Queen Caveat at The Viper Room 11/16/10

Posted on by Kristen

This week has definitely been a good week for music. One of my favorite shows was Queen Caveat at The Viper Room.  Tuesday night, after catching The Lonely Forest at Spaceland, I sprinted to the Viper Room to see one of my very fave LA bands, Queen Caveat. I got to the venue in time to see the last 2-3 songs of Har Mar Superstar. For those of you who know nothing of Har Mar Superstar, I’d highly recommend you check the spectacle out. As for my thoughts…well I’m still processing. I’m not fully sure I’ve registered all that I saw up there on that stage.

But most of that was forgotten as soon as the Queen Caveat set began. It only took the first few notes of “In My Bed” to have me whisked away to that happy place I tend to find myself in when listening to my favorite music performed live. I stayed in said happy place for the remainder of the set, which included several of my fave QC songs including a newer song called “Bullet” that I’ve had in my head ever since it was performed at Nico Vega’s Witch Hunt. They also brought the house down with a brilliant cover of Rage Against the Machine’s “Killing in the Name” which you really just have to see.

The night ended, as they so often do, standing around outside The Viper Room. I managed to snag a Queen Caveat set list and got the band to sign it so that one day I’ll be able to say “I knew them when”.

If you want to get to know them too, as you should, check out their EP “Emptor” on ITunes and keep up with my concert calendar as I try not to miss a Queen Caveat show.

~ Kristen

as for a clip from the Har Mar Superstar set that night…before the pants came off…

SXSW Submissions Wanted!!

Posted on by Amanda

So our lovely friend Jennifer over at ATN Management is in the process of selecting bands for her showcase at SXSW. Rumor has it she will feature 60 bands on her stage. Past acts include Anberlin, Iglu & Hartly, Lady Danville, Crash Kings, The Rescues, Val Emmich, and (LMN fav) After Midnight Project!! Crazy awesome right?! The best part though is that ATN is partnered with Invisible Children and MTV too!

Click the image below to submit yourself for her showcase!! See you at SXSW 😉

Listen to This! Inspired Flight

Posted on by Kristen

With descriptors such as “hip hop”, “electronica”, and “indie rock” I wasn’t overly excited about checking out SD based Inspired Flight…not my usual vein of music. However, a friend of mine suggested I “like” this group on facebook and I finally got around to checking them out (I’m not one to overlook enthusiastic band suggestions). Turns out Inspired Flight is one of the most original, yet compelling groups I’ve heard in awhile!

 I was drawn in by their free download of “Wonderwall.”  It all spiraled from there. I listened to their songs online, downloaded their recently released CD, We All Want to Fly, looked into their show calendar (they are coming to The Music Box next Friday, Nov. 26th), and now, I share my new interest with you! 

I’m finding it difficult to describe this band, so I’ll let the first paragraph of their bio do it for me:

“Rooted in hip-hop with branches of indie rock, electronica, downtempo, dub, and dance, Inspired Flight gives life to a hypnotizing and influential new musical experience that listeners are finding refreshing and authentic.  iF’s use of turntablism and sampling along with live instrumentation and vocals, all centered around innovative songwriting, has given birth to an independently-released debut album featuring high-profile MC’s and sparking global attention, and a live show that has compelled audience members to scream, “Where have you been all my life!?””

Sounds good, no?

Let’s check it out!

~ Kristen 

p.s. how cute is that iF robot? 🙂

The Lonely Forest at Spaceland

Posted on by Kristen

If you recall The Lonely Forest made my SXSW ’10 mix. Tuesday night, however, marked the first time I had the opportunity to see them perform. I must say, I loved them before based solely on their tune “We Sing in Time.” But now, they are verging on new favorite band territory. Their live show was an unexpectedly rockin’ treat full of energy and even more songs that are going straight on my monthly music mix. The Lonely Forest hails from Anacortes, Washington. According to their song “I Don’t Want to Live There,” they won’t be moving to LA anytime soon, but they say they’ll be back come February.  In preparation for their return, I’ll be listening to The Lonely Forest EP on repeat. You should check it out!

~ Kristen

Amanda’s SD Show Calendar 11/16-11/21

Posted on by Amanda

My deepest apologies for not having this up yesterday. My weekend (including yesterday) was spent in a zombie-like state. I didn’t even open up a computer till today (after having last been on Friday night). Needless to say, I’ve beaten the zombie affliction and am back and ready to dose out your week of shows.

