Uncategorized

Greetings from Los Angeles!

Posted on by Amanda

So, just about everyone I talk to thinks that I need to start a blog. I’m too busy to maintain a blog. I’m a graduate student working on getting my PhD in the sciences (AKA my lab is my life) and I spend most of my free evenings gallivanting around Los Angeles at various clubs, bars, concert halls…wherever the music happens to be. 

But when my good friend and fellow music lover, Amanda, said she’d help me run it…how could I refuse?

I guess I enjoy live music slightly more than the average person…some might call me addicted. But honestly, I still can’t wrap my head around the idea that this isn’t everyone’s favorite thing to do. What I most enjoy is discovering amazing local bands and doing whatever I can to help get their music out there (hence the reason everyone tells me I need to start a blog).

For the past year or so I’ve been sending out a weekly email to my friends informing them of all the shows I would like to go to in a given week. I was tired of getting rejected every time I asked people if they wanted to go to a show with me and this open invitation method seemed to be the perfect solution. The email has morphed somewhat overtime as have the list of people who receive it. Several don’t even live in the LA area and use this email to either keep tabs on me or on the local scene…or they just want to discover new music.

So I guess putting my email into the blogasphere for any to access is the next logical step. As for my personal mission statement, I’m not sure where this will go or who (if anyone) is going to read it, but I will continue to do what I love to do…go to shows, discover new bands, tell everyone I know about said bands…and if you happen to become a part of my circle of influence, welcome new friend, it’s nice to have you here!

~ Kristen

Metrofique

Posted on by Amanda

I don’t really think it’s fair for me to tell you to go see a band play without giving you a little background about them if possible so here is a little bit about Metrofique…

Metrofique is a side project of the singer/bassist from Get Back Loretta (which is another fabulous band). The official blurb from their website says,

“Metrofique is the new collaboration of two of San Diego’s most creative and original songwriters, Steven Bradford and Gabe Lehner. With both songwriters heavily influenced by The Beatles, Metrofique has many Beatles-esque moments in their music, but put in the context of more modern indie rock the likes of The Shins, Coldplay, and Death Cab For Cutie. The eleven songs on the duo’s debut album, Swing For Fences, are not only sure to be on a constant loop in your head after hearing them, but they will make you feel good…really good. Metrofique offers a much needed blend of the simplicity and folkiness of the acoustic “coffee shop” sound with the production and arrangement of bands like Radiohead and The Beatles, providing a fresh yet familiar sound with mass appeal. Their debut album, Swing For Fences, is completely a DIY effort recorded by the duo at Gabe’s home studio, making Metrofique as indie as they come. And it looks like they will be here to stay.”

You can find them on Facebook or on Myspace. I also strongly suggest you buy their cd which is $5 and full length and can be found on their website or on iTunes. Get it now and go see them tonight at The Casbah. It’s $5 and it beats being home on a Monday.

~Amanda

SD Shows

Posted on by Amanda

Hey Kids!

So I just realized that I had forgotten to give you all some great shows to see in San Diego. This is by no means a complete list. No, this is nothing like Kristen’s list at all but I found some things going on this week that are in my calendar I thought I would share with you.

Tonight: Metrofique at the Casbah. Its $5 and part of the Anti-Monday League shows that happen every Monday at the Casbah. Show starts at 9 p.m.

Tuesday: Tim Graves and Patrick Norton at Tin Can Alehouse. It’s $3 and should be an awesome night of folk. Show starts at 9 p.m.

Wednesday: Nico Vega at The Casbah! Show is $15 and starts at 9 p.m.

That’s all I got for now folks.

If you want some more ideas of what’s going on, be sure to check out CityBeat and the Reader. Enjoy 🙂

~Amanda

And now, an introduction…

Posted on by Amanda

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!

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

Posted on by 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

Truth & Salvage Co.- Residency and CD release

Posted on by Amanda

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