Author: Kristen

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 10/22-10/28

Posted on by Kristen

Last night I went to Saint Rocke to see Stephen Kellogg & The Sixers on their HI-ATE-US tour. The idea being that the band is going on this indefinite hiatus, pursuing other projects, yada yada. This kind of thing always upsets me. I see bands akin to any serious relationship. You have a connection, so you start hanging out writing songs. You put out an EP and start touring, well you’re definitely dating. You get signed to a label do that big national tour, headlining venues, well my friends, you are married! All marriages have their problems and some are not as successful as others, but that doesn’t mean you give up on them! I don’t care if you’re a young marriage and your parents (ie your label) suddenly stop supporting you. I don’t care if you’ve been at it for years and are just “tired” of one another.

What hurts the most is “the other woman” syndrome. Just because something shiny and new catches your eye, doesn’t make it okay to leave your current relationship. You made a commitment and you should be faithful! I know there are many sides to these stories, but as a fan, I can only see it one way: a betrayal (I could equate the fan to God in this scenario, but that may be taking the analogy too far). I applaud SK and The Sixers for their clever title to their tour for at least they recognize what they are doing (not that any fan could ever hate a band they loved). It was an amazing show, but it still hurts.

On the other end of the spectrum, and giving me hope for all bands currently in the “indefinite hiatus” limbo, rock-outfit Silvertide (one of my favorites from back in the day when I was living in Philadlephia) have been making rumblings about something happening in that camp. On a quieter note, last night outside Harrisburg PA, members of Jealousy Curve took to the stage to deliver a few of their tunes.  They only played a few songs, but it is amazing how something so seemingly insignificant can fill me with so much hope, not just for a Jealousy Curve reunion, but for life in general.

Ok, sorry for the rant. I’ll get to the point now. Here’s my music schedule for this week. As for my top picks, I’m looking forward to finally seeing Belmont Lights who play Thursday at Molly Malone’s. I’m also, of course, excited about Queen Caveat’s return to LA Saturday at the Roxy (that is, of course, if they can get their van problems worked out: http://www.facebook.com/events/481540455213679/?fref=ts).

The rest of my musical suggestions:

Monday: Sad Robot FREE at Silverlake Lounge (10pm)
ALSO: Nicki Bluhm & The Gramblers at The Troubadour (10pm)
ALSO: Mika at Fonda Theatre (9pm)
ALSO: It’s a School Night featuring Erin McCarley at Bardot (9pm)…FREE with RSVP http://www.itsaschoolnight.com/losangeles/

 

Tuesday: Campfire OK, Erin McCarley, and Harper Blynn at The Hotel Cafe (7, 9, 10)
ALSO: PK and Y LUV at Silverlake Lounge (9,10)
ALSO: Family Wagon at Hemingways (?)
ALSO: Of Verona and Shiny Toy Guns at The Echoplex (8:30)
ALSO: Beth Orton at The El Rey (8pm)
ALSO: Taking Back Sunday (acoustic) at The Troubadour (9:50)

 

Weds: The Dig at Bootleg Bar (9:30)
ALSO: Jesse Thomas and The Young Romans at The Hotel Cafe (8pm)
ALSO: The Darkness at Club Nokia (8:30)

 

Thursday: Belmont Lights at Molly Malone’s (8pm)
ALSO: Paper Route at Bootleg Bar (11pm)
ALSO: Bayside and Taking Back Sunday at Club Nokia (8pm)

 

Friday: War Tapes at Bootleg Bar (10:15)
ALSO: Picture Atlantic at 3 Clubs (9pm)

 

Saturday: Queen Caveat at The Roxy (8pm)
ALSO: Harper Blynn FREE Halloween show at The Hotel Cafe (11pm)
ALSO: Build.Create.Kenya Rockin’ Launge Party featuring Fortress Social Club, Leerone, and more! (1-8pm)…RSVP: http://www.buildcreatekenya.org/launchparty/

 

