Listen to This!: Jim Bianco’s “Loudmouth”

I absolutely LOVE that the very first thing you hear when you press play on Jim Bianco’s new album, Loudmouth, is laughter. I have been a fan of Mr. Bianco for a couple years now, seeing him play at The Hotel Cafe, Hotel Carolina, and, most recently, SXSW, and one of the things I love most about his live performance is that it always puts you in a good mood.  Not afraid to speak/sing his mind and often delivering the unexpected, this CD succeeds in capturing the essence of a live show and takes the listener on a journey to fun and somewhat unexpected places.

My first thought after l began listening was “I can’t believe these songs haven’t been released already!” Seriously, “Elevator Operator”, an infectious tune about a woman who aspires to be an elevator operator, was the first song I remember hearing Jim Bianco sing a couple of years ago. And the song “Sinners” has long been the anthem I’ve associated with Bianco; that song that calls all the musicians in the room to the stage and gets the crowd on their feet singing along.

I suppose it’s appropriate to open the album with this song that goes, “Heave ho to hell we go. Look out here we come!”  Bianco’s voice lends itself well to the more debacherous tune and I’m fairly sure he could make a children’s nursery rhyme into a song that would turn your cheeks pink. But don’t let the theme of the first tune deceive you into thinking the entire album follows this lead.

The rest of the album goes back and forth between upbeat tunes with a devil may care attitude like “Take You Home” and “Shut Up and Kiss Me” and songs showing more emotional vulnerability such as “Talented” and “Ok, I Suppose”.  The gruff in Bianco’s unique voice pulls off both ends of the spectrum equally well and with the aid of the musical arrangements (horns versus strings, the piano versus keyboard,  acoustic versus electric guitar, an array of percussion), this CD has the ability to take you from headboppin’ smiles to heartbreaking sighs in the matter of minutes.

Let Loudmouth grab your attention with catchier ditties like “Sinners” and “Elevator Operator”, but stick around to see this loudmouth’s softer side. After several listens, the tune that really stays with me is the album ender, “Home”. I’ve always enjoyed this song, but there is something about how it’s arranged on the album that seems to elevate its emotional intensity.

“Home” also brings the album great closure. It’s like that “Sinner” from track one, who has been through all these emotional ups and downs has come to some sort of conclusion about life.

“Amazing grace how sweet the sound. A sinner’s prayer is heard while falling to the ground. I once was lost but now I’ve found. Home.

“There is only one voice whispering in our ear. There is only one place, we’re already here. There is only one word. It’s the word you’re thinking.”

Loudmouth is a seamless transition from Bianco’s 2008 release, Sing. If you are a fan of that album, or enjoy any of Bianco’s brethren on the Hotel Cafe circuit (Cary Brothers, Laura Jansen, Jay Nash, Meiko, Brian Wright, etc.), this album will fit quite nicely in your collection.

And if you’re in Los Angeles TONIGHT (Monday April 4th), Come to Bardot to celebrate the release of Loudmouth. Jim Bianco plays at 10pm!

 

~ Kristen

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

Couldn’t really tell the difference between the last two days and the five that proceeded it. The world looks the same when all you can see is your computer screen with that darned blinking line, so taunting on the blank white page…ah writer’s block. On top of the fact that I worked through the weekend, I will probably be limiting my concerting schedule once again this week. Life of a grad student…

For those of you with a more sane work schedule, please go out to these events in my stead. Trust me, there’s not a bad one in the bunch!:

Monday: Jim Bianco CD release at Bardot (10pm)…free with RSVP http://www.itsaschoolnight.com/
ALSO: Graham Colton at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)
ALSO: Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 (9pm)

Tuesday: Jonathan Clark and Satellite at Molly Malone’s (8,9)
ALSO: Run Devil Run at The Viper Room (8:50)

Weds: SO and SO and Armada at The Viper Room (8:50, 9:40)
ALSO: Little Red Radio at The Central in Santa Monica (midnight)
ALSO: Maniac at Crazy Girls (9pm)…yes it’s a strip club…
ALSO: Little Hurricane at Silverlake Lounge (8:30)
ALSO: Pete Yorn at The Wiltern (7pm)

Thursday: Little Red Radio and Queen Caveat at Tommy’s Place/USC (8pm)
ALSO: Satellite at Harvelle’s (8:30)
ALSO: Holly Conlan at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)

Friday: The Oak Creek Band at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)
ALSO: The Naked and Famous at The Echoplex (10pm)

