New Music Tuesday 4/3/12 Featuring The Lumineers, Of Monsters and Men, Ben Howard

Today has been quite chaotic. There is simply more to do than time to do it in. But I’m determined to get the word on on a few new CDs that come out today. So here it is. word.

The LumineersThe Lumineers  

The Lumineers have been a LMN Band Love for a little while now. I’ve been anxiously awaiting this album. It has been the soundtrack of my day. You should take a listen.

Buy it here.

 

Of Monsters and MenMy Head is An Animal

These guys made my SXSW ’12 mix with their song “Little Talks”. I am very much looking forward to checking the rest of the album out. Here’s a taste.

Amazon link

 

Ben HowardEvery Kingdom

Another artist from my SXSW ’12 mix has a CD coming out today. I already have a ticket to see Ben at The Troubadour in June. He’s playing two nights (5th and 6th). I think there are still tickets available for the second night.

Cd can be found here.

I’m not generally a fan of music videos, but this one really grabs me.

 

~ Kristen

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 4/2-4/8

I’ve mostly been avoiding the internet today. I am not a fan of this whole April Fool’s business. I do not need to hear about another band breaking up even if it is a joke… There are, however, some good deals going around in celebration of the day. High Voltage Magazine is offering an April 1st deal of 50% off a yearly subscription (http://www.iamhighvoltage.com/subscribe.html). Please check it out. I’m conducting an exciting interview tomorrow for my On the Rise piece for the Spring issue. The only place you can read it will be in the magazine, so here’s your chance to get it for ½ price!

In other news, some great shows this week. I’m particularly looking forward to seeing the lead singer of Augustana, Dan Layus, perform at The Hotel Cafe. His band’s last show at The El Rey will probably go down as one of my favorite shows of the year. Last I checked, there were still tickets available for the Hotel Cafe shows on both Weds and Thursday.

Here’s what else I’ve got for you:

Monday: Lemon Sun FREE at The Satellite (10pm)
ALSO: It’s A School Night at Bardot featuring Lelia Broussard and U.S. Royalty (10pm)…FREE with RSVP http://itsaschoolnight.com/
ALSO: Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 (9pm)

 

Tuesday: The Makepeace Brothers at The Mint (9:30)
ALSO: Queen Caveat at the 98.7FM Penthouse (5pm)…limited space so RSVP here: http://www.facebook.com/events/426085190739950/

 

Weds: The Barr Brothers and Dan Layus (of Augustana) at The Hotel Cafe (8,9:30)
ALSO: Jane Carrey Band at The Mint (8pm)

 

Thursday: Dan Layus (of Augustana) at The Hotel Cafe (9:30)
ALSO: He’s My Brother She’s My Sister and The Pierces at The Troubadour (9:15, 10)
ALSO: Terra Naomi at WitZend (8pm)
ALSO: Brett Detar at The Silverlake Lounge (9pm)
ALSO: Prom for Hope at Club Nokia featuring Semi Precious Weapons (8pm)

 

Friday: Keaton Simons at The Hotel Cafe (10pm)
ALSO: The Nervous Wreckords and Transfer at The Viper Room (10, 11)
ALSO: The Gallery at On the Rox (10pm)

 

Saturday: Anais Mitchell and John Elliot at The Broad Stage (Edye Theater) (8pm)
ALSO: Roman Candle Wars at The Redwood Bar (9:30)
ALSO: Jesse Thomas at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)
ALSO: Rodrigo y Gabriela at Hollywood Palladium (8pm)

 

Sunday: HAPPY EASTER!

 

 

To Keep in Mind:
April 10th: Neon Trees at The Troubadour
April 11th: Mike Doughty at Bootleg Theater
April 12th: Joseph Arthur at The Largo
April 12th: Curtis Peoples at The Hotel Café
April 13th: Kill the Alarm at Room 5
April 16th: Band of Skulls, We Are Augustines, The Sheepdogs at The El Rey
April 18th: Dar Williams at The Largo
April 19th: Foxy Shazam at The Roxy
April 13th-15th AND 20th– 22nd: Coachella
April 24th: The Milk Carton Kids at The Largo
April 25th: Ben Kweller at The El Rey
April 25th: Dead Sara at Club Nokia
April 26th: Jasmine Ash at The Roxy
April 26th: Zoe Keating at The Largo
April 27th: Ingrid Michaelson at The Troubadour
May 2nd: Cage the Elephant at The Mayan
May 3rd: James Morrison at The Avalon
May 6th: Middle Class Rut at The Troubadour
May 8th: Snow Patrol at The Hollywood Palladium
May 10th: Jay Nash at The Hotel Cafe
May 11th: Imagine Dragons at The Troubadour
May 12th: Augustana at The El Rey
May 19th: Eric Hutchinson and Graffiti6 at The Troubadour
May 30th: Eve 6 at The Troubadour
May 31st: Greg Laswell at The El Rey
June 3rd: Deas Vail at The Troubadour
June 5th and 6th: Ben Howard at The Troubadour
June 7-10th: Bonnaroo in Manchester, TN
June 13th and 14th: Phantom Planet at The Troubadour
June 16th: Thrice at Club Nokia

 

~ Kristen

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Kristen’s SXSW ’12 Mix – Part 7

One of the things I love most about SXSW is the opportunity it provides every year to discover great new artists. The following mix reflects some of the bands and musicians I’ve added to my “watch list” as a result of SXSW 2012. Enjoy!

