New Music Tuesday 5/13/14 featuring Jesse Thomas, Levi Weaver, Alright Junior, The Trouble With Templeton

Posted on by Kristen

So much good music released this week. I’ve been binging on the following:

 

Jesse Thomas – Burn The Boats

I had the pleasure of attending the CD release party at The Hotel Cafe for Burn The Boats. Although I haven’t sat down with the album yet, the songs in their live form are still swimming in my head.  I really enjoy Jesse’s unique vocal style tackling songs ranging from the heart-breaking “Swallow That Pill” to a hilarious sing-along that strings together some of the more amusing, real life pick-up lines. Put the band behind her and she’s also got a couple up-beat hand clappers.

[youtube xtV_q3k3exc]

 

Levi Weaver – Your Ghost Keeps Finding Me 

This album is dramatic and compelling and kept my attention from note one through to the end by introducing me to different facets of Mr. Weaver.  The quiet, contemplative singer-songwriter abounds in simple tracks like “Citadel” or “Paddleboats”, the multi-instrumentalist fond of layering shines in the catchy opener, “Borrowed Clothes” and there is even a hint of punk rocker in what is currently my most played track, “Song in my Branches”.  Add in guest appearances by the likes of Rachael Yamagata and Carina Round who lends vocals in the haunting duet “Pieces” and I’d call this one a winner.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/140351045″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”300″ iframe=”true” /]

Alright Junior – Amusia 

My beloved Philly rockers, Alright Junior, have a new album being released in piecemeal fashion this week with the full 13 tracks up on Friday. The album title, Amusia, was inspired by a tale in Oliver Sacks’ Musicophilia that describes the life of a person with a neurological condition called amusia, defined by Sacks as a “total inability to perceive music as music.” As a fan of Sacks’ work, I was tickled by the title. I’ve also been banging my head to “Ancestors Laugh in Heaven” since the video was released. New AJ tracks every day are going to make for one rockin’ week!

[youtube f8OgcMlPGko]

go here to follow the track releases

 

The Trouble With Templeton – Rookie

I thought I knew Aussie artist Thomas Calder, the singer/songwriter behind The Trouble With Templeton, but Rookie introduces an exciting new dimension to the singer’s work. The band has created songs that are textured and varied, eccentric yet still melodic. Currently, my favorites might be the punchy “Like A Kid” and the Radiohead-esque “Six Months In a Cast”.  This album is fun yet still full of heart…give it a listen!

[youtube RIQtcFEbBxU]

 

Also out today:

The Black Keys – Turn Blue
Michael Jackson – Xscape
Tori Amos – Unrepentant Geraldines
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart –  Days of Abandon
Various Artists- Beautiful: The Carole King Musical 
Little Dragon– Nabuma Rubberband 
Joseph Arthur – Lou
Mirah – Chasing Light

 

~ Kristen and Amanda

Amanda’s SD Concert Calendar 5/12-5/18

Posted on by Amanda

Happy Monday Friends! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend, mine was bittersweet. I had a wonderful time partaking in the dance show at MiraCosta this semester and really enjoyed being around all the people who were a part of the show. It was a super fun experience but man, I’m tired. Today is a recovery day for me after having to book it out to the barn. The heat and Santa Ana winds are back. Goody. And I mean that sarcastically. I hate the wind.

Anyway, this week is kind of light except for Thursday which gives you a slew of options to choose from.

 

Monday: Josh Damigo and friends @ House of Blues at 7pm

Tuesday: Mattson 2 @ El Dorado at 9pm

Wednesday: Say HI, Big Scary @ Casbah at 9pm
AND: Finish Ticket @ House of Blues Side Stage at 7pm
AND: Christina Perri @ Humphrey’s at 8pm

Thursday: Transfer @ 207 at The Hard Rock at 9pm
AND: Trouble in the Wind, Yellow Red Sparks, Tolan Shaw @ Belly Up at 8pm
AND: Cave Singers, The Dabbers @ Casbah at 9pm
AND: Journey and Steve Miller Band @ Sleep Train Amphitheatre at 7pm
AND: The Bloodflowers @ Bar Pink at 9pm

