Author: Kristen

The Rescues: Let Loose the Horses

Posted on by Kristen

New Music from The Rescues out today! Their new CD Let Loose the Horses was just released. In celebration ITunes is giving away their first single “Break Me Out”. This is not the first version I’ve heard of this song. I’ve actually been following The Rescues for about as long as I’ve been living in Los Angeles. This song is included in two different forms on their first CD, Crazy Ever After, but that was before the trio of Gabriel Mann, Kyler England, and Adrianne Gonzalez added Rob Giles and became a quartet.

I first saw the original trio play at The Hotel Cafe…the same night as Meiko and The Kin (it was a great evening of music). I was instantly attracted to their amazing harmonies. The more I saw the band play, the more I enjoyed them. I had also seen Rob Giles open for Carney a couple of times at Molly Malone’s and when I heard he was joining the band, I couldn’t have been more excited. What I love most about this quartet is not just their harmonies, but how they can meld four very different styles of music into a singular group. Going to see The Rescues live, there is definitely something in it for everyone.

I was disappointed for awhile when going to see them as they stopped playing many of my old favorite tunes (especially “Matter of Time” and “California Rain”). However, I eventually became equally addicted to their newer material with songs like “Can’t Stand the Rain” and “Let Loose the Horses” as particular stand outs in the live performance.  I am very excited to finally have these and their other new tunes to listen to.

If you want to give The Rescues a test spin before going out to buy the album, their CD Release party is this Friday at The Troubadour. If you live too far away, check out their free single “Break Me Out” on Itunes and watch the video below of The Rescues singing “Let Loose the Horses” at the Kelly Buchanan Benefit (you can even see me in a few shots..ha!).

Also, go check out their first CD, Crazy Ever After…it’s one of my faves…

~ Kristen

Watch this: the importance of the venue in the evolution of music

Posted on by Kristen

For me, the venue has always been a critical component of the concert experience. Below is a fascinating talk that David Byrne gave about evolution of music in the context of the venue. From grand cathedrals of Mozart and Beethoven to the perfect venue for today’s pop music: the car (!), Bryrne takes a brief romp through the history of music suggesting that the evolution of music itself has been greatly influenced by the venue in which the music can be best enjoyed.

So following the logic of this video, what do you think this says about the future of music? If more and more music is being created and produced in the home and enjoyed via internet videos, how does that change the sound of emerging indie bands? Does this explain the re-emergence of the synthesizer?  Does that thing actually sound good when played in your mother’s living room? ‘Cause, honestly, I’m not really enjoying it when pumped through the sound systems of the venues I frequent.

And what about the increasing use of technology to morph an organic sound into something more radio friendly?  Is there a point at which music created can’t be preformed live? Will the only venue be mp3s pumped through the car stereo or these large amphitheaters in which the music itself is only a portion, sometimes a small one, of the entire performance.

ahhh…sorry, these are just some of the thoughts that begin creeping into my mind when I haven’t been out to see a show in several days. Following Bryne’s theory is really just a great argument to keep doing what we music lovers do; go out and support our local clubs and musicians, see the bands we love every time they come to town, and continue to spread the word and the music no matter how it evolves. As Bryne indicates, even as the context (ie the venues) change, what is most important is that the joy is still there. As long as we are still human and in need of some joy, there will be music…so it’s all good really…

~ Kristen

p.s. if anyone is looking for a good thesis project to do, this is an amazing jumping off point. What I’d really like to hear more about  is how the “venue” of different cultures helps to shape that culture’s music. Excellent topic right? Can someone get on this…please…get back to me…

Kristen’s Concert Calendar: 6/21-6/27

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So, I finally get to the point when I can actually take more nights off and have my weekends back and I was so excited about the prospect of being able to catch more of the shows I long to see every week and then…I go and get myself sick. Bleck! But just because I’ll probably have to take it easy this week doesn’t mean that you can’t benefit from all the great shows going on.

Here’s my dream list:

Monday: Carney at the Troubadour opening for Athlete (9pm)
ALSO: Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 (9pm)
ALSO: Abbot Kinney at Molly Malone’s (8pm) 

Tuesday: Adam Arcuragi at Silverlake Lounge (10pm)…PHILLY artist alert!!
ALSO: Automatique and The Shakers at Whiskey a Go Go (9pm)
ALSO: The Open Sea featuring Ari Hest at Room 5 (7pm) 

Weds: Abandoned Pools and Ashes Divide at The Viper Room (10,11)
ALSO: Lucy Woodward at The Hotel Cafe (10:30)…record release
ALSO: Josh Ritter at The Music Box (8pm)
ALSO: Hot Hot Heat and Links at Bootleg (8:30) 

Thursday: Kate Miller-Heidke at The Hotel Cafe (9:30)  
ALSO: Jonathan Clark at House of Blues acoustic lounge (9:30)
ALSO: Rick Cornette at Cafe Was (??)…plays keys for The Other Side of Morning…also has a solo project. Curious? So am I!
ALSO: Fitz and the Tantrums at Spaceland (10pm) 

Friday: The Rescues at The Troubadour (9pm)…Record Release show
ALSO: Andy Clockwise at The Hotel Cafe (10:30) 

Saturday: The Silent Comedy and Jonathan Foreman (of Switchfoot) at the BellyUp in Solano Beach

Sunday: The Webb Sisters at The Hotel Cafe (8:30)
ALSO: The Shakers at O’Brien’s (10pm)
ALSO: Austin Hartley Leonard at The Foundry on Melrose
ALSO: Warped Tour in Ventura 

To Keep in Mind:
July 7th: Carbon Leaf at The Troubadour
July 8th: Michelle Branch at Greek Theater
July 10th: Lilith Fair
July 13th: The Silent Comedy and Andy Clockwise at The Troubadour
July 14th: Nico Vega at The Troubadour
July 18th: The Swell Season and Bird and the Bee at Hollywood Bowl
July 30-31st: Morcheeba at Hollywood Bowl
August 12th: Semi Precious Weapons at Staples Center (with Lady GaGa)
August 21st and 22nd: Sunset Junction
September 25th: Band of Horses at Greek Theater
September 25th: Muse at Staples Center

~ Kristen

Favorite Band Alert! Pawnshop Roses

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This is one of my very favorite bands, Pawnshop Roses, performing the other night at The Grape Room outside Philadelphia.  I cannot wait until the finally release new material…they have WAY too many amazing unreleased songs…big thanks to whomever took these videos!

~ Kristen

p.s. There are more great videos from this show as well as other bands I quite enjoy on this YouTube channel…

Posted on by Kristen

Hem- “The Part Where You Let Go”

This song came on my music player this morning…I was instantly at ease….I am compelled to share…

I don’t know much about the band, Hem, so I looked them up. They are from Brooklyn and this particular song comes from a beautiful EP they put out in 2007 called Home Again, Home Again. More recently they provided the soundtrack for a production of Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” that featured Anne Hathaway.  No tour dates at the moment, but I’ll be keeping my eyes open for them.

~ Kristen

LMN Presents…The Other Side of Morning- Part 1

Posted on by Kristen

I discovered The Other Side of Morning via friend recommendation. I’ve seen them several times now in various locations around LA. At their last show at The Loft (a space that serves as practice space/recording studio/art gallery/occasional bar and party space), I was accused of being addicted and…well…that’s not a difficult thing to become. Every time I see them play, I see something new. I discover a new favorite song or sound. When we were asked to do this interview I was overjoyed at the prospect of discovering even more about this new favorite band of mine.

And, in getting to know a little more about the guys, I think I fell a little more in love with the band.

So if you’re interested in how the band got its start, want to know what Beatles cover they would do, or just want to hear a bit of their music, click on the video below!

And don’t forget to come to the big show this Thursday 9pm at The House of Blues!  

Still plenty of room at Hotel Carolina…

Posted on by Kristen

Hotel Carolina: From what I hear, it’s like going camping on the beach…but you know that guy/gal who’s always strumming the guitar around the campfire?…well multiply that by about 20 and make them all your very favorite singer-songwriters.

Friday August 27th music lovers will descend upon Isle of Palms, South Carolina and make our way to the legendary Windjammer where we will spend a weekend being serenaded by the likes of Joe Firstman and Matt Duke, going to BBQs, hanging out on the beach, and participating in several artist vs. fan sporting events (flip cup anyone?).

Need any more temptation? Well, okay! Amazon.com is giving away a FREE sampler featuring the artists who will be participating in this year’s event.

Go to The Hotel Carolina website  to learn even more about the event and the featured artists.

This year’s line-up is particularly exciting to me and includes several of my favorites. Looks like this:

Todd Carey
The Bridges
Curtis Peoples
Joe Firstman
Josh Hoge
Sequoyah Prep School
Tony Lucca

Jim Bianco
Jay Nash
Sun Domingo
Matt Duke
Keaton Simons
Benjy Davis Project
Ernie Halter

Convinced? Go here to get your tickets!

Even if you can’t make it to the event, you should still check out these amazing artists!

Listen! Learn! LOVE!

~ Kristen