Tuesday: Mayday Parade @ House of Blues SD @6 $17.50

Wednesday: Pomegranates @ The Casbah @ 9 $8 adv/$10 day of

Thursday: Echo Revolution and Wendy Bailey @ Bar Eleven @9
AND: Val Emmich @ Lestats @9 $?
AND: Get Back Loretta @ The Casbah @10 $8

Friday: Bedford Grove @ Anthology @930 $12
AND: Eisley @ Soma $15 adv @7
AND: Flexx Bronco and Superbees @ Bar Pink @10 $Free
AND: Cotton Fever @ Lestats @9 $?

Saturday: The Silent Comedy and The Howls @ Mossy Scion @5 $-3 cans of food
AND: The Makepeace Brothers @ Lestats @9 $?
AND: Transfer, Republic of Letters and Dead Feather Moon @ Soundwave @8 $13
AND: Cartel, Hey Monday, and The Ready Set @ Epicentre @6 $15
AND: New Mexico EP Release @ Tin Can Alehouse @930 $5
AND: Unwritten Law @ House of Blues SD @730 $17.50 adv/$22.50 day of

Sunday: Endoxi, Citizen Band, Nova, Great White Buffalo + many many others @ House of Blues SD @6 $5 (or if you hit up Endoxi, you can score some free tix but only while supplies last!)
AND: Clinic @ The Casbah @9 $15 adv/$17 day of
AND: Lelia Broussard @ Lestats @9 $?

Keep in Mind:

November 22nd- The Sadies and The Loons @ The Casbah @9 $10 adv/$12 day of
November 24th- Cash’d Out, Ryan Blue and Centerlight Pop @ The Casbah @9 $15
November 26th- Steve Poltz @ Anthology @730/930 $22
November 26th- Trans-Siberian Orchestra @ Sports Arena @3 & 8
November 27th- Trevor Davis @ Anthology @930 $12
December 2nd-The Dead Kennedys- House of Blues San Diego
December 5th- Passion Pit @ Soma
December 6th- Dead Feather Moon @ The Casbah @9 $6
December 10th-  Delta Spirit @ House of Blues San Diego
December 11th- FM 94.9 Holiday Hootenanny w/Black Keys, Against Me!, The Temper Trap, Sleigh Bells, and Tokyo Police Club @ Rimac Arena $40
December 15th- Wrex the Halls w/Smashing Pumpkins, My Chemical Romance, Bad Religion, Jimmy Eat World, Anberlin, Switchfoot, A Day to Remember @ Viejas Arena $36-$63
December 15th- Billy Idol @ House of Blues SD @8 $Prices Vary
December 19th- Sophie@103.7 Holiday of Miracles – A Benefit for Rady Children’s presented by Cox Communications feat. Lifehouse with Christina Perri @ House of Blues $32 or $50 adv/$32.50 or $52.50 day of

New Band Love: Lakes

Posted on by Kristen

It’s official. I am in love. I’ve only seen Lakes twice now, but they’ve managed to carve out a little place in my heart. What did it? Well, they have great tunes, the kind of energy on stage that will cross a room and lift you up off your chair, and a spirit that just seems to radiate joy and warmth. They are the kind of band you not only want to listen to, but just want to hang around.

What really cemented LAKES’ status as my new band love, however, was the impromptu mini set the band played outside before the show Weds night for some fans that couldn’t get into On the Rox. We were walking towards the venue and heard some music coming from a small circle that had gathered on the street. I saw an accordion rise above the heads and I knew who we’d find at the center of the gathering.

LAKES put on an amazing set later that night, but it was the tunes played out on the street, so raw and inspired, that were really the highlight of my evening…along with the prayer we all gathered to send up before the show that put the joy back in my heart and reminded me why I go out of my way to discover (and pass on to you) such musical treasures.

Definitely check out LAKES and their CD, The Agreement. And keep an eye on my calendar for upcoming shows!

 http://www.lakesband.com/

ALSO, the band just released this video for one of my fave Lake’s songs “Back in Your Head”

Listen and Love!

~ Kristen

New Band Alert!: Empires

Posted on by Kristen

Empires may very well be  my new favorite local Chicago band. They opened for Biffy Clyro at The Bootleg and I’ve been listening to their CD, Bang, on repeat since I saw them. Right now, in preparation for the release of their new music video, they are giving away a free download of one of their songs. I’d highly recommend going to their site and checking it out…http://www.weareempires.com/

~ Kristen