New Music Tuesday 2/14 Featuring Imagine Dragons and The Other Side of Morning

Posted on by Kristen

Yeah, I know this is a bit late, but, you know…better than never. There are a few releases today that I’d really like to turn your attention to.

Imagine Dragons – Continued Silence EP

Imagine Dragons have been on my Band Love list for a couple of years now. It’s easy to fall in love with a band that puts on such an energetic and engaging live show. The past year has brought a lot of changes for the band including a record deal with Interscope. The Continued Silence EP is the first music to come out of this deal and I’m incredibly anxious to see how the band has grown and changed musically. Watch this video to learn a bit more about the band and hear their song “It’s Time” from the new EP and if you’re in LA, be sure to come out to The Viper Room Feb. 22nd to catch the band in action.

Buy the EP here  http://www.amazon.com/Continued-Silence-EP/dp/B0076A9AXU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1329353048&sr=8-1

The Other Side of Morning– Letters From Your Love, The Madman

LMN and The Other Side of Morning go way back to our first official band interview. I’ve been keeping track of this band ever since and am SO excited that their CD, Letters From Your Love, The Madman is finally available via amazon and itunes. I’m am currently listening to the CD and waiting for my ride to The Roxy where the band is playing tonight to celebrate this release. It will be a fantastic line-up with The Other Side of Morning along with Toy, Shawn Hook, and  Jane Carrey. Show starts at 8pm!

This is an awesome video…

 

Other releases I’d recommend:

Happy Listening!

~ Kristen

Valentine’s Day Playlist: Honorable Mentions- Part 2

Posted on by Amanda

As promised, my honorable mentions list.

Honorable Mentions: Amanda

Loneliness: Medicate- AFI

Let’s see, a song about medicating, being numb, and someone who doesn’t even know your name. Yep, that’s pretty sad.

Tease: Dare Me- Pointer Sisters

I grew up listening to the likes of The Pointer Sisters, The Coasters, and other such oldies. I have to say, I like it when a lady dares a guy because she knows she can take him on. The real question is, can he handle her?

Sexy: Mr. Sinister- Scarlet Grey

One of my favorite songs from one of my favorite LA bands and while it isn’t ‘sexy’ in terms of being a song about sex, it feels sexy to me. Maybe it’s the guitar. Maybe it’s about someone sinister. It might just be the lyric, ‘he’ll help you take off your dress, insist there’s more to confess.’ Is that a promise?

Puppy Love: The Way It Is- Th’ Moonlight Sexy

Sadly, Th’ Moonlight Sexy no longer exists and neither does this song on the interwebs. I can however, link you to their old Myspace and you can listen to their other tunes. I know it’s a cop out but I got nothing….

http://www.myspace.com/springfieldrock

Sprung: Dirty Little Secret- The All American Rejects

You want me but you don’t want to tell anyone about me? Well sir, it sounds like you just want me for my body and all it’s capable of doing. I might be ok with that.

Creepy Love: I Will Follow Him- Peggy March

This might be more a song about devotion and true love but in today’s day and age, a song about following a guy no matter what reads ‘stalker.’

Unrequited Love: About A Girl- The Academy Is…

So wait, this song isn’t about a girl you’re secretly in love with? Oh wait, you just don’t want to admit it. Keep telling yourself you aren’t in love. Let’s see how long that lasts. P.S. I totally relate

Proclamation: There She Goes- Carney

Something about Carney just oozes sex. So when they start telling you they secretly love you, how could you not go weak at the knees for this? Sigh.

In Love: The Brute and The Beast- Fierce Creatures

I remember the day when Fierce Creatures came knocking on my little blog door and said ‘hey, check us out.’ It’s been love since then much like this velvety soft song.

Tragic Love: Daisy- The Silent Comedy

Sadly this song doesn’t get a lot of playtime but it’s always been a favorite of mine. Hey Daisy, just add some salt to the wound. It makes for a good song.

