Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 11/15-11/21

Posted on by Kristen

Just got done grading a seemingly infinite number of exams…plus a few quizzes. Aside from two musical interludes, that’s all I’ve been up to all weekend. As for the interludes, tonight was The Elizabeth Kill at The Mint and Saturday was Philadelphia goes LA, hanging out with other Philly area natives and checking out some bands with Philly roots (Terrible Things at The El Rey and The Shakers at The Cat Club). All in all, I just can’t believe the weekend is coming to a close!

But as one week ends, another begins. And what a fantastic line-up of shows this week. Greatness, in the form of SD band The Silent Comedy, returns to LA this week Thursday at The Echo. I’m also really excited about The Lonely Forrest, a band that made my SXSW ’10 mix but that I’ve never seen. Plus Queen Caveat, Fitz and the Tantrums, Freelance Whales, Dynamite Walls…I’m exhausted already! Some tough choices will have to be made this week.

Maybe you can help. Here’s what I’m contemplating…

Monday: Chasing Kings FREE at The Silverlake Lounge (11pm)
ALSO: Paris Carney and Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 (8,9) 

Tuesday: The Lonely Forest at Spaceland (8:30)
ALSO: Queen Caveat at The Viper Room (11:15)
ALSO: Val Emmich at The Hotel Café(8pm) 

Weds: AWOLNATION and Fitz and The Tantrums at The El Rey (8pm)
ALSO: Mayday Parade at The House of Blues Sunset (10pm)           
ALSO: Tyler Hilton at The Roxy (10pm)
ALSO: Kate Miller Heidke and Terra Naomi at The Hotel Cafe (7,8)
ALSO: Natasha Bedingfield at The Troubadour (7pm) 

Thursday: The Silent Comedy at The Echo (8:30)
ALSO: Miniature Tigers and Freelance Whales at The Troubadour (9,10)
ALSO: Jack’s Mannequin/Something Corporate and Matt Nathanson at The El Rey (7pm)
ALSO: Joshua Radin at The Music Box (10pm) 

Friday: Dynamite Walls at The Viper Room (11pm)
ALSO: Chris Pierce at The Hotel Cafe (11pm)
ALSO: Avi Buffalo at The Echo (10pm) 

Saturday: Lelia Broussard RECORD RELEASE at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)
ALSO: Teddy Geiger at Spaceland (10pm)
ALSO: Abbot Kinney at The Mint (9pm) 

Sunday: Dar Williams at The Hotel Cafe (8pm)
ALSO: Eisley at The El Rey (10pm) 

To Keep in Mind: 
November 21st and 22nd: Dar Williams at The Hotel Café
December 1st: Eve 6 at The Troubadour
December 2nd: Scarlet Grey at The Troubadour
December 4th: Joe Firstman at Saint Rocke
December 11th: The Black Crowes and Truth & Salvage Co. at Hollywood Palladium
January 22nd: Guster at The Music Box 

~ Kristen

Truth & Salvage Co. Has a New Video!

Posted on by Kristen

Truth & Salvage Co. is one of my fave LA-based bands…although they’ve been on the road more in this last year or so then they’ve been home. Their new video for “Pure Mountain Angel” reflects this time they’ve spent journeying around the country and the world. This is one of my very favorite songs to see/hear performed live…from any band. If you haven’t been to a T&S Co. show, I will tell you it is an unforgettable experience. Just wait ’til the very end when they play this song and the whole room is filled with people chanting the chorus…the perfect release after their typically high energy, dance-party inducing, soul-stirring sets.

Enjoy!

~ Kristen

Fierce Creatures

Posted on by Amanda

I’m not sure how many of you have heard of this little band from Fresno called Fierce Creatures but I remember the moment I first heard about them…

I was on Facebook one night (being bored or something) and watching as it went from all’s quiet to a flurry of status updates from members of The Silent Comedy exclaiming how amazing this band Fierce Creatures was. I was intrigued but it was time for bed, I would have to investigate the next morning. I awoke to a “like suggestion” on Facebook for the band from Tim. I knew this band had gotten to the guys in a good way and that I must check them out.

The following morning I listened to their single “Satan is a Vampire” while I was in the midst of doing 50 million other things. I enjoyed the song but I was soon lost in other work and Fierce Creatures had turned to an after thought. I kept hearing how awesome Fierce Creatures was but thought I wouldn’t get the opportunity to see them for awhile. They are from Fresno after all.

Well, it turns out the guys from The Silent Comedy picked up Fierce Creatures to do a little West Coast Tour. I was lucky enough to snag a copy of their ep I Mostri Feroci and I can honestly say that I’m looking forward to their set tonight in San Diego. Check them out on Myspace!

Also, here is a FREE DOWNLOAD of Satan Is a Vampire courtesy of the band!

Song in My Head: “Lost and Found”

Posted on by Kristen

“sleeping with the television and all the lights on. One of us is leaving soon, but we’re both already gone…”

“Lost and Found” by Adrienne Pierce is on one of my very favorite soundtracks from the TV show Veronica Mars. The song randomly came up on my IPod the other day and ever since it has been making regular appearances on that soundtrack in my head that plays when all else is quite. This morning, I literally got out of bed singing it…took me a minute to figure out what I was singing, but when I did, I felt inspired to share.

Turns out Adrienne, a Vancouver native, has released a new CD this year entitled Oh Deer. The cover art alone makes me want to go out and get a copy. Which I should be able to do Monday November 22nd at Genghis Cohen where Adrienne will play at 9pm!

Excellent!

~ Kristen

Allen Stone and Lenka at The Hotel Cafe

Posted on by Kristen

Taking a wee break from grading exams, I ventured to The Hotel Cafe to check out Allen Stone. This guy has quite the impressive voice, teeming with a lot more soul than expected from a guy from Seattle.  It was the perfect hand clapping, head bobbing, feeting tapping time and I will definately keep Allen on my list of artists to go see…I’d suggest you do the same!

For a taste, check out some songs on his myspace (including a terrific cover of “Bare Necessities”)

Here’s an amusing video of the song he ended his set with

Also playing at The Hotel Cafe was Lenka. If you don’t know the name, I’m sure you’d recognize a song or two. The Austrialian artist has an array of catchy tunes that become even cuter as she performs them on a stage with her band in front of colorful cardboard shapes. I really like some of her new tunes and am looking forward to her forthcoming album…but the hightlight of her set for me was when she brought out a trumpet and, along with another member of the band, engaged in some lovely harmonizing trumpet action.

Can’t find any videos of new tunes, but here’s an old one you may recognize…

~ Kristen