Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 11/14-11/20

Greetings from Philadelphia! I’m out east having a blast catching up with friends and some of my favorite local bands. Last night I was reminded of how much I love The Pawnshop Roses. You should all check them out. (http://pawnshoproses.com/pawnshoproses.com/Home.html)

As much as I love being in my old stomping grounds, I’m a bit upset at not being in LA Monday. Why do all these amazing shows have to occur while I am not there? I guess I should be grateful that I don’t have to choose between Empires at the Satellite, The Silent Comedy at Bootleg, and Harper Blynn at Bardot. I’ll leave that choice up to you. I am also devastated that I’m missing out on Augustana at The Hotel Cafe Tuesday night.

Fortunately I’ll be back by Sunday for a super cool show that WE ARE PRESENTING at Lot 1 with Wires in the Walls. More on that later. For now, just mark your calendar!

Here’s what else is happening this week:

Monday: Empires at Origami Vinyl (6pm)
ALSO: Empires and Vanaprasta FREE at The Satellite (9pm)
ALSO: Jack & White, Terraplane Sun, Little Hurricane, and The Silent Comedy FREE at Bootleg Theater (8pm)
ALSO: It’s a School Night at Bardot featuring Greg Holden and Harper Blynn (10:30)…FREE with RSVP
ALSO: Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 (9pm)
ALSO: Fun at The Troubadour (9pm)

 

Tuesday: Augustana at The Hotel Cafe (10:30)
ALSO: Brett Hite at the W Hotel (8pm)
ALSO: Bird by Bird at Silverlake Lounge (10pm)
ALSO: So & So at The Viper Room (8pm)
ALSO: Beachwood Night FREE at Piano Bar (8:30)

 

Weds: Harper Blynn and Schuyler Fisk at The Hotel Cafe (9-12)
ALSO: Kyle Nicolaides, The Stone Foxes, and Armada at The Viper Room (8:15, 10:15, 11:45)

 

Thursday: Noel Gallagher at UCLA’s Royce Hall (8pm)
ALSO: Marketa Irglova at The Troubadour (10pm)
ALSO: Amber Rubarth at The Hotel Cafe (10pm)…record release show
ALSO: Lady Sinatra at The Viper Room (9:30)

 

Friday: Noel Gallagher at UCLA’s Royce Hall (8pm)
ALSO: Wires in the Walls at O’Brien’s (10pm)
ALSO: Jones Street Station at The Hotel Café (midnight)
ALSO: Cold War Kids at The Troubadour (10pm)

 

Saturday: Semi Precious Weapons and Indians at The Roxy (8pm)
ALSO: Milo Greene, The Belle Brigade, and The Civil Wars at The Wiltern (7:30)
ALSO: Jones Street Station at Bootleg Theater (10pm)

 

Sunday: Wires in the Walls at Lot 1(8pm)
ALSO: Tony Lucca at The Hotel Cafe (8pm)

 

To Keep in Mind:
November 29th: Rachel Yamagata at The Troubadour
December 2nd: Fair to Midland at The Troubadour
December 2nd: Allen Stone at The Echo
December 2nd: Priscilla Ahn at The El Rey
December 2nd: Camp Freddy at The Roxy
December 6th: The Postelles and Maniac at Bootleg Theater
December 9th: Camp Freddy at The Roxy
December 14th: Deas Vail at The Roxy
December 16th: Camp Freddy at The Roxy
December 16th: Oh Land at The El Rey
December 16th: Hotel Café Christmas Party night 1
December 17th: Hotel Café Christmas Party night 2
December 23rd: Camp Freddy at The Roxy
Feb. 2nd: Mutemath at Club Nokia
March 9th: William Fitzsimmons at The Troubadour
March 13th-18th: SXSW (Austin, TX)

 

~ Kristen

 

http://twitter.com/#!/_localmusicnat

Amanda’s SD Concert Calendar 10/31-11/6

Happy Halloween to all and to all a Happy Halloween! I hope you all are having a spooktacular Halloween (sorry, I couldn’t resist)! I’m actually staying in this year. I must be sick because I love Halloween. I suppose after being in Vegas for Halloween last year, coupled with all my recent travel, a night in is what I crave. Perhaps I’ll put on a movie and eat some candy tonight. But that shouldn’t stop you from getting out and about!