Friday: Deadly Birds @ tin Can Alehouse at 9pm
AND: Cody Lovass, Aaron Bowen @ Lestats at 9pm

Saturday: Old Man Markley @ Soda Bar at 10pm

Sunday: Zero Boys @ Soda Bar at 9pm

 

Keep in Mind:
May 19th- Band of Skulls @ House of Blues
May 21st- The Unlikely Candidates @ Soda Bar
May 23rd- Against Me! @ House of Blues
May 24th- HELLOGOODBYE @ The Irenic
May 26th- Jamestown Revival @ Soda Bar
May 28th- Wildcat!Wildcat!, The Chain Gang of 1974 @ Casbah
May 30th- X-Fest @ Sleep Train Ampitheatre
June 1st- Pete Yorn @ Casbah
June 2nd- One Republic, The Script @ Sleep Train Ampitheatre
June 2nd- Lady Gaga @ Viejas Arena
June 6th- Neon Trees @ Humphreys
June 5th- Vance Joy @ Casbah
June 6th- Sunset Sessions Rock @ Belly Up
June 7th- Sunset Sessions Rock @ Belly Up
June 7th- Little Hurricane @ House of Blues
June 12th- Crash Kings @ Casbah
June 15th- Electric Six @ Casbah
June 22nd- The Milk Carton Kids @ Belly Up
June 25th- Vans Warped Tour @ Sleep Train Ampitheatre
June 30th- Devo @ Belly Up
July 12th- La Roux @ House of Blues
July 22nd- The Neighborhood @ Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theater at SDSU
July 30th- Mötley Crüe @ Sleep Train Ampitheatre
August 1-3- Lollapalooza @ Grant Park
August 6th- Arctic Monkeys @ Cal Coast Credit Open Air Theater
August 11th- The Head and The Heart @ North Park Theater
August 27th- Panic! at the Disco, Walk the Moon, Youngblood Hawke @ SDSU Open Air Theater
August 30th- Jack Johnson @ RIMAC Field
September 16th- Linkn Park and 30 Seconds to Mars @ Sleep Train Ampitheatre

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 5/12-5/18

Posted on by Kristen

Well, this is one weekend that I’m happy to put behind me. I’m looking forward and hoping that next week will turn things around. As luck would have it, a few of my favorites have shows this week. Dead Sara at The Echo, Queen Caveat at The Viper (both being supported by The Filthy Souls), and ½ of The Silent Comedy performing as Brothers Grimm at The Record Parlour. Thank goodness for music!

Here are the rest of my picks:

 

Monday: In the Valley Below and The New Electric Sound FREE at The Echo (11, 12)
ALSO: Meiko and Holly Conlan at The Hotel Cafe (8,9)
ALSO: Monday Monday FREE at Room 5 (8pm)
ALSO: It’s a School Night at Bardot featuring Jacob Snider, Cheers Elephant, Strange Talk (8pm)

 

Tuesday: Rixton with Bonnie McKee at The Roxy (6pm)
ALSO: The Cerny Brothers and John Gallagher Jr. FREE at The Mint (9,10)
ALSO: Novi Split at The Satellite (9pm)
ALSO: George Stanford FREE at The Piano Bar (10pm)

 

Weds: Dead Sara with The Filthy Souls at Bootleg HiFi (8pm)
ALSO: Broods with Strange Talk and Max and The Moon at The Echo (8:30)
ALSO: Thomas Dybdah and Broken Arrow at The Hotel Cafe (8, 9)
ALSO: Brave Soul, ME&U, Everett Coast at The Viper Room (8pm)
ALSO: Circa Zero with Jackie Tohn at The Troubadour (8pm)

 

