Empire

Kristen’s ’11 Mix – Bonus 2 – Harper Blynn

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Bonus 2. “Halo” (Beyonce/Dirty Projectors Cover) – Harper Blynn

 

I spent a lot of time this year hanging out at The Mint. I had friends who worked there so…this often translated to free music and food. And it was good music and food (garlic fries, mac n cheese, taquitos, yum!). Some memorable nights at The Mint included any High Voltage night (Marti Gras, Dead Sara, Queen Caveat), Andrew Belle and Schuyler Fisk, Liam Gerner, Empire (a fantastic new band), etc. Harper Blynn is one of those bands I discovered at The Mint. They absolutely blew me away. I was transfixed by their energy and their songs. I love their album, Loneliest Generation, but it’s this cover of Beyonce’s “Halo” that I felt needed a spot on this mix as it became my wake up and get out of bed tune of the year. These Brooklyn boys spend a couple of months in LA doing a residency at The Hotel Cafe and brought out other fantastic artists like The Damnwells, Cary Brothers, Todd Carey, and Laura Jansen. They also did a couple amazing shows at Bardot. It was a great year for me and Harper Blynn.

 

~ Kristen

Kristen’s ’11 Mix – Track 15 – Semi Precious Weapons

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15. “Semi Precious Weapons” – Semi Precious Weapons

 

In 2011, Semi Precious Weapons moved to LA. Their weekly Empire parties at On the Rox were a huge part of my year. Every Wednesday night for months, I stayed up late to get molested by burlesque girls, party with fashionistas and rockstars, and rock out with friends as we were treated to debuts of songs potentially on the next Semi Precious Weapons album. I wish the album had come out this year so I could share with you some of their amazing new tunes, but we will have to settle for a classic SPW song that rings particularly true to me. These rockers may epitomize dirty glam, but they are also really nice guys. I started running into them at their shows, out on The Strip, at Duke’s, etc. and they are now part of my family here in LA.

a few pictures from Empire parties:

 

~ Kristen

 

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 11/28-12/4

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Well, I had a delightful Thanksgiving full of adventures down in San Diego. It actually felt like a holiday which is a rare thing for me. I’m not really looking forward to facing my massive to do list tomorrow, but I am quite excited about this week’s show schedule. My beloved LA rockers, After Midnight Project, are doing their first show in what seems like years Monday night in North Hollywood at The Federal Bar. Another highlight is Tuesday when songstress Rachel Yamagata comes to The Troubadour to regale us with tunes from her fantastic new record, Chesapeake. For my complete list of shows I’d recommend, just keep reading:

 

Monday: After Midnight Project FREE at The Federal Bar (10pm)
ALSO: Chris Bathgate at Molly Malone’s (10pm)
ALSO: Chasing Kings, Vanaprasta, Voxhual Broadcast FREE at The Satellite (9pm)…last night of Vanaprasta’s residency (you read our interview, right?)
ALSO: Rhett Miller at Largo (8pm)
ALSO: Driftwood Singers and Little Hurricane FREE at Bootleg Bar (10,11)
ALSO: Sting at The Wiltern (8pm)
ALSO: It’s a School Night at Bardot featuring Milo Greene and Incan Abraham FREE with RSVP (10pm)
ALSO: Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 featuring Garrison Starr, Adrianna, Dawn Thomas, and Maia Sharp (9pm)

 

Tuesday: Rachel Yamagata at The Troubadour (10pm)
ALSO: Wires in the Walls, The Californian FREE at On the Rox (9pm)
ALSO: George Stanford at The Foundry on Melrose (8pm)
ALSO: SONOS at Bootleg Bar (9pm)
ALSO: Races and Kiev at The Central (10,11)
ALSO: Fat City Reprise at Molly Malone’s (11:15)
ALSO: Beachwood Night FREE at Piano Bar featuring Johnny Moezzi at midnight (8pm)

 

Weds: Empire at The Mint (11pm)
ALSO: The Watkins Family Hour at Largo (8pm)
ALSO: Jake Newton at The Hotel Cafe (8pm)

 

Thursday: Hurricane Bells with Shadow Shadow Shade at The Satellite (9pm)

 

Friday: Camp Freddy at The Roxy (8pm)
ALSO: Fair to Midland at The Troubadour (10pm)
ALSO: Allen Stone at The Echo (10pm)
ALSO: Keaton Simons at WitZend in Venice (9:30)
ALSO: The Janks at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)
ALSO: Fences at The Echoplex (9pm)
ALSO: Priscilla Ahn at The El Rey (8pm)
ALSO: Saint Motel at Origami Vinyl (8pm)

