Amanda’s Top 10 Discoveries of ’10- Part 1

Posted on by Amanda

It’s now 2011. Which means, it’s time to reflect on all the things that happened in 2010 and all the things we want to accomplish in 2011. I for one, had a wonderful time discovering and rediscovering music that I love. This particular post is part one of a list I made of my top 10 favorite musical discoveries of 2010!

10. Assemble the Skyline-

Here’s the thing about Assemble the Skyline… they picked up Kristen and I on the Sunset Strip after a Scarlet Grey show. Normally, I don’t pay much mind to bands throwing cds at me but they did more than just plug the show and give us a free cd. They took the time to engage us about our night and were so darn adorable that it was hard for us to walk away. Once we played their song and heard the phrase, “you’re such a bitch and it thrills me” we were definitely curious and decided to go to the show.

While they aren’t the typical kind of music I like, they are so fun to see that its hard not to make space in your heart for them. Actually, they are a band that would be fantastic on Warped Tour. I’d love to see that and I will keep enjoying my guilty pleasure band.

9. The Howls-

I first saw The Howls open for my favorite San Diego band, The Silent Comedy. I wasn’t really sure what to think at first but I was intrigued. The more I’ve seen them play, the better they seem to get. They are currently in the middle of recording a new record but I can’t wait to hear what they come up with. You can download some tunes like the one below for free at their website. Do it!

The Howls- Revival

8. Mumford and Sons-

If you aren’t familiar with Mumford and Sons, you must be living under a rock. It’s ok though. There is still time to discover how amazing they are. Mumford hails from West London and “have shared a common purpose: to make music that matters, without taking themselves too seriously.” I never thought I would be afforded the opportunity to see them as they sell out venues so fast. However, I got lucky when aforementioned band, The Silent Comedy, opened for them at The Belly Up! I wasn’t overly familiar with their music but fell head over heels for them. When I was able to see them once again in LA, my love was cemented.

7. Landon Pigg-

Landon brings back such great memories! I was familiar with him insofar as I knew his song from the mobile carrier commercials but I wasn’t really familiar with his music as a whole. Kristen on the other hand, was familiar and one day, saw a post about his upcoming west coast tour and a need for fans to merch. Kristen, knowing my deep seeded desire to merch for bands and hit the road told me about this wonderful opportunity. I replied to the request and we were able to work the show in San Juan Capistrano! The venue was great, the music was great, and the people were awesome. We made some serious buck for Landon and we hope to do it again soon.

By the way, this video totally melts me.

6. Fierce Creatures

Fierce Creatures came out of nowhere and hit me upside the head like a bag of bricks when I saw them (in the best way possible). You can check out a previous post I did on them here but I have to say, I was not prepared at all for their hurricane-like force. There was this crazy supernatural energy they emitted. Maybe it was all the banging on cans or the dancing in the crowd but I’m seriously hooked. They lived up to all the hype I heard and while I’m bummed they are up north, I can’t wait to see them play again!

Stay tuned for my top 5 discoveries!

Amanda’s SD Show Calendar 1/10-16

Posted on by Amanda

Is it Monday already? When did that happen? I guess time blends when you go up to LA for a show and come back down to SD and go to another show. As long as fun times were had (which they were) that’s all that really matters.

Happy show going!

Monday: Recover from your weekend 🙂

Tuesday: 30 Seconds to Mars @ House of Blues San Diego
AND: Everest @ The Belly Up @ 8 $6

Wednesday: 30 Seconds to Mars @ House of Blues San Diego

Thursday: Johnny Swim @ Lestats @9

Friday: Blackout Party and Brothers Grimm @ The Casbah $15 (sold out)
AND: Get Back Loretta @ Soma
AND: Miss Erika Davies @ Whistlestop Bard

Saturday: Josiah Leming @ Lestats @9

Sunday: Trevor Davis @ Lestats@9

Keep in Mind:

January 18th- The Album Leaf and Little White Teeth @ Casbah $17 adv $20 day of
January 19th- White Apple Tree @ The Casbah @9 $7
January 19th- Buckcherry @ 4th & B
January 20th- Nervous Wreckords @ Bar Eleven
January 21st- Transfer and New Mexico @ The Casbah $14 adv/$15 day of
January 21st- Wavves and Best Coast @ Soma
January 22nd- Dashboard Confessional @ House of Blues $22.50
January 24th- Dynamite Walls @ The Casbah @9 $8 adv/$10 day of
January 29th- Crocodiles @ The Casbah @10 $10
January 29th- Underoath, A Skylit Drive, Animals as Leaders @ Soma @7 $20
February 2nd- Interpol @ RIMAC Arena @8 $31.50
February 6th- The Silent Comedy and Ryan Bingham & The Dead Horses @ 730 $20
February 12th- The Pretty Reckless @ Soma @7 $12
February 13th- The Decemberists @730 $30 adv/$32.50 day of
February 20th- Linkin Park @ Viejas Arena

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 1/10-1/16

Posted on by Kristen

About to head out to The Roxy to check out the very first performance of Bonnie Dune. I feel that Seth Roberts (Lakes) can do no wrong, so I’m fairly confident I’m in for a treat. But after two straight nights of amazing shows (Scarlet Grey and Parade of Lights), we’ll see if this new band can impress.