 

Monday: Deer Tick, Guards, The Kaabs and Low Volts @ Casbah @9 $15
AND: Josh Damigo’s Acoustic Bash @ House of Blues @6

Tuesday: The Barr Brothers @ Anthology @7 $10-$26

Wednesday: Minus the Bear and The Lonely Forest @ Soma @730 $25
AND: Simple Plan, Forever The Sickest Kids, The Cab @ House of Blues SD @7 $21-$35

Thursday: Mayday Parade and You Me At Six @ House of Blues SD @7
AND: Pretty Too Bad @ Belly Up @8 $8
AND: Family Wagon @ Soda Bar @9 $10

Friday: The Burning of Rome @ Soda Bar @9 $5
AND: Josh Damigo and Fierce Creatures @ The Griffen @9 $7
AND: The Heavy Guilt, A Scribe Amidst the Lions, and Short Eyes @ Ruby Room
AND: April Ventura and The Magnolias and Dark Thirty @ Eleven @9 $6

Saturday: The Parlotones, Scattered Trees, and Skyline Union @ Casbah $12

Sunday: Jesse LaMonaca @ Bar Pink @9

 

Keep in Mind:
November 7th- Purple Melon and Kevin Martin @ Casbah $8
November 8th- Mattson 2 @ El Dorado
November 8th- Heavy Glow @ Belly Up @8 $8
November 9th- Ra Ra Riot @ Belly Up @9 $18
November 11th- Thrice @ House of Blues SD
November 12th- Dead Feather Moon, The Get Down Automatic, and The Heavy Guilt @ Casbah
November 14th- HoneyHoney @ Soda Bar @830 $10
November 16th- The Dirty Heads with Gym Class Heroes @ House of Blues SD
November 17th- The Sounds @ Soma @7
November 20th- Newfound Glory @ House of Blues
November 22nd- Morrissey @ Escondido Center for the Arts
December 3rd- Little Hurricane @ Casbah $14
December 10th- The Chris Robinson Brotherhood @ Belly Up
December 19th- Pinback @ Belly Up
January 22nd- Wilco and With Denim @ House of Blues
February 3rd- Mute Math @ 4th & B

Amanda’s SD Concert Calendar 10/24-10/30

You know, waking up today with a gloomy sky made me think I was still on the east coast. Sadly, my alarm to get up for school today reminded me otherwise. I had a fantastic and most memorable trip. It was lovely to be on the east coast not in the dead of winter for once. I wish I was still out there but sometimes, you need to come back to the real world. Maybe. Alright, who needs the real world? Oh wait, the real world has shows. Hmmmmmm.

 

Monday: David Cook and Gavin DeGraw @ Humphrey’s By The Bay
AND: The New Kinetics @ Casbah @9 $8

Tuesday: He’s My Brother, She’s My Sister @ Casbah @9 $8/$10
AND: April Ventura & The Magnolias @ Soda Bar @9 $7

Wednesday: Manchester Orchestra, White Denim, The Dear Hunter, and Little Hurricane @ House of Blues SD @730 $17-$51

Thursday: Patrick Norton @ Eleven @9 $6
AND: Jamuel Saxon @Soda Bar @830 $8
AND: April Ventura & The Magnolias @ Lestats @8

Friday: The Donkeys, Cuckoo Chaos, and Bully @ Casbah @9 $8 adv/$10 day of
AND: The Burning of Rome @ Ruby Room @9
AND: 91X Boo’s Cruise w/ GroupLove and Grand Tarantula on Hornblower @730 $25/$30

Saturday: The Nervous Wreckords and Republic of Letters @ Casbah @9 $10

Sunday: Matt Nathanson @ House of Blues SD @730 $23-$40

 

Keep in Mind:

December 31st- Deer Tick, Guards, The Kaabs and Low Volts @ Casbah @9 $15
December 31st- Josh Damigo’s Acoustic Bash @ House of Blues @6
November 2nd- Minus the Bear and The Lonely Forest @ Soma @730 $25
November 2nd- Simple Plan, Forever The Sickest Kids, The Cab @ House of Blues SD @7 $21-$35
November 3rd- Mayday Parade @ House of Blues SD
November 5th- The Parlotones @ Casbah $12
November 7th- Purple Melon and Kevin Martin @ Casbah $8
November8th- Mattson 2 @ El Dorado
November 9th- Ra Ra Riot @ Belly Up
November 11th- Thrice @ House of Blues SD
November 16th- The Dirty Heads with Gym Class Heroes @ House of Blues SD
November 17th- The Sounds @ Soma @7
November 20th- Newfound Glory @ House of Blues
November 22nd- Morrissey @ Escondido Center for the Arts
December 3rd- Little Hurricane @ Casbah $14
December 10th- The Chris Robinson Brotherhood @ Belly Up
December 19th- Pinback @ Belly Up
January 22nd- Wilco and With Denim @ House of Blues
February 3rd- Mute Math @ 4th & B

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

It’s Monday? Really? Where did the weekend go? It was such a blur but a pretty awesome weekend nonetheless. My weekend was punctuated with some sadness when my favorite band The Academy Is… announced they were breaking up. It made me doubly sad because I was planning to catch them on the west coast leg of Jack’s Mannequin tour but alas, no such luck. Thankfully, that was remedied by a music video shoot with The Silent Comedy yesterday.

But anyway, let’s look at the calendar for this week!

 

Monday: The Pains of Being Pure at Heart and Hotel St. George @ Belly Up @8 $6
AND: Megafaun @ Casbah @9 $12

Tuesday: Fountains of Wayne @ Anthology @7 $10-$24
AND: Boy and Bear, Matthew and The Arrogant Sea, and The Howls @ Soda Bar @9 $10
AND: Mattson 2 and Patrick Norton @ El Dorado @9
AND: Dropkick Murphys and The Silent Comedy @ House of Blues SD @7 $28.50-$43.50

Wednesday: Dropkick Murphys and The Silent Comedy @ House of Blues SD @7 $28.50-$43.50
AND: Katie Herzig and Butterfly Boucher @ Casbah @9 $10 adv/$12 day of
AND: Mister Loveless @ Soda Bar @9 $5

Thursday: Steve Poltz acoustic @ Belly Up @8 $16 adv/$18 day of
AND: Amber Rubarth and Chris Holmes @ Lestats @8

Friday: The Head and the Heart @ House of Blues @7 $17.50 adv/$20 day of
AND: Maren Parusel and Sundrop Electric @ Whistleshop @10
AND: Gregory Page @ Lestats @8

Saturday: Hoodang Festival feat. Louis XIV, Mr. Tube and the Flying Objects, Endoxi, and more @ Santa Ysabel Casino @11am $30
AND: Vonda Shepard Trio @ Anthology @730 $10-$42
AND: Chris Pierce @ Anthology @930 $11-$27
AND: Josh Damigo @ Lestats @8
AND: The Drums and IO Echo @ Casbah @9  $12 adv/$14 day of

Sunday: The Naked and Famous @ Belly Up @9 $15
AND: Hillcrest Hoedown with Heavy Guilt @ Ruby Room @2

 

Keep in Mind:

October 17th- AWOLNATION (reschedule) @ Belly Up @9
October 17th- Foo Fighters w/ Cage the Elephant @ Viejas Arena
October 19th- Foster the People @ Soma @7 $25
October 21st- Blackout Party, Grand Tarantula, and Jesse LaMonaca and the Dime Novels @ Casbah @9 $10
October 23rd- Anna Nalick @ Anthology @7 $10-$26
October 24th- David Cook and Gavin DeGraw @ Humphrey’s By The Bay
October 26th- Manchester Orchestra @ House of Blues SD
October 28th- The Donkeys, Cuckoo Chaos, and Bully @ Casbah @9 $8 adv/$10 day of
October 30th- Matt Nathanson @ House of Blues SD $23-$40
November 2nd- Minus the Bear and The Lonely Forest @ Soma @730 $25
November 3rd- Mayday Parade @ House of Blues SD
November 5th- The Parlotones @ Casbah $12
November 7th- Purple Melon and Kevin Martin @ Casbah $8
November 9th- Ra Ra Riot @ Belly Up
November 11th- Thrice @ House of Blues SD
November 16th- The Dirty Heads with Gym Class Heroes @ House of Blues SD
November 17th- The Sounds @ Soma @7
November 20th- Newfound Glory @ House of Blues
November 22nd- Jason Mewes Kevin Smith @ Belly Up
December 3rd- Little Hurricane @ Casbah $14
December 10th- The Chris Robinson Brotherhood @ Belly Up
December 19th- Pinback @ Belly Up

New Music Tuesday 9/27 featuring Tony Lucca, Mariah McManus, Jake Newton, Switchfoot, etc.