Thursday: Brother’s Grimm at Record Parlour (8pm)
ALSO: A Million Pieces, Forrest Day, and Super Water Sympathy at The Viper Room (8pm)
ALSO: Royal Blood at The Roxy (8pm)
ALSO: The Stone Foxes, The Revivalists at The Mint (8:45, 10)
ALSO: Joel Eckels at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)
ALSO: Two Gallants at The Troubadour (10pm)
ALSO: Lindsey Stirling with Dia Frampton at Club Nokia (8:30)
ALSO: LA Weekly Artopia at Grand Central Market featuring The Record Company (7pm)

 

Friday: Queen Caveat with Filthy Souls and My Satellite at The Viper Room (9pm)
ALSO: Little Dove at Amplyfi (9pm)
ALSO: Wise Cub and The Honey Trees at The Hotel Cafe (9,10)
ALSO: Fairchild and Memoir at Silverlake Lounge (9, 12)
ALSO: The Mother Hips with Tall Tales & the Silver Linings at Bootlet HiFi (9pm)
 

Saturday: Lyon Apprentice at The Hotel Cafe (7pm)
ALSO: Finish Ticket, Western Scene, Bad Things at The Satellite (9pm)
ALSO: Black Hi-Lighter, Toy Bombs at The Viper Room (8pm)
ALSO: Ms. Lauryn Hill at Club Nokia (9pm)
ALSO: LA Vegan Beer & Food Festival at 8950 W Sunset Blvd featuring He’s My Brother She’s My Sister, Heaps N Heaps, and more (1pm)

 

Sunday: Lykke Li at The Roxy (8pm)

 

To Keep in Mind:
May 19th: James Blunt at The Balasco Theater
May 20th: Hozier at The Troubadour
May 21st: Nickel Creek at The Wiltern
May 21st: Dead Sara at The Satellite
May 22nd: Nathaniel Ratliff at The Echo
May 23rd: Ben Sollee at Largo
May 24th: William Fitzsimmons at The Troubadour
May 24th/25th: Against Me! at The Roxy
May 28th: First Aid Kit at El Rey Theatre
May 31st: Ron Pope at The Roxy
June 5th: OneRepublic and The Script at Hollywood Bowl
June 7th: Make Music Pasadena
June 14th: The Both at El Rey Theatre
June 16th: Ed Sheeran at The Hollywood Bowl
June 17th: Crash Kings at Bootleg HiFi
June 18th: Matt Nathanson at Greek Theatre
June 19th: Dan Wilson at Largo
June 21st: The Milk Carton Kids at Japan America Theatre
July 10th: Prides at The Troubadour
July 22nd: OK Go at The Troubadour
July 23rd: OK Go at The Echo
July 24th: The Neighbourhood at Greek Theatre
August 10th: Iron and Wine and Glen Hansard at Hollywood Bowl
August 23rd: Lake Street Dive at The Wiltern
August 25th: Nine Inch Nails and Soundgarden at Hollywood Bowl
August 26th: Youngblood Hawke at Greek Theatre
October 2nd: The War on Drugs at Fonda Theatre
October 3rd: Ben Kweller at The Roxy
October 6th: Carbon Leaf at The Roxy
October 8th: twenty one pilots at Hollywood Palladium

~ Kristen

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Happy Anniversary…. To Us!

Posted on by Amanda

The best and worst thing about time is that is has this tendency to fly by and before you know it, it’s been 4 years since you and a friend hatched this harebrained idea to make a music blog. Honestly, I wouldn’t have known it had been 4 years if Twitter hadn’t sent me an email wishing us a Happy Anniversary a few days ago. We get really busy here with our own lives outside of the music realm but the email gave me some pause and time to think about what it is we’ve accomplished and done over the last four years. We’ve been the first to bring you New Band Alerts, our weekly concert calendars, New Music Tuesdays, and so much more. I’m really happy with all we’ve done and I can’t wait to do more.

 

~Amanda and Kristen

New Music Tuesday 5/6/14 featuring Thomas Dybdahl, Natalie Merchant, Morning Parade, and Hunter Hayes

Posted on by Kristen

Here is what we’re listening to this week…

Thomas Dybdahl – What’s Left is Forever 

This is the one I’ll have on repeat all week. If you’re in Los Angeles, this Norwegian singer-songwriter has a residency this month at The Hotel Cafe.

