Author: Kristen

Kristen’s Top 10 Acts to See at SXSW ’13

Posted on by Kristen

I’ve listened to over 1600 bands, RSVPed to countless parties, and have a schedule that is twenty some pages long. It’s impossible to see everything you want during SXSW, so in order to help keep me sane, I’ve selected a few bands that I hope to prioritize in the coming week.

 

1. twenty one pilots

This band is my current obsession after seeing them play in LA at The Troubadour. Their unexpected yet compelling songs and insane live energy make them a can’t miss and I intend to see them upon every opportunity.

Where to catch twenty one pilots:

Wednesday at 4pm at Waterloo Records Outdoor Stage (600 N Lamar)…playing with the also buzz-worthy Tegan & Sara and Macklemore & Ryan so be sure to get there early

Wednesday at 5:30 at The Warner Sound Party at The Belmont (305 W 6th St)

At some point in the week at The Spotify House click here for more information and to RSVP for this pop up show: http://spotifyhouse.splashthat.com/

 

2. BOY

Boy’s album “Mutual Friends” is my favorite album to come out this year so far.  After seeing them live at The Troubadour last week, they have firmly cemented themselves as one of my top picks for SXSW.

Where to catch BOY:

Wednesday 3pm at The Radio Day Stage at The Austin Convention Center

Wednesday 12:30am at The Central Presbyterian Church (200 E 8th St)

Friday 12am at Hickory Street (800 Congress Ave)

Saturday 1:30 at Never Clock Out Day Party at Peckerheads (402 E 6th St)

 

3. Leogun

If you’ve been reading any LMN lately, you know I’m in love with this band from the UK. And one day I will see them play “Drunk Enough” live…

Where to catch Leogun:

Thursday 10pm at StubHub Live Showcase at Old School (401 E 6th St)

Saturday 10:45 at VEVO TV Control Room (304 W 4th ST)

 

4. Frank Turner

I had to miss Frank Turner at The Roxy last week due to illness…sigh. I will not make that mistake again at SXSW. Frank is an amazing performer and has a new album coming out in April which means new songs!!

Here’s the video for the first single off the forthcoming album, Tape Deck Heart:

Where to catch Frank Turner:

http://frank-turner.com/blog/2013/03/south-by-south-madness/

 

5. Bastille

Bastille’s “Flaws” made one of my end of year mixes two years ago and the guy has yet to play a city that I can get to. Sure, he’s from the UK, but still…I’ve been waiting far too long to miss out on a Bastille show.

What to catch Bastille:

Tuesday 1am at The British Embassy/Latitude 30 (512 San Jacinto)

Wednesday 10pm at Club DeVille (900 Red River Rd)

Thursday 1pm at The Filter at Cedar Street Courtyard Party (208 W 4th)

 

6. Young Guns – of all the bands I listened to, Young Guns was probably my favorite of those I’d never heard before
See them Thursday 3:30 at The Wind Up Records Party at Empire Control Room (606 E 7th St)

7. Sir Sly – after finally getting a sense of who these guys are last month at their Echo residency, I’m just craving more
See them Thursday 1pm at The Hype Hotel (301 Brazos St)

8. The Milk Carton Kids – hands down one of my favorite live performances come from this acoustic duo
See them Saturday 10pm at The Central Presbyterian Church (200 E 8th St)

9. Andrew McMahon – because Something Corporate will always hold a very special place in my heart
See him Friday 3:05 at Quantum Collective’s Whole Foods Rooftop Showcase (525 N Lamar)

10. Lions In The Street  – I’ve been wanting to see this Vancouver band for more years than I care to admit…SXSW’13 will mark the first time we’ve been in the same city at the same time!
See them Saturday 1am at BD Riley’s (204 E 6th St)

 

I could go on…but follow LMN on twitter (@_localmusicnat) to see what we’re up to all week and stay tuned here for nightly recaps of our adventures!