Tony LuccaUnder The Influence

Tony Lucca has been one of my favorite singer-songwriters for many years now. I had no idea he had a new CD in the works until yesterday…I feel a bit shamed. Since Mr. Lucca has moved out of LA, I don’t see him play as often, so I’m not even sure I’ve heard any of these new songs! Obviously, I will be obtaining the CD as soon as possible. Tony Lucca is one third of the TFDI triad (Tony Lucca, Matt Duke, Jay Nash). He is taking a bit of a break from the TFDI tour, but will be back out on the road with the boys in October for the Pittsburgh show.  Don’t miss out on this tour. It is magical.

You can buy Tony’s new CD on Itunes or amazon 

Here’s Tony with TFDI singing one of my favorite songs of their album, When I Stop Running (incidentally one of my favorite albums of the year).

 

Mariah McManusNice to Meet You 

I first saw Mariah McManus when she was fronting the rock band Glare of Rockets.  I was blown away by her voice, especially at such a young age. I was very excited when I heard Mariah was embarking on a solo project and releasing new material.  I’ve been listening to her tracks off of her facebook page for weeks and I’m a bit obsessed.  Mariah is going to take the music world by storm using her unique and enchanting voice to win over anyone who listens. This is a must get album for me. Take a listen at the free stream from aol music. Download her first single “Say It Again” on her website. Come to her CD release party tonight (9/27) at The Hotel Cafe.

Buy Nice to Meet You on Itunes

 

 

Jake NewtonKill The Past

Jake Newton is a singer-songwriter currently living in Los Angeles…mostly at The Hotel Cafe.  Jake is part of the next wave of  Hotel Cafe artists following in the footsteps of artists like Cary Brothers, Sara Bareilles, Greg Laswell, etc.  After what I would call a highly successful Pledge Music campaign, Jake Newton is finally ready to release his full length album, Kill The Past. I pledged to his campaign a while ago and have been keeping up with the whole process of this record so I am particularly excited to finally have it available. Come join me Friday night as Jake has his record release party at The Hotel Cafe. Also playing that evening is Keaton Simons so it will be a good one!

You can get the new CD on Amazon or Itunes.

 

 

SwitchfootVice Verses

Switchfoot has had an impact on my life ever since I got a hold of The Beautiful Letdown which I still believe is one of the greatest CDs in my collection. Then a couple of years ago, I was again impacted by a live performance of Switchfoot’s “Hello Hurricane”. I am looking forward to hear what new tunes this San Diego based group has put forth in their new album, Vice Verses. Then I would highly recommend checking them out on their co-headlining tour with Anberlin (another great live band). They are in LA October 11th at The Wiltern.

Get the album on Amazon or Itunes.

 

Other CDs I’ll be looking into today:

  • Will Hoge- Number Seven
  • Beth Hart and Joe Bonamassa – Don’t Explain
  • LeAnn Rimes- Lady and Gentleman
  • Kasabian- Velociraptor
  • Carolina Liar- Wild Blessed Freedom
  • Hanni El Khatib- Will The Guns Come Out
  • VHS or Beta- Diamonds & Death
  • Nneka – Soul Is Heavy
  • New Order – Power, Corruption, & Lies
  • Duke Spirit- Bruiser
Happy New Music Day!!
~ Kristen

New Music Tuesday 9/6/11 Featuring Joe Firstman, Aunt Martha, Moderne Man, Jon McLaughlin, The Horrible Crowes

It is a VERY exciting day for new music. I spent just about my entire month’s CD budget on music today.  Hugh Laurie has a CD coming out today. Yeah, that guy from House can sing! He’s playing a show at The Mint September 30th. Lindsey Buckingham also has new music and who doesn’t love this Fleetwood Mac troubadour?!? Also, True Blood and music fans alike should rejoice in the release of the TV show’s soundtrack: volume 3.

