Author: Amanda

Growing: Ivan and Alyosha

Posted on by Amanda

While I’ve only seen this band but once, they certainly captured my attention at SXSW. I suppose it’s only fitting that I receive a press announcement about them via email as well as a song premiere post on Facebook from Paste Magazine on the same day. Clearly, they are meant to have my attention today. I don’t really mind 🙂

I’m happy to report that this little band is doing quite well for itself after just an EP release. I’ve been slightly keeping up with them via Facebook but Missing Piece Group says it so much better,

“2011 saw Seattle folk-pop band Ivan & Alyosha play more than 150 shows in support of their EP Fathers Be Kind, highlighted by tours with Brandi Carlile, Aimee Mann, and Hey Rosetta! The EP has been recognized on Amazon’s Best Music of 2011 Thus Far, with that EP’s “I Was Born to Love Her” ranked at #4 on their Songs You May Have Missed round-up. This echoed the earlier inclusion of Fathers on NPR’s Best of the Year (So Far) list.”

 

Quite impressive! They are currently recording their debut album and will be on tour in March and April through May with Rosie Thomas. I hope to catch them here in SD and again at SXSW. Are they playing in your area?

[youtube IINT71haDCs]

Upcoming Tour Dates:

MARCH

2 – Pullman, WA: Belltower Concert House
3 – Portland, OR: Bunk Bar
5 – Los Angeles, CA: The Echo
6 – San Diego, CA: Soda Bar
7 – Tucson, AZ: Plush
8 – Santa Fe, NM: Santa Fe Sol Live
11 – San Antonio, TX: The Big Spill Festival
13 – 18 – Austin, TX: SXSW Music Conference
21 – Lincoln, NE: Bourbon Theatre
22 – Denver, CO: Hi-Dive

APRIL*

25 – Portland, OR: Mississippi Studios
27 – San Francisco, CA: Hotel Utah
28 – Visalia, CA: The Cellar Door
29 – Los Angeles, CA: Hotel Cafe
30 – La Jolla, CA: The Loft at UCSD

MAY*

1 – Phoenix, AZ: Rhythm Room
4 – Dallas, TX: LaGrange
5 – Austin, TX: Lamberts
6 – Tulsa, OK: Fassler Hall
8 – Denver, CO: Soiled Dove Underground
9 – Salt Lake City, UT: The State Room
11 – Seattle, WA – The Neptune

http://www.ivanandalyosha.com
http://www.facebook.com/ivanandalyosha
http://www.myspace.com/ivanandalyosha
http://twitter.com/ivanandalyosha

Valentine’s Day Playlist: Honorable Mentions- Part 2

Posted on by Amanda

As promised, my honorable mentions list.

Honorable Mentions: Amanda

Loneliness: Medicate- AFI

Let’s see, a song about medicating, being numb, and someone who doesn’t even know your name. Yep, that’s pretty sad.

[youtube wCwEBz3ego8]

Tease: Dare Me- Pointer Sisters

I grew up listening to the likes of The Pointer Sisters, The Coasters, and other such oldies. I have to say, I like it when a lady dares a guy because she knows she can take him on. The real question is, can he handle her?

[youtube vPTwcwA6vuk]

Sexy: Mr. Sinister- Scarlet Grey

One of my favorite songs from one of my favorite LA bands and while it isn’t ‘sexy’ in terms of being a song about sex, it feels sexy to me. Maybe it’s the guitar. Maybe it’s about someone sinister. It might just be the lyric, ‘he’ll help you take off your dress, insist there’s more to confess.’ Is that a promise?

[youtube wLeNTbDpqkw]

Puppy Love: The Way It Is- Th’ Moonlight Sexy

Sadly, Th’ Moonlight Sexy no longer exists and neither does this song on the interwebs. I can however, link you to their old Myspace and you can listen to their other tunes. I know it’s a cop out but I got nothing….

http://www.myspace.com/springfieldrock

Sprung: Dirty Little Secret- The All American Rejects

You want me but you don’t want to tell anyone about me? Well sir, it sounds like you just want me for my body and all it’s capable of doing. I might be ok with that.

