Author: Kristen

Carney does Spiderman

Posted on by Kristen

It was SO wonderful to see my fave LA band again…even if it was just on TV. I TiVoed Good Morning America to see the first performance of Carney performing a song from Spiderman: Turn Off the Dark (music written by Bono and The Edge)…unfortunately the telecast was pre-empted by Obama, whom up until this point, I had absolutely no complaints about.

After waiting just about all day, the video was finally posted on New York Magazine’s website.

Other pertinent interview bits:

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And just in case the New York Magazine link doesn’t work:

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I don’t know about you, but I cannot wait to get out to NYC and see this on stage!

~ Kristen

“Bad Romance”: Covered

Posted on by Kristen

I’m not a huge fan of this song, but it seems to be getting a lot of coverage lately….I’ve largely been ignoring the omnipresence of Lady Gaga’s Bad Romance, but when my roommate sent me a video of Joseph Gordon-Levitt singing the tune, I decided it was time to take notice. He does add an air of intelligence to the tune, pointing out the Hitchcock references and killing the lines sung in french…a part skipped over in many of the covers.

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There are several admirable versons of “Bad Romance” done by artists I enjoy. Both Lissie and 30 Seconds to Mars choose to slow down the tempo and bring out the sexiness of the song.

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I was most impressed by the cover done by Paramore’s Hayley Williams. I feel she really makes the song her own…and she uses it to actually show off her vocal skills (plus she keeps it nice and short)!

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But my favorite rendition of the song has to be the one done by Jealousy Curve. The quality of the video is not the best, but they performanced “Bad Romance” along with their song “Black Widow” back in Feburary in Boston. Watching this video was probably the first time I actually listened to the song…

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I’m sure that is just the tip of the iceberg as far as covers are concerned…I still can’t get over how popular the song is. Perhaps beaten out only by Kings of Leon’s “Use Somebody” as most covered song of the moment. For more on that, check out Stereogum’s recent posting. Seriously, it includes a Tyler Hilton version…

Enjoy!

~ Kristen

New Band Alert! Egyptian

Posted on by Kristen

What happens when two of the sexiest, most captivating singers I know get together to make music? That would be Egyptian, a musical endeavor featuring Aja Volkman (Nico Vega) and Dan Reynolds (Imagine Dragons).

Egyptian doesn’t really sound like either Nico Vega or Imagine Dragons…it’s not so much a band as it is two brilliant vocalists having fun with a keyboard. For those of you who have discovered Aja’s “Stick of Wax” video(as we did), I’d think more in that direction.

I’m not sure what the intentions are here with this side project, but they have quite a few songs up on their myspace. I’ve been listening all day and now consider myself a fan…definately putting this duo on my “watch” list. I just needed to share!

~ Kristen

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 9/6-9/12

Posted on by Kristen

I nearly forgot I needed to write this up as it kind of feels like the weekend is not over yet…because it’s not! YAY for three days weekends. I actually had some great plans for today but proceeded to sleep through all of them. I must have had way too much fun last night at The After Midnight Project show at The Key Club. The AMP boys put on quite the to-do and I am so glad some of you were able to make it out to see my most recent band obsession. I’ve got good reviews all around so I’m incredibly pleased. For more of my musical suggestions, check out this week’s calendar…if you’re looking to try something new, might I suggest Queen Caveat at Spaceland on Saturday.

As for the rest:

Monday: Happy Labor Day!

Tuesday: Imagine Dragons, Free Energy and Links at The Viper Room (9, 10, 11:15)
ALSO: Todd Carey at The Mint (8pm)
ALSO: Interpol at Space 15 Twenty (7pm)
ALSO: David Gray and Ray LaMontagne at The Greek Theater (7pm) 

Weds: David Gray and Ray LaMontagne at The Greek Theater (7pm) 

Thursday: Curtis Peoples at The Mint (9pm)
ALSO: Scarlet Grey and Red Light Sky at The Roxy (8pm)
ALSO: Cracker at The Echoplex (8pm)
ALSO: Ry Cuming and Justin Nozuka at El Rey (8pm) 

Friday: Hellen Stellar at The Echo (9pm)
ALSO: Andy Clockwise at The Hotel Café (11pm)
ALSO: Pink Martini at Hollywood Bowl (8:30) 

Saturday: Queen Caveat at Spaceland (8:30)
ALSO: Ernie Halter, So & So, Eckels Brothers (9,11,12)
ALSO: Rocco Deluca and White Apple Tree at Saint Rocke (9pm)
ALSO: Scissor Sisters at Hollywood Palladium (8pm)
ALSO: Pink Martini at Hollywood Bowl (8:30) 

Sunday: Pink Martini at Hollywood Bowl (7:30) 

To Keep in Mind:
September 18th: Heart at Gibson Amphitheater
September 25th: Band of Horses at Greek Theater
September 25th: Muse at Staples Center
September 30th: BIFFY CLYRO at The Bootleg Theater
October 1st: Brandi Carlile and The Avett Brothers at Nokia Theater LA Live
October 13th: Frightened Rabbit at The Mayan Theater
November 17th: Tyler Hilton at The Roxy
December 11th: The Black Crowes and Truth & Salvage Co. at Hollywood Palladium 

~ Kristen

https://twitter.com/_localmusicnat

Alright, Junior at North Star Bar

Posted on by Kristen

It wouldn’t be a trip to Philadelphia without getting to see one of my favorite local Philly bands. I was so thrilled that I could arrange my trip to include a stop at North Star Bar to see Alright, Junior. One thing I prize in my live acts is good energy and these guys will rock the windows out every time…even if it’s a tiny bar playing to a handful of people. Their debut CD, Eudaemonic, still gets frequent play in my car…especially when I want my music loud and my head banging.

Alright, Junior recently did a couple of songs live on Philly’s Radio 104.5. Go here to check them out. I’m really loving the acoustic take on their new song, “Burn”! Also, please listen to their cover of REM’s “The One I Love”…it kinda took my breath away…

If you’re too lazy to click on the links, someone filmed “Burn” and put it on youtube!

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For more info on the band, including tour dates, head to their website…

Some pictures:

~ Kristen

Tour Alert!: Anberlin, Civil Twilight, Crash Kings

Posted on by Kristen

That Civil Twilight certainly knows how to book fantastic tours. First with Paper Tongues and Neon Trees and now with Anberlin and Crash Kings. Can I just join that band now please?

Anyway, three bands, all worth checking out on the same tour. No hestitation there.  I just got my ticket for the LA date. Let’s do this!

Tour dates can be found here. The party comes to The House of Blues on Sunset October 8th.

The tour is to support the release of Anberlin’s new CD Dark is the Way Light is the Place which comes out September 7th. The band’s been giving away a new song to promote the album. Check it out:  Anberlin — Pray Tell

~ Kristen

Looking fowards to The Wrens

Posted on by Kristen

Someone posted my favorite song by The Wrens and I was inspired check in on these New Jersey rockers. They put on one hell of a show and I’ve been looking forward to seeing them again ever since…well, I saw them the first time about 5 years ago.

Their webpage posted the following message:

“With our apologies, we finally, actually, really started writing & recording the new album in July (no, this July, July 2010). So no shows scheduled at the moment.
But we’ll be back, dragging our bulging carcasses in suburban mall clothing to a stage near you all too soon.”

This excites me…and I wanted to share!

~ Kristen

She Sends Kisses