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

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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

[youtube qHTYBI6iFGg]

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

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18. “Footnotes” – The Silent Comedy

[youtube V0KzUmVMvdI]

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

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17. “Fault Lines” – Pawnshop Roses

[youtube Ln6rC9aP59c]

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

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16. “Back In Your Head” – Lakes

[youtube ET5Vmb7eAbY]

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

Pepper’s Ghost Countdown: 2 Weeks!

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I’m beginning to hyperventilate the event I’ve been anticipating for months now is only two weeks away. Pepper’s Ghost playing The Grape Room in Philadelphia. Janurary 22nd.

Here is one of my favorite Pepper’s Ghost songs. It was never released. It probably won’t be played on the 22nd as Dave Hartley won’t be there…but this is one of the most beautiful songs ever written and performed(in my opinion), so I will share it. It moves me every time I hear it.

[youtube Kxh0qtI3Te4]

~ Kristen

Kristen’s ’10 Mix – Track 15 – Egyptian

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15. “Colorblind” – Egyptian

check out the song (and others) here…

Lots of exciting things happened in the Nico Vega universe this year. I had the crazy amazing opportunity to be an extra in Nico Vega’s  music video for “Gravity”, their Halloween show “Witch Hunt” included the most dramatic opening for “Beast” ever seen, and they started releasing new music (well, covers of old music, but still). The lead singer of Nico Vega, Aja Volkman, started a side project this year with the singer of Imagine Dragons, Dan Reynolds. They call themselves Egyptian. They are also fantastic. I immediately fell in love with them and especially their song “Colorblind”

Instead of burdening you with my hundreds of Nico Vega pictures, I’ll just entertain you with some Egyptian videos…let the extreme cuteness unfold…

[youtube zR6afyrXSDI]

[youtube -vYu7C_dN4M]

[youtube DDuijmStrE0]

~ Kristen

track 14: The Academy Is…
track 16: Lakes