Local Music Nation

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 3/23-3/29

Posted on March 22, 2015 by Kristen

I hope you’ve been checking out my SXSW recaps on both LMN and High Voltage. Austin, as usual, has given me everything I wanted and more during this most special week of the year (including an amazing birthday). I’m heading back to LA tomorrow with great sadness.

Next week, I’d highly recommend checking out Jack Garratt at The Hotel Cafe Thursday night. Also Thursday, I’ve been hearing great things about the Swedish band, Indevotion playing Amplyfi.

Here’s the rest of my suggestions:

Monday: Years & Years w/ Laura Welsh at The Avalon (8pm)
ALSO: Hunnypot Radio FREE at The Mint (7pm)
ALSO: Airbag One FREE at The Echo (9pm)
ALSO: Conway FREE at The Satellite (11pm)
ALSO: of Montreal at Largo (8:30)

Tuesday: Neulore and The Last Bison at The Mint (9pm)
ALSO: Greg Holden, Toby Lightman at The Hotel Cafe (7, 8)
ALSO: Oh Honey at The Roxy (8:30)
ALSO: Matthew E. White at The Echo (10pm)
ALSO: The Delta Riggs at The Satellite (10pm)
ALSO: Rubblebucket w/ SWIMM at The Echoplex (8pm)
ALSO: The Ting Tings at The Fonda (9pm)

Weds: Years & Years w/ Laura Welsh at The Troubadour (8pm)
ALSO: Orla Gartland, Distant Cousins at The Hotel Cafe (8, 10)
ALSO: The Watkins Family Hour at Largo (8:30)

Thursday: Jack Garratt w/ Javier Dunn at The Hotel Cafe (7pm)
ALSO: Indevotion at Amplyfi (8pm)
ALSO: River City Extension, The Wild Reeds, Air Traffic Controller at The Troubadour (8pm)

Friday: Jim Bianco, The New Peter Gabrielz at The Hotel Cafe (9, 10)
ALSO: Echosmith at The Fonda Theater (9pm)
ALSO: JEFF the Brotherhood at The Troubadour (8pm)

Saturday: Michael Bernard Fitzgerald at The Hotel Cafe (midnight)
ALSO: The Entrance Band, Twerps, Happyness at The Echo (9pm)

Sunday: The Brevet at The Hotel Cafe (8pm)
ALSO: Dana Fuchs at Saint Rocke (7pm)
ALSO: Hawthorne Heights at The Mint (8pm)

To Keep in Mind:
March 30^th: Brian Fest at The Fonda Theatre
April 2^nd: Guster at The Wiltern
April 2^nd: Punch Brothers at The Fonda
April 3^rd: Jason Walker at The Hotel Cafe
April 3^rd: Dear Boy at The Troubadour
April 4^th: Ben Sollee at The House of Blues
April 7^th: Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness at The Roxy
April 7^th: Civil Twilight at The Troubadour
April 13^th: Royal Blood at The Fonda
April 13^th: Desaparecidos at The Roxy
April 15^th: Desaparecidos at The Shrine
April 16^th: Mighty Oaks and Milky Chance at The Mayan Theatre
April 17^th: The Silent Comedy at The Record Parlour
April 23^rd: Joe Firstman at The Hotel Cafe
April 23^rd: Jared & The Mill at Bootleg HiFi
April 24^th: Damien Rice at The Greek Theatre
April 25^th: The Kaiser Chiefs at The Wiltern
April 27^th: Zane Carney at The Troubadour
May 1^st: Tony Lucca at The Hotel Cafe
May 2^nd: The Decemberists at Greek Theatre
May 2^nd: OK Go at The Wiltern
May 3^rd: Tonight Alive at The Wiltern
May 14^th: James Bay at The Fonda Theatre
May 16^th: Two Gallants at The Roxy
May 16^th: Lydia at The Troubadour
May 19^th: Prides at The Echo
May 20^th: Noel Gallagher and the High Flying Birds at The Orpheum
May 29^th/30^th: The Bangles at The Troubadour
June 11^th: Ivan & Alyosha at The Roxy
June 16^th: Butch Walker at The Masonic Lodge
June 24^th/25^th: Ed Sheeran at Hollywood Bowl
July 12^th: NEEDTOBREATHE at Greek Theatre
August 1^st: AWOLNATION at Hollywood Palladium
September 16^th: Carbon Leaf at The Roxy

