Aunt Martha

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar 2/6-2/12

Posted on by Kristen

Well…that was certainly an eventful weekend. Friday night I had a very ominous feeling before going to the El Rey to join a friend for Adam Gontier (of Three Days Grace) and Martin Sexton. At the end of the evening, I ended up in fascinating company at my fave late night eatery and I thought my gut must have been waaay off. Three hours later, sleepless and in the ER with a friend, my earlier instincts were justified.

Saturday, I cancelled my plans to participate in Tyrone Well’s music video shoot in Venice for sleep’s sake. Then it was an evening at The Rainbow Room and The Hotel Cafe with great food, friends, and music (the three essentials of any successful evening).

Today I had to cut myself off from the world and lock myself in lab as I had entered the weekend woefully behind on an important deadline at work and that I have two big presentation to give in the next seven days. This week is going to be rough…thankfully there are a few choice shows to pull me through. Here are my options:

Monday: Youngblood Hawke, Lady Danville, Useless Keys FREE at The Satellite (9pm)
ALSO: Paris Carney and Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 featuring Kyler England, Sweet Talk Radio, Shane Alexander, and Joel Eckels (8,9)

 

Tuesday: Queen Caveat at Hemingways (11pm)
ALSO: The Elizabeth Kill at Skinny’s Lounge in NOHO (9pm)
ALSO: Makepeace Brothers and friends Acoustic Nights at WitZend (9pm)
ALSO: Marcus Very Ordinary at The Central (8pm)

 

Weds: Millow, Marketa Irglova, Jake Newton and Garrison Starr at The Hotel Cafe (8, 9:30, 10:30)
ALSO: Roman Candle Wars and Red Circle Underground at Bootleg Bar (9,10)
ALSO: Aunt Martha and Meiko at Saint Rocke (8pm)

 

Thursday: Harper Blynn at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)
ALSO: Ben Kweller FREE at Amoeba (7pm)
ALSO: Kris Allen at The Mint (9pm)
ALSO: Oh Darling and Y Luv at The Satellite (9pm)
ALSO: Joss Stone at The Troubadour (8pm)

 

Friday: Teitur and Aunt Martha at Largo (8pm)
ALSO: Graham Colton and Abandoned Pools at The Viper Room (9,10)
ALSO: Javier Dunn, Parker Ainsworth, Rocco Deluca, and Juke Kartel at The Hotel Cafe (8pm)
ALSO: Dr. Dog at The Orpheum (9pm)

 

Saturday: White Denim at The Satellite (10pm)
ALSO: The Fray at The Troubadour (7pm)
ALSO: Ari Shine at The Mint (9:30)
ALSO: Judy Collins at Walt Disney Concert Hall (8pm)

 

Sunday: The Swell Season at McCabe’s (8pm)
ALSO: Twin Atlantic and You Me at Six at Chain Reaction in Anaheim (7pm)
ALSO: Jonah Matranga at The Hotel Cafe (8:30)

To Keep in Mind:
Feb. 14th: Twin Atlantic and You Me at Six at The Troubadour
Feb. 17th: Ryan Adams at The Hollywood Bowl
Feb. 18th: Mayday Parade at The El Rey
Feb. 19th: The Darkness at House of Blues Sunset
Feb. 20th: Milo Greene at The Satellite
Feb. 22nd: Will Dailey and Mariah McManus at The Hotel Café
Feb. 22nd: Imagine Dragons at The Viper Room
Feb. 27th: Dead Sara at The Viper Room
March 5th: Scars on 45 at The Troubadour
March 5th-6th: Dan Wilson and Rachel Yamagata at The Hotel Cafe
March 8th: Crash Kings at The Troubadour
March 9th: William Fitzsimmons at The Troubadour
March 10th: Nico Vega at The Roxy
March 13th-18th: SXSW (Austin, TX)
March 14th: The Pretty Reckless at The HOB Sunset
March 18th: Dia Frampton at The Troubadour
March 20th: Needtobreathe and Ben Rector at Club Nokia
March 22nd: The Lumineers at The Hotel Cafe
March 24th: Ani DiFranco at The Orpheum Theater
March 24th and 25th: Allen Stone at The Troubadour
March 31st: Tyrone Wells at The Roxy
April 1st: Charlotte Martin at The Bootleg Bar
April 13th-15th AND 20th– 22nd: Coachella
April 25th: Ben Kweller at The El Rey
April 27th: Ingrid Michaelson at The Troubadour
May 8th: Snow Patrol at The Hollywood Palladium
June 13th and 14th: Phantom Planet at The Troubadour

