Author: Kristen

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar 3/14-3/21

Posted on by Kristen

Currently watching the latest episode of Supernatural. This afternoon, I’m starting my birthday week off by heading to the PaleyFest Supernatural panel so I want to be prepared. Then it’s time to go to Austin! SXSW will be insane!! Hopefully there will be time for updates, but check out my list of the artists I’m most looking forward to seeing. When I get back I’ll work on preparing my annual SXSW mix.

If you’re not joining me in Texas, there are still plenty of shows to keep you busy here in LA. Go celebrate my bday on Friday by heading to The Troubadour to watch George Stanford and Truth & Salvage Co.

Here’s what else I would be up to if I weren’t enjoying the music elsewhere…

 

Monday: Honeyhoney at Bootleg Theater (10:30)
ALSO: Maniac at The Troubadour (8:30)
ALSO: Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 (9pm)

 

Tuesday: The Shakers at Molly Malone’s (8pm)
ALSO: Papercranes at Bootleg Theater (10pm)

 

Weds: Semi Precious Weapons at On the Rox (10pm)…FREE with RSVP
ALSO: Moderne Man at The Viper Room (8:50)
ALSO: Chasing Kings at The Hotel Cafe (10pm)

 

Thursday: Makepeace Brothers at The Hotel Cafe (8pm)
ALSO: Alkaline Trio ad Dead Country at The Mayan (8pm)
ALSO: Winchester Rebels at The Mint (11pm)

 

Friday: Foster Timms, George Stanford and Truth & Salvage Co at The Troubadour (9, 9:45, 10:45)
ALSO: The 88 at The Hotel Cafe (10pm)
ALSO: The Canyons at Molly Malone’s (11pm)

 

Saturday: Tyler Hilton at The Hotel Cafe (11pm)

 

Sunday: ??

 

Monday March 21st: Honeyhoney at Bootleg Theater (10:30)
ALSO: Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 (9pm)

 

To Keep in Mind:

March 22nd: War on Drugs at The Troubadour
March 26th: Lady Danville at The Troubadour
March 28th: Chris Robinson Brotherhood at The Echoplex
March 30th: Imagine Dragons at The Viper Room
April 11th: Chris Robinson Brotherhood at The Echoplex
April 16th: Matt Wertz and Ben Rector at The Troubadour
April 25th: Airborne Toxic Event at The Satellite
May 27th: The Script at Club Nokia
June 9-12: Bonnaroo!!!
June 13th: Florence and The Machine at The Greek Theater
September 22-24: Hotel Carolina

~ Kristen

https://twitter.com/_localmusicnat

 

Gearing up for SXSW: Kristen’s 10 “Must See” Artists

Posted on by Kristen

TOMORROW, we leave for Austin. I’m in the midst of frenzied preparations. I haven’t been posting much these last couple of weeks, in part, due to the fact that every spare second I have managed to accumulate has gone to listening to artists I may get the chance to see at SXSW and preparing my lists and schedules.

I thought I’d share some of the artists I’m most looking forward to (a combination of old favorites and new discoveries). So, here it is. My 10 “Must See” Artists at SXSW ’11:

1. The Silent Comedy

These San Diego boys have been on my must see list for awhile now. Their growing popularity means they’ve been spending more time away from Southern California so I relish even more every chance I get to see them.

When to see them: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=208828575799105

2. Queen Caveat

I’ve gotta go support my favorite up-and-coming LA band. For those of you not in LA, don’t miss one of the first opportunities to see Queen Caveat play outside of their hometown. SO much love for this band!