[youtube gPDcwjJ8pLg]

Creepy Love: I Will Follow Him- Peggy March

This might be more a song about devotion and true love but in today’s day and age, a song about following a guy no matter what reads ‘stalker.’

[youtube YCCm5-mwtr8]

Unrequited Love: About A Girl- The Academy Is…

So wait, this song isn’t about a girl you’re secretly in love with? Oh wait, you just don’t want to admit it. Keep telling yourself you aren’t in love. Let’s see how long that lasts. P.S. I totally relate

[youtube 3M6ZvNmwGxs]

Proclamation: There She Goes- Carney

Something about Carney just oozes sex. So when they start telling you they secretly love you, how could you not go weak at the knees for this? Sigh.

[youtube usXYHehXLnQ]

In Love: The Brute and The Beast- Fierce Creatures

I remember the day when Fierce Creatures came knocking on my little blog door and said ‘hey, check us out.’ It’s been love since then much like this velvety soft song.

[soundcloud url=”http://soundcloud.com/fiercecreaturesband/the-brute-and-the-beast”]

Tragic Love: Daisy- The Silent Comedy

Sadly this song doesn’t get a lot of playtime but it’s always been a favorite of mine. Hey Daisy, just add some salt to the wound. It makes for a good song.

[youtube ZjOatPvyWaY]

Post Break Up: Miserable At Best- Mayday Parade

Love sucks. Love hurts. Sometimes the best you can be is miserable. Mayday Parade understands your pain.

[youtube GqM3Dr7agjY]

It’s Just Another Day: Haight St.- Anberlin

‘Let’s you and me, make a night of this. Old enough to know but too young to care.’ Hark, I hear my lost adolescence calling me! I suppose that’s why this song has a sweet spot with me.

[youtube F1lLtl-NX_o]

 

And now we end all talk of Valentine’s Day! Until next year…

Valentine’s Day Playlist: Honorable Mentions

Posted on by Amanda

It wouldn’t be right of us to let the Valentine’s Day fun actually end on Valentine’s Day so we thought we would share some of the hopefuls for our playlist that just didn’t make the cut. Marissa’s list is up first because, well, I like her list more than mine. Ha ha.

Honorable Mentions: Marissa

Loneliness: Remain – Transfer

Transfer is a little bit Melancholy and this song has that sort of, “I’m just living to live” vibe about it.  Plus, I just love Transfer.

[youtube tHsbtBpJUQA]

Tease: Halo Bender – The Halo Benders

“You Think You’re Heaven Sent, Gonna Get Your Halo Bent”

[youtube fWpeaQ904bc]

Sexy: I’m Gonna Love The Hell Out of You – The Silver Jews

An odd one, but I love it.  Something about the slow monotone approach of the Silver Jews makes almost every song sound a little bit naughty.
[youtube p0LofG4oe6o]

Puppy Love: Red Sweater – The Aquabats

It’s just cute. Smiles.

[youtube 1GXY04abNHY]

Sprung: Pictures of Lily – The Who

Falling in love with a sexy picture, just cause your a teenage boy, if that’s not sprung I don’t know what is.

[youtube 7BmkBroiw1s]

Creepy Love: Saturday Night – The Misfits

I mean if you murder a girl, you shouldn’t sing song about being bummed out about it, it’s just rude.

[youtube 82oSu6gIvms]

Unrequited Love: My Man (Funny Girl) – Barbara Streisand

Heart breaking to say the least.

[youtube Hdlz6QzyAVA]

Proclamation: Winter Winds – Mumford and Sons

This is a “Holy Shit I’m In Love With You, but You Are Totally Terrible For Me” song.

[youtube _KCg_QEHtkY]

In Love: Drifter – Mississippi Man

This is one of those songs that just touches of this sort of, we just happen to be perfect together things, with adorable and catchy lyrics, it’s one of my favorites.