However, I will be filling my shopping basket with some of my favorite, perhaps lesser known artists who have discs coming out today…so while you’re busy music shopping, I have a few recommendations. Check them out!

 

Joe FirstmanSwear It Was A Dream 

Joe Firstman has been one of my favorites for years now. He has a new album out today…this is cause for celebration! Upon quick listen, Swear It Was a Dream seems to reflect Joe’s more country roots…slide guitars, mandolins, and violins are plentiful. So far tracks I’m lovin’ include the more piano-driven opener, “Take the Rain,” “Who’s Turnin’ Your Light Out,” and “Standin’ on the Porch.”

Steam the album here: http://music.aol.com/new-releases-full-cds#/11
Buy Swear It Was a Dream on Itunes

But as all Joe fans know, where the man really shines is in his live performance. Joe is once again on the road, but he’s touring with a new group, The Cordovas. I had the extreme pleasure of seeing The Cordovas this past Saturday at The Hotel Cafe and I was blown away. Joe rockin’ out on the guitar and singing harmoniously alongside Jaron Lowenstein (remember Evan and Jaron?). They do a killer version of Joe’s “Standing on The Porch” a breathtaking song in acapella, and a closing song so much fun, I’d dare you not to smile.

To see when The Cordovas are coming to a town near you: http://thecordovas.com/

 

Aunt MarthaNorway, ME

I fell in love with Aunt Martha at Bonnaroo this past June. I am a big fan of their EP, Bloodshot, and am very excited about this full length effort.  You can download this album for FREE at their website.

Here’s a video for “Starter” off the new record:

 

Moderne ManModerne Man   

Do you remember the band, Until June? No? Well, they were one of my favorite bands in Los Angeles for a while. They aren’t really playing any more, but a couple of their members have a new group called Moderne Man. I keep meaning to get out to one of their shows, but it hasn’t happened. However, their self-titled debut album comes out today and I fully intend on checking it out.

buy Moderne Man on Itunes

 

Jon McLaughlinForever If Ever 

I have been a fan of Jon McLaughlin since Indiana found my ears sometime in 2007. I was excited to see he had a new CD coming out, his first since 2008’s Ok Now. If Forever If Ever is anything like its predecessors, I know I’m going to like it. If you’re a fan of singer-songwriters who enjoy rocking it up a bit on the piano, I’m sure you’ll like it too!

You can listen to clips of the new songs on Jon’s website, but here is the first single off Forever If Ever:

buy the album on itunes or amazon

 

The Horrible CrowesElsie 

Listen to the track, “Behold the Hurricane” on The Horrible Crowes’ website and you might think it sounds a tad familiar. That would be the voice of Brian Fallon, better known as the frontman of Gaslight Anthem.  Fallon has teamed up with his Gaslight Anthem guitar tech Ian Perkins for this new side project and their CD, Elise, comes out today!  Seeing that they already have over 10,000 facebook likes and a European Tour booked before their CD is even released, I’d go ahead and say it is probably worth checking out. You can listen to the CD in its entirety on the Rolling Stone website: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/exclusive-album-stream-horrible-crowes-cinematic-debut-elsie-20110901

Check them out in LA next Weds (Sept. 14th) at The Troubadour or if you’re in New York City they play Bowery Ballroom this Thursday (Sept. 8th).

Buy Elise on itunes or amazon 

 

Happy Listening!

~ Kristen

Live Concert Streaming: The End of The Show or A Great New Beginning?

Okay, I was skeptical of this concept when it first came out. Why would I want to watch a show online when I could go out and see one live? I still feel that what I love most about the live performance simply cannot come across through a video camera. I also feel that having a show streaming for all to see really takes something away from the people lucky enough to be there. But as I sit here giddy in my office chair watching my fave Chicago rockers, Empires, stream a performance live on www.audiotreemusic.com, I realize that I am slowly becoming a convert to these computer concerts.

Watching Empires rock out in a studio actually marks the third time I’ve sat in front of my computer to hear “live” music just in the past week or so. For the past several Sundays fellow Philly to LA transplant, George Stanford has broadcast live from his home, playing requests, chatting with anyone who comes into the chat room or just…talking. Also last week 2/3rds of TFDI, Matt Duke and Tony Lucca, did some video hobnobbing mixed with a few live tunes (again, mostly requests).

