Biffy Clyro

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 4/11-4/17

Posted on by Kristen

Last night, I ventured down to Temecula where I met up with Amanda and we danced the night away with good friends and one of our favorite bands, Parade of Lights. I want to do it all again (well aside from that drive). Fortunately, if this week plays out as planned, last night was an enjoyable preview for what is to come!

The amazing tunes continue tonight with The Milk Carton Boys at The Hotel Cafe. As for the rest…check my schedule below (pay particular attention to Thursday…eeeeep!).

 

Monday: The Janks at The Hotel Cafe (8pm)
ALSO: The Canyons at Molly Malone’s (9:30)
ALSO: Chris Robinson Brotherhood at The Echoplex (8:30)
ALSO: The Filthy Souls at The Central in Santa Monica (8:30)
ALSO: Cage 9 FREE at The Viper Room (10:15)
ALSO: Tsunami Relief Benefit for Japan at Room 5 featuring so many amazing artists including Paris Carney, Joel Eckels, Gabriel Mann, Chris Pierce, Kyler England, Jenni Alpert, Keaton Simons, David and Devine, John Elliot, and MORE…seriously WOW (8pm)

 

Tuesday: The Stone Foxes and Chasing Kings at The Satellite (9pm)
ALSO: Jonathan Clark and Satellite at Molly Malone’s (8,9)
ALSO: Queens of the Stone Age at The Wiltern (7:30)
ALSO: Ryan Calhoun at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)

 

Weds: Nico Vega and Imagine Dragons at The Slidebar in Fullerton (8:30)
ALSO: Patrick Stump at The Hotel Cafe (two shows, 7pm and 10pm)
ALSO: Greg Laswell at The Troubadour (10pm)
ALSO: Queens of the Stone Age at The Wiltern (7:30)

 

Thursday: Dynamite Walls and BIFFY CLYRO at The BellyUp in Solana Beach (8pm)…$6 tickets folks…seriously, you can’t miss it!
ALSO: Electric Touch at 3 Clubs (9pm)
ALSO: Allen Stone at The Hotel Cafe (11pm)
ALSO: The Canyons at Molly Malone’s (9pm)

 

Friday: Scarlet Grey and Assemble the Skyline at The Roxy (10pm)
ALSO: Matthew Jordan at Pi (9pm)

 

Saturday: Ben Rector and Matt Wertz at The Troubadour (9pm)
ALSO: Garrison Starr and Raining Jane at The Hotel Cafe (9,10)
ALSO: The Lonely Forest at Detroit Bar in Costa Mesa (9pm)
ALSO: 10,000 Maniacs at The House of Blues Sunset (8pm)
ALSO: Infantree at The Echo (5pm)

 

Sunday: Greg Laswell at Saint Rocke (8:30)

 

 

 

To Keep in Mind:
April 20th: Ellie Goulding at The Music Box
April 22nd: Purple Melon at The Roxy
April 25th: Airborne Toxic Event at The Satellite
April 25th: The Head & The Heart at The Troubadour
April 27th: Andy Clockwise at The Troubadour
May 2nd: Xavier Rudd at The El Rey
May 4th: The Pipettes at The Satellite
May 7th: The Silent Comedy at The Roxy
May 9th: KT Tunstall at The El Rey
May 15th: Eisley at The Troubadour
May 27th: The Script at Club Nokia
May 27th-29th: Sasquatch Music Festival (Washington)
June 2nd: Manchester Orchestra at The Music Box
June 7th: Death Cab for Cutie and The Lonely Forest at The El Rey
June 9-12: Bonnaroo (TN)
June 13th: Florence and The Machine at The Greek Theater
June 29th: Brooke Fraser at The Music Box
July 26th: The Indigo Girls at The Troubadour
August 18-20th: SSMF
September 22-24: Hotel Carolina (SC)

~ Kristen

 

Kristen’s Top 10 Sets of SXSW ’11

Posted on by Kristen

I’m still working on my annual SXSW Mix. It’s shaping up to be mostly new artists that I’d never heard of before or that really came to my attention at SXSW this year. As excited as I am about all my new discoveries, it occurred to me that some of my very favorite experiences of the festival aren’t represented. As such, I was inspired to make a separate list of my top 10 sets of SXSW ’11.

1. Queen Caveat at Thirsty Nickel

It was their first set at SXSW and I was just SOOOO excited that they were there and that I was there and that everything was happening. The venue itself added the additional bonus of watching Lauren masterfully deal with an awkwardly placed banister AND allowed me to watch all the people walking past, stopping, and being drawn to the window by the music…LOVE watching new people fall in love with my favorite bands! It was a SXSW moment for sure.

 

2. The Silent Comedy at Peckerheads

I saw The Silent Comedy more than any other band at SXSW. Each set they did was slightly different but their final show at Antiquiet’s The Axis of Audio showcase was the most unique, featuring some new tunes as well as other songs not found in their typical setlist. It also helps that the set was dedicated to me (and Amanda and our TSC gang).