[youtube VyJxGdMNAic]

Tragic Love: Farewell Reel – Patti Smith

Written after the death of her husband, an honest and heart wrenching account of the loss of a true love.

[youtube eeNoIbbWVyQ]

Post Break Up: Crown of Love – Arcade Fire

The swooning strings and Win Butler’s strong yet shaky voice give this song a pulse and intensity that isn’t characteristic of a post break up song.

[youtube kxkK06HlgqA]  

It’s Just Another Day: Car – Built To Spill

‘You Get the Car, I’ll Get the Night Off”

[youtube c_WMkIOsPMQ]

Valentines Day Playlist: Cycles of Love: It’s Just Another Day

Posted on by Amanda

At long last, the cycle of love has come to an end (as has our playlists). This playlist is for those of us who don’t really pay much attention to Valentines Day. Perhaps you think it’s a corporate holiday or that picking one day to show your love for someone is stupid because you should show it every day. Maybe you are just indifferent to the whole idea. Well this is our list of songs not about love or romance. Enjoy your day. It’s just like any other.

It’s Just Another Day

Local Music – Crimson Calvary – Dirty Sweet

I will raise my arms into the night but only because you asked so nicely. This song ties for favorite from now defunct SD band Dirty Sweet. I love and miss your guitar rifts and breakdowns in your songs. So badass. You guys are missed.

[youtube BCtQVhkqY88]

Top 40 – Great DJ- The Ting Tings

I’ll be honest, I’m not entirely sure what this song is about but I remember watching The Ting Tings perform it live and being pretty happy. It’s light and dancy which makes any day better in my opinion. Plus it talks about drums of which, I am a fan.

[youtube FH6wpO66J4k&ob=av2e]

Alternative Radio – No Rain – Blind Melon

Everything in life is beautiful, even the puddles gathering.  Blind Melon should have worked on some more hit songs though, a one hit wonder is a terrible thing.

[youtube 3qVPNONdF58]

Soundtrack – Thriller – Michael Jackson – This Is It

I’m a sucker for classics and whatever your opinion of Michael Jackson, you can’t deny he was one hell of an entertainer. The classics never die.

[youtube vPeFcLn_ces]

Misc – The World Blows My Mind – Crash Encore

Another local band making its way on the list.  Crash Encore has since disbanded and become about fifteen other bands since then, but they have left us with a plethora of a catalog and this song is one of my favorites. “The World, It Blows, My Mind, All The Time.”

[youtube mETGj5m5-uU]

Just enjoy life. That’s all we’ve got 🙂

Amanda’s SD Concert Calendar 2/13-2/19

Posted on by Amanda

It’s a grey and dreary Monday down here in San Diego which is fine by me since I’m still recovering from last week. I was about to get out and see Dr. Dog, Saint Motel, and Griever as well as enjoy some art and partake in a video shoot. I’m still tired thinking about it. Anyways, we have a brand new week with brand new shows.
Monday: The Asteroids Galaxy Tour @ Belly Up @9 $15
AND: Drag The River @ Casbah @9 $12

Tuesday: Bombay Bicycle Club @ Casbah @9 $15

Wednesday: Josh Damigo @ House of Blues @6

Thursday: The Fray and Scars on 45 @ House of Blues @730 $35-$55

Friday: The Howls, The Heavy Guilt and Low Volts @ The Loft @ UCSD @7
AND: River City and Briertone @ Soda Bar @830 $5
AND:  CAKE @ Belly Up @830
AND: Kevin Martin and Gayle Skidmore @ Griffin @7 $8
AND: New Mexico @ Casbah @9 $10
AND: The New Kinetics @ Eleven @11 $10
AND: The Styletones @ Bar Pink @9

Saturday: Jesse LaMonaca and the Dime Novels with Blackout Party @ Casbah
AND: Cold Cave @ Soda Bar @9 $12
AND: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy @ Anthology

