hotel cafe

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 8/5-8/11

Posted on by Kristen

And once again it’s Sunday night. It doesn’t feel like I’ve
had much of a weekend as I spent most of it sitting in front of my computer,
working. I watched three movies today: The
Bumblebee Flies Away, Girl
Interrupted, and Der Krieger und die Kaiserin (The Princess and The Warrior). All of them largely take place in
some sort of hospital or mental institution. I found myself envious of the patients
which I suppose tells you something of my current mental state.  Hopefully next week won’t be so overwhelming
and I will be able to get to some shows (my much needed respite in this storm
of life).

Fortunately there are some great musical opportunities
coming up including exciting lineups for Monday Monday at Room 5 and The
Basement Sessions at Hemingway’s, and a High Voltage show Wednesday night at
Silverlake Lounge.

Monday: Monday
Monday FREE at Room 5 featuring Cary Brothers, The Brendan Hines, Gabriel Mann,
Young Romans, etc. (8pm)
ALSO: Lady Sinatra at The Viper Room (11pm)
ALSO: The Janks, King Washington, etc FREE at The Satellite (10pm)

Tuesday: Family
Wagon, Filthy Souls, Korey Dane FREE at Hemingway’s (9pm)
ALSO: Madi Diaz at Bootleg Bar (9pm)
ALSO: Beachwood Tuesday FREE at The Piano Bar (8pm)

Weds: High
Voltage Presents at The Silverlake Lounge featuring The Heavy Heavy Hearts,
John Flanagan, Bryce Soderberg & the 2nd Wheel, The Vim Dicta
(8pm)
ALSO: Jesse Thomas at Hotel Cafe (10pm)
ALSO: Skylar Grey at The Grammy Museum (8pm)

Thursday: The
Veils at The Troubadour (10pm)
ALSO: The Silent Comedy and The Heavy at The Fonda (8pm)
ALSO: Javier Dunn at The Hotel Cafe (8pm)
ALSO: Terra Naomi at WitZend (8pm)
ALSO: Hanni El Khatib FREE at Santa Monica Pier (7pm)
ALSO: Lorde at The Echoplex (10pm)

Friday: Scott
Mellis at Room 5 (8pm)
ALSO: Vanaprasta at The Troubadour (9:15)
ALSO: The Bolts at Amplyfi (10:20)
ALSO: Flyleaf at House of Blues Sunset (9pm)
ALSO: Brandi Carlile with Ivan & Alyosha as House of Blues Anaheim (9pm)

Saturday: Death
Of A Star at The Viper Room (10pm)
ALSO: PLUS at The Satellite (11pm)
ALSO: The National with Daughter at Greek Theatre (7:30)

Sunday: Ivan
& Alyosha at The Troubadour (9:30)

To Keep in Mind:
August 14th: Jamie N Commons at The Troubadour 
August 15th: The Neighbourhood at The Fonda
Theatre 
August 16th: Michael Bernard Fitzgerald at The Troubadour 
August 16th: Serena Ryder at The Roxy 
August
17th/18th: Echo Park Rising
August 19th/20th: Ed Sheeran at The Staples Center
August 20th: Patrick Part at The Troubadour 
August 22nd: Andrew Belle at Bootleg Bar 
August 24th: NEEDTOBREATHE at Harvest Social in Anaheim 
August 24th: Truth & Salvage Co. at The Troubadour 
August 24th: Gavin DeGraw at LA Food and Wine Festival 
August 31st: The Shakers at The Troubadour 
September 4th: Tegan and Sara at The Greek Theatre
September 4th: Brendan James at The Hotel Cafe 
September 6th: Gold Fields at The Troubadour 
September 10th: Ewert and The Two Dragons at The Satellite 
September 14th: Hem at The Troubadour 
September 17th: Butch Walker at Bootleg Theatre 
September 18th: Bastille at The El Rey 
September 19th: Cold War Kids at The Wiltern 
September 20th: twenty one pilots at House of Blues Anaheim (w/ Fall Out Boy
and Panic at The Disco)
September 24th: Ben Rector and Tyrone Wells at House of Blues 
September 24th: Drew Holcomb and The
Neighbors at The Hotel Cafe 
September 25th: Wicker at The Roxy 
September 26th: Hanson at House of Blues Sunset
September 27th: The Naked & Famous at The Wiltern 
September 27th/28th: The Lumineers at The Greek Theatre 
September 28th: White Buffalot at The El
Rey 
September 29th: Arctic Monkeys at The
Wiltern 
October 1st: Jake Bugg at Fonda Theatre
October 1st: Bronze Radio Return at The Satellite 
October 3rd: Matt Nathanson and Joshua Radin at The Wiltern 
October 4th: Travis at The Wiltern 
October 5th/6th: Way Over Yonder Festival at
The Santa Monica Pier 
October 8th: Daughter at The Wiltern
October 9th: The Avett Brothers at Shrine Auditorium 
October 10th: Tony Lucca at The Hotel Cafe  
October 10th/11th: The Pretty Reckless at House of Blues 
October 11th: KT Tunstall at Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever Cemetery 
October 12th: 30 Seconds to Mars at The Hollywood Bowl
October 14th: Frank Turner at The Fonda 
October 16th: Langhorne Slim & The Law at
The Troubadour
October 16th: The Delta Saints at The
Mint 
October 21st: Carbon Leaf at The Hotel Café
October 22nd: AFI at The Fonda Theatre 
October 25th: Stephen Kellogg at McCabe’s 
October 26th: Boy at The Fonda  
October 27th: Stephen Kellogg at Saint Rocke 
October 28th: Foy Vance at The Hotel
Cafe 
October 31st: Iron & Wine at Orpheum Theatre
November 20th/22nd: Black Crowes at The Wiltern 
November 23rd/24th: Pearl Jam at LA Sports Arena

~
Kristen

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Kristen’s Top 10 Bands to See SXSW 2012

Posted on by Kristen

We started the morning in Wilcox, Arizona. Drove 12 hours to get to Austin and immediately went to the Pure Volume House for its Late Night show featuring LMN faves Dead Sara and Foxy Shazam. What a fantastic way to begin SXSW 2012! Tomorrow officially begins the madness, so I thought I’d share with you my top 10 picks for the week:

  1. Twin Atlantic- if there is one band I try to see every time they play in Austin it will be Scottish rockers, Twin Atlantic. No matter that I’ve seen them three times in the past month. Their CD, Free, has a problem leaving my car stereo. Catch them at The British Embassy (512 San Jacinto) Friday night at 11pm.

2. Queen Caveat– This dynamic rock quartet from LA just released a new EP, Slap on the Wrist, and I cannot wait to see them turn heads and make even more new fans with their energetic live performance. Check them out at The ATN Showcase at The Bayou Lounge (500 E 6th St) Friday night at 10pm

3. The Silent Comedy– There is no greater joy than dancing with friends at a The Silent Comedy show. Some of my best memories from SXSW 2011 surround this folk-rocking band from San Diego. Only makes sense that 2012 will be a repeat. See them play the rooftop at Whole Foods Friday at 5:15.

4. The Milk Carton Kids- missing a Milk Carton Kids show is simply not acceptable in my book. This duo sing songs so beautiful my heart melts every time. They are only playing one show, The Hotel Café showcase at St. David’s (301 E 8th St.) Friday night. The line-up at this show also boasts other LMN faves such as Meiko, The Lumineers, LP, and Rachel Yamagata. The Milk Carton Kids play at 9pm.