Check out the video our dear friend Trina (The Owl Magazine) took of TSC’s newer song “Wine”

 

3. Empires at The Trophy Room

Empires was one of the bands I was most looking forward to seeing play. They had grabbed my attention when they played in LA with Biffy Clyro and seeing them in Austin reminded me why I loved them so much. The way the band, especially singer Sean Van Vleet connects to the audience, drawing them in with an intense energy…it was one of those sets in which I became completely lost in the music.

 

4. Dead Sara at Lipstick 24

After a solid day of amazing music, it was incredibly difficult for a band to completely knock me off my feet (as many highly anticipated bands failed to do). Yet Dead Sara had me head banging and rocking out with their 1am set Weds night (or I suppose Thursday morning) at Lipstick 24 like no other. I think this was the hardest I rocked out all week…

 

5. The Kin at Antone’s


You know I love The Kin. Their performance at Antone’s was one of the most memorable of the week. I finally got to hear some of their new material, the audience was completely enraptured especially when they got off the stage to come sing a song on the floor, and Isaac managed to “re-create” his didgeridoo using some sort of pipe that could be found out in the street. When they played “Waterbreaks”, I was SO happy to be seeing them play again (it had been awhile…they’re based in NYC), it brought tears to my eyes.

 

 

6. Doll and The Kicks at Antone’s

I had NO CLUE that Doll & The Kicks was even going to be at SXSW, let alone be playing at the British Invasion showcase I was attending on Thursday. It was the best surprise of the week! Their new song “Skeleton” is fantastic and must be downloaded now…!

 

7. AWOLNATION at Rusty Spurs

I had never seen AWOLNATION before, but I’d been enjoying their tunes. I liked the band, but what really gets this set on my top 10 list was the intensity of the audience. I love being swept up in that kind of energy…it was insane without me ever feeling physically threatened. The perfect audience. When they played “Sail”, I was taken to another place…and I couldn’t even really see the stage!

here’s a taste:

 

 

8. Twin Atlantic at Antone’s


Most of the bands on this list are ones I’d seen (or at least known) before SXSW. It’s easier to really get into a set if you know the songs. But Twin Atlantic I had never really heard of before arriving in Austin. I had come across one of their tunes and that was enough to put them on my watch list. By the end of their set at Antone’s, they were my fave new discovery from SXSW.

 

 

9. Viva City at The Dart Music International House


Tuesday afternoon, before the music festivities officially began, we gathered to go see Viva City at The Dart Music International House. I saw this UK act several times over the course of my stay in Austin, and each time it was a crazy fun dance party, but this very first set marked the beginning of my SXSW experience and it will never be forgotten.

 

 

10. Brian Wright at St. David’s Sanctuary

That whole evening at St. David’s Sanctuary (one of the Hotel Cafe showcases) was quite magical (see story), but I think my favorite set of the bunch was Brian Wright’s. It’s hard to describe why the set moved me so much. I have seen Brian play plenty of times, but something about this place and time and my specific mood really elevated his performance and songs. It was truly a perfect SXSW moment.

 

Seriously, is it time for SXSW 2012 yet?

 

~ Kristen

Listen to This! The Lonely Forest, Matt Duke, Wakey!Wakey!

Posted on by Kristen

Some excellent tunage currently spinning on my IPod (and helping me through the this particularly difficult work day). If you’re looking for some new music to check out, here’s what I’d recommend:

Matt Duke– One Day Die

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Matt-Duke/14795879411

One of my favorite Philly (as well as Hotel Carolina) artists, I’ve been looking forward to this release for awhile. I just purchased it today so time will tell how it stacks up against his last CD which I consider to be a masterpiece. Looking forward to getting to know One Day Die a little better and to seeing Matt again (hopefully he’ll come out to LA sometime soon).

Matt is ready, are you?

 

The Lonely Forest– Arrows

http://www.thelonelyforest.com/

I’ve been in love with this band from Anacortes, Washington since SXSW ’10. “We Sing In Time” struck me from note one. Their first full length album came out last week. It features that song as well as many other gems. Seriously, I really like every single song on this album…

 

Wakey!Wakey!- Almost Everything I Wish I’d Said The Last Time I Saw You…

http://wakeywakeymusic.com/

Wakey!Wakey! has been on my radar for awhile now, but since seeing Mike Grubbs perform live, this CD has taken permanent residence in my best of playlist. My fave tune right now? Anything heavy with the violin…like “Almost Everything” or “Light Outside”

 

 

BONUS:

Biffy Clyro– Only Revolutions

http://www.biffyclyro.com/

You all know I’ve been obsessed with this CD since I first saw these Scottsmen open for Manchester Orchestra, but this week, the CD has finally been released in stores in the US. SO, what are you waiting for? GO OUT AND GET IT! This is hands down my favorite CD released in the last couple of years. Now if only I could get a copy of Lonely Revolutions (B-sides for this CD)…

http://www.facebook.com/notes/biffy-clyro/only-revolutions-now-available-at-best-buy-and-fye/10150472844875010

 

Happy Listening!

