Author: Kristen

Kristen’s Concert Calendar: 4/19-4/25

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Due to the demands of Coachella, this week’s concer calendar is a bit…underdeveloped…  I was going to try to post a more complete version, but I realized that by the time I flushed it all out, it would be the end of the week already. And that’s just not acceptable. Especially considering the Nico Vega/Semi Precious Weapons face-melting that will occur Weds night at The Roxy…highly recommend advanced tickets for this one folks!
Here’s my brief list (and certainly enough to keep anyone busy and sleep deprived).

Monday: Juke Kartel at The Hotel Cafe
ALSO: Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 (9pm) 

Tuesday: Taylor Locke and the Roughs at The Viper Room

Weds: Nico Vega and Semi Precious Weapons at The Roxy with after party at The Viper Room…NOT to be missed!
ALSO: Foxy Shazam at The Troubadour
ALSO: Glee Tour at the Gibson Amphitheater 

Thursday: Wartapes at Silverlake Lounge
ALSO: Shelby Lynn at The Roxy
ALSO: Glee Tour at the Gibson Amphitheater
ALSO: Honeyhoney at The Hotel Cafe 

Friday: Killola and Sick of Sarah at The Roxy

Saturday: Get Back Loretta at The Roxy (On the Rox)
ALSO: The Elizabeth Kill at Libertine
ALSO: Jennifer Knapp at The Mint 

Sunday: Jason Castro at The Troubadour

To Keep in Mind:

May 2nd: The Kin at The Hotel Cafe
May 4th: Greg Laswell at The Troubadour
May 15th: Carney at The El Rey   
May 15th: 30 Seconds to Mars at The Greek Theater
May 20th: Queen Caveat at The Viper Room
May 28th: The Silent Comedy and Dirty Sweet at North Park Theater (in SD)
June 6th: Mumford & Sons with The Silent Comedy at BellyUp (in SD)
June 10-13th: BONNAROO (in Tennessee)
July 10th: Lilith Fair

~ Kristen

Free Music Download: Fair to Midland

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New music from Fair to Midland! They finally have a new CD coming out!!! If you’re a fan of the band, you will know how exciting this is. We’ve been waiting years for a follow up to 2007’s brilliant Fables from a Mayfly.
Arrows & Anchors is officially released on July 12. You can buy the first single, “Musical Chairs”, on Itunes, but Fair to Midland is offering a free download on their website of the song “Armadillo Sleeps on My Pillow”.

http://www.ftmband.com/

 

One of my favorite Fair to Midland songs (featured on my best of ’07 mix):

~ Kristen

 

 

 

New Music Tuesday: Kill The Alarm, Hugo, Manchester Orchestra

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It’s new music Tuesday! Anything you’ve been looking forward to? The return of The Cars? Or perhaps, the much buzzed about Christina Perri…or maybe SNL spawned The Lonely Island? Gleeks out there might be interested to check out Matthew Morrison’s new album. While you’re in the music-buying mood, might I suggest some CDs I’ve been looking forward to that officially come out today:
 

Against The Grain– Kill The Alarm

I’ve been a big fan of anything by Garen Gueyikian for quite some time. He hasn’t put out much in the way of new original music in ages, so I’m most excited about the release of this EP, Against The Grain, from his band, Kill The Alarm. I can’t wait to give it a proper listen (here).

Here’s an acoustic performance of the first single, “Don’t Run Away”

 

Old Tyme Religion– Hugo

I first came across the bluesy-rock of NYC-based Hugo at SXSW. I’ve been jamming out to Old Tyme Religion for a couple weeks now, but it’s official release is today. To learn more about Hugo, read this recent interview. To go straight to the downloading bit, here’s the itunes link.

You might be familiar with Hugo’s take on Jay-Z’s “99 Problems”, but I’m really digging this track:

 

Simple Math– Manchester Orchestra

The “I’ve Got Friends” hitmakers have a new CD out today. I haven’t heard any of Simple Math yet, but I don’t need to to know that I will need this album in my collection. This band puts on one of the best live shows and I will need to be familiar with all their new tunes to more fully enjoy their June 2nd show at The Music Box.

The band stopped by the studio for my favorite radio station in December. Here’s an acoustic version of the title track off their new album.

 

~ Kristen

Song of the Day: “Mother Mother” by Tracy Bonham

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Since its release, I’ve been listening to a lot of Hugo’s Old Tyme Religion. It’s a great CD and I’ve been enjoying it…but driving into work the other day, my roommate and I made the decision that the general tone of the album was just too positive for our current state. Posing questions like “what in the world were you born to do” was just too much…
I needed to find a song that more accurately reflected my current outlook on life. I flipped through my Ipod until I landed on this song. Tracy Bonham’s “Mother Mother” fit so perfectly I put it on repeat.  Tracy may scream “everything’s fine” but we all know what she really means. Plus, it’s highly cathartic to join in.

I’ve seen The Veronicas do a version of this song live. Jess does a fine job with the screaming…

 

 

~ Kristen

Kristen’s SXSW ’10 Mix- Part 1

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It took a bit longer than I’d hoped…and wasn’t quite as exhaustive as last year (mostly due to the lack of free mp3s on the SXSW site), BUT here it is…some of my fave “new” acts discovered from SXSW 2010…okay some of these acts I already knew and loved, but I just don’t feel that you are quite there with me yet so I decided to include them.
Also, I’ve decided to spread the love and broke my list down into several, more digestable posts full of exciting videos and music.  Enjoy!

  1. “You’ve Been Warned” – Dirty Sweet 

 Have loved this San Diego band since I saw them (multiple times) on their tour with Nico Vega and Gringo Star. They recently released their second full length album, American Spiritual. I felt this track, from that album, was the perfect way to start off this mix

             2. “Around the Bend” – The Asteroids Galaxy Tour

The obligatory “so that’s who sings that song” track. I must say Apple has good taste in music…

                 3. “We Sing In Time“ – The Lonely Forest

This is one of those tracks I fell in love with before the chorus even hit…probably the first track I knew was going to be on this mix. The Lonely Forest is at the top of my list of bands I need to investigate further…and see perform!  The video below is an acoustic version of “We Sing In Time”…it really showcases what a gorgeous song this is.

              4. “If You Care” – Doll & The Kicks

The slow song from their fantastic self titled CD. I had the pleasure of falling in love with this band when they went on tour with The Silent Comedy and Links. Just another band to add to my faves from across the pond list.

Part 2 of my SXSW ’10 Mix coming soon…

~ Kristen

Can I move to Texas for a week?

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The thing I love most in life is discovering amazing new bands. Close behind that on my list of loves would be when these amazing bands discover each other…especially when this leads to them playing together. This is why I am uber excited about an upcoming May tour which includes one of my newest discoveries, After Midnight Project, and one of my very favorite LA bands, Nico Vega. Unfortunately for me, this tour will take place in Texas. So, if you happen to be in Texas or know anyone who is, pass this info on…I will be jealous

The headliner for this tour is actually Chevelle who also puts on a fantastic live performance.

Here are the dates

May 7th: Scout Bar – San Antonio, Texas
May 8th: Lonestar Amphitheatre (also with Puddle of Mudd and Adelita’s Way)- Lubbock, Texas
May 9th: Midnight Rodeo & Piranha – Amarillo, Texas
May 11th: Toom Dos Amigos (also with Papa Roach and 12 Stones) – Odessa, Texas
May 12th: Stubb’s – Austin, Texas
May 14th: Las Palmas Race Park – Mission, Texas
May 15th: Concrete Street – Corpus Christi, Texas 

Texas will Rock!

~ 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

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