While Fresno’s Fierce Creatures aren’t yet coming back to San Diego (March 11th) they are currently on tour! With their tour almost half over, they’ve been having a blast up in Northern Cali, Oregon, and now Washington.
Perhaps my favorite part of their tour is the poster…
How could you not love that? Makes me flash back to my childhood. Sigh.
Oh and keep some ears out. They have some new music to release coming in June. Much love to those Creatures!
Today a homeless man insisted on giving me money. I’m not sure what this means, but it can’t be good if someone who has so little thinks that you have less. Did I really look that frazzled? I was in the midst of planning my week when he interrupted me so I’m sure my brow was quite furrowed.
Speaking of my week, the ideal plan would be to simply live at The Hotel Cafe and see a host of amazing artists that have packed the schedule at my favorite venue. Highlights include a couple CD releases (Jasmine Ash, Rob Giles), some out of town faves (Harper Blynn, Will Dailey, Ari Hest), a few local treasures (Mariah McManus, Infantree, Andy Clockwise), and an American Idol contestant (Paul McDonald). I certainly intend to retain my Foresquare mayorship of The Hotel Café this week…
As for the complete list of my recommendations:
Monday: Haim and Milo Greene FREE at The Satellite (8,11)
ALSO: Wires in the Walls FREE at The Silverlake Lounge (9:30)
ALSO: Adam Bones at The Viper Room (8:15)
ALSO: It’s a School Night at Bardot featuring Hey Rosetta! FREE with RSVP http://www.itsaschoolnight.com/ (9pm)
ALSO: Paris Carney and Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 (8,9)
Tuesday: Jasmine Ash (Record Release), Ben Sollee, Anya Marina, and Paul McDonald at The Hotel Cafe (7pm)
ALSO: Beachwood Rocker’s featuring Daniel Ellsworth and Lyndsay Rae Spurlock FREE at The Piano Bar (8pm)
ALSO: Makepeace Brothers Presents- Acoustic Nights at WitZend (8:30)
Weds: Millow, Mariah McManus, Will Dailey, Infantree at The Hotel Cafe (8pm)
ALSO: Terraplane Sun, Imagine Dragons, and Queen Caveat at The Viper Room (8,9,10)
ALSO: The Watkins Family Hour at Largo (8:30)
Thursday: Ari Hest, Harper Blynn, Kyler England at The Hotel Cafe (8pm)
ALSO: Rock is a Girl’s Best Friend Presents: LA for LA Charity Event featuring Little Red Lung, Wires in the Walls, and Telstar (9, 10, 11)
ALSO: The Drama Club at The Viper Room featuring Art Alexakis (Everclear), Max Collins (Eve 6), and Chris Taylor Brown (Trapt) (10:30)
ALSO: Cursive FREE at Amoeba Records (7pm)
ALSO: Mat Kearney at The Mayan (8pm)
Friday: Javier Dunn, Rob Giles & All New People (Record Release), Michelle Featherstone, Andy Clockwise at The Hotel Cafe (8pm)
ALSO: The Howls at Bootleg Bar (9pm)
ALSO: Down Down Down at Molly Malone’s (10pm)
ALSO: Ume and Cursive at The Troubadour (9:15, 10)
ALSO: The Brian Travis Band at The Chocolate and Art Show at The Monk Space (9pm)
Saturday: Electric Touch, Cady Groves, and Hot Chelle Rae at The Roxy (6pm)
Sunday: The Oscars!! Bootleg Bar is doing a FREE livestream of the event if you’re looking for a place to go watch and people to watch with…
To Keep in Mind:
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 10th: Twin Atlantic at The Viper Room
March 13th-18th: SXSW (Austin, TX)
March 14th: The Pretty Reckless at The HOB Sunset
March 16th: Guster at Largo
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 19th: Foxy Shazam at The Roxy
April 13th-15th AND 20th– 22nd: Coachella
April 25th: Ben Kweller at The El Rey
April 27th: Ingrid Michaelson at The Troubadour
May 2nd: Cage the Elephant at The Mayan
May 8th: Snow Patrol at The Hollywood Palladium
May 11th: Imagine Dragons at The Troubadour
June 3rd: Deas Vail at The Troubadour
June 13th and 14th: Phantom Planet at The Troubadour
~ Kristen
Good morning! Today was one of those days where I woke up dancing. This was most likely due to some of the songs swimming around in my head lately. I thought I’d share:
I saw Shaw Hook (formally Shawn Hlookoff…took me a minute to figure out this was the same guy) at The Roxy Tuesday night. I had seen Shawn several times before, but he was always guy with guitar and great voice. Tuesday night he had a full band and it was rockin! This song in particular really stuck in my head and got my body moving…
[youtube 2Fz_cAoiPIc]
I finally got around to listening to this today. I pressed play on the first song, “Radioactive”, and it immediately gave me that jolt of energy I needed to start the day. The rest of the EP seems to be following in kind. The Imagine Dragons show at The Viper Room next Weds. (Feb. 22nd) is going to be quite cathartic.