Sunday: Craig Finn @ Casbah @9 $12
AND: G Love and Special Sauce @ House of Blues @8 $25

Keep in Mind:
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 25th- 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- The Kooks @ House of Blues
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 22nd- Cartel @ Soma
March 23rd- The Ting Tings @ House of Blues
March 30th- Into It Over It @ Soma
March 31st- Henry Rollins @ SD Women’s Club $27.50
April 4th0- Hunter Hayes @ House of Blues
April 7th- Transfer and The Blackout Party @ Belly Up
April 13th- Coachella Weekend 1
April 15th- Rise Against @ Viejas Arena
April 16th- Elvis Costello @ Humphreys
April 20th- Coachella Weekend 2
May 2nd- Say Anything @ House of Blues
June 3rd- Mogwai @ Belly Up

Valentine’s Day: Cycles of Love: Post Break Up

Posted on by Amanda

I think if someone complied all the songs ever written and categorized them by topic, an overwhelming number of them would be written about the wake that follows after a tragic break up.  This is why Amanda and myself had to separate our lists just to accommodate the number of songs written on topic.  Just lean on our shoulders and cry a while why you listen to these bummer numbers or if you’re the angry type, we will help you destroy all their things too.

 

Post Break Up

Amanda’s Picks:

Local Music – Breakin The Chains of Love- Fitz and The Tantrums

Love can be a drag. It can wear you down and make you forget about who you were because you were too busy trying to be who the other person thought you should be (not healthy, by the way). It’s time to break those chains and move on. Sing it Fitz!

[youtube I3_mqfuq1TM]

Top 40 – Raise Your Glass- Pink

This song isn’t really about break ups per say but the message is still clear, ‘no matter our flaws, faults, and otherwise messed up selves, we still rock.’ If that isn’t an anthem for picking yourself up and getting a move on from that stupid person who dumped you or the stupid person you got involved with, I don’t know what is. This song may be pop but it makes you get up and dance (and feel empowered) which is really what you need after a break up.

[youtube XjVNlG5cZyQ]

Alternative Radio – Gives You Hell- The All American Rejects

I’m fairly certain we all need some kind of retaliation against the one who hurt us. Or at least the knowledge that we are doing better than they are after the break up. The All American Rejects know what I’m talking about. I hope you see me and realize what an idiot you are and how much better I’m doing with out you. I hope you suffer! Muah ha ha ha.

[youtube uxUATkpMQ8A]

Soundtrack – Breaking Up Is Hard To Do- Neil Sedaka

The name says it all. Breaking up is hard to do. It’s shitty and it sucks but at least you know you are not alone.

[youtube tbad22CKlB4]

Misc – The Test- The Academy Is…

This song was on standby after my breakup when I just wanted the knowledge that the other person didn’t care and that I was losing it. Sometimes the best feeling in the world is surrendering to the loss and acknowledge being broken. It really takes the pressure off. Perhaps my favorite line is the chorus (which gave me my validation or maybe vindication) is, ‘if this is a test, I’m losing my shit would it kill you to care as much as I did?’ Honestly, would it kill them to care?

[youtube Kft3Aegx9Pw]

Marissa’s Picks:

Local Music – Shifty Eyes – The Howls

A Howl: to utter a loud, prolonged, mournful cry. The Howls do exactly that as John Cooper sings about the woman who ripped his heart apart.  A cry of both anger and sadness, it was my first pick for a post break up song.

[youtube 3JcoWdFyNAU]

Top 40 – Fuck You – Cee Lo Green

Sometimes you just got get real and just say “Fuck You.”

[youtube pc0mxOXbWIU]

Alternative Radio – Hate It Here – Wilco

Being in love is like being addicted to a person.  They invade every part of your life and when they leave there is this massive dis-function that is left behind.  You have to relearn how to live and Jeff Tweedy, an addict of many things, knows that sometimes mowing the lawn is all that keep you afloat without the one you love.

[youtube KkIgSMOJeOs]

Soundtrack – Both Sides Now – Love Actually

Joni Mitchell’s song “Both Sides Now” paints a bleak picture of love, but none so bleak as paired with Emma Thompson’s beautiful performance in the movie Love Actually after she finds out her husband may be unfaithful.

[youtube aCnf46boC3I]

Misc – You Turn Clear In The Sun – Telekinesis

Michael Benjamin Lerner is Telekinesis and I think he has one or two bad girlfriends in his past.  “I never loved you, I’ve never love anyone.” It’s his want of erasing the memories, the bad, the good, the everything that pings home with me.  Needless to say, if MBL ever needs consoling, I’m his girl.

[youtube Hw9rsZ83r04]

Still trying to get over it? Me too, but tomorrow is another day…

Valentine’s Day Playlist: Cycles of Love: Tragic Love

Posted on by Amanda

Something’s wrong. You’re love didn’t stand the test of time like you thought it would. Now you’re spending your time with someone you don’t love. Well, I suppose you could still love them but they no longer love you. Either way, the love well has run dry and that’s nothing short of a tragedy. I should also note, there are far too many sad love songs which is why Marissa and I picked our own playlists. There’s just so much heartbreak out there.

Tragic Love

Amanda’s Picks
Local Music: Grown So Cold- Get Back Loretta

Nothing quite like a love that’s fizzled out which is exactly what this song is about. There is a haunting hope about escaping this cold love but lost love is still a tragedy.

[youtube sclSHgvBYXo]

Top 40: You Oughta Know- Alanis Morissette

Nothing quite like a woman scorned. I can tell you even if the breakup wasn’t bad, being replaced by someone else hurts. Sometimes we just like to think you’re thinking of us when you’re with the new one. Makes us feel better about us.

[youtube NPcyTyilmYY]

Alternative Radio: Pictures of You- The Cure

I suppose this song could have a creepy connotation associated with it, but all I hear is a song about a sad guy looking at pictures of his lost love. To think that he sees this pictures and believes her to be there is even more saddenning.

[youtube X8UR2TFUp8w]

Soundtrack: Iris- City of Angels

I think this is widely accepted as one of the saddest love songs ever for a movie. While I haven’t seen the movie, the song itself is just haunting to me with phrases like, “when everything’s made to be broken, I just want you to know who I am” and “I’d give up forever to touch you.” I need a tissue.

[youtube NdYWuo9OFAw]

Misc.: Bang Bang- Nancy Sinatra

If you have a special someone who is shooting you down (fake or otherwise) then that’s a relationship you should exit stage left from. Don’t let your baby shoot you down.

[youtube T5Xl0Qry-hA]

Marissa’s Picks

Local Music: Lie To Me – Kevin Martin

Haunting. Chilling.  Beautiful.  Kevin Martin wrote a song about deceit and trust that slices through to that tingling part of your part that will always sting when you’ve been wronged.

[youtube 6_rVcOKkvK4]

Top 40: You Don’t Bring Me Flowers – Barbara Streisand & Neil Diamond

A love gone cold, a love gone forgotten, a truly tragic waste of love.

[youtube wj10EzNKA2M]

Alternative Radio: I Could Spit On A Stranger – Pavement

“However you feel, Whatever it takes…” Stephen Malkmus, you fuck my shit up.(eloquent I know).

[youtube JJFGhFtKxPc]

Soundtrack: “The Winner Takes It All” – Mamma Mia

Meryl Streep’s performance of ABBA’s classic break up song, “The Winner Takes It All” is stirring to say the least.  Revealing and raw even in the context of a fairly cheesy film.  The metaphor of the game that is love comes to a head, leaving the loser with nothing.

[youtube VRZQCdYqNoY]

Misc : Sleeper – One Man Army

One Man Army tricks you into to thinking this might be a love song, but by the end of the first verse you are left to your own devices and there’s no telling what you’ll get yourself into.

[youtube fIAQW1UBNKc]

Time to get over that break up hump. We’ve got you covered if you come back tomorrow.