Sunday: Anya Marina at The Hotel Cafe (8pm)
ALSO: Transfer at Bootleg Bar (10:30)
ALSO: Arkells and Lights at The Fonda Theatre (7pm)

 

 

To Keep in Mind:
November 2nd: Tonic at The Hotel Cafe
November 2nd: Matt Wertz at Largo
November 2nd: NEEDTOBREATHE at Fox Theater Pomona
November 3rd: All American Rejects at The Wiltern
November 5th: LP at The Troubadour
November 6th: Jens Lekman at Fonda Theatre
November 7th: Joe Firstman at The Hotel Cafe
November 8th: The Kin at The Roxy
November 9th: Brandi Carlile at Orpheum Theater
November 10th: Mumford & Sons at The Hollywood Bowl
November 10th: Marc Broussard at The Hotel Café
November 10th: Saint Motel at Saint Rocke
November 11th and 12th: Jack’s Mannequin at The El Rey
November 13th-15th: Gary Clark Jr. at The Troubadour
November 14th: Dan Wilson at Room 5
November 15th: Blue October at House of Blues
November 16th: Joshua Radin and A Fine Frenzy at The Wiltern
November 17th: Milo Greene at The El Rey
November 20th: The Postelles and Mayday Parade at House of Blues
November 20th: Rachel Yamagata at The El Rey
November 28th: Youngblood Hawke at The Roxy
December 6th: Imagine Dragons and Garbage at San Manuel Casino
December 8th: Boyce Avenue at Club Nokia
December 11th: Atlas Genius at The Troubadour
December 20th-22nd: Camp Freddy at The Roxy
January 23rd and 24th: Muse at The Staples Center
Feb. 9th: Ed Sheeran at Hollywood Palladium
Feb. 17th: Ed Sheeran at Nokia Theatre LA Live

~ Kristen

http://www.localmusicnation.net/

https://twitter.com/_localmusicnat

http://www.facebook.com/localmusicnation

New Music Tuesday 10/16/12 Featuring Leogun, Kris Orlowski & Andrew Joslyn, ZZ Ward

Posted on by Kristen

New Music! Hooray!

My top suggestions this week:

Leogun – Leogun EP 

This band has created some of the most exciting tunage I’ve heard in a while. For more see what I wrote about them after I saw them last week. Bottom line: pick up this EP!

http://www.localmusicnation.net/2012/10/11/new-band-alert-leogun/

 

Kris Orlowski & Andrew Joslyn – Pieces We Are EP 

A singer-songwriter with a compelling baritone voice backed by a full orchestra…a full orchestra!  Do you really need more to want to give it a listen? Okay, check out this video.

 

ZZ Ward – Til The Casket Drops 

I remember being impressed with ZZ Ward’s soulful vocals when I saw her at SXSW last spring. Then this video for “Save My Life” featuring Michael Fitzpatrick (Fitz of Fitz and The Tantrums) crossed my path and I was compelled to share.

Other CDs I’d like to explore:

 

~ Kristen

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 10/15-10/21

Posted on by Kristen

In the middle of a bit of a work-crisis, so I’ll keep this short. Actually this whole week has kind of been one work crisis after another…and sadly I do not see the end. I did get out Wednesday night to check out rocksters, Leogun, and I am pleased to report I have a new band love from the UK.

Speaking of recent band discoveries, I have a few this week I’d really like to see. Sad Robot continues their Silverlake Lounge residency Monday night and then my favorite band from Culture Collide, Denmark’s terminal, has a show Thursday night also at Silverlake Lounge. And if we’re talking about can’t miss shows, Stephen Kellogg & The Sixers are making their last stop in the LA area before they go on an indefinite hiatus (one of my least favorite word combos). They are at Saint Rocke Saturday night. Don’t miss out!

