Local Music Nation

New Music Tuesday 6/11/13 Featuring The Silent Comedy, Matthew Mayfield, Irontom

Posted on June 12, 2013 by Kristen

Lots of delicious music coming out this summer. I don’t know how I feel about all the abbreviated EPs (versus full length albums), but I guess that is the way of things. As long as my favorites keep putting amazing new tunes in my ears, I cannot complain. Here’s what I’ve been listening to this week:

The Silent Comedy – Friends
Divide EP

The wait for new Silent Comedy material has been somewhat
painful, but now I can rejoice as one of my favorite bands has released a
collection of new gems. As a whole, the record seems less aggressive than I’m
used to from a typically raucous Silent Comedy show, but there is still a familiar
edge and tell-tale musicality that can transport you another time and place
that long-time TSC fans might call The Church of The Silent Comedy. This is a
place where the whiskey flows and the world seems a better place, not because
it is not dark, but because in that darkness we know we are not alone. In other words, go out and buy this record as
you’ll be better for it.

Matthew Mayfield –Irons
in the Fire EP

One listen to the first track off this EP and I’m sold. Matthew has an amazing ability to produce instantly impactful songs that have both an emotional intensity and rough, rocker edge. This EP translates the Mayfield magic to its recorded form surprisingly well making it a very easy purchasing decision. As a bonus, the EP includes a couple new versions of the smoldering “Fire Escape”.

Irontom– Nitro EP

This one came out last week, but as it has been on repeat in my itunes since then, I would be remiss to not mention it. LMN Band Love Irontom plays somewhat frenzied rock songs and after a few listens, it is hard not to get caught up and swept away in the band’s refreshing take on the genre. This band, for me, has become an addiction. Take a listen and join me!

Some other CDs out today worth checking out:

Young Summer – Fever Dream EP http://www.youngsummermusic.com/
Glass Kids – Unblinded EP http://glasskids.bandcamp.com/album/unblinded
Andrew Stockdale – Keep Moving EP http://andrewstockdale.com/
Aoife O’Donovan – Fossils http://aoifeodonovan.com/
Goo Goo Dolls – Magnetic http://www.googoodolls.com/magnetic
Jimmy Eat World – Damage http://jimmyeatworld.com/
Bob Schneider – Burden of Proof http://www.bobschneider.com/
Joseph Arthur – Ballad of Boogie Christ http://www.josepharthur.com/
The Almost – Fear Inside Our Bones http://www.thealmost.com/
Frankie & The Heartstrings – The Days Run Away http://frankieandtheheartstrings.com/
Emily Wells – Mama Acoustic Recordings http://www.emilywellsmusic.com/

~ Kristen

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 6/10-6/16

Posted on June 10, 2013 by Kristen

I have a powerful playlist of tunes going right now as I put
this calendar together. The new Irontom Nitro
EP has been the hit of my weekend after seeing them incite a mosh pit
Friday night. Pairing quite well with Irontom is some Meg Myers who new song “Heart
Heart Head” was a heart stopping hit last week at The Troubadour. Looking
forward to next week, I’ve added some rockin’ Queen Caveat tunes to celebrate
70’s night of their Monday Satellite residency and the Leogun EP in honor of my show pick of the week: Leogun at The Roxy
Tuesday night. I could not be more excited to have these British rockers back
in town and I would high recommend you get to that show.

Here’s what else I’ve selected for the week:

Monday: Queen
Caveat with The Moth & The Flame, Hotel Cinema FREE at The Satellite (11pm)
ALSO: Paul McDonald & The Grand Magnolias at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)
ALSO: The Dead Ships FREE at The Echo (9pm)
ALSO: Angels Fall FREE at The Viper Room (10:30)
ALSO: Frankie & Friends FREE at The Viper Room Acoustic Lounge (8pm)
ALSO: Monday Monday FREE at Room 5 featuring Chi McClean, David and Devine,
Casey Abrams, Jackie Does Joel, Scott Mellis, etc. (8pm)

Tuesday: Leogun
at The Roxy (7pm)
ALSO: Scott Mellis Band at The Hotel Cafe (11pm)
ALSO: Jukebox the Ghost at LA Times Rock/Style at Sound Nightclub (8pm)
ALSO: Morgan Karr at Room 5 (9pm)
ALSO: Bayside and Alkaline Trio at House of Blues (8pm)
ALSO: Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers at Fonda Theatre (9pm)
ALSO: Bjork at Hollywood Bowl (8pm)
ALSO: Beachwood Tuesday FREE at The Piano Bar featuring Lady Katherine (8pm)

Weds: Alexz
Johnson and Bleu at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)…Bleu
record release show #1
ALSO: The 88 at The Troubadour (10pm)
ALSO: Black Hi-Lighter at Silverlake Lounge (10pm)

Thursday: High
Voltage Presents at the House of Blues Voodoo Lounge featuring Standing
Shadows, The Vacant Shapes, NoahEngh & The Kansas City Bankroll (9pm)…get on the $5 list here https://www.facebook.com/events/170778039762248/
ALSO: Melissa Ferrick at The Hotel Cafe (7pm)
ALSO: Said the Whale at Bootleg Bar (9pm)
ALSO: Josh Ritter at The Grammy Museum (8pm)
ALSO: Emily Wells at The Echo (9pm)
ALSO: The Almost at The Roxy (9pm)
ALSO: Beth Orton at The Troubadour (8pm)
ALSO: Cyndi Lauper at The Greek Theatre (8pm)
ALSO: New Politics and Fall Out Boy at The Wiltern (7pm)

Friday: My Name
is You and The Honey Trees at The Hotel Cafe (8,9)
ALSO: Sad Robot at The Viper Room (8pm)
ALSO: The Dandy Warhols at The Wiltern (8pm)

Saturday: The
Young Romans at The Hotel Cafe (8pm)
ALSO: Robert DeLong FREE at The Getty Center (6pm)

Sunday: Patrick
Sweany FREE at The Echo for Grand Ole Echo (5pm)

To Keep in Mind:
June 22nd: The Staves at Bootleg Bar
June 23rd: Guster, Barenaked Ladies, and Ben Folds Five at The Greek Theatre
June 24th: Zane Carney at The Hotel Cafe
June 25th: Rachael Yamagata at The Troubadour
June 27th: Bernhoft at The Troubadour
July 1st: Anberlin at The Roxy
July 3rd: Adam Arcuargi at The Hotel Cafe
July 15th: The Neighbourhood at The Fonda Theater
July 19th: Passenger at El Rey Theatre
July 23rd: Bastille at The Troubadour
July 23rd: Savages at The El Rey
July 23rd/24th: The Postal Service at The Greek Theatre
July 26th: Saint Motel at The El Rey
July 27th: Fitz and The Tantrums at The Wiltern
August 1st-3rd: Sunset Strip Music Festival
August 8th: The Silent Comedy at Fonda Theatre
August 16th: Michael Bernard Fitzgerald at The Troubadour
August 19th/20th: Ed Sheeran at The Staples Center
August 22nd: Andrew Belle at Bootleg Bar
August 24th: NEEDTOBREATHE at Harvest Social in Anaheim
September 4th: Tegan and Sara at The Greek Theatre
September 11th: Churchill at Greek Theatre
September 19th: Cold War Kids at The Wiltern
September 20th: twenty one pilots at House of Blues Anaheim (w/ Fall Out Boy
and Panic at The Disco)
September 26th: Hanson at House of Blues Sunset
September 27th: The Naked & Famous at The Wiltern
September 27th/28th: The Lumineers at The Greek Theatre
October 1st: Jake Bugg at Fonda Theatre
October 12th: 30 Seconds to Mars at The Hollywood Bowl

~ Kristen

FB- https://www.facebook.com/terraplanesun

Show Review: Terraplane Sun at Hollywood Palladium (5/30/13)

Posted on June 4, 2013 by Kristen

It’s no easy task being a local supporting act for a sold out show where the majority of the audience consists of screaming and barely legally able to drink females. This was night #2 for Imagine Dragons at the Hollywood Palladium and the kind of show where the audience is so passionate about the headliner that they would just as soon skip the openers and dive
straight into the main dish. So the Venice Beach, CA five-piece Terraplane Sun had their work cut out for them when they took the stage at 7:30pm to an already packed room. That said, Ben Rothbard, Johnny Zambetti, Cecil Campanaro, Lyle Riddle, and Gabe Feenberg had no problem making the room and the people in it their new BFFs with their Delta blues swagger and California sun. It’s as if the Doors, Johnny Cash and CSN decided to shack up, musically of course. What’s obvious is that these guys are accomplished musicians: everything from guitars to lap steel to keys to a mandolin to a trombone made an appearance during their set. What’s not so obvious is how they manage to seamlessly fuse what have to be many various tastes and influences, making vintage tones sound fresh and lively: somehow they do. Collectively they looked as comfortable on the large Palladium
stage as they do in club settings (even if you don’t know who they are, they’re hardly new to the game) and performing with a natural ease and showmanship to where, if you looked around the audience you were sure to spot a girl or two falling a little in love with at least one band member. Their set was short, but sweet and effective as they served up “Funnel of Love” and “Ya Never Know” highlighted by the lively steppers “Tell Me I’m Wrong” (folks just loved Feenberg’s trombone solo) and their ode to going after what you want, their single “Get Me Golden.” Rothbard’s lead vocals were fortified by quality harmonies, Zambetti showed off his solid lead guitar skills, as rhythm sections go, Campanaro and Riddle were joined at the hip and Feenberg is probably that secret weapon that every band needs. When it was over, the applause and yells of approval spoke for themselves. As did the scramble for the EP’s that Rothbard tossed into the crowd.

Web- http://www.terraplanesun.com/

Tw- https://twitter.com/TerraplaneSun

review brought to you by our dear friend Trina N. Green (@dharma69) pictures by Trina and Kristen

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 6/3-6/9

Posted on June 2, 2013 by Kristen

Well, I can’t believe it’s June. It seems like just
yesterday I was at SXSW and now, it’s summertime! June is typically a good
month for shows and I don’t think this year is going to disappoint, especially
considering my favorite LA rock band, Queen Caveat, is the Monday night
residency band at The Satellite. This Monday is 60’s themed and there are drink
specials like Pina Coladas!

Here are my other show recommendations this week:

Monday: Queen
Caveat FREE at The Satellite (11pm)
ALSO: Monday Monday FREE at Room 5 featuring Kyler England, Jessica Childress,
Coby Brown, Holly Conlan, etc. (8pm)
ALSO: The Active Set FREE at TRiP (10pm)
ALSO: Barnaby Saints FREE at Silverlake Lounge (11:30)
ALSO: Holly Conlan and Lenka at The Hotel Cafe (7,8)
ALSO: Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers at The Fonda Theatre (9pm)

Tuesday:
Satellite, Lenka, Lelia Broussard at The Hotel Cafe (7,8,9:30)
ALSO: King Washington, Madi Diaz, and Harper Blynn FREE at The Satellite (9pm)
ALSO: The Last Internationale at Hemingways (10:15)
ALSO: Elle King and Willy Moon at The Troubadour (8:30, 9:30)
ALSO: Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers at The Fonda Theatre (9pm)
ALSO: Beachwood Tuesdays FREE at The Piano Bar (8pm)

Weds: Atomic Tom
at The Hotel Cafe (10pm)
ALSO: Mind The Gap and Parade of Lights at The Satellite (9pm)
ALSO: Bryce Soderberg & The 2nd Wheel at The Viper Room (9pm)
ALSO: Mikhael Paskalev FREE at Bootleg Bar (9pm)
ALSO: No Way North, Brothers Zmed, The Absolute, The Space Race at Silverlake
Lounge (8,9,10,11)
ALSO: Jewel at Saban Theatre (8pm)

Thursday: MyPet, Dear
Boy and Meg Myers at The Troubadour (7:30, 8:30, 9:30)
ALSO: Mikhael Paskalev and Caitlin Crosby at The Hotel Cafe (8,9)
ALSO: Gold Fields and Capital Cities at El Rey Theatre (7pm)
ALSO: Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers at The Fonda Theatre (9pm)

Friday: Irontom FREE
at O’Brien’s (11pm)
ALSO: Garrison Starr, Maia Sharp, and AG, Jesse Thomas, Javier Dunn at Room 5
(9, 10, 11)
ALSO: Night Riots with Raheem Cohen, Davis Fetter, Maudlin Strangers, Bad Suns,
and more at The Troubadour (7pm)
ALSO: Black Belt Karate and The Ten Thousand at El Cid (10:30, 11:30)
ALSO: Gold Fields and Capital Cities at The El Rey (7pm)
ALSO: The Boxer Rebellion at Avalon (8pm)
ALSO: Jubilee Music Festival (3pm)

Saturday: Tyler Lyle, Paul Meany (MUTEMATH), The Cerny Brothers at The Hotel Cafe (10pm)
ALSO: Cartel
at The Troubadour (10pm)
ALSO: Shane Alexander at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)
ALSO: Ed Ghost Tucker FREE at TRiP (8:15)
ALSO: Jubilee Music Festival (2pm)
ALSO: Bjork at Hollywood Palladium (7:30)
ALSO: Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers at The Fonda Theatre (9pm)
ALSO: Pat Benatar at The Greek Theatre (7pm)

Sunday: NO at El Cid (11pm)
ALSO: Jesse
Thomas at The Hotel Cafe (7pm)
ALSO: Chi McClean at The Viper Room (9:15)
ALSO: Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers at The Fonda Theatre (9pm)

To Keep in Mind:
June 11th: Leogun at The Roxy
June 13th: Fall Out Boy at The Wiltern
June 22nd: The Staves at Bootleg Bar
June 23rd: Guster, Barenaked Ladies, and Ben Folds Five at The Greek Theatre
June 24th: Zane Carney at The Hotel Cafe
June 25th: Rachael Yamagata at The Troubadour
June 27th: Bernhoft at The Troubadour
July 1st: Anberlin at The Roxy
July 3rd: Adam Arcuargi at The Hotel Cafe
July 15th: The Neighbourhood at The Fonda Theater
July 19th: Passenger at El Rey Theatre
July 23rd: Bastille at The Troubadour
July 23rd: Savages at The El Rey
July 23rd/24th: The Postal Service at The Greek Theatre
August 8th: The Silent Comedy at Fonda Theatre
August 16th: Michael Bernard Fitzgerald at The Troubadour
August 19th/20th: Ed Sheeran at The Staples Center
September 4th: Tegan and Sara at The Greek Theatre
September 20th: twenty one pilots at House of Blues Anaheim (w/ Fall Out Boy
and Panic at The Disco)
September 26th: Hanson at House of Blues Sunset
October 1st: Jake Bugg at Fonda Theatre
October 12th: 30 Seconds to Mars at The Hollywood Bowl

~ Kristen

New Music Tuesday 5/28/13 Featuring Bastille, Laura Marling, Dan and Matt Wilson

Posted on May 28, 2013 by Kristen

Bastille – Haunt EP

It is difficult to find the words to express just how excited I am to have UK’s Bastille finally release some music here in the US. Bastille has been one of those bands I go to for comfort and inspiration and quite frankly, I was getting tired of putting music videos on repeat just to listen to the songs. The EP only has four songs (three from the band’s debut, Bad Blood and a new demo from which the EP gets its name), but I haven’t been this excited about a release since Biffy Clyro’s Opposites. If you just want to sample, iTunes has “Pompeii” available as their free download of the week…get on that one!

Laura Marling – Once I
Was An Eagle

I was lucky enough to catch a live streaming performance of Ms. Marling’s the other day on via KCRW. She simply captivates in a way that reminds me of some of the singer/songwriters I grew up listening to from the 60s/70s. I’ve seen Laura Marling play a few festivals, but honestly, I find her music too intimate for large crowds. Just find yourself alone in a room with your thoughts and put Once I Was An Eagle on the record player and get lost. Through this lens, the record is perfection.

You can listen to the album via NPR first listen here

Dan and Matt Wilson – Minneapolis
2013

You know I’m a huge Dan Wilson fan. Dan and his brother Matt have been in various bands over the years and they came together at the Pantages Theater in Minneapolis to play a show featuring songs spanning their careers. We are quite lucky that they recorded the show and this can now be purchased via their website as a digital download. They did this back in 2010 and although I’m not the biggest fan of live albums, this one I love. You can
stream Minneapolis 2013 on the site as well…

Also:

Imaginary Cities – Fall of Romance
John Fogerty – Wrote a Song For Everyone
Alice in Chains – The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here
Eisley – Currents
Guster – Live Acoustic
Rise Against – Rpm10
CocoRosie – Tales of a Grasswindow

~ Kristen

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 5/27-6/2

Posted on May 27, 2013 by Kristen

Monday: Robert
Schwartzman and Damndogs FREE at The Satellite (10pm)

Tuesday: Cary
Brothers and friends at The Hotel Cafe (7pm)…celebrating Cary Brothers EP release
ALSO: Harper Blynn at The Echo (8pm)…only
$3 at the door if you get there before 10pm
ALSO: Queen Caveat at Peavy Electronics Showroom (8pm)
ALSO: Badass Bands Blog presents at The Silverlake Lounge featuring Tic Tic
Boom and We Are/She Is (9pm)
ALSO: X Ambassadors at The Viper Room (9pm)
ALSO: Crystal Bowersox at The Troubadour (9:30)
ALSO: Lissie at Hollywood Forever Cemetery Masonic Lodge (9pm)
ALSO: Beachwood Tuesday FREE at The Piano Bar (9pm)

Weds: Tyler Hilton
and Curtis Peoples at Saint Rocke (8:30)
ALSO: The Gallery at The Hotel Cafe (8pm)
ALSO: The Echo and The Sound at Lot 1
ALSO: Christopher Dallman at Room 5 (9pm)
ALSO: Imagine Dragons with Nico Vega at Hollywood Palladium (6:30)

Thursday: Joe
Firstman and Golden State at The Viper Room (10,11)
ALSO: Caught a Ghost with Raheem Cohen, Mind The Gap, Kiven, and New Cassettes
at The Roxy (7:30)
ALSO: Toy Bombs at The Satellite (11pm)
ALSO: Dana Williams at Room 5 (10pm)
ALSO: Darren Criss at The House of Blues (7:30)
ALSO: Imagine Dragons at Hollywood Palladium (6:30)

Friday: High
Voltage Presents 2 Buck Friday at Molly Malone’s featuring Deluka, Act as If,
The Knitts, and Radiorelics (9pm)
ALSO: Rocco Deluca and Trixie Whitley at The Troubadour (8:30, 9:30)
ALSO: Sleeping at Last at The Hotel Cafe (8pm)
ALSO: The Cerny Brothers at The Mint (9:30)
ALSO: CHVRCHES at Fonda Theater (9pm)

Saturday:
CHVRCHES at The Troubadour (10pm)
ALSO: George Stanford at WitZend (10pm)
ALSO: Wires in the Walls at El Cid (12am)
ALSO: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club at The Wiltern (8pm)
ALSO: Make Music Pasadena featuring We
Are Scientists, A House for Lions, The Record Company, Youngblood Hawke, The New
Limb, Sleeping at Last etc. (11am) http://www.makemusicpasadena.org/program.php

Sunday: Elle King
at Bootleg Bar (9pm)
ALSO: Morgan Manifacier at Amplyfi (9pm)

To Keep in Mind:
June 4th: Willy Moon at The Troubadour
June 5th: Jewel at Saban Theatre
June 5th: Atomic Tom at The Hotel Cafe
June 6th: Meg Myers and Dear Boy at The Troubadour
June 6th: Capital Cities at The El Rey
June 7th: The Boxer Rebellion at Avalon
June 7th/8th: Jubilee Music Festival
June 8th: Bjork at Hollywood Palladium
June 11th: Leogun at The Roxy
June 13th: Fall Out Boy at The Wiltern
June 22nd: The Staves at Bootleg Bar
June 23rd: Guster, Barenaked Ladies, and Ben Folds Five at The Greek Theatre
June 25th: Rachael Yamagata at The Troubadour
June 27th: Bernhoft at The Troubadour
July 1st: Anberlin at The Roxy
July 3rd: Adam Arcuargi at The Hotel Cafe
July 15th: The Neighbourhood at The Fonda Theater
July 19th: Passenger at El Rey Theatre
July 23rd: Bastille at The Troubadour
July 23rd: Savages at The El Rey
July 23rd/24th: The Postal Service at The Greek Theatre
August 8th: The Silent Comedy at Fonda Theatre
August 19th/20th: Ed Sheeran at The Staples Center
September 4th: Tegan and Sara at The Greek Theatre
September 20th: twenty one pilots at House of Blues Anaheim (w/ Fall
Out Boy and Panic at The Disco)
September 26th: Hanson at House of Blues Sunset
October 1st: Jake Bugg at Fonda Theatre

~ Kristen