Local Music Nation

New Music Tuesday 9/25 featuring The Chevin, Mother Mother, Mumford & Sons

Posted on September 28, 2012 by Kristen

I know it’s a little late, but hey, I’ve been a little busy. I just submitted a manuscript so now I’m ready to celebrate with some new music!

The Chevin – Borderland

This band from The UK has been crafting this record in Los Angeles and I have had the pleasure of seeing them play several times over the last several months. The first time I saw them at The Satellite, it was like a breath of fresh air, rock and roll air. The more time I spent with The Chevin, the more I have fallen in love with their music. I cannot wait to get my hands on this record!

Mother Mother – The Sticks

One of my favorite Canadian bands from recent years, Mother Mother made an impression on me with their song “Hayloft” off their debut album O My Heart (2008). I’ve been keeping tabs on the dynamic and somewhat quirky five-piece alt rock group ever since. You can stream their new album, The Sticks, here http://exclaim.ca/MusicVideo/ClickHear/mother_mother-sticks_album_stream. I did and I quickly became hooked! Not sure when you’ll be able to get it from amazon or itunes, but you can get it from the band’s website: http://mothermothersite.com/store

Mumford & Sons – Babel

From what I’ve heard, this record is making a play for my record of the year….

Other’s to look into:

Ben Sollee – Half-Made Man http://bensollee.com/
Fighting With Wire – Colonel Blood http://www.fightingwithwire.co.uk/
Travis T Warren – Beneath These Borrowed Skies http://travistwarren.com/
Frightened Rabbit – State Hospital EP http://frightenedrabbit.com/
Frank + Derol – Frank +Derolhttp://www.frankandderol.com/splash/
Lucy Kaplansky – Reunion http://www.lucykaplansky.com/2004/site.html
The Nervous Wreckords – Let Them All Talk http://thenervouswreckords.com/
Frankenweenie Unleashed featuring Neon Trees, AWOLNATION, Imagine Dragons, Skylar Grey, etc.
Dragonette – Bodyparts http://dragonetteonline.com/
Green Day – Uno http://www.greenday.com/
No Doubt- Push and Shove http://www.nodoubt.com/#!news

~ Kristen

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 9/24-9/30

Posted on September 23, 2012 by Kristen

Last night I went to the ballet! I love live dance performances…definitely something that I don’t attend as often as I’d like. This one was a contemporary ballet, put on by the Silverlake Contemporary Ballet. It was a modern re-telling of Swan Lake set in Silverlake. The dancing was gorgeous and the adaptation was quite inventive (there was a hipster couple dancing at a bar). There was also live on-stage painting of the back drops for the sets. The best part (and honestly the big draw for me) was the live music. Three great LA bands (The Young Romans, Races, and Holly Conlan) each provided the music for an act. The dancing was definitely more exciting for me when it was fueled by my favorite songs like The Young Roman’s “Tiger Child”. There was also a few exciting covers like Races’ lovely rendition of Joni Mitchell’s “Case of You” (one of my favorite songs and perfect for a scene about an obsessive, unhealthy attraction). Tchaikovsky didn’t get left out entirely, as each musical act also did their own re-working of the classic Swan Lake piece. If you’re looking for something to do tonight, I’d highly recommend attending the final performance of Swan Lake (http://silverlakeballet.com.s32864.gridserver.com/?p=114).

As for the upcoming week, here are the rest of my musical recommendations:

Monday: Death of a Star, A House for Lions, Taylor Locke and The Roughs, and Orange Julius FREE at Silverlake Lounge (9pm)
ALSO: The Steellwells, The Chevin, The Lonely Wild FREE at The Satellite (9pm)
ALSO: Hunnypot Radio Live featuring Irontom FREE at Central SAPC (7pm)
ALSO: Meg Myers at The Viper Room (10pm)
ALSO: The Elizabeth Kill at The House of Blues (8pm)
ALSO: Elliot Yamin at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)
ALSO: Monday in the Round at Room 5 featuring Adam Levy, Sweet Talk Radio, Joel Eckels and a special guest (9pm)

Tuesday: Jake Newton, Bravesoul, Aaron Hendra Project at The Hotel Cafe (8, 9, 10)
ALSO: Jesse Thomas at Room 5 (9pm)
ALSO: The Muddy Reds and The Dustbowl Revival at Central SAPC (10,11)
ALSO: Dragonette with The Knocks and Frank + Derol at The El Rey Theatre (8pm)
ALSO: Dispatch at The House of Blues (8pm)

