hollywood Bowl
August 26th: Youngblood Hawke at Greek Theatre
September 14th: The Avett Brothers at Shrine Auditorium
September 15th: You Me at Six, Young Guns, Stars in Stereo at The Troubadour
September 19th: Kopecky Fmaily Band at The Troubadour
September 20th: Better Than Ezra and Scars on 45 at The House of Blues
September 30th: Sam Smith at Greek Theatre
October 2nd/3rd: The War on Drugs at Fonda Theatre
October 3rd: Ben Kweller at The Roxy
October 6th: Carbon Leaf at The Roxy
October 6th: Boy & Bear at Fonda Theatre
October 6th/7th: Lorde at The Greek Theatre
October 8th: twenty one pilots at Hollywood Palladium
October 8th: Sondre Lerche at The Troubadour
October 9th: Wakey! Wakey! at The Roxy
October 10th: The Pretty Reckless at The Wiltern
October 16th: Hozier with James Bay at Cathedral Sanctuary at Immanuel Presbyterian
October 18th: Kodaline at The Fonda Theatre
October 27th: Rachael Yamagata at The Troubadour
November 21st/22nd: The Matches at The Troubadour

~ Kristen

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Penny & Sparrow at The Hotel Cafe 6/8/14

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Penny & Sparrow

Austin duo, Andy Baxter and Kyle Jahnke (AKA Penny & Sparrow) played their first show in Los Angeles Sunday night at The Hotel Cafe.  As it was their first LA show, they were unaware of the Angeleno propensity to arrive “fashionably late” to any event and somewhat nervously joked that they were preparing to play a show for four people; their wives, the bartender, and the sound guy.  The concern proved unnecessary as by the time they finished their first song, the rousing “Bread and Bleeding”, the room was filling out with fans and music lovers eager to get their fix.

For the uninitiated, Penny & Sparrow craft slow and beautiful folk tunes, proving that sometimes less is definitely more. Andy takes lead with a compelling voice that becomes haunting especially in its lower registers on songs like “Honest Wage”. Kyle supports with guitar and vocals, threading harmonies in and out of songs adding that elevating emotional punch.

The pleasant surprise of the night was not the beauty of the songs (that’s evident by listening to the record), but the humor and the warmth that filled the room as the duo played.  From the heart-stopping a capella “Fantine” to their “one foot-stomping tune”, “Brothers”, the two singers transformed the energy of the bar to something more akin to a living room hang out. You knew they had the room when they prefaced their song “Stoic” with a comment about how the song contained everything you don’t want to say in an argument with your wife and as they sang the melancholy tune, the audience chuckled as they soaked up the lyrics in that context.

They closed the night with a captivating cover of “Come Thou Font of Every Blessing”, a hymn perfect for a reflective Sunday evening.

For more on Penny & Sparrow, check out their webpage: http://www.pennyandsparrow.com/

And definitely check out their recent album, Struggle Pretty, which has been a constant on my playlist lately.

 

~ Kristen

New Music Tuesday 6/10/14 f. Jack White, Passenger, Blacklist Royals

Posted on by Kristen

Well, here’s what I’ve been listening to…

Jack White – Lazaretto

Jack White is one of the innovators of contemporary music. Although I can’t say I’m a fan of everything he does, I’m always keen on tuning in. I found myself really enjoying Lazaretto. It has a fun mix of quirky humor, skilful musicianship, and serious beat busters.  I think my favorite tune might be the title track, a funky rocker that gets me moving with its playful beats.

Passenger – Whispers

Whispers is a series of lyrical gems encased in gorgeous melodies delivered by a unique voice that is instantly compelling. It’s the kind of record that goes straight to the heart. I’ve been listening to closing track, “Scare Away The Dark” on repeat. The whit and relevance of the tune, which seems to be about the saving power of music, make me smile with every listen. This album is deep, so dig in.

Blacklist Royals – Die Young With Me 

I first heard “Righteous Child” doing my SXSW research, and I was hooked. It was both catchy and edgy, with a feel of a Gaslight Anthem or Against Me! song. I haven’t heard Die Young With Me in its entirety, but the rest of the songs seem to follow suit and I would recommend checking it out if you’re into this genre.

Also On my “to listen” list:

  • Anathema – Distant Satellites
  • First Aid Kit – Stay Gold
  • Imogen Heap – Sparks
  • Chrissie Hynde – Stockholm
  • O.A.R. – The Rockville LP
  • Umphrey’s Mcgee – Similar Skin
  • Say Anything – Hebrews
  • This Wild Life – Clouded

~ Kristen

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 6/9-6/15

Posted on by Kristen

I’m about to head out the door to get to The Hotel Cafe to check out acoustic duo, Penny & Sparrow. I’ve been listening to their album, Struggle Pretty, and I’ve high hopes for this live experience. There are several artists in town this week whose records I’ve been obsessed with, but who I’ve never seen live. On the top of that list is British singer-songwriter, James Bay playing twice this week at Bardot and The Hotel Cafe. We also have Seattle’s HARPS and Levi Weaver whose album, Your Ghost Keeps Finding Me is one of my favorite releases this year.