 

~ Kristen

Biffy Clyro on Carson Daly (and more US tour dates)

Posted on by Kristen

Can it be that the US is finally catching on? My favorite Scottish band, Biffy Clyro, made their late night TV debut Weds night on Last Call with Carson Daly. The performances were actually from the show I attended on the 1st at The Troubadour. Thankfully, you can’t see me in any of the shots, but it’s great to have these videos as a reminder.

To see Biffy Clyro performing “Many of Horror” and a bit of  “Who’s Got a Match?” go here: http://theaudioperv.com/2011/03/24/biffy-clyro-many-of-horror-whos-got-a-match-323-last-call/

And if you haven’t heard, Biffy Clyro will be opening for The Foo Fighters on select dates of their tour. They are also doing tours supporting Alkaline Trio and Cage the Elephant. The closest they seem to be coming to LA right now is Solana Beach at The Belly Up where they are doing a headlining set on April 14th. Tickets are super cheap, so SD and LA peeps, get them before they are gone!!

For their tour dates: http://theaudioperv.com/2011/03/24/biffy-clyro-many-of-horror-whos-got-a-match-323-last-call/

For tickets to their Belly Up show (seriously folks, $6!): http://www.bellyup.com/show/detail/40464

 

~ Kristen

 

 

 

 

Amanda’s SD Show Calendar 3/14-3/21

Posted on by Amanda

Hey folks! This post is coming to you from the backseat of Kristen’s car. We are currently in New Mexico and on our way to SXSW. If you aren’t familiar with SXSW, don’t worry because we will be posting video from our experience daily (fingers crossed) and hopefully get to chat with some bands as well!

But I digress. Despite a lot of fantastic local music being in Austin this week, there are still some great bands to see in San Diego this week. Also, you get an extra day of my calendar this week due to SXSW.

 

Monday: Little White Teeth @ Tin Can Alehouse @930 $8
AND: Cave Singers @ Casbah @9 $12

Tuesday: The Black Heart Procession, Maren Parusel, and The Hot Moon @ Soda Bar @9 $10

Wednesday: The Paragraphs @ Bar Pink @10
AND: The Midwinters @ Soda Bar @9 $5
AND: Tapes ‘N Tapes @ Casbah @9 $15
AND: Abbey Road- A Beatles Tribute @ Belly Up @8 $12 adv/$14 day of

Thursday: Tyler Hilton and Josh Damigo @ Lestats @9
AND: 80s vs. 90s with Zoo2 (U2 Tribute Band) @ Belly Up @ 9 $10 adv. $12 day of

Friday: Get Back Loretta @ Soda Bar $7
AND: A Scribe Amidst the Lions and The Howls @ Casbah @9 $8
AND: Jackson Price @ Lestats @9
AND: Stepping Feet- Dave Matthews Tribute @ Belly Up @9 $12 adv/$14 day of

Saturday: An Evening with Tainted Love @ Belly Up @9 $17 adv/$19 day of

Sunday: Devo @ Belly Up @8 $89 adv/$94 day of

Monday: Tapedeck Mountain @ Casbah @9 $8 adv/$10 day of

 

Keep in Mind:

March 22nd- Girl Talk @ Soma
March 23rd- The Appleseed Cast @ Casbah
March 24th- Fierce Creatures and Kevin Martin @ Ruby Room
March 25th- Hoots and Hellmouth @ Soda Bar
March 26th- Endoxi @ Belly Up
March 29th- Fitz and the Tantrums @ Belly Up- Sold Out!
April 2nd- Little Hurricane @ Casbah
April 3rd- A Rocket to the Moon, Valencia, and Anarbor @ Soma @630 $13 adv.
April 4th- The Sounds @ Belly Up
April 8th- Rise Against w/Bad Religion @ RIMAC Arena- UCSD
April 9th- Pete Yorn @ House of Blues
April 14th- Billy Clyro @ Belly Up
April 14th- Brandon Flowers @ House of Blues SD
May 2nd- TV on the Radio @ 4th & B
May 3rd- James Blunt @ Humphreys
May 6th- Ghostland Observatory @ 4th & B
May 6th- Chris Cornell @ Humphreys
May 6th- Fleet Foxes @ Spreckles Theater
June 11th- Airborne Toxic Event @ House of Blues

 

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

Posted on by Kristen

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

Biffy Clyro’s “Machines”

Posted on by Kristen

Just got back from seeing Biffy Clyro at The Troubadour. I find it difficult to express just how much I love this band. So, I’m going to use some BC lyrics instead…from their song “Machines” off their album Puzzle…


“I’ve started falling apart. I’m not savoring life. I’ve forgotten how good it can be to feel alive. (take the pieces and build them skywards)”

 

This is the song that is playing on repeat in my head.

 

I’m even more excited to say I’ll be seeing Biffy Clyro again tonight!

 

~ Kristen