And now, an introduction…

Hi Friends in the Blogosphere!

Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Amanda and this awesome little blog will be run by myself and my friend Kristen (who will introduce herself at a later time). We are in a word, local music junkies. Thats not to say we don’t like mainstream music because we do but our love is for local shows where we can get our music fix on the daily.

This blog will serve as a way for us to share with our friends local shows that are going on in the LA (and soon the SD) area which you might find us at if we aren’t stuck at home doing homework.

We hope you enjoy!

Can I move to Texas for a week?


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

New Music Tuesday 9/25 featuring The Chevin, Mother Mother, Mumford & Sons

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!

The ChevinBorderland

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!

 

Mother MotherThe Sticks 

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

 Mumford & SonsBabel 

From what I’ve heard, this record is making a play for my record of the year….

 

Other’s to look into:

 

~ Kristen

Free Music Download: Fair to Midland

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”.

http://www.ftmband.com/

 

One of my favorite Fair to Midland songs (featured on my best of ’07 mix):

~ Kristen

 

 

 

Joey Ryan Residency

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

New Music Tuesday: Kill The Alarm, Hugo, Manchester Orchestra

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 MathManchester 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