Author: Amanda

Valentine’s Day Playlist: Cycle of Love- Creeper Status

Posted on by Amanda

Sometimes the path of love takes a sharp left turn and you end up with someone who you thought was harmless but they really aren’t. Perhaps they call or message you incessantly. Maybe they just give off a weird vibe around you. Or, you might have a full on stalker. Chances are they might be listening to these songs. And let’s face it, we’ve all been creepers on Facebook. No one is immune to some mild stalking. We still love you though.

Creeper

Local Music – Beware – The Silent Comedy
The Silent Comedy boys warned you. They told you to beware. I mean, you might find yourself creeping in your lovers lair. Do they know who you are though?
Top 40 – Paparazzi – Lady Gaga

The paparazzi are a scary people. Even scarier when Lady Gaga says she will be a paparazzi until you love her back. True creeper status.

Top 40 – Every Breath You Take – The Police

The reason we have two top forty picks is because we couldn’t decide.  “Every Breath You Take” being the theme song for stalkers the world over, was essential.  Also, we were scarred that Sting might be watching us and take revenge if he didn’t make the list.

Alternative Radio – I Will Possess Your Heart – Death Cab for Cutie

While I appreciate the idea of this song, it pushes past unrequited love into that area of creepiness. When I think of someone possessing my heart, my mind jumps to the idea of a serial killer who just wanted my heart. But hey, thats just me and I watch a lot of crime tv.

Soundtrack – Hellfire – The Hunchback of Notre Dame

If you are a young woman, there is nothing creeper than an (unattractive) older man perving on you.  This is taken to a whole new level when that pervy old man is gonna kill your whole family if you don’t succumb to him. What’s a girl to do?

Misc – Do You Love Me – Nick Cave

What isn’t creepy about Nick Cave? I mean, he’s a creeper, through and through, but I love him just the same.  It’s mostly the way he asks the listener, “Do You Love Me?” that sends chills running up and down my spine.

You’re not a creeper or you’re trying to get over it? Good for you! Just sit there on all that love. Stay tuned!

Amanda’s SD Concert Calendar 2/6-2/12

Posted on by Amanda

Hey Folks! Sorry for the delay in getting this post up. I have a good reason I swear! I was lucky enough to be working with Rebecca Joelson tonight at 91X shooting an X-Session with the singer for The Shins. A late lunch followed after and one thing led to another and sooooooo… that’s why I’m late. But, San Diego has some awesome shows for the week including Dr. Dog and Saint Motel. Woo!

 

Monday:  Cory Chisel @ Casbah @9 $15
AND: April Ventura and The Magnolias @ Soda Bar @830 $5

Tuesday: Dr. Dog w/Purling Hiss @Belly Up @9 $18/$20
AND: Mattson 2 @ El Dorado @9
AND: The Henry Clay People @ Casbah @9 $8

Wednesday: Saint Motel and The Heavy Guilt @ Casbah @9 $8/$10
AND: Estelle @ Anthology
AND: Dave Booda @ Belly Up @730 $11

Thursday: Sundrop Electric @ Bar Pink @9

Friday: Young the Giant @ Soma
AND: The Bloody Hollies and Heavy Glow @ Eleven @9 $6
AND: Gregory Page @ Lestats @8

Saturday: You Me At Six @ Soma @6 $12
AND: The Features and The Beautiful View @ Soda Bar @9 $10

Sunday: Relax

 

Keep in Mind:

