A Thank You Note…

The sun is shining, it’s 75 degree outside, I guess that means it’s that time of year again.  And no, I don’t mean Memorial Day weekend.  The holiday season has sneaked up on me this year.  I seriously don’t know where this year went.  Hi! My name is Ashley and Kristen and Amanda have been wonderful enough to let me hijack their blog again.

I work as a therapist for kids/teens with mental health disorders up in Palmdale.  If you don’t know Palmdale, think mountains, desert, Joshua Trees, and lots of poverty.  To bring something bright to the families we work with, we try to give a toy to every client (and siblings when we can) during the Holiday season.  I am an avid music lover.  The local So-cal music scene and I are great buddies.  As part of our “toy” drive, I have asked local and some not so local bands to donate to our clients for the holiday season.  I did this last year and got such a wonderful and inspiring response that I decided to do it again for 2012.  Let me tell you, the scene did not let me down.  So this is my thank you, to all the bands that have graciously donated to my clients. I really appreciate that gifts that you have sent.  I know from previous experience that the teens will really love what they receive and hopefully you’ll have plenty of future fans.  You guys truly rock!

 

Ashley Webb (awebb@childguidance.org)

 

Here’s a list of the bands who have donated-show them some love!

Fun. 

Cherri Bomb 

Kill the Complex 

[youtube uQWpJPYa8VI]

Nat Keefe

 Photo of Nat Keefe

Maniac 

Gavin Turek 

[youtube u8svQxOecN4]

Red Circle Underground 

NO 

NEW! "Roll" EP OUT NOW.  Click here to buy physical CD on Amazon

Go Betty Go 

Some Hear Explosions 

 

Watch This: The Silent Comedy’s Blood On the Rails

In case you’ve been living under a rock and are somehow unaware and not in love with The Silent Comedy, you’ve been missing out. Their newest exploit includes another pairing with The History Channel after ‘Bartholomew’ was used in the trailer for the Emmy winning “Hatfields & McCoys” mini-series. This time it’s The Silent Comedy’s ‘Blood On The Rails’ with History Channel’s new show “The Men Who Built America” which chronicles the lives of the titans of American industry; John D. Rockefeller, Cornelius Vanderbilt, Andrew Carnegie, Henry Ford and J.P. Morgan.

Below is a snazzy new music video for ‘Blood On The Rails’ which is intercut with some footage of the new show to give you a tease. Enjoy!

[youtube r7ls43Uv_Q]

Watch This: Queen Caveat, The Neighbourhood, Belmont Lights

Some new videos came across my path today (despite the fact that my path was primarily    taking me up the Napali coast via boat). I’m really excited about these videos and these bands, so I wanted to share…

Enjoy!

Queen Caveat – “Bullet” 

I still think this is my favorite song off Queen Caveat’s EP, Slap on the Wrist. Queen Caveat shows at The Viper Room are always epic and this video does a great job at capturing some of that magic.

[youtube 8sM-7tizNGU]

 

The Neighbourhood – “Female Robbery”

Ever since I heard this song a few weeks ago, I’ve been obsessed with The Neighbourhood. This video is awesome and certainly doesn’t help my little problem…

 

Belmont Lights– “Lights/Both of Us” (Ellie Goulding/Taylor Swift Cover)

Recent discovery, Belmont Lights, showcases their hometown of San Diego beautifully in this video they did for this cover song. I’m having a blast picking out all the San Diego locales… I’m really enjoying this band right now!

[youtube bZM4BtkO8IM]

 

Listen! Learn! Love!

 

~ Kristen

 

 

Amanda’s SD Concert Calendar 7/16-7/22

It’s a little weird for me to be back home writing my weekly calendar post. I must say, I’ve had a lovely break from reality between my travels and then experiencing Comic Con this weekend. I think Kristen still might kill me if given half the chance. I can’t name one specific highlight but I think walking by Will Wheaton and finding out Kevin Bacon has a band with his brother called The Bacon Brothers were up there moment wise.

We have a light week music wise this week which suits my recovery just fine.
 

Monday: Kevin Martin and Family of the Year @ Soda Bar @9 $8
AND: Great White Buffalo @ Casbah @9 $5

Tuesday: Relax

Wednesday: Truth and Salvage Co. @ Griffin @9
AND: AJ Croce @ Anthology @730 $10-$28

Thursday: Low Volts and Stephen Ray @ El Dorado @8 Free w/RSVP
AND: Matt Simmons and Chris Avers @ Lestats @8
AND: Hills Like Elephants @ Bar Pink @9
AND: La Sera @ Soda Bar @9 $8

Friday: Patrick Norton @ Lestats @8
AND: Glasmus @ Griffin @9 $5

Saturday: The New Kinetics @ Tin Can Alehouse @930 $5
AND: Writer @ Soda Bard @9 $10

