Local Music Nation

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 7/23-7/29

Posted on July 22, 2012 by Kristen

Due to my ever-expanding list of things undone and past due, I didn’t get out to many shows last week. As each show-less day passed, I think I fell further and further down the rabbit hole of lethargy and despondency, which honestly does NOT make getting work done any easier. By the time Saturday rolled around, I had so little energy, I could barely move. I forced myself, however, to get downtown to Bloomfest LA and saw three amazing bands (NO, Grace Woodroofe, The Neighbourhood) and today, I’m feeling energetic, happy and productive again. It’s amazing how that works… absolutely amazing.

Expect pictures from the event to come up on facebook (http://www.facebook.com/localmusicnation) soon, but seriously these are three groups you need to check out:

NO: http://nomusicfor.me/
Grace Woodroffe: http://gracewoodroofe.com.au/
The Neighbourhood: http://thenbhd.com/

Speaking of great music to check out, we have quite a few choice acts playing in LA this week. My pick of the week would have to go to Bethpage Black Sunday night at The Troubadour. Bethpage Black drummer, Steve Coy, needs to take a respite from drumming due to back issues, so this will be the band’s last show for a bit. Don’t miss out!

Here’s the rest of my selections:

Monday: ~~Lovers Drugs FREE at The Silverlake Lounge (9pm)~~ (the band had to cancel)
ALSO: Alberta Cross FREE at Amoeba Records (7pm)
ALSO: Terraplane Sun FREE at The Satellite (11pm)
ALSO: Paul and the Kir at Molly Malone’s (9pm)
ALSO: American Idol Live at Nokia Live (7pm)
ALSO: Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 (9pm)

Tuesday: Dead Feather Moon at The Hotel Cafe (11pm)
ALSO: Everest and Alberta Cross at The Troubadour (9:15, 10:15)
ALSO: Dave Green (of The Filthy Souls) at Hemingways (9:45)
ALSO: Parker Ainsworth and friends at WitZend (10pm)

Weds: Voxhaul Broadcast at The Troubadour (10:15)
ALSO: Holly Conlan at Room 5 (8pm)
ALSO: Emery at The Roxy (10pm)
ALSO: Act As If, Max and the Moon and The Dig FREE at Silverlake Lounge (9,10,11)
ALSO: Imagine Dragons, Walk The Moon, The Lumineers, The Joy Formidible at Paramount Studios (8pm)

Thursday: Daniel Bedingfield at The Mint (10:15)
ALSO: Jackie Greene FREE at The Santa Monica Pier (7pm)
ALSO: London Cries at The Viper Room (11pm)
ALSO: Marcus Very Ordinary at Bootleg Bar (9pm)

Friday: Madi Diaz, Cary Brothers, Harper Blynn, and Mind the Gap at The Hotel Cafe (8pm)
ALSO: mewithoutYou with Kevin Devine and Buried Beds at The Troubadour (8:30)
ALSO: Lady Danville FREE at California Plaza in Downtown LA (noon)
ALSO: New York Rifles at Amplyfi (9pm)

Saturday: A House for Lions at The Hotel Cafe (10pm)
ALSO: He’s My Brother, She’s My Sister and Red Circle Underground at The Roxy (8pm)
ALSO: Nick Waterhouse FREE at The Getty Center (7pm)

Sunday: Bethpage Black at The Troubadour (9:15)
ALSO: Fiona Apple at Hollywood Palladium (7pm)

To Keep in Mind:
July 30^th: The Silent Comedy at The Satellite
August 3^rd: Cory Chisel at The El Rey
August 4^th: Band of Skulls at The Annberg Space for Photography
August 8^th: Langhorne Slim & The Law at The Troubadour
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 Cafe
August 16^th-18^th: SSMF
August 19^th: fun. at The Wiltern
August 23^rd: Civil Twilight and Morning Parade at The El Rey
August 24^th: Truth & Salvage Co. at The Troubadour
August 25^th: Charlotte Martin at The Hotel Cafe
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
September 22^nd: Epicenter at Verizon Wireless Ampitheatre
October 1^st: Ed Sheeran at The Wiltern
October 2^nd: Garbage at The Wiltern
October 4^th: The Milk Carton Kids at The Largo
October 11^th: Awolnation and Imagine Dragons at Club Nokia
October 19^th: Tony Lucca at The Roxy
October 19^th: Frightened Rabbit at The Troubadour
October 20^th: Stephen Kellogg & The Sixers at Saint Rocke
November 2^nd: NEEDTOBREATHE at Fox Theater Pomona
November 6^th: Jens Lekman at Fonda Theatre