February 16th- The Fray @ House of Blues
February 17th- The Howls, The Heavy Guilt and Low Volts @ The Loft @ UCSD @7
February 17th- CAKE @ Belly Up
February 18th- Jesse LaMonaca and the Dime Novels with Blackout Party @ Casbah
February 18th- Big Bad Voodoo Daddy @ Anthology
February 19th- Craig Finn @ Casbah @9 $12
February 20th- Get Back Loretta and Wendy Bailey and True Stories @ Casbah
February 22nd- Anya Marina @ Casbah
February 23rd- Ra Ra Riot @ Belly Up @8 $18
February 23rd- Hot Chelle Rae w/Electric Touch @ House of Blues
February 23rd- Scars on 45 @ Anthology @730
February 24th- The Soft Pack @ Casbah @9
February 25th- The Nervous Wreckords, Midnight Rivals, and Grand Tarantula @ Anthology @9 $12
February 25h- Mat Kearney @ House of Blues
February 26th- Cursive @ Casbah @9
February 27th- Foxy Shazaam @ 710 Beach Club
February 28th- He’s My Brother, She’s My Sister @ Casbah @9 $8/$10
February 29th- Red Hot Chili Peppers @ Valley View Casino Center
March 3rd- Jackie Greene @ Belly Up @9
March 3rd- Alkaline Trio @ House of Blues
March 6th- Flogging Molly @ House of Blues
March 8th- William Fitzsimmons @ Anthology @7
March 8th- The Silent Comedy and Dead Feather Moon @ Belly Up
March 9th- The Stone Foxes @ Casbah @9
March 11th- Crocodiles @ Casbah @9 $12
March 11th- Fierce Creatures @ Tin Can Alehouse
March 18th- Puscifer @ California Center for the Arts Escondido
March 20th- Ani DeFranco @ House of Blues
March 21st- Cults @ Belly Up @9
March 23rd- The Ting Tings @ House of Blues
April 7th- Transfer and The Blackout Party @ Belly Up
April 13th- Coachella Weekend 1
April 15th- Rise Against @ Viejas Arena
April 20th- Coachella Weekend 2
June 3rd- Mogwai @ Belly Up

Valentine’s Day Playlist: The Cycles of Love- Feeling Frisky

Posted on by Amanda

Alright, we’re now done feeling sorry for ourselves and feel like it’s time to stick our toes back in the dating/romance pool. The problem is, well, we just don’t feel up for it. You’re girlfriends (or boyfriends) have been trying to get you out and on the prowl, right? I know, it’s annoying. Maybe we feel sexy (or maybe not), but the main goal of the night is to have fun and use the powers of seduction on helpless pawns for an ego boost. No worries. We got you covered (and we don’t judge either)!

Feeling Frisky
Local Music: So So Fresh – Nico Vega

The one thing I can say about Nico Vega (other than the fact that they are amazing) is they know how to get into the core of your being and make you feel it. If you want some extra sass in your step, might I suggest this song?

Top 40: Does Your Mother Know – ABBA

ABBA were the biggest pop stars of the 70’s. I mean they had white satin jump suits and Swedish accents, what’s not to love? This song is kind of a rarity with the boys taking the lead on vocals.  The obvious reference to young girls is kind of risqué, but ultra frisky.

Alternative Radio: No You Girls – Franz Ferdinand

Girls, Girls, Girls…they are such teases. They make us crazy, shaking their asses and fluttering their eyelashes! Franz Ferdinand is pissed about this, stop messing with their heads, because no you girls never know how you make a boy feel…



Soundtrack: Sugar Daddy – Hedwig and the Angry Inch

Hedwig, our hero, wait heroine, writes a song about her American Soldier Sugar Daddy who brought her, or at this time him, Gummi Bears the first time they met.  Hansel became Hedwig to be this sugar daddy’s lady and we can only imagine what kind of flirting got him, no her, across the Berlin Wall.

Misc: Drive Me Insane- Billy Boy On Poison

I first heard this lovely little ditty as part of a promo for my favorite TV show Castle. This song was used to vocalize the um…. tension between the two leads (and it did the job quite well). As the song suggests, the poor guy gets driven insane by the minx we don’t know. It’s enough to make any woman want to be her.

Need some more sexyness? Don’t worry, it’s up next.

Valentine’s Day Playlist- The Cycles of Love: Loneliness

Posted on by Amanda

I honor of the upcoming holiday I have tried to boycott and have never seemed to enjoy, I thought it fitting to create a playlist for Valentines Day. There is a catch however. In true Amanda style, I’ve decided to arrange the playlist according to the cycles of love that every person experiences and will be realeasing a new one up to V-Day. On top of that, is a song for each category of listener; local music, top 40, alternative radio, soundtrack, and miscellaneous. I’m throughly happy to be doing this V-Day playlist with newbie LMN author Marissa Mortati. If it wasn’t for her help and contributions, this list would not be possible.

