Kristen’s ’11 Mix – Bonus 1 – Cory Chisel and the Wandering Sons

Posted on by Kristen

Bonus 1. “Never Meant to Love You” – Cory Chisel and the Wandering Sons 

LMN made the trek to Bonnaroo this summer. This is my favorite festival. From early morning yoga to the late night dance parties, I treasured every moment of my Bonnaroo ’11 experience. I discovered so many great bands (Aunt Martha, The Black Box Revelation, The Kopecky Family Band, Fences, JEFF The Brotherhood), saw several favorites for the first time (Scissor Sisters, Amos Lee, Neon Trees, Freelance Whales, Black Angels, Alberta Cross, Robert Plant), and enjoyed beloved bands like The Decemberists, Emimen, Deas Vail, Mumford & Sons, Nicole Atkins, The Head & The Heart, Band of Skulls, The Black Keys, etc.  Going into the event Corey Chisel and the Wandering Sons were on the top of my list of bands to check out. I ended up seeing them three times. “I Never Meant To Love You” is one of my favorite songs. I couldn’t locate a recorded version, but I tracked this bootleg. Check out the bands album, Death Won’t Send a Letter.

~ Kristen

Kristen’s ’11 Mix – Track 18 – Needtobreathe

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18. “The Outsiders” – Needtobreathe

Needtobreathe is a band I’d been meaning to see since 2009 when they released The Outsiders featuring this, its titular tune. I’d just about given up hope as they started playing venues too big for my liking and opening for major acts I didn’t really want to pay to see.  But these gentlemen from South Carolina did something amazing this year. They did a little tour almost on the DL across the country in tiny venues like LA’s The Hotel Cafe. The packed house was treated to an extended set that spanned the band’s catalogue and included many new tunes from their newest release, The Reckoning. Their show was another one for the books!

~ Kristen

Kristen’s ’11 Mix – Track 17 – The Civil Wars

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17. “Poison & Wine” – The Civil Wars

The Civil Wars are the most jaw dropping act I saw this year. I knew they were going to be good, but I wasn’t expecting the level brilliance they achieved. It’s absolutely astounding how just two people and a guitar can be powerful enough to bring a venue like The Wiltern to its knees.  There is a reason why the duo of Joy Williams and John Paul White are getting Grammy nominations and selling out venues across the country. Of course I love their break out hit “Barton Hallow”, but songs like “Poison and Wine” really showcase how something so simple can be so powerful in its quite beauty.

~ Kristen

 

Kristen’s ’11 Mix – Track 16 – Keaton Simons

Posted on by Kristen

16. “Beautiful Pain” – Keaton Simons

 

There are quite a few songs that impacted me this year that aren’t on the list simply because they haven’t been released. I was very excited when Keaton Simons leaked a few of his newer songs in honor of Hotel Carolina, including my favorite, “Beautiful Pain”. I had several meetings with Keaton over the year, but the one that is most memorable (perhaps because it was most recent) was at The Hotel Café Christmas show. This evening ties with the evening of the Pepper’s Ghost show as the best musical event of my year. It was so full of amazing artists (Cary Brothers, Butch Walker, Joe Purdy, Chris Pierce), new discovers (Sweet Talk Radio, Javier Dunn) and surprise guests (Joey Ryan, Sara Barellies, Pink!!), by the end I was overwhelmed to tears. When Keaton came out, he played this song. It was a perfect moment.

~ Kristen

Kristen’s ’11 Mix – Track 15 – Semi Precious Weapons

Posted on by Kristen

15. “Semi Precious Weapons” – Semi Precious Weapons

 

In 2011, Semi Precious Weapons moved to LA. Their weekly Empire parties at On the Rox were a huge part of my year. Every Wednesday night for months, I stayed up late to get molested by burlesque girls, party with fashionistas and rockstars, and rock out with friends as we were treated to debuts of songs potentially on the next Semi Precious Weapons album. I wish the album had come out this year so I could share with you some of their amazing new tunes, but we will have to settle for a classic SPW song that rings particularly true to me. These rockers may epitomize dirty glam, but they are also really nice guys. I started running into them at their shows, out on The Strip, at Duke’s, etc. and they are now part of my family here in LA.