Saturday: Parade of Lights at The Vault in Temecula (6:30)…I know it’s a drive…but it’s worth it
ALSO: Warner Drive at The Roxy (10pm)
ALSO: The Entrance Band at Bootleg Theater (??)
ALSO: The Naked and Famous at The Echoplex (10pm)

Sunday: Milk Carton Kids at The Hotel Cafe (two performances 7, 9)…it’s seating only so get your tickets ‘cause it WILL sell out

 

 

To Keep in Mind:
April 11th: Chris Robinson Brotherhood at The Echoplex
April 15th: Scarlet Grey at The Roxy
April 16th: Matt Wertz and Ben Rector at The Troubadour
April 16th: 10,000 Maniacs at The HOB Sunset
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 LA Concert Calendar: 3/28-4/3

Just got back from Saint Rocke where we experienced a most excellent evening of music. Justin Hopkins lead a mildly chaotic yet thoroughly enjoyable songwriters in the round featuring several artists (whose names I’ve sadly mostly forgotten). Justin himself played only a few songs, although I wish he could have done more. At one point, he brought up a 10-year-old girl who was an incredibly talented guitar player and songwriter. Keaton Simons also made an appearance and took part in several impromptu jam sessions after singing a few of his own tunes including a brand new one he claimed he just wrote yesterday.

 

The headliner of the evening was the incredibly entertaining Wakey!Wakey! Between the fun tunes and the funny banter, my cheeks still hurt from all the smiling and laughing. Seriously, if you’ve never been in a “conversation” with Wakey!Wakey! frontman, Mike Grubbs, you cannot fully appreciate the full spectrum of his talent. And speaking of talent, I should mention the violinist whose accompaniment elevated each song to a level of mesmerizing despite the fact that she had a cut on her finger.

 

It was a fantastic way to begin the week. Hopefully the rest of my schedule this week will be equally or more enjoyable. Check out my list:

 

Monday: Honeyhoney at Bootleg Theater (10:30)
ALSO: Sabrosa Purr at The Viper Room (10:15)
ALSO: Chris Robinson Brotherhood at The Echoplex (8:30)
ALSO: Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 (9pm)

 

Tuesday: Brian Wright at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)…record release show…and after what I heard at SXSW this would be my top pick of the week!
ALSO: The Canyons and Satellite at Molly Malone’s (8,9)
ALSO: Stop Motion Poetry at Room 5 (9pm)

 

Weds: Queen Caveat and Imagine Dragons at The Viper Room (8,9)
ALSO: Semi Precious Weapons at On the Rox (10pm)…the last of their Empire residency shows before they head off to re-join Lady Gaga
ALSO: Laura Jansen at The Hotel Cafe (10:30)

 

Thursday: Ringside at The Roxy (10pm)
ALSO: Ari Hest at The Hotel Cafe (9:30)

 

Friday: Bird by Bird at The Roxy (8pm)
ALSO: Viza at The Troubadour (11:30)
ALSO: Brendan James and Matt White at The Hotel Cafe (8,9)
ALSO: J. Scott Bergman at Molly Malone’s (8pm)

 

Saturday: Tyler Hilton at The Hotel Cafe (10pm)
ALSO: Northstar Session at Molly Malone’s (10pm)…album release

 

Sunday: day of restuntil something inevitably comes along…

 

To Keep in Mind:
April 6th: Andy Clockwise and The Silent Comedy at The Troubadour
April 10th: Milk Carton Kids at The Hotel Cafe
April 11th: Chris Robinson Brotherhood at The Echoplex
April 15th: Scarlet Grey at The Roxy
April 16th: Matt Wertz and Ben Rector at The Troubadour
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
May 4th: The Pipettes at The Satellite
May 7th: The Silent Comedy at The Roxy
May 15th: Eisley at The Troubadour
May 27th: The Script at Club Nokia
June 2nd: Manchester Orchestra at The Music Box
June 9-12: Bonnaroo!!!
June 13th: Florence and The Machine at The Greek Theater
September 22-24: Hotel Carolina
June 29th: Brooke Fraser at The Music Box

~ Kristen

 

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 3/22-3/27

Back in LA after driving straight through the night from Austin. Forgive me if this email seems a bit incoherent or incomplete at any point. I’m slightly delirious from lack of sleep. I went straight to work after getting into town and have been going ever since. I don’t really recall the last time I slept…  The horrible thing is, I really want to go to Bardot tonight for It’s A School Night. James Walsh from Starsailor is singing along with Teddy Thompson and a special surprise guest. And it’s FREE with RSVP. I know I shouldn’t but the pull is so strong.