 

Saturday: KCRW’s Holiday Show at The Orpheum Theater featuring Brett Dennn, Iron and Wine, Belle Brigade, White Denim, etc. (7:45)
ALSO: The Ataris acoustic performance at The Airliner (9pm)
ALSO: Beverly McClellan at The Mint (11pm)
ALSO: David and Devine at Molly Malone’s (10pm)
ALSO: Beady Eye at The Wiltern (8pm)

 

Sunday: Maniac acoustic set at Bellejar Vintage (8pm)
ALSO: Taylor Locke and the Roughs at The Satellite (10pm)

 

 

To Keep in Mind:
December 6th: The Postelles and Maniac at Bootleg Theater
December 9th: Camp Freddy at The Roxy
December 9th: Stephen Kellogg and Jon McLaughlin at The Key Club
December 9th: Camp Fredd at The Roxy
December 9th: The Belle Brigade at McCabe’s
December 12th: High Voltage Holiday Party at On the Rox
December 14th: Deas Vail at The Roxy
December 16th: Camp Freddy at The Roxy
December 16th: Oh Land at The El Rey
December 16th: Chris Cornell at The Orpheum Theater
December 16th: Hotel Café Christmas Party night 1
December 17th: Hotel Café Christmas Party night 2
December 17th: Tori Amos at The Orpheum Theater
December 18th: Tori Amos at The Orpheum Theater
December 23rd: Camp Freddy at The Roxy
January 12th: Milk Carton Kids at The Largo
January 31st: Atomic Tom at Bootleg Bar
Feb. 2nd: Mutemath at Club Nokia
March 9th: William Fitzsimmons at The Troubadour
March 13th-18th: SXSW (Austin, TX)
March 24th: Ani DiFranco at The Orpheum Theater

~ Kristen

 

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

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

 

~ Kristen

 

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Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar 7/4-7/10

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This week has been kinda painful. Let’s just say I hate moving. My mom was in town from Pennsylvania to help with the move. She accompanied me Weds night to the El Rey to see Nightlands and Sondre Lerche THEN she came with me to On the Rox to rock out to Semi Precious Weapons’ last Empire gig…completely with late night dining at The Rainbow Room. We didn’t get home ‘til the wee hours. I just have to say that my mom totally rocks and I am quite lucky to have her.

Because of the move, my last week was a bit light on shows. Hopefully this week I’ll be able to turn it all around. This may be slightly problematic as my car currently doesn’t function properly…but The Silent Comedy is starting a West Coast tour with Saint Motel, hitting up The Casbah (San Diego) on Tuesday, Detroit Bar (Costa Mesa) Weds, LACMA (LA) Thursday, and Velvet Jones (Santa Barbara) on Saturday so…we shall just have to make something work, now won’t we!

Also happening this week:

 

Monday: Truth & Salvage Co. with Brian Wright and Erin McLaughlin at The Hotel Cafe (7:30)

 

Tuesday: Anya Marina and Meiko at The Hotel Cafe (8,9:30)
ALSO: Alice Wallace at The Mint (9pm)
ALSO: Beachwood Night at Piano Bar (8pm)…this event is always free!

 

Weds: Lovers Drugs at Silverlake Lounge (10pm)
ALSO: Anna Nalick at The Hotel Cafe (10pm)

 

Thursday: The Silent Comedy and Saint Motel at LACMA
ALSO: Golden State and Dead Sara at The Viper Room (9,10)
ALSO: Fat City Reprise at Silverlake Lounge (10pm)
ALSO: The Northstar Session at The Hotel Cafe (11pm)
ALSO: Chasing Kings and Infantree at Bootleg Bar (10:30, 11:30)

 

Friday: Queen Caveat at On the Rox (8pm)
ALSO: Graham Colton at The Hotel Cafe (7pm)
ALSO: Singer-Songwriter Night FREE at Pi on Sunset (9pm)…a songwriters in the round format featuring Alina Smith and friends

 

Saturday: Moderne Man at The Viper Room (9pm)

 

Sunday: I’m sure something will present itself before Sunday

 