 

~ Kristen

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 3/11-3/17

Posted on by Kristen

A teensy bit overwhelmed by everything I still have to do for SXSW. We’re leaving tomorrow. I’ve got my incredibly overwhelming schedule, my extra pair of comfy shoes, and my camera so I should be good, right? Oh, did I mention I got sick last week and lost my voice? Still recovering from that so…yay. Tonight is The Silent Comedy at The Casbah down in San Diego. I’m sad The Silent Comedy boys won’t be at SXSW this year, but I couldn’t be more grateful for an SD show conveniently booked the night before I need to catch a plane from SD…also, I have plenty of other artists to track down in Austin (my top picks list should be coming out tomorrow).

If you’re staying in LA this week, you have a lot to look forward to as well. There are some really good residencies this month. Sad Robot Tuesdays at Hemmingway’s, David & Devine at The Hotel Cafe Weds nights, and Sonia Rao and Elliot Yamin at WitZend every Thursday. Don’t let the month pass you by without seeing all of these great acts.

Here are the rest of my musical suggestions:

Monday: Lucy Rose at The Hotel Cafe (8pm)
ALSO: It’s a School Night at Bardot featuring MO and Mikhael Paskalev (9pm)
ALSO: Monday Monday FREE at Room 5 featuring Scott Mellis, Erin Willett, Jackie Does Joel and MORE (8pm)

 

Tuesday: Sad Robot and The Ten Thousands at Hemmingways (9pm)
ALSO: Madi Diaz and Robert Francis at The Hotel Cafe (8,9)
ALSO: MO and CHVRCHES at The Echo (10pm)
ALSO: Broken Anchor at The Satellite (11pm)
ALSO: Beachwood Tuesdays FREE at The Piano Bar (8pm)

 

Weds: Meiko and David & Devine at The Hotel Cafe (8, 10)
ALSO: Frightened Rabbit at The Fonda Theatre (9pm)

 

Thursday: Belmont Lights at The Roxy (9pm)
ALSO: Sonia Rao and Elliot Yamin at WitZend (9, 10)
ALSO: Rocco DeLuca at The Viper Room (9pm)

 

Friday: Anais Mitchell at McCabe’s (8pm)
ALSO: Chris Stills at The Hotel Cafe (10pm)
ALSO: The Ten Thousand with The Vim Dicta at Bootleg Bar (9pm)…EP Preview Party
ALSO: Northern Youth at Casey’s (10pm)
ALSO: Maroon 5 with Neon Trees and Owl City at Staples Center (8pm)

 

Saturday: Katrina Parker at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)

 

Sunday: Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

 

 

To Keep in Mind:
March 19th: Ivan & Alyosha at The Echo
March 19th: Everything Everything at The Roxy
March 19th: Foxes at Bootleg Bar
March 20th: Nico Vega, Atlas Genius, and Imagine Dragons at The Wiltern
March 20th: Charlotte Church at The Troubadour
March 21st: The Rubens and Finish Ticket at The Hotel Cafe
March 24th: Janis Ian at McCabe’s
March 25th: Dinner and a Suit at The Hotel Cafe
March 27th: Mika at The El Rey
March 27th: Milk Carton Kids at Largo
April 3rd: William Beckett at The Hotel Café
April 4th: NO at The Troubadour
April 9th: Andrew Ripp at The Hotel Café
April 16th: The Neighbourhood at The El Rey
April 17th: Lelia Broussard at The Hotel Cafe
April 18th: Little Green Cars at The Troubadour
April 20th: Tyrone Wells and Wakey!Wakey! at The Troubadour
April 23rd: The Revival Tour at The El Rey
April 26th: Chappo at The Satellite
May 2nd: Lights at The El Rey
May 2nd: Crash Kings at Saint Rocke
May 4th: The Brobecks at Amplyfi
May 7th: Tom Odell at The Troubadour
May 8th/9th: Milk Carton Kids at Largo
May 18-19th: Overture Con at The Mint
May 22nd: Youngblood Hawke at Avalon
May 29th/30th: Imagine Dragons at Hollywood Palladium
June 1st: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club at The Wiltern
June 5th: Jewel at Saban Theatre
June 6th: Capital Cities at The El Rey
August 19th/20th: Ed Sheeran at The Staples Center

~ Kristen

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New Music Tuesday 3/5/13 Featuring Michael Bernard Fitzgerald, Semi Precious Weapons, and k.s. Rhoads

Posted on by Kristen

There aren’t too many new releases I’m excited about today, that doesn’t mean I don’t have some new music to share!