[youtube FmstiBAgjVs]

Natalie Merchant – Natalie Merchant 

I listen to this album and I am taken back to the 90s. There is a sense of comfort I feel while listening to Natalie Merchant’s pleading vocal. This is her first solo effort with all new material in over a decade. Definitely worth a listen. You can stream it here 

[youtube Mx5Iq0LTYw0]

Morning Parade– Pure Adulterated Joy

If you kept up with us during SXSW you would know they were one of my favorite new discoveries from this year. Admittedly, I’m not well versed in their discography but I really enjoyed what I heard out there in Austin. I also enjoyed the songs they said were new, which always lessens my pause to pre-order an album from iTunes from a band I’m not super familiar with. They are currently the single of the week on iTunes so if you want to check them out but don’t want to commit just yet, there’s your opportunity.

[youtube Kis64RMQOQY]

Hunter Hayes– Storyline

I’ve been a longtime fan of Hunter Hayes since I first heard his single “Storm Warning” on the radio. I fell even more head over heels with “Wanted” and have been waiting for a follow up to his debut album. He shies away from the typical country cliches like pickup trucks, beer drinking, partying, and the like so if you’re not really into country (or want to dip your toe in), you should give him a try. He’s a talented musician and songwriter which always strikes my fancy. I’m excited to hear what’s next from him.

[youtube Fszis4UMz3g]

Also of interest:

  • The Lovebirds – Breakup Shmakeup
  • Liam Finn – Nihilist
  • Sarah McLaughlin- Shine On
  • Hamilton Leithauser – Black Hours
  • Kina Grannis – Elements
  • Lily Allen – Sheezus
  • Lykke Li – I Never Learn
  • MONEY- The Shadow Of Heaven
  • tUnE-yArDs – Nikki Nack 

 

~ Kristen and Amanda

Amanda’s SD Concert Calendar 5/5-5/11

Posted on by Amanda

Last week I only managed to make it out to watch a bunch of friends play Willie Nelson covers all night long. The rest of my week was filled with trying to not get blown away by the insane winds we had (thank you Santa Ana winds) for those 3 days, and trips to the vet for my dog who is currently anemic and we don’t yet know why. This week promises to be super busy as we go into tech and final dress for the dance show which is Thursday to Sunday so getting out to any show seems unlikely. This means you have to go out for me!

 

Monday: Josh Damigo and The Freeloaders @ House of Blues at 7pm
AND: Mariachi El Bronx @ Belly Up at 8pm

Tuesday: Manchester Orchestra, Balance and Composure, Kevin Devine & The Goddamn Band @ House of Blues at 7:30pm

Wednesday: Sister Speak, Hollow Wood, Gayle Skidmore @ Casbah at 9pm
AND: Inspired and The Sleep @ Tin Can Alehouse at 9:30pm

Thursday: Tom Jones, Lee Coulter @ House of Blues at 7:30pm
AND: Midnight Pine @ Tin Can Alehouse at 9:30pm
AND: Black Prairie @ Soda Bar at 9:30pm
AND: Old 97’s, Nikki Lane @ Belly Up at 8pm
AND: Tom Freund, Dave Brogan, Garren Benfield, Paul Renna @ Lestats at 9pm

Friday: The Pains of Being Pure at Heart @ Casbah at 9pm
AND: Ingrid Michaelson @ Humphrey’s at 8pm
AND: Cherry Poppin’ Daddies @ Syucan Casino at 8pm
AND: Johnny Clegg Band, Jesse Clegg @ Belly Up at 9pm
AND: Dawn Mitschele, Kai Brown, Scarlett Rabe @ Lestats at 9pm
AND: Channel 933 Summer Kickoff with Fall Out Boy, Ed Sheeran, Paramore, and more @ Sleep Train Ampitheater at 6pm

