Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 8/1-8/7

Enjoying a lovely Sunday afternoon catching up with friends via email or phone and listening to George Stanford from the comfort of my home. Maybe this live stream thing isn’t such a bad thing after all. Join George next Sunday 3pm PST (http://www.livestream.com/georgestanford) and listen to him sing (yes he takes requests) and ramble on about…anything. It’s cool because there are people from all over the country gathering together listening to music…I wish we could do this kind of thing more often.

 

But for those of you in Los Angeles, so many live shows you can go to this week. Here are my suggestion:

 

Monday: It’s a school night at Bardot featuring Cary Brothers and The Damnwells (10pm)…FREE with RSVP (http://www.itsaschoolnight.com/)
ALSO: The Belle Brigade at The Grammy Museum (7:30)
ALSO: The Californian at The Viper Room (11pm)
ALSO: Taylor Locke and Robert Francis FREE at Bootleg Bar (9,11)
ALSO: Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 (9pm)

 

Tuesday: Justin Jones, Raining Jane, Bushwalla at The Hotel Cafe (7,9,10)…Raining Jane record release
ALSO: Toy FREE at Hard Rock Cafe in Hollywood (9pm)
ALSO: Youngblood Hawke at The Satellite (10pm)
ALSO: Stop Motion Poetry at The Viper Room (11pm)
ALSO: The Naked & Famous at The Music Box

 

Weds: The Alternate Routes at The Satellite (9pm)
ALSO: Anna Nalick at The Hotel Cafe (10pm)
ALSO: Moderne Man at The Viper Room (10:50)

 

Thursday: Brian Wright at The Foundry on Melrose (9pm)
ALSO: Terra Naomi at The Hotel Cafe as part of YouTube Songwriters in the Round (8pm)

 

Friday: Keaton Simons at The Hotel Cafe (10pm)…beginning of the Keaton residency
ALSO: Abandoned Pools at The Viper Room (10:45)
ALSO: Harris Grade at Amplyfi (10:15)

 

Saturday: The Janks at The Hotel Cafe (10pm)
ALSO: Fat City Reprise at O’Briens (10pm)
ALSO: Brian Wright at Saint Rocke (9pm)

 

Sunday: something always comes up by Sunday…

 

 

To Keep in Mind:
August 10th: Sia at The Wiltern
August 11th: Toy and Lifehouse at Ventura County Fair
August 11th: Ellie Goulding at The Wiltern
August 12-14th: Outside Lands in San Francisco
August 12th: Andrew Belle at The Mint
August 13th: Milk Carton Kids CD Release at McCabe’s
August 13th: Nico Vega at Saint Rocke
August 16th: Mutemath at The Troubadour
August 18th: Nico Vega at The Roxy
August 18th and 25th: The Veronicas at The Viper Room
August 18th: TDIF at The Hotel Cafe
August 19th: Buckcherry at The Roxy
August 18-20th: SSMF
August 22nd: Ben Rector at The Hotel Cafe
August 27-28th: Sunset Junction
September 3rd: FYF
September 22-24: Hotel Carolina (South Carolina)
September 22nd: Jonathan Tyler and the Northern Lights at The Viper Room
September 24th: William Elliot Whitmore at Bootleg Theater
September 25th: The Lonely Forest at The Wiltern
October 14th: Butterfly Boucher at Bootleg Theater
March 13-18th: SXSW (Austin, TX)

~ Kristen

http://twitter.com/#!/_localmusicnat

Listen to This!: When I Stop Running – TFDI

Tony Lucca, Matt Duke, and Jay Nash are three of my favorite singer-songwriters. Last year they went on a tour christened the “Totally F*ckin’ Doin’ It” (TFDI) Tour. The tour was a smashing success, spawning a 4 song TFDI EP that had the masses demanding more. This summer, the trio announced another TFDI tour coupled with the release of a full length album, When I Stop Running. I downloaded the album a couple days ago and I can’t stop listening. It’s a combination of tunes, familiar and new, all sung by some combination of voices that alone have the ability to stir the soul and together…well, can we say super group?  I’m enjoying the group takes on classics like Lucca’s “Darlin’ I” and Nash’s “Sweet Talking Liar”, but I’m even more excited about songs I hadn’t heard before like “Hurtin Kind” and the titular “When I Stop Running” as well as fun covers like a slowed down version of Tom Petty’s “American Girl” and the incredibly apropos “On the Road Again.”

If you want a description of what the trio has to offer, I’d point you to the TFDI facebook page where each of the three artists relays their take on this unique “bromance” and the upcoming tour. Here’s what Jay Nash had to say:

“It’s a simple equation, but it works incredibly well,” says Nash. “Three distinct songwriting voices and three guitars is the general blueprint, but this time around, expect surprises. Lucca gravitates toward an R&B and soul vibe, Matt Duke brings in the alternative rock, and I suppose that I am the hippie/Americana fan. Somehow it all blends together into beautiful cacophony. Last fall, I think that we found a great starting point and I cannot wait to continue on stage and in the studio. Also, Matt Duke, if you could bring an extra toothbrush along, that would be great.”

The TFDI Tour is coming through California in August. The Hotel Cafe on the 18th, Saint Rocke on the 19th, The Ventura Folk Festival on the 20th, Anthology in San Diego on the 28th. Check out the tour page for more info on cities and dates that take the trio all over the country through the fall months.

You can download When I Stop Running on Amazon where you can get “Stranger in a Strange Place” for free!

Here’s a promo for their tour last fall…

 

~ Kristen

New Music Tuesday 7/26/11

It’s Tuesday! New music comes out today! Here’s what I’ve got on the top of my shopping list (there are some really good ones this week):

 

Living Like Kings in Confined SpaceHalos

I’ve enjoyed this band every time I’ve seen them. Their song “Amalgam” made my SXSW 2011 mix. I’m really looking foward to finally having this album. If you like soaring rock songs, you should check it out. And if you’re in LA, come to their record release party TONIGHT at The Viper Room. 8pm.

Download the album here

 

 

IndiansIndians

Joe Hursley (The Ringers) strikes again with this first album from his new band, Indians. This high energy debut does a decent job at capturing the crazy intensity of a live Indians performance. I’ve been listening to it since the CD release party at The Viper Room last Friday. Songs like “Long Way Home” and my favorite (at least thus far) “Dream Store” are perfect “get pumped up songs” and I’m finding this CD a perfect mood setter for a night out on the town.

Download the album here

 

 

Pressure and TimeRival Sons

I had no idea this CD wasn’t officially released yet. I’ve been groovin’ with it for weeks now. This LA based bluesy rock band has been on my list of acts to see ever since I first heard singer Jay Buchanan sing his first note at an intimate Hotel Cafe mini set. Rival Sons seem to be getting more notice lately; playing gigs around the world, having their video played on MTVU, and being nominated for classic rock Hall of Honour awards.  Definitely a group to keep your eyes on.

Buy the album here

 

 

LP1Joss Stone 

I haven’t heard any of this yet, but I’ve been a fan of this soulful Brit since 2003’s Soul Sessions and I’m definitely interested to see what she’s been up to lately.

 

Buy it here

 

 

Happy Listening!

 

~ Kristen

PS: apparently Nico Vega’s debut LP was not available worldwide on ITunes until today. This is one of my very favorite CDs so if you don’t yet have it, give it a download. You won’t regret it.

 

New Band Alert: Milo Greene

 

Their first show was in March, and they’ve already played to a packed crowd for the Hammer Museum’s “I Also Like to Rock” series. Last night was the first time I was able to see Milo Greene at The Bootleg Theater opening for Races. I was mesmerized by all the beautiful voices…especially when they started working together to create gorgeous harmonies or counter melodies. I was also excited to see a couple familiar faces up on stage, former members of the sadly defunct LINKS. If you want a comparison, they remind me a bit of Seattle’s The Head and The Heart (an LMN fave). But really, you should check them out for yourselves. Their next posted gig seems to be at Sunset Junction. In the meantime, get to know the band! Here follows the appropriate links…

 

http://milogreene.com/
http://twitter.com/#!/milogreene

http://www.facebook.com/MiloGreene?sk=info

http://milogreene.bandcamp.com/

 

UPDATE: Milo Greene announce tour with The Civil Wars. Touring all over. Check out the dates here and get your tickets before they sell out: http://milogreene.com/live.html

 

Listen and Love!

~ Kristen

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar 7/25-7/31

What an awesome and exhausting week! Finished this two week crazy intense neuroimaging training program. Meet some truly amazing people from around the world and Friday night I was excited to take some of them out and show them a bit of my other life. We ventured to The Viper Room for Indian’s CD Release show. Everyone fell in love with opening band, Maniac. Then Indians put on their trademark powerhouse of a set. I was happy to be able to finally take home some of their songs! We caught a bit of the craziness that is Har Mar Superstar and rounded out the night with some Little Red Radio dancing.

The whole evening made me wish people would visit me more often…

This week, things (hopefully) return to a more normal pace. Great shows every night. I’m especially looking forward to Langhorne Slim on Tuesday! Here’s what else I have on my calendar:

 

Monday: Races FREE at The Bootleg Theater (10:30)
ALSO: Andy Clockwise FREE at The Satellite (11pm)
ALSO: The Mulhollands at The Viper Room (12:15)
ALSO: Battles FREE at Amoeba Records (6pm)
ALSO: Gavin DeGraw, Maroon 5, and Train at The Hollywood Bowl (7pm)
ALSO: Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 (9pm)

 

Tuesday: Langhorne Slim at The Echoplex (10pm)
ALSO: The Indigo Girls at The Troubadour (9pm)
ALSO: Halos at The Viper Room (8pm)
ALSO: Toy Bombs at The Central in Santa Monica (9pm)
ALSO: Beachwood Night FREE at Piano Bar (8-??)

 

Weds: Holly Conlan, So & So, Angel Taylor at The Hotel Cafe (8,9,10)…So & So record release show
ALSO: Meiko at Saint Rocke (9pm)

 

Thursday: A Perfect Circle at Gibson Auditorium (8:15)
ALSO: Ben Sollee at Bootleg Theater (10:30)
ALSO: The Co, Holly Winter, and Jen Hirsh at The Hotel Cafe (7,8,9)
ALSO: Kurt Vile and the Violators at The Troubadour (9:15)
ALSO: The Henry Clay People and Lady Danville FREE at The Hammer Museum (7pm)
ALSO: Kina Grannis at Largo at the Coronet (8:30)
ALSO: The Gin Blossoms at Brixton South Bay in Redondo Beach (8pm)

 

Friday: Fat City Reprise at On the Rox (10pm)
ALSO: Ludo at The Roxy (7pm)
ALSO: The Damnwells at The Mint (8:45)
ALSO: The Features at The Satellite (9pm)
ALSO: Kurt Vile at The Troubadour (10:15)

 

Saturday: 10,000 Maniacs at Pershing Square (8pm)…part of the outdoor summer concert series downtown
ALSO: Inverse at The Viper Room (10pm)
ALSO: Ernie Halter at The Hotel Cafe (8pm)
ALSO: LA Rising at the LA Coliseum featuring Rage Against the Machine, Muse, Lauryn Hill and Rise Against (3pm)

 

Sunday: Filter at The Key Club (9pm)

 

 

To Keep in Mind:
August 10th: Sia at The Wiltern
August 11th: Toy and Lifehouse at Ventura County Fair
August 11th: Ellie Goulding at The Wiltern
August 12-14th: Outside Lands in San Francisco
August 13th: Milk Carton Kids CD Release at McCabe’s
August 13th: Nico Vega at Saint Rocke
August 16th: Mutemath at The Troubadour
August 18th: Nico Vega at The Roxy
August 18th and 25th: The Veronicas at The Viper Room
August 18th: TDIF at The Hotel Cafe
August 19th: Buckcherry at The Roxy
August 18-20th: SSMF
August 27-28th: Sunset Junction
September 3rd: FYF
September 22-24: Hotel Carolina (South Carolina)
September 22nd: Jonathan Tyler and the Northern Lights at The Viper Room