Weds: The Shakers at Rockwell Table & Stage
ALSO: The Features at The Troubadour (10pm)
ALSO: Madi Diaz at The Satellite (10pm)
ALSO: Gene Louis at Club Moscow at Boardners (10:30)…FREE with RSVP before 10:30
ALSO: Makepeace Brothers at WitZend (8pm)
ALSO: Alanis Morissette at Fox Theater Pomona
ALSO: The Killers at Fonda Theatre

Thursday: The Goods and So & So at The Hotel Cafe (8,9)…So & So record release!
ALSO: Broken Achor at The Silverlake Lounge (9pm)
ALSO: Jess Furman at WitZend (8pm)
ALSO: Band of Horses at The Troubadour (9pm)
ALSO: Sara Watkins and Mary Chapin Carpenter at Club Nokia
ALSO: Conor Oberst at UCLA Royce Hall (8pm)
ALSO: Colin Hay at Largo (9pm)

Friday: William Elliot Whitmore with Samantha Crain and London Shower at The Roxy (8pm)
ALSO: Trouble With Templeton, King Washington at WitZend (7,10)
ALSO: Citizen Cope at The Wiltern (8pm)
ALSO: Serj Tankian and Viza at Club Nokia (9pm)

Saturday: Troubled by Templeton and Northern Youth at The Hotel Cafe (7,11)…Northern Youth record release
ALSO: Milo Greene at Original Penguin LA (2pm)…FREE with RSVP
ALSO: Ceasefire at The Viper Room (9pm)
ALSO: Wildcat! Wildcat! at Bootleg Bar (10pm)
ALSO: Broken Anchor at The Piano Bar
ALSO: Hot Water Music, The Gaslight Anthem, and Rise Against at The Honda Center in Anaheim (7:30)

Sunday: Priscilla Ahn at Bootleg Bar (9:30)
ALSO: Pretty in Pink at The Viper Room (11:30)

To Keep in Mind:
October 1st: Ed Sheeran at The Wiltern
October 1st: Safety Suit at The Roxy
October 2nd: Garbage at The Hollywood Palladium
October 2nd: The Lumineers at The Fonda Theatre
October 3^rd: Conor Oberst at Fox Theater Pomona
October 4th: The Milk Carton Kids at The Largo
October 4^th: Kimbra at Fonda Theatre
October 4^th-7^th: Culture Collide Festival
October 5^th: Dr. Dog at John Anson Ford Amphitheatre
October 5^th: The Head and The Heart at The Wiltern
October 5^th: Dead Sara, Neon Trees, The Offspring at The Hollywood Palladium
October 6^th: Ben Howard at The Fonda Theatre
October 6^th: Jason Mraz at The Wiltern
October 9^th: The Wallflowers and Everest at The Fonda Theatre
October 11th: Awolnation and Imagine Dragons at Club Nokia
October 11^th: K.Flay at The Echo
October 16^th: Ellie Goulding at The Troubadour
October 16^th: First Aid Kit at The Fonda Theatre
October 19th: Tony Lucca at The Roxy
October 19th: Frightened Rabbit at The Troubadour
October 19^th: Allen Stone at The Music Box
October 20th: Stephen Kellogg & The Sixers at Saint Rocke
October 23^rd: Shiny Toy Guns at The Echoplex
October 24^th: The Darkness at Club Nokia
October 25^th: Bayside at Club Nokia
October 27^th: Queen Caveat at The Roxy
November 2nd: NEEDTOBREATHE at Fox Theater Pomona
November 3^rd: All American Rejects at The Wiltern
November 5^th: LP at The Troubadour
November 6th: Jens Lekman at Fonda Theatre
November 8^th: The Kin at The Roxy
November 9^th: Brandi Carlile at Orpheum Theater
November 11^th and 12^th: Jack’s Mannequin at The El Rey
November 13^th-15^th: Gary Clark Jr. at The Troubadour
November 15^th: Blue October at House of Blues
November 16^th: Joshua Radin and A Fine Frenzy at The Wiltern
November 17^th: Milo Greene at The El Rey
November 20^th: The Postelles and Mayday Parade at House of Blues
November 20^th: Rachel Yamagata at The El Rey
December 8^th: Boyce Avenue at Club Nokia

~ Kristen

New Music Tuesday 9/18/12 Featuring Pebaluna, Youngblood Hawke, and Tina Dico

Posted on September 18, 2012 by Kristen

My goodness, there are a lot of albums coming out today! Pink, Band of Horses, The Killers, and Ben Folds Five all have new music that I’m anxious to give a listen to. However, the albums I’m most excited about are as follows:

Pebaluna – Carny Life

Pebaluna features the sweet and soulful vocals of Laura Coleman. I’ve been looking forward to this release for a few weeks now. Watch this video of an acoustic version of the song “No, I Can’t” to understand why:

Youngblood Hawke – Youngblood Hawke EP

Youngblood Hawke throws one of the best dance parties in town. It’s a good idea to get to know them now with their new EP so that later, when they explode, you can say “yeah, I’ve loved them for a while now”. Just listen to “We Come Running” and try not to bob your head.

Tina Dico – Where Do You Go To Disappear

There is something special about the voice of Danish songstress, Tina Dico. I’m especially a fan of her albums, In the Red (2005) and Count to Ten (2007). I’m not sure how I feel about the more dance-y tracks, but this acoustic song, “The Other Side” is a winner in my book.

Also Out Today:

Aaron Embry – Tiny Prayershttp://weareeachother.com/
Aimee Mann – Charmerhttp://www.aimeemann.com/
Band of Horses – Mirage Rock http://www.bandofhorses.com/us/home
Ben Folds Five – The Sound of the Life Of The Mind http://www.benfolds.com/
The Burning of Rome – With Ushttp://www.theburningofrome.com/
The Dollyrots – The Dollyrots http://www.dollyrots.com/web/
Earlimart – System Preferences http://earlimartmusic.com/
Grizzly Bear – Shieldshttp://grizzly-bear.net/
The Killers – Battle Born http://www.thekillersmusic.com/
Menomena – Moms http://menomena.com/?page_id=425
Nathan Pacheco – Nathan Pacheco http://nathanpacheco.com/
Nelly Furtado – Spirit Indestructiblehttp://www.nellyfurtado.com/order/
O’Brother – Basement Window EP http://www.beneathyourgardenwindow.com/
Pink – The Truth About Lovehttp://www.pinkspage.com/us
Ryan Bingham – Tomorrowland http://www.binghammusic.com/
The Whigs – Enjoy the Companyhttp://www.thewhigs.com/

~ Kristen

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 9/17-9/23

Posted on September 16, 2012 by Kristen

This weekend I was down in San Diego for The San Diego Music Thing. SDMT is the half-way marker of the year for SXSW and in a sense it is a mini version of my favorite music conference. I love walking the streets of North Park hopping from venue to venue sampling artists both new (to me) as well as old favorites. Despite the ubiquitous sound issues and the frustrating scheduling conflicts, I’d call the weekend a success. I caught some of my favorite LA bands like Queen Caveat and NO, some great out of town bands including Austin’s Ume, Seattle’s Ben Union and San Francisco’s The Stone Foxes and, of course, fun SD bands such as Dr. Seahorse and The Howls. Good times!

Speaking of good times, plenty of opportunities for more this week. Here are my recommendations:

Monday: It’s a School Night at Bardot featuring Youngblood Hawke and a secret headliner (9pm)…FREE with RSVP http://www.itsaschoolnight.com/losangeles/
ALSO: Kitten FREE at Bootleg Bar (10:30)
ALSO: Pip Andrew, Lindsey Pavao, and Karla Davis at The Mint (8pm)
ALSO: The Lonely Wild FREE at The Satellite (11pm)
ALSO: Airborne Toxic Event at The Troubadour (8pm)
ALSO: Monday in the Round at Room 5 featuring Jessie Payo, Dawn Thomas, Joel Eckels, and Derek Carter (9pm)

Tuesday: Great White Buffalo, Robinson, The Muddy Reds, and The Dead Ships at Central SAPC (8pm)
ALSO: Joe Firstman at 12 + Highland (8:30)
ALSO: Broken Anchor at Molly Malone’s (11pm)
ALSO: The Beach Boys at The Grammy Museum (8pm)
ALSO: Beachwood Piano Bar Sessions FREE at The Piano Bar (8pm)
ALSO: Western Scene FREE at The Federal Bar (9pm)

Weds: The Makepeace Brothers at WitZend (9pm)
ALSO: IO Echo and Band of Skulls at The Fonda Theatre (8:30)
ALSO: Buckcherry at House of Blues Anaheim (8pm)

Thursday: Keaton Simons and Jason Castro at The Roxy (8pm)
~~ALSO: Howie Day~~ and The Dahls at The Hotel Cafe (7, 9:30) Howie Day had to postpone his show due to illness
ALSO: Wires in the Walls at Silverlake Lounge (9pm)
ALSO: Irontom, The Burning of Rome, Franky Perez & The Truth at The Viper Room (8,9,11)

Friday: Joe Firstman at 12 + Highland (8pm)
ALSO: Jay Nash and Mindy Smith at McCabe’s (8pm)
ALSO: The Neighbourhood at The El Rey (8pm)
ALSO: Forrest Day at The Roxy (8pm)
ALSO: Wake Up Lucid and Infantree at Bootleg Bar (9:30, 10:15)
ALSO: Mind the Gap at The Hotel Cafe (11pm)
ALSO: King Washington at WitZend (10pm)

Saturday: Sondre Lerche at The Troubadour (8pm)
ALSO: Milo, White Buffalo, and Delta Rae at The El Rey (7pm)
ALSO: Bad Vic and the Good Intentions FREE at TRiP (9pm)
ALSO: Ben Gibbard at The Largo (8:30)
ALSO: Autumn Lights Festival in Pershing Square featuring Ruby Freidman Orchestra (6pm)
ALSO: TarFest at LaBrea Tar Pits featuring Makepeace Brothers and more (9pm)
ALSO: Epicenter at Verizon Wireless Ampitheatre featuring Beware the Darkness, Crash Kings, Dead Sara, Chevelle, Bush, Stone Temple Pilots and more (noon)

Sunday: Wicker, Versa Mesmer, Orgy and more at The Roxy (7:30)
ALSO: Grad Ole Echo featuring Brett Detar FREE at The Echo (5pm)

To Keep in Mind:
September 24th: Death of a Star, A House for Lions, Taylor Locke & The Roughs, and Orange Julius at Silverlake Lounge
September 26^th: Alanis Morissette at Fox Theater Pomona
September 26^th: The Killers at Fonda Theatre
September 27^th: Mary Chapin Carpenter and Sara Watkins at Club Nokia
September 28^th: William Elliot Whitmore at The Roxy
October 1st: Ed Sheeran at The Wiltern
October 1st: Safety Suit at The Roxy
October 2nd: Garbage at The Hollywood Palladium
October 2nd: The Lumineers at The Fonda Theatre
October 3^rd: Conor Oberst at Fox Theater Pomona
October 4th: The Milk Carton Kids at The Largo
October 4^th: Kimbra at Fonda Theatre
October 4^th-7^th: Culture Collide Festival
October 5^th: Dr. Dog at John Anson Ford Amphitheatre
October 5^th: The Head and The Heart at The Wiltern
October 6^th: Ben Howard at The Fonda Theatre
October 6^th: Jason Mraz at The Wiltern
October 9^th: The Wallflowers and Everest at The Fonda Theatre
October 11th: Awolnation and Imagine Dragons at Club Nokia
October 16^th: Ellie Goulding at The Troubadour
October 16^th: First Aid Kit at The Fonda Theatre
October 19th: Tony Lucca at The Roxy
October 19th: Frightened Rabbit at The Troubadour
October 19^th: Allen Stone at The Music Box
October 20th: Stephen Kellogg & The Sixers at Saint Rocke
October 23^rd: Shiny Toy Guns at The Echoplex
October 24^th: The Darkness at Club Nokia
October 25^th: Bayside at Club Nokia
October 27^th: Queen Caveat at The Roxy
November 2nd: NEEDTOBREATHE at Fox Theater Pomona
November 3^rd: All American Rejects at The Wiltern
November 6th: Jens Lekman at Fonda Theatre
November 8^th: The Kin at The Roxy
November 9^th: Brandi Carlile at Orpheum Theater
November 11^th: Jack’s Mannequin at The El Rey
November 15^th: Blue October at House of Blues
November 16^th: Joshua Radin and A Fine Frenzy at The Wiltern
November 17^th: Milo Greene at The El Rey
November 20^th: The Postelles and Mayday Parade at House of Blues
November 20^th: Rachel Yamagata at The El Rey
December 8^th: Boyce Avenue at Club Nokia

~ Kristen

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 9/10-9/16

Posted on September 9, 2012 by Kristen

I’ve got a lot going on this week. My mom is in town making her annual visit to LA. I took her to see The Silent Comedy Friday night. She was dancing. This week I have a big presentation at work, and at least one, if not two trips to San Diego. There are also some fantastic shows at The Hotel Cafe this week: Wheeler Brothers, Teitur, and Harper Blynn playing two sets, one of original songs and one of covers featuring several of their very talented friends. These are all bound to be great shows.