And that’s just the beginning! This is truly a great week for music discovery so get out there and fall in love with something new. Here are the rest of my recommendations:

Monday: It’s A School Night at Bardot featuring James Bay
ALSO: Lime Cordiale at The Viper Room (8pm)
ALSO: Maudlin Strangers, Wild Ones, Until The Ribbon Breaks, MYPET FREE at Bootleg HiFi (8pm)
ALSO: French Style Furs FREE at The Satellite (11pm)
ALSO: Zero 1 at Dragonfly (8pm)

 

Tuesday: James Bay at The Hotel Cafe (8pm)
ALSO: Scott Kinnebrew (Truth & Salvage Co) and Patrick Park at The Fold (9, 10)
ALSO: Jack White with Cold War Kids at The Fonda (8:30)
ALSO: Joseph Arthur at The Troubadour (10pm)
ALSO: George Stanford FREE at The Piano Bar (10pm)

 

Weds: The Rocketboys FREE at Fifty Seven (10pm)
ALSO: Broken Arrow, Ben Lee at The Hotel Cafe (9, 10)
ALSO: Jack White with Cold War Kids at The Mayan (7pm)
ALSO: Bob Schneider and Hayes Carll at The Troubadour (9pm)

 

Thursday: HARPS at Silverlake Lounge (11:30)

ALSO: Memoir FREE at The Spare Room at The Roosevelt Hotel (10pm)
ALSO: Old Man Canyon at The Hotel Cafe (8pm)
ALSO: Scarlett Rabe and Songwriters in the Round f. Clare Means, Joy Autumn, Stephen Lowll at Room 5 (7, 9)
ALSO: Hayes Carll and Bob Schneider at The Troubadour (9pm)

 

Friday: Irontom at The Roxy (8:15)
ALSO: Patrick Joseph and Cassi Nichols at Room 5 (9pm)
ALSO: 8MM, Kiven at The Viper Room (8pm)
ALSO: Judith Owen at The Mint (8pm)

 

Saturday: Levi Weaver at The Hotel Cafe (7pm)
ALSO: Nightmare & The Cat and Neon Trees at The Wiltern
ALSO: The Both at El Rey Theatre (9pm)
ALSO: Ages and Ages with Phoebe Bridgers at Bootleg HiFi (8pm)
ALSO: Fire in The Hamptons at El Cid (11pm)
ALSO: The Fray with Oh Honey and Barcelona at The Greek Theatre (7:30)

 

Sunday:

 

 

To Keep in Mind:
June 16th: Ed Sheeran at The Hollywood Bowl
June 17th: Crash Kings at Bootleg HiFi
June 18th: Matt Nathanson at Greek Theatre
June 18th: High Voltage show at The Silverlake Lounge
June 19th: Dan Wilson at Largo
June 21st: The Milk Carton Kids at Japan America Theatre
July 10th: Prides at The Troubadour
July 22nd: OK Go at The Troubadour
July 23rd: OK Go at The Echo
July 24th: The Neighbourhood at Greek Theatre
July 31st: Foxy Shazam at The El Rey
August 1st: The Griswolds at The Echo
August 2nd: Saint Motel at The Troubadour
August 2nd: Red Wanting Blue at Bootleg Theater
August 5th: Emerson Hart and Tony Lucca at The Hotel Cafe
August 10th: Iron and Wine and Glen Hansard at Hollywood Bowl
August 13th: Reignwolf at The Troubadour
August 23rd-24th: FYF
August 23rd: Lake Street Dive at The Wiltern
August 25th: Nine Inch Nails and Soundgarden at Hollywood Bowl
August 26th: Youngblood Hawke at Greek Theatre
September 30th: Sam Smith at Greek Theatre
October 2nd: The War on Drugs at Fonda Theatre
October 3rd: Ben Kweller at The Roxy
October 6th: Carbon Leaf at The Roxy
October 8th: twenty one pilots at Hollywood Palladium
October 10th: The Pretty Reckless at The Wiltern
October 16th: Hozier with James Bay at Cathedral Sanctuary at Immanuel Presbyterian
October 18th: Kodaline at The Fonda Theatre
October 27th: Rachael Yamagata at The Troubadour

~ Kristen

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