~ Kristen

Watch This! Jasmine Ash, Thomas Wynn & The Believers, The Dirty Guv’nahs

Posted on July 19, 2012 by Kristen

Here are some videos I’ve been enjoying this week:

Jasmine Ash– “Starlight”

Jasmine Ash quickly won me over with her debut CD, Beneath The Noise. Her new video for “Starlight” exemplifies the fun and quirky Ash and her cute and catchy tunes. Come see the singer live at The Hotel Cafe August 1^st.

Thomas Wynn & The Believers – “I Don’t Regret”

Orlando-based Thomas Wynn has one of those instantly captivating voices. Then when Wynn and his band The Believers break it down in a song like “I Don’t Regret”, there are chills! I’m very much looking forward to Thomas Wynn & The Believers LA appearance at The Bootleg August 9^th.

The Dirty Guv’nahs – “3000 Miles”

I became a fan of The Dirty Guv’nahs after seeing them for the first time at Bonnaroo this summer. I love the theme behind this video for their song “3000 Miles”, especially since it’s their live performance that really sold me on the band. Watching this video just makes me want to go to another show! Let’s hope the Knoxville, TN natives, can make it out to LA soon.

Listen! Learn! Love!

~ Kristen

New Music Tuesday 7/17/12 Featuring Milo Greene, Todd Carey, Alberta Cross

Posted on July 17, 2012 by Kristen

My favorite part about Tuesdays is the new music available for my ears. Here are some of the CDs I’m going to check out today. If you’re also in the market for some tunes, I’d suggest you do the same!

Milo Greene – Milo Greene

It’s been about a year since LMN started talking about Milo Greene and the band have finally released their debut self-titled album. If you want to be swept away by the idyllic beauty of songs like “Silent Way,” do not hesitate to get this album (Amazon or Itunes). It’s a keeper!

Toddy Carey – The Duets Project

Singer-songwriter, Todd Carey, has released an EP of his songs that he has transformed into duets with female artists like Amber Rubarth and Sarah Miles. Carey previews the EP, calling it “a stripped down revisiting of my catalog”. You can listen to the tracks here http://music.aol.com/new-releases-full-cds/#/10 and buy the album here.

Alberta Cross – Songs of Patience

I’ve only heard one song so far, but I’m really looking forward to digesting the new album from Alberta Cross. Go to their website and download “Magnolia” for free! Then buy their album here.

Other CDs to check out today:

Saving Able http://www.savingabel.com/ – Bringing Down The Giant
Old Crow Medicine Show – Carry Me Back http://www.crowmedicine.com/
Susanna Hoffs – Somedayhttp://www.susannahoffs.com/
Matisyahu – Spark Seekerhttp://preorder.matisyahuworld.com/
Mark Tremonti – All I Was http://www.marktremonti.net/
Soul Asylum – Delayed Reaction http://enterthesoulasylum.com/
Missy Higgins – The Ol’ Razzle Dazzle http://missyhiggins.com/
Jeff The Brotherhood – Hypnotic Nightshttp://www.jeffthebrotherhood.com/
Ray Tarintino – Ray Tarintinohttp://www.raytarantino.com/
Angus Stone – Broken Brightshttp://angusstone.com/

Listen! Learn! Love!