Post Break Up: Miserable At Best- Mayday Parade

Love sucks. Love hurts. Sometimes the best you can be is miserable. Mayday Parade understands your pain.

It’s Just Another Day: Haight St.- Anberlin

‘Let’s you and me, make a night of this. Old enough to know but too young to care.’ Hark, I hear my lost adolescence calling me! I suppose that’s why this song has a sweet spot with me.

 

And now we end all talk of Valentine’s Day! Until next year…

Valentine’s Day Playlist: Honorable Mentions

Posted on by Amanda

It wouldn’t be right of us to let the Valentine’s Day fun actually end on Valentine’s Day so we thought we would share some of the hopefuls for our playlist that just didn’t make the cut. Marissa’s list is up first because, well, I like her list more than mine. Ha ha.

Honorable Mentions: Marissa

Loneliness: Remain – Transfer

Transfer is a little bit Melancholy and this song has that sort of, “I’m just living to live” vibe about it.  Plus, I just love Transfer.



Tease: Halo Bender – The Halo Benders

“You Think You’re Heaven Sent, Gonna Get Your Halo Bent”



Sexy: I’m Gonna Love The Hell Out of You – The Silver Jews

An odd one, but I love it.  Something about the slow monotone approach of the Silver Jews makes almost every song sound a little bit naughty.


Puppy Love: Red Sweater – The Aquabats

It’s just cute. Smiles.



Sprung: Pictures of Lily – The Who

Falling in love with a sexy picture, just cause your a teenage boy, if that’s not sprung I don’t know what is.

Creepy Love: Saturday Night – The Misfits

I mean if you murder a girl, you shouldn’t sing song about being bummed out about it, it’s just rude.

Unrequited Love: My Man (Funny Girl) – Barbara Streisand

Heart breaking to say the least.

Proclamation: Winter Winds – Mumford and Sons

This is a “Holy Shit I’m In Love With You, but You Are Totally Terrible For Me” song.

In Love: Drifter – Mississippi Man

This is one of those songs that just touches of this sort of, we just happen to be perfect together things, with adorable and catchy lyrics, it’s one of my favorites.



Tragic Love: Farewell Reel – Patti Smith

Written after the death of her husband, an honest and heart wrenching account of the loss of a true love.

Post Break Up: Crown of Love – Arcade Fire

The swooning strings and Win Butler’s strong yet shaky voice give this song a pulse and intensity that isn’t characteristic of a post break up song.

 

It’s Just Another Day: Car – Built To Spill

‘You Get the Car, I’ll Get the Night Off”

Valentines Day Playlist: Cycles of Love: It’s Just Another Day

Posted on by Amanda

At long last, the cycle of love has come to an end (as has our playlists). This playlist is for those of us who don’t really pay much attention to Valentines Day. Perhaps you think it’s a corporate holiday or that picking one day to show your love for someone is stupid because you should show it every day. Maybe you are just indifferent to the whole idea. Well this is our list of songs not about love or romance. Enjoy your day. It’s just like any other.

It’s Just Another Day

Local Music – Crimson Calvary – Dirty Sweet

I will raise my arms into the night but only because you asked so nicely. This song ties for favorite from now defunct SD band Dirty Sweet. I love and miss your guitar rifts and breakdowns in your songs. So badass. You guys are missed.



Top 40 – Great DJ- The Ting Tings

I’ll be honest, I’m not entirely sure what this song is about but I remember watching The Ting Tings perform it live and being pretty happy. It’s light and dancy which makes any day better in my opinion. Plus it talks about drums of which, I am a fan.



Alternative Radio – No Rain – Blind Melon

Everything in life is beautiful, even the puddles gathering.  Blind Melon should have worked on some more hit songs though, a one hit wonder is a terrible thing.



Soundtrack – Thriller – Michael Jackson – This Is It

I’m a sucker for classics and whatever your opinion of Michael Jackson, you can’t deny he was one hell of an entertainer. The classics never die.