Here are the rest of my recommendations:

Monday: Sad Robot FREE at Silverlake Lounge (10pm)
ALSO: Xavier Rudd at Fonda Theatre (8pm)
ALSO: Monday in the Round at Room 5 featuring Stephen Wrabel, Jesse Thomas, Clare Holley and Joel Eckels (9pm)

 

Tuesday: Madi Diaz, Tim Easton, Harper Blynn at The Hotel Cafe (7, 8,9)
ALSO: A Tribute to Tom Petty featuring Robert Francis, Drive He Said, The Californian and many more FREE at The Satellite (9pm)
ALSO: Freelance Whales at The El Rey (8pm)
ALSO: Terraplane Sun CD Release at Dakota Lounge (8:30)
ALSO: Stop Motion Poetry at Room 5 (9pm)
ALSO: The 9 Songwriters at WitZend (7pm)
ALSO: Ellie Goulding at The Troubadour (9:30)
ALSO: First Aid Kit at Fonda Theatre (9pm)
ALSO: Duff McKagan at The Viper Room (10pm)
ALSO: Beachwood Night at Piano Bar FREE (9pm)

 

Weds: The Young Romans and Jessie Payo at The Hotel Cafe (8,9)
ALSO: Adam Bones at Boardner’s Club Moscow (10pm)
ALSO: Irontom, Black Box Revelation and The Sheepdogs at The Troubadour (8:30, 9:15, 10)
ALSO: Ellie Goulding FREE at Amoeba Records (6:30)

 

Thursday: Terminal and Alright Alright at Silverlake Lounge (8,9)
ALSO: Tim Halperin, Griffin House, and Ernie Halter at The Hotel Cafe (7,8,9)
ALSO: The Record Company and The Whigs at Bootleg Bar (10, 11)
ALSO: Charlene Kaye at The Mint (10:15)
ALSO: Greg Holden at Room 5 (10pm)

 

Friday: Tony Lucca and Justin Hopkins at The Roxy (8pm)
ALSO: Frightened Rabbit at The Troubadour (10pm)
ALSO: Allen Stone at The Fonda Theatre (8pm)
ALSO: Oedipus at The Viper Room (10pm)
ALSO: Barnaby Saints at El Cid (11:45)
ALSO: Maroon 5 at The Orpheum Theatre (9:30)

 

Saturday: Stephen Kellogg & The Sixers at Saint Rocke (9pm)…last LA area show before the band goes on hiatus
ALSO: The Shakers at The Viper Room (11pm)
ALSO: The Script with Tristan Prettyman at The Greek Theatre (8pm)

 

Sunday: Jake Newton, Charlie Peacock, Fleeting Heart, Branches at The Hotel Cafe (7pm)
ALSO: Mika at The Fonda Theatre (9pm)
ALSO: Lady Sinatra at The House of Blues (8pm)

 

To Keep in Mind:
October 23rd: Shiny Toy Guns at The Echoplex
October 24th: The Darkness at Club Nokia
October 25th: Bayside at Club Nokia
October 27th: Queen Caveat at The Roxy
October 27th: Harper Blynn Halloween at The Hotel Cafe
November 2nd: Tonic at The Hotel Cafe
November 2nd: Matt Wertz at Largo
November 2nd: NEEDTOBREATHE at Fox Theater Pomona
November 3rd: All American Rejects at The Wiltern
November 5th: LP at The Troubadour
November 6th: Jens Lekman at Fonda Theatre
November 7th: Joe Firstman at The Hotel Cafe
November 8th: The Kin at The Roxy
November 9th: Brandi Carlile at Orpheum Theater
November 10th: Mumford & Sons at The Hollywood Bowl
November 10th: Marc Broussard at The Hotel Cafe
November 11th and 12th: Jack’s Mannequin at The El Rey
November 13th-15th: Gary Clark Jr. at The Troubadour
November 15th: Blue October at House of Blues
November 16th: Joshua Radin and A Fine Frenzy at The Wiltern
November 17th: Milo Greene at The El Rey
November 20th: The Postelles and Mayday Parade at House of Blues
November 20th: Rachel Yamagata at The El Rey
December 6th: Imagine Dragons and Garbage at San Manuel Casino
December 8th: Boyce Avenue at Club Nokia
December 11th: Atlas Genius at The Troubadour
January 23rd: Muse at The Staples Center
Feb. 9th: Ed Sheeran at Hollywood Palladium