 

Here’s what else I’m gravitating towards this week:

 

Monday: see last week’s email

 

Tuesday: War on Drugs at The Troubadour (9:15)…opening for Destroyer and unfortunately sold out
ALSO: King Creosote at The Hotel Cafe (7pm)
ALSO: Esben and The Witch at Bootleg Theater (11pm)

 

Weds: Little Red Radio and Semi Precious Weapons at On The Rox (EMPIRE party-FREE with RSVP to rsvp@semipreciousweapons.com)
ALSO: Liam Finn at The Autry (7pm)
ALSO: Watkins Family Hour at Largo (8:30)

 

Thursday: Hoots and Hellmouth at The Hotel Cafe (10pm)

 

Friday: John Elliot, Wakey Wakey, and The 88 at The Hotel Cafe (8,9,11)

 

Saturday: Aussie BBQ at The Echo featuring Maniac (12:30pm), Andy Clockwise (1pm), Dash & Will (6:30pm), etc. (noon-9pm)
ALSO: Lady Danville at The Troubadour (10:15)
ALSO: The PreZcotts at The Mint (5pm)

 

Sunday:  Justin Hopkins and Wakey Wakey at Saint Rocke (7, 10)
ALSO: The Shakers at O’Briens (10pm)

 

 

To Keep in Mind:

March 28th: Chris Robinson Brotherhood at The Echoplex
March 30th: Imagine Dragons at The Viper Room
April 6th: Andy Clockwise and The Silent Comedy at The Troubadour
April 10th: Milk Carton Kids at The Hotel Cafe
April 11th: Chris Robinson Brotherhood at The Echoplex
April 15th: Scarlet Grey at The Roxy
April 16th: Matt Wertz and Ben Rector at The Troubadour
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
May 4th: The Pipettes at The Satellite
May 7th: The Silent Comedy at The Roxy
May 15th: Eisley at The Troubadour
May 27th: The Script at Club Nokia
June 2nd: Manchester Orchestra at The Music Box
June 9-12: Bonnaroo!!!
June 13th: Florence and The Machine at The Greek Theater
September 22-24: Hotel Carolina
June 29th: Brooke Fraser at The Music Box

~ Kristen

http://www.localmusicnation.net/
https://twitter.com/_localmusicnat

 

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar 3/14-3/21

Currently watching the latest episode of Supernatural. This afternoon, I’m starting my birthday week off by heading to the PaleyFest Supernatural panel so I want to be prepared. Then it’s time to go to Austin! SXSW will be insane!! Hopefully there will be time for updates, but check out my list of the artists I’m most looking forward to seeing. When I get back I’ll work on preparing my annual SXSW mix.

If you’re not joining me in Texas, there are still plenty of shows to keep you busy here in LA. Go celebrate my bday on Friday by heading to The Troubadour to watch George Stanford and Truth & Salvage Co.

Here’s what else I would be up to if I weren’t enjoying the music elsewhere…

 

Monday: Honeyhoney at Bootleg Theater (10:30)
ALSO: Maniac at The Troubadour (8:30)
ALSO: Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 (9pm)

 

Tuesday: The Shakers at Molly Malone’s (8pm)
ALSO: Papercranes at Bootleg Theater (10pm)

 

Weds: Semi Precious Weapons at On the Rox (10pm)…FREE with RSVP
ALSO: Moderne Man at The Viper Room (8:50)
ALSO: Chasing Kings at The Hotel Cafe (10pm)

 

Thursday: Makepeace Brothers at The Hotel Cafe (8pm)
ALSO: Alkaline Trio ad Dead Country at The Mayan (8pm)
ALSO: Winchester Rebels at The Mint (11pm)

 

Friday: Foster Timms, George Stanford and Truth & Salvage Co at The Troubadour (9, 9:45, 10:45)
ALSO: The 88 at The Hotel Cafe (10pm)
ALSO: The Canyons at Molly Malone’s (11pm)

 

Saturday: Tyler Hilton at The Hotel Cafe (11pm)

 

Sunday: ??