What I like about the current state of live music streaming is that is has evolved beyond a simple transmission of a concert. I’m watching Empires performing in a studio, something that would be nearly impossible in any other circumstance. I find myself excited to hear the band’s answers to questions ranging from the typical (what album has inspired you), the more interesting (describe being out on the road in two words), to the absurd (what color and shape would you be). I would be far less titillated by a previously recorded video, similar in nature. With the live stream, I feel an energy akin to watching a sporting event. I find myself anxious. What song will they play next? How silly will the next question be? How will everyone respond??

The unedited band interaction is also something that has previously been unique to a live concert experience. One of the reasons I love acts like TFDI, almost as much as the music itself, is the interaction between the artists. Seeing Tony and Matt’s playful banter as they respond to questions and play tunes captures an element of a live show that you don’t often get in a recording. The immediate fan to musician contact is also unique and exciting. Even at a live show you’re not going to get a hello from Tony’s adorable daughter, Sparrow, or Matt’s equally adorable, visually challenged cat. The chat service also connects fans from all over as they debate the best tune or live show while their favorite musician sings away.

So where is this all going? While I think that streaming live shows or having live chats with your favorite artists is veeery far away from replacing the actual event, I hope that it doesn’t deter people from going out and actually experiencing the music. I had someone remark recently that they were much happier watching Lady Gaga from the comforts of their home with their XL TV screen and surround sound than they would have been seeing the spectacle from a distance dealing with the crowds and the traffic. All this live streaming of major concert festivals like Coachella and Lollapalooza has allowed many people from all over the world to “attend” these events, but I’ve heard from avid concert goers that they now feel they never need to go to a festival again. Remarks like these concern me…

Another thing I’m unsure about is the new trend of having artist charge money for a “private” live show via the computer. Tickets for an online event? Really? Hrrrmm….  While I feel that this venue is great for getting the word out the about who you are and what you do, and I appreciate the artists’ ingenuity in finding a way to use technological advances to make money, I know I’m certainly not at the point where I’d be willing to pay for such an experience. I think asking for donations or whatnot is great, but I hope I never find myself wanting to buy a ticket for an online show.  I just see this going down a terrifying path into the depths of the haunted woods; dark shadows, spooky sounds, etc. etc. Maybe when I’m once again living in a music wasteland or in another year when selling tickets for online shows becomes the norm, I’ll change my tune, but for now, call me unnerved.

 

As long as it’s free and easy, however, I think I’m becoming a fan of these live events. While I would much prefer Empries’ front man, Sean Van Vleet, singing in my face and getting the opportunity to have a brief one-on-one conversation with guitarist/producer, Max Steger, after a show, I’d take this over nothing at all. Especially considering that the band is from Chicago and does not travel out to Los Angeles that often. I’m getting to hear new songs, I know which band member likes The Smashing Pumpkins and which considers himself a diamond…who likes to answer ridiculous questions and really who just wants to be out on the road…I find myself wishing more of my favorite bands, especially those stuck in distant cities, would do things like this (Philly bands do you hear me?).

While I’m still getting to know what sites are best for streaming and which bands put on the most ridiculous shows, here are a couple on my radar. I’m hoping to use this as another new way to both promote and discover great new music! Let me know if you have any suggestions…

 

Sites that offer live streaming:

http://www.audiotreemusic.com/audiotree_live.html (where I just watched the Empires set)

http://www.vokle.com/ (where Tony and Matt conducted their chat with the help of Rockridge Music)

http://www.facebook.com/GeorgeStanfordMusic?sk=app_142371818162 Livestream where George Stanford plays some Sunday afternoons at 3pm

http://www.ustream.tv/ (where Chris Wilson of Endoxi hosts his Wilson Wednesdays: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/wilson-s-room#utm_campaign=www.facebook.com&utm_source=8134646&utm_medium=social

http://www.justin.tv/ (where I was once caught singing back up on stage…thinking it was just to the friends I had in the small room…ha)
ALSO where San Diego music guru Lauren Scheff (ScheffXP) often streams. Monday nights with the incredibly entertaining Kevin Martin. (http://www.justin.tv/scheffxp)

 

~ Kristen

 

because I couldn’t resist: