Local Music Nation

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 5/26-6/1

Posted on May 25, 2014 by Kristen

Music and memories often go hand in hand. I have certain artists that I associate with particular traumas in my life because they were playing at the time of the incident. For example, Sheryl Crow goes with that time I got run off the highway in rural PA and Fall Out Boy is paired with the time someone smashed into my car in South Carolina (completely his fault, but of course my car was totaled). I added a new one to the list this week. James Blunt will now forever be associated with that time I fainted at a show. Before anyone asks, I am okay. At least I feel okay now. It’s just kind of sad that I’ll never be able to listen to Back to Bedlam again without feeling a little woozy.

So, last week didn’t go exactly as anticipated, but here’s to hoping this week doesn’t have any similar surprises. There are several great show options this week, especially on Wednesday, but show pick of the week must go to Irontom who are playing along with The Janks Tuesday night at Townhouse & The Del Monte in Venice.

Here are the rest of my picks. Happy Memorial Day!

Monday: In the Valley Below with Omniflux and Will Love FREE at The Echo (9pm)

Tuesday: The Janks and Irontom at Townhouse & The Del Monte in Venice (9,10)
ALSO: Brian Marquis at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)
ALSO: Billy Joel at The Hollywood Bowl (8pm)
ALSO: George Stanford FREE at The Piano Bar (10pm)

Weds: Max Collins and Sad Robot FREE at Hemingway’s (10pm)
ALSO: Mosco Rosco and The New Electric Sound FREE at The Satellite (9pm)
ALSO: The Bolts at The Viper Room (9pm)
ALSO: Thomas Dybdahl and Broken Arrow at The Hotel Cafe (8, 9)
ALSO: Elbow at The Wiltern (8pm)
ALSO: First Aid Kit at The El Rey (9pm)
ALSO: Jamestown Revival at The Grammy Museum (8pm)

Thursday: Kris Orlowski, The Wind + The Wave, Jamestown Revival at The Troubadour (8pm)
ALSO: The Wellspring at The Hotel Cafe (8pm)
ALSO: Terra Naomi and Our Lady J at WitZend (7, 10)

Friday: Priscilla Ahn at The Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever Cemetery (9pm)
ALSO: The Record Company (acoustic) at The Satellite (9pm)
ALSO: Brody Dalle at The Troubadour (9pm)

Saturday: Ron Pope at The Roxy (8pm)
ALSO: Caught a Ghost at Bootleg HiFi (9pm)
ALSO: The Watkins Family Hour at Largo (9pm)
ALSO: The Mowgli’s at Hollister House in Santa Monica (7pm)…FREE with RSVP
ALSO: Chris Pierce at Genghis Cohen (10pm)
ALSO: KROQ Weenie Roast at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater f. Beck, Fall Out Boy, The Neighbourhood, Bastille, Fitz & The Tantrums, The 1975, Phantogram, American Authors, Bleachers, etc.

Sunday: Madi Diaz FREE at Bootleg HiFi (8pm)

To Keep in Mind:
June 5^th: OneRepublic and The Script at Hollywood Bowl
June 7^th: Make Music Pasadena
June 8^th: Penny & Sparrow at The Hotel Cafe
June 10^th: James Bay at The Hotel Cafe
June 10^th: Jack White at The Fonda Theatre
June 11^th: Jack White at The Mayan
June 14^th: The Both at El Rey Theatre
June 14^th: Levi Weaver at The Hotel Cafe
June 16^th: Ed Sheeran at The Hollywood Bowl
June 17^th: Crash Kings at Bootleg HiFi
June 18^th: Matt Nathanson at Greek Theatre
June 18^th: High Voltage show at The Silverlake Lounge
June 19^th: Dan Wilson at Largo
June 21^st: The Milk Carton Kids at Japan America Theatre
July 10^th: Prides at The Troubadour
July 22^nd: OK Go at The Troubadour
July 23^rd: OK Go at The Echo
July 24^th: The Neighbourhood at Greek Theatre
July 31^st: Foxy Shazam at The El Rey
August 1^st: The Griswolds at The Echo
August 2^nd: Saint Motel at The Troubadour
August 2^nd: Red Wanting Blue at Bootleg Theater
August 5^th: Emerson Hart and Tony Lucca at The Hotel Cafe
August 10^th: Iron and Wine and Glen Hansard at Hollywood Bowl
August 13^th: Reignwolf at The Troubadour
August 23^rd: Lake Street Dive at The Wiltern
August 25^th: Nine Inch Nails and Soundgarden at Hollywood Bowl
August 26^th: Youngblood Hawke at Greek Theatre
October 2^nd: The War on Drugs at Fonda Theatre
October 3^rd: Ben Kweller at The Roxy
October 6^th: Carbon Leaf at The Roxy
October 8^th: twenty one pilots at Hollywood Palladium
October 10^th: The Pretty Reckless at The Wiltern
October 16^th: Hozier with James Bay at Cathedral Sanctuary at Immanuel Presbyterian
October 18^th: Kodaline at The Fonda Theatre
October 27^th: Rachael Yamagata at The Troubadour

~ Kristen

New Music Tuesday 5/20/14 featuring Haley Bonar, Crow Bait, and Pujol

Posted on May 22, 2014 by Kristen

Better a day late than not at all!