Misc – The World Blows My Mind – Crash Encore

Another local band making its way on the list.  Crash Encore has since disbanded and become about fifteen other bands since then, but they have left us with a plethora of a catalog and this song is one of my favorites. “The World, It Blows, My Mind, All The Time.”

Just enjoy life. That’s all we’ve got 🙂

Amanda’s SD Concert Calendar 2/13-2/19

Posted on by Amanda

It’s a grey and dreary Monday down here in San Diego which is fine by me since I’m still recovering from last week. I was about to get out and see Dr. Dog, Saint Motel, and Griever as well as enjoy some art and partake in a video shoot. I’m still tired thinking about it. Anyways, we have a brand new week with brand new shows.
Monday: The Asteroids Galaxy Tour @ Belly Up @9 $15
AND: Drag The River @ Casbah @9 $12

Tuesday: Bombay Bicycle Club @ Casbah @9 $15

Wednesday: Josh Damigo @ House of Blues @6

Thursday: The Fray and Scars on 45 @ House of Blues @730 $35-$55

Friday: The Howls, The Heavy Guilt and Low Volts @ The Loft @ UCSD @7
AND: River City and Briertone @ Soda Bar @830 $5
AND:  CAKE @ Belly Up @830
AND: Kevin Martin and Gayle Skidmore @ Griffin @7 $8
AND: New Mexico @ Casbah @9 $10
AND: The New Kinetics @ Eleven @11 $10
AND: The Styletones @ Bar Pink @9

Saturday: Jesse LaMonaca and the Dime Novels with Blackout Party @ Casbah
AND: Cold Cave @ Soda Bar @9 $12
AND: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy @ Anthology

Sunday: Craig Finn @ Casbah @9 $12
AND: G Love and Special Sauce @ House of Blues @8 $25

Keep in Mind:
February 20th- Get Back Loretta and Wendy Bailey and True Stories @ Casbah
February 22nd- Anya Marina @ Casbah
February 23rd- Ra Ra Riot @ Belly Up @8 $18
February 23rd- Hot Chelle Rae w/Electric Touch @ House of Blues
February 23rd- Scars on 45 @ Anthology @730
February 24th- The Soft Pack @ Casbah @9
February 25th- The Nervous Wreckords, Midnight Rivals, and Grand Tarantula @ Anthology @9 $12
February 25th- Mat Kearney @ House of Blues
February 26th- Cursive @ Casbah @9
February 27th- Foxy Shazaam @ 710 Beach Club
February 28th- He’s My Brother, She’s My Sister @ Casbah @9 $8/$10
February 29th- The Kooks @ House of Blues
March 3rd- Jackie Greene @ Belly Up @9
March 3rd- Alkaline Trio @ House of Blues
March 6th- Flogging Molly @ House of Blues
March 8th- William Fitzsimmons @ Anthology @7
March 8th- The Silent Comedy and Dead Feather Moon @ Belly Up
March 9th- The Stone Foxes @ Casbah @9
March 11th- Crocodiles @ Casbah @9 $12
March 11th- Fierce Creatures @ Tin Can Alehouse
March 18th- Puscifer @ California Center for the Arts Escondido
March 20th- Ani DeFranco @ House of Blues
March 21st- Cults @ Belly Up @9
March 22nd- Cartel @ Soma
March 23rd- The Ting Tings @ House of Blues
March 30th- Into It Over It @ Soma
March 31st- Henry Rollins @ SD Women’s Club $27.50
April 4th0- Hunter Hayes @ House of Blues
April 7th- Transfer and The Blackout Party @ Belly Up
April 13th- Coachella Weekend 1
April 15th- Rise Against @ Viejas Arena
April 16th- Elvis Costello @ Humphreys
April 20th- Coachella Weekend 2
May 2nd- Say Anything @ House of Blues
June 3rd- Mogwai @ Belly Up

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 2/13-2/19

Posted on by Kristen

If you haven’t noticed, Amanda’s been a busy bee making some changes to the look and function of our site. I hope you like it. I think there might be more to come. I hope you’ve also noticed the Valentine’s Cycle of Love posts put together for Local Music Nation by Amanda and Marissa. I must say, great song choices ladies!