Michael Bernard Fitzgerald – Firecracker EP

Firstly, I do love the Firecracker EP released today by Canadian Michael Bernard Fitzgerald. I saw Michael play the Hotel Cafe a month or so ago and was compelled not just by his performance, but by the songwriting showcased so well on this teaser of an EP.

you can stream the EP on Spotify here: http://open.spotify.com/album/2LByR1fHgu1GFIEfTX0nye

Here’s an acoustic take on the EP title track, “Firecracker”:

I also have a couple videos that came out most recently and hint and some excellent music to come:

Semi Precious Weapons – “Aviation High”

Semi Precious Weapons have been a bit MIA lately, but it looks like they’ve been busy gearing up for a massive re-launch, hinted at by this video for their new single, “Aviation High”. If you’re in Los Angeles tonight, the boys take the stage at the exclusive Sayers Club for their first public performance in quite a while. Don’t miss it!

k.s. Rhoads– “Orphaned”

Multi-talented Nashville-based artist, k.s. Rhoads has a new album coming out later this month aptly titled The Wilderness. Here is a cool video for his new song “Orphaned” where he explore the wilderness of Nashville in a space suit.

Listen! Learn! Love!

 

~ Kristen

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 3/3-3/11

Posted on by Kristen

I’m putting my calendar together from a wonderful little cafe in Santa Monica. It’s a very calming place that has comfy chairs, pink ginger lemonade and good music. What more do I need?

With SXSW music week just around the corner, LA is getting some great out of country acts stopping in this week on their way to Austin. By way of Germany we have Fetsum and indie pop darlings Boy playing Bardot and The Troubadour.  Australia’s Jack Carty, The Trouble With Templeton, and Emma Louise all have at least one show this week. If you want to rock out, try Canada’s Mother Mother at The Viper Room or New Zealand’s Six60 at Los Globos. Also from Canada, Said The Whale and Wake Owl will be at The Hotel Cafe. Finally, the UK has a couple outstanding troubadours in town with Marcus Foster and Frank Turner. You won’t get many chances to see any of these artists, so if you dig ‘em, be sure to go see ‘em!

For more details and more music recommendations, keep reading!

Monday: Deadly Birds at The Viper Room (11pm)
ALSO: It’s a School Night at Bardot featuring Fetsum (9pm)
ALSO: Drive He Said FREE at Silverlake Lounge (9pm)
ALSO Monday Monday FREE at Room 5 (8pm)…a sampling of local singer-songwriters

 

Tuesday: Mother Mother and Lolove at The Viper Room (10,11)
ALSO: Armada and Sad Robot and at Hemmingway’s (9,10)…Sad Robot residency!
ALSO: Semi Precious Weapons at Sayer’s Club (10pm)
ALSO: Chi McClean at Room 5 (9pm)
ALSO: Marcus Foster with Sean Rowe and Ruston Kelly at The Troubadour (8pm)
ALSO: Robert Francis and Broken Anchor at The Hotel Cafe (9:30, 10:30)
ALSO: Beachwood Tuesdays FREE at Piano Bar featuring The Filthy Souls (12am)

 

Weds: Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls at The Roxy (7pm)
ALSO: Hey Marsilles at The Satellite (10pm)
ALSO: Beware of Darkness at The Central SAPC (10pm)
ALSO: Gayle Skidmore, Sweet Talk Radio, and David & Devine at The Hotel Cafe (7, 9, 10)

 

Thursday: Frank Turner, Noah Gundersen, Wake Owl, and Said The Whale at The Hotel Cafe (7, 8, 9:30, 11:30)
ALSO: The Mowgli’s and Youngblood Hawke at The Troubadour (9,10)
ALSO: Sonia Rao and Elliot Yamin at WitZend (9, 10)
ALSO: Buckcherry at The Viper Room (9pm)

