Show Recap-LA

T&S Co. at The Hotel Cafe- Residency Night 3

Posted on by Amanda

It’s just really hard to find the words to express how much fun I have whenever I get the opportunity to see these guys. Nights like this remind me why Truth & Salvage Co. is one of my fave LA bands…and there isn’t a better place to see them play than the Hotel Cafe.  Their energy seemed kicked up a notch further last night, perhaps due to the fact that it was Walker’s birthday. They played several of my faves, both old and new, starting with “Hail, Hail” and ending with an encore of “Pure Mountain Angel” (the way it should always be). They also did a fantastic cover of The Band’s “Shape I’m In.”  The typical crowd was there dancing and singing along. They were accompanied by their usual rowdy antics, which this time included a cupcake fight—seriously, icing everywhere! The only thing I’m craving now more than a cupcake is more T&S Co. Fortunately this whole thing will happen again next Friday, the 4th night of the band’s residency at The Hotel Cafe. I hope to see you there!
~ Kristen

T&S Co. at The Hotel Cafe- Residency Night 3

Posted on by Amanda

It’s just really hard to find the words to express how much fun I have whenever I get the opportunity to see these guys. Nights like this remind me why Truth & Salvage Co. is one of my fave LA bands…and there isn’t a better place to see them play than the Hotel Cafe.  Their energy seemed kicked up a notch further last night, perhaps due to the fact that it was Walker’s birthday. They played several of my faves, both old and new, starting with “Hail, Hail” and ending with an encore of “Pure Mountain Angel” (the way it should always be). They also did a fantastic cover of The Band’s “Shape I’m In.”  The typical crowd was there dancing and singing along. They were accompanied by their usual rowdy antics, which this time included a cupcake fight—seriously, icing everywhere! The only thing I’m craving now more than a cupcake is more T&S Co. Fortunately this whole thing will happen again next Friday, the 4th night of the band’s residency at The Hotel Cafe. I hope to see you there!

~ Kristen

Friday Night

Posted on by Amanda

Last night was Nico Vega at the El Ray and there really aren’t enough words to some up what an amazing experience it was. It was the last show of the tour (edit: I stand corrected. They are off to SF next which is the last spot of the tour) so of course it was extra special and extra fun. The only problem I have with seeing Nico Vega is that they never seem to play long enough. It was a great show with old songs and new as well as some great intros into our favorite tunes.

I think on of the highlights of the night was a closing song done with The Soundtrack Of Our Lives. Nico Vega ended up on stage playing maracas and tambourines as rowdy and as loud as possible with Aja and Rich ending up on the floor a few times. I’d love to post some pictures but as Kristen already posted pictures from the other show and my camera battery is dead, such exploits will have to wait for Kristen to go through her photos from the night.

For all you SD folks, I wish I know of some shows going on down there. Offhand, I know that Moving Units is playing at the Casbah and I have yet to see a bad show there. If all else, check the Reader and Citybeat for some cues as to what to see. I promise next week to have something better for you.

~Amanda

“…your voice is echoing again through catacombs inside my mind…” – Breathless by Dan Wilson

Posted on by Amanda

Dan Wilson just blows my mind every time. The man is a genius.  Tonight at The Hotel Café he mostly played new songs which is great on the one hand because I was able to hear new brilliance for the first time, but on the other hand, so much goes unplayed.  He did manage to squeeze in my two faves “Breathless” and “Free Life” plus a good one from his Semisonic days (“Singing in my Sleep”) so I was left feeling completely satisfied.

The entire evening was full of amazing music. Jim Bianco is always such a treat to watch. He has this new song from his forthcoming CD that I think takes his music to a whole new level. But, of course, he sings that one right before a song that calls for strippers…

Joey Ryan is one of my new faves and deserves a blurb all to himself (forthcoming).

And my intuition about Scars on 45 was spot on! I have a very good feeling about this group that was just signed to Chop Shop Records and are working on recording their debut album…next stop for them: SXSW. Definitely keep your eyes and ears open for these guys…

Next up: Nico Vega at El Rey…NOT to be missed!