~ Kristen

http://twitter.com/#!/_localmusicnat

LA Show Announcement: Dead Sara at Hemingway’s Sunday 7/24

I always tell you something will come up on those blank Sunday’s in the calendar. This week it’s an especially good one, so I wanted to make sure everyone knew about it. Band love, Dead Sara, is playing at Hemingway’s Lounge in Hollywood this Sunday (7/24).  Check here for details…and to RSVP for the guest list. Hemingway’s is a club very fitting of its name, books everywhere (include bookcase pillars) and a wall decorated with old typewriters. And, of course, Dead Sara is one of the best up and coming LA bands. For a taste, check out their recent video for one of my favorite Dead Sara tunes, “Sorry For It All”…incidentally filmed at Hemingway’s.

 

~ Kristen

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 7/18-7/24

I’ve been dancing around the apartment all morning…kind of on a Wallflowers kick, although my player just hit a Nirvana tune and I can dig that too. The good mood is most likely due to the fact that I have my car back and it feels like freedom. Also, I have a day off for the first time in what seems like ages (grocery shopping, bill paying, and household chores have never felt so good).

In a few minutes, I’m headed off to Culver City to check out the bands playing at the Eat Real Festival. I’m particularly looking forward to OddUs.

As for the rest of the week, here’s my schedule:

Monday: George Stanford, Toy Bombs, and Andy Clockwise FREE at The Satellite (9pm)
ALSO: Kevin Hammond at The Hotel Cafe (6pm)
ALSO: Races FREE at Bootleg (10:30)
ALSO: Eastern Conference Champions FREE at Bardot for It’s a School night (11pm)…need to RSVP http://www.itsaschoolnight.com/
ALSO: Songwriters in the Round featuring Jay Nash and Ernie Halter at Room 5 (9pm)

 

Tuesday: Dead Country and Alkaline Trio at The Troubadour (7:30, 9:25)
ALSO: Jenni Alpert at Room 5 (8pm)
ALSO: Chasing Kings at The Echo (9pm)
ALSO: Beachwood Rockers at Piano Bar (8pm)

 

Weds: Anna Nalick at The Hotel Cafe (10pm)

 

Thursday: Andy Clockwise, Kim Churchill and Missy Higgins FREE at The Pier (7pm)
ALSO: Griffin House at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)
ALSO: Spaceland Under the Stars presents FREE at Pershing Square featuring Infantree (8pm)
ALSO: Grouplove and Milo Greene FREE at The Hammer Museum (7pm)
ALSO: Alkaline Trio and Dead Country at The Troubadour (7:30)
ALSO: Owl City and Mat Kearney at Club Nokia (7pm)

 

Friday: Chasing Avalanche, Oh No Not Stereo, Indians, Har Mar Superstar, and Little Red Radio at The Viper Room (8pm)…Indians record release show
ALSO: Keaton Simons at The Hotel Cafe (10:30)
ALSO: Fitz & The Tantrums at The Music Box (8pm)
ALSO: The Material at The Roxy (8pm)
ALSO: Ryan Cabrera at The Key Club (11pm)
ALSO: Bush at Saint Rocke (9pm)
ALSO: Soundgarden at The Forum (8pm)

 

Saturday: Forest Day at The Mint (10pm)

 

 

Sunday: as usual, something will come up

To Keep in Mind:
July 26th: The Indigo Girls at The Troubadour
July 28th: Ben Sollee at Bootleg Theater
July 28th: A Perfect Circle at Gibson Auditorium
August 11th: Toy and Lifehouse at Ventura County Fair
August 12-14th: Outside Lands in San Francisco
August 16th: Mutemath at The Troubadour
August 18th and 25th: The Veronicas at The Viper Room
August 18th: TDIF at The Hotel Cafe
August 19th: Buckcherry at The Roxy
August 18-20th: SSMF
August 27-28th: Sunset Junction
September 3rd: FYF
September 22-24: Hotel Carolina (South Carolina)
September 22nd: Jonathan Tyler and the Northern Lights at The Viper Room

~ Kristen

http://twitter.com/#!/_localmusicnat