When to see them: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=109420832465650&ref=ts

 

3. The Kin

These Australian brothers are favorites of mine from back east. One of the exciting things about SXSW is that it brings together favorite artists from all over the country/world. Also, be sure to follow The Kin on twitter so that you’ll know where they plan to do their next musical robbery on Saturday in Austin.

where to see them: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=184993854877046

 

4. Empires

One of my favorite bands out of Chicago. I’d been itching to see them again since they opened for Biffy Clyro at Bootleg Theater.

where to see them: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150171769950225&set=a.499768780224.291271.62617580224&theater

 

5. Dash & Will

Two girls from Australia whose tunes caught my ear immediately. I’m even more excited to see them and buy their music, because finding their tunes to download in the US= nearly impossible.

where to see them: http://www.facebook.com/dashandwillofficial?sk=events

6. Dead Sara

I’ve seen them three times in LA in the last month or so and I can’t remember the last time a band has blown my mind quite this much. Any chance I’ll get to see Dead Sara, I’m taking!

where to see them: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dead-Sara-Official/124013447614437?sk=app_2405167945

 

7. SINAI

I’ve been wanting to see this new band out of Philly since its inception at the end of last year. I’ve been very jealous of all my Philly friends who have gone to their shows. Now it’s my turn!

where to see them: Friday 8pm: Austin Music Hall (208 Nueces) at the Monster Energy Showcase

8. The Lonely Forest

I adore this band out of Washington. They were actually on my SXSW ’10 mix. I was terribly sad to miss them play The Echo last week. I only justified my absence with the thought of seeing them play multiple times at SXSW.

where to see them: http://www.facebook.com/thelonelyforest?sk=app_178091127385

 

9. Twin Atlantic

They’re from Scotland and they’ve opened for Biffy Clyro. What more do I need? Oh, I also am loving this tune…

where to see them: http://twinatlanticonline.com/2011/02/25/twin-atlantic-to-play-sxsw-scotland-stage-in-texas/

ALSO: Weds 4pm at The PureVolume House (504 Trinity St)

 

10.Mother Mother

A band from Canada that I fell in love with a couple years ago thanks to the song “Hayloft”. I keep missing them when they come through LA, so I’m not going to miss out in Austin!

where to see them: http://mothermothersite.com/live/

 

Honestly there are SO many excellent bands I’m looking forward to seeing at SXSW…can we say “scheduling conflicts”..Here are a few more (still not even half of what’s on my list)

We Barbarians
Fitz & The Tantrums
Hoots & Hellmouth
Joey Ryan
Atomic Tom
Jamestown Revival
Andy Clockwise
Hollerado
Hugo
Chelsea Automatic
Jukebox the Ghost
AWOLNATION
The Blue Pages
The Gallery
UME
Saint Motel
Brooke Fraser
The Stone Foxes
Augustana
Allen Stone
Semi Precious Weapons
Fierce Creatures
Lelia Broussard
Halos
Nicole Atkins
Taylor Locke and The Roughs
Dan Wilson
Meriwether
Taddy Porter
Forrest Day
Scars on 45
Little Red Radio
Toy Bombs
Andrew Belle
The Deaf
Brett Dennen
American Bang
Ram’s Pocket Radio
Admiral Fallow
Makeshift Prodigy

 

We shall see how many of these bands make my final SXSW ’11 mix!

to check out last year’s mix click here

See you in Austin!

 

~ Kristen

Do You Know: Kill The Alarm?

Posted on by Kristen

I would call this a new band love post expect I’ve been following the music of Garen Gueyikian since 2004 when he’d frequent The Point in Bryn Mawr, PA. Back then he would go by the name Granian. He had just released a CD, On My Own Two Feet. Songs like “My Voice” and “Contagious” really spoke to me and his live shows never failed to captivate, as each show seemed to offer a fresh perspective on the songs I quickly came to know and love.

In 2006, Garen started playing under the name Kill the Alarm. Kill the Alarm released Fire Away the next year and I was thrilled to add more tunes to my collection, which by this point included several CDs and EPs dating back to 1996.

Being based in NYC, I haven’t seen (or really heard much from) Garen or Kill the Alarm since I moved out to California. But TODAY, I discovered that Kill the Alarm not only has a new EP in the works, but has, for download, a collection of cover songs including the K’s Choice tune “Not An Addict” (LOVE!). I am very happy right now listening to this tune as well as my old Garen faves, so of course I needed to share!