Saturday: Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers, The Paragraphs @ Belly Up at 9pm
AND: We Are Scientists @ Casbah at 9pm
AND: Jesse Daniel Edwards & Super Inc., Sasha Evans, Kelsea Little @ Lestats at 9pm

Sunday: Erika Davies @ Sycamore Den at 9pm
AND: Cleopatra Degher @ Lestats at 9pm
AND: Wild Wild Wets, Rose Windows @ Soda Bar at 9:30pm

 

Keep in Mind:
May 15th- Journey and Steve Miller Band @ Sleep Train Amphitheatre
May 15th- Transfer @ 207 at The Hard Rock
May 17th- Augustana @ House of Blues
May 19th- Band of Skulls @ House of Blues
May 21st- The Unlikely Candidates @ Soda Bar
May 23rd- Against Me! @ House of Blues
May 24th- HELLOGOODBYE @ The Irenic
May 26th- Jamestown Revival @ Soda Bar
May 28th- Wildcat!Wildcat!, The Chain Gang of 1974 @ Casbah
May 30th- X-Fest @ Sleep Train Ampitheatre
June 1st- Pete Yorn @ Casbah
June 2nd- One Republic, The Script @ Sleep Train Ampitheatre
June 2nd- Lady Gaga @ Viejas Arena
June 6th- Neon Trees @ Humphreys
June 5th- Vance Joy @ Casbah
June 6th- Sunset Sessions Rock @ Belly Up
June 7th- Sunset Sessions Rock @ Belly Up
June 7th- Little Hurricane @ House of Blues
June 12th- Crash Kings @ Casbah
June 15th- Electric Six @ Casbah
June 22nd- The Milk Carton Kids @ Belly Up
June 25th- Vans Warped Tour @ Sleep Train Ampitheatre
June 30th- Devo @ Belly Up
July 12th- La Roux @ House of Blues
July 30th- Mötley Crüe @ Sleep Train Ampitheatre
August 1-3- Lollapalooza @ Grant Park
August 6th- Arctic Monkeys @ Cal Coast Credit Open Air Theater
August 11th- The Head and The Heart @ North Park Theater
August 27th- Panic! at the Disco, Walk the Moon, Youngblood Hawke @ SDSU Open Air Theater
August 30th- Jack Johnson @ RIMAC Field
September 16th- Linkn Park and 30 Seconds to Mars @ Sleep Train Ampitheatre

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 5/5-5/11

Posted on by Kristen

This past week, well, it was a week. Full of highs and lows and more emotional turmoil than I’m comfortable with. Fortunately, I feel like the universe was looking out for me by presenting me with some fabulous musical opportunities/escapes. I saw one of the best shows of my year with Augustana at The Troubadour, I danced with Franz Ferdinand and reveled in special acoustic sets from Youngblood Hawke and All-American Rejects. I rocked out to Irontom, caught up with Tournament of Hearts, and got the opportunity to chat with Ryan Daly from Parade of Lights and Max Collins from Eve 6.

Speaking of Max, he has a solo album coming out this week and a residency this month at The Viper room with Jody Porter (Fountains of Wayne). Also, of note this week, Dead Sara begins their tour of LA venues. I heard them practicing yesterday and they are ready to tear up the town. Finally, LMN Band Loves NEEDTOBREATHE and twenty one pilots are both playing shows at The Wiltern.

Here’s what else, I’d recommend this week:

 

Monday: The Lovebirds FREE at Genghis Cohen (7pm)
ALSO: Max Collins and Jody Porter at The Viper Room (8pm)
ALSO: It’s a School Night at Bardot featuring Thomas Dybdahl, Waters, Plague Vendor, and Rey Pila (8pm)…FREE with RSVP http://itsaschoolnight.com/losangeles/
ALSO: Haminton Leithauser w/ Javier Dunn and My Name Is You at The Hotel Cafe (7, 9)
ALSO: In the Valley Below FREE at The Echo (10pm)
ALSO: Ray Lamontagne at The Cathedral at Immanuel Presbyterian (7pm)
ALSO: Hunnypot Radio FREE at The Mint featuring Elizaveta (7pm)
ALSO: Monday Monday FREE at Room 5 featuring Sunday Lane, Angel Taylor, Joel Eckels Music, and more (8pm)

