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Discovering New Artists: Ben Rector

Posted on by Kristen

Ben Rector was one of the artists featured on my SXSW ’10 mix. I fell in love with his song, “World Moving Backwards”. The other day I stumbled across this website called noisetrade.com. It allows you to sample and download tunes from up and coming artists in exchange for promoting them to your friends on facebook or twitter…or even just sending out some emails. You can leave a monetary “tip” as well if you’re so inclined (you know you want to!).

I downloaded a few additional tunes from Ben Rector’s summer sampler and am very pleased to say that “World Moving Backwards” is not the only song of his I enjoy. I really wish this singer-songwriter from Tennessee would venture out to LA and play for us… As of now, no tour dates have been posted, but I will definitely be on the look-out.

In the meantime, if you want to investigate this artist further, check out his website, buy his newest CD, Summer Candy, download his free summer sampler, and watch some videos (he has some really cool ones, including the one below for his cover of one of my favorite songs “Free Fallin’”)  

~ Kristen

Amanda’s Show Calendar 8/3-8/9

Posted on by Amanda

It’s time for the weekly show calendar. Things are going to change a bit on this end because there isn’t much out on a Monday night these days. If I see something I’ll add it to the bottom of my calendar (because I like to do things backwards) if there is anything of note. It’s been a bit busy on my end of things and I’m sorry I haven’t been able to post and be as active as I would like to be. In fact, this is my first time turning the computer on in two days!! I’m going to work at being around more than I have been. And now to bypass the rest of my apologies, reasoning, and promises….

The Calendar!

There are a lot of great shows this week with Wednesday and Friday night being heavily populated with some greats. Good luck choosing. Either way, you won’t be disappointed!

Tuesday: Cory Wilkins and Greg Friedman @ The Belly Up @8pm $9

Wednesday: The Temper Trap @ House of Blues SD @8pm $20 adv/$22.50 day of
AND: Skyline Union @ The Ruby Room @9pm
AND: The Bloodflowers @ The Casbah @9:30pm $5
AND: The Blank Tapes @ Tin Can Alehouse @9 $5

Thursday: The Napoleon Complex @ The Casbah @9:30pm $5
AND: The Flowerthief @ Lestats @9pm
AND: The Ferocious Few @ Tin Can Alehouse @9pm $3

Friday: Endoxi CD Release with Get Back Loretta @ Epicentre @7pm $7 adv/$10 day of
AND: The Silent Comedy @ Royal Dive @10pm
AND: The Burning of Rome @ The Ruby Room @ 9pm
AND: Gayle Skidmore @ Lestats @9pm
AND: Halcyonaire (Last Show!) @ Tin Can Alehouse @9pm $4
AND: Moonwalker (Michael Jackson Tribute) @ The Belly Up @9pm $10 adv/$12 day of
AND: The Gregory Page Show @ Lestats @9pm

Saturday: Silversun Pickups @ Soma @8:30pm
AND: Jack’s Broken Heart @ The Casbah @9:30pm $10

Sunday: Tokyo Police Club @ The Casbah @9:30pm
AND: The Album Leaf @ Tin Can Alehouse (can reserve tix tincanbooking@hotmail.com) @9pm $15

Monday: Miss Erika Davies @ Tin Can Alehouse @9pm $4

Keep in Mind:

August 10th- Vans Warped Tour- San Diego
August 13/14- North Park Music Thing (a MUST attend event!!)
August 18th- Steve Poltz @ Birch Aquarium
August 21st- Wolfmother @ House of Blues San Diego
September 18th- Paramore @ Viejas Arena
September 22nd- Muse @ Viejas Arena
September 25th- The Black Keys @ Soma

Queen Caveat EP released!!

Posted on by Kristen

Last Thursday night, The Viper Room played host to Queen Caveat’s EP release party.  Finally, we have some music to listen to from one of my new favorite bands! I have been overindulging all weekend. The EP, entitled Emptor, is available on ITunes…I would highly recommend one checking it out… 

To preview, go to the Queen Caveat Myspace page and listen! And while you’re there, download one of the tracks for FREE!

Also note their upcoming LA shows:

August 25th at King Kong
September 11th at Spaceland

my current fave track: In My Bed – Queen Caveat

Listen! Learn! LOVE!

~ Kristen

Busy Bee

Posted on by Amanda

Well I know you SD folks never got a proper concert calendar for this week but I trust you were savvy enough to check back on the “keep in mind” shows for this week. I’ve had a rather hectic week down here and am still recovering from Comic Con. Yes I went. Yes it was fantastic. But here is a little something that has kept me occupied these past few days…

San Diego’s own Endoxi is getting ready to launch their first ever full length album and I can tell you firsthand, these guys have never sounded better. It’s fun, catchy, eclectic, and inspirational to say the least. I believe everyone should own a copy of “Earthbound.” It would be a shame not to have this in your music library. I personally can’t wait to see these guys play live at Epicentre for their cd release August 6th with Get Back Loretta and Long Live Logos! Pre-order it now on their site or come check out the show.

More to come so stay tuned 🙂

FREE Music Downtown LA

Posted on by Kristen

Weds night I found myself downtown at Pershing Square for a free outdoor concert featuring the unlikely combination of Meiko and Purple Melon. I enjoy both the LA-based songstress and the British rockers and the show was very Hotel Cafe meets The Viper Room in a park with food trucks and free lattes (AKA awesome!). 

What is also awesome is that Pershing Square offers these free shows several times a week ALL SUMMER long! Weds nights are sponsered by Beta Records and  Thursday nights go by Spaceland under the stars. Then the week culminates in another show Saturday night.  

To check out the schedule go here

So many great artists to look forward to…I’m especially excited about The Janks on August 7th.

Seriously, how can you pass up free music in a park?

~ Kristen

San Diego Music Awards: Nominees Announced!

Posted on by Kristen

The San Diego Music Awards is an event that takes place every year celebrating local San Diego music and honoring some of the best SD bands. This event will take place Sunday Sept. 12th and will certainly be a must-attend.

This year’s nominees include some LMN favorites such as The Silent Comedy, Endoxi, Dirty Sweet, and Get Back Loretta…as well as some bands that have a place on my personal “to watch” list (Scarlett Symphony, The Loons, Republic of Letters, Transfer, The Burning of Rome, White Apple Tree, Nervous Wreckords, etc.). Most excitedly (for me at least), the list of nominees contains many names that I am unfamiliar with, presenting an opportunity to investigate new music!

Here is the list…

Let’s start listening!

~ Kristen

p.s. to get you started, a sampling of songs from nominees who happen to be playing in Los Angeles at The Viper Room THIS WEEK!

Transfer at The Viper Room Thursday July 29th (11pm)

Dirty Sweet at The Viper Room Friday July 30th (11pm)

Nervous Wreckords at The Viper Room Saturday July 31st (9pm)