a few pictures from Empire parties:

 

~ Kristen

 

Kristen’s ’11 Mix – Track 14 – Plan B

Posted on by Kristen

14. “Stay Too Long” – Plan B

 

There is so much I love about Plan B’s album The Defamation of Strickland Banks. It’s one of those albums that should be listened to in its entirety from front to back. That’s the best way to get the complete story of a man who is wrongfully incarcerated. Plan B is UK born Ben Drew who uses not just his vocal abilities, but his skills as an artist and director to make Strickland Banks come to life in a series of songs and music videos. Known more for his rapping, I love how this album showcases his soulful singing voice. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to make the shows Plan B did in LA this year. But I keep coming back to this CD, and I think “Stay Too Long” does a great job showcasing the range on the album, so here it is!

~ Kristen

Amanda’s SD Concert Calendar 1/2-1/8

Posted on by Amanda

Happy New Years!! It’s a brand spanking new year full of promises, hopes, dreams, and of course shows! I hop everyone had a lovely New Years Eve. Mine was glorious and probably the best dang New Years Even I’ve ever had. I’m still recovering from the lack of sleep but that doesn’t mean I can’t be productive (and get out to see some shows)!

 

Monday: Erik Spencer @ Ruby Room @8

Tuesday: Be productive!

Wednesday: Olin and The Moon, Maxim Ludwig and The Santa Fe Seven, Jesse LaMonaca and The Dime Novels @ Casbah @9 $8
AND: Ninja Love @ Soda Bar @830 $5
AND: Chad Taggart and Jessica Hull @ Lestats @8

Thursday: The Henry Clay People, The Bloody Hollies, The New Kinetics @ Casbah @9 $8
AND: The Spells, Family Wagon, and Tall Ships @ Belly Up @8 $9

Friday: The Nervous Wreckords, Blackout Party, Grand Tarantula, and The Heavy Guilt @ Casbah $8/$10
AND: Heavy Hawaii @ Soda Bar @9 $5
AND: Chris Carpenter and Folding Mr. Lincoln @ Lestats @8

Saturday: A Scribe Amidst the Lions and The Flowerthief @ Casbah $8/$10

Sunday: Little Lo @ Soda Bar @830 $5

 

Keep in Mind:

January 10th- Mattson 2 @ El Dorado
January 11th- Milk Carton Kids @ Anthology
January 12th- Zane Carney @ Lestats @8 $10
January 12th- Sister Hazel @ Belly Up @9 $18
January 13th- Fierce Creatures @ Tin Can Alehouse @930
January 13th- Everest and Midnight Rivals @ Casbah $13/$15
January 15th- Transfer, The Silent Comedy and Hyena @ Casbah @9 $15
January 16th- The Silent Comedy, Transfer, and Dead Feather Moon @ Casbah @9 $15
January 18th- Olin and the Moon @ The Casbah @9 $8
January 20th- Dashboard Confessional @ House of Blues
January 22nd- Wilco and With Denim @ House of Blues
January 26th- Nico Vega and The Filthy Violets @ Casbah @9 $8/$10
January 27th- Jesse LaMonaca & The Dime Novels, and Family Wagon @ Casbah @9
February 2nd- The Burning of Rome @ Soda Bar
February 3rd- Mute Math @ 4th & B
February 4th- Where’s the Band Tour @ House of Blues
February 7th- Dr. Dog w/Purling Hiss @Belly Up @9 $18/$20
February 10th- Young the Giant @ Soma
February 11th- You Me At Six @ Soma @6 $12
February 19th- Craig Finn @ Casbah @9 $12
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 25h- Mat Kearney @ House of Blues
February 26th- Cursive @ Casbah @9
February 29th- Red Hot Chili Peppers @ Valley View Casino Center
March 3rd- Jackie Greene @ Belly Up @9
March 6th- Flogging Molly @ House of Blues
March 8th- William Fitzsimmons @ Anthology @7
March 9th- The Stone Foxes @ Casbah @9
March 21st- Cults @ Belly Up @9
April 15th- Rise Against @ Viejas Arena