~ Kristen

Aiden Moore Ep Release

Posted on by Amanda

 

A MUCH needed break from life lead me to Molly Malone’s tonight for my friend Aiden Moore’s EP release.  It was soul-affirming music…the kind that I grew up listening to. He even covered one of my fave Simon & Garfunkel tune’s “Kathy’s Song”. I would advise everyone to check out Mr. Moore (http://www.myspace.com/songsbyjohndavid) and the Good As New ep. I was also more than pleasantly surprised by the openers, Kris Karlsson (http://www.myspace.com/kriskarlsson ) and Abbot Kinney (http://www.myspace.com/abbotkinneymusic). I spoke to Jason Swanson, of Abbot Kinney, after the show and apparently their sound is usually quite different (more rock and less acoustic). I can’t imagine anything better than what I heard tonight, but I look forward to being able to hear their electric set as well as their forthcoming debut album which I’m told is in the works.  So many fantastic new artists to keep our eyes and ears open for…this is exciting!

~ Kristen

Thursday at The Hotel Cafe

Posted on by Amanda

Thursday night I went to the Hotel Cafe to see the last night of Joey Ryan’s residency. Joey has been playing lately with Kenneth Pattengale whom I’ve seen several times now and enjoy more with each viewing. Both Kenneth’s and Joey’s sets were bolstered by the other joining in with their harmonies. They have a big upcoming two hour set at McCabe’s Guitar Shop Saturday April 24th which should definitely go on your calendar.
Joey and Kenneth were great (as anticipated), but the big surprise of the evening was The Paper Raincoat,  a band from Brooklyn featuring SXSW  ’09 fave Amber Rubarth. The Paper Raincoat is on my SXSW ’10 list and proved worthy of such a spot with their highly entertaining live set. My favorite bit being this acoustic version of “Rewind”. Watch the video…such a treat!

~ Kristen

My New Monday: Songwriters in the Round at Room 5

Posted on by Amanda

 My Monday evenings will never be the same! I went to Room 5 to see Paris Carney. Unfortunately I was only able to catch the tail end of her set. BUT I stayed to see what was next and was in for SUCH a treat! Turns out Monday’s at Room 5 is Songwriters in the Round. For those of you unfamiliar with the concept, it’s where several singer-songwriters (in this case four) will all sit up on stage and take turns singing their songs. What always blows me away in these situations is when one of the singers will be debuting a brand new song but by the end the rest of the musicians on stage will have filled in harmonies, piano, bass, drums, harmonica, etc. despite the fact they’d never heard it before. Reminds me of one of the reasons why I love music so much…it’s just so dynamic and so accessible.
Anyway, this particular Monday, the round consisted of a couple of my fave LA crooners, Lelia Broussard and Chris Pierce, as well as a newcomer to Room 5, Medi, and the guy who throws this whole shin dig every week Joel Eckels. They were all quite good, especially when they played with each other. I especially enjoyed hearing some new songs from Lelia and anything done by Chris Pierce, whom I think I appreciate a lot more when he plays in this format.

 I also must comment on the venue itself as it was my first time there. The chairs rank as some of the most comfortable I’ve experienced at a music venue (next to that couch at Steel City Coffee House in Phoenixville, PA and those big chairs at Milkboy Coffee  in Ardmore). Not only were they comfortable, they were fairly plentiful for most of the evening. For Paris’ set it was a bit crowded and this venue is not as pleasant when you don’t have a seat as there isn’t much excess room to stand.

Room 5 sits atop a restaurant (Amalfi Ristorante) and therefore has a full and delicious-looking menu. I was able to taste their caprese sandwich and it reminded me of Cosi (to the uninitiated, this is a very good thing). Their desserts also looked quite tasty and will definitely be my target for next time (they have crème brulee!!).

All in all, a perfect way to spend a Monday evening. Hopefully this was the first of many Monday Songwriters in the Round to come!!

 ~ Kristen