Gearing up for SXSW: Kristen’s 10 “Must See” Artists

TOMORROW, we leave for Austin. I’m in the midst of frenzied preparations. I haven’t been posting much these last couple of weeks, in part, due to the fact that every spare second I have managed to accumulate has gone to listening to artists I may get the chance to see at SXSW and preparing my lists and schedules.

I thought I’d share some of the artists I’m most looking forward to (a combination of old favorites and new discoveries). So, here it is. My 10 “Must See” Artists at SXSW ’11:

1. The Silent Comedy

These San Diego boys have been on my must see list for awhile now. Their growing popularity means they’ve been spending more time away from Southern California so I relish even more every chance I get to see them.

When to see them: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=208828575799105

2. Queen Caveat

I’ve gotta go support my favorite up-and-coming LA band. For those of you not in LA, don’t miss one of the first opportunities to see Queen Caveat play outside of their hometown. SO much love for this band!

When to see them: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=109420832465650&ref=ts

 

3. The Kin

These Australian brothers are favorites of mine from back east. One of the exciting things about SXSW is that it brings together favorite artists from all over the country/world. Also, be sure to follow The Kin on twitter so that you’ll know where they plan to do their next musical robbery on Saturday in Austin.

where to see them: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=184993854877046

 

4. Empires

One of my favorite bands out of Chicago. I’d been itching to see them again since they opened for Biffy Clyro at Bootleg Theater.

where to see them: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150171769950225&set=a.499768780224.291271.62617580224&theater

 

5. Dash & Will

Two girls from Australia whose tunes caught my ear immediately. I’m even more excited to see them and buy their music, because finding their tunes to download in the US= nearly impossible.

where to see them: http://www.facebook.com/dashandwillofficial?sk=events

6. Dead Sara

I’ve seen them three times in LA in the last month or so and I can’t remember the last time a band has blown my mind quite this much. Any chance I’ll get to see Dead Sara, I’m taking!

where to see them: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dead-Sara-Official/124013447614437?sk=app_2405167945

 

7. SINAI

I’ve been wanting to see this new band out of Philly since its inception at the end of last year. I’ve been very jealous of all my Philly friends who have gone to their shows. Now it’s my turn!

where to see them: Friday 8pm: Austin Music Hall (208 Nueces) at the Monster Energy Showcase

8. The Lonely Forest

I adore this band out of Washington. They were actually on my SXSW ’10 mix. I was terribly sad to miss them play The Echo last week. I only justified my absence with the thought of seeing them play multiple times at SXSW.

where to see them: http://www.facebook.com/thelonelyforest?sk=app_178091127385

 

9. Twin Atlantic

They’re from Scotland and they’ve opened for Biffy Clyro. What more do I need? Oh, I also am loving this tune…

where to see them: http://twinatlanticonline.com/2011/02/25/twin-atlantic-to-play-sxsw-scotland-stage-in-texas/

ALSO: Weds 4pm at The PureVolume House (504 Trinity St)

 

10.Mother Mother

A band from Canada that I fell in love with a couple years ago thanks to the song “Hayloft”. I keep missing them when they come through LA, so I’m not going to miss out in Austin!

where to see them: http://mothermothersite.com/live/

 

Honestly there are SO many excellent bands I’m looking forward to seeing at SXSW…can we say “scheduling conflicts”..Here are a few more (still not even half of what’s on my list)

We Barbarians
Fitz & The Tantrums
Hoots & Hellmouth
Joey Ryan
Atomic Tom
Jamestown Revival
Andy Clockwise
Hollerado
Hugo
Chelsea Automatic
Jukebox the Ghost
AWOLNATION
The Blue Pages
The Gallery
UME
Saint Motel
Brooke Fraser
The Stone Foxes
Augustana
Allen Stone
Semi Precious Weapons
Fierce Creatures
Lelia Broussard
Halos
Nicole Atkins
Taylor Locke and The Roughs
Dan Wilson
Meriwether
Taddy Porter
Forrest Day
Scars on 45
Little Red Radio
Toy Bombs
Andrew Belle
The Deaf
Brett Dennen
American Bang
Ram’s Pocket Radio
Admiral Fallow
Makeshift Prodigy

 

We shall see how many of these bands make my final SXSW ’11 mix!

to check out last year’s mix click here

See you in Austin!

 

~ Kristen

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 2/7-2/13

I should be in San Diego where The Silent Comedy is rockin’ the cowboy hats off of Ryan Bingham fans at The House of Blues.  But I’m being responsible tonight seeing that I have a presentation to give tomorrow morning. Also, I did see TSC Friday in Ventura and Saturday at The El Rey…and hey, they’re coming back to LA tomorrow (Monday) to play The Satellite and I wouldn’t miss that for the world (or any number of secret shows that may or may not be in the LA area).