 

Monday March 21st: Honeyhoney at Bootleg Theater (10:30)
ALSO: Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 (9pm)

 

To Keep in Mind:

March 22nd: War on Drugs at The Troubadour
March 26th: Lady Danville at The Troubadour
March 28th: Chris Robinson Brotherhood at The Echoplex
March 30th: Imagine Dragons at The Viper Room
April 11th: Chris Robinson Brotherhood at The Echoplex
April 16th: Matt Wertz and Ben Rector at The Troubadour
April 25th: Airborne Toxic Event at The Satellite
May 27th: The Script at Club Nokia
June 9-12: Bonnaroo!!!
June 13th: Florence and The Machine at The Greek Theater
September 22-24: Hotel Carolina

~ Kristen

https://twitter.com/_localmusicnat

 

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 3/7-3/13

It has finally hit me that in one week, I’ll be heading to Texas for my very first SXSW. I’ve been listening to the artists, RSVPing to the events, attempting to put together some kind of schedule, etc. I just have the sneaking suspicion that no matter how hard I try to prepare, I’m going to be in way over my head. But that’s part of the fun, no? I’m terribly excited.

I’m also quite excited about the AMAZING shows on the list this week. I hope you can find some time to come out and enjoy the music. Here’s what I’d suggest:

 

Monday: The Silent Comedy FREE at The Echo (9pm)
ALSO: Indians FREE at Silverlake Lounge (midnight)
ALSO: Honeyhoney FREE at Bootleg Theater (10:30)
ALSO: Drive-By Truckers at The Troubadour (8pm)
ALSO: David and Devine and Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 featuring Jay Nash (8,9)

 

Tuesday: High Voltage Presents at The Mint featuring Little Red Radio, Black Crystal Wolf Kids, Queen Caveat, Dead Sara, and special surprise guest (8pm)
ALSO: Caitlin Crosby and Jay Nash at The Hotel Cafe (8,9)
ALSO: Andy Clockwise and The Californian at The Satellite (8:30pm)
ALSO: Jonathan Clark at Molly Malone’s (8pm)
ALSO: Juke Kartel and Vertical Horizon at The Roxy (8,10)

 

Weds: Jay Nash and Joey Ryan at Saint Rocke (7,9)
ALSO: Semi Precious Weapons at On The Rox (10pm)

 

Thursday: The Lonely Forest at The Echo (9pm)
ALSO: North Mississippi Allstars at The Roxy (8pm)
ALSO: Stephen Kellogg at The Hotel Cafe (8pm)
ALSO: The Entrance Band at The Satellite (10pm)
ALSO: Los Angeles Philharmonic at The Walt Disney Concert Hall (8pm)

 

Friday: Keaton Simons and The 88 at The Hotel Cafe (8,midnight)
ALSO: Satellite at Saint Rocke (9pm)
ALSO: Fair to Midland at Whiskey a Go Go (10pm)
ALSO: Vienna Teng and Alex Wong at Bootleg Theater (9pm)
ALSO: The Stone Foxes at The Mint (11pm)
ALSO: Mediski Martin & Wood at The El Rey (8pm)
ALSO: Los Angeles Philharmonic at The Walt Disney Concert Hall (8pm)

 

Saturday: The Other Side of Morning at The Loft (10pm)
ALSO: Dave Green at The Mint (9pm)
ALSO: Unwritten Law at The Roxy (10pm)
ALSO: Los Angeles Philharmonic at Walt Disney Concert Hall (8pm)

 

Sunday: Schuyler Fisk and Satellite at The Hotel Cafe (9,10)
ALSO: Los Angeles Philharmonic at Walt Disney Concert Hall (2pm)

 

To Keep in Mind:

March 17th: Alkaline Trio and Dead Country at The Mayan
March 22nd: War on Drugs at The Troubadour
March 26th: Lady Danville at The Troubadour
March 28th: Chris Robinson Brotherhood at The Echoplex
March 30th: Imagine Dragons at The Viper Room
April 11th: Chris Robinson Brotherhood at The Echoplex
April 16th: Matt Wertz and Ben Rector at The Troubadour
April 25th: Airborne Toxic Event at The Satellite
May 27th: The Script at Club Nokia
June 9-12: Bonnaroo!!!
June 13th: Florence and The Machine at The Greek Theater
September 22-24: Hotel Carolina

~ Kristen

 

Kristen’ LA Concert Calendar: 2/28-3/6

Just go home from an Oscar party. I won a prize for successfully predicting the most award winners. If anyone wants their toast to wish them a good morning…well, I’ve got you covered! For the most part, I enjoyed the ceremony. The only thing I’m slightly irritated about (well, more than slightly) is the absence of Dido singing the song that she co-wrote for 127 Hours. Now, I love Florence from Florence and The Machine, but Dido is one of my all-time faves and I was really looking forward to seeing her sing.