Go check out Kill the Alarm and download The Covers today!

I’d also recommend getting that old Granian gem, “On My Own Two Feet”

 

Listen and LOVE!

 

~ Kristen

 

Garen really kills the guitar on this one:

New Band Altert: The Milk Carton Kids

Posted on by Kristen

It’s Joey Ryan and Kenneth Pattengale! Looks like they’ve finally made it official. This makes me very happy as I LOVE this duo. The formation of The Milk Carton Kids was just announced so don’t forget to like on facebook, follow on twitter, and check out their website.

They have a couple songs up for FREE download on their site. So, what are you waiting for? Just press “download”!

They are on tour this summer, opening for Joe Purdy. That means, The Troubadour on April 30th for all my fellow Los Angelenos. For everyone else, check out their website or just look at the dates and places below:

 

4/22 Austin, TX: The Parish
4/23 Dallas, TX : The Loft
4/25 Santa Fe, NM: Corazon
4/27 Phoenix, AZ : Rhythm Room
4/28 Solano Beach, CA : Bellyup Tavern
4/30 Los Angeles, CA : Troubadour
5/3 San Francisco, CA : The Independent
5/5 Portland, OR : Doug Fir
5/7 Vancouver, BC : The Rio Theater
5/9 Boise, ID : Neurolux
5/10 Salt Lake City, UT : State Room
5/12 Denver, CO : Bluebird Theater
5/14 Lawrence, KS : Bottleneck
5/15 Des Moines, IA : Vaudeville Mews
5/16 Minneapolis, MN : Varsity Theater
5/17 Milwakee, WI : Turner Hall
5/18 Chicago, IL : Lincoln Hall
5/19 St Louis, MO : Off Broadway
6/9 Birmingham, AL : WorkPlay
6/10 Atlanta, GA : The Loft
6/11 Asheville, NC : Grey Eagle
6/12 Carborro, NC : Cat’s Cradle
6/14 Annapolis, MD : Ram’s Head
6/15 Philadelphia, PA : World Café Live
6/16 New York City, NY : Highline Ballroom
6/17 Fairfield, CT : Stage One
6/20 Northampton, MA : Iron Horse
6/21 Allston, MA : Brighton Music Hall
6/22 Fall River, MA : Narrows Center for the Arts
6/23 Burlington, VT : Higher Ground
6/25 Montreal, QC : Petit Campus
6/26 Toronto, ONT : Horseshoe Tavern
6/27 Pittsburgh, PA : Rex Theater
6/28 Cleveland, OH : Beachland Ballroom
6/30 Syracuse, NY : Westcott Theater

~ Kristen

 

p.s. Joey and Kenneth playing “Girls, Gather Round” live at the Vail Film Festival:

 

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 3/7-3/13

Posted on by Kristen

It has finally hit me that in one week, I’ll be heading to Texas for my very first SXSW. I’ve been listening to the artists, RSVPing to the events, attempting to put together some kind of schedule, etc. I just have the sneaking suspicion that no matter how hard I try to prepare, I’m going to be in way over my head. But that’s part of the fun, no? I’m terribly excited.

I’m also quite excited about the AMAZING shows on the list this week. I hope you can find some time to come out and enjoy the music. Here’s what I’d suggest:

 

Monday: The Silent Comedy FREE at The Echo (9pm)
ALSO: Indians FREE at Silverlake Lounge (midnight)
ALSO: Honeyhoney FREE at Bootleg Theater (10:30)
ALSO: Drive-By Truckers at The Troubadour (8pm)
ALSO: David and Devine and Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 featuring Jay Nash (8,9)

 

Tuesday: High Voltage Presents at The Mint featuring Little Red Radio, Black Crystal Wolf Kids, Queen Caveat, Dead Sara, and special surprise guest (8pm)
ALSO: Caitlin Crosby and Jay Nash at The Hotel Cafe (8,9)
ALSO: Andy Clockwise and The Californian at The Satellite (8:30pm)
ALSO: Jonathan Clark at Molly Malone’s (8pm)
ALSO: Juke Kartel and Vertical Horizon at The Roxy (8,10)

