New Band Alert

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

Posted on by Kristen

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

New Band Love: Parade of Lights

Posted on by Kristen

It’s been about six months since we first heard and fell in love with Parade of Lights so this post is waaaaay overdue. If you’re looking for some perfectly crafted pop music that just makes you want to DANCE, look no farther than Las Vegas based Parade of Lights. Ryan Daly (vocals, guitar), Matt Frey (keys, guitar), Randy Schulte (bass, keys), and Anthony Improgo (drums) have known each other for years. They used to play together in a group called Polus. Then they drifted apart with Anthony drumming for Metro Station and Matt on tour with 30 Seconds to Mars.  But now they are back together, rechristened Parade of Lights!

The first time I saw them, I was instantly drawn to their sound; catchy and fun…tunes that you just can’t get out of your head. One of the great things about following a young band is watching them develop. At the Parade of Lights show a couple weekends ago at The Vault in Temecula, I was amazed at the growth and maturity that had occurred over the last several months. The band seems to be adding more texture to their songs, infusing softer openings and head banging outros to their boppin’ pop core. I actually stopped jumping up and down for a few seconds just to marvel at their progress. I thought, it’s time to get the word out there. The world needs to know about Parade of Lights!

Fortunately for you, many of the band’s songs are available for FREE download on their facebook page. “Starstruck” is the song that made my end of 2010 mix…but it’s “Young Again” that’s been swimming in my head more recently.

If you’re curious as to how Parade of Lights got their name (we were!), watch what they said when we asked them about it:

No Parade of Lights shows on the horizon, but we’ll be sure to let you know if they come anywhere near Southern California…

~ Kristen

New Band Alert/Love: The Tilt

Posted on by Amanda

Last night I was sitting at The Belly Up waiting for Italian Japanese to take the stage when I was met with this crazy force of female vocals. I wasn’t really sure what I was experiencing, all I knew is that I liked it.

“Fronted by lead singer Jesse Malley, and guitarist Jeff Irwin, The Tilt is a fresh brew of Organic Rock. Joining are members are Mike Stone drums, Billy Joe Clements bass, Ryan Weiss guitar. Members from The Pheromones, The Grass Heat and Family Wagon joined up to create the band – The Tilt.”

In a fushion of rock, blues, and country, local SD band The Tilt took The Belly Up stage by force and I’m wondering how I’ve missed them. You can download their ep from Facebook and check out their website.

I can’t wait to see them play again 🙂

 

New Band Alert: The PreZcotts

Posted on by Kristen

Looking for the next young pop stars? Check out The PreZcotts! Covering the likes of Heart and Metallica, these singing sisters (aged 11-16) seem to have something special. Check out the video they just released for their cover of “Nothing Else Matters” featuring the 10 year old Japanese guitar phenom, Yuto Miyazawa…wow!

 

~ Kristen

New Band Altert: The Milk Carton Kids

Posted on by Kristen

It’s Joey Ryan and Kenneth Pattengale! Looks like they’ve finally made it official. This makes me very happy as I LOVE this duo. The formation of The Milk Carton Kids was just announced so don’t forget to like on facebook, follow on twitter, and check out their website.

They have a couple songs up for FREE download on their site. So, what are you waiting for? Just press “download”!

They are on tour this summer, opening for Joe Purdy. That means, The Troubadour on April 30th for all my fellow Los Angelenos. For everyone else, check out their website or just look at the dates and places below:

 

4/22 Austin, TX: The Parish
4/23 Dallas, TX : The Loft
4/25 Santa Fe, NM: Corazon
4/27 Phoenix, AZ : Rhythm Room
4/28 Solano Beach, CA : Bellyup Tavern
4/30 Los Angeles, CA : Troubadour
5/3 San Francisco, CA : The Independent
5/5 Portland, OR : Doug Fir
5/7 Vancouver, BC : The Rio Theater
5/9 Boise, ID : Neurolux
5/10 Salt Lake City, UT : State Room
5/12 Denver, CO : Bluebird Theater
5/14 Lawrence, KS : Bottleneck
5/15 Des Moines, IA : Vaudeville Mews
5/16 Minneapolis, MN : Varsity Theater
5/17 Milwakee, WI : Turner Hall
5/18 Chicago, IL : Lincoln Hall
5/19 St Louis, MO : Off Broadway
6/9 Birmingham, AL : WorkPlay
6/10 Atlanta, GA : The Loft
6/11 Asheville, NC : Grey Eagle
6/12 Carborro, NC : Cat’s Cradle
6/14 Annapolis, MD : Ram’s Head
6/15 Philadelphia, PA : World Café Live
6/16 New York City, NY : Highline Ballroom
6/17 Fairfield, CT : Stage One
6/20 Northampton, MA : Iron Horse
6/21 Allston, MA : Brighton Music Hall
6/22 Fall River, MA : Narrows Center for the Arts
6/23 Burlington, VT : Higher Ground
6/25 Montreal, QC : Petit Campus
6/26 Toronto, ONT : Horseshoe Tavern
6/27 Pittsburgh, PA : Rex Theater
6/28 Cleveland, OH : Beachland Ballroom
6/30 Syracuse, NY : Westcott Theater

~ Kristen

 

p.s. Joey and Kenneth playing “Girls, Gather Round” live at the Vail Film Festival:

 

New Band Alert: Indians!

Posted on by Kristen

You guys remember The Ringers, right? Well, if you live in the Los Angeles area you probably remember them…or know someone who does. Well, when the band decided to dissolve, somewhat unexpectedly last year, many dissapointed fans were left wondering what happened…and what would happen next.

Well now they are back…at least in part. Singer Joe Hursley and drummer Patrick Hursley, formally of The Ringers, have combined forces with Michael Hays and  Mike McGill to start a new project called Indians. No music up yet, but theyseem to have a show booked for Jan. 22nd at Area 33 in Culver City!

I don’t know about you, but I’m terribly excited!

will Indians sound anything like this?

~ Kristen

Listen to This! Inspired Flight

Posted on by Kristen

With descriptors such as “hip hop”, “electronica”, and “indie rock” I wasn’t overly excited about checking out SD based Inspired Flight…not my usual vein of music. However, a friend of mine suggested I “like” this group on facebook and I finally got around to checking them out (I’m not one to overlook enthusiastic band suggestions). Turns out Inspired Flight is one of the most original, yet compelling groups I’ve heard in awhile!

 I was drawn in by their free download of “Wonderwall.”  It all spiraled from there. I listened to their songs online, downloaded their recently released CD, We All Want to Fly, looked into their show calendar (they are coming to The Music Box next Friday, Nov. 26th), and now, I share my new interest with you! 

I’m finding it difficult to describe this band, so I’ll let the first paragraph of their bio do it for me:

“Rooted in hip-hop with branches of indie rock, electronica, downtempo, dub, and dance, Inspired Flight gives life to a hypnotizing and influential new musical experience that listeners are finding refreshing and authentic.  iF’s use of turntablism and sampling along with live instrumentation and vocals, all centered around innovative songwriting, has given birth to an independently-released debut album featuring high-profile MC’s and sparking global attention, and a live show that has compelled audience members to scream, “Where have you been all my life!?””

Sounds good, no?

Let’s check it out!

~ Kristen 

p.s. how cute is that iF robot? 🙂