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New Music Tuesday 5/13/14 featuring Jesse Thomas, Levi Weaver, Alright Junior, The Trouble With Templeton

Posted on by Kristen

So much good music released this week. I’ve been binging on the following:

 

Jesse Thomas – Burn The Boats

I had the pleasure of attending the CD release party at The Hotel Cafe for Burn The Boats. Although I haven’t sat down with the album yet, the songs in their live form are still swimming in my head.  I really enjoy Jesse’s unique vocal style tackling songs ranging from the heart-breaking “Swallow That Pill” to a hilarious sing-along that strings together some of the more amusing, real life pick-up lines. Put the band behind her and she’s also got a couple up-beat hand clappers.

 

Levi Weaver – Your Ghost Keeps Finding Me 

This album is dramatic and compelling and kept my attention from note one through to the end by introducing me to different facets of Mr. Weaver.  The quiet, contemplative singer-songwriter abounds in simple tracks like “Citadel” or “Paddleboats”, the multi-instrumentalist fond of layering shines in the catchy opener, “Borrowed Clothes” and there is even a hint of punk rocker in what is currently my most played track, “Song in my Branches”.  Add in guest appearances by the likes of Rachael Yamagata and Carina Round who lends vocals in the haunting duet “Pieces” and I’d call this one a winner.

Alright Junior – Amusia 

My beloved Philly rockers, Alright Junior, have a new album being released in piecemeal fashion this week with the full 13 tracks up on Friday. The album title, Amusia, was inspired by a tale in Oliver Sacks’ Musicophilia that describes the life of a person with a neurological condition called amusia, defined by Sacks as a “total inability to perceive music as music.” As a fan of Sacks’ work, I was tickled by the title. I’ve also been banging my head to “Ancestors Laugh in Heaven” since the video was released. New AJ tracks every day are going to make for one rockin’ week!

go here to follow the track releases

 

The Trouble With Templeton – Rookie

I thought I knew Aussie artist Thomas Calder, the singer/songwriter behind The Trouble With Templeton, but Rookie introduces an exciting new dimension to the singer’s work. The band has created songs that are textured and varied, eccentric yet still melodic. Currently, my favorites might be the punchy “Like A Kid” and the Radiohead-esque “Six Months In a Cast”.  This album is fun yet still full of heart…give it a listen!

 

Also out today:

The Black Keys – Turn Blue
Michael Jackson – Xscape
Tori Amos – Unrepentant Geraldines
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart –  Days of Abandon
Various Artists- Beautiful: The Carole King Musical 
Little Dragon– Nabuma Rubberband 
Joseph Arthur – Lou
Mirah – Chasing Light

 

~ Kristen and Amanda

Happy Anniversary…. To Us!

Posted on by Amanda

The best and worst thing about time is that is has this tendency to fly by and before you know it, it’s been 4 years since you and a friend hatched this harebrained idea to make a music blog. Honestly, I wouldn’t have known it had been 4 years if Twitter hadn’t sent me an email wishing us a Happy Anniversary a few days ago. We get really busy here with our own lives outside of the music realm but the email gave me some pause and time to think about what it is we’ve accomplished and done over the last four years. We’ve been the first to bring you New Band Alerts, our weekly concert calendars, New Music Tuesdays, and so much more. I’m really happy with all we’ve done and I can’t wait to do more.

 

~Amanda and Kristen

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 4/21-4/27

Posted on by Kristen

I was not in a good mood last week due to some frustrating computer issues. The best way to turn my mood around is to spend an evening at my favorite music venue, The Hotel Cafe, so Friday night I ventured to Hollywood and spent 5 hours absorbed in the music and the people and I came out the other end feeling like a completely different person. It’s absolutely amazing how a good night can do that…

I’m hoping this week goes a little better. Show pick goes to Hunnypot Radio live Monday night at The Mint. One of my favorite bands, Rags & Ribbons will be down from Portland doing a live set.