 

5. We Are Augustines- I’ve been meaning to see this NYC-based band for some time now. I am MOST excited to finally get the opportunity in Austin. Their first show is 10pm Tuesday night at Antone’s (213 W 5th St). Seems like a great way to start the week to me…

6. Tournament of Hearts– Tournament of Hearts is my pick for best unknown band to check out. That’s what SXSW is all about, right? These rockers from LA are in Austin to show the industry that they are a band to watch. Watch them at The Bayou Lounge Thursday at noon (500 E 6th St)

7. Glen Hansard- The Swell Season puts on one of the best shows I have ever seen. It’s something about the way Glen can convey such emotion in his songs. I’m looking forward to seeing him solo Thursday 3:30 at Antone’s (213 W 5th St.)

8. Maverick Sabre- Two years ago Maverick Sabre captivated me with his song “I Need”. This past year this Englishman finally released his full length album which I looove.  I saw he was playing sxsw this year an instantly blocked out my schedule. Catch him at The British Embassy Saturday night at 11pm.

9. Marcus Foster– Marcus Foster has already sold out two shows at The Hotel Café later this month. I failed to get a ticket so I must catch him at SXSW. I’m aiming for 9pm Weds night at Maggie Mae’s Rooftop (323 E 6th St).

 

10. Dead Sara- Dead Sara has been one of my favorites for some time now. Their debut album comes out in April and they are already getting so much buzz they can no longer play smaller venues in LA. SXSW may be the last time I get to see them up close in awhile. Can’t miss that! Catch them play alongside some other fantastic LA bands at the Buzzbands showcase at Freehouse (700 W 6th St.) 1:30 Weds afternoon.

 

 

As for tomorrow, some anticipated highlights include We Are Augustines (10pm) and Band of Skulls (11pm) at Antone’s (213 W 5th St) and fiN at The British Music Emassy (Latitude 30- 512 San Jacinto)

 

Ok, now time for my 3 hour “nap”

 

~ Kristen

Kristen’s ’11 Mix – Track 16 – Keaton Simons

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16. “Beautiful Pain” – Keaton Simons

 

There are quite a few songs that impacted me this year that aren’t on the list simply because they haven’t been released. I was very excited when Keaton Simons leaked a few of his newer songs in honor of Hotel Carolina, including my favorite, “Beautiful Pain”. I had several meetings with Keaton over the year, but the one that is most memorable (perhaps because it was most recent) was at The Hotel Café Christmas show. This evening ties with the evening of the Pepper’s Ghost show as the best musical event of my year. It was so full of amazing artists (Cary Brothers, Butch Walker, Joe Purdy, Chris Pierce), new discovers (Sweet Talk Radio, Javier Dunn) and surprise guests (Joey Ryan, Sara Barellies, Pink!!), by the end I was overwhelmed to tears. When Keaton came out, he played this song. It was a perfect moment.

~ Kristen

HoHotel Cafe Holiday Benefit Show- Night 2 Recap

Posted on by Kristen

The annual Hohotel Cafe holiday benefit show is always one of my favorite events of the year. Hotel Cafe artists come together to play a mix of seasonal tunes and originals in a rapid-fire manner, each taking the stage for only a song or two, playing solo or inviting up friends to fill out a make-shift band. The two day event featured the likes of Cary Brothers, Butch Walker, Priscilla Ahn, Meiko, Joe Purdy, Laura Jansen and SO many more. This year, I was only able to make one of the two days, but the night will go down as one of the best evenings of music I experienced all year.  It was one stellar act after another with many fun surprises and special guests. Just when I thought it couldn’t get better, it did. Over and over again. By the end of the evening, even before Butch invited his friend Alecia Moore (AKA Pink) to the stage, I was so overwhelmed, my continuously blown mind seemed to be leaking out of my eyes. Seriously, the beauty and magic of the music had moved me to tears.
Going into detail on the evening would take a book, so here are some pictures. Put your cursor over the pic to more details or fun stories:

HoHotel Cafe Holiday Benefit Show- Night 2 Recap

Posted on by Kristen

The annual Hohotel Cafe holiday benefit show is always one of my favorite events of the year. Hotel Cafe artists come together to play a mix of seasonal tunes and originals in a rapid-fire manner, each taking the stage for only a song or two, playing solo or inviting up friends to fill out a make-shift band. The two day event featured the likes of Cary Brothers, Butch Walker, Priscilla Ahn, Meiko, Joe Purdy, Laura Jansen and SO many more. This year, I was only able to make one of the two days, but the night will go down as one of the best evenings of music I experienced all year.  It was one stellar act after another with many fun surprises and special guests. Just when I thought it couldn’t get better, it did. Over and over again. By the end of the evening, even before Butch invited his friend Alecia Moore (AKA Pink) to the stage, I was so overwhelmed, my continuously blown mind seemed to be leaking out of my eyes. Seriously, the beauty and magic of the music had moved me to tears.

Going into detail on the evening would take a book, so here are some pictures. Put your cursor over the pic to more details or fun stories:

Listen to This!: When I Stop Running – TFDI

Posted on by Kristen

Tony Lucca, Matt Duke, and Jay Nash are three of my favorite singer-songwriters. Last year they went on a tour christened the “Totally F*ckin’ Doin’ It” (TFDI) Tour. The tour was a smashing success, spawning a 4 song TFDI EP that had the masses demanding more. This summer, the trio announced another TFDI tour coupled with the release of a full length album, When I Stop Running. I downloaded the album a couple days ago and I can’t stop listening. It’s a combination of tunes, familiar and new, all sung by some combination of voices that alone have the ability to stir the soul and together…well, can we say super group?  I’m enjoying the group takes on classics like Lucca’s “Darlin’ I” and Nash’s “Sweet Talking Liar”, but I’m even more excited about songs I hadn’t heard before like “Hurtin Kind” and the titular “When I Stop Running” as well as fun covers like a slowed down version of Tom Petty’s “American Girl” and the incredibly apropos “On the Road Again.”

If you want a description of what the trio has to offer, I’d point you to the TFDI facebook page where each of the three artists relays their take on this unique “bromance” and the upcoming tour. Here’s what Jay Nash had to say:

“It’s a simple equation, but it works incredibly well,” says Nash. “Three distinct songwriting voices and three guitars is the general blueprint, but this time around, expect surprises. Lucca gravitates toward an R&B and soul vibe, Matt Duke brings in the alternative rock, and I suppose that I am the hippie/Americana fan. Somehow it all blends together into beautiful cacophony. Last fall, I think that we found a great starting point and I cannot wait to continue on stage and in the studio. Also, Matt Duke, if you could bring an extra toothbrush along, that would be great.”

The TFDI Tour is coming through California in August. The Hotel Cafe on the 18th, Saint Rocke on the 19th, The Ventura Folk Festival on the 20th, Anthology in San Diego on the 28th. Check out the tour page for more info on cities and dates that take the trio all over the country through the fall months.

You can download When I Stop Running on Amazon where you can get “Stranger in a Strange Place” for free!

Here’s a promo for their tour last fall…

 

~ Kristen

Kristen’s SXSW ’11 Mix: BONUS Tracks!

Posted on by Kristen

Because it’s so hard to narrow it down to the number of songs that will fit on a CD, I’ve squeezed a few more tracks in my online list.

 

Bonus 1: “Push Me to The Floor” – The Parlotones

I know The Parlotones are far from what you might call a new band, but hey, I’d never heard of the South African rockers until this year at SXSW. They did this song acoustically for Hanson’s SXSW4Japan benefit. Then I looked up their video…hilarious! Enjoy!

 

Bonus 2: “George Square” – David Berkeley

I was immediately struck by the beauty of this song. I needed to add it to this list. Really looking forward to David coming to LA. I can just feel an amazing Hotel Cafe show.

 

Bonus 3: “New Morning” – Alpha Rev

Another song I discovered from Hanson’s SXSW4Japan event. This Texas-based band has been recognized by VH1 as an artist you oughta know and I agree. Check out their CD, New Morning and enjoy the title track song.

 

Enjoy!!

 

Now…onto Bonaroo!!

 

~ Kristen