Author: Kristen

Kristen’s SXSW ’13 Mix – Part 7 – Haley Bonar, Kodaline, Frank Turner

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SXSW is my favorite time of the year for collecting new artists to watch. Far be it from me to keep these gems to myself. Here are some of bands and songs I discovered this year:

 

19. Haley Bonar – “Bad Reputation”

I was attracted to the tone of Haley Bonar’s voice. It stuck out in a sea of voices while I was going through all the SXSW announced artists and got this Minnesotan a spot on my best of SXSW playlist.

 

20. Kodaline – “All I Want”

These Dubliners made it into one of my top sets of SXSW, partly due to the circumstances surrounding my first seeing them and partly due to their intoxicating tunes like this one. The way this song builds gets me every time. A Kodaline show = a magical experience.

 

21. Frank Turner – “I Still Believe”

I had heard of Frank Turner prior to SXSW 2013, but I hadn’t given him a proper listen. I saw two of his sets this year and, especially the one with The Sleeping Souls, they could be described as one of the more energy-packed, empowering sets I’ve seen. Turner has an impressive ability to stir a crowd into fist-pumping madness. Giving his tunes a few listens, I can tell why. His recently released album, Tape Deck Heart, is packed full of gems.

 

~ Kristen

Kristen’s SXSW ’13 Mix – Part 6 – The Field Effect, Wildlife Control, The Wild Feathers

Posted on by Kristen

SXSW is my favorite time of the year for collecting new artists to watch. Far be it from me to keep these gems to myself. Here are some of bands and songs I discovered this year:

 

16. The Field Effect – “Ogunquit, ME”

This group from Boston was one of my post-SXSW discoveries. I heard this song on the Berklee Party Sampler and found it fun and refreshing. Here’s a clip:

 

17. Wildlife Control – “Analog or Digital”

Wildlife Control is one of those bands whose songs get into your brain without you even noticing. One day I just woke up with this song in my head. I actually had to track down where it had come from.  I immediately put it in my “SXSW mix” folder.

 

18. The Wild Feathers – “Backwoods Company”  

This band I saw a couple different times at SXSW and their live show elevated them from a band to check out to a must see.

 

~ Kristen

Kristen’s SXSW ’13 Mix – Part 5 – Hudson Taylor, Blaudzun, Fetsum

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SXSW is my favorite time of the year for collecting new artists to watch. Far be it from me to keep these gems to myself. Here are some of bands and songs I discovered this year:

 

13. Hudson Taylor – “Cinematic Lifestyle”

These two brothers from Dublin were a stand out from my early listening to SXSW artists. I’m not sure if I saw their name on any SXSW showcase lineups, but I’ve got my eye on them for future dates.

 

14. Blaudzun – “Elephants”

Blaudzun came to Austin from The Netherlands and grabbed my attention with this catchy ditty. Singer Johannes Sigmond has one of those voices, so effortless and clear that it instantly grabs your attention. Pair the voice with smart lyrics and a catchy beat and you have Blaudzun. Their first album to be released in the US, Heavy Flowers, is one to look up.

 

15. Fetsum – “Waiting For You”

This song feels like the warm sun on a summer’s day.  Germany’s Fetsum drew me in with the smooth vocals and kept me listening with positivity and fun worldly beats as showcased in this song.

 

~ Kristen

Kristen’s SXSW ’13 Mix – Part 4 – The View, Six60, Jack Carty

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SXSW is my favorite time of the year for collecting new artists to watch. Far be it from me to keep these gems to myself. Here are some of bands and songs I discovered this year:

 

10. The View – “How Long”

The View is a Scottish rock band…of course they made my list! Their album, Cheeky For A Reason, was one of my Austin purchases that I made after the band got high marks from a friend. The album title, by the way, is perfect!

 

11. Six60 – “Run For It”

The way this song revs up to that first glorious “boom” of sound was instantly compelling and is worth an 11 on the volume meter.  The more of Six60 I listen to, the more I realize that this band from New Zealand really had something special. Can’t wait for them to come back to The States!

 

12. Jack Carty – “She’s Got A Boyfriend” 

There is something about this Australian singer-songwriter that kept me glued to my seat when I saw him perform at The Australian party at Maggie Mae’s (despite having other places to be). I’ve since devoured all of his music including the new EP “The Predictable Crisis of Modern Life” which kicks Carty’s folk-based music up a notch adding new sounds and textures  while maintaining the solid songwriting and heart at the base of any good song.

 

~ Kristen

New Music Tuesday 5/7 Featuring Joshua Radin, Beware of Darkness, Natalie Maines

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Quite a variety of new music released today. Here’s what will be going into my shopping cart.

Joshua Radin – Wax Wings

His first album released independently of a label. I’ve only heard one song, but it sounds like the Joshua Radin we’ve all come to know and love. Expect your new favorite love song to be found here…

 

Beware of Darkness – Orthodox

I have been waiting for this one…you wanna rock?

 

Natalie Maines – Mother

I’m a fan of The Dixie Chicks so I’m looking forward to hearing this album. It gets bumped to the top of the list because she covers one of my favorite songs, “Free Life” by Dan Wilson.

 

 

Other releases I hope to check out:

  • Lady Antebellum – Golden
  • Rod Stewart – Time
  • Patty Griffin – American Kid
  • Music of Nashville Season 1, Vol.2
  • She & Him – Volume 3
  • Fitz & The Tantrums – More Than Just A Dream
  • Savages – Silence Yourself
  • Little Boots – Nocturnes
  • HIM- Tears on Tape
  • Goo Goo Dolls – Magnetic
  • Vampire Weekend – Modern Vampires Of The City
  • Noah And The Whale – Heart of Nowhere

~ Kristen

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 5/6-5/12

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It seems that it is Sunday again whether I like it or not. It’s been a good week. Band-wise, I got to see an old favorite (Joe Firstman), a current obsession (Irontom), and  a few new bands that will be making my lists including The Heavy Heavy Hearts and The Last Internationale the latter of whom I saw at my new favorite Thursday event, the Sunset Strip Farmers Market. Music, food, and honey lemonade…definitely worth looking into (http://sunsetstripmarket.com/).

Yesterday was Star Wars day and today Cinco de Mayo so there is a lot to celebrate. Although I did go to a Star Wars party, I spend a good part of it dealing with an email from my boss with the subject line “favor” (never a good thing). I continue the work theme today as I watch Antonioni’s Blow Up with commentary and plan my week ahead.

Lots of good shows next week…too many really. Especially on Thursday. I guess my top picks would to go Tuesday night at The Roxy with Irontom, Dinner and a Suit, and The Parlotones and Stephen Kellogg’s solo appearance at The Hotel Cafe on Sunday. I’ve listened to his forthcoming record and am very excited to see the songs performed live.

 

Monday: Scott Mellis at Molly Malone’s (9:55)
ALSO: Robert Schwartzman FREE at The Satellite (11pm)
ALSO: Will Hutchinson at The Hotel Cafe (8pm)
ALSO: Iron and Wine at The Grammy Museum (8pm)
ALSO: It’s a School Night featuring Hunter Hunted at Bardot…FREE with RSVP http://www.itsaschoolnight.com/losangeles/ (9pm)
ALSO: Frankie & Friends at The Viper Room Acoustic Lounge (9pm)
ALSO: Monday Monday at Room 5 featuring Casey Abrams, Angel Taylor, Jessarae, Joel Eckels, etc. (8pm)

 

Tuesday: Irontom, Dinner and a Suit, The Parlotones at The Roxy (7pm)
ALSO: Tom Odell at The Troubadour (9:30)
ALSO: Jihae at The Viper Room (8pm)
ALSO: Matt Jordan at WItZend (9pm)
ALSO: Joshua Radin at Largo (8:30)
ALSO: Laura Stevenson at The Echo (10pm)
ALSO: Kurt Vile and the Violators at The Echoplex (8pm)

 

Weds: The Milk Carton Kids at Largo (8pm)
ALSO: Ashes Divide and Carina Round and more at The Satellite (9pm)
ALSO: Meiko at The Hotel Cafe (10pm)

