The Rescues: Let Loose the Horses

Posted on by Kristen

New Music from The Rescues out today! Their new CD Let Loose the Horses was just released. In celebration ITunes is giving away their first single “Break Me Out”. This is not the first version I’ve heard of this song. I’ve actually been following The Rescues for about as long as I’ve been living in Los Angeles. This song is included in two different forms on their first CD, Crazy Ever After, but that was before the trio of Gabriel Mann, Kyler England, and Adrianne Gonzalez added Rob Giles and became a quartet.

I first saw the original trio play at The Hotel Cafe…the same night as Meiko and The Kin (it was a great evening of music). I was instantly attracted to their amazing harmonies. The more I saw the band play, the more I enjoyed them. I had also seen Rob Giles open for Carney a couple of times at Molly Malone’s and when I heard he was joining the band, I couldn’t have been more excited. What I love most about this quartet is not just their harmonies, but how they can meld four very different styles of music into a singular group. Going to see The Rescues live, there is definitely something in it for everyone.

I was disappointed for awhile when going to see them as they stopped playing many of my old favorite tunes (especially “Matter of Time” and “California Rain”). However, I eventually became equally addicted to their newer material with songs like “Can’t Stand the Rain” and “Let Loose the Horses” as particular stand outs in the live performance.  I am very excited to finally have these and their other new tunes to listen to.

If you want to give The Rescues a test spin before going out to buy the album, their CD Release party is this Friday at The Troubadour. If you live too far away, check out their free single “Break Me Out” on Itunes and watch the video below of The Rescues singing “Let Loose the Horses” at the Kelly Buchanan Benefit (you can even see me in a few shots..ha!).

Also, go check out their first CD, Crazy Ever After…it’s one of my faves…

~ Kristen

Watch this: the importance of the venue in the evolution of music

Posted on by Kristen

For me, the venue has always been a critical component of the concert experience. Below is a fascinating talk that David Byrne gave about evolution of music in the context of the venue. From grand cathedrals of Mozart and Beethoven to the perfect venue for today’s pop music: the car (!), Bryrne takes a brief romp through the history of music suggesting that the evolution of music itself has been greatly influenced by the venue in which the music can be best enjoyed.

So following the logic of this video, what do you think this says about the future of music? If more and more music is being created and produced in the home and enjoyed via internet videos, how does that change the sound of emerging indie bands? Does this explain the re-emergence of the synthesizer?  Does that thing actually sound good when played in your mother’s living room? ‘Cause, honestly, I’m not really enjoying it when pumped through the sound systems of the venues I frequent.

And what about the increasing use of technology to morph an organic sound into something more radio friendly?  Is there a point at which music created can’t be preformed live? Will the only venue be mp3s pumped through the car stereo or these large amphitheaters in which the music itself is only a portion, sometimes a small one, of the entire performance.

ahhh…sorry, these are just some of the thoughts that begin creeping into my mind when I haven’t been out to see a show in several days. Following Bryne’s theory is really just a great argument to keep doing what we music lovers do; go out and support our local clubs and musicians, see the bands we love every time they come to town, and continue to spread the word and the music no matter how it evolves. As Bryne indicates, even as the context (ie the venues) change, what is most important is that the joy is still there. As long as we are still human and in need of some joy, there will be music…so it’s all good really…

~ Kristen

p.s. if anyone is looking for a good thesis project to do, this is an amazing jumping off point. What I’d really like to hear more about  is how the “venue” of different cultures helps to shape that culture’s music. Excellent topic right? Can someone get on this…please…get back to me…

Kristen’s Concert Calendar: 6/21-6/27

Posted on by Kristen

So, I finally get to the point when I can actually take more nights off and have my weekends back and I was so excited about the prospect of being able to catch more of the shows I long to see every week and then…I go and get myself sick. Bleck! But just because I’ll probably have to take it easy this week doesn’t mean that you can’t benefit from all the great shows going on.

Here’s my dream list:

Monday: Carney at the Troubadour opening for Athlete (9pm)
ALSO: Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 (9pm)
ALSO: Abbot Kinney at Molly Malone’s (8pm) 

Tuesday: Adam Arcuragi at Silverlake Lounge (10pm)…PHILLY artist alert!!
ALSO: Automatique and The Shakers at Whiskey a Go Go (9pm)
ALSO: The Open Sea featuring Ari Hest at Room 5 (7pm) 

Weds: Abandoned Pools and Ashes Divide at The Viper Room (10,11)
ALSO: Lucy Woodward at The Hotel Cafe (10:30)…record release
ALSO: Josh Ritter at The Music Box (8pm)
ALSO: Hot Hot Heat and Links at Bootleg (8:30) 

Thursday: Kate Miller-Heidke at The Hotel Cafe (9:30)  
ALSO: Jonathan Clark at House of Blues acoustic lounge (9:30)
ALSO: Rick Cornette at Cafe Was (??)…plays keys for The Other Side of Morning…also has a solo project. Curious? So am I!
ALSO: Fitz and the Tantrums at Spaceland (10pm) 

Friday: The Rescues at The Troubadour (9pm)…Record Release show
ALSO: Andy Clockwise at The Hotel Cafe (10:30) 

Saturday: The Silent Comedy and Jonathan Foreman (of Switchfoot) at the BellyUp in Solano Beach

Sunday: The Webb Sisters at The Hotel Cafe (8:30)
ALSO: The Shakers at O’Brien’s (10pm)
ALSO: Austin Hartley Leonard at The Foundry on Melrose
ALSO: Warped Tour in Ventura 

To Keep in Mind:
July 7th: Carbon Leaf at The Troubadour
July 8th: Michelle Branch at Greek Theater
July 10th: Lilith Fair
July 13th: The Silent Comedy and Andy Clockwise at The Troubadour
July 14th: Nico Vega at The Troubadour
July 18th: The Swell Season and Bird and the Bee at Hollywood Bowl
July 30-31st: Morcheeba at Hollywood Bowl
August 12th: Semi Precious Weapons at Staples Center (with Lady GaGa)
August 21st and 22nd: Sunset Junction
September 25th: Band of Horses at Greek Theater
September 25th: Muse at Staples Center

~ Kristen

Amanda’s Show Calendar 6/21-6/27

Posted on by Amanda

I don’t know about you but I had a fabulous week full of shows and all around fun. I hope you all enjoyed our segments on The Other Side of Morning! I know Kristen and I would love to get our hands dirty and do it again.

We have some some excellent shows to look forward to this week. Check them out!

Monday: Halcyonaire @ The Tin Can Alehouse $5
AND: Metrofique @ Soda Bar $5 @9

Tuesday: Josh Ritter @ Belly Up @8 $15 adv/$17 day of
AND: Gayle Skidmore @ The Casbah @9 $7

Wednesday: Gayle Skidmore @ Soda Bar @9  $5
AND: She Wants Revenge @ The Belly Up (Sold Out but you might get lucky!) @9

Thursday: Dirty Sweet @ Fluxx @9 $10 adv/$12 day of
AND: Misc. Ailments @ The Ruby Room @8:30
AND: Scott Mathiassen @ Lestats @9 $10

Friday: Kate Miller-Heidke @ The Casbah @6:30 $10
AND: Hotel St. George @ The Tin Can Alehouse $5
AND: A Scribe Amidst the Lions @ The Radio Room @8:30
AND: Loomis and the Lust @ Lestats @9 $10

Saturday: Switchfoot Bro-Am After Party with The Silent Comedy and The Howles

Sunday: Wendy Bailey @ The Casbah @7 Free
AND: Lisa Olsen @ Lestats @8:30

Keep in Mind:

July 7th- Joan Jett and the Blackhearts @ Del Mar Fair
July 9th- Kings of Leon @ Cricket Wireless
July 16th- Thrice @ House of Blues San Diego
July 19th- The Deah Weather @ House of Blues San Diego
July 30th- Transfer @ The Casbah
August 7th- Silversun Pickups @ Soma
August 8th- Tokyo Police Club @ The Casbah
August 10th- Vans Warped Tour- San Diego
August 21st-  Wolfmother @ House of Blues San Diego
September 18th- Paramore @ Viejas Arena
September 22nd- Muse @ Viejas Arena
September 25th- The Black Keys @ Soma

LMN Presents: The Other Side of Morning-Part 2

Posted on by Amanda

Well ladies and gents, it’s time for the second installment of our lovely sit down with The guys from The Other Side of Morning. The more I listen the more I enjoy them. Getting to know them while making this video was just an added bonus in my book.

Check out this segment for the best “Rock Star Moment” and how the band got their name.

And don’t forget to come to the show tomorrow at the House of Blues on Sunset! It will rock!

Favorite Band Alert! Pawnshop Roses

Posted on by Kristen

This is one of my very favorite bands, Pawnshop Roses, performing the other night at The Grape Room outside Philadelphia.  I cannot wait until the finally release new material…they have WAY too many amazing unreleased songs…big thanks to whomever took these videos!

~ Kristen

p.s. There are more great videos from this show as well as other bands I quite enjoy on this YouTube channel…