SXSW ’13- Day 1

Posted on by Amanda

Today marks the unofficial beginning of the SXSW music madness. It was just a mere taster and sampling of the craziness that is to come. We arrived at 6:30pm in Austin, Texas after leaving San Diego at 10:15 this morning. The screaming child on the first flight notwithstanding, they were uneventful. We started the night at Burbon Girl to catch a band and after realizing they weren’t going on anytime soon, we bailed and headed to the Paste + Sennheiser Party. After a decent walk (I’ve done 11,113 steps today!), we arrived at an unassuming looking house to catch Moon Taxi and Free Energy. Both bands were high energy and fun. While I’ve never seen Moon Taxi before, I am definitely a fan of these Nashville natives!
Moon Taxi

 

After that awesome dance party was another dance party with Free Energy! What a way to kick off SXSW!

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Check out more photos from tonight in our gallery!

SXSW ’13- Day 3

Posted on by Amanda

I guess today was my day of running all over downtown Austin. Even with starting the festivities at noon at CTC Garden for the Butch Walker documentary screening of Out of Focus, it’s been a long day. Kristen is still out and about. I’m not sure how she does it but after 8.99 miles, this lady is done.
Today turned out to be more of a sampling day which I guess is why I wandered from CTC Garden at 1102 East Cesar Chavez all the way to Waterloo at 600 North Lamar and back again. Well, it didn’t happen in that exact order. The first musical act I caught was Wild Feathers at Lusture Pearl but I didn’t manage to stay too long. From there, I wandered about with Kristen until we got over to Rusty’s for the Swinghouse event. I caught some of A Silent Film and hung out for a bit. After that, I caught some of Ambassadors at Brew Exchange on my way to catch a second round of Twenty One Pilots at Waterloo Records. It was only after watching Andy Clockwise and The Chevin play that I caught some Butch Walker at the Rachel Ray Feedback House. That place was one of the highlights of my night. Nice space, good food, and great music. My night ended with a few songs of Atlas Genius at a horrible and late venue and Civil Twilight at the lovely Hanger venue.

The thing I came back with today was how much I really enjoy acts that seem to bleed music. They eat, sleep, pray, live, breathe, and bleed music. Those are the artists that I truly enjoy and I’m realizing that with the more shows I see. Call me a cynic but I want to see how passionate you are about what you do. Otherwise, why do it?

Here are some random photos from my day. Enjoy!

SXSW ’13-Day 4

Posted on by Amanda

I apologize if my last post seemed a little lackluster. I think tiredness and soreness had set in. Today was a different story however. I’m still really jazzed from the events of the day despite how much my feet are screaming at me.
We started off with lunch at the ASOS lounge where we munched on free tacos and indulged in some free music thanks to RedTouch Media. From there we went to see Third Eye Blind at Hangar Lounge however, they were half an hour late and the sound was so loud that even with ear plugs, my ears hurt. We decided to leave right then and there but not before scoring some free Sony headphones. A quick dash to Filter on Cedar Street for our wristbands and some stuff, including a slap band with a usb drive! We got back to the ASOS lounge in time to catch some K. Flay and another taco but our bags of swag were weighing us down and we needed to drop our stuff at the hotel.

I was determined to catch some Airborne Toxic Event since I had never seen them and with Fitz and The Tantrums playing after, I knew I found a place to hang. After catching a bit of Airborne Toxic Event, I went to meet with my other half at Empire Automotive but they were running so far behind that I went back to make sure I made it in for Fitz and the Tantrums. This was an epic show at Old School Bar and Grill presented by StubHub and I was so glad to be there. I even got a set list!

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From there was a quick dash across the street to catch the tail end of Free Energy at Peckerheads. We hiked over to Rachel Ray’s Feedback House for dinner but dinner never seemed to come. The gang split up and I took the chance to get a quick rest at the hotel before coming out to dance with Semi Precious Weapons at The Main. All of the SXSW High Voltage crew was there dancing and singing along with the band at the top of our lungs. We all had smiles by the time Semi Precious Weapons ended, which was far too soon.