Here’s the last of them…

24. The Chevin – “Champion”

Love these guys! They also put on a great live show. A band to watch for sure…

 25. Rosi Golan – “Paper Tiger”

I first saw Rosi Golan open for Wakey! Wakey! via a webstream. I really wanted to see her in person at SXSW, but she is just another one that got away. Next time, I suppose.

 

26. Nathaniel Rateliff – “Early Spring Till”

I caught some of Nathaniel Rateliff’s set at Maggie Mae’s Rooftop…it was the calm in an otherwise chaotic evening of crazy venue hopping. Nathaniel is the kind of musician who forces you to stop and be in the moment when he performs and for that, especially at SXSW, I am forever grateful. Nathaniel is back in LA April 18th at The Troubadour as part of The Revival Tour with Chuck Ragan (Hot Water Music), Cory Branan, and Tommy Gabel (Against Me!).

 

Listen! Learn! Love!

 

~ Kristen

Kristen’s SXSW ’12 Mix – Part 6

One of the things I love most about SXSW is the opportunity it provides every year to discover great new artists. The following mix reflects some of the bands and musicians I’ve added to my “watch list” as a result of SXSW 2012. Enjoy!

 

20. Said The Whale – “Heavy Ceiling”

Vancouver’s Said The Whale may not have won me over with their name, but every time this songs comes up, I find myself doing the head bob and wondering who the band is.

 

 21. The Balconies – “Kill Count”

If only every time I punched or kicked something, it would turn to glitter…would save on so many stubbed toes…

 

22. We Are The Ocean – “The Waiting Room”

I first heard of We Are the Ocean from the SXSW band list. Then I saw them open for Twin Atlantic and You Me at Six…twice. Their CD, Go Now and Live, lived in my car stereo for a while. I can sing along to every song. I love this band. They were supposed to be at SXSW, but I’m not sure that they made it…regardless, I could not leave them off this list.  

 

23. Hope Atlantic – “Lost at Sea”

Another Canadian band makes my list. I think Canada takes a close second to the UK for countries supplying my SXSW-fueled new musical inspirations.

 

Listen! Learn! Love!

 

~ Kristen

Kristen’s SXSW ’12 Mix – Part 5

One of the things I love most about SXSW is the opportunity it provides every year to discover great new artists. The following mix reflects some of the bands and musicians I’ve added to my “watch list” as a result of SXSW 2012. Enjoy!

16. Cheyenne Marie Mize – “Wishing Well”

So apparently Cheyenne was one of NPR’s SXSW Discoveries of 2011…I may be a year behind, but I’m glad I happened upon Cheyenne and this song.

 

 17. Kiernan McMullan – “Alright Was Never Good Enough”

Another promising singer-songwriter from Nashville…with so many of my fave guys with guitars leaving LA, it seems like I may have to make another pilgrimage to the Music City to get my fix. Kiernan needs to book a gig at 3rd & Lindsley the day after Bonnaroo (just putting that request out into the universe)

 18. Nic Cowan – “Hard Headed”

I feel like this would be a good theme song in certain circumstances. “I’m just hard headed and I ain’t gonna quit”

 

19. Sugar & The Hi-Lows – “See It For Yourself”

I’m already a fan of both Trent Dabbs and Amy Stroup and I fully approve of any Ten out of Tenn collaboration so the fact that Sugar & The Hi-Lows exceeded my expectations is really saying something.

 

Listen! Learn! Love!

 

~ Kristen

Kristen’s SXSW ’12 Mix – Part 4

One of the things I love most about SXSW is the opportunity it provides every year to discover great new artists. The following mix reflects some of the bands and musicians I’ve added to my “watch list” as a result of SXSW 2012. Enjoy!

9. Ben Howard – “Keep Your Head Up”

The fact that The Troubadour added another Ben Howard date in June after the first one sold out makes me downright giddy. This guy’s voice is addictive.

 

10. Anais Mitchell– “Shepherd”

This song. This voice. I am sold. Anais is playing in Santa Monica at The Broad Stage, Edye Theater April 7th…if anyone is looking to get me a belated birthday present… http://thebroadstage.com/show_info.php?show_id=118

 

11. Marcus Foster– “Shadows of the City”

I saw Marcus Foster play Maggie Mae’s Rooftop. It was one of the highlights of my week in Austin. This guy comes to your town, don’t miss him! 

 

Listen! Learn! Love!

 

~ Kristen

Kristen’s SXSW ’12 Mix – Part 3

One of the things I love most about SXSW is the opportunity it provides every year to discover great new artists. The following mix reflects some of the bands and musicians I’ve added to my “watch list” as a result of SXSW 2012. Enjoy!

12. Defining Times– “Rite”

I hear potential in this band from Oklahoma City, OK…I like potential.

13. New Cassettes – “Silent Guns”

Okay, so I did see this band a year ago…but I had kind of forgotten about them until they popped up on my SXSW radar. I thought they deserved a second mention.

 

14. Morning Parade– “Headlights”

After listening to my mega SXSW mix en route to Austin, it was decided that Morning Parade was going to be one of our must-sees. We caught them one early afternoon at The British Embassy and they did not disappoint.

 

15. Brother & Bones – “Hold Me Like the Sun”

Is it just me or can you are you also craving a line-up of Jonathan Tyler & The Northern Lights, Brother & Bones, and The Silent Comedy after listening to this song? Just me? huh…

 

Listen! Learn! Love!

 

~ Kristen