Deas Vail | Local Music Nation

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 11/7-11/13

Posted on November 6, 2011 by Kristen

I’m still recovering from the awesomeness that was last Thursday night. Between Twin Atlantic at The Music Box and all the music, dancing, and friends at the High Voltage Magazine release party at On the Rox, I’m still beat. Could be because I’m still recovering from my bout of ill health. This cold weather isn’t helping. But I suppose I need to get used to it as I’m jetting to the east coast at the end of the week.

Friday night in Philadelphia I’ll be at The TLA with IKE, Stargazer Lily, The Shakers, Zelazowa, John & Brittany, and Placid Admiral (featuring members of one of my all-time faves, Jealousy Curve). If you’re on that side of the country, please come out and say hi!

We’ve also got some great shows in LA this week. Vanaprasta starts their Monday night November residency at The Satellite accompanied this week by Rocco DeLuca and Beatnik Jr, Kill the Alarm is in town at Room 5 on Friday, and my beloved Milk Carton Kids are back opening for Over the Rhine at The El Rey Saturday night.

Here’s the whole list:

Monday: Vanaprasta, Rocco DeLuca, Beatnik Jr. FREE at The Satellite (9pm)…first night of Vanaprasta’s November residency
ALSO: Moderne Man and Roman Candle Wars at The Viper Room (8:15, 12:15)
ALSO: Maxim Ludwig, Little Hurricane and Fierce Creatures FREE at Bootleg Theater (8:30, 10:30, 11:30)
ALSO: Lights at The El Rey (8pm)
ALSO: Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 (9pm)

Tuesday: Thrice at The Mayan Theater (10pm)
ALSO: First Aid Kit at The Troubadour (10pm)
ALSO: Hey Rosetta! At The Echo (9pm)

Weds: Harper Blynn and The Damnwells at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)
ALSO: Lovers Drugs at The Mint (11pm)

Thursday: Irontom at Bootleg Theater (10pm)
ALSO: Lady Sinatra at The Viper (11pm)

Friday: Kill the Alarm at Room 5 (9pm)
ALSO: Queen Caveat and Unwritten Law at Saint Rocke (9, 11)
ALSO: Jack’s Mannequin and Guster at The El Rey (7pm)
ALSO: Liam Gerner and Jim Bianco at The Hotel Cafe (7,10)
ALSO: Brett Detar and Olin and the Moon at The Mint (9,10)
ALSO: The Sheepdogs at The Echoplex (10pm)
ALSO: Toy at The Roxy (6:30)

Saturday: Experience No Ho Arts Festival featuring Taylor Locke and The Roughs, Maxim Ludwig, The Nervous Wreckords, and many more FREE at The Federal Bar (12-8pm)…for more info about the festival http://nohoartsdistrict.com/experience-noho/
ALSO: Purple Melon at The Central (11pm)
ALSO: Feist at The Wiltern (8pm)

Sunday: Honeyhoney at The Troubadour (10:30)
ALSO: Milk Carton Kids and Over the Rhine at The El Rey (7pm)
ALSO: Empire at TRiP Santa Monica (7:30)
ALSO: Elliot Yamin at The Hotel Cafe (9:30)
ALSO: Kyle Nicolaides at Room 5 (10pm)

To Keep in Mind:
November 14^th: The Silent Comedy at Bootleg
November 15^th: Augustana at The Hotel Cafe
November 16^th: The Stone Foxes at The Viper Room
November 17^th: Marketa Irglova at The Troubadour
November 19^th: Milo Greene, The Belle Brigade, and The Civil Wars at The Wiltern
November 19^th: Semi Precious Weapons at The Roxy
November 29^th: Rachel Yamagata at The Troubadour
December 2^nd: Fair to Midland at The Troubadour
December 2^nd: Allen Stone at The Echo
December 2^nd: Priscilla Ahn at The El Rey
December 2^nd: Camp Freddy at The Roxy
December 9^th: Camp Freddy at The Roxy
December 14^th: Deas Vail at The Roxy
December 16^th: Camp Freddy at The Roxy
December 16^th: Oh Land at The El Rey
December 23^rd: Camp Freddy at The Roxy
Feb. 2^nd: Mutemath at Club Nokia
March 9^th: William Fitzsimmons at The Troubadour
March 13^th-18^th: SXSW (Austin, TX)