Haley Bonar – Last Reputation

Haley has been on my to see list at SXSW for two years now, but I have never quite made that happen. Her song “Bad Reputation” caught my ear on her EP last year so I’m interested in hearing what she’ll do with a full length album.

Crow Bait – Sliding Through the Halls of Fate

Crow Bait is a band I just found out about but they have been making some noise (the good kind) in the Long Island music scene since 2011. This is their debut LP and I’m already intrigued. There is something about their sound that is kind of familiar to me and I like it.

Pujol – Kludge

I first discovered Pujol at SXSW two years ago and really fell in love with them. They have a new album out and admittedly, it’s not what I expected from them but somehow, it still feels like Pujol. You can stream one of their tracks here because I can’t find any music videos newer than 2011.

Also Out Today:

Coldplay – Ghost Stories
Phillip Phillips – Behind The Light
Spoon – No Silverware
The Duhks – Beyond The Blue

~Kristen and Amanda

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 5/18-5/25

Posted on May 18, 2014 by Kristen

I crossed “bonfire at the beach” off my LA bucket list this weekend. There were s’mores! It took me back to my Girl Scout days. I also hadn’t been to the beach in a really long time so it was nice to be reminded that I do indeed live near the ocean.

There are a couple really special shows happening this week. The Nickel Creek tour hits the Wiltern on Wednesday. It seems like several lifetimes ago when I stumbled upon this folk trio in Keystone, Colorado and I couldn’t be more excited about their return to the music scene after a seven year absence. Also Tuesday night my (thus far) favorite musical discovery of 2014, Hozier, will be at The Troubadour. That show is sold out, but if you ever get the opportunity to hear this Irish bard sing, do it!

As for the rest of my musical recommendations:

Monday: it’s a school night at Bardot featuring Wild Party…FREE with RSVP http://itsaschoolnight.com/losangeles/
ALSO: In The Valley Below FREE at The Echo (11pm)
ALSO: Badass Bands Blog Presents at The Viper Room f. The Crazy Brave, The Pocket Rockets, The Brothers Zmed (9pm)
ALSO: Oh Honey and James Blunt at The Belasco Theatre (8pm)
ALSO: Coldplay at Royce Hall (8pm)
ALSO: Monday Monday FREE at Room 5 featuring Jesse Thomas, Casey Abrams, Joel Eckels, Michael Doman, etc. (8pm)
ALSO: Hunnypot Radio FREE at The Mint featuring Palaye Royale and more (7pm)

Tuesday: Hozier at The Troubadour (9:30)
ALSO: Trapdoor Social, King Washington, Timmy Sean and the Celebrities at The Viper Room (8pm)
ALSO: The Basement Sessions FREE at Hemingway’s f. Scarlett Rabe
ALSO: Roses & Revolutions at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)
ALSO: George Stanford FREE at The Piano Bar (10pm)

Weds: Nickel Creek at The Wiltern (7pm)
ALSO: Dead Sara with Rival Tides and Giver at The Satellite (9pm)
ALSO: Thomas Dybdahl and Alex Dezen with Jay Blynn & friends at The Hotel Cafe (8, 9)
ALSO: Band of Skulls at The Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever (9pm)

Thursday: The Unlikely Candidates and The New Electric Sound at The Satellite (9pm)
ALSO: Wild Party at The Troubadour (8pm)
ALSO: Nathaniel Ratliff at The Echo (10pm)
ALSO: decoded at Loaded (10pm)
ALSO: Fauntella Crow at WitZend (8pm)
ALSO: 22 Kings at The Hotel Cafe (10pm)
ALSO: Billy Joel with Gavin DeGraw at Hollywood Bowl (8pm)

Friday: Howlin’ Rain at The Echo (10pm)
ALSO: Matt Pond PA with The Lighthouse And The Whaler at The Roxy (8pm)
ALSO: The Raskins with Betty Moon and The Gallery at The Viper Room (9pm)