But I’ll try to focus on the positive. Which brings me to this forthcoming week. Let’s christen it “Biffy week” in honor of the fact that I will be seeing my current band obsession, Biffy Clyro, twice this week. The Scottsmen will be performing on Tuesday at The Troubadour. Then on Weds, they are sitting down at Bootleg Theater with Mark Z Danielewski, author of the book Only Revolutions, upon which Biffy Clyro’s 2009 release of the same title is based. Saying that I’m giddy about these events is an understatement.

Filling out the week, we have more highly anticipated shows by the likes of Everest, Semi Precious Weapons, Moving Picture Show, and After Midnight Project (another band obsession of mine). And if you didn’t get a ticket to the sold out Biffy Clyro show on Tuesday, I’d highly HIGHLY recommend jetting down to Hermosa Beach for some The Silent Comedy/Queen Caveat action at Saint Rocke. You will not be disappointed.

My complete list of shows I’d love to go to as follows:

 

Monday: Everest and Red Cortez FREE at The Satellite (9pm)
ALSO: Armada at The Viper Room (9:15)
ALSO: War Tapes FREE at Silverlake Lounge (10pm)
ALSO: J. Tillman (of Fleet Foxes) FREE at Bootleg Theater (9pm)
ALSO: Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 (9pm)

Tuesday: Biffy Clyro at The Troubadour (10pm)
ALSO: The Silent Comedy and Queen Caveat at Saint Rocke (9,10)
ALSO: George Stanford at The Piano Bar (11pm)
ALSO: Jukebox the Ghost at The Echo (8pm)
ALSO: Jonathan Clarke and Satellite at Molly Malone’s (8,9)
ALSO: Joseph Arthur at Bootleg Theater (9:45)

 

Weds: Liner Notes with Biffy Clyro and author Mark Z Danielewski at Bootleg Theater (7pm)
ALSO: Semi Precious Weapons FREE at On The Rox (10pm)
ALSO: Lovers Drugs and Beatnik Jr. at 3 Clubs (10pm)
ALSO: Anna Nalick at The Hotel Cafe (10pm)
ALSO: Zoe Keating at Largo at the Coronet (8pm)
ALSO: Infantree at The Satellite (8:30)

 

Thursday: Moving Picture Show, Sabrosa Purr, and Great Northern at Bootleg Theater (8:30,9:30, 10:30)
ALSO: Civil Twilight at The Troubadour (10pm)
ALSO: Stephen Kellogg and Austin Hartley Leonard at The Hotel Cafe (8,9)
ALSO: The Entrance Band at The Satellite (10pm)

 

Friday: After Midnight Project at The Roxy (10pm)
ALSO: Keaton Simons at The Hotel Cafe (9:30)
ALSO: Wild Nothing and Abe Vigoda at The Natural History Museum for First Fridays (5pm)

 

Saturday: Winchester Rebels FREE at On The Rox 11:15)
ALSO: Love and a .38 and The Binges at The Viper Room (10,11)
ALSO: Alexi Murdoch at Bootleg Theater (11pm)

 

Sunday: Morcheeba at The Music Box (8pm)
ALSO: Joseph Tobin Tribute Concert featuring Joey Ryan, Jay Nash, Chris Pierce, Austin Hartley Leonard, etc. at The Hotel Cafe (7pm)
ALSO: Songwriters Round at Room 5 featuring Paris Carney (9pm)

 

To Keep in Mind:
March 8th: Vertical Horizon at The Roxy
March 8th: Queen Caveat, Dead Sara, Little Red Radio at The Mint
March 9th: Jay Nash at Saint Rocke
March 11th: Fair to Midland at Whiskey a Go Go
March 17th: Alkaline Trio and Dead Country at The Mayan
March 22nd: War on Drugs at The Troubadour
March 26th: Lady Danville at The Troubadour
March 28th: Chris Robinson Brotherhood at The Echoplex
March 30th: Imagine Dragons at The Viper Room
April 11th: Chris Robinson Brotherhood at The Echoplex
April 16th: Matt Wertz and Ben Rector at The Troubadour
April 25th: Airborne Toxic Event at The Satellite
May 27th: The Script at Club Nokia
June 9-12: Bonnaroo!!
June 13th: Florence and The Machine at The Greek Theater
September 22-24: Hotel Carolina
~ Kristen