~ Kristen

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New Music Tuesday 10/11/11 Featuring Rachel Yamagata, Deas Vail, Forrest Day, Rams’ Pocket Radio

Posted on October 11, 2011 by Kristen

Looking for some new tunes? Here are my suggestions from this week’s batch of new music releases:

Rachel Yamagata– Chesapeake

This is another CD that I reviewed for the fall issue of High Voltage Magazine. Don’t want to give away too many spoilers, but I love this new album from Rachel Yamagata. It might be her best to date! It showcases her sultry voice and well-crafted lyrics perfectly. Check out the album and if you’re in LA be sure to get tickets for her show at The Troubadour November 29th.

Get Chesapeake here

Deas Vail– Deas Vail

I fell in love with this band a couple of summers ago (it’s a great story if you haven’t heard it already). Songs like “Balance” and “Birds” are particularly uplifting, but Deas Vail’s entire catalog has found its way onto my “make me feel better” playlist. I’ve heard a couple of tunes from this new album when I saw the band this summer at Bonnaroo. I’m looking forward to exploring the rest.

Get the album here.

Forrest Day – Forrest Day

One of the best bands you may not have heard from located in the Bay Area. They put on quite the live performance with their interesting mix of hip-hop, jazz, rock, etc. (they call it attention-deficit disorder rock). Check out their self-titled CD out today! They play The Mint October 21^st.

The album is available on Itunes and Amazon.

Rams’ Pocket Radio– Dogs Run in Packs EP

I’ve been slightly obsessed with this one man band from Ireland since I first heard him earlier this year. The song “1+2” made my SXSW ’11 mix. I was thrilled to find out new music was released today… Rams’ Pocket Radio is currently opening for Snow Patrol in London. I eagerly anticipate a US tour. Please.

http://ramspocketradio.bandcamp.com/album/dogs-run-in-packs

Other new music out today I plan on giving a listen to:

Graffiti6- Free EP http://www.graffiti6.com/
Evanescence – Evanescence http://www.evanescence.com/
Ryan Adams – Ashes & Fire http://www.npr.org/2011/09/25/140640429/first-listen-ryan-adams-ashes-and-fire
Ben Folds- The Best Imitations Of Myself: A Retrospective http://www.benfolds.com/
Stephen Kellogg & The Sixers – Gift Horse http://sk6ers.com/
Martina McBride- Eleven http://martinamcbride.com/
Bjork- Biophilia http://bjork.com/
Barely Blind- Winter Child of a Thousand Suns http://www.barelyblind.com/

Happy Music Listening!

~ Kristen

Kristen’s 5 “Must See” Acts of Bonnaroo ’11

Posted on June 8, 2011 by Kristen

Tonight, we’re leaving for Bonnaroo! I’ve done the usual; listen to all the artists, create my schedule, figure out how to pack a tent and a sleeping bag to take on a plane… I don’t know what was more difficult, narrowing down the number of books I want to bring or narrowing down the number of bands to put on my top 5 “must see” acts of Bonnaroo ’11 list. But both tasks needed to be done. There are so many acts that I’m excited to see, but here are my top:

Deas Vail http://www.deasvail.com/

This band captured my attention at Warped Tour and I’ve been craving another helping of this Arkansas-based group ever since. Their uplifting melodies and calming vocals always manage to lift the spirit. Deas Vail is the kind of band that can take you to another, much better place. And that’s what Bonnaroo is all about (for me at least). It’s the physical representation of that mental place I go every time I see my favorite bands perform. And there is absolutely nothing better than seeing one of my favorite bands in this place…and that’s why Deas Vail is the group I’m most looking forward to seeing this year.

Where to see them: Friday 2:30 at Cafe Where

2. Eminem http://www.eminem.com/

One of my favorite things about Bonnaroo (and music festivals in general) is being able to see so many big acts that I would never pay to see individually (I go to way too many shows to pay big bucks for any one artist). There are quite a few big names I’m looking forward to this year, but none more than Eminem. I was never a huge fan of Eminem, but then I saw him perform at another festival (Epicenter). This man has a gift. I’ve been hesitant of big name rappers at Bonnaroo ever since that whole Kanye debacle of ’08, but I know Eminem will be more embracing of the Bonnaroo spirit and put on a show worthy of the event. Now that I’ve had a taste of this live performance, I cannot wait to get more!