~ Kristen

http://www.localmusicnation.net/

https://twitter.com/_localmusicnat

http://www.facebook.com/localmusicnation

New Band Alert: Leogun

Posted on by Kristen

 

Leogun stormed into my life Wednesday night when they played an electrifying set at The Satellite. I don’t think this band has been around for too long (they joined facebook in April of 2012), but I’m sure it won’t take too long for their popularity to grow. They are the kind of band that demands notice. For a quick summary, their fb page gives two definitions for the term “Leogun”. The first is “a three-piece band from London, surging with a mix of blues, soul and a whole lotta rock & roll. With “bite your head off” choruses and a hunger to groove, LEOGUN mixes the musicality and heart bleeding emotion of The Racounteurs with all the sexual prowess and break-neck attitude of Queens of The Stone Age.” The second definition is “believed to be a were-lion, LEOGUN was a half man, half lion.” I think that sums up my experience of the band quite nicely.

Their debut self-titled EP comes out next week (10/16). Here are my quick thoughts on each song:

“Let’s Be Friends” – their first single, a great introduction to their rockin’ style with stand-out guitar licks, soaring yet gritty vocals, and brazen attitude all wrapped in a catchy tune.

“End of The World” – sung with abandon, it will seduce you

“You’d Better Love Me”- a blistering rock song that rightly demands the attentions of its listeners

“Everyday” – a slower-building jam that showcases the groovier side of the band but will have your head banging by the end

 

Here’s the band’s first official video:

 

Other important info to get you connected to the band:

Website: http://leogunband.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LeogunBand

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LeogunBand

They are currently touring around the US. Be sure to catch them if they near a city by you!

 

DATE CITY VENUE INFORMATION
10/10/12 Los Angeles, CA The Satellite More Info
10/14/12 Phoenix, AZ Hard Rock Cafe More Info
10/17/12 Philadelphia, PA North Star Bar More Info
10/18/12 Easton, MD Nightcat More Info
10/19/2012 New York City, NY Fat Baby – CMJ Convention More Info
10/23/2012 Somerville, MA Johnny D’s Restaurant & Music Club More Info
10/31/2012 – 11/04/2012 Miami to Great Stirrup Cay Kiss Kruise II More Info
11/07/2012 Chicago, IL The Ace Bar More Info
11/08/2012 Madison , WI The Rigby More Info
11/09/2012 Minneapolis, MN 7th Street Entry More Info
11/11/2012 Saint Louis, MO Heartbreakers Rock-N-Roll Saloon More Info
11/12/2012 Lee’s Summit, MO Jerry’s Bait Shop More Info
11/14/2012 Denver , CO Hi-Dive More Info
11/16/2012 Colorado Springs, CO Stargazers Theatre More Info
11/20/2012 Boise, ID Neurolux More Info
11/21/2012 Spokane, WA Knitting Factory Concert House More Info

Listen! Learn! Love!

~ Kristen

New Music Tuesday 10/9 featuring The Script, Freelance Whales, Bad Books

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Looking for new tunes? Here’s what’s is in my shopping basket today:

The Script – #3 

The Script is pretty solid when it comes to delivering radio-friendly pop/rock anthems. I anticipate nothing less from their newest album, #3, especially based on the reception it has already had since its release in their native, Ireland. Their first single, “Hall of Fame” features will.i.am and seems a slight departure for the pop crooners, but listening to the album (which you can do here http://music.aol.com/new-releases-full-cds/#/1), I have been reassured that while the band continues to grow on their musical journey (there is a bit more of this rap-interlude business), they still have plenty of that emotional, melody-driven core that drew many fans, including myself, in at the start. I’m already a fan of their next single, “Six Degrees of Separation”.