 

Friday: Boy at The Troubadour (10pm)
ALSO: Emma Louise and Mariah McManus at The Hotel Cafe (7,8)
ALSO: Joshua James at Bootleg Theatre (10:30)
ALSO: Jack Carty at WitZend (10pm)
ALSO: Badwater at El Cid (10:15)
ALSO: Erin McKeown at McCabe’s (8pm)
ALSO: Buckcherry at The Viper Room (9pm)

 

Saturday: Andy Clockwise and Irontom at The Satellite (9pm)
ALSO: Nightlands at The Echoplex (9pm)
ALSO: Zookeeper’s Palace at Good Hurt (9pm)
ALSO: Jack Carty at Talking Stick Lounge
ALSO: The Trouble With Templeton at The Hotel Cafe (8pm)
ALSO: Buckcherry at The Viper Room (9pm)

 

Sunday: Aussie BBQ at The Echo featuring Jack Carty, Trouble With Templeton, and more (event starts at noon)
ALSO: Six60 and Mind The Gap at Los Globos (7pm)

 

 

To Keep in Mind:
March 11th: Lucy Rose at The Hotel Cafe
March 12th: CHVRCHES at The Echo
March 13th: Frightened Rabbit at The Music Box
March 14th: Belmont Lights at The Roxy
March 15th: Anais Mitchell at McCabe’s
March 19th: Ivan & Alyosha at The Echo
March 19th: Everything Everything at The Roxy
March 19th: Foxes at Bootleg Bar
March 20th: Nico Vega, Atlas Genius, and Imagine Dragons at The Wiltern
March 20th: Charlotte Church at The Troubadour
March 21st: The Rubens and Finish Ticket at The Hotel Cafe
March 24th: Janis Ian at McCabe’s
March 25th: Dinner and a Suit at The Hotel Cafe
March 27th: Mika at The El Rey
March 27th: Milk Carton Kids at Largo
April 3rd: William Beckett at The Hotel Café
April 4th: NO at The Troubadour
April 9th: Andrew Ripp at The Hotel Café
April 16th: The Neighbourhood at The El Rey
April 18th: Little Green Cars at The Troubadour
April 20th: Tyrone Wells and Wakey!Wakey! at The Troubadour
April 23rd: The Revival Tour at The El Rey
April 26th: Chappo at The Satellite
May 8th/9th: Milk Carton Kids at Largo
May 18-19th: Overture Con at The Mint
May 22nd: Youngblood Hawke at Avalon
May 29th/30th: Imagine Dragons at Hollywood Palladium
June 1st: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club at The Wiltern
June 5th: Jewel at Saban Theatre
June 6th: Capital Cities at The El Rey
August 19th/20th: Ed Sheeran at The Staples Center

~ Kristen

http://www.localmusicnation.net/

https://twitter.com/_localmusicnat

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New Music Tuesday 2/26/13 featuring Boy, Finish Ticket, Escondido

Posted on by Kristen

Looking for new music? Here are some recommendations from music coming out today…

Boy – Mutual Friends

This German duo was an instant music love for me. Their debut album, Mutual Friends is one of my favorite albums to be released this year. Their dreamy pop vocals almost betray a layered and more complex depth to their songs which just get better and better upon each listen. Get your tickets now for their show at The Troubadour March 8th.

 

Finish Ticket– Tears You Apart

San Francisco’s indie rock group Finish Ticket has been tickling my ear buds with singles like “Doctor” and “Tranquilize” for weeks now in anticipate of the release of their first full length album, Tears You Apart. This is the album I’ve been listening to all day. On repeat. Check out the album stream and buy the album on itunes. The band will be in LA at The Hotel Cafe March 21st.

Here’s one of my favorites, “Tranquilize”:

 

Escondido – The Ghost of Escondido

Tyler James and Jessica Maros are two Nashville-based artists who have gotten together to record a beautiful record. I got a taste with the duo’s EP released last year and I’m looking forward to hearing more with The Ghost of Escondido.