Speaking of choices, there are way too many difficult ones to be made in LA this week. I might need some help, especially for Monday night so please let me know if you’re planning on any of these shows. Here are my options:

Monday: Milo Greene and Maniac FREE at The Satellite (9pm)
ALSO: It’s a School Night at Bardot featuring Walk the Moon, Lady Danville, Liam Bailey, and Butterfly Boucher…FREE with RSVP http://www.itsaschoolnight.com/
ALSO: Nightmare and the Cat and Incan Abraham FREE at Bootleg (10:30, 11:30)
ALSO: Butterfly Boucher, Paris Carney, and Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 (7pm)
ALSO: Haim FREE at The Echo (8:30)
ALSO: Some Hear Explosions at The Viper Room (11:15)
ALSO: NO at Origami Vinyl (7pm)…Vinyl release party

Tuesday: We are The Ocean, Twin Atlantic, The Swellers, and You Me at Six at The Troubadour (7pm)
ALSO: Saint Motel at The Belasco Theater (9pm)
ALSO: Red Circle Underground and Audra Mae FREE at The Satellite (10pm)
ALSO: Beachwood Valentine Party featuring George Stanford, Truth & Salvage Co., and so many more at The Piano Bar (8pm)
ALSO: Makepeace Brothers at WitZend (9pm)
ALSO: The Asteroids Galaxy Tour at The Echoplex (10pm)

Weds: The Other Side of Morning Record Release with Shawn Hook and Toy at The Roxy (8pm)
ALSO: Tyler Hilton at the Troubadour (9pm)
ALSO: Millow and Meiko at The Hotel Cafe (8,9)

Thursday: Erin McLaughlin, Harper Blynn, Keaton Simons at The Hotel Cafe (7,9,10)
ALSO: Queen Caveat at Andaz (8pm)
ALSO: Howlin’ Rain at The Echo (10pm)

Friday: Daniel Ellsworth & The Great Lakes and Andy Clockwise at The Hotel Cafe (10,11)
ALSO: Abbot Kinney at On the Rox (10pm)
ALSO: Viza at The Troubadour (11:30)
ALSO: Ryan Adams at The Hollywood Bowl

Saturday: Youngblood Hawke, Eastern Conference Champions, Finish Ticket, and Jesse Kivel at The Central (9pm)
ALSO: The Fling at Bootleg Bar (11pm)
ALSO: Mayday Parade at The El Rey (7pm)

Sunday: Foxy Shazam and The Darkness at The House of Blues Sunset (7:30)

 

 

To Keep in Mind:
Feb. 20th: Milo Greene at The Satellite
Feb. 22nd: Will Dailey and Mariah McManus at The Hotel Café
Feb. 22nd: Imagine Dragons at The Viper Room
Feb. 27th: Dead Sara at The Viper Room
March 5th: Scars on 45 at The Troubadour
March 5th-6th: Dan Wilson and Rachel Yamagata at The Hotel Cafe
March 8th: Crash Kings at The Troubadour
March 9th: Vanaprasta at The Bootleg Bar
March 9th: William Fitzsimmons at The Troubadour
March 10th: Nico Vega at The Roxy
March 13th-18th: SXSW (Austin, TX)
March 14th: The Pretty Reckless at The HOB Sunset
March 18th: Dia Frampton at The Troubadour
March 20th: Needtobreathe and Ben Rector at Club Nokia
March 20th: War on Drugs at Avalon
March 22nd: The Lumineers at The Hotel Café
March 23rd: Truth & Salvage Co. at The Troubadour
March 24th: Ani DiFranco at The Orpheum Theater
March 24th and 25th: Allen Stone at The Troubadour
March 31st: Tyrone Wells at The Roxy
April 1st: Charlotte Martin at The Bootleg Bar
April 11th: Mike Doughty at Bootleg Theater
April 12th: Joseph Arthur at The Largo
April 13th-15th AND 20th– 22nd: Coachella
April 25th: Ben Kweller at The El Rey
April 27th: Ingrid Michaelson at The Troubadour
May 8th: Snow Patrol at The Hollywood Palladium
June 13th and 14th: Phantom Planet at The Troubadour