Where to see him: Saturday 11pm at the What Stage

3. Lelia Broussard vs. The Sheepdogs
http://leliabroussard.com/ http://www.thesheepdogs.com/

I’ve been keeping tabs on the whole Rolling Stone unsigned artist cover competition. Although my faves, Chicago rockers Empire, are sadly no longer in the running, there are still two fantastic acts left. I’ve been going to Lelia Broussard shows for years now and have always enjoyed her songs and charming delivery. The Sheepdogs were introduced to me through this competition, but I pegged them early as one to watch (I have a weakness for southern rock). I’m excited to see them both perform and bring about a conclusion to this competition.

Where to see them: Saturday 2pm at This Tent

4. Mumford and Sons http://www.mumfordandsons.com/

As amazing as their album, Sigh No More, can be, the live Mumford and Sons performance is even better! As these English folk rockers continue to grow in popularity around the world, their performances become increasingly coveted. I don’t know if I could ever beat the front row at The Belly Up, but Mumford and Sons + Bonnaroo is an ideal combination and I am really looking forward to seeing them again.

Where to see them: Saturday 6:15 at Which Stage

5. Cory Chisel and The Wandering Sons http://www.corychisel.com/

What would be the point of a big music festival, if I didn’t walk away discovering a great new band. I mean Bonnaroo is the event in where I first heard one of my LA faves, Carney. Listening to all the acts unbeknownst to me, I heard a lot of promise in Cory Chisel and The Wandering Sons. Will they live up to my expectations? Will another unknown act steal my heart? I guess we’ll all have to wait and see.

Where to see them:
Thursday 7:15 at The Solar Stage
Friday 9:20 at The On Tap Lounge

Other Highly Anticipated Acts for Bonnaroo ‘11

Band of Skulls http://www.bandofskulls.com/
Freelance Whales http://freelancewhales.com/
The Decemberists http://decemberists.com/
Portugal, The Man http://www.portugaltheman.com/
Alberta Cross http://www.albertacross.net/
Cold War Kids http://www.coldwarkids.com/site/mineisyours
So, so many many more…

Hope to see you at the ‘Roo!

~ Kristen

Kristen’s ’10 Mix- Track 7 – Deas Vail

Posted on January 5, 2011 by Kristen

7. “Balance” – Deas Vail

I was wandering around Warped Tour Pomona, waiting for After Midnight Project’s acoustic set, when I first heard Deas Vail. Their music literally made me stop in my tracks, turn my head, and go towards their stage. I kept trying to leave the stage (I didn’t want to be late for the other set), but I couldn’t. I kept walking back. The music was so beautiful and uplifting and SO out of place at Warped Tour. As soon as I could, I found their tent, bought every single album they had (an EP and an LP) and have been listening somewhat obsessively ever since. “Balance”, off their White Lights EP, is one of those songs that moves me every time I hear it.

http://deasvail.com/

More Deas Vail:

~ Kristen

track 6: Mumford & Sons
track 8: Endoxi

Today’s Playlist: A Stress Buster

Posted on October 13, 2010 by Kristen

It’s been an overly stressful day/week. I’ve been listening to a lot of Deas Vail, Florence and The Machine, and Fran Healy’s new CD, Wreckorder. Thought I’d share…

What do you listen to when you’re stressed?

~ Kristen

Deas Vail’s “White Lights”

Posted on September 16, 2010 by Kristen

Today, I am super overwhelmed. I’m doing my best to retreat to my happy place…which at the moment features Deas Vail’s song, White Lights. I do so enjoy this band…

Deas Vail- “White Lights”

~ Kristen

Warped Tour Pomona-pictures!

Posted on August 18, 2010 by Kristen

As promised, a few pics from our second Warped experience in Pomona.

The always amazing After Midnight Project (remember, the band that you’re going to go see at The Key Club on September 4th):

After Midnight Project also did an acoustic set! LOVE this.

Just a couple shots of Mayday Parade…playing on the tiniest stage, it was difficult to get up close for good pictures. Thankfully, this band emits so much energy, you don’t need to be up front to feel the music.