~ Kristen

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 7/16-7/22

Posted on July 15, 2012 by Kristen

I feel like I missed out on a lot this weekend. Mostly, everything Comic-Con related: The Firefly reunion, the Lost Girl and Supernatural panels, all those new TV pilots, The Questionable Content guy, the Aushole gathering…I’m still a bit sour about the whole thing. It was also my 10 year high school reunion this weekend, but honestly, that would have probably been more awkward and uncomfortable than being immersed in a sea of costume-wearing Trekkies speaking in Klingon. I did, however, get two references to Engelbert Humperdinck two days in a row, so…that’s exciting.

Moving forward, we have another great week for music ahead of us! If you haven’t made it out to Terraplane Sun’s Monday night residency at The Satellite, this would be a great week to do so. Friday night I’m looking forward to checking out Western Scene, a band built from the remnants of San Diego’s Dynamite Walls. Then Saturday night, it’s time to celebrate George Stanford’s record release at The Hotel Cafe. Here’s what else I’d recommend:

Monday: Terraplane Sun, The Mowgli’s, The Janks, Ry Cuming FREE at The Satellite (9pm)
ALSO: Keaton Simons at The Hotel Cafe (8pm)
ALSO: It’s a School Night at Bardot featuring Matisyahu, Foxes, Leftover Cuties, and The Royal You (9pm)…free with RSVP http://www.itsaschoolnight.com/losangeles/
ALSO: Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 (9pm)
ALSO: Susanna Hoffs at The Grammy Museum (8pm)

Tuesday: Lovers Drugs at The Central (8pm)
ALSO: Milo Greene FREE at Amoeba Records (7pm)
ALSO: Foxes at The Bootleg Bar (10:30)
ALSO: Badwater at Amplyfi (8:15)

Weds: Indians FREE at 3 Clubs (9pm)
ALSO: Matt Simons and Chris Ayer at Room 5 (9,10)
ALSO: The Dig FREE at Silverlake Lounge (11pm)

Thursday: Butterfly Boucher and Missy Higgins at The Troubadour (9,10)
ALSO: Lovers Drugs and Picture Atlantic at Lot 1 (8pm)
ALSO: The Active Set, Hello Vegas, Of Verona at Bootleg Bar (10pm)
ALSO: Mind the Gap, Josh Tatum, So & So, and London Cries at The Viper Room (8pm)
ALSO: Bobby Long, Naia Kete, Jen Hirsh at The Hotel Cafe (8, 9, 10)
ALSO: Jessie Payo, Bryan Rooney, Belmont Lights at WitZend (8pm)
ALSO: NO at the Del Monte Speakeasy (9pm)

Friday: Western Scene at The Satellite (10pm)
ALSO: Barcelona at The Hotel Cafe (11pm)
ALSO: Howlin Rain at Saint Rocke (9pm)
ALSO: Haim FREE at California Plaza Downtown LA (12pm)
ALSO: Satellite and Uncle Daddy at WitZend (8pm)

Saturday: George Stanford and Brian Wright at The Hotel Cafe (11,12)…George Stanford’s Record Release Show
ALSO: Bloomfest LA featuring NO, Grace Woodroofe, The Neighbourhood, and more! FREE downtown LA http://www.bloomfestla.com/

Sunday: Jim Bianco at The Hotel Cafe (8pm)

To Keep in Mind:
July 25^th: Emery at The Roxy
July 25^th: Charlotte Martin at The Hotel Café
July 30^th: The Silent Comedy at The Satellite
August 3^rd: Cory Chisel at The El Rey
August 4^th: Band of Skulls at The Annberg Space for Photography
August 8^th: Langhorne Slim & The Law at The Troubadour
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 Cafe
August 16^th-18^th: SSMF
August 19^th: fun. at The Wiltern
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
September 22^nd: Epicenter at Verizon Wireless Ampitheatre
October 1^st: Ed Sheeran at The Wiltern
October 2^nd: Garbage at The Wiltern
October 11^th: Awolnation and Imagine Dragons at Club Nokia
October 19^th: Tony Lucca at The Roxy
October 19^th: Frightened Rabbit at The Troubadour
October 20^th: Stephen Kellogg & The Sixers at Saint Rocke
November 2^nd: NEEDTOBREATHE at Fox Theater Pomona
November 6^th: Jens Lekman at Fonda Theatre

~ Kristen

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