 

~ Kristen

http://www.localmusicnation.net/

http://twitter.com/#%21/_localmusicnat

Valentine’s Day: Cycles of Love: Post Break Up

Posted on by MarissaMortati

I think if someone complied all the songs ever written and categorized them by topic, an overwhelming number of them would be written about the wake that follows after a tragic break up.  This is why Amanda and myself had to separate our lists just to accommodate the number of songs written on topic.  Just lean on our shoulders and cry a while why you listen to these bummer numbers or if you’re the angry type, we will help you destroy all their things too.

 

Post Break Up

Amanda’s Picks:

Local Music – Breakin The Chains of Love- Fitz and The Tantrums

Love can be a drag. It can wear you down and make you forget about who you were because you were too busy trying to be who the other person thought you should be (not healthy, by the way). It’s time to break those chains and move on. Sing it Fitz!

Top 40 – Raise Your Glass- Pink

This song isn’t really about break ups per say but the message is still clear, ‘no matter our flaws, faults, and otherwise messed up selves, we still rock.’ If that isn’t an anthem for picking yourself up and getting a move on from that stupid person who dumped you or the stupid person you got involved with, I don’t know what is. This song may be pop but it makes you get up and dance (and feel empowered) which is really what you need after a break up.

Alternative Radio – Gives You Hell- The All American Rejects

I’m fairly certain we all need some kind of retaliation against the one who hurt us. Or at least the knowledge that we are doing better than they are after the break up. The All American Rejects know what I’m talking about. I hope you see me and realize what an idiot you are and how much better I’m doing with out you. I hope you suffer! Muah ha ha ha.

Soundtrack – Breaking Up Is Hard To Do- Neil Sedaka

The name says it all. Breaking up is hard to do. It’s shitty and it sucks but at least you know you are not alone.

Misc – The Test- The Academy Is…

This song was on standby after my breakup when I just wanted the knowledge that the other person didn’t care and that I was losing it. Sometimes the best feeling in the world is surrendering to the loss and acknowledge being broken. It really takes the pressure off. Perhaps my favorite line is the chorus (which gave me my validation or maybe vindication) is, ‘if this is a test, I’m losing my shit would it kill you to care as much as I did?’ Honestly, would it kill them to care?

Marissa’s Picks:

Local Music – Shifty Eyes – The Howls

A Howl: to utter a loud, prolonged, mournful cry. The Howls do exactly that as John Cooper sings about the woman who ripped his heart apart.  A cry of both anger and sadness, it was my first pick for a post break up song.

Top 40 – Fuck You – Cee Lo Green

Sometimes you just got get real and just say “Fuck You.”

Alternative Radio – Hate It Here – Wilco

Being in love is like being addicted to a person.  They invade every part of your life and when they leave there is this massive dis-function that is left behind.  You have to relearn how to live and Jeff Tweedy, an addict of many things, knows that sometimes mowing the lawn is all that keep you afloat without the one you love.

Soundtrack – Both Sides Now – Love Actually

Joni Mitchell’s song “Both Sides Now” paints a bleak picture of love, but none so bleak as paired with Emma Thompson’s beautiful performance in the movie Love Actually after she finds out her husband may be unfaithful.

Misc – You Turn Clear In The Sun – Telekinesis

Michael Benjamin Lerner is Telekinesis and I think he has one or two bad girlfriends in his past.  “I never loved you, I’ve never love anyone.” It’s his want of erasing the memories, the bad, the good, the everything that pings home with me.  Needless to say, if MBL ever needs consoling, I’m his girl.

Still trying to get over it? Me too, but tomorrow is another day…