And it’s just the first day of a week’s worth of great shows. Here’s what’s on my list this week: 

Monday: Cannoneers of the New Command, Sabrosa Purr and Moving Picture Show FREE at The Echo (9pm) 
ALSO: Kinch and Endless Hallway FREE at Silverlake Lounge (10,11) 
ALSO: Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 (9pm) 
ALSO: It’s a School Night at Bardot featuring The Civil Wars and White Sea (10:30)
ALSO: Jenni Alpert at The Hotel Cafe (9pm) 

Tuesday: Beachwood Rockers Society at The Piano Bar featuring David Green at 10pm
ALSO: Olin and The Moon FREE at The Echo (10pm) 

Weds: Anna Nalick at The Hotel Cafe (9pm) 

Thursday: Roses Pawn Shop at The Echo (9pm) 
ALSO: Los Angeles Philharmonic at Walt Disney Concert Hall (8pm) 

Friday: Love and a .38 and Run Devil Run at The Roxy (8:30)
ALSO: Toad the Wet Sprocket at The Key Club (10:30)
ALSO: Lindsey Ray and Taylor Locke and the Roughs at Saint Rocke (8:45, 11) 
ALSO: Maxim Ludwig & the Sante Fe Seven at The Hotel Cafe (10pm)
ALSO: Los Angeles Philharmonic at Walt Disney Concert Hall (11am) 

Saturday: Jonathan Tyler and the Northern Lights at The Viper Room (10pm)
ALSO: Tyler Hilton and So & So at The Hotel Cafe (9,10)
ALSO: George Stanford and Lissie at The Music Box (8pm)
ALSO: Bad Books (featuring Kevin Devine and Manchester Orchestra) at The Troubadour (10:15)
ALSO: Los Angeles Philharmonic at Walt Disney Concert Hall (8pm) 
ALSO: Andrew Bird at Largo (8:30) 

Sunday: Andrew Bird at Largo (8:30)

To Keep in Mind:
January 18th: Queen Caveat at The Viper Room
January 20th: Nikka Costa at The Roxy
January 22nd: Guster at The Music Box  
Jan. 28th: Nico Vega at Saint Rocke
January 28th: Free Energy at The Roxy 
January 29th: Charlotte Martin at Bootleg 
Feb 1st: Patrick Park at The Hotel Café  
Feb 5th: The Silent Comedy at El Rey
Feb 9th: Sarah McLaughlin at Nokia Live
Feb 9th: Tina Dico at The Troubadour
Feb 16th: Nicole Atkins at The Troubadour
Feb 26th: Josh Ritter and Scott Hutchinson (Frightened Rabbit) at The Music Box
March 1st: Biffy Clyro at The Troubadour
March 3rd: Civil Twilight at The Troubadour 

~ Kristen

Kristen’s ’10 Mix – BONUS track – Jay Nash

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Bonus: “Golden State Goodnight” – Jay Nash

Jay Nash has been an LA staple in the singer-songwriter scene for awhile now. He is a brilliant musician and the inspiration behind my favorite Monday night activity, Songwriters in the Round at Room 5. This year, Jay and his wife decided to move back to Vermont. I was at Room 5 one Monday evening and Jay was in the audience. It was his last trip to Room 5 as an LA resident. He was prompted to get on stage and he played this song he wrote in tribute to his time in CA and his bittersweet departure. The room was  definitely a bit teary-eyed after this performance. A night to remember for sure.

http://www.jaynash.com/

~ Kristen

track 19: The Silent Comedy

Kristen’s ’10 Mix – Track 18 – The Silent Comedy

Posted on by Kristen

18. “Footnotes” – The Silent Comedy

The Silent Comedy released their full length CD, Common Faults, this year. The song “Footnotes” was an unexpected, yet pleasant surprise and  although not often played at live shows, it has quickly become one of my fave TSC tunes. Also, this particular song played a role in one of the highlights of my year: singing on stage with one of my very favorite bands and with some of my favorite people. This band has come to mean to me more than most. Although based in San Diego, this year I attended more of their shows than any other band. In fact, I have developed an  entire family/gang based around this band and the joy that they bring to us each time they play.

http://thesilentcomedy.com/

some pictures from The Silent Comedy On The Rox:

~ Kristen

track 17: Pawnshop Roses
Bonus track: Jay Nash

Kristen’s ’10 Mix – Track 17 – Pawnshop Roses

Posted on by Kristen

17. “Fault Lines” – Pawnshop Roses

Another fave band from back east, Pawnshop Roses is now the final band remaining of my original triumvirate of favorite, life-altering bands (Pepper’s Ghost, Jealousy Curve, Pawnshop Roses). Their new, highly anticipated CD, Solid Gold, was finally released at the end of the year. The whole EP is fantastic but “Fault Lines” has been one of the tracks I was most looking forward to…and here it is! *squeals of excitement*

 http://pawnshoproses.com/

~ Kristen

Kristen’s ’10 Mix – Track 16 – Lakes

Posted on by Kristen

16. “Back In Your Head” – Lakes

I fell in love with so many new bands this year, it was hard to choose which ones would get slots on this mix. Lakes won out for several reasons. 1) I fell in love with them recently (first introduced to them in September) so this is a fresh love. 2) We interviewed the band and discovered that not only do they make beautiful music, but they are beautiful people. 3) most influentially, I saw them do an impromptu street performance for some fans that weren’t able to get into their show. One of the highlights of my year.

http://lakesband.com/

click here to see said street performance

~ Kristen

track 15: Egyptian
track 17: Pawnshop Roses