 

Other albums to check out:

 

~ Kristen

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 2/25-3/3

Posted on by Kristen

Happy Oscar Day! Are you watching? Do you have any favorites? My favorite movie of the year (although not nominated) is Perks of Being a Wallflower so in honor of a day where we celebrate the movies of the past year, I’m watching Perks. I’m watching it with commentary from the author/director which I find both informative and inspiring.

Also on the Oscar note, I had the pleasure of meeting a hobbit last night in the form of Billy Boyd who fronts a great band called Beecake.

The other notable show I saw last week was twenty one pilots at The Troubadour. I live for those moments of seeing my new favorite band for the first time and last week, I got one. It was life-affirming.

As for this week, It’s the last week in February, so it’s your last chance to see all the great residencies this month. Don’t miss out!

Here are my musical suggestions:

 

Monday: Wires in the Walls with Sandbox, Tall Tales and the Silver Linings, The Ross Sea Party and Owls FREE at Silverlake Lounge (8:30)
ALSO: The Mowgli’s with The Diamond Light, Zak Waters, and Lisa Donnelly FREE at The Satellite (9pm)
ALSO: A House for Lions with Max and The Moon, The Peach Kings, and The Cery Brothers FREE at The Echoplex (9pm)
ALSO: Skye (of Morcheeba) with Madi Diaz at The Hotel Cafe (7pm)
ALSO: Mind the Gap FREE at Central SAPC (9pm)
ALSO: The Art at House of Blues Sunset (9:30)
ALSO: It’s A School Night FREE at Bardot featuring Warships and Angela McCluskey (9pm)
ALSO: Monday Monday FREE at Room 5 featuring Jessie Payo, David and Devine, Jackie Does Joel, and more! (8pm)

 

Tuesday: Skye (of Morcheeba) with Javier Dunn at The Hotel Cafe (7pm)
ALSO: Anberlin with Paper Route at House of Blues Sunset (7pm)
ALSO: Beachwood Tuesdays FREE at The Piano Bar (8pm)

 

Weds: Sir Sly FREE at The Echo (11pm)
ALSO: The Gallery at The Hotel Cafe (10pm)…record release show
ALSO: Deluka and The Royalty at The Satellite (10pm)
ALSO: Willy Moon at Bootleg Bar (8pm)
ALSO: Barnaby Saints at Silverlake Lounge (10pm)
ALSO: The Brian Buckley Band at The Viper Room (9pm)

 

Thursday: Jukebox the Ghost with Matt Pond and The Lighthouse & The Whaler at The Echoplex (7pm)
ALSO: The Watkins Family Hour at Largo (8:30)
ALSO: Royal Teeth, A Silent Film, and Gold Fields at The Troubadour (8:30, 9:20, 10:25)
ALSO: Rumours: The Ultimate Fleetwood Mac Tribute at The Roxy (8pm)
ALSO: Amie Miriello at WItZend (9pm)

 

Friday: Queen Caveat at The Viper Room (10pm)
ALSO: Free Energy at Bootleg Bar (11pm)
ALSO: Irontom at O’Brien’s (9pm)
ALSO: Ari Hest at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)

 

Saturday: The Ranch Party music festival (2pm) http://theranchparty.com/index.cfm
ALSO: Kitten at The Roxy (8pm)
ALSO: Korey Dane at Room 5 (8pm)

 

Sunday: Morgan Karr at The Hotel Cafe (8pm)

 

 