To Keep in Mind:
July 14th: Parade of Lights at The Viper Room
July 15th: Curtis Peoples at The Hotel Cafe
July 19th and 21st: Alkaline Trio at The Troubadour
July 21st: Missy Higgins at The Santa Monica Pier
July 22nd: Langhorne Slim at The Echo
July 22nd: Indians CD release at The Viper Room
July 26th: The Indigo Girls at The Troubadour
July 28th: Ben Sollee at Bootleg Theater
July 28th: A Perfect Circle at Gibson Auditorium
August 11th: Toy and Lifehouse at Ventura County Fair
August 12-14th: Outside Lands in San Francisco
August 18th and 25th: The Veronicas at The Viper Room
August 18th: TDIF at The Hotel Cafe
August 19th: Buckcherry at The Roxy
August 18-20th: SSMF
August 27-28th: Sunset Junction
September 3rd: FYF
September 22-24: Hotel Carolina (South Carolina)
September 22nd: Jonathan Tyler and the Northern Lights at The Viper Room

~ Kristen

 

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Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 6/27-7/3

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It’s a big week! Work-wise, I’m going to be finishing up and turning in something I’ve been working on for months. In my personal life, I’m moving this week…and my mother is flying across the country to assist. Musically, it’s the last Empire (Semi Precious Weapons’ weekly party at On The Rox). All of this is making me a little overwhelmed  and emotional…fingers crossed it all goes well.

This week also marks my welcome back to the world of the living (hopefully). I tested my newly regained health out yesterday at the vegan beerfest which took place at The Roxy. It was a tad exhausting, but I didn’t keel over or develop some new form of illness so we’ll chalk it up as a success! Also, The Silent Comedy played a set that got the entire festival dancing (double success!!). If you still haven’t seen this band, I shake my fist at you. Mark your calendars for July 7th when they’ll be playing LACMA with Saint Motel. Tim Burton’s exhibit is in town, so come for some art and some music…you won’t regret it!

 

In the meantime:

 

Monday: Armada at The Viper Room (11:15)
ALSO: Le Butcherettes at The Troubadour (10:15)
ALSO: The Californian FREE at The Satellite (10pm)
ALSO: Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 (9pm)

 

Tuesday: The Postelles at The Echo (10pm)
ALSO: Indians at The Satellite (10pm)
ALSO: The Canyons at Molly Malone’s (8pm)
ALSO: J Scott Bergman at The Bootleg (8:30)
ALSO: Beachwood Night at Piano Bar (8pm)…great night of FREE music

 

Weds: Sondre Lerche and Nightlands at The El Rey (8pm)
ALSO: Empire On the Rox with Semi Precious Weapons (10pm)…FREE with RSVP to rsvp@semipreciousweapons.com (this is the LAST Empire…don’t miss it!)
ALSO: Jackie Tohn at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)
ALSO: Brooke Fraser at The Music Box (8pm)
ALSO: Big Black Delta at The Satellite (10pm)

 

Thursday: Shawn Hlookoff at The Viper Room (10pm)
ALSO: The Shakers FREE at The Troubadour (8pm)
ALSO: Eli James at On the Rise at The Hard Rock Cafe (9:45)
ALSO: Maxim Ludwig and the Santa Fe Seven (10pm)
ALSO: Maren Parusel at Silverlake Lounge (9pm)
ALSO: Chasing Kings at The Roxy (8pm)

 

Friday: Warped Tour Pomona (11am)

 

Saturday: Ragsy, Andy Clockwise, George Stanford at The Hotel Cafe (10,11,12)
ALSO: Sabrosa Purr at Bootleg (10pm)

 

Sunday: Warped Tour Ventura (11am)

 

To Keep in Mind:
July 4th: Truth & Salvage Co. at The Hotel Cafe
July 7th: The Silent Comedy and Saint Motel at LACMA
July 7th: Dead Sara at The Viper Room
July 14th: Parade of Lights at The Viper Room
July 15th: Curtis Peoples at The Hotel Cafe
July 19th and 21st: Alkaline Trio at The Troubadour
July 22nd: Langhorne Slim at The Echo
July 26th: The Indigo Girls at The Troubadour
July 28th: Ben Sollee at Bootleg Theater
July 28th: A Perfect Circle at Gibson Auditorium
August 11th: Toy and Lifehouse at Ventura County Fair
August 12-14th: Outside Lands in San Francisco
August 18th: The Veronicas at The Viper Room
August 18th: TDIF at The Hotel Cafe
August 19th: Buckcherry at The Roxy
August 18-20th: SSMF
August 27-28th: Sunset Junction
September 3rd: FYF
September 22-24: Hotel Carolina (South Carolina)

~ Kristen

 

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Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 6/20-6/26

Posted on by Kristen

This weekend was supposed to be SO much fun, but I ended up spending most of it sleeping. I guess I can only run away from sickness for so long. Fortunately, before the fever descended, I was able to spend an amazing night Weds at Empire, the weekly party Semi Precious Weapons throws at On the Rox (bar above The Roxy). So many of my friends were out, celebrating a few birthdays. SPW put on a stripped down miniset, including a slower version of their new tune “Free Booze” that I might just enjoy more than the original. Finally, we all danced the night away to tunes provided by my favorite DJ (DJ High Voltage). Such a memorable night! There are only two more Empires left (this Weds and next) so if you haven’t been, be sure to get on the list and go!

As for the rest of the week, here’s my wish list. At the moment, I can’t really fathom going out, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have to. So many good shows this week. You’ll have to enjoy them for me until I’m back on my feet.

 

Monday: Armada at The Viper Room (11:15)
ALSO: Anna Nalick at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)
ALSO: Jenny O FREE at Bootleg (9pm)
ALSO: Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 featuring Shane Alexander, John Elliot, Joel Eckels, and Jon Green (9pm)

 

Tuesday: Blue n Green: To Jopin With Love benefit concert at The Hotel Cafe featuring Tony Lucca, Keaton Simons, Raining Jane, Stop Motion Poetry, and SO many more (9pm)…door proceeds to benefit The Joplin Schools Tornado Relief Fund
ALSO: Lovers Drugs at Lot 1 Cafe (9pm)
ALSO: Two Gallants at The Echo (9pm)
ALSO: Paris Carney at Room 5 (9pm)

 

Weds: High Voltage Night at The Mint featuring Eli James, Hell & Lula, and Toy Bombs (9pm)
ALSO: The Watkins Family hour at Largo at The Coronet (8:30, 10)
ALSO: Meiko at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)
ALSO: Jarrod Gorbel and Bell X1 at The Troubadour (8:30, 9:30)
ALSO: My Morning Jacket at Pantages Theater (8pm)
ALSO: Empire Presents Semi Precious Weapons On the Rox (10pm)…free with RSVP to rsvp@semipreciousweapons.com

 

Thursday: War Tapes and Dead Sara at Bootleg Theater (9:45, 10:45)
ALSO: Austin Hartley Leonard, Chris Pierce, and The Canyons at The Hotel Cafe (9,10,11)
ALSO: Allen Stone and Nikka Costa at The Roxy (8pm)
ALSO: Lovers Drugs at The Prospector in Long Beach (9pm)
ALSO: The Kooks at The Troubadour (9:45)
ALSO: Okkervil River at The Wiltern (7pm)
ALSO: The Mountain Goats at The El Rey (8pm)

 

Friday: Lakes at The Hotel Cafe (11pm)
ALSO: Rooney and Maniac at The El Rey (8pm)
ALSO: Viza at The Troubadour (11:15)
ALSO: Alex Dezen at Bootleg (9:30)

 

Saturday: The Silent Comedy at The Roxy (1pm)
ALSO: Terra Naomi, Lelia Broussard, Andy Clockwise, and Brother Sal at The Hotel Cafe (9,10,11,12)
ALSO: Jamestown Revival at Room 5 (10pm)
ALSO: Allen Stone and Nikka Costa at Saint Rocke (9pm)

Sunday: Jonah Montraga at The Hotel Cafe (7:30)

 

To Keep in Mind:
June 29th: Brooke Fraser at The Music Box
July 4th: Hotel Café Presents Ford on the 4th of July featuring Truth & Salvage Co., Cary Brothers, The Rescues, Anya Marina, etc.
July 14th: Parade of Lights at The Viper Room
July 15th: Curtis Peoples at The Hotel Cafe
July 19th and 21st: Alkaline Trio at The Troubadour
July 22nd: Langhorne Slim at The Echo
July 26th: The Indigo Girls at The Troubadour
July 28th: A Perfect Circle at Gibson Auditorium
August 12-14th: Outside Lands in San Francisco
August 18th: The Veronicas at The Viper Room
August 19th: Buckcherry at The Roxy
August 18-20th: SSMF
September 22-24: Hotel Carolina (South Carolina)

~ Kristen

 

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