Saturday: William Fitzsimmons at The Troubadour (10pm)
ALSO: Against Me! at The Roxy (7:30)
ALSO: Nina Storey at WitZend (9pm)
ALSO: State Line Syndicate and The Brave Ones at The Viper Room (9pm)
ALSO: Ari Hest and Suzanne Vega at The El Rey (9pm)
ALSO: Joan Osborne at McCabe’s (8pm and 10pm)

Sunday: Against Me! at The Roxy (7:30)
ALSO: Kevin Earnest at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)

To Keep in Mind:
May 28^th: First Aid Kit at El Rey Theatre
May 30^th: Priscilla Ahn at The Masonic Lodge
May 31^st: Ron Pope at The Roxy
June 5^th: OneRepublic and The Script at Hollywood Bowl
June 7^th: Make Music Pasadena
June 14^th: The Both at El Rey Theatre
June 16^th: Ed Sheeran at The Hollywood Bowl
June 17^th: Crash Kings at Bootleg HiFi
June 18^th: Matt Nathanson at Greek Theatre
June 19^th: Dan Wilson at Largo
June 21^st: The Milk Carton Kids at Japan America Theatre
July 10^th: Prides at The Troubadour
July 22^nd: OK Go at The Troubadour
July 23^rd: OK Go at The Echo
July 24^th: The Neighbourhood at Greek Theatre
August 10^th: Iron and Wine and Glen Hansard at Hollywood Bowl
August 23^rd: Lake Street Dive at The Wiltern
August 25^th: Nine Inch Nails and Soundgarden at Hollywood Bowl
August 26^th: Youngblood Hawke at Greek Theatre
October 2^nd: The War on Drugs at Fonda Theatre
October 3^rd: Ben Kweller at The Roxy
October 6^th: Carbon Leaf at The Roxy
October 8^th: twenty one pilots at Hollywood Palladium
October 18^th: Kodaline at The Fonda Theatre

~ Kristen

New Music Tuesday 5/13/14 featuring Jesse Thomas, Levi Weaver, Alright Junior, The Trouble With Templeton

Posted on May 13, 2014 by Kristen

So much good music released this week. I’ve been binging on the following:

Jesse Thomas – Burn The Boats

I had the pleasure of attending the CD release party at The Hotel Cafe for Burn The Boats. Although I haven’t sat down with the album yet, the songs in their live form are still swimming in my head. I really enjoy Jesse’s unique vocal style tackling songs ranging from the heart-breaking “Swallow That Pill” to a hilarious sing-along that strings together some of the more amusing, real life pick-up lines. Put the band behind her and she’s also got a couple up-beat hand clappers.

Levi Weaver – Your Ghost Keeps Finding Me

This album is dramatic and compelling and kept my attention from note one through to the end by introducing me to different facets of Mr. Weaver. The quiet, contemplative singer-songwriter abounds in simple tracks like “Citadel” or “Paddleboats”, the multi-instrumentalist fond of layering shines in the catchy opener, “Borrowed Clothes” and there is even a hint of punk rocker in what is currently my most played track, “Song in my Branches”. Add in guest appearances by the likes of Rachael Yamagata and Carina Round who lends vocals in the haunting duet “Pieces” and I’d call this one a winner.

Alright Junior – Amusia

My beloved Philly rockers, Alright Junior, have a new album being released in piecemeal fashion this week with the full 13 tracks up on Friday. The album title, Amusia, was inspired by a tale in Oliver Sacks’ Musicophilia that describes the life of a person with a neurological condition called amusia, defined by Sacks as a “total inability to perceive music as music.” As a fan of Sacks’ work, I was tickled by the title. I’ve also been banging my head to “Ancestors Laugh in Heaven” since the video was released. New AJ tracks every day are going to make for one rockin’ week!

go here to follow the track releases

The Trouble With Templeton – Rookie

I thought I knew Aussie artist Thomas Calder, the singer/songwriter behind The Trouble With Templeton, but Rookie introduces an exciting new dimension to the singer’s work. The band has created songs that are textured and varied, eccentric yet still melodic. Currently, my favorites might be the punchy “Like A Kid” and the Radiohead-esque “Six Months In a Cast”. This album is fun yet still full of heart…give it a listen!

Also out today:

The Black Keys – Turn Blue
Michael Jackson – Xscape
Tori Amos – Unrepentant Geraldines
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart – Days of Abandon
Various Artists- Beautiful: The Carole King Musical
Little Dragon– Nabuma Rubberband
Joseph Arthur – Lou
Mirah – Chasing Light

~ Kristen and Amanda

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 5/12-5/18

Posted on May 11, 2014 by Kristen

Well, this is one weekend that I’m happy to put behind me. I’m looking forward and hoping that next week will turn things around. As luck would have it, a few of my favorites have shows this week. Dead Sara at The Echo, Queen Caveat at The Viper (both being supported by The Filthy Souls), and ½ of The Silent Comedy performing as Brothers Grimm at The Record Parlour. Thank goodness for music!