 

~ Kristen

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Kristen’s ’11 Mix – Bonus 1 – Cory Chisel and the Wandering Sons

Posted on by Kristen

Bonus 1. “Never Meant to Love You” – Cory Chisel and the Wandering Sons 

LMN made the trek to Bonnaroo this summer. This is my favorite festival. From early morning yoga to the late night dance parties, I treasured every moment of my Bonnaroo ’11 experience. I discovered so many great bands (Aunt Martha, The Black Box Revelation, The Kopecky Family Band, Fences, JEFF The Brotherhood), saw several favorites for the first time (Scissor Sisters, Amos Lee, Neon Trees, Freelance Whales, Black Angels, Alberta Cross, Robert Plant), and enjoyed beloved bands like The Decemberists, Emimen, Deas Vail, Mumford & Sons, Nicole Atkins, The Head & The Heart, Band of Skulls, The Black Keys, etc.  Going into the event Corey Chisel and the Wandering Sons were on the top of my list of bands to check out. I ended up seeing them three times. “I Never Meant To Love You” is one of my favorite songs. I couldn’t locate a recorded version, but I tracked this bootleg. Check out the bands album, Death Won’t Send a Letter.

~ Kristen

New Band Love: The Lumineers

Posted on by Kristen

At points, last night at the Hotel Cafe seemed akin to a raucous hoedown with all the enthusiastic clapping, group dancing, interactive sing-alongs, and people that just couldn’t stop smiling. The packed crowd seemed wholly transformed by what was going on around them. Even the usual chit chat in the back of the room was silenced.  The cause of such a scene was a band identified by the kick drum resting on the edge of the stage that read “The Lumineers.”

The Lumineers are a Denver-based folk rock band composed primarily of Wesley (lead vocals, guitar, piano), Jeremiah (drums), and Neyla (cello, piano, vocals, etc.). They are in the same vein as other LMN favorites like Aunt Martha, The Head and The Heart, and Mumford & Sons.  Prior to last night, I had not heard of The Lumineers save a friend’s mention on facebook, but that was enough to get me to go early to The Hotel Cafe and check them out. I got increasingly interested during the band’s set up as more and more instruments were piling onto the stage…mandolin, extra kick drum, cello, etc. etc. I was even more intrigued as the buzz of anticipation around me became palpable. So many excited fans itching to see one of their favorite bands perform. It’s not often I see this level of excitement anywhere in Los Angeles. I started to buzz as well.

The band began to play and about two songs into their somewhat lengthy set, as the musicians were hopping about the stage instrument-swapping, I completely understood what all the fuss was about.  I immersed myself into the sea of hand clapping/foot stomping revelry.  The Lumineers not only delivered on the tunes, both memorable and fun, but they also had the kind of lyrics that really stick with you, simple yet thought-provoking. Their messages ranged from the fun/ny (classy girls are not the ones you’ll be kissing in a bar) to the more serious (the opposite of love is indifference) and the music rang with such truth and sincerity, it would be difficult not to connect to it in some way.

My favorite moment of the set might have been when the entire band got off the stage and went into the audience, busker-style, to incite a massive sing-along for the song “Ho Hey.” Although, I was also quite moved by the song “Slow It Down” which is one of those tunes with lyrical depth that also has some movement, staring slow and then building up to a head nodding climax.

There was a moment of sadness in the set when we were told about the band’s recent misfortune of having some instruments and gear stolen out of their van. But aside from giving the audience extra incentive to buy some merch, the band wanted to make a point to express their joy and gratitude towards all the great people who were able to loan them equipment and instruments on such short notice (they were even able to play the night that the event happened). You could tell they were still a bit freshly scarred, but the spirits were not down and they played on with perhaps even more gusto. The band was even granted a rare and greatly deserved encore opportunity.