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I decided to make a go for The Roxy Showcase at Empire Automotive to see Dead Sara. However, Capital Cities went way late and despite the line outside, I managed to make it in and up front. Dead Sara blew the house down, as is their usual style. However, by the time my feet were screaming at me and I had to call it a night. But it ended on such a great note, I, couldn’t be happier!

Check out more photos below.

 

~ Amanda

addendum: I just wanted to mention the amazing time I had at The Blackberry House. It was the best sound I’ve heard all week plus I got to see two of my favorites, Keaton Simons and Leogun back to back. Add in the comfy chairs, accessible outlets, and ice pops and we have the makings of a highly enjoyable afternoon.

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~ Kristen

Amanda’s SD Concert Calendar 4/8-4/14

Posted on by Amanda

What a gloomy Monday it is in San Diego today. At least it waited until after my weekend of fun. “April showers bring May flowers” as they say, although it’s not really raining here. It’s just gloomy and drizzly which makes me want to nap. Thankfully I have a ticket for the acoustic Silent Comedy show tonight which will kick the gloom and get me out of the house. As for the rest of the week…
 

Monday: The Silent Comedy Acoustic Show @ El Dorado at 9pm
AND: Secondhand Serenade, Juliet Simms, Veronica Ballestrini, Belmont Lights @ Soda Bar at 8pm
AND: Neighbors to the North @ Casbah at 9pm

Tuesday: Lillian LeFranc @ Ruby Room at 9pm
AND: The New Kinetics @ Griffin at 8:30pm

Wednesday: Kip Moore, The Wild Feathers, Courtney Cole @ House of Blues at 8pm
AND: Barbarian, The Lonely Wild, Warships @ Griffin at 8:30pm

Thursday: One I Red, The Tilt @ Casbah at 9pm
AND: Ben Howard @ Belly Up at 9pm

Friday: The Material @ Soda Bar
AND: Mister Loveless, The Dead Ships, The Steelwells, The Stupid Daikini @ Griffin at 8:30pm
AND: The Expendables @ House of Blues at 7pm
AND: Lexington Field @ Tin Can Alehouse at 9:30pm
AND: The Darrows @ The Whistlestop at 8:30pm
AND: Jason Manns @ Lestats at 8:30pm
AND: Coachella

Saturday: The Beautiful View @ Soda Bar at 8:30pm
AND: Coachella

Sunday: Lucero and Langhorne Slim @ Belly Up at 9pm
AND: Gayle Skidmore @ Lestats at 8:30pm
AND: Coachella

 

Keep in Mind:
April 15th- The Neighbourhood @ Porter’s Pub
April 15th- Franz Ferdinand @ Humphrey’s By The Bay
April 16th- Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds @ Balboa Theater
April 16th- Alt- J @ Belly Up
April 17th- Alex Clare @ House of Blues
April 19th-21st- Coachella
April 22nd- The Gaslight Anthem @ Belly Up
April 23rd- Black Rebel Motorcycle Club @ House of Blues
April 24th- Chappo @ Soda Bar
April 26th- Transfer, Dead Feather Moon, Grand Tarantula @ Belly Up
April 26th- Alkaline Trio @ House of Blues
May 1st- The Killers @ Honda Center
May 4th- Crash Kings, Chris Wilson and Planet Earth @ Griffin
May 10th/11th- Mayday Parade, You Me At Six @ Soma
May 12th- The Milk Carton Kids @ Belly Up
May 17th- X-Fest feat: 30 Seconds to Mars, Jimmy Eat World, Silversun Pickups, Fitz and the Tantrums, Atlas Genius, Capital Cities, New Politics
May 22nd- Bloc Party @ House of Blues
May 25th- Cold War Kids @ Belly Up
May 27th- Cold War Kids @ Belly Up
May 29th- !!! @ Casbah
June 1st- Imagine Dragons @ SDSU Open Air Theater
June 3rd- Mumford and Sons @ Sleep Train Amphitheater
June 16th- They Might Be Giants @ Belly Up
June 21st- She and Him @ SDSU Open Air Theater
September 6th- Dave Matthews Band @ Cricket Wireless
September 22nd- Depeche Mode @ Sleep Train Amiptheatre
September 22nd- Fall Out Boy @ Valley View Casino Center

New Music Tuesday 4/16 (and beyond) featuring The Neighbourhood, Arcane Roots, Andrew Ripp

Posted on by Kristen

So, this is kind of cruel, but most of the albums I’m getting excited about today aren’t actually being released today. My inbox this morning was full of upcoming musical goodness, and I felt inspired to share. There are actually quite a few high-profile albums out today that I’ll eventually get around to checking out, but honestly, what I can’t seem to get past are the following musical teasers. I also have a couple musical suggestions if you need new music now…
The Neighbourhood – I Love You

This album will come out next Tuesday (April 23rd), but the stream was released today via Rolling Stone and I can’t stop listening. The band is playing LA tonight, opening for Foals at The El Rey. The show is sold out, but listening to the album, I got a bit overexcited and stalked Craigslist and Ticketmaster until I came up with an available ticket (happy late birthday present to me!). Seriously, the idea of having more than the brilliant 5 song EP makes me giddy.

Go here to listen and here to pre-order.

 

Arcane Roots – Blood & Chemistry

I’ve been waiting for more music from this British rock outfit for a few months now. Their first full-length album, Blood & Chemistry comes out in the UK May 6th…not sure what that means for us poor folk in the US, but this album teaser makes me think I might be importing this one…

Their first single off of the album makes me a bit dizzy, but in a feels like I’m at the show bouncing around kind of way…

Andrew Ripp– Won’t Let Go

Ever since a friend shared Andrew Ripp’s track “Dresden Wine”, I have been a fan of this singer/songwriter, currently from Nashville. I’m looking forward to diving in to this newest release of his.

Itunes link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/wont-let-go/id632774958

NCIS: LA TV Show Soundtrack – Various Artists

There were too many great artists on this soundtrack not to check it out…especially since it was streaming here. It’s quite the variety of music and yes, just about every song would work to ramp up the emotional intensity of a dramatic scene. Artists include Daughtry, Allen Stone, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Alex Clare, Jakob Dylan, etc.  My favorite tracks were the ones from The Wild Feathers, Adrian Lux f. The Good Natured, and a slow/sad one from Gaslight Anthem (below)

Other albums released today worth checking into:

  • Fall Out Boy – Save Rock N Roll
  • Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Mosquito
  • Sarah Brightman – Dreamchaser
  • Iron & Wine – Ghost on Ghost
  • Jessie Ware – Devotion
  • Charlie XCX – True Romance
  • The Summer Set – Legendary
  • Olly Murs – Right Place, Right Time

 

~ Kristen

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 5/20-5/26

Posted on by Amanda

This message comes to you from The Mint where I am attending one of the coolest events I’ve been to recently, Overture Con. Yesterday, I had the pleasure of hanging out with Bad Wolf, Cadaver Dogs, Queen Caveat, and Semi Precious Weapons. There were informative panels about DIY activities, fashion in music, etc. plus some exclusive opportunities like a Bad Wolf acoustic performance and an advance listen to the Cadaver Dogs CD (made into an intense drinking game). The focus of the event is to connect super fans like myself to their favorite bands and by the end of the day everyone in attendance felt like family to me. Today promises to be similar with a new set of bands like Honor Society who, as I write this, is talking about the notion of living in a box and detailing the unique smell of their dressing room.

Later today, I will be on a panel talking about my life as a super music fan, part of which includes my obsessive desire to put together these calendars every week in my attempt to spread the music love…speaking of, this week promises to be another good one! I’m thrilled that Irish brotherly duo Hudson Taylor booked another show (Monday at Bardot) and I’m equally pumped about Atlanta’s The Shadowboxers who are finally coming to LA playing The Viper Room on Wednesday.

Here are the rest of my picks:

Monday: It’s a School Night at Bardot featuring Hudson Taylor and The Honey Trees (9pm)
ALSO: Laura Marling FREE at Amoeba (6pm)
ALSO: Robert Schwartzman and Damndogs FREE at The Satellite (10pm)
ALSO: Milo Greene FREE at UCLA Bruin Plaza (noon)
ALSO: Frankie & Friends at The Viper Room Acoustic Lounge (8pm)
ALSO: Monday Monday FREE at Room 5 (8pm)
ALSO: The Rolling Stones at The Staples Center (8pm)

Tuesday: Allison Iraheta at The Hotel Cafe (8pm)
ALSO: Laura Marling at The Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever (9pm)
ALSO: The Postelles with Tapioca and The Flea at Bootleg Bar (9pm)
ALSO: Kate Nash at The Echoplex (10pm)
ALSO: 28 North at The Mint (9:30)
ALSO: Beachwood Tuesdays at The Piano Bar featuring Animals of Kin (8pm)

Weds: The Shadowboxers at The Viper Room (9pm)
ALSO: Better Looking People With Superior Ideas at Silverlake Lounge (11pm)
ALSO: Youngblood Hawke at Avalon (9pm)

Thursday: The Mowgli’s with American Authors and Hunter Hunted at The Roxy (8pm)
ALSO: Irontom and Checkpoint Charlie FREE at Sunset Strip Farmers Market (8, 9)
ALSO: The Last Internationale at The Satellite (10pm)
ALSO: Vance Joy, Caitlin Crosby, Kristen Toedtman at The Hotel Cafe (8,9,10)
ALSO: The Watkins Family Hour at Largo (8:30)

Friday: Sir Sly at The Troubadour (10pm)
ALSO: Jay Nash at McCabe’s (8pm)
ALSO: The Spring Standards at Bootleg Bar (9:15)
ALSO: Shane Alexander at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)
ALSO: Cold War Kids at The Fonda Theatre (9pm)

Saturday: Zookeeper’s Palace at Molly Malone’s (8:55)
ALSO: Family Cave at Amplyfi (9pm)

Sunday: ?

To Keep in Mind:
May 28th: Lissie at Masonic Lodge at The Hollywood Forever Cemetery
May 28th: Cary Brothers at The Hotel Cafe
May 29th: Tyler Hilton and Curtis Peoples at Saint Rocke
May 29th/30th: Imagine Dragons at Hollywood Palladium
May 31st: CHVRCHES at Fonda Theater
June 1st: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club at The Wiltern
June 1st: CHVRCHES at The Troubadour
June 1st: Make Music Pasadena
June 4th: Willy Moon at The Troubadour
June 5th: Jewel at Saban Theatre
June 5th: Atomic Tom at The Hotel Cafe
June 6th: Meg Myers and Dear Boy at The Troubadour
June 6th: Capital Cities at The El Rey
June 7th: The Boxer Rebellion at Avalon
June 7th/8th: Jubilee Music Festival
June 8th: Bjork at Hollywood Palladium
June 13th: Fall Out Boy at The Wiltern
June 22nd: The Staves at Bootleg Bar
June 23rd: Guster, Barenaked Ladies, and Ben Folds Five at The Greek Theatre
June 25th: Rachael Yamagata at The Troubadour
June 27th: Bernhoft at The Troubadour
July 1st: Anberlin at The Roxy
July 19th: Passenger at El Rey Theatre
July 23rd: Savages at The El Rey
July 23rd/24th: The Postal Service at The Greek Theatre
August 8th: The Silent Comedy at Fonda Theatre
August 19th/20th: Ed Sheeran at The Staples Center
September 4th: Tegan and Sara at The Greek Theatre
September 26th: Hanson at House of Blues Sunset
October 1st: Jake Bugg at Fonda Theatre

~ Kristen

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