Sunday: Alberta Cross and Everest @ Casbah @9 $12

Keep in Mind:
July 27th- Dead Feather Moon @ Griffin
July 29th- Tenacious D @ SDSU Open Air Theater
July 29th- MEWITHOUTYOU and Kevin Devine @ Casbah
July 29th- Steve Poltz @ Belly Up
July 31st- Neon Trees @ House of Blues
July 31st- Carolina Liar @ Griffin
August 1st- The Nervous Wreckords and Kevin Martin @ Belly Up
August 2nd- Murder By Death and Cory Chisel and The Wandering Sons @ Casbah
August 2nd- Chis Isaak @ Humphreys
August 4th- Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
August 4th- Cake @ Del Mar Thoroughbred Club
August 5-7- Brian McKnight @ Anthology
August 10th- Jack White @ Shrine Auditorium
August 11th- Saint Motel and Italian Japanese @ Casbah
August 13th- Franz Ferdinand @ House of Blues
August 15th- Fun @ SDSU Open Air Theater
August 15th- The Dunwells @ Birch Aquarium at Scripps
August 15th- Alabama Shakes @ Fox Theater
August 15th- The Dunwells @ Birch Aquarium @ Scripps
August 18th- The Silent Comedy and Stripes and Lines @ Belly Up
August 18th- Ben Harper @ Del Mar Thoroughbred Club
August 21st- Civil Twilight @ Belly Up
August 22nd- Civil Twilight @ Belly Up
August 23rd- Steve Martin and The Steep Canyon Rangers
August 30th- Little Hurricane @ Belly Up
September 4th- Gotye @ Greek Theater
September 7th- Dave Matthews Band @ Cricket
September 10th- Linkin Park and Incubus @ Cricket
September 30th- The Shins @ SDSU Open Air Theater
October 2nd- Ed Sheeran @ House of Blues
October 3rd- The Head and The Heart @ Spreckles Theater
October 4th- The Black Keys @ Valley View Casino Center
October 4th- Florence + The Machine @ Cricket Wireless
October 5th- Kimbra @ House of Blues
October 5th- The Milk Carton Kids @ Anthology
October 6th- Dr. Dog @ 4th and B
October 9th- Imagine Dragons and AWOLNATION @ House of Blues
October 14th- The Raveonettes @ Belly Up
October 16th- Bombay Bicycle Club @ House of Blues
October 17th- Allen Stone @ Belly Up

 

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 6/4-6/12

You’ll notice this week’s list is a bit…elongated. Well, that’s because I’ll be at Bonnaroo over the weekend without internet.  I don’t think I’m even going to take my computer (gasp).  I’ll be back Tuesday and hopefully fill you in on everything. In the meantime, there are a couple acts I’d really recommend checking out this week. If you didn’t manage to snag tickets to one of Ben Howard’s two sold out shows at The Troubadour, the English singer-songwriter and one of my SXSW mix picks, will also be doing a free show at Amoeba Records on Monday.

Another treat this week is that Joe Firstman is in town with The Cordovas. They are playing several shows. Today (Sunday) at The Franklin Village Festival, Tuesday at The Hotel Cafe, and Wednesday at Saint Rocke. Who knows when Joe will be back, so I wouldn’t miss out!

Here’s what else I have on my list:

Monday: Ben Howard FREE at Amoeba Records (6pm)
ALSO: Morning Parade and Walk the Moon at The Troubadour (9pm)
ALSO: Bess Rogers at The Hotel Cafe (8pm)
ALSO: Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 (9pm)

 

Tuesday: Kate Miller Heidke, The Cordovas, and Patrick Joseph at The Hotel Cafe (8, 9, 11)
ALSO: The Rocket Summer at The Roxy (8pm)
ALSO: Walk the Moon and Morning Parade at The Echo (8pm)
ALSO: Ben Howard at The Troubadour (10pm)
ALSO: The Absolute, Juke Kartel, Beachwood Rockers at The Piano Bar (7pm)… http://www.facebook.com/events/420567781316948/

 

Weds: Ben Howard at The Troubadour (10pm)
ALSO: The Cordovas at Saint Rocke (9pm)

 

Thursday: Jane Carrey and Dinner and a Suit at The Roxy (7:15)
ALSO: Anna Nalick at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)
ALSO: Kurt Vile at Largo (8pm)

 

Friday: Xavier Rudd at The Hotel Cafe (7pm)
ALSO: Jesse Thomas and Green River Ordinance at The Mint (9:30, 10:30)
ALSO: Badwater CD release at The Viper Room (11pm)

 

Saturday: Mind the Gap at The Hotel Cafe (10pm)

 

Sunday: something will come up….

 

Monday (June 11th): Daniel Bedingfield and Red Circle Underground FREE at Bootleg Bar (9, 12)
ALSO: Shawn Colvin at Barnes & Nobles at The Grove (7pm)
ALSO: It’s a School Night at Bardot featuring Broken Anchor (10pm)…FREE with RSVP http://www.itsaschoolnight.com/losangeles/

Tuesday (June 12th): Ume at The Satellite (10pm)
ALSO: Shawn Colvin at The El Rey (8pm)
ALSO: Kate Miller Heidke at The Hotel Cafe (8pm)
ALSO: Collective Soul at House of Blues Sunset (8pm)

 

 

 