For more information on The Lumineers, please check out their webpage. You can get tour dates (they’re currently on a west coast tour, but will be hitting up the east coast in October), links to their social media sites, and information on their stolen instruments (spread the word!) as well as a place where you can leave a donation. This is such a great band, I really hope that they can fully recover from this incident and continue spreading the music love. They certainly have my heart.

Website: http://www.thelumineers.com/index.htm

 

 

~ Kristen

New Music Tuesday 9/6/11 Featuring Joe Firstman, Aunt Martha, Moderne Man, Jon McLaughlin, The Horrible Crowes

Posted on by Kristen

It is a VERY exciting day for new music. I spent just about my entire month’s CD budget on music today.  Hugh Laurie has a CD coming out today. Yeah, that guy from House can sing! He’s playing a show at The Mint September 30th. Lindsey Buckingham also has new music and who doesn’t love this Fleetwood Mac troubadour?!? Also, True Blood and music fans alike should rejoice in the release of the TV show’s soundtrack: volume 3.

However, I will be filling my shopping basket with some of my favorite, perhaps lesser known artists who have discs coming out today…so while you’re busy music shopping, I have a few recommendations. Check them out!

 

Joe Firstman – Swear It Was A Dream 

Joe Firstman has been one of my favorites for years now. He has a new album out today…this is cause for celebration! Upon quick listen, Swear It Was a Dream seems to reflect Joe’s more country roots…slide guitars, mandolins, and violins are plentiful. So far tracks I’m lovin’ include the more piano-driven opener, “Take the Rain,” “Who’s Turnin’ Your Light Out,” and “Standin’ on the Porch.”

Steam the album here: http://music.aol.com/new-releases-full-cds#/11
Buy Swear It Was a Dream on Itunes

But as all Joe fans know, where the man really shines is in his live performance. Joe is once again on the road, but he’s touring with a new group, The Cordovas. I had the extreme pleasure of seeing The Cordovas this past Saturday at The Hotel Cafe and I was blown away. Joe rockin’ out on the guitar and singing harmoniously alongside Jaron Lowenstein (remember Evan and Jaron?). They do a killer version of Joe’s “Standing on The Porch” a breathtaking song in acapella, and a closing song so much fun, I’d dare you not to smile.

To see when The Cordovas are coming to a town near you: http://thecordovas.com/

 

Aunt Martha– Norway, ME

I fell in love with Aunt Martha at Bonnaroo this past June. I am a big fan of their EP, Bloodshot, and am very excited about this full length effort.  You can download this album for FREE at their website.

Here’s a video for “Starter” off the new record:

 

Moderne Man– Moderne Man   

Do you remember the band, Until June? No? Well, they were one of my favorite bands in Los Angeles for a while. They aren’t really playing any more, but a couple of their members have a new group called Moderne Man. I keep meaning to get out to one of their shows, but it hasn’t happened. However, their self-titled debut album comes out today and I fully intend on checking it out.

buy Moderne Man on Itunes

 

Jon McLaughlin– Forever If Ever 

I have been a fan of Jon McLaughlin since Indiana found my ears sometime in 2007. I was excited to see he had a new CD coming out, his first since 2008’s Ok Now. If Forever If Ever is anything like its predecessors, I know I’m going to like it. If you’re a fan of singer-songwriters who enjoy rocking it up a bit on the piano, I’m sure you’ll like it too!

You can listen to clips of the new songs on Jon’s website, but here is the first single off Forever If Ever:

buy the album on itunes or amazon

 

The Horrible Crowes– Elsie 

Listen to the track, “Behold the Hurricane” on The Horrible Crowes’ website and you might think it sounds a tad familiar. That would be the voice of Brian Fallon, better known as the frontman of Gaslight Anthem.  Fallon has teamed up with his Gaslight Anthem guitar tech Ian Perkins for this new side project and their CD, Elise, comes out today!  Seeing that they already have over 10,000 facebook likes and a European Tour booked before their CD is even released, I’d go ahead and say it is probably worth checking out. You can listen to the CD in its entirety on the Rolling Stone website: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/exclusive-album-stream-horrible-crowes-cinematic-debut-elsie-20110901

Check them out in LA next Weds (Sept. 14th) at The Troubadour or if you’re in New York City they play Bowery Ballroom this Thursday (Sept. 8th).

Buy Elise on itunes or amazon 

 

Happy Listening!

~ Kristen