Now, if you’re anything like me (which you probably aren’t) or any other human, the cycle of love tends to start with loneliness. If we are never alone we can never truly appreciate the love we will have in our life. But with loneliness comes the bitter taste of self-loathing, depression, and an all around not feeling good about one’s self. Bummer dude. Hopefully these songs will help you to feel not alone in your loneliness! Cheers mate.

 

Woe Is Me

Local Music: Boston- Augustana 

It’s not often that a local band you are familiar with has their lyrics sung by the lead in a tv show like The Big Bang Theory as a demonstration of raw emotional emoness. However, that lucky commendation goes to the song Boston by Augustana. I love Augustana. I love the piano coupled with his melancholy vocals.  I love them more when I’m feeling upset, unloved, misunderstood, and beyond repair. Cheery, right?

Top 40: Broadway – Goo Goo Dolls 
Funnily enough, I saw Augustana open for Goo Goo Dolls back in the day so this is a lovely double whammy of memories for me. Anyways, the thing about this song is while it talks about being down, it also discusses a wasted life of a young man. The song may deceive you, making you think you’re about to partake in a happy pop rock song, but Broadway is about a young man without a place in world.  He feels like he’s got no one on his side and self destructs because of it.

 

Alternative Radio: Creep -Radiohead 

If you’ve ever felt like a sniveling little, well, creep you’ve probably blasted this song on your car stereo many times.   The Radiohead anthem is one of those anti hero songs that you can’t help relate to because hey, we all want perfect bodies. It’s dark and brooding and makes us all feel a little more badass.

 

Soundtrack: Part of Your World – The Little Mermaid

You think you’re an outsider? Imagine how a Mermaid feels? That’s right, that’s pretty rough.  Ariel from Disney’s The Little Mermaid expresses just how much one can feel like an outsider looking in this song.  Come on guys! She just wants to fit in!

 

Misc: Somebody to Love – Queen

Freddie Mercury speaks to the romantic in all of us.  Somebody to Love is the perfect depiction of a desire to love someone.  With amazing harmonies and that rock opera style that defines Queen you find yourself singing along happily with a song that is actually quite sad.

 

 

Feeling Frisky? Stay tuned.

Amanda’s SD Concert Calendar 1/30-2/5

Posted on by Amanda

It’s another day in paradise. The sun is out, it’s warm but not hot, and the birds are making their own chirpy music. Yep, it’s a hard life here in San Diego. After all my outings this past month, I’m taking it easy this week. I found out I’m not 21 anymore and able to be out every night and fully functional the next day. This old girl needs some R&R but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go out this week. We have some great shows including; Atomic Tom at Lestats, The Burning of Rome at Soda Bar, The New Kinetics at Tin Can Alehouse, and Martin Sexton at The Belly Up. Get out there!

 

Monday: Sunbears @ Soda Bar @830 $5

Tuesday: Erm. I got nothing.

Wednesday: Atomic Tom @ Lestats @8
AND: Angels and Airwaves (sold out)

Thursday: The Burning of Rome @ Soda Bar
AND: The New Kinetics @ Tin Can Alehouse @9 $5

Friday: The Jealous Sound @ Soda Bar @830 $10
AND: Mute Math @ 4th & B
AND: Lisa Loeb @ Anthology @730/930 $10-$50
AND: Italian Japanese @ Tin Can Alehouse @9 $5

Saturday: Martin Sexton @ Belly Up @9 $23/$25
AND: Where’s the Band Tour @ House of Blues

Sunday: Cherry Poppin Daddies @ Anthology @8 $10-$40

 

Keep in Mind:

February 6th- Cory Chisel @ Casbah
February 7th- Dr. Dog w/Purling Hiss @Belly Up @9 $18/$20
February 7th- Mattson 2 @ El Dorado
February 7th- The Henry Clay People @ Casbah @9
February 8th- Saint Motel and The Heavy Guilt @ Casbah @9
February 8th- Estelle @ Anthology
February 10th- Young the Giant @ Soma
February 11th- You Me At Six @ Soma @6 $12
February 17th- CAKE @ Belly Up
February 18th- Big Bad Voodoo Daddy @ Anthology
February 19th- Craig Finn @ Casbah @9 $12
February 20th- Get Back Loretta and Wendy Bailey and True Stories @ Casbah
February 22nd- Anya Marina @ Casbah
February 23rd- Ra Ra Riot @ Belly Up @8 $18
February 23rd- Hot Chelle Rae w/Electric Touch @ House of Blues
February 23rd- Scars on 45 @ Anthology @730
February 24th- The Soft Pack @ Casbah @9
February 25h- Mat Kearney @ House of Blues
February 26th- Cursive @ Casbah @9
February 27th- Foxy Shazaam @ 710 Beach Club
February 29th- Red Hot Chili Peppers @ Valley View Casino Center
March 3rd- Jackie Greene @ Belly Up @9
March 3rd- Alkaline Trio @ House of Blues
March 6th- Flogging Molly @ House of Blues
March 8th- William Fitzsimmons @ Anthology @7
March 8th- The Silent Comedy and Dead Feather Moon @ Belly Up
March 9th- The Stone Foxes @ Casbah @9
March 11th- Crocodiles @ Casbah @9 $12
March 11th- Fierce Creatures @ Tin Can Alehouse
March 18th- Puscifer @ California Center for the Arts Escondido
March 20th- Ani DeFranco @ House of Blues
March 21st- Cults @ Belly Up @9
March 23rd- The Ting Tings @ House of Blues
April 13th- Coachella Weekend 1
April 15th- Rise Against @ Viejas Arena
April 20th- Coachella Weekend 2
June 3rd- Mogwai @ Belly Up

Amanda’s SD Concert Calendar 1/23-1/29

Posted on by Amanda

What a drizzly Monday this has turned out to be! We had some rain Saturday as well and it’s definitely wet outside. I don’t mind this kind of weather every once in awhile but I think if I lived some place like Seattle all I would ever want to do is sleep. I’m poised for a nap right now!

Anyways, despite the wet weather today, the week promises to clear up in time for some excellent shows! It all starts Thursday for Nico Vega and continues Friday with The Howls CD Release show and finishes Saturday with Endoxi and Kevin Martin. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg…

 

Monday: April Ventura and The Magnolias @ Casbah @9 $5
AND: Wendy Bailey @ Ruby Room @8 $4

Tuesday: Alabama Shakes and Terraplane Sun @ Belly Up @9 $12/$14

Wednesday: Grand Tarantula @ U-31 @9
AND: Olin and The Moon, Maxim Ludwig and the Santa Fe Seven, and Vanaprasta

Thursday: Nico Vega and The Filthy Violets @ Casbah @9 $8/$10
AND: One I Red @ Ruby Room @9 $5

Friday: The Howls, Jesse LaMonaca and The Dime Novels, and Family Wagon @ Casbah @9 $8/$10
AND: Wendy Bailey @ Griffin @9 $7
AND: A Scribe Amidst The Lions @ Soda Bar @830 $7

Saturday: Endoxi and Kevin Martin @ Griffin @830 $8
AND: New Mexico @ Soda Bar @830 $7
AND: Joel Eckles @ Lestats @8
AND: Nada Surf, The Soft Pack, Cuckoo Chaos, and Republic of Letters @ 4th & B $20/$30

Sunday: Rest!

 

Keep in Mind:

February 2nd- The Burning of Rome @ Soda Bar
February 2nd- The New Kinetics @ Tin Can Alehouse
February 3rd- Mute Math @ 4th & B
February 4th- Where’s the Band Tour @ House of Blues
February 4th- Marton Sexton @ Belly Up
February 7th- Dr. Dog w/Purling Hiss @Belly Up @9 $18/$20
February 7th- Mattson 2 @ El Dorado
February 7th- The Henry Clay People @ Casbah @9
February 8th- Saint Motel and The Heavy Guilt @ Casbah @9
February 10th- Young the Giant @ Soma
February 11th- You Me At Six @ Soma @6 $12
February 17th- CAKE @ Belly Up
February 19th- Craig Finn @ Casbah @9 $12
February 20th- Get Back Loretta and Wendy Bailey and True Stories @ Casbah
February 22nd- Anya Marina @ Casbah
February 23rd- Ra Ra Riot @ Belly Up @8 $18
February 23rd- Hot Chelle Rae w/Electric Touch @ House of Blues
February 23rd- Scars on 45 @ Anthology @730
February 24th- The Soft Pack @ Casbah @9
February 25h- Mat Kearney @ House of Blues
February 26th- Cursive @ Casbah @9
February 29th- Red Hot Chili Peppers @ Valley View Casino Center
March 3rd- Jackie Greene @ Belly Up @9
March 6th- Flogging Molly @ House of Blues
March 8th- William Fitzsimmons @ Anthology @7
March 8th- The Silent Comedy and Dead Feather Moon @ Belly Up
March 9th- The Stone Foxes @ Casbah @9
March 11th- Crocodiles @ Casbah @9 $12
March 11th- Fierce Creatures @ Tin Can Alehouse
March 21st- Cults @ Belly Up @9
March 23rd- The Ting Tings @ House of Blues
April 13th- Coachella Weekend 1
April 15th- Rise Against @ Viejas Arena
April 20th- Coachella Weekend 2

Amanda’s Top Ten Musical Experiences (The Finale!)

Posted on by Amanda

It’s long overdue but at last I’m bringing this thing to a close. Without further ado, my top 2.

 

2. The Silent Comedy/Saint Motel/Tranfer

I realize this is like cheating by having 3 bands listed without a discernable event that brings the three together. Well, the fact of the matter is, The Silent Comedy is at the center of this love triangle and if it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t include the others. This past summer The Silent Comedy embarked on their Summer Sweat Tour with Saint Motel which had numerous highlights from a show at the Casbah to playing LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art) which culminated in a residency at The Cosmopolitan Hotel in Vegas. Vegas with the boys was a highlight for me because it was like a mini sin filled vacation surrounded by (almost) everyone you know and love. It was lovely. On the flip side, Transfer and The Silent Comedy are like two peas who have outgrown their pod. I first knew of Transfer because of The Silent Comedy and I know people who are vice versa. Transfer and The Silent Comedy have put on some epic shows this year but perhaps the mist epic of all was New Years Eve at the Lafayette Hotel here in San Diego. It was almost like Vegas but had way more bands and more friendly faces. It was definitely the best New Years Eve experience I’ve ever had! As a side note, I’ve had some wonderful video experiences with The Silent Comedy this year from shooting video of them to being in a video with them. Many cherished memories.

 

1. William Beckett

I’m not really sure to begin my story of my love for William Beckett. It’s a love I’m not entirely proud of, mostly because his fans are either teenagers/early twenty somethings or those crazy moms that like bands who go to rock shows and embarrass their kids. Nevertheless, my love for this particular artist came from a random chance discovery of his (now broken up) band The Academy Is… I’m not sure if it was a music or the lyrics that caught me first but the thing I have loved and always admired about William was his writing. I was hoping to go see The Academy Is… a few times on their tour this year when news broke that they had parted ways. I was devastated. My first band love had broken up and though I had been to many of their shows, I felt I could have done more. After all, Kristen and I galavanted around the east coast last year to see them, surely there was more I could have done. But then, magic happened. William announced he was coming to LA to open for the sold out Dear Jack benefit on 11/11/11. I immediately got on Craigslist and found a ticket. What a magical show it was! Between Mr. Beckett playing acoustic (which I had never seen) he played rare TAI songs, covers, and even a few of his new solo tunes. I was in heaven! What made the night even better was getting my favorite lyrics from The Phrase that Pays written down by his hand on a piece of paper. My life was complete!! Only, not quite. William announced he was playing a holiday show in Chicago and I knew I couldn’t miss it. I flew out to Chicago and was there for 3 days and 2 nights to catch this acoustic holiday show which featured, Jennifer Hall, Bonaventure, Into It. Over It., and William Beckett. It was a wonderful adventure where I got to meet other fans, chat with William about a mutual love for Nashville, and just enjoy life. It was whimsical and it’s why he is my number 1 for 2011.