~ Kristen

SXSW 2015 Saturday Recap

Posted on March 22, 2015 by Kristen

I think it was Amanda who said SXSW is all about the small miracles. From stumbling upon your new favorite band to feeling hungry and wandering into a party with free food to constantly running into your friends, SXSW is just a magical place where everything seems to go right. This year has been particularly generous with the miracles. Today’s manifested itself in a last minute set from our new favorite Irish rockers, Walking on Cars. We were devastated to miss their final show so when a friend had a band cancel a showcase, we helped reach out to Walking on Cars (thank you twitter!) and somehow, about an hour later, the band was on stage performing for us. Dream come true!

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After this unexpected glory, the rest of the day was just gravy. The sky drizzled, but the weather held fairly well as we spent the early afternoon wandering around The Rainey Street area. We sampled parties such as the Culture Collide/Hard Rock event, The Noisetrade Party, and the Closets for Causes event which featured some pretty amazing Australian yogurt. Other band highlights include the incredibly fun and infectious Taymir and Nashville’s Colony House. I had seen Colony House before, but I had forgotten just how hard the band can rock. They made me very excited about their upcoming tor opening for NEEDTOBREATHE.

Our final day party was at Lucky Lounge, our first real venture to the west side all week (!). We went to see Irontom. I’ve seen this LA band countless times, but there is something special about seeing a favorite band at the end of SXSW on the brink of delirium. Everyone was exhausted but still having the time of their lives. The band didn’t even blink when the audience demanded an encore and they launched into their high energy cover of Gorillaz’s “Feel Good Inc.” This will go down as one of my top sets of the week…and not just because we got a song dedication.

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Saturday night, I tried to get in as many sets as possible, seeing artists I’d missed earlier in the week. I finally got to see a full set from UK rock outfit, Mallory Knox. I also was thrilled to catch bits of Rueben and the Dark, Not In Your Face, Air Bag One, The Two Tens and Steve Smyth. However, more so than discovering new music, the end of the evening became about spending some last moments with friends, both new and old. I kept running into people on the street which is an amazing feat considering the flood of pedestrians on Sixth Street. The midnight set of Mini Mansion brought out quite a few familiar faces. It was an experience seeing some of the musicians I am used to seeing on the stage, being in the audience and completely geeking out over live music.

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The end of SXSW became like the end of any good show with that slow walk to the door becoming a slow walk to the hotel, taking time saying goodbye and goodnight to everyone. Lots of hugs. Always lots of hugs. I interviewed the singer from Colony House earlier in the day and asked what he learned from his SXSW experience. He mentioned the importance of hugs. I think he knows what’s up.

So, there you go. SXSW, all about miracles and hugs. I already can’t wait for next year!

If you are still around Austin, Stubb’s is hosting a great party today. Stellar line-up including several of our SXSW 2015 faves. Check it out here: http://consciousimmaturity.org/

~ Kristen

SXSW 2015 – Thursday Recap

Posted on March 20, 2015 by Kristen

Man oh man, I am loving SXSW 2015! My feet are killing me and my memory is foggy, but I’ll do my best to relay the glories of my Thursday in Austin.

The rain held off for another day, but the morning heat was a bit much to deal with. After a breakfast of fruit and bagels at the Planet Quebec Mixer, I found myself standing in the sun, dripping with sweat, waiting for James Bay to take the stage. Thankfully, by the time he got there, I had squeezed my way into the shade of the speakers so I could fully enjoy his set. I keep seeming to miss James but his song “Move Together” is in regular rotation in my head radio. I was thrilled when he played it. Thrilled! If the audience at The Spotify House is any indication, this guy is going places.

Most of the afternoon, Amanda and I spent running from set to set sampling as many bands as we could. We danced with Misterwives and Whiskey Shivers, ate McDonald’s French Fries with Yukon Blonde, and chilled with The Ballroom Thieves and some Boston-ites at the Berklee Music Party. Today also had some slower grooves. Paper Aeroplanes at The British Embassy sounded like a breath of fresh air after walking down the noise of 6^th street. I also really enjoyed Thrice frontman, Dustin Kensrue showing his softer side with just his voice and acoustic guitar.