If you haven’t had the pleasure of seeing The Silent Comedy, please make your way to Silverlake tomorrow night. It’s a good line-up all ‘round and it’s FREE. Get there early!

Monday: The Silent Comedy, Rocco DeLuca, Red Cortez FREE at The Satellite (8pm)
ALSO: Everest at Bootleg (9pm)
ALSO: Terra Naomi and Jenny Owen Young at The Hotel Cafe (8,10)
ALSO: Soraia at The Viper Room (8:30)
ALSO: Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 (9pm)
ALSO: It’s a School Night at Bardot featuring Hanni, El Khatib, and Hot as Sun (10pm)
ALSO: secret Foo Fighters show at ?? (??)…good luck with this one

Tuesday: Jonathan Clark and Satellite at Molly Malone’s (8,9)
ALSO: Infantree at The Echo (8:30)
ALSO: Joseph Arthur at Bootleg (9:45)

Weds: Tina Dico at The Troubadour (10pm)
ALSO: Anna Nalick and Nina Storey at The Hotel Cafe (9,10)
ALSO: Satellite at Club Central (8pm)
ALSO: Shawn Hlookoff and Jenni Alpert at Genghis Cohen (9pm)
ALSO: Butterfly Boucher and Sarah McLaughlan at Nokia Theater (8pm)

Thursday: Maniac at The Bootleg (10pm)
ALSO: Lelia Broussard and The Canyons at The Hotel Cafe (9,11)
ALSO: Chasing Kings at The Satellite (midnight)

Friday: The Howls at The Mountain Bar (?)
ALSO: Bryan Greenberg and Lindsey Ray at The Hotel Cafe (9:30, 10:30)
ALSO: Jake Newton and Matt Sucich at Room 5 (10pm)
ALSO: The Pretty Reckless at The El Rey (10pm)
ALSO: Dead Country at The Roxy (10pm)

Saturday: Saint Motel’s Zombie Prom at the Palm Court Ballroom of the Alexandria Hotel (8pm)
ALSO: Maxim Ludwig and the Santa Fe Seven and Andy Clockwise at The Hotel Cafe (10, 12)
ALSO: Will Hoge at The Troubadour (8pm)

Sunday: The Elizabeth Kill at The Mint (8pm)
ALSO: Val Emmich at The Hotel Cafe (8pm)

To Keep in Mind:
Feb. 15th: Mother Mother at The Satellite
Feb 16th: Nicole Atkins at The Troubadour
Feb. 16th: Scars on 45 at The Hotel Cafe
Feb. 20th: Beth Hart at The Echoplex
Feb. 21st: Joe Firstman at The Hotel Cafe
Feb. 22nd: Sick of Sarah at The Roxy
Feb 26th: Josh Ritter and Scott Hutchinson (Frightened Rabbit) at The Music Box
Feb 26th: Young the Giant at The Roxy
March 1st: Biffy Clyro at The Troubadour
March 1st: Queen Caveat and The Silent Comedy at Saint Rocke
March 3rd: Civil Twilight at The Troubadour
March 4th: After Midnight Project at The Roxy
March 8th: Vertical Horizon at The Roxy
March 9th: Jay Nash at Saint Rocke
March 17th: Alkaline Trio and Dead Country at The Mayan
March 21st: Joe Firstman at The Hotel Cafe
March 22nd: War on Drugs at The Troubadour
March 26th: Lady Danville at The Troubadour
May 27th: The Script at Club Nokia
September 22-24: Hotel Carolina

~ Kristen

Kristen’s ’10 Mix – Track 11 – Queen Caveat

11. “In My Bed” – Queen Caveat

I’m pretty sure I discovered Queen Caveat last year, when they were known as StolenPlayer and played a random gig at Crane’s, my favorite Hollywood bar. This year, they pinned down a line-up, started playing regular gigs, released their first EP, Emptor…and I started going to all of their shows…they are that amazing live. Look for them to blow up in the next couple of years! But as one great thing begins, another must end. In November I went to the final night at Crane’s before it was relocated to Costa Rica. So many amazing memories at that place, that final night included.

http://www.myspace.com/queencaveat

 more of my favorite Crane’s regulars:

George Stanford:

Lissie:

Andy Clockwise:

~ Kristen

track 10: Safetysuit
track 12: Scarlet Grey

Amanda’s Show Calendar 11/8-11/14

I don’t know about you but mind body is still having a hard time with this “fall back” business. I keep waking up thinking I’m late and having to remind my body that I’m not but in fact I have another hour to sleep and should be happy. Alas, no such luck.