 

Freelance Whales – Diluvia 

Brooklynites, Freelance Whales, play the kind of music that might color a dreamscape; not necessarily happy, not necessarily sad, but always with a twinge of fantasy that makes it feel like you’re not quite in a reality. Streaming the new album (which can be done on their website), I’d say fan will be happy with this sophomore effort. I’ll put it on my shopping list and look forward to their next show. The band comes to the El Rey Theatre in LA October 16th.

 

Bad Books – Bad Books II

Who doesn’t love a super group? Well, at least this one between Kevin Devine and Manchester Orchestra seems to have worked out pretty well to my ears. Their second offering, Bad Books II, again does a great job of blending  the more quirky indie sensibilities of Kevin Devine with the rousing rock beats and vocals of Andy Hull and Manchester Orchestra. Check the band out live this Wednesday at The Troubadour. If you’ve seen either of these acts before, you know it’s going to be a good show.

Other CDs to check out today:

 

~ Kristen

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 10/8-10/14

Posted on by Kristen

I’m nearly done with the Culture Collide madness that has consumed the last several days. Today’s block party marks the end of this glorious event which, I must say, is the most fun I’ve had at a festival since SXSW…I think it’s the people. Everyone I’ve met and chatted with has been lovely and the vibe is friendly and music-centric. The festival also gives me a chance to see international acts I might not be exposed to otherwise. My favorites thus far have been the Danish band, terminal, Toronto’s The Balconies, Ewert and The Two Dragons from Estonia, and Scotland’s Admiral Fallow who is, I believe, the first band I’ve encountered that uses my favorite instrument, the clarinet, in their live performance.

Moving on to next week, here is my list of shows I’d love to attend. Top picks would have to go to Canada’s Reignwolf (Jordan Cook) who plays two shows this week and Leogun from London who plays a free show Wednesday at The Satellite. Oh, and if you managed to snag a ticket to the AWOLNATION/Imagine Dragons combo, well, that will be a good show too.

 

Monday: Reignwolf at The Hotel Cafe (8pm)
ALSO: It’s a School Night at Bardot featuring Royal Teeth (9pm)
ALSO: Immanu El and Jordie Lane FREE at The Satellite (9pm)
ALSO: Tegan and Sara and The Black Keys at The Honda Center (8pm)
ALSO: Florence and the Machine at The Hollywood Bowl (7pm)
ALSO: Monday in the Round featuring Ray Don, Trevor Menear, and Joel Eckels (9pm)

 

Tuesday: The Balconies at Bootleg Bar (9pm)
ALSO: Reignwolf at The Satellite (9pm)
ALSO: Jared Lee and Taylor Locke & The Roughs at The Viper Room (10,11)
ALSO: Nathaniel Rateliff and Michael Kiwanuka at John Anson Ford Theater (7:45)
ALSO: The Wallflowers with Everest at The Fonda Theater (8pm)
ALSO: JEFF the Brotherhood at The Troubadour (10pm)
ALSO: Immanu El at Central SAPC (midnight)
ALSO: Half Moon Run and Metric at The Greek Theater (7:30)

 

Weds: Leogun FREE at The Satellite (11pm)
ALSO: Bad Books at The Troubadour (9:40)
ALSO: The Young Romans and Milow at The Hotel Cafe (8,9)
ALSO: A House for Lions at Central SAPC (11pm)
ALSO: Rufus Wainwright at The Grammy Museum (8pm)

 

Thursday: AWOLNATION and Imagine Dragons at Club Nokia (8pm)
ALSO: George Stanford at the Spare Room of the Roosevelt Hotel (10:30)
ALSO: The Union Line and Northern Youth at Bootleg Bar (10,11)
ALSO: K.Flay at The Echo (10pm)
ALSO: Cage 9 and Black Belt Karate at The Viper Room (10,11)

 