Here are all my recommendations:

Monday: Hunnypot Radio live f. Rags & Ribbons FREE at The Mint (7pm)
ALSO: Mosco Rosco FREE at The Satellite (11pm)
ALSO: The Cordovas FREE at Harvard & Stone (10pm)
ALSO: It’s a School Night FREE at Bardot featuring Max Jury (9pm)
ALSO: Music Mondays FREE at Room 5 (8pm)

 

Tuesday: Deluka and The Echo and The Sound FREE at Loaded Hollywood (8pm)
ALSO: Heaps N Heaps with Holly Conlan FREE at Harvard and Stone (9pm)
ALSO: Tove Lo at The Echoplex (10pm)
ALSO: Leopold and His Fiction and The Soft White Sixties at The Viper Room (8pm)
ALSO: The Basement Sessions FREE at Hemingways featuring decoded (10pm)

 

Weds: Kiven FREE at Hemingway’s (10pm)
ALSO: Tom Brosseau with Max Jury at Bootleg HiFi (9pm)
ALSO: Terraplane Sun at The Troubadour (10pm)
ALSO: Nina Storey at WitZend (8pm)
ALSO: Revolver Golden Gods at Club Nokia f. Guns N Roses, Joan Jett and The Blackhearts, The Pretty Reckless, and more (7:30)

 

Thursday: Raquel Rodriguez at The Troubadour (9pm)
ALSO: The Alarm Science at The Viper Room (9pm)

 

Friday: David & Devine and The Record Company at The Hotel Cafe (9, 10)
ALSO: Matthew Jordan at Genghis Cohen (10pm)
ALSO: Kristen Toedtman at Room 5 (8pm)
ALSO: Lebowski Fest at The Wiltern (7pm)
ALSO: The Dandy Warhols at The Roxy (9pm)

 

Saturday: Sleeper Agent at The Satellite (10pm)
ALSO: Casey Abrams at WitZend (9pm)
ALSO: Drive-By Truckers at Fonda Theatre (9pm)

 

Sunday:

 

 

To Keep in Mind:
April 28th/29th: Augustana at The Troubadour
May 1st: Bernhoft at The Troubadour
May 1st: Adam Arcuragi at Bootleg Bar
May 1st: All American Rejects and Youngblood Hawke at The El Rey
May 3rd: Manchester Orchestra at House of Blues
May 6th: NEEDTOBREATHE at The Wiltern
May 6th: Dead Sara at The Echo
May 7th: Ingrid Michaelson at The Wiltern
May 9th: twenty one pilots at The Wiltern
May 9th: We Are Scientists at The Troubadour
May 10th: Ed Sheeran at StubHub Center
May 14th: Dead Sara at The Echo
May 17th: Birdy at The Wiltern
May 19th: James Blunt at The Balasco Theater
May 20th: Hozier at The Troubadour
May 21st: Nickel Creek at The Wiltern
May 21st: Dead Sara at The Satellite
May 22nd: Nathaniel Ratliff at The Echo
May 23rd: Ben Sollee at Largo
May 24th: William Fitzsimmons at The Troubadour
May 24th/25th: Against Me! at The Roxy
May 28th: First Aid Kit at El Rey Theatre
May 31st: Ron Pope at The Roxy
June 5th: OneRepublic and The Script at Hollywood Bowl
June 14th: The Both at El Rey Theatre
June 18th: Matt Nathanson at Greek Theatre
June 19th: Dan Wilson at Largo
June 21st: The Milk Carton Kids at Japan America Theatre
July 24th: The Neighbourhood at Greek Theatre
August 10th: Iron and Wine and Glen Hansard at Hollywood Bowl
August 25th: Nine Inch Nails and Soundgarden at Hollywood Bowl
August 26th: Youngblood Hawke at Greek Theatre

~ Kristen

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Amanda’s SD Concert Calendar 3/24-3/30

Posted on by Amanda

Well, it’s been a week since I got back from SXSW and due to a stupid cold I picked up before the trip (and still have), I missed out on all the fun last week with the SXSW acts that came to town. Hopefully I can get myself healthy enough this week to make it back out there and catch some shows. We have some great acts this week like The Kin, Transfer, The Sounds, Delta Rae, and so much more. Go see some shows!

 

Monday: Fanfarlo @ House of Blues (Delta Room) at 7:30pm
AND: Josh Damigo @ House of Blues at 7pm

Tuesday: The Sounds, Blondfire, Strange Talk @ House of Blues at 7:30pm
AND: Delta Rae @ Belly Up at 8pm

Wednesday: Moving Units @ Soda Bar at 9pm
AND: Reverend Horton Heat @ Casbah at 9pm

Thursday: The Kin, Finish Ticket, Oh Honey @ Soda Bar at 8pm

Friday: The Used, Taking Back Sunday @ House of Blues at 7pm
AND: Transfer @ Casbah at 10pm
AND: One Drop @ Belly Up at 9pm
AND: Bad Sports @ Soda Bar at 9pm

Saturday: Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks @ Casbah – SOLD OUT
AND: The Flowerthief @ Tin Can Alehouse at 9:30pm
AND: Gayle Skidmore @ Lestats at 9pm

Sunday: Wild Child @ Soda Bar at 8:30pm
AND: A House for Lions @ Lestats at 8:30pm
AND: Low Volts, Matt Molarius, Stephen Rey @ Shakedown Bar at 2pm

 

Keep in Mind:
March 31st- The Appleseed Cast @ Casbah
April 2nd- UME @ Soda Bar
April 9th- Foster the People @ The Belly Up
April 11th- Coachella Weekend 1
April 11th- Get Back Loretta, Brothers Weiss @ Soda Bar
April 14th- Cage the Elephant @ Belly Up
April 15th- Mogwai @ Belly Up
April 16th- Bonobo @ Belly Up
April 17th- Bombay Bicycle Club @ Belly Up
April 18th- Coachella Weekend 2
April 23r- Jeff Bridges and The Abiders
April 26th- Shakey Graves @ Soda Bar
April 27th- Trampled By Turtles @ Belly Up
April 27th- Reignwolf @ Casbah
April 28th- O.A.R. @ Belly Up
April 29th- O.A.R. @ Belly Up
May 6th- Manchester Orchestra @ House of Blues
May 9th- Cherry Poppin’ Daddies @ Syucan Casino
May 15th- Journey and Steve Miller Band @ Sleep Train Amphitheatre
May 17th- Augustana @ House of Blues
May 19th- Band of Skulls @ House of Blues
June 2nd- One Republic, The Script @ Sleep Train Ampitheatre
June 2nd- Lady Gaga @ Viejas Arena
June 7th- Little Hurricane @ House of Blues
June 22nd- The Milk Carton Kids @ Belly Up
June 25th- Vans Warped Tour @ Sleep Train Ampitheatre
July 30th- Mötley Crüe
August 27th- Panic! at the Disco, Walk the Moon, Youngblood Hawke @ SDSU Open Air Theater
August 30th- Jack Johnson @ RIMAC Field
September 16th- Linkn Park and 30 Seconds to Mars @ Sleep Train Ampitheatre

SXSW 2014 – Saturday Recap

Posted on by Kristen

P1520146

I can’t believe it’s finally here. Last official day of SXSW. Everyone was a bit sluggish today and I got told a countless number of times that I looked tired, but it’s beyond tired really. It’s even beyond exhaustion. What I feel is somewhere on the spectrum of insanity and I must be insane to still be going full force after 5 full days and sleepless nights. I may be incapable of finishing a sentence or working a door knob, but I saw just about 20 bands today. I feel in love a few times and I cannot wait to put my SXSW ’14 music mix together.

Today started a bit drizzly, literally as the sky decided to sporadically open up and spit on us. It was bad enough to hinder a few of the outdoor events, including what was going to be my first band of the day, Holy Esque. This is particularly significant since I’ve been trying to see this Scottish band since they made my SXSW wish list a year ago. But more on that later. After catching a bit of Tumbleweed Wanderers, I ventured to The Aussie BBQ to have my second breakfast (or perhaps first lunch?) and sample a bit of Lime Cordiale and Money For Rope, both of whom get solid recommendations. I hope to catch full sets soon!

Lime Cordiale   Money For Rope

Then it was off to see the final set from one of my “bands of SXSW 2014”, the dynamic and very talented, John Flanagan. After that, it was time for my third meal of the day (w/in four hours mind you) which consisted of the famous and most delicious BBQ from The Salt Lick thanks to the Red Bull Sounds Select Media lunch.

John Flanagan    P1520019

From there it was a flurry of band sampling on the west side of town. Desert Noises, Andrew Belle (a surprise act), Katie Herzig, and my third round of Parade of Lights all at Live Vibe’s Party In My Pants at Woodrow’s. Also spent some time at one of my favorite events, Quantum Collective’s outdoor party on the rooftop of Whole Foods where I saw Wakey!Wakey!, We Were Promised Jetpacks, and a new project from Keaton Simons called Keaton Simons & Deantoni Parks’ Best Revenge. Pop in a little Jake Bugg at Waterloo and I’d say I had a very productive afternoon of music. Another highlight was running into the guys of Neulore. They were a band I really wanted to see, but I just couldn’t seem to make it happen. I’ve got one more shot tomorrow, but they aren’t playing in walking distance of the hotel, so it would require some real luck of the SXSW.

By evening time, I had yet to press pause so I was a bit out of it.  Fortunately my band choices were fairly easy, there were no lines, and I pretty much avoided the big crowds. This evening brought some of my greatest thrills of the week. Firstly, I was finally able to catch Holy Esque (!). Secondly, I fell completely in love with Swedish band We Met Tomorrow. Thirdly, I partook in a Silent Comedy dance party. Doesn’t get much better…

I took one last walk down 6th Street, stopping briefly to sample one of my wish list bands, July Talk, and that was it.

P1520227

Sorry the recap wasn’t more compelling, but this girl needs to get to bed. There’s a trip to Magnolia’s on the docket for tomorrow and then we’ll start the music detox with just a small party or two. Top musical options include sets from The Foreign Resort, Wild Party, and, fingers crossed, Neulore.

If you want to sum up my experience at SXSW, it’s go a bit like this:

I love SXSW
I love my friends
I love music.

 

~ Kristen

Amanda’s SD Concert Calendar 3/10-3/16

Posted on by Amanda

Well, in case you didn’t know, Local Music Nation is on it’s way to Austin for SXSW. I fly out at 2pm and will be in that fair city around 7pm. But fear not! If you are staying in town, I still have things for you to enjoy. There’s not much, but it’s still something.

 

Monday: Lord Howler @ Casbah at 9pm

Tuesday: Oliver Trolley, Tyson Motsenbocker @ Belly Up at 8pm
AND: Boondock Brothers @ Soda Bar at 9:30pm

Wednesday: Milagres, The Soil & The Sun @ Griffin at 9pm
AND: Lee Coulter @ Belly Up at 8pm

Thursday: El Ten Eleven at Belly Up at 9pm
AND: Purling Hiss @ Soda Bar at 10pm

Friday: Larry and His Flask, Scott H. Biram, Whiskey Shivers @ Casbah at 9pm
AND: Shake Before Us @ Whistlestop at 9pm
AND: Aaron Bowen @ Lestats at 9pm

Saturday: Soda Pants @ Soda Bar at 9:30pm
AND: We Are The In Crowd, William Beckett @ Soma at 6pm
AND: Grampadrew’s Film Flam Review, Gary Hankins,  Matt Strachota, Matt Molarius @ Cabah at 9pm
AND: The Gregory Page Show @ Lestats at 9pm

Sunday: Tool @ Valley View Casino Center at 7pm

 

