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Pepper’s Ghost Countdown: 6 Weeks!

I first heard Pepper’s Ghost when they came to play a show on my college campus. It was love at first note…during the soundcheck even. They were the first local band I “discovered” thus opening the portol to the world of live local music and beyond. Seriously, had I not stumbled upon this band, my life would probably not be what it is today.
This is one of the many reasons why I am so excited to see them play once again January 22nd at The Grape Room.

Pepper’s Ghost also offered me the opportunity to participate in my first concert shoot at The Trocadero the summer of 2006. Here’s one of the songs we recorded that night…

~ Kristen

Let’s go to Camp!

Posted on 7 Hours Ago by Kristen

Last week marked the first Friday of the Camp Freddy December residency at The Roxy. Honestly I didn’t know who Camp Freddy was. I just went because Queen Caveat was opening. I am SO glad I stuck around however, because seeing premiere rock musicians just obliterate such a tiny stage was quite the surreal experience.
For those of you who also don’t know who Camp Freddy is, they are a core group of top notch musicians (Dave Navarro, Billy Morrison, Matt Sorum, Donovan Leitch, Jr., Chris Chaney) who are joined by a series of unannounced guest musicians in playing a set of covers of amazing rock songs. Last week’s guest vocalists included Nikka Costa, Franky Perez, Richard Patrick (Filter), Sully Erna (Godsmack), Angelo Moore (Fishbone), Glen Hughes (Deep Purple), etc. It was such a treat!

I don’t know what this says about me, but I think my favorite moments were Richard Patrick fronting “Hey Man, Nice Shot” (LOVE that song), the guy who played the guitar…with a bow, and anything done by Billy Morrison (he was 5 feet in front of me…I was mesmerized).

Unfortunately, all the residency dates are sold out. BUT there might still be tickets for Camp Freddy’s New Years Eve celebration. Can you imagine who might show up there? If only I had the money…

This video someone took from last week’s Camp Freddy show. I would like to dedicate it to all my students in the class I’m TAing who take their final exam today…

~ Kristen

Hanson’s 12 hour SXSW4Japan Benefit: Album now Available!

Posted on 7 Hours Ago by Kristen

So many things were going on in Austin the week of SXSW that it’s impossible to do/see/even know about it all. One thing I was tangentially aware of was Hanson’s efforts to raise money for those in Japan suffering from the tsunami fallout. Apparently the brothers put together a fundraiser in less than 24 hours that brought in over $100,000 worth of donations for the Red Cross. The fundraiser was in the form of a telethon that took place on the last Saturday of SXSW and featured so many wonderful artists coming in and giving exclusive performances that were then streamed live.
Sxsw4japan.org is re-streaming the performances RIGHT NOW!: http://sxsw4japan.org/

Even more exciting, ITunes and Amazon.com are now selling a digital album called SXSW4Japan featuring nearly 50 tracks from the artists that participated. All proceeds are going to the Red Cross.

So, what are you waiting for? GO and get it!

http://www.amazon.com/Sxsw4japan/dp/B004UY1TSY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1302031272&sr=8-1

Some of my favorite artists featured include: Hanson, The Lonely Forest, Cary Brothers, The Boxer Rebellion, Laura Jansen, Alpha Rev, Jenny O, Keaton Simons, Anna Nalick, The Parlotones, Kina Grannis, Michelle Branch, and Rooney…but there are SOOOOOO many more!

Charlie Mars at the SXSW4Japan benefit:

Hanson covers “Lean on Me”

~ Kristen

Watch live streaming video from sxsw4japan at livestream.com

Tonight! George Stanford at The Hotel Cafe

Posted on 7 Hours Ago by Kristen

After a day like today, I’m really going to need a cathartic sing-along. Fortunately another Philly transplant, George Stanford has a gig at The Hotel Cafe. With songs like “Big Drop” and “Nikole” one can’t help but sing and sway all your troubles away. George’s plesant voice and mellow vibe is sure to relax me before I gear up for another work weekend. If you also need a dose of TGIF, for whatever reason, come join me tonight, Friday October 15th 11pm at The Hotel Cafe!

Come early for a little Sahara Smith (7pm), Laura Martin with Arrica Rose (8pm), Maxim Ludwig and the Santa Fe Seven (9pm), and Parlor Hawk (10pm) and stay for Johnny Moezzi at midnight.

Let’s hear it for a lovely evening of music at the end of a challenging week!

~ Kristen

Amanda’s (very late) Show Calendar

Posted on 7 Hours Ago by Amanda

I’m sure I could give you a slew of reasons for my late calendar (yet again) and give you a battery of apologies (which I really do!) but let’s get to the calendar before I waste any more time. (For the record, I really am sorry about this very late calendar!)
P.S.- The SDMAs were super fun! Expect a post about that soon.

Wednesday: Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers @ The Belly Up @7:30 $16
AND: The Sea of Cortez @ The Casbah @10:30 $6
AND: Benjamin Winter @ Lestats @9 $?

Thursday: Jessica Heine @ Lestats @9 $?

Friday: Dirty Sweet @ Bar Pink @9 $5
AND: Joey Ryan and Kenneth Pattingale @ Lestats @9 $?
AND: Menoma @ The Casbah @11 $15

Saturday: Hanson @ House of Blues SD @7 $prices vary
AND: Paramore @ Viejas Areana @6 $prices vary
AND: Get Back Loretta @ Soda Bar @9 $?
AND: Booty Basement Djs @ The Casbah @9 $5

Sunday: Local Natives @ The Belly Up @9 (sold out but you can probably score tix at the door)

Keep In Mind:

September 21st- Phoenix @ SDSU Open Air Theater
September 22nd- Muse @ Viejas Arena
September 25th- The Black Keys @ Soma
September 25/26- Epicenter @ Fontana
October 1st- O.A.R. @ SDSU Open Air Theater
October 1st- Spoon @ Soma @7 $28
October 14th- Frightened Rabbit @ House of Blues San Diego
October 14th- Motion City Soundtrack @ Soma @6 $20
October 16th- One Republic @ Viejas
October 21st- Interpol @Soma @7 $25
October 22nd- Flyleaf @ House of Blues San Diego
November 5th- Ghostland Observatory @ 4th and B
October 29th- Portugal. The Man @ House of Blues San Diego
November 14th-Blonde Redhead- House of Blues San Diego
November 16th- Mayday Parade @ House of Blues SD
December 2nd-The Dead Kennedys- House of Blues San Diego

Alright, Junior at North Star Bar

Posted on 7 Hours Ago by Kristen

It wouldn’t be a trip to Philadelphia without getting to see one of my favorite local Philly bands. I was so thrilled that I could arrange my trip to include a stop at North Star Bar to see Alright, Junior. One thing I prize in my live acts is good energy and these guys will rock the windows out every time…even if it’s a tiny bar playing to a handful of people. Their debut CD, Eudaemonic, still gets frequent play in my car…especially when I want my music loud and my head banging.
Alright, Junior recently did a couple of songs live on Philly’s Radio 104.5. Go here to check them out. I’m really loving the acoustic take on their new song, “Burn”! Also, please listen to their cover of REM’s “The One I Love”…it kinda took my breath away…