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Kristen’s SXSW ’10 Mix- Part 2

Posted on by Kristen

And the mix continues with…

               5. “Swim Until You Can’t See Land” – Frightened Rabbit

Speaking of bands from across the pond, I’m still smarting from the absence of this one at Coachella and the fact that I’m out of town when they will be in LA (May 23).  Even though I discovered Frightened Rabbit well over a year ago, I still feel the need to put them on any list possible…just for an excuse to listen to them more myself!

               6. “I Need” – Maverick Sabre

This is the track I had the difficulty in tracking down as Maverick has yet to release more than a single (at least on ITunes). The fact that it is here is a testament to how much it struck me.

               7. “Gypsy Woman” – Jonathan Tyler & The Northern Lights

Also struggled to get this track. I went to go see Jonathan et al at The Viper Room with the express purpose of picking up a CD only to discover that there were none available. Fortunately since then, the group’s debut CD Pardon Me has been released. I would highly recommend this addition to your record collection.

              8. “Run Baby Run”- Noush Skaugen

One of the reasons I love SXSW is that it gives me the opportunity to discover artists like Noush Skaugen whom I don’t know if I’d ever happen upon otherwise. You can get this entire track free from her website!

…more to come…

~ Kristen

Favorite Band Alert! The Kin

Posted on by Kristen

Waking Up Shining

I am still overwhelmed with emotion from seeing The Kin play Monday night at The Hotel Cafe. It had been far too long since brothers Thorry and Isaac Koren played LA. An added bonus, the absolutely brilliant and incredibly unique Shakerleg was indeed present behind his makeshift drum kit and despite the fact that he was terribly ill, still managed to pull out all the stops on stage. They played mostly songs from their most recent album, The Upside, and closed the night with some covers they’ve been working on, but the highlight for me was when they came off the stage and into the audience to play a brand new tune.  

There is nothing better than seeing one of your favorite bands play after you haven’t seen them in awhile…except perhaps seeing an amazing band play for the first time. Which is why, if you’re in the Los Angeles area, I think you should come to The Stronghold in Venice 9pm Weds night to fall in love with The Kin as they are playing one more time before leaving LA.

 The Kin covers Sam Cooke’s “A Change is Gonna Come” in NYC

~ Kristen

Favorite Band Alert! Jealousy Curve

Posted on by Kristen

Since I just flew across the country to see these guys, I thought they deserved a mention here. Jealousy Curve has been one of my favorite bands since I first heard their Muse-like notes back in 2006.  Since then, they have provided the soundtrack for some of the most memorable moments in my life. I can honestly say few things make me happier then dancing with friends at a Jealousy Curve show.  Michael Leavy, Steve LaFashia, Shane Rozum, and Dave Sikorski are also some of the nicest (and incidentally the tallest) guys I know.

I am SO very excited about their forthcoming CD, Marionettes!, and big release party on May 22nd at The World Cafe Live in Philadelphia with Camille Peruto, IKE, and LA’s The Shakers. Definately calls for another trip across the country…

but in the mean time:

Listen their music here

Preorder their new CD: (see above)

Get their first CD Life As An Addict and EP This is For Your Own Destruction here

Go to the show

Tell them how amazing they are on facebook

And remember, no matter what happens, Don’t Lie Down

~ Kristen

p.s. some pics from the two shows I had the immense privilege of being a part of. One at Arcadia University in Genside, PA and the other at Jocyln’s in Media, PA with guest drummer, the amazing Ron DiSilvestro

Dave and Leavy at Arcadia University

Steve and Shane at Arcadia University

Steve and Leavy at Jocyln's

Dave and Ron at Jocyln's

If you’re NOT at Coachella this weekend…

Posted on by Kristen

George Standford: Meet Me In LA

Tonight (Friday night), go to the Hotel Cafe for George Stanford’s EP release. George also moved out to LA from Philadelphia (where he was in this amazing band called Townhall). His song “Big Drop” off his album of the same name was on my best of ’09 mix. I am very excited about his new EP, Roll Away. You can get it directly from George’s website in a pay what you want manner: http://www.georgestanford.com/.

George plays at 10pm, but get there at 9pm for Vienne and stay for the always entertaining Andy Clockwise. It will be a fantastic evening of music!

~ Kristen

Can I move to Texas for a week?

Posted on by Kristen

The thing I love most in life is discovering amazing new bands. Close behind that on my list of loves would be when these amazing bands discover each other…especially when this leads to them playing together. This is why I am uber excited about an upcoming May tour which includes one of my newest discoveries, After Midnight Project, and one of my very favorite LA bands, Nico Vega. Unfortunately for me, this tour will take place in Texas. So, if you happen to be in Texas or know anyone who is, pass this info on…I will be jealous

The headliner for this tour is actually Chevelle who also puts on a fantastic live performance.

Here are the dates

May 7th: Scout Bar – San Antonio, Texas
May 8th: Lonestar Amphitheatre (also with Puddle of Mudd and Adelita’s Way)- Lubbock, Texas
May 9th: Midnight Rodeo & Piranha – Amarillo, Texas
May 11th: Toom Dos Amigos (also with Papa Roach and 12 Stones) – Odessa, Texas
May 12th: Stubb’s – Austin, Texas
May 14th: Las Palmas Race Park – Mission, Texas
May 15th: Concrete Street – Corpus Christi, Texas 

Texas will Rock!

~ Kristen

Cary Brothers CD Release at the Hotel Cafe

Posted on by Kristen

09 Something About You

I don’t have much time to share all the details of the fantastic night of music I experienced last Friday. The line-up at The Hotel Cafe included Joey Ryan (with Kenneth Pattengale, of course), Cary Brothers, and Truth & Salvage Co. (one of their last LA shows before hitting the road once again).

The whole night, however, was really about the release of Cary Brothers’ new CD, “Under Control”. I could go on and on about how much I enjoyed his set (yes he also played old standards like “Blue Eyes” and “Honestly”) or how I’m loving the new CD (current faves include “Ghost Town”, and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You”), but I’ll just leave you with the track I find myself humming as I write this. “Something About You” is Cary’s take on the 80’s classic and is sung with the very talented Laura Jansen. Listen. Love. Go out and get Cary Brothers’ newest CD!

~ Kristen