To Keep in Mind:
June 13th and 14th: Phantom Planet at The Troubadour
June 15th: Joe Firstman at WitZend
June 16th: Thrice at Club Nokia
June 16th: Scissor Sisters at Hollywood Palladium
June 20th: Glen Hansard at The Wiltern
June 21st: Crash Kings at The Troubadour
June 22nd: The Avett Brothers at Nokia LA Live
June 23rd: Milo Greene at The Troubadour
June 25th: Graffiti6 at The Troubadour
June 29th: Fiona Apple at Hollywood Palladium
July 1st: Laura Marling at John Anson Ford Amphitheatre
July 1st: Harper Blynn and Madi Diaz at The Troubadour
July 14th: Saint Motel at The El Rey
August 3rd: Cory Chisel at The El Rey
August 13th: The Kills at The El Rey

 

~ Kristen

http://www.localmusicnation.net/

http://twitter.com/#%21/_localmusicnat

http://www.facebook.com/localmusicnation

New Music Tuesday 5/1 featuring Carina Round, Greylag, and The Spring Standards

Carina Round- Tigermending http://www.carinaround.com/

I very much enjoy the unexpected blend of sweet and sour on Carina Round’s newest CD.  Tigermending is one of the more refreshing albums I’ve heard in a while.  Carina Round is playing tonight at The Casbah in San Diego and tomorrow (May 2nd) at The Satellite in LA.

[youtube N1BHD4fJIJg]

 

Greylag- The Only Way to Kill You http://www.greylagmusic.com/

This debut EP from a lovely folk band based out of Portland is getting me through my afternoon. The soft voices and delicate instrumentation come together for a series of wistful tunes that fit my mood perfectly. Greylag is opening for Augustana at The El Rey on May 12th. It’s going to be a great show!

[youtube ZWyMAo2IWLs]

 

The Spring Standards- yellow/gold http://thespringstandards.com/index.php

I haven’t yet listened to the double EP, yellow/gold from NYC-based The Spring Standards, but just watched the video below and I’m a fan of the band, so I’m intrigued…thought you might be too! Check them out!

[youtube qgWvyEZtQX8#!]

 

~ Kristen

Amanda’s SD Concert Calendar 4/30-5/6

Thwarted by a rather long Monday morning meeting. Apologies for getting this up so late. But can you believe May is already upon us? So is summer and more festivals. Ah, good times. Anyways, we’ve got some fun shows this week that should tickle your fancy.

Monday: George Sarah @ Soda Bar @830 $6
AND: Ivan and Aloysha @ The Loft @ UCSD @9
AND: Cage the Elephant @ Barleymash

Tuesday: Rita Wilson @730 $10-$44
AND: Kelsea Rae Little @ Casbah @9 $8

Wednesday: Say Anything @ House of Blues @7 $16.50-$30
AND: Sara Watkins @ Anthology @7 $10-$33
AND: Father John Misty @ Casbah @9 $12

Thursday: Middle Class Rut with Grand Tarantula @ House of Blues @730 $15/$17
AND: Italian Japanese and The Filthy Violets @ El Dorado @9 $5
AND: Tennis @ Casbah @9 $12/$14

Friday:  The Heavy Guilt and The New Kinetics @ Griffin @9 $6/$8
AND: Thrice @ House of Blues @7 Sold Out
AND:  Deer Tick @ Casbah @9 $18/$20

Saturday: Portugal. The Man, The Lonely Forest, Hyena @ 4th and B @8
AND: Transfer, The Howls, Balck Hondo @ Casbah @9 $15
AND: Lee Coulter @ Lestats @830
AND: Adventure Gallery and Hills Like Elephants @ Soda Bar @9 $5

Sunday: Lovedrug and Lakes @ Soda Bar @830 $10
AND: Allo Darlin’ and Red Pony Clock @ Casbah @9 $8
Keep in Mind:
May 8th- Jay Nash @ Anthology/
May 11th- Augustana @ House of Blues @730
May 12th- Delta Spirit @ Belly Up
May 13th- Delta Spirit @ Belly Up
May 13th-Rufus Wainwright @ Humphrey’s
May 15th- The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus @ Soma @630
May 18th- Clap Your Hands Say Yeah @ Casbah
May 19th- Milo Greene @ Casbah
May 22nd- Hugh Laurie @ Belly Up
May 24th- Toad and the Wet Sprocket @ Anthology
May 25th- The Cult with Against Me! @ Humphreys
May 25th- The Beach Boys with Foster the People @ Cricket Wireless
May 30th- Horse Feathers @ Casbah @9 $12/$14
May 30th- Gillian Welch @ Humphrey’s
June 3rd- Mogwai @ Belly Up
June 3rd- X-Fest feat. Jane’s Addiction, Garbage, Angels and Airwaves, P.O.D., Neon Trees, Grouplove, Eve 6, Of Monsters and Men
June 9th- Wayward Sons @ Belly Up
June 11th- Pinback @ Casbah
June 13th- The Temper Trap wtih The Crocodiles @ House of Blues
June 14th- Motion City Soundtrack and The Henry Clay People @ Casbah
June 27th- Warped Tour @ Cricket Wireless
July 29th- Tenacious D @ SDSU Open Air Theater