To Keep in Mind:
March 5th: Marcus Foster at The Troubadour
March 5th: Mother Mother at The Viper Room
March 7th: Youngblood Hawke at The Troubadour
March 7th: Said The Whale and Frank Turner at The Hotel Cafe
March 7,8,9: Buckcherry at The Viper Room
March 8th: Boy at The Troubadour
March 9th: Nightlands at The Echo
March 9th: Andy Clockwise and Irontom at The Satellite
March 11th: Lucy Rose at The Hotel Cafe
March 12th: CHVRCHES at The Echo
March 13th: Frightened Rabbit at The Music Box
March 14th: Belmont Lights at The Roxy
March 15th: Anais Mitchell at McCabe’s
March 19th: Ivan & Alyosha at The Echo
March 19th: Everything Everything at The Roxy
March 19th: Foxes at Bootleg Bar
March 20th: Nico Vega, Atlas Genius, and Imagine Dragons at The Wiltern
March 20th: Charlotte Church at The Troubadour
March 24th: Janis Ian at McCabe’s
March 25th: Dinner and a Suit at The Hotel Cafe
March 27th: Mika at The El Rey
March 27th: Milk Carton Kids at Largo
April 3rd: William Beckett at The Hotel Café
April 4th: NO at The Troubadour
April 9th: Andrew Ripp at The Hotel Cafe
April 20th: Tyrone Wells and Wakey!Wakey! at The Troubadour
April 23rd: The Revival Tour at The El Rey
May 8th/9th: Milk Carton Kids at Largo
May 18-19th: Overture Con at The Mint
May 29th: Imagine Dragons at Hollywood Palladium
June 1st: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club at The Wiltern
June 5th: Jewel at Saban Theatre
August 19th/20th: Ed Sheeran at The Staples Center

~ Kristen

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https://twitter.com/_localmusicnat

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twenty one pilots at The Troubadour (2/20/13)

Posted on by Kristen

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I saw twenty one pilots last night at The Troubadour. Today, Amanda asked me today how the evening went. I kind of exploded the following reply. She suggested I stick it up here as a show review. I don’t have time to gussy it up, but here it is; my initial and somewhat effusive gut reaction to the seeing twenty one pilots at The Troubadour:

OMG, last night. Last night. Sigh. It was amazing. Twenty one pilots is my new favorite. They put on the most thrilling live show. Plus, I am obsessed with their music. I can’t wait to see them again at SXSW. They are my top pick right now of bands to see.

Anyway, The plan was to catch 1.5 of the openers at The Troubadour, then run over to The Roxy to see Zookeeper’s Palace (my new friends from Philly), then come back to The Troub and catch the end of twenty one pilots set. However, I got to the Troubadour and I got a great spot right up front. The first act, Echosmith was very impressive for their youth. The second band, New Politics, was from Denmark and they were fantastic. The singer did some breakdancing. They had a ton of energy and great songs. Another band we’ll be seeing at SXSW. 🙂 I would have said they were the best band I’ve seen in awhile, until twenty one pilots blew them out of the water. But I was enjoying New Politics so much I couldn’t leave and I had such a sweet spot up front…I decided somewhat regrettably not to dash off to The Roxy.

It was the right decision. Twenty one pilots came out with a BLAM! It’s just two guys, but they both come out onto a fog-filled stage wearing these skeleton suits. It’s kinda creepy. Then drummer starts his beating and the singer gets on top of a piano (a real piano, not some keyboard or pseudo-piano). Suddenly BOOM! the singer leaps off the piano and starts into this massive pounding rap. Then 30seconds later, he’s at the piano playing a kind of skippy ballad. The skeleton suits only lasted a song, but the drama was enough to pull anyone in. The rest of the set kept up the energy. The guys were all over the place. The drummer did an awesome backflip off the piano. The singer scaled the walls and somehow ended up in the balcony. Of course, there was a drumming circle thing. They also put on these facemasks for one of the more mellow song. They created this atmosphere that was so fitting for their music which is really all about a struggle to overcome something and how everyone is miserable and such but we have to celebrate life…definitely fit my mood. But the best thing about twenty one pilots and their music is the versatility. You know how I love the unexpected in music and it doesn’t get more unexpected then their music. They go from rap to piano to keytar to synths to ukulele…sometimes all in the course of one song. The singer sounds like Eminem, but he also sounds like Marcus Mumford. I couldn’t imagine a more perfect show and I am now craving more.

 

I took some pictures that I posted up on LMN’s facebook page.

Needless to say, twenty one pilots are my new band love. I highly recommend checking them out, especially if they are playing a show near you.

~ Kristen