[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/playlists/1625571″ height=”200″ iframe=”true” /]
Youngblood Hawke is one of the first bands I think of when I want some good jump around the room and let off some steam music. They are playing tonight at The Central in Santa Monica. I’m currently polishing my dancing shoes…
[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/playlists/782125″ height=”200″ iframe=”true” /]
You feel like dancing yet?
~ Kristen
While I’ve only seen this band but once, they certainly captured my attention at SXSW. I suppose it’s only fitting that I receive a press announcement about them via email as well as a song premiere post on Facebook from Paste Magazine on the same day. Clearly, they are meant to have my attention today. I don’t really mind 🙂
I’m happy to report that this little band is doing quite well for itself after just an EP release. I’ve been slightly keeping up with them via Facebook but Missing Piece Group says it so much better,
“2011 saw Seattle folk-pop band Ivan & Alyosha play more than 150 shows in support of their EP Fathers Be Kind, highlighted by tours with Brandi Carlile, Aimee Mann, and Hey Rosetta! The EP has been recognized on Amazon’s Best Music of 2011 Thus Far, with that EP’s “I Was Born to Love Her” ranked at #4 on their Songs You May Have Missed round-up. This echoed the earlier inclusion of Fathers on NPR’s Best of the Year (So Far) list.”
Quite impressive! They are currently recording their debut album and will be on tour in March and April through May with Rosie Thomas. I hope to catch them here in SD and again at SXSW. Are they playing in your area?
[youtube IINT71haDCs]
Upcoming Tour Dates:
MARCH
2 – Pullman, WA: Belltower Concert House
3 – Portland, OR: Bunk Bar
5 – Los Angeles, CA: The Echo
6 – San Diego, CA: Soda Bar
7 – Tucson, AZ: Plush
8 – Santa Fe, NM: Santa Fe Sol Live
11 – San Antonio, TX: The Big Spill Festival
13 – 18 – Austin, TX: SXSW Music Conference
21 – Lincoln, NE: Bourbon Theatre
22 – Denver, CO: Hi-Dive
APRIL*
25 – Portland, OR: Mississippi Studios
27 – San Francisco, CA: Hotel Utah
28 – Visalia, CA: The Cellar Door
29 – Los Angeles, CA: Hotel Cafe
30 – La Jolla, CA: The Loft at UCSD
MAY*
1 – Phoenix, AZ: Rhythm Room
4 – Dallas, TX: LaGrange
5 – Austin, TX: Lamberts
6 – Tulsa, OK: Fassler Hall
8 – Denver, CO: Soiled Dove Underground
9 – Salt Lake City, UT: The State Room
11 – Seattle, WA – The Neptune
http://www.ivanandalyosha.com
http://www.facebook.com/ivanandalyosha
http://www.myspace.com/ivanandalyosha
http://twitter.com/ivanandalyosha
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
[youtube 61Ml1NOxR5A]
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…
[youtube NQwJRQPbHdA]
Other releases I’d recommend:
Happy Listening!
~ Kristen
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.
[youtube wCwEBz3ego8]
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?
[youtube vPTwcwA6vuk]
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?
[youtube wLeNTbDpqkw]
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.
[youtube gPDcwjJ8pLg]
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.’
[youtube YCCm5-mwtr8]
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
[youtube 3M6ZvNmwGxs]
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.
[youtube usXYHehXLnQ]
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.
[soundcloud url=”http://soundcloud.com/fiercecreaturesband/the-brute-and-the-beast”]
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.
[youtube ZjOatPvyWaY]
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.
[youtube GqM3Dr7agjY]
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.
[youtube F1lLtl-NX_o]
And now we end all talk of Valentine’s Day! Until next year…
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.
[youtube tHsbtBpJUQA]
Tease: Halo Bender – The Halo Benders
“You Think You’re Heaven Sent, Gonna Get Your Halo Bent”
[youtube fWpeaQ904bc]
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.
[youtube p0LofG4oe6o]
Puppy Love: Red Sweater – The Aquabats
It’s just cute. Smiles.
[youtube 1GXY04abNHY]
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.
[youtube 7BmkBroiw1s]
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.
[youtube 82oSu6gIvms]
Unrequited Love: My Man (Funny Girl) – Barbara Streisand
Heart breaking to say the least.
[youtube Hdlz6QzyAVA]
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.
[youtube _KCg_QEHtkY]
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.
[youtube VyJxGdMNAic]
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.
[youtube eeNoIbbWVyQ]
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.
[youtube kxkK06HlgqA]
It’s Just Another Day: Car – Built To Spill
‘You Get the Car, I’ll Get the Night Off”
[youtube c_WMkIOsPMQ]