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At some point, we found our way into the convention center meandering around the Gear Expo and Flatstock, an exposition of poster art design. The later was like an art museum. It was fascinating to see the different styles and techniques. We also had run-ins with a couple bands we saw and enjoyed yesterday, Buffalo Sunn and Mallory Knox.

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The evening began with the Nylon Party at The W Hotel where we were entertained both by the bell-bottomed rocking Zella Day and a photo booth where people could pose with pink Nylon guitars. Then it was on to dinner and dancing. Dinner provided by the King’s Hawaiian food truck at Rachael Ray’s Feedback Party (desert courtesy of Jeni’s ice cream) and dancing with Rubblebucket at the IFC Fairgrounds and Jared & The Mill at The Feedback Party. The highlight for me was Jared & The Mill’s harmonious “Breathe Me In”.

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We capped off the night with a one two punch from Frank Turner and Butch Walker. After seeing the pair at The Hotel Cafe a couple months ago, having them play back to back seems the most obvious thing in the world. Frank incited the room at The Red 7 Patio, playing hit after hit, joking about his struggles to keep the drinking to a minimum, and swapping shirts with a fan onstage. Butch took it down a notch next door at Red 7, singing songs off his new album, Afraid of Ghosts, and telling tales of his SXSW experiences. The man knows how to hold an audience. The cries for an encore did not move the venue to adjust their schedule, but on the bright side, it meant home and in bed just that much sooner.

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We had one on the street random run-in with Taylor Hanson and thus ended Thursday SXSW 2015.

~ Kristen

If you’re in Austin, here are a few acts we recommend for tomorrow (Friday 3/20):

1:55 – Walking on Cars at BD Riley’s (Great Irish Breakfast)

2:30 – Charlotte OC at Palm Door Indoors (UMG Experience)

3:15 – Clockwise at Brush Square Park

4:30 – Young Rising Sons at Palm Door (UMG Experience)

6-9pm – Dotan, The Mowglis, and Charles Hamilton at Republic SX Compound

8:45 – Laura Marling, Foreign Fields, Leon Bridges, James Bay, and Jack Garratt at St. David’s Church (go for the whole night and stay out of the rain!)

Top Ten Acts to See at SXSW 2015

Posted on March 16, 2015 by Kristen

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. We’re not talking about Christmas, but SXSW! We’re back! We got in this morning and the experience has already been quite magical. Of course I have my 20 page “schedule” of bands I want to see, but even that can be quite overwhelming. To help with your show picks, here are our top selections this year.

1. Dear Boy

LMN band love Dear Boy is back in Austin. This band doesn’t get out of So-Cal that often, so it’s imperative to catch them here at SXSW.

Where to see them:
2pm Wednesday at Buzzbands Showcase (Bar 96)
9:30 Thursday at Red 7 Patio

2. Brandi Carlile

Just listen to this song. She’s only playing one show. It’s a can’t miss.

Where to see her:
11pm Wednesday at Central Presbyterian Church

3. Fatherson

I pressed play on an unfamiliar song entitled “James” and immediately fell in love with this Scottish band.

Where to see them:
3:50 Wednesday at The British Embassy (Latitude 30)
8:30 Sunday at The Conscious Immaturity Charity Showcase (Stubb’s)

4.Mallory Knox

One of the best aspects of SXSW is that is brings international bands that you may not otherwise get to know in a live setting. Mallory Knox sits at the top of the list of bands I’d like to get acquainted with.

Where to see them:
4:40 Wednesday at The British Embassy (Latitude 30)
10pm Saturday at Red 7 Patio

5. James Bay

I have been in love with the music of James Bay for a while now. I anticipate big things so I’d like to catch him in an intimate setting before it’s too late.

Where to see him:
1pm Thursday at The Spotify House (901 E 6^th St)
11:45pm Friday at St. David’s Church

Also on the must see list:

6. Irontom

7. Highly Suspect

8. Jared & The Mill

9. Walking On Cars

10. Taymir

~ Kristen

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 3/16-3/22

Posted on March 15, 2015 by Kristen

Well, it’s off to SXSW I go! While I am in Austin, here’s what I got for you back in Los Angeles. If I were here I wouldn’t miss Joe Pug at The Echo Thursday night. I’m actually a bit miffed to be missing this show, especially after hearing Pug’s last album, Windfall. Someone please go to that show for me.

Monday: Ben Ottewell at The Hotel Cafe (8pm)
ALSO: Conway FREE at The Satellite (11pm)
ALSO: Monday Monday at Room 5 f. Josiah Leming, The Zmed Brothers, Michael Doman, etc. (8pm)

Tuesday: Forebear at Bootleg HiFi (8pm)
ALSO: Flogging Molly at Hollywood Palladium (8pm)

Weds: We Are The West at The Mint (8:30)
ALSO: Decoded at The Viper Room (9pm)
ALSO: Susanna Hoffs & Friends at Largo (8:30)

Thursday: Joe Pug w/ Field Report at The Echo (8pm)
ALSO: David Ford at Bootleg HiFi (9pm)
ALSO: Aimee Mann and Ted Leo at Largo (8:30)

Friday: Lee Dewyze, Antigone Rising, State to State & The Midnight Pine at The Hotel Cafe (7, 9, 11)
ALSO: Aimee Mann and Ted Leo at Largo (8:30)
ALSO: Chris Pierce Trio at Harvelle’s (9pm)
ALSO: Beardyman at The Regent Theater (8pm)

Saturday: Act As If, The Absolute, The Janks at The Hotel Cafe (9, 10, 11)

Sunday: of Montreal at The Regent Theater (8pm)
ALSO: The Airborne Toxic Event at Tower Theatre (7pm)

To Keep in Mind:
March 24^th: Neulore at The Mint
March 24^th: The Ting Tings at The Fonda
March 24^th: Oh Honey at The Roxy
March 27^th: Echosmith at The Fonda Theatre
March 30^th: Brian Fest at The Fonda Theatre
April 2^nd: Guster at The Wiltern
April 2^nd: Punch Brothers at The Fonda
April 3^rd: Jason Walker at The Hotel Cafe
April 3^rd: Dear Boy at The Troubadour
April 4^th: Ben Sollee at The House of Blues
April 7^th: Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness at The Roxy
April 7^th: Civil Twilight at The Troubadour
April 13^th: Royal Blood at The Fonda
April 13^th: Desaparecidos at The Roxy
April 15^th: Desaparecidos at The Shrine
April 16^th: Mighty Oaks and Milky Chance at The Mayan Theatre
April 17^th: The Silent Comedy at The Record Parlour
April 23^rd: Joe Firstman at The Hotel Cafe
April 23^rd: Jared & The Mill at Bootleg HiFi
April 24^th: Damien Rice at The Greek Theatre
April 25^th: The Kaiser Chiefs at The Wiltern
April 27^th: Zane Carney at The Troubadour
May 1^st: Tony Lucca at The Hotel Cafe
May 2^nd: The Decemberists at Greek Theatre
May 2^nd: OK Go at The Wiltern
May 3^rd: Tonight Alive at The Wiltern
May 14^th: James Bay at The Fonda Theatre
May 16^th: Two Gallants at The Roxy
May 16^th: Lydia at The Troubadour
May 19^th: Prides at The Echo
May 20^th: Noel Gallagher and the High Flying Birds at The Orpheum
May 29^th/30^th: The Bangles at The Troubadour
June 11^th: Ivan & Alyosha at The Roxy
June 16^th: Butch Walker at The Masonic Lodge
June 24^th/25^th: Ed Sheeran at Hollywood Bowl
July 12^th: NEEDTOBREATHE at Greek Theatre
August 1^st: AWOLNATION at Hollywood Palladium
September 16^th: Carbon Leaf at The Roxy

~ Kristen

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 3/9-3/15

Posted on March 8, 2015 by Kristen

T-1 week before takeoff to Austin for SXSW’s music week. I thought I was doing well keeping up with the bands and invites and whatnot until last week. I think I just took on too much. This week will be another doozey, but the more work I get done, the more I will be able to enjoy myself in Austin. Fingers crossed for maximum productivity!

In the meantime, plenty of live shows to keep me motivated. Several of my SXSW picks are in Los Angeles this week including Young Rising Sons, San Cisco, Halsey, Jared & The Mill, Wolf Alice, and Jeremy Loops. SO, if you’re sad you won’t be at SXSW, here’s your chance to get a taste.

Monday: It’s a School Night at Bardot f. Young Rising Sons, The New Peter Gabrielz (8:30)
ALSO: Hunnypot Radio Live FREE at The Mint f. Young Creatures (7pm)
ALSO: The Tragic Thrills at The Lyric Theatre (8pm)
ALSO: Conway, The Bulls, Kid Cadaver FREE at The Satellite (9pm)
ALSO: Monday Monday at Room 5 f. Joel Eckels Music, Miranda Lee Richards, George Stanford, Clare Means, etc. (8pm)

Tuesday: Lakes, The Show Ponies, Branches at Bootleg HiFi (8pm)
ALSO: San Cisco FREE at Amoeba Records (6pm)
ALSO: Romeo Testa at The Satellite (9pm)
ALSO: San Cisco at The Troubadour (8pm)

Weds: Howlin’ Rain at The Echo (9pm)
ALSO: Halsey and Young Rising Sons at The Troubadour (8pm)
ALSO: These Reigning Days, The New Peter Gabrielz at The Viper Room (8pm)
ALSO: Hey Rosetta! at Bootleg HiFi (9pm)
ALSO: Mat Kearny at The Wiltern (6:30)

Thursday: Jared & The Mill at The Sayers Club (10:45)
ALSO: Alex Johnson at The Hotel Cafe (10pm)
ALSO: 2:54, Honeyblood at The Echoplex (9pm)
ALSO: The Two Tens and Electric Six at The Roxy (9pm)
ALSO: Tall Tales & The Silver Lining at The Mint (9:35)
ALSO: Kevin Devine & The Goddamn Band at The Echo (9pm)
ALSO: The Griswolds and Walk the Moon at Hollywood Palladium (7pm)

Friday: Matthew Jordan, Terra Naomi at Room 5 (9, 10)
ALSO: The Record Company w/ Ivory DeVille, Miranda Lee Richards at The Satellite (9pm)
ALSO: The Shakers FREE at O’Brien’s
ALSO: Ewert and The Two Dragons at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)
ALSO: Bad Romantics at The Mint (9:30)
ALSO: Kongos, Sir Sly, Colony House at The Wiltern (7pm)
ALSO: MisterWives, BORNS, and Handsome Ghost at The Troubadour (7pm)

Saturday: Wolf Alice w/ The Moth & The Flame at Bootleg HiFi (8pm)
ALSO: Chantal Kreviazuk at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)
ALSO: Bayside at House of Blues (6:30)

Sundays: Jeremy Loops at Saint Rocke (7pm)

To Keep in Mind:
March 19^th: Joe Pug at The Echo
March 24^th: Neulore at The Mint
March 24^th: The Ting Tings at The Fonda
March 24^th: Oh Honey at The Roxy
March 27^th: Echosmith at The Fonda Theatre
March 30^th: Brian Fest at The Fonda Theatre
April 2^nd: Guster at The Wiltern
April 2^nd: Punch Brothers at The Fonda
April 3^rd: Jason Walker at The Hotel Cafe
April 3^rd: Dear Boy at The Troubadour
April 4^th: Ben Sollee at The House of Blues
April 7^th: Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness at The Roxy
April 7^th: Civil Twlight at The Troubadour
April 13^th: Royal Blood at The Fonda
April 13^th: Desaparecidos at The Roxy
April 15^th: Desaparecidos at The Shrine
April 16^th: Mighty Oaks and Milky Chance at The Mayan Theatre
April 17^th: The Silent Comedy at The Record Parlour
April 23^rd: Joe Firstman at The Hotel Cafe
April 23^rd: Jared & The Mill at Bootleg HiFi
April 24^th: Damien Rice at The Greek Theatre
April 25^th: The Kaiser Chiefs at The Wiltern
April 27^th: Zane Carney at The Troubadour
May 1^st: Tony Lucca at The Hotel Cafe
May 2^nd: The Decemberists at Greek Theatre
May 2^nd: OK Go at The Wiltern
May 3^rd: Tonight Alive at The Wiltern
May 14^th: James Bay at The Fonda Theatre
May 16^th: Two Gallants at The Roxy
May 20^th: Noel Gallagher and the High Flying Birds at The Orpheum
May 29^th/30^th: The Bangles at The Troubadour
June 1^st: Honeyhoney at The El Rey
June 24^th/25^th: Ed Sheeran at Hollywood Bowl
July 12^th: NEEDTOBREATHE at Greek Theatre
August 1^st: AWOLNATION at Hollywood Palladium
September 16^th: Carbon Leaf at The Roxy

~ Kristen