But apparently AFI is playing a show at Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre with Green Day tomorrow. I think AFI puts on an amazing live show its hard not to fall in love.
Speaking of live shows, look for another post from yours truly today about that subject.
~Amanda
I know it’s a little late, but hey, I’ve been a little busy. I just submitted a manuscript so now I’m ready to celebrate with some new music!
This band from The UK has been crafting this record in Los Angeles and I have had the pleasure of seeing them play several times over the last several months. The first time I saw them at The Satellite, it was like a breath of fresh air, rock and roll air. The more time I spent with The Chevin, the more I have fallen in love with their music. I cannot wait to get my hands on this record!
One of my favorite Canadian bands from recent years, Mother Mother made an impression on me with their song “Hayloft” off their debut album O My Heart (2008). I’ve been keeping tabs on the dynamic and somewhat quirky five-piece alt rock group ever since. You can stream their new album, The Sticks, here http://exclaim.ca/MusicVideo/ClickHear/mother_mother-sticks_album_stream. I did and I quickly became hooked! Not sure when you’ll be able to get it from amazon or itunes, but you can get it from the band’s website: http://mothermothersite.com/store
From what I’ve heard, this record is making a play for my record of the year….
Other’s to look into:
~ Kristen
New music from Fair to Midland! They finally have a new CD coming out!!! If you’re a fan of the band, you will know how exciting this is. We’ve been waiting years for a follow up to 2007’s brilliant Fables from a Mayfly.
Arrows & Anchors is officially released on July 12. You can buy the first single, “Musical Chairs”, on Itunes, but Fair to Midland is offering a free download on their website of the song “Armadillo Sleeps on My Pillow”.
One of my favorite Fair to Midland songs (featured on my best of ’07 mix):
~ Kristen
If it’s a Thursday in March than it must be a Joey Ryan day! Joey’s March residency at The Hotel Cafe continues this evening at 8pm. Joey Ryan is a fairly new discovery. Amanda and I both first saw him open for Carney last fall and he instantly went on my watch list. I have since seen him a couple times at The Hotel Cafe and every time I see him, I think I fall in love a little more. Especially since the release of his EP Kenter Canyon which is one of the best EPs I’ve heard in awhile (definitely so far this year). To endear him even more (to my heart at least), his website says that, at one point, he was planning on attending graduate school to study neuroscience!
If you get a chance, come out and see Joey Ryan at The Hotel Cafe. He’ll sing some songs about the weather and then offer to give you a hug. What more could you want!?! Here are his residency dates:
TONIGHT: March 4th: 8pm- Hotel Cafe (also with Jim Bianco and Honeyhoney)
March 11th: 10pm (with Jim Bianco, Melissa Ferrick, and Caitlin Crosby and Jay Nash)
March 25th: 8pm- Hotel Cafe
Sadly ,he will be at SXSW for one Thursday in between (the 18th) which happens to be my birthday…
http://www.myspace.com/joeyryanband
song: “Broken Headlights” (from Kenter Canyon)
~ Kristen
It’s new music Tuesday! Anything you’ve been looking forward to? The return of The Cars? Or perhaps, the much buzzed about Christina Perri…or maybe SNL spawned The Lonely Island? Gleeks out there might be interested to check out Matthew Morrison’s new album. While you’re in the music-buying mood, might I suggest some CDs I’ve been looking forward to that officially come out today:
Against The Grain– Kill The Alarm
I’ve been a big fan of anything by Garen Gueyikian for quite some time. He hasn’t put out much in the way of new original music in ages, so I’m most excited about the release of this EP, Against The Grain, from his band, Kill The Alarm. I can’t wait to give it a proper listen (here).
Here’s an acoustic performance of the first single, “Don’t Run Away”
Old Tyme Religion– Hugo
I first came across the bluesy-rock of NYC-based Hugo at SXSW. I’ve been jamming out to Old Tyme Religion for a couple weeks now, but it’s official release is today. To learn more about Hugo, read this recent interview. To go straight to the downloading bit, here’s the itunes link.
You might be familiar with Hugo’s take on Jay-Z’s “99 Problems”, but I’m really digging this track:
Simple Math– Manchester Orchestra
The “I’ve Got Friends” hitmakers have a new CD out today. I haven’t heard any of Simple Math yet, but I don’t need to to know that I will need this album in my collection. This band puts on one of the best live shows and I will need to be familiar with all their new tunes to more fully enjoy their June 2nd show at The Music Box.
The band stopped by the studio for my favorite radio station in December. Here’s an acoustic version of the title track off their new album.
~ Kristen
Most exciting news! One of my very fave LA bands just announced the release date for their first album. May 25 Truth & Salvage Co. will release their self-titled debut. This six piece group instantly drew me in with their energetic live performances and The Band-like qualities. I discovered them a couple years ago when they were known as The Family Band. I’ve had the immense pleasure of watching them grow, get signed by Chris Robinson’s label, Silver Arrow, and go out on tour with The Black Crowes where they were even able to play a date with one of my fave Philly bands, Pawnshop Roses. I was so happy when they returned to LA and started playing local gigs again. Right now, the band is in the middle of a residency at The Hotel Café…every Friday night through to March 12th. If you get an opportunity to see them, it will be an unforgettable evening of music and dancing…just be sure to get there early as they tend to pack the place and they will stop allowing people through the door.
For a preview of the album, the band recently recorded some songs through Daytrotter: http://www.daytrotter.com/dt/truth-and-salvage-co-concert/20030993-37382166.html
Be sure to see them now before they head out on tour again (this time with The Avett Brothers)
Or alternatively, if you’re not in the LA area, be sure to catch them with The Avett Brothers (another fantastic group). Dates posted so far:
April 17 | The Fox Theatre | Oakland, CA*
April 18 | Grand Sierra Theatre | Reno, NV*
April 20 & 21 | Boulder Theater | Boulder, CO*
April 23 | Rialto Theater | Tucson, AZ*
April 24 | Mesa Arts Center | Mesa, AZ*
April 27 | Crest Theater | Sacramento, CA*
April 29 | House Of Blues | San Diego, CA*
~ Kristen 
Since its release, I’ve been listening to a lot of Hugo’s Old Tyme Religion. It’s a great CD and I’ve been enjoying it…but driving into work the other day, my roommate and I made the decision that the general tone of the album was just too positive for our current state. Posing questions like “what in the world were you born to do” was just too much…
I needed to find a song that more accurately reflected my current outlook on life. I flipped through my Ipod until I landed on this song. Tracy Bonham’s “Mother Mother” fit so perfectly I put it on repeat. Tracy may scream “everything’s fine” but we all know what she really means. Plus, it’s highly cathartic to join in.
I’ve seen The Veronicas do a version of this song live. Jess does a fine job with the screaming…
~ Kristen
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