Jay Nash

New Music Tuesday 9/27 featuring Tony Lucca, Mariah McManus, Jake Newton, Switchfoot, etc.

Posted on by Kristen

Tony Lucca– Under The Influence

Tony Lucca has been one of my favorite singer-songwriters for many years now. I had no idea he had a new CD in the works until yesterday…I feel a bit shamed. Since Mr. Lucca has moved out of LA, I don’t see him play as often, so I’m not even sure I’ve heard any of these new songs! Obviously, I will be obtaining the CD as soon as possible. Tony Lucca is one third of the TFDI triad (Tony Lucca, Matt Duke, Jay Nash). He is taking a bit of a break from the TFDI tour, but will be back out on the road with the boys in October for the Pittsburgh show.  Don’t miss out on this tour. It is magical.

You can buy Tony’s new CD on Itunes or amazon 

Here’s Tony with TFDI singing one of my favorite songs of their album, When I Stop Running (incidentally one of my favorite albums of the year).

 

Mariah McManus– Nice to Meet You 

I first saw Mariah McManus when she was fronting the rock band Glare of Rockets.  I was blown away by her voice, especially at such a young age. I was very excited when I heard Mariah was embarking on a solo project and releasing new material.  I’ve been listening to her tracks off of her facebook page for weeks and I’m a bit obsessed.  Mariah is going to take the music world by storm using her unique and enchanting voice to win over anyone who listens. This is a must get album for me. Take a listen at the free stream from aol music. Download her first single “Say It Again” on her website. Come to her CD release party tonight (9/27) at The Hotel Cafe.

Buy Nice to Meet You on Itunes

 

 

Jake Newton– Kill The Past

Jake Newton is a singer-songwriter currently living in Los Angeles…mostly at The Hotel Cafe.  Jake is part of the next wave of  Hotel Cafe artists following in the footsteps of artists like Cary Brothers, Sara Bareilles, Greg Laswell, etc.  After what I would call a highly successful Pledge Music campaign, Jake Newton is finally ready to release his full length album, Kill The Past. I pledged to his campaign a while ago and have been keeping up with the whole process of this record so I am particularly excited to finally have it available. Come join me Friday night as Jake has his record release party at The Hotel Cafe. Also playing that evening is Keaton Simons so it will be a good one!

You can get the new CD on Amazon or Itunes.

 

 

Switchfoot– Vice Verses

Switchfoot has had an impact on my life ever since I got a hold of The Beautiful Letdown which I still believe is one of the greatest CDs in my collection. Then a couple of years ago, I was again impacted by a live performance of Switchfoot’s “Hello Hurricane”. I am looking forward to hear what new tunes this San Diego based group has put forth in their new album, Vice Verses. Then I would highly recommend checking them out on their co-headlining tour with Anberlin (another great live band). They are in LA October 11th at The Wiltern.

Get the album on Amazon or Itunes.

 

Other CDs I’ll be looking into today:

  • Will Hoge- Number Seven
  • Beth Hart and Joe Bonamassa – Don’t Explain
  • LeAnn Rimes- Lady and Gentleman
  • Kasabian- Velociraptor
  • Carolina Liar- Wild Blessed Freedom
  • Hanni El Khatib- Will The Guns Come Out
  • VHS or Beta- Diamonds & Death
  • Nneka – Soul Is Heavy
  • New Order – Power, Corruption, & Lies
  • Duke Spirit- Bruiser
Happy New Music Day!!
~ Kristen

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 LA Concert Calendar: 7/18-7/24

Posted on by Kristen

I’ve been dancing around the apartment all morning…kind of on a Wallflowers kick, although my player just hit a Nirvana tune and I can dig that too. The good mood is most likely due to the fact that I have my car back and it feels like freedom. Also, I have a day off for the first time in what seems like ages (grocery shopping, bill paying, and household chores have never felt so good).

In a few minutes, I’m headed off to Culver City to check out the bands playing at the Eat Real Festival. I’m particularly looking forward to OddUs.

As for the rest of the week, here’s my schedule:

Monday: George Stanford, Toy Bombs, and Andy Clockwise FREE at The Satellite (9pm)
ALSO: Kevin Hammond at The Hotel Cafe (6pm)
ALSO: Races FREE at Bootleg (10:30)
ALSO: Eastern Conference Champions FREE at Bardot for It’s a School night (11pm)…need to RSVP http://www.itsaschoolnight.com/
ALSO: Songwriters in the Round featuring Jay Nash and Ernie Halter at Room 5 (9pm)

 

Tuesday: Dead Country and Alkaline Trio at The Troubadour (7:30, 9:25)
ALSO: Jenni Alpert at Room 5 (8pm)
ALSO: Chasing Kings at The Echo (9pm)
ALSO: Beachwood Rockers at Piano Bar (8pm)

 

Weds: Anna Nalick at The Hotel Cafe (10pm)

 

Thursday: Andy Clockwise, Kim Churchill and Missy Higgins FREE at The Pier (7pm)
ALSO: Griffin House at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)
ALSO: Spaceland Under the Stars presents FREE at Pershing Square featuring Infantree (8pm)
ALSO: Grouplove and Milo Greene FREE at The Hammer Museum (7pm)
ALSO: Alkaline Trio and Dead Country at The Troubadour (7:30)
ALSO: Owl City and Mat Kearney at Club Nokia (7pm)

 

Friday: Chasing Avalanche, Oh No Not Stereo, Indians, Har Mar Superstar, and Little Red Radio at The Viper Room (8pm)…Indians record release show
ALSO: Keaton Simons at The Hotel Cafe (10:30)
ALSO: Fitz & The Tantrums at The Music Box (8pm)
ALSO: The Material at The Roxy (8pm)
ALSO: Ryan Cabrera at The Key Club (11pm)
ALSO: Bush at Saint Rocke (9pm)
ALSO: Soundgarden at The Forum (8pm)

 

Saturday: Forest Day at The Mint (10pm)

 

 

Sunday: as usual, something will come up

To Keep in Mind:
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 16th: Mutemath at The Troubadour
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

http://twitter.com/#!/_localmusicnat

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 7/11-7/17

Posted on by Kristen

This past week has been incredibly rough. From all the problems resulting from the new apartment to my car breaking down and work stuff just not…working, I haven’t been in the best of spirits. I am very grateful to have friends who made the effort to drive me to/from a couple shows, without which I would descend into madness. I at least made it to two of the four The Silent Comedy shows. Those boys never fail to deliver a good time. Their show at the LACMA with Saint Motel was particularly enjoyable as it included a tour of the Tim Burton exhibit AND it got done early enough for us to catch a little “Weatherman” from Dead Sara at The Viper Room.

My favorite show last week, however, was Truth & Salvage Co. with Brian Wright Monday night at The Hotel Cafe. I discovered Truth & