Local Music Nation

Kristen’s Wedding Mix ’12- A Selection

Posted on July 10, 2012 by Kristen

I have a friend who is getting married at the end of this month so obviously, I am making her a lovely wedding/marriage themed mixed CD. In the process of combing through my music library to select the perfect songs, I’ve realized that many of the songs that one might classify as “love songs” aren’t really that at all. Well, there are a lot of songs about love, but I feel that they are mostly about love lost, a yearning for love, or what might more appropriately be labeled “lust” songs.

Another challenge is keeping the ratio of slow songs to more upbeat numbers reasonable. Ballads are great, but there can be rock songs about love and marriage, right? right??

Overall this has been a fun little exercise as it’s encouraged me to take a closer listen to some of my favorite songs. I thought I’d share some of my selections, so here are my top five cuts from my first wedding mix:

1) “Mountains” – Biffy Clyro

I firmly believe this to be the most romantic song ever written. I think for full impact, one must read the book Only Revolutions which inspired the song and the album it is on. I selected the acoustic version for the mix

2) “Nothing Without You” – Carney

I am also including the obvious “Think of You” but I wanted to rock the mix up a bit.

3) “Car Door (Dancing In the Aisles)” – Joe Firstman

All the complexities of marriage boiled down to a single line: “I’ll open up your car door every time as long as you’ll reach over and unlock mine”

4) “On Top Of The World” – Matthew Perryman Jones

the beauty of this song is paralyzing

5) “May I Suggest” – Red Molly

an affirmative song that should be played every day, but might be particularly relevant on a day like your wedding day

I also have on deck, songs from Ed Sheeran, Ben Rector, NEEDTOBREATHE, A Fine Frenzy, Tony Lucca, and more!

However, suggestions are welcomed…

~ Kristen

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 7/9-7/15

Posted on July 8, 2012 by Kristen

I’ve been doing a lot of writing this weekend. I can’t write without listening to music, so I’ve been doing a lot of that as well. After seeing Joe Firstman Friday at WitZend play one of the best shows I’ve seen in a while (from anyone), I’ve got his entire catalog on repeat. I’m also mixing in The Young Roman’s Tiger Child and the live EP Twin Atlantic gave out last week which has a particularly compelling acoustic version of “Make A Beast Of Myself”. Finally, last night, while at The Satellite to see Queen Caveat, I discovered a new band from Portland called Rags & Ribbons so I’m absorbing and slightly obsessing over their album The Glass Masses.

Soon, however, I’ll have to switch over to The Silent Comedy to pump myself up for their show tonight at The Echoplex. I can’t imagine a better way to end the weekend than a TSC dance-party.

Next week starts off strong with a show from Tony Lucca at Room 5. We’ll see how much Tony’s popularity has increased since his showing on The Voice. My other pick of the week might have to be Saint Motel’s record release at The El Rey on Saturday. I’m so proud of these LA locals, rising in popularity to headlining status at The El Rey! There are also several great shows at The Hotel Cafe this week including one by LMN Band Love Tournament of Hearts.

Here’s my full calendar of recommendations:

Monday: Tony Lucca at Room 5 (8pm)
ALSO: Lost Lander and Terraplane Sun FREE at The Satellite (10,11)
ALSO: Miracle Parade at R Bar (?)…be sure to check the R Bar website for the current password to get in

Tuesday: Monsters Calling Home at The Hotel Cafe (10:30)

Weds: Connie Lim and Sonia Rao at The Hotel Cafe (8,10)
ALSO: Roman Candle Wars at Los Globos (10pm)
ALSO: The Dig FREE at Silverlake Lounge (11pm)
ALSO: Andy Clockwise at King King Hollywood (8pm)

Thursday: Sara Watkins & Tom Brosseau at The Largo (8:30)
ALSO: Naia Kete and The O’s at The Hotel Cafe (9, 11)
ALSO: London Cries at The Viper Room (11pm)

Friday: Thao with the Get Down Stay Down at California Plaza Downtown (12pm)
ALSO: Justin Hopkins and Orlando Napier at Harvelle’s (9:30)
ALSO: Brendan Hines and Golden State at The Hotel Cafe (9, 10)
ALSO: Javier Dunn, Jesse Thomas, and The Young Romans at Room 5 (8,9,10)
ALSO: Lady Sinatra and Warner Drive at The Viper Room (10,11)
ALSO: David and Devine at On the Rox (8pm)
ALSO: Ryan Cabrera at The Key Club (10pm)

Saturday: Tournament of Hearts and Dawn McCoy at The Hotel Cafe (8, 9)
ALSO: Saint Motel with Princeton and Chasing Kings at The El Rey (8pm)…Saint Motel Record Release
ALSO: Carina Round at The Bootleg (10:30)
ALSO: Finish Ticket at Amplyfi (9pm)
ALSO: Purple Melon and Berlin FREE at Pershing Square (7:30)

Sunday: Tyrone Wells at Saint Rocke (8:05)

To Keep in Mind:
July 19^th: Missy Higgins and Butterfly Boucher at The Troubadour
July 25^th: Emery at The Roxy
July 25^th: Charlotte Martin at The Hotel Cafe
August 3^rd: Cory Chisel at The El Rey
August 10^thand 11^th: Jack White at Shrine Auditorium
August 13^th: The Kills at The El Rey
August 13^th: Birdy at The Roxy
August 14^th: The Dunwells at The Hotel Café
August 23^rd: Civil Twilight and Morning Parade at The El Rey
August 24^th: Truth & Salvage Co. at The Troubadour
September 1^st & 2^nd: FYF at Downtown LA
September 4^th: Gotye at The Greek Theatre
September 14^th: The Hives at The Wiltern
October 1^st: Ed Sheeran at The Wiltern
October 11^th: Awolnation and Imagine Dragons at Club Nokia
October 19^th: Tony Lucca at The Roxy
November 6^th: Jens Lekman at Fonda Theatre

~ Kristen

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 7/2-7/8

Posted on July 1, 2012 by Kristen

Last night, The Sunset Strip kept me out a bit late, so I’m in recovery mode today. Perfect time to prep a couple band interviews and catch up on the Olympic Trials. I am quite excited about these upcoming games. Swimming! Gymnastics!! Equestrian events (I have a soft spot for dressage)!!!

But back to the point, we have another week of excellent shows. The beginning of July means new month-long residencies by Terraplane Sun at The Satellite and The Dig at The Silverlake Lounge. Also, on the east side, Sunset Strip darlings, Queen Caveat, make an appearance at The Satellite on Saturday. Don’t miss it!

As for the rest:

Monday: Terraplane Sun and The Steelwells FREE at The Satellite (10pm)
ALSO: The Janks FREE at The Bootleg (11pm)
ALSO: Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 (9pm)

Tuesday: Red Circle Underground at The Roxy (7:30)
ALSO: Beachwood Piano Bar Sessions FREE at The Piano Bar featuring Dave Green (9pm)

Weds: The Dig FREE at Silverlake Lounge (11pm)

Thursday: Marie Moreshead and Barnaby Saints at The Hotel Cafe (7, 8)
ALSO: Franky Perez & The Truth and London Cries at The Viper Room (10, 11)

Friday: A House for Lions and Andy Clockwise at The Central (10, 11)
ALSO: The Young Romans and The Cordovas at WitZend (8, 9)
ALSO: Bad Rabbits at The Millenium Biltmore Hotel (9pm)…playing as part of the “Keeping It Classy” adult prom

Saturday: Queen Caveat at The Satellite (10:30)
ALSO: Brett Detar, Audra Mae, Cory Branan at The Mint (9pm)
ALSO: Black Carl and The Shakers at The Viper Room (10,11)
ALSO: Jamar Rogers at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)

Sunday: The Silent Comedy at The Echoplex (7pm)

To Keep in Mind:
July 14^th: Saint Motel at The El Rey
July 15^th: Tyrone Wells at Saint Rocke
July 19^th: Missy Higgins and Butterfly Boucher at The Troubadour
July 25^th: Emery at The Roxy
July 25^th: Charlotte Martin at The Hotel Cafe
August 3^rd: Cory Chisel at The El Rey
August 10^thand 11^th: Jack White at Shrine Auditorium
August 13^th: The Kills at The El Rey
August 13^th: Birdy at The Roxy
August 14^th: The Dunwells at The Hotel Café
August 23^rd: Civil Twilight and Morning Parade at The El Rey
August 24^th: Truth & Salvage Co. at The Troubadour
September 1^st & 2^nd: FYF at Downtown LA
September 4^th: Gotye at The Greek Theatre
September 14^th: The Hives at The Wiltern
October 1^st: Ed Sheeran at The Wiltern
October 11^th: Awolnation and Imagine Dragons at Club Nokia
October 19^th: Tony Lucca at The Roxy
November 6^th: Jens Lekman at Fonda Theatre

~ Kristen

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 6/24-7/1

Posted on June 24, 2012 by Kristen

Currently listening to all the bands on the Warped Tour line-up…trying to decide if I want to go to Ventura’s date. I’m leaning towards yes, mostly because I want to see Dead Sara, but sadly I feel there are more bands on my “to avoid” list than my “to check out” list (yes, I have made lists). Regardless, I’m putting together my calendar a day early just in case…

Plenty of good shows this week. I’m most excited about seeing some local bands I haven’t seen in a while (Lovers Drugs, The Active Set, Sabrosa Purr, NO, Standing Shadows, etc.). If you want to experience some great LA rock bands, it’s a good week to get out!

Here are the rest of my recommendations:

Monday: Graffiti6 at The Troubadour (9:30)
ALSO: It’s a School Night at Bardot featuring ZZ Ward and DWNTWN (10pm)…FREE with RSVP http://www.itsaschoolnight.com/losangeles/
ALSO: Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 (9pm)

Tuesday: Beachwood Rockers Sessions FREE at The Piano Bar featuring The Cordovas (9pm)
ALSO: Keaton Simons at The Del Monte Speakeasy (9pm)
ALSO: Infantree record release FREE at The Satellite (9pm)
ALSO: Lisa Marie Presley at The Roxy (8:30)

Weds: Jessie Payo and Joel Eckels at Room 5 (8,9)

Thursday: Lovers Drugs and The Active Set at The Satellite (9pm)
ALSO: Mariah McManus at The Hotel Cafe (10pm)
ALSO: George Stanford at Room 5 (8pm)
ALSO: He’s My Brother, She’s My Sister at Saint Rocke (9pm)
ALSO: Josh Groban at Walt Disney Concert Hall (8pm)

Friday: Golden State, Kill the Complex and Sabrosa Purr at The Viper Room (9,10,11)
ALSO: NO at The Satellite (10pm)
ALSO: Sophie B. Hawkins and Sweet Talk Radio at The Hotel Cafe (7pm)
ALSO: Connie Lim and Nina Storey at WIZend (9,10)
ALSO: Adam Bones at The Redwood Bar (9:30)
ALSO: Keane at The Orpheum (8pm)
ALSO: Fiona Apple at Hollywood Palladium (7pm)

Saturday: Standing Shadows at The Roxy (9pm)
ALSO: The Watkins Family Hour at Largo (9pm)
ALSO: Matthew Jordan at Genghis Cohen (8pm)
ALSO: Buddy and Mind the Gap at The Hotel Cafe (9, 10)
ALSO: The Mountain Goats at McCabe’s (7pm)

Sunday: Harper Blynn and Madi Diaz at The Troubadour (8:30, 9:30)
ALSO: Brendan Hines at The Bootleg (8pm)
ALSO: The Mountain Goats at McCabe’s (7pm)
ALSO: Laura Marling Ford Amphitheatre (8pm)

To Keep in Mind:
July 7^th: Queen Caveat at The Satellite
July 14^th: Saint Motel at The El Rey
July 19^th: Missy Higgins and Butterfly Boucher at The Troubadour
July 25^th: Emery at The Roxy
July 25^th: Charlotte Martin at The Hotel Cafe
August 3^rd: Cory Chisel at The El Rey
August 10^th: Jack White at Shrine Auditorium
August 13^th: The Kills at The El Rey
August 13^th: Birdy at The Roxy
August 14^th: The Dunwells at The Hotel Café
August 23^rd: Civil Twilight and Morning Parade at The EL Rey
August 24^th: Truth & Salvage Co. at The Troubadour
September 1^st & 2^nd: FYF at Downtown LA
September 4^th: Gotye at The Greek Theatre
October 1^st: Ed Sheeran at The Wiltern
October 11^th: Awolnation and Imagine Dragons at Club Nokia
October 19^th: Tony Lucca at The Roxy

~ Kristen