Here are the rest of my show recommendations:

Monday: Kitten, Y Luv FREE at Bootleg Bar (10:30, 11:30)
ALSO: Ben Sollee at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)
ALSO: The Lonely Wild FREE at The Satellite (11pm)
ALSO: Monday in the Round at Room 5 featuring Trevor Menear, Ray Don, Joe Greene, and Joel Eckels (9pm)

Tuesday: Joe Firstman at 12 + Highland (8:30)
ALSO: Jonny Polonsky at Molly Malone’s (10pm)
ALSO: The Muddy Reds at The Central (10pm)
ALSO: Tumbleweed Wanders and Angus Stone at The Troubadour (8pm)
ALSO: Portugal. the Man and My Morning Jacket at The Wiltern (7pm)

Weds: Wheeler Brothers and Keaton Simons at The Hotel Cafe (7, 9:30)
ALSO: Allen Stone at Hollywood Bowl (7pm)
ALSO: Parker Ainsworth and Pinback at Saint Rocke (6,9)
ALSO: Makepeace Brothers at WitZend (8pm)
ALSO: Iron and Wine and My Morning Jacket at The Wiltern (7pm)
ALSO: Milo Greene and The Walkmen at Ford Amphitheatre (8pm)

Thursday: Atlas Genius and Silversun Pickups at Santa Monica Civic Auditorium (7pm)
ALSO: My Morning Jacket at The Wiltern (7pm)

Friday: Teitur at The Hotel Cafe (8pm)
ALSO: AgesandAges and Andy Clockwise at The Central (11, midnight)
ALSO: Adam Bones at The Redwood Bar (9:30)
ALSO: Joe Firstman at 12 + Highland (8pm)
ALSO: The Hives at The Wiltern (9pm)
ALSO: Blake Mills and Fiona Apple at The Greek Theatre (7:30)
ALSO: Bkaqk Audio at The Roxy (9pm)
ALSO: Peter Murphy at Club Nokia (8pm)

Saturday: Harper Blynn at The Hotel Cafe (10:30)
ALSO: The Watkins Family Hour at The Largo (9pm)
ALSO: Abandoned Pools with 8mm and The Blank Faces at The Roxy (8pm)
ALSO: Terraplane Sun and The Mowgli’s at The Satellite (9pm)
ALSO: Charity event at The Central featuring Odd Us, Parker Ainsworth, Mind the Gap, Act As If, Y Luv, and Elevators (7pm)

Sunday: Little Feat at The El Rey (7pm)

To Keep in Mind:
September 18^th: Twin Atlantic at Fox Theater Pomona
September 19^th: Band of Skulls at The Fonda Theatre
September 20^th: Howie Day at The Hotel Cafe
September 22nd: Epicenter at Verizon Wireless Ampitheatre
September 22nd: Sondre Lerche at The Troubadour
September 26^th: Alanis Morissette at Fox Theater Pomona
September 27^th: Mary Chapin Carpenter and Sara Watkins at Club Nokia
September 28^th: William Elliot Whitmore at The Roxy
October 1st: Ed Sheeran at The Wiltern
October 1st: Safety Suit at The Roxy
October 2nd: Garbage at The Hollywood Palladium
October 2nd: The Lumineers at The Fonda Theatre
October 4th: The Milk Carton Kids at The Largo
October 4^th-7^th: Culture Collide Festival
October 6^th: Ben Howard at The Fonda Theatre
October 9^th: The Wallflowers and Everest at The Fonda Theatre
October 11th: Awolnation and Imagine Dragons at Club Nokia
October 16^th: Ellie Goulding at The Troubadour
October 16^th: First Aid Kit at The Fonda Theatre
October 19th: Tony Lucca at The Roxy
October 19th: Frightened Rabbit at The Troubadour
October 19^th: Allen Stone at The Music Box
October 20th: Stephen Kellogg & The Sixers at Saint Rocke
October 23^rd: Shiny Toy Guns at The Echoplex
October 24^th: The Darkness at Club Nokia
October 25^th: Bayside at Club Nokia
October 27^th: Queen Caveat at The Roxy
November 2nd: NEEDTOBREATHE at Fox Theater Pomona
November 3^rd: All American Rejects at The Wiltern
November 6th: Jens Lekman at Fonda Theatre
November 8^th: The Kin at The Roxy
November 16^th: Joshua Radin and A Fine Frenzy at The Wiltern
November 20^th: The Postelles and Mayday Parade at House of Blues
November 20^th: Rachel Yamagata at The El Rey

~ Kristen