Author: Kristen

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 8/23-8/30

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I write to you now from a bench outside one of my favorite dining establishments down the street from where I went to college in Bryn Mawr, PA. I’m waiting for my college roommate and her sister to come pick me up and carry me through the next leg of my east coast journey. I flew in yesterday to Philadelphia in time to see one of my favorite local Philly bands, Alright Junior, at The North Star Bar. It had been a year since I’d seen them and words are hard to conjure to appropriately explain how incredibly happy I was to be in their presence again . It’s one thing to listen to a CD over and over again, but nothing can really replace the live experience and last night was just a validation as to why Alright Junior is one of my favorite bands.  

A week from now I will be writing to you a tad on the late side…I will be a beach house in South Carolina enjoying the singer songwriter extravaganza, Hotel Carolina. I will unfortunately not have internet access so I apologize in advance for next week’s delayed concert list.

For me this week is going to be somewhat dry as far as concerts are concerned. I’ll be in the Washington DC area if anyone knows of a good band playing in those parts please let me know. I’ll definitely be envious of all of you back in LA enjoying all the amazing shows, such as:

Monday:  Hellen Stellar at Silverlake Lounge (10pm)
ALSO: Andy Clockwise at The Hotel Café (6pm)
ALSO: The Outline and Heavy Young Heathens FREE at Spaceland (8:30)
ALSO: Paris Carney and Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 (8,9pm) 

Tuesday: Monster Eats the Pilot , Diamond Light FREE at The Viper Room (11,12)
ALSO: Thriving Ivory at The Troubadour (10pm)
ALSO: Jake Newton at Molly Malone’s (9pm)
ALSO: The Maine at House of Blues (7:30)
ALSO: Fitz and the Tantrums FREE at Amoeba Records (7pm) 

Weds: The White Buffalo at The Mint (10:30) 

Thursday: Filter at The Roxy (8pm)
ALSO: The Shakers and Purple Melon at The Viper Room (9:30,10:30)
ALSO: Rick Cornette at The Cat Club (8pm)
ALSO: Flight from Above at The Troubadour (9pm)
ALSO: The Beth Hart Band at Whiskey A Go-Go (7pm) 

Friday: Sunset Strip Music Festival featuring:
               * The Silent Comedy  (9pm) and Run Devil Run (10pm) at The Viper Room
               * Nico Vega (10pm) and Unwritten Law (11pm) at The Roxy
               * The Other Side of Morning at The Cat Club (9pm)
ALSO: Denim Family Band Reunion Concert at The Hotel Café (11pm)
ALSO: John Williams at The Hollywood Bowl (8:30) 

Saturday: Sunset Strip Music Festival featuring:
             * Queen Caveat at The Viper Room (9:30)
             * Transfer at The Key Club 
             * Street stage with Semi Precious Weapons, Neon Trees, The Smashing Pumpkins, etc.
ALSO: Something Corporate at Club Nokia (7:30) 

Sunday: Tyrone Wells at Saint Rocke (9pm)
ALSO: Travis Warren at The Hotel Café (10pm)
ALSO: Green River Ordinance, Switchfoot, and Goo Goo Dolls at The Greek Theater (7pm) 

…and because I might be late and don’t want you to miss out…

Monday (August 30th): Haim and Whispertown 2000 FREE at Spaceland (8:30)
ALSO: Venus Infers and 8mm at Saint Rocke (8pm)
ALSO: Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 (9pm) 

To Keep in Mind:
September 4th: After Midnight Project at The Key Club
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
December 11th: The Black Crowes and Truth & Salvage Co. at Hollywood Palladium

~ Kristen

Truth & Salvage Co. on Kimmel

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Last night, one of my favorite LA bands, Truth & Salvage Co. performed a couple of songs on Jimmy Kimmel Live. I’m only slightly bitter about the fact that I was supposed to be there, but the seminar I was speaking at went long…Anyway, the boys did a smashing job regardless. I have really enjoyed watching this band rise over the last couple of years. This is just another step in their ascent. Enjoy!

For a special treat, an early incarnation of Truth & Salvage Co., The Denim Family Band, will be doing a special reunion show at The Hotel Cafe August 27th. Don’t miss it!

~ Kristen

MORE Nico Vega Acoustic!

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Because they are just so brilliant…and there was a request, here is more of Nico Vega playing acoustic versions of their songs

This one is a cover, but it brings shivers down my spine and is probably one of my most viewed youtube videos.

And, as mentioned by boatdoll, Nico Vega live and plugged-in is a must have experience. Here is a taste:

beast

If you’re in Los Angeles, they will be a part of the Sunset Strip Music Festival playing The Key Club August 27th.

Enjoy!

~ Kristen

A Taste of Sinai

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I mentioned them as a band to keep your eyes on. Sinai have released their first video, an acoustic take on a song called “Stockholm”. Check it out!

I am sufficiently impressed. I also think it’s an inspired choice to release this song acoustically…although, I have a weakness for rockers going acoustic. Playing acoustic also covers for the fact that the band is without a bass guitar, something that has brought forth some skepticism. Seeing that Nico Vega is one of my very favorite bands, the bass-less lineup didn’t give me pause, but it will be interesting to see how that influences the general sound of the band.

Definately looking forward to more!

~ Kristen

More Rock Goes Acoustic: Nico Vega

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And speaking of Nico Vega and rock going acoustic, looks like my fave rockers recently did an acoustic session. What’s even more exciting is they are showcasing one of their newer tunes “Human/Animal”. Is it just me, or does this format bring out the beauty of Aja’s voice even more?

Also, I’m really loving this take on “Gravity”:

For comparison’s sake, Nico Vega’s “Gravity” music video (can you spot me or Amanda?)

~ Kristen

Warped Tour Pomona-pictures!

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As promised, a few pics from our second Warped experience in Pomona.

The always amazing After Midnight Project (remember, the band that you’re going to go see at The Key Club on September 4th):

After Midnight Project also did an acoustic set! LOVE this.

Just a couple shots of Mayday Parade…playing on the tiniest stage, it was difficult to get up close for good pictures. Thankfully, this band emits so much energy, you don’t need to be up front to feel the music.

A few more enjoyable moments from the day:

~ Kristen

Kristen’s NPMT ’10 Mini Mix

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As I previously mentioned, I absolutely LOVED attending North Park Music Thing (NPMT) this past weekend down in San Diego. Saturday night was especially euphoric to me as we got the unique opportunity to venue hop, sampling so many bands…and just about every single one fit on my scale somewhere between highly enjoyable and mind blowingly brilliant. So much great new music, it was overwhelming to say the least.

I was inspired to put together a new mini music mix based on the bands and artists we was able to see. Check them out!

1. Endoxi – Hero Master

2. Republic of Letters– “Stories”

3. The Silent Comedy– “Exploitation”

4. Delaney Gibson– “La Di Da”

5. Astra Kelly– “All I Got”

6. The Makepeace Brothers– “Breathe”

7. Shaimus – “Like a Fool”

8. Lady Danville– “Spoon”

9. Citizen Band– “Slide”

10. The Rescues– “Break Me Out”

And I’m so tempted to put together another list, just of the artists I wanted to see but couldn’t fit in: Dirty Sweet, Diablo Dimas, Jake Newton, Lemon Sun, Dynamite Walls, Audra Mae, etc. etc. etc.

Bottom line: let’s do this again next year!

~ Kristen