Here are the rest of my picks:

Monday: In the Valley Below and The New Electric Sound FREE at The Echo (11, 12)
ALSO: Meiko and Holly Conlan at The Hotel Cafe (8,9)
ALSO: Monday Monday FREE at Room 5 (8pm)
ALSO: It’s a School Night at Bardot featuring Jacob Snider, Cheers Elephant, Strange Talk (8pm)

Tuesday: Rixton with Bonnie McKee at The Roxy (6pm)
ALSO: The Cerny Brothers and John Gallagher Jr. FREE at The Mint (9,10)
ALSO: Novi Split at The Satellite (9pm)
ALSO: George Stanford FREE at The Piano Bar (10pm)

Weds: Dead Sara with The Filthy Souls at Bootleg HiFi (8pm)
ALSO: Broods with Strange Talk and Max and The Moon at The Echo (8:30)
ALSO: Thomas Dybdah and Broken Arrow at The Hotel Cafe (8, 9)
ALSO: Brave Soul, ME&U, Everett Coast at The Viper Room (8pm)
ALSO: Circa Zero with Jackie Tohn at The Troubadour (8pm)

Thursday: Brother’s Grimm at Record Parlour (8pm)
ALSO: A Million Pieces, Forrest Day, and Super Water Sympathy at The Viper Room (8pm)
ALSO: Royal Blood at The Roxy (8pm)
ALSO: The Stone Foxes, The Revivalists at The Mint (8:45, 10)
ALSO: Joel Eckels at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)
ALSO: Two Gallants at The Troubadour (10pm)
ALSO: Lindsey Stirling with Dia Frampton at Club Nokia (8:30)
ALSO: LA Weekly Artopia at Grand Central Market featuring The Record Company (7pm)

Friday: Queen Caveat with Filthy Souls and My Satellite at The Viper Room (9pm)
ALSO: Little Dove at Amplyfi (9pm)
ALSO: Wise Cub and The Honey Trees at The Hotel Cafe (9,10)
ALSO: Fairchild and Memoir at Silverlake Lounge (9, 12)
ALSO: The Mother Hips with Tall Tales & the Silver Linings at Bootlet HiFi (9pm)

Saturday: Lyon Apprentice at The Hotel Cafe (7pm)
ALSO: Finish Ticket, Western Scene, Bad Things at The Satellite (9pm)
ALSO: Black Hi-Lighter, Toy Bombs at The Viper Room (8pm)
ALSO: Ms. Lauryn Hill at Club Nokia (9pm)
ALSO: LA Vegan Beer & Food Festival at 8950 W Sunset Blvd featuring He’s My Brother She’s My Sister, Heaps N Heaps, and more (1pm)

Sunday: Lykke Li at The Roxy (8pm)

To Keep in Mind:
May 19^th: James Blunt at The Balasco Theater
May 20^th: Hozier at The Troubadour
May 21^st: Nickel Creek at The Wiltern
May 21^st: Dead Sara at The Satellite
May 22^nd: Nathaniel Ratliff at The Echo
May 23^rd: Ben Sollee at Largo
May 24^th: William Fitzsimmons at The Troubadour
May 24^th/25^th: Against Me! at The Roxy
May 28^th: First Aid Kit at El Rey Theatre
May 31^st: Ron Pope at The Roxy
June 5^th: OneRepublic and The Script at Hollywood Bowl
June 7^th: Make Music Pasadena
June 14^th: The Both at El Rey Theatre
June 16^th: Ed Sheeran at The Hollywood Bowl
June 17^th: Crash Kings at Bootleg HiFi
June 18^th: Matt Nathanson at Greek Theatre
June 19^th: Dan Wilson at Largo
June 21^st: The Milk Carton Kids at Japan America Theatre
July 10^th: Prides at The Troubadour
July 22^nd: OK Go at The Troubadour
July 23^rd: OK Go at The Echo
July 24^th: The Neighbourhood at Greek Theatre
August 10^th: Iron and Wine and Glen Hansard at Hollywood Bowl
August 23^rd: Lake Street Dive at The Wiltern
August 25^th: Nine Inch Nails and Soundgarden at Hollywood Bowl
August 26^th: Youngblood Hawke at Greek Theatre
October 2^nd: The War on Drugs at Fonda Theatre
October 3^rd: Ben Kweller at The Roxy
October 6^th: Carbon Leaf at The Roxy
October 8^th: twenty one pilots at Hollywood Palladium

~ Kristen