Keep in Mind:
March 19th- St. Vincent @ House of Blues
March 20th- Heymoonshaker @ Bar Pink
March 21st- K. Flay @ Air Dubai @ House of Blues
March 22nd- Kings of Leon, Local Natives @ Sleep Train Amiptheatre
March 22nd- Jeremy Messersmith @ House of Blues
March 22nd- Sad Robot @ Bar Pink
March 25th- Delta Rae @ Belly Up
March 25th- The Sounds, Blondfire @ House of Blues
March 27th- The Kin @ Soda Bar
March 28th- The Used, Taking Back Sunday @ House of Blues
April 9th- Foster the People @ The Belly Up
April 11th- Coachella Weekend 1
April 14th- Cage the Elephant @ Belly Up
April 15th- Mogwai @ Belly Up
April 17th- Bombay Bicycle Club @ Belly Up
April 18th- Coachella Weekend 2
April 26th- Shakey Graves @ Soda Bar
April 27th- Trampled By Turtles @ Belly Up
April 27th- Reignwolf @ Casbah
April 28th- O.A.R. @ Belly Up
April 29th- O.A.R. @ Belly Up
May 9th- Cherry Poppin’ Daddies @ Syucan Casino
May 15th- Journey and Steve Miller Band @ Sleep Train Amphitheatre
May 17th- Augustana @ House of Blues
May 19th- Band of Skulls
June 2nd- One Republic, The Script @ Sleep Train Ampitheatre
June 2nd- Lady Gaga @ Viejas Arena
June 7th- Little Hurricane @ House of Blues
June 22nd- The Milk Carton Kids @ Belly Up
July 30th- Mötley Crüe
August 27th- Panic! at the Disco, Walk the Moon, Youngblood Hawke @ SDSU Open Air Theater
August 30th- Jack Johnson @ RIMAC Field

Amanda’s SD Concert Calendar 1/20-1/26

Posted on by Amanda

Last night was a pretty epic night as far as shows and dancing goes. I have to say, for the second show of the year for me, it’s set the bar pretty high for the rest of 2014. That’s ok because we are going to do it all over again tonight. However, unlike most of my friends, I don’t have the day off of work so I must depart and get a jump start on my day!

 

Monday: The Silent Comedy, Family Wagon, Robert Jon and The Wreck @ Casbah at 9pm

Tuesday: 3 Doors Down (Acoustic) @ House of Blues at 8pm
AND: The Lonely Wild, Nena Anderson and The Mules @ Soda Bar at 9:30pm

Wednesday: Ummmmmmm.

Thursday: White Buffalo, Trouble in the Wind @ Belly Up at 9pm
AND: Kisses, Western Scene @ Soda Bar at 9pm

Friday: Ozomatli @ Belly Up at 9pm
AND: Max Bemis (of Say Anything) @ The Irenic at 7pm
AND: Brothers Weiss @ Whistlestop Bar at 8pm
AND: Flaggs @ Soda Bar at 9pm
AND: Silver Snakes, Griever @ Che Cafe at 7pm

Saturday: Of Montreal @ The Irenic at 7pm
AND: Ozomatli @ Belly Up at 9pm

Sunday: Old Man Markley, Lexington Field @ Casbah at 9pm
AND: Mutual Benefit @ Soda Bar at 10pm

 

Keep in Mind:
January 27th- Hit Dog Hollar @ Casbah
January 30th- Mayer Hawthorne @ House of Blues
January 30th- The Burning of Rome @ Casbah
February 2nd- Yuck @ Casbah
February 8th- Citizen Cope @ Balboa Theatre
February 8th- An Evening with Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo
February 9th- Young the Giant @ Soma
February 10th- St. Lucia @  The Casbah
February 11th- Chappo @ Casbah
February 13th- Augustines @ Soda Bar
February 15th- Imagine Dragons, Naked and Famous @ Valley View Casino Center
February 17th- New Politics @ House of Blues
February 21st- Sunset Sessions @ Belly Up
February 22nd- Sunset Sessions @ Belly Up
February 25th- Kodaline, LP @ Casbah
February 27th- Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. @ Casbah
March 4th- The Wild Feathers, Jamestown Revival @ Belly Up
March 5th- Gary Numan, Big Black Delta @ Belly Up
March 6th- The Tragic Thrills @ Casbah
March 11th-16- SXSW
March 15th- We Are The In Crowd, William Beckett @ Soma
March 19th- St. Vincent @ House of Blues
May 9th- Cherry Poppin’ Daddies @ Syucan Casino
May 15th- Journey and Steve Miller Band @ Sleep Train Amphitheatre
June 2nd- One Republic, The Script @ Sleep Train Ampitheatre
June 2nd- Lady Gaga @ Viejas Arena
June 22nd- The Milk Carton Kids @ Belly Up