Friday: The Shakers at Irish Times in Culver City (9pm)
ALSO: Amie Miriello at Molly Malone’s (9pm)
ALSO: Haley Reinhart at Room 5 (8pm)
ALSO: Western Scene at El Cid (10pm)
ALSO: Bell X1, Goodnight Texas, and Oak & Gorski at The Hotel Cafe (8,9,10)
ALSO: Gaelic Storm at The Troubadour (9pm)
ALSO: The XX at The Hollywood Palladium (8pm)

 

Saturday: Meiko with Bobby Long, Anna Nelson and Patrick Park at The Roxy (8pm)
ALSO: The Short Eyes at Westwood Brewing Co (8pm)
ALSO: Family Cave at The Good Hurt (11pm)
ALSO: Barnaby Saints at Molly Malone’s (10pm)
ALSO: Howlin Rain and Tea Leaf Green at The Troubadour (9:15, 10:30)
ALSO: London Cries and Unwritten Law at The Viper Room (10,11)
ALSO: David Byrne and St. Vincent at The Greek Theater (7:30)
ALSO: Aimee Mann at The Wilshire Ebell Theatre (7pm)

 

Sunday: Anberlin and The Smashing Pumpkins at Gibson Amphitheatre (7:45)

 

 

To Keep in Mind:
October 16th: Ellie Goulding at The Troubadour
October 16th: First Aid Kit at The Fonda Theatre
October 19th: Tony Lucca at The Roxy
October 19th: Frightened Rabbit at The Troubadour
October 19th: Allen Stone at The Music Box
October 20th: Stephen Kellogg & The Sixers at Saint Rocke
October 23rd: Shiny Toy Guns at The Echoplex
October 24th: The Darkness at Club Nokia
October 25th: Bayside at Club Nokia
October 27th: Queen Caveat at The Roxy
November 2nd: NEEDTOBREATHE at Fox Theater Pomona
November 3rd: All American Rejects at The Wiltern
November 5th: LP at The Troubadour
November 6th: Jens Lekman at Fonda Theatre
November 8th: The Kin at The Roxy
November 9th: Brandi Carlile at Orpheum Theater
November 10th: Mumford & Sons at The Hollywood Bowl
November 11th and 12th: Jack’s Mannequin at The El Rey
November 13th-15th: Gary Clark Jr. at The Troubadour
November 15th: Blue October at House of Blues
November 16th: Joshua Radin and A Fine Frenzy at The Wiltern
November 17th: Milo Greene at The El Rey
November 20th: The Postelles and Mayday Parade at House of Blues
November 20th: Rachel Yamagata at The El Rey
December 8th: Boyce Avenue at Club Nokia
Feb. 9th: Ed Sheeran at Hollywood Palladium

~ Kristen

http://www.localmusicnation.net/

https://twitter.com/_localmusicnat

http://www.facebook.com/localmusicnation

New Music Tuesday 10/2/12 Featuring Three Days Grace, Hannah Georgas, and Tristan Prettyman

Posted on by Kristen

I’m hitting up the music store later. Here is what’s on the top of my list:

Three Days Grace– Transit of Venues 

I cannot believe it’s been almost 10 years since the release of Three Days Grace’s self-titled album. I guess it has been awhile if the way I discovered them was one of their music videos being played on the television. Anyway, the Canadian hard rockers are back with a new CD, their first since 2009. I am listening right now and can already see this one joining the ranks of their other CDs in heavy rotation on my iPod. The band does catchy angry-rock like no other. Here’s a taste:

 

Hannah Georgas – Hannah Georgas 

I stumbled across this one via twitter. I started listening and I just couldn’t let go. I’d say that’s a good sign. Here’s a stream of the song “Robotic”  from this Canadian chanteuse.

 

Tristan Prettyman – Cedar + Gold 

This San Diego singer got me with this video released today for her song “I Was Gonna Marry You”. It feels relevant, so I wanted to share. The rest of the album continues to showcase Prettyman’s lovely vocals in a slightly more upbeat fashion. You can stream it here http://www.facebook.com/tristanprettyman/app_367300559972921

 

Other albums to look into today:

~ Kristen