 

Tuesday: Foy Vance and NEEDTOBREATHE at The Wiltern (7pm)
ALSO: Dead Sara with Vanaprasta at The Echo (9pm)
ALSO: The Alternate Routes and Hamilton Leithauser at The Hotel Cafe (8, 9:30)
ALSO: Secret Someones, Max and the Moon, Lovelife at Bootleg HiFi (8pm)
ALSO: Kina Grannis with Imaginary Future at The Troubadour (8pm)
ALSO: Ray Lamontagne at The Cathedral Sanctuary at Immanuel Presbyterian (7pm)

 

Weds: Thomas Dybdahl at The Hotel Cafe (8pm)
ALSO: Los Angeles Grammy Showcase at The Mint featuring Andy Allo, Halo Circus, Rose’s Pawn Shop, and Sad Robot (7pm)
ALSO: The Basement Sessions FREE at Hemingway’s featuring Sad Robot and decoded (9pm)
ALSO: Taylor Locke and Wild Roses at Saint Rocke (8pm)
ALSO: The Filthy Souls at The Viper Room (8pm)
ALSO: Ingrid Michaelson with Sugar & The Hi-Lows and Storyman at The Wiltern (6:30)

 

Thursday: The Elizabeth Kill at The Viper Room (8pm)
ALSO: Korby Lenker and Tyler Lyle at The Hotel Cafe (7, 9)

 

Friday: twenty one pilots with Hunter Hunted and NONONO at The Wiltern (7pm)
ALSO: Jesse Thomas and Ely Rise Presents: Creepshow 13 at The Hotel Cafe (8, 10)
ALSO: Komox Kids at El Cid (10:15)
ALSO: Cheers Elephant at Bootleg HiFi (9pm)
ALSO: We Are Scientists at The Troubadour (9pm)
ALSO: Old 97’s with Nikki Lane at The El Rey (9pm)
ALSO: Chuck Ragan & the Camaraderie and The White Buffalo at Fonda Theatre (7:30)

 

Saturday: The North at Molly Malone’s (11:30)…CD release party
ALSO: Puscifer, A Perfect Circle and Failure at Greek Theatre (8pm)
ALSO: KISS FM’s Wango Tango f. Maroon 5, Ed Sheeran, OneRepublic, Paramore, A Great Big World, Rixton, and more (2:30)

 

Sunday: Puscifer, A Perfect Circle and Failure at Greek Theatre (8pm)

 

 

To Keep in Mind:
May 14th: Dead Sara at The Echo
May 15th: Royal Blood at The Roxy
May 16th: Queen Caveat at The Viper Room
May 17th: Birdy at The Wiltern
May 19th: James Blunt at The Balasco Theater
May 20th: Hozier at The Troubadour
May 21st: Nickel Creek at The Wiltern
May 21st: Dead Sara at The Satellite
May 22nd: Nathaniel Ratliff at The Echo
May 23rd: Ben Sollee at Largo
May 24th: William Fitzsimmons at The Troubadour
May 24th/25th: Against Me! at The Roxy
May 28th: First Aid Kit at El Rey Theatre
May 31st: Ron Pope at The Roxy
June 5th: OneRepublic and The Script at Hollywood Bowl
June 7th: Make Music Pasadena
June 14th: The Both at El Rey Theatre
June 18th: Matt Nathanson at Greek Theatre
June 19th: Dan Wilson at Largo
June 21st: The Milk Carton Kids at Japan America Theatre
July 24th: The Neighbourhood at Greek Theatre
August 10th: Iron and Wine and Glen Hansard at Hollywood Bowl
August 25th: Nine Inch Nails and Soundgarden at Hollywood Bowl
August 26th: Youngblood Hawke at Greek Theatre

~ Kristen

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