 

Thursday: Dead Sara with Diamonds Under Fire at The El Rey (7pm)
ALSO: The Milk Carton Kids at Largo (8pm)
ALSO: Sara Watkins, Fiction Family, Kris Orlowski at Bootleg Theater (9pm)
ALSO: Jessica Childress and Caitlin Crosby at The Hotel Cafe (8,9)
ALSO: Infantree, Animals of Kin, Solwave at Central SAPC (8,9,10)
ALSO: Deluka at Three Clubs (10pm)
ALSO: The Technicolors at The Satellite (11pm)
ALSO: Rumours: The Ultimate Fleetwood Mac Tribute and Bleu at The Roxy (8pm)
ALSO: Mayday Parade and You Me at Six at The Hollywood Palladium (5:30)

 

Friday: Jay Brannan with Terra Naomi, Jake Newton, TeamMate at The Hotel Cafe (7, 9:30, 10:30)
ALSO: Alfa at Room 5 (8pm)
ALSO: An Evening with Chris Thile and Michael Daves (8pm)
ALSO: Kate Nash at The Troubadour (10pm)
ALSO: Tea Leaf Green and Terraplane Sun at The Roxy (8pm)

 

Saturday: Eli Rise Presents Creep Show 12 at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)
ALSO: Speak at On the Rox (8pm)
ALSO: Nikki Leonti at WitZend (9pm)
ALSO: Jim James at Fonda Theatre (9pm)

 

Sunday: Stephen Kellogg with Rebecca Pidgeon at The Hotel Cafe (7pm)
ALSO: Grand Ole Echo with Brian Whelan FREE at The Echoplex (5pm)

 

To Keep in Mind:
May 13th: Serena Ryder at The Troubadour
May 14th: Sara Bareilles at The El Rey
May 14th: The Kin at The Viper Room
May 15th: Andrew McMahon at The Troubadour
May 18th: Dan Wilson at McCabe’s
May 18-19th: Overture Con at The Mint
May 21st: Kate Nash at The Echo
May 21st: The Postelles at Bootleg Theater
May 22nd: Youngblood Hawke at Avalon
May 22nd: The Shadowboxers at The Viper Room
May 23rd: The Mowgli’s at The Roxy
May 24th: Sir Sly at The Troubadour
May 24th: Jay Nash at McCabe’s
May 28th: Lissie at Masonic Lodge at The Hollywood Forever Cemetery
May 28th: Cary Brothers at The Hotel Cafe
May 29th/30th: Imagine Dragons at Hollywood Palladium
May 31st: CHVRCHES at Fonda Theater
June 1st: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club at The Wiltern
June 1st: CHVRCHES at The Troubadour
June 1st: Make Music Pasadena
June 4th: Willy Moon at The Troubadour
June 5th: Jewel at Saban Theatre
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 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 19th: Passenger at El Rey Theatre
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 26th: Hanson at House of Blues Sunset

~ Kristen

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New Band Love: Irontom

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“I think tonight I’ll be head banging in my sleep” – friend after seeing Irontom for the first time

The quote is particularly relevant as it came from someone who’s last shows with me were Joshua Radin, Rachael Yamagata, and Ryan Cabrera.  Irontom is…well, not like that.

Yes, this band is full of young promising talent. Yes, the music is fresh and exciting. Yes, there are quite a few bands that could be described as such. What sets Irontom apart is the seductive energy that comes through every rockin’ guitar lick or dramatic flick of frontman Harry Hayes’ hands. There is something about the band that can make just about anyone feel the groove and start to dance. They are that band that the more you listen to, the more you crave.

I’ve seen the band twice in the last week, so my craving is pretty extreme. Fortunately, the band is playing again next week opening for The Parlotones: Monday (May 6th) in San Diego at The Griffin and Tuesday (May 7th) at The Roxy.

If you can’t make it to Southern California, here are some other links to help you get more familiar with Irontom. Their The Loose EP can be downloaded on iTunes and the band has a new EP coming out something this month. Friend, follow, etc the band to get the details!

website

facebook

twitter

tumblr

 

~ Kristen