 

Weds: Jay Nash and Joey Ryan at Saint Rocke (7,9)
ALSO: Semi Precious Weapons at On The Rox (10pm)

 

Thursday: The Lonely Forest at The Echo (9pm)
ALSO: North Mississippi Allstars at The Roxy (8pm)
ALSO: Stephen Kellogg at The Hotel Cafe (8pm)
ALSO: The Entrance Band at The Satellite (10pm)
ALSO: Los Angeles Philharmonic at The Walt Disney Concert Hall (8pm)

 

Friday: Keaton Simons and The 88 at The Hotel Cafe (8,midnight)
ALSO: Satellite at Saint Rocke (9pm)
ALSO: Fair to Midland at Whiskey a Go Go (10pm)
ALSO: Vienna Teng and Alex Wong at Bootleg Theater (9pm)
ALSO: The Stone Foxes at The Mint (11pm)
ALSO: Mediski Martin & Wood at The El Rey (8pm)
ALSO: Los Angeles Philharmonic at The Walt Disney Concert Hall (8pm)

 

Saturday: The Other Side of Morning at The Loft (10pm)
ALSO: Dave Green at The Mint (9pm)
ALSO: Unwritten Law at The Roxy (10pm)
ALSO: Los Angeles Philharmonic at Walt Disney Concert Hall (8pm)

 

Sunday: Schuyler Fisk and Satellite at The Hotel Cafe (9,10)
ALSO: Los Angeles Philharmonic at Walt Disney Concert Hall (2pm)

 

To Keep in Mind:

March 17th: Alkaline Trio and Dead Country at The Mayan
March 22nd: War on Drugs at The Troubadour
March 26th: Lady Danville at The Troubadour
March 28th: Chris Robinson Brotherhood at The Echoplex
March 30th: Imagine Dragons at The Viper Room
April 11th: Chris Robinson Brotherhood at The Echoplex
April 16th: Matt Wertz and Ben Rector at The Troubadour
April 25th: Airborne Toxic Event at The Satellite
May 27th: The Script at Club Nokia
June 9-12: Bonnaroo!!!
June 13th: Florence and The Machine at The Greek Theater
September 22-24: Hotel Carolina

~ Kristen

 

Shiny Toy Guns: Carah’s Back!!

Posted on by Kristen

For those of you who have been a fan of Shiny Toy Guns since We Are Pilots, this should be very exciting news. Carah Faye, the female vocalist on that album, is returning to the band as they gear up to record and release album number 3. Also joining Chad Petree, Jeremy Dawson, and Mikey Martin is Daniel Johannson, Carah’s husband and bandmate from the Swedish group, Versant.

I have nothing against their second album, Season of Poison. In fact, I LOVE it. However, when the band replaced Carah with Sisely Treasure, I felt something was lost in their live performance (what made me fall in love with them in the first place). I’m looking forward to this third album, but I’m really looking forward to seeing them play again.

In honor of their forthcoming album, the band is giving away a FREE download of their new song, “The Sun”.

 

Go to their website to see the dramatic video re-introducing the band…it’s fairly epic

http://shinytoyguns.com/

 

And, if you don’t know who Shiny Toy Guns are, here are some tunes from their first CD, We Are Pilots.

 

 

~ Kristen

Biffy Clyro’s “Machines”

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Just got back from seeing Biffy Clyro at The Troubadour. I find it difficult to express just how much I love this band. So, I’m going to use some BC lyrics instead…from their song “Machines” off their album Puzzle…


“I’ve started falling apart. I’m not savoring life. I’ve forgotten how good it can be to feel alive. (take the pieces and build them skywards)”

 

This is the song that is playing on repeat in my head.

 

I’m even more excited to say I’ll be seeing Biffy Clyro again tonight!

 

~ Kristen