I have an upcoming post about some snazzy bands I found in Vegas but for now, you will have to settle with this week’s concert calendar. It’s chock full of goodness on Friday and Saturday! 🙂

Monday: The Howls @ The Casbah @9 $8
AND: Circle Pit @ Soda Bar @9 $7

Tuesday: Relax 🙂

Wednesday: 91X Snow Jam Pre Party w/ Nervous Wreckords @ The Belly Up @ 9 $12
AND: Sean Hayes @ Soda Bar @9 $12

Thursday: The Silent Comedy, Andy Clockwise, Fierce Creatures @ The Casbah @9 $10 adv/$12 day of

Friday: Tyler Hilton and Trevor Davis @ Lestats @9 $?
AND: Skyline Union @ Bar Eleven @10 $5
AND: Republic of Letters @ Epicentre @6:30 $8 adv/$10 day of
AND: Illuminauts @ Soda Bar @9 $8
AND: KT Tunstall @ House of Blues SD @730 $22.50 adv/$26 day of

Saturday: Gayle Skidmore @ The Ruby Room @8 $8
AND: The Soft Pack @ The Casbah @9 $13 adv/$15 day of
AND: Endoxi @ Winstons @8 $FREE
AND: Scheff’s Beer, Bands, and BBQ @ Bar Pink @1-4 $10
AND: FM 94.9 8th Anniversary with The Hold Steady and The Night Marchers @ 4th & B  @7 $26
AND: Josh Damigo @ Lestats @9 $?

Sunday: Blonde Redhead @ House of Blues San Diego @7:30 $22

Keep in Mind:

November 15th- Joey Ryan and Meg and Dia @ Epicentre @6:30
November 16th- Mayday Parade @ House of Blues SD
November 18th- Echo Revolution and Wendy Bailey @ Bar Eleven @9
November 18th- Get Back Loretta @ The Casbah @10 $8
November 20th- Cartel, Hey Monday, and The Ready Set @ Epicentre @6 $15
December 2nd-The Dead Kennedys- House of Blues San Diego
December 5th- Passion Pit @ Soma
December 10th-  Delta Spirit @ House of Blues San Diego
December 15th- Wrex the Halls w/Smashing Pumpkins, My Chemical Romance, Bad Religion, Jimmy Eat World, Anberlin, Switchfoot, A Day to Remember

Amanda’s Show Calendar 11/1-11/7

Feliez Dia De Los Muertos and Happy November! I hope you all had a fabulous Halloween!! I spent mine hanging at home after celebrating it Saturday in Vegas by seeing Halloween Town and some new favs, Devilcar, and The Seams. And by the way, can you believe it’s November already? Craziness! Almost as crazy as some of the shows this week…

Monday: Rest up from Halloween 🙂

Tuesday: The Apples in Stereo @ The Casbah @9 $12 adv/$14 day of

Wednesday: Two Door Cinema Club @ The Belly Up @9 $13 adv/$15 day of

Thursday: Trans Am @ The Casbah @9 $13
AND: Useless Keys @ Bar Pink @9 $FREE

Friday: White Apple Tree @ The Casbah @930 $8
AND: Ghostland Observatory @ 4th & B
AND: Circa Survive @ House of Blues SD @7 $16 adv/$17.50 day of
AND: Butterfly Bones @ The Soda Bar @ 9 $8

Saturday: FM 94.9 Presents- Dr. Dog @ The Belly Up
AND: Run Devil Run @ Bar Eleven @9 $tba
AND: The Smart Bros. @ Tin Can Alehouse @930 $5

Sunday: The Heavy and Wallpaper @ The Casbah @ 9 $12 adv/$15 day of

Keep in Mind:

November 10th- 91X Snow Jam Pre Party w/ Nervous Wreckords @ The Belly Up @ 9 $12
Nov. 11th- The Silent Comedy & Andy Clockwise @ The Casbah $10 adv/$12 day of (This will SELL OUT!!!)
Nov. 13th- Gayle Skidmore @ The Ruby Room @8 $8
Nov. 13th- The Soft Pack @ The Casbah @9 $13 adv/$15 day of
Nov. 13th- FM 94.9 8th Anniversary with The Hold Steady and The Night Marchers @ 4th & B  @7 $26
November 14th-Blonde Redhead- House of Blues San Diego
November 16th- Mayday Parade @ House of Blues SD
November 18th- Get Back Loretta @ The Casbah @10 $8
December 2nd-The Dead Kennedys- House of Blues San Diego

Amanda’s Show Calendar 10/25-10/31

It’s Halloween week and one of my favorite times of the year! Bummer that Halloween is on a Sunday though… But don’t fear, there are some snazzy Halloween shows to attend this weekend (and even during the week!)

Monday: Mishka @ The Belly Up @9 $15

Tuesday: Nico Vega, St. Motel, & Imagine Dragons @ The Casbah (this show is not to be missed!) @9 $8
AND: Centerlight Pop @ Tin Can Alehouse @9 $4

Wednesday: Seabear @ The Casbah @930 $10 adv/$12 day of

Thursday: Curtis Peoples @ Lestats @9 $?
AND: Republic of Letters @ Ruby Room @9 $?

Friday: 91X Boos Cruise feat. The Nervous Wreckords & Dynamite Walls @730 $25
AND: Portugal. The Man @ House of Blues SD @730 $14.50 adv/$17.50 day of
AND: Zombie Prom and The Creepy Creeps @ The Casbah @9 $10 adv/$14 day of
AND: North Park Massacure: Daft Punk Tribute Party @ U-31 feat. Gabe Vega & Saul Q @9

Saturday: Hyena, Shark Attack, DJ Gabe Vega and Adam Salter @ The Casbah @9 $20
AND: Supernatural Halloween Soiree with Tina T & Mr. Biggs @9 $5
AND: Misfits cover set by The Burning of Rome @ Ruby Room @9 $?

Sunday: The Burning of Rome and Weatherbox @ The Casbah @9 $10 adv/$12 day of
AND: The Bloody Beetroots @ House of Blues SD @ 830 $30 adv/$32.50 day of

Keep in Mind:

Nov. 3rd- Two Door Cinema Club @ The Belly Up @830 $13 adv/$15 day of
Nov. 4th- Massive Attack @ RIMAC Arena UCSD @8 $57.35 (fees included)
November 5th- White Apple Tree @ The Casbah @930 $8
nov. 5th- Circa Survive @ House of Blues SD @ 7 $16 adv/$17.50 day of
Nov. 10th- Devo @ The Belly Up @730 $89 adv/$94 day of
Nov. 11th- The Silent Comedy & Andy Clockwise @ The Casbah $10 adv/$12 day of (This will SELL OUT!!!)
Nov. 13th- The Soft Pack @ The Casbah @9 $13 adv/$15 day of
Nov. 13th- FM 94.9 8th Anniversary with The Hold Steady and The Night Marchers @ 4th & B  @7 $26
November 14th-Blonde Redhead- House of Blues San Diego
November 16th- Mayday Parade @ House of Blues SD
November 18th- Get Back Loretta @ The Casbah @10 $8
December 2nd-The Dead Kennedys- House of Blues San Diego

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 10/24-10/31

Does anyone else sink into a depression when deprived of live music for over a week? This past week has just been brutal. Fortunately, there are plenty of opportunities for redemption this week…including the event I’ve been looking forward to alllll month, Nico Vega headlining at The Roxy with Saint Motel, Imagine Dragons, and Queen Caveat. You best be there in your witchy wear!

But that’s not all. Plenty of great shows this week to get me out of this funk. Here’s what I’ve got going:

Monday: Amy Correia at House of Blues Sunset (8pm)
ALSO: John Meeks at The Hotel Cafe (10pm)
ALSO: Jessie Baylin at Bootleg (10:30)
ALSO: Aqualung at Bardot for it’s a school night FREE with RSVP (http://www.itsaschoolnight.com/)
ALSO: Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 (9pm) 

Tuesday: Curtis Peoples and Josh Hoge at Molly Malone’s (9:30)
ALSO: Jonathan Clark at The Hotel Cafe (10pm)
ALSO: Lights at The El Rey (9pm) 

Weds: The Nervous Wreckords at Bordello (11pm)
ALSO:  Steel Train and fun at The Music Box (8pm) 

Thursday: Free Energy and Foxy Shazam at The Troubadour (9:15, 10:15)
ALSO: Joey Ryan and Kenneth Pattengale and Meiko at The Hotel Cafe (9,10)
ALSO: Kate Nash at The Music Box (8pm)
ALSO: Moving Picture Show and The Nervous Wreckords at The Viper Room (10,12) 

Friday: Nico Vega, Saint Motel, Imagine Dragons, and Queen Caveat at The Roxy (8pm)
ALSO: Electric Touch at The Viper Room (11:50)
ALSO: Maxim Ludwig and the Santa Fe Seven at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)
ALSO: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and Stone Temple Pilots at Nokia Live (8pm)
ALSO: Rock N Roll Circus Halloween at The Echo featuring Andy Clockwise, Henry Clay People, Etc. (7pm) 

Saturday: last minute Halloween costume shopping….

Sunday: Purple Melon at The Viper Room (10:30)

To Keep in Mind:
November 2nd: Ingrid Michaelson at The Troubadour
November 4th: Five for Fighting at The Brixton
November 5th: Bayside at The Toubadour
November 6th-7th: Florence + The Machine at The Wiltern
November 8th-10th: A Perfect Circle at Avalon
November 12th: Teitur at Bootleg Theater
November 13th: Terrible Things and Mae at The El Rey
November 16th: The Lonely Forest at Spaceland
November 17th: Tyler Hilton at The Roxy
November 18th: Freelance Whales at The Troubadour
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 

~ Kristen
https://twitter.com/_localmusicnat