Author: Kristen

New Music Tuesday 7/26/11

Posted on by Kristen

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 Space – Halos

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

 

 

Indians – Indians

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 Time – Rival 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

 

 

LP1– Joss 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

Posted on by Kristen

 

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

Posted on by Kristen

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

Posted on by Kristen

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

Posted on by Kristen

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

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 7/11-7/17

Posted on by Kristen

This past week has been incredibly rough. From all the problems resulting from the new apartment to my car breaking down and work stuff just not…working, I haven’t been in the best of spirits. I am very grateful to have friends who made the effort to drive me to/from a couple shows, without which I would descend into madness. I at least made it to two of the four The Silent Comedy shows. Those boys never fail to deliver a good time. Their show at the LACMA with Saint Motel was particularly enjoyable as it included a tour of the Tim Burton exhibit AND it got done early enough for us to catch a little “Weatherman” from Dead Sara at The Viper Room.

My favorite show last week, however, was Truth & Salvage Co. with Brian Wright Monday night at The Hotel Cafe. I discovered Truth & Salvage Co. at this venue over two years ago and seeing them play my favorite stage once again was like a homecoming. This band has the ability to transform the energy of an entire room making it impossible to not feel a strong sense of communal love, happiness, and an overwhelming desire to dance. And let’s not forget about the Brian Wright icing on the Truth & Salvage cake! That man is a marvel…and is incidentally playing a last minute gig tonight (Sunday) at Piano Bar at 10:30 (told you something would come up)

This week I start an intensive two week training course so my evening adventures will again be diminished. Nothing will stop me, however, from Parade of Lights Thursday night at The Viper Room. I’ve mentioned these boys before and am incredibly excited to have them back in Los Angeles. If you can make it, I’d love to see you there.

Here’s what else is going on (it’s quite a healthy week for music):

 

Monday: Andy Clockwise and Lemon Sun FREE at The Satellite (10pm)…the first of a month long residence from Mr. Clockwise
ALSO: Races FREE at Bootleg Theater (10:30)…another start of a must-see residency
ALSO: Thao and Mirah at The Hotel Cafe (8pm)
ALSO: Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 (9pm)

 

Tuesday: Eli James FREE at Hemingway’s Lounge (10pm)
ALSO: Matthew Mayfield and Johnny Marnell at The Hotel Cafe (9, 10)
ALSO: Stop Motion Poetry at The Roxy (7:30)
ALSO: Beachwood Night at Piano Bar featuring Dave Green and Jesse Cole (8pm)

 

Weds: Jay Nash and Anna Nalick at The Hotel Cafe (9, 10)
ALSO: The Lookout Kids at The Viper Room (10:30)

 

Thursday: Parade of Lights at The Viper Room (11pm)
ALSO: The Bangles FREE at The Santa Monica Pier (7pm)
ALSO: The Soft Pack and Hanni El Khatib FREE at The Hammer Museum (7pm)
ALSO: The Californian FREE at Pershing Square (7:30)…part of the Spaceland under the stars summer concert series

 

Friday: Curtis Peoples at The Hotel Cafe (10:30)
ALSO: Nikki Monninger (silversun pickups), Brian Aubert, The Janks, Sabrosa Purr, and Vicky Cryer at The Satellite (9pm)
ALSO: Beatnik Jr. at The Good Hurt (10:30)
ALSO: Sarah McLaughlin at The Hollywood Bowl (8:30
ALSO: Music in the Zoo featuring Mini Mansions, Hands, Honeyhoney, Kitten, and more (6pm)…an excuse to get into the zoo after-hours!! http://lazoo.org/mitz/index.html

 

Saturday: Maniac at The Bootleg Theater (10:30)
ALSO: Sarah McLaughlin at The Hollywood Bowl (8:30)
ALSO: Trapt at The Roxy (10pm)
ALSO: OSLO at The Satellite (11pm)

 

Sunday: Black Baptista at The Viper Room (11pm)

 

NOTE: Saturday and Sunday is LA’s Carmageddon, so I’d only venture out if you don’t have to go too far…or anywhere near the 405.

 

To Keep in Mind:
July 19th and 21st: Alkaline Trio at The Troubadour
July 21st: Missy Higgins at The Santa Monica Pier
July 22nd: Langhorne Slim at The Echo
July 22nd: Indians CD release at The Viper Room
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

Check this out: Pawnshop Roses’ new website

Posted on by Kristen

One of my very favorite bands, Pawnshop Roses, unveiled a new website today.

http://pawnshoproses.com/pawnshoproses.com/Home.html

It’s a typical site, allowing any interested party to check out tour dates, buy merch, keep track of the band’s goings-on via their blog, etc. The best feature of the new site is the music page where you can  listen to just about every Pawnshop Roses song in its entirety. Be sure to scroll down to the Let It Roll album and click on that album’s title song (one of my personal anthems).

If you know nothing about this band, check out their bio which begins “Philadelphia’s Pawnshop Roses combine good old fashioned American jangle rock ‘n’ roll with the rollicking blues-rock of The Stones and The Black Crowes. Throw in a touch of Motown and bit of Zeppelin–esque riff rock and you’re almost there…”

Here’s a video from their video page. One of my favorite tunes from their most recent record, Solid Gold. For a special treat, however, check out the video for the unreleased gem “Little Star.”

Here’s to hoping that one day their tour page will feature a date in Southern California!

 

~ Kristen