Author: Kristen

Kristen’s SXSW ’13 Mix – Part 3 – Kassidy, Kid Karate, Kill It Kid

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:

7. Kassidy – “One Man Army” 

My SXSW moment with Kassidy is one of my favorites (see top 10 sets). I’m looking forward to hearing their new “mini album” People Like Me which will hopefully make its appearance on American iTunes in the near future…there is just not enough music available from these guys!

 

8. Kid Karate – “Two Times”

This song strikes me as having a very “Jack White” quality. I like that. I like this song.

 

 9. Kill It Kid – “Pray on Me”

Another British rock band that makes my list (I do have my proclivities). I love the dueling male and female vocals and the unique sound which Wikipedia amusingly labels blues/grunge/Americana.

 

~ Kristen

Kristen’s SXSW ’13 Mix – Part 2 – CHVRCHES, Everything Everything, Emma Louise

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:

4. Chvrches – “Lies” 

Another band I was looking forward to seeing in Austin, but every time I tried, the line out the door was a bit too much of a deterrent. This Scottish electro-pop group sold out the Troubadour in June so fast that the added a second LA show at The Fonda (!). Rising stars for sure.

 

5. Everything Everything – “Duet”

They ended up cancelling their SXSW gigs, but I was incredibly grateful they kept their LA date at The Roxy. This song took this band from one I’d like to see to one I needed to see.

 

 6. Emma Louise – “Jungle”

This catchy pop tune from Australian singer Emma Louise caught my ear upon first listen…and didn’t let go. You have been warned.

 

~ Kristen

Kristen’s SXSW ’13 Mix – Part 1 – Moon Taxi, The Virginmarys, Young Guns

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:

1. Moon Taxi – “Mercury”

Moon Taxi was the first band I saw this year and they made a lasting impression. Went out of my way to see them again later in the week and this song transformed me into a dancing fiend!

 2. The Virginmarys– “Dead Man’s Shoes”

This Virginmarys was that one band I just didn’t quite get to see, despite multiple “almosts”. They were part of one of my favorite showcases from Wind-Up Records which also featured Civil Twilight, Young Guns, Jillette Johnson, and another fun new discover, Crobot.  I was fortunate enough to see these British rockstars when they came through LA and they lived up to all the hype and went beyond to play one of the more rockin’ sets in my recent memory. New band love!

 

 3. Young Guns – “Bones (Acoustic)”

Going to Austin, Young Guns was one of the bands I was most excited to see. They did not disappoint. I had been introduced to them via this acoustic track, but they put on an amazingly high energy rock show. Still, I will always contend, my favorite rockers are the ones who can best pull off an acoustic take on their tracks…and seeing them play an acoustic mini-set for Record Store Day cemented this band’s talent and a place on my “watch” list.

 

~ Kristen

New Music Tuesday 4/30/13 Featuring Keaton Simons and Lights

Posted on by Kristen

It’s a new Tuesday, so there is new music. Here’s what I’ve picked up this week:

Keaton Simons  – Beautiful Pain

This album has been a loooong time coming in my book as I have been a Keaton Simons fan for many years and am already familiar with many of the songs. To finally have tunes like “Is There Any Other Way”, “Other Side”, and “Inspiration” in CD form is beyond thrilling. These, in addition to songs I already see as classics like the rockin’ “The Medicine” CD opener “Thrill of It All” and one of my favorite songs (ever), the heart-melting “Beautiful Pain”. Keaton is such a talent as a songwriter, guitar player, performer, etc. Beautiful Pain is a must have for any collection.

 

Lights – Siberia Acoustic

You know how I love it when bands go acoustic. Lights has a gorgeous voice which is generally surrounded by an electronic-tinged chorus of instrumentation. With Siberia Acoustic, songs from her last album are stripped back, augmenting the power and beauty of the vocal and the lyrical strength of the songs. I love it.

 

Others to look into:

  • The Postelles – & It Shook Me
  • Airbourne Toxic Event – Such Hot Blood
  • Daughter – If You Leave
  • Hanni El Khatib – Head in the Dirt
  • Alice Russell – To Dust
  • Big Black Delta – Big Black Delta
  • Beady Eye – BE

~ Kristen

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 4/29-5/5

Posted on by Kristen

No, I didn’t get into The Rolling Stones warm up show at The Echoplex on Saturday. As epic as that experience would have been, I honestly had other plans that I was more excited about and seeing SXSW standout’s The Virginmarys at The Viper Room was the highlight of my week!

There have been quite a few last minute shows from major acts lately. Barring any further pop ups, here’s what I’m contemplating this week:

Monday: The Heavy Heavy Hearts FREE at Los Globos (9:45)
ALSO: Jessie Payo and Abbot Kinney FREE at Silverlake Lounge (8, 11)
ALSO: Barnaby Saints at Viper Room (8pm)
ALSO: It’s a School Night at Bardot featuring Big Black Delta Album Launch Party (9pm)…FREE with RSVP http://www.itsaschoolnight.com/losangeles/
ALSO: Monday Monday at Room 5 featuring Scott Mellis, Michael Doman, Joel Eckels, Casey Abrams, and more (8pm)

 

Tuesday: FM Radio at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)
ALSO: The Spreewells, Irontom, and The Echo and The Sound at Silverlake Lounge (9pm)
ALSO: The Record Company at The Mint (9pm)
ALSO: Beachwood Tuesdays FREE at The Piano Bar (8pm)

 

Weds: The Dead Ships, So Many Wizards, and NO at Bootleg Bar (9,10,11)
ALSO: Old Crow Medicine Show at The El Rey (7pm)
ALSO: Kitten and Paramore at The Wiltern (7pm)

 

Thursday: Joe Firstman (Ojos) and Daniel Bedingfield at The Viper Room (9,10)
ALSO: Alice Russell FREE at Amoeba Records (6pm)
ALSO: Crash Kings at Saint Rocke (10pm)
ALSO: Korey Dane at Room 5 (9pm)…last night of his month-long residency
ALSO: Justin Hopkins at El Cid (9pm)
ALSO: Meiko at Los Globos (10pm)
ALSO: Lights at The El Rey (7pm)
ALSO: The Felice Brothers and The Killers at Los Angeles Sports Arena (8:45)

 

Friday: Holly Conlan, Kiven at The Hotel Cafe (9,11)
ALSO: The Young Romans at Molly Malone’s (8:55)
ALSO: The Heavy Heavy Hearts FREE at TRiP (8pm)
ALSO: The White Buffalo at Saint Rocke (10pm)
ALSO: Raheem Cohen and Great White Buffalo at Bootleg Bar (9pm)

 

Saturday: Vegan Beer Fest at The Roxy featuring Saint Motel, Janks, Branches (1pm)
ALSO: K’s Choice, Keaton Simons at The Hotel Cafe (7, 10:30)
ALSO: The Brobecks and Picture Atlantic at Amplyfi (6pm)…late show at 9pm sold out
ALSO: Wise Cub at The Mint (9pm)
ALSO: The Cerny Brothers at Bootleg Bar (10pm)
ALSO: Alice Russell at First Unitarian Church (8pm)
ALSO: Wilson Phillips at Saban Theatre (9pm)

 

Sunday: The Lot Party at PCI City Parking Lot (1633 Wilcox) featuring Semi Precious Weapons, Nico Vega, Crash Kings, Andy Clockwise, and more (noon- 10pm)
ALSO: Grand Ole Echo FREE at The Echo featuring The Dahls (5pm)

 

To Keep in Mind:
May 6th: Iron and Wine at The Grammy Museum
May 7th: Tom Odell at The Troubadour
May 7th: Dinner and a Suit at The Roxy
May 8th/9th: Milk Carton Kids at Largo
May 9th: Dead Sara at The El Rey
May 9th: Sara Watkins, Fiction Family, Kris Orlowski at Bootleg Theater
May 9th: Mayday Parade and You Me at Six at Hollywood Palladium
May 11th: Speak at On the Rox
May 11th: Creepshow at The Hotel Cafe
May 12th: Stephen Kellogg at The Hotel Cafe
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 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 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 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 8th: Bjork at Hollywood Palladium
June 13th: Fall Out Boy at The Wiltern
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 23rd/24th: The Postal Service at The Greek 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 Music Tuesday 4/23/13 featuring Youngblood Hawke, Solardrive, Frank Turner

Posted on by Kristen

I am absolutely thrilled that two of my favorite CA-based bands are battling to get to the top of the charts with their new releases this week. Since I pimped The Neighbourhood’s debut I Love You. last week, today I’ll sing the praises of Youngblood Hawke’s Wake Up. Both albums are stellar and prime examples of the talent and taste coming from LA these days.

There are actually several albums I would highly recommend looking into that come out this week. Here’s a sampling of my top picks:

Youngblood Hawke – Wake Up

For all your get up and dance needs, there is Youngblood Hawke. Their new album is a collection of old favorites including their hit, “We Come Running” as well as newer gems. The band’s high energy, fun/cool vibe translates well on disc. I’ve been going to Youngblood Hawke shows for a while and it’s nice to finally be able to take the show home (dance party in the living room!).  The album title is apt…the songs call you wake up and be attentive and appreciative of the world around you.

Buy it here

 

Solardrive – Solardrive

Beat-maker extraordinaire, Balthazar Getty, has a new project and it’s called Solardrive. The self-titled debut album might best be explained by Balthazar himself in the following EPK. You can stream the entire album which features a few guest vocalists here. For those who love chilling out with some lazy beats. Seriously, I can’t help but relax a little when I put this record on…

get it here

 

Frank Turner – Tape Deck Heart

SXSW 2013 standout, Frank Turner, further showcases his unique brand of folk-punk in his latest release, Tape Deck Heart. I haven’t been able to listen to the entire 17-song album, but from what I’ve heard at the live shows, it will be a worthy addition to anyone’s CD collection.

buy it here

 

Also worth checking out:

Listen! Learn! Love!

~ Kristen

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 4/22-4/28

Posted on by Kristen

It’s been a busy week of deadlines. I didn’t really get out much and when this happens I can go a bit crazy. I might do stupid things like buy expensive concert tickets just to see a 20min set from the opening band (The Neighbourhood on Tuesday were amazing). I also might do things like go from a brilliant acoustic Young Guns set to see The Backstreet Boys just to avoid staring at the computer screen for a day.

And now it’s Sunday and despite working until 2am on Friday night, I’m so behind with what I needed to do this weekend. Hopefully things won’t leak over too much into next week as I’d really like to start going to shows again. My number one pick would probably be The Virginmarys on Saturday at The Viper Room, but I feel like there are a lot of really solid rock line ups this week and I am beyond ready to rock it out!

 

Monday: Sad Robot at The Viper Room (9pm)
ALSO: Daniel Bedingfield FREE at Central SAPC (10pm)
ALSO: Abbot Kinney FREE at Silverlake Lounge (11pm)
ALSO: Monday Monday FREE at Room 5 featuring Casey Abrams, Jackie Does Joel, and more (8pm)

 

Tuesday: The Revival Tour at The El Rey (7pm)
ALSO: FM Radio at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)
ALSO: Beachwood Tuesdays FREE at The Piano Bar (8pm)

 

Weds: Armada, Black Belt Karate, Sad Robot at The Satellite (9pm)
ALSO: David & Devine at The Hotel Cafe (10pm)
ALSO: Death of a Star at The Viper Room (10pm)
ALSO: Davis Fetter at Silverlake Lounge (9pm)
ALSO: Andy Davis at The Mint (10pm)
ALSO: Vonda Shepard at Saint Rocke (10pm)

 

Thursday:  The Active Set, Soft Swells, and Dear Boy at Bootleg Bar (9pm)
ALSO: Caitlin Crosby at The Hotel Cafe (10pm)
ALSO: Korey Dane at Room 5 (9pm)
ALSO: The Little Willies at The Roxy (8pm)

 

Friday: Smokey Knights, Jack Littman, Broken Anchor, Light FM at Molly Malone’s (9pm)
ALSO: BritWeek with The Veils at The Echo (10pm)
ALSO: Wires in the Walls, Francisco The Man and Chappo at The Satellite (9pm)
ALSO: Fine at El Cid (10:30)
ALSO: Lady Sinatra at The Viper Room (10pm)
ALSO: That Noise, Beatnik Jr and more FREE at House Party above the District Skate/Surf/BMX shop (12015 Venice Blvd) (9:30)

 

Saturday: The Virginmarys and IAMDYNAMITE at The Viper Room (8,9)
ALSO: The Lonely Forest at The Satellite (10pm)
ALSO: Icarus Landing at The Joint (8pm)
ALSO: Whitehorse and Song Preservation Society (8,10)
ALSO: BritWeek with New Build, NO CEREMONY///, Blood Red Shoes, etc. at The Echo/The Echoplex (5pm)

 

Sunday: ?

 

 

To Keep in Mind:
May 2nd: Lights at The El Rey
May 2nd: Crash Kings at Saint Rocke
May 2nd: Meiko at Los Globos
May 2nd: The Rolling Stones at Staples Center
May 4th: The Brobecks at Amplyfi
May 4th: Alice Russell at First Unitarian Church
May 4th: Saint Motel at The Roxy
May 6th: Iron and Wine at The Grammy Museum
May 7th: Tom Odell at The Troubadour
May 7th: Dinner and a Suit at The Roxy
May 8th/9th: Milk Carton Kids at Largo
May 9th: Dead Sara at The El Rey
May 9th: Sara Watkins, Fiction Family, Kris Orlowski at Bootleg Theater
May 9th: Mayday Parade and You Me at Six at Hollywood Palladium
May 11th: Speak at On the Rox
May 12th: Stephen Kellogg at The Hotel Cafe
May 13th: Serena Ryder at The Troubadour
May 14th: Sara Bareilles at The El Rey
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 22nd: Youngblood Hawke at Avalon
May 24th: Sir Sly at The Troubadour
May 28th: Lissie at Masonic Lodge at The Hollywood Forever Cemetery
May 29th/30th: Imagine Dragons at Hollywood Palladium
June 1st: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club at The Wiltern
June 1st: CHVRCHES at The Troubadour
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 8th: Bjork at Hollywood Palladium
June 25th: Rachael Yamagata at The Troubadour
August 19th/20th: Ed Sheeran at The Staples Center
September 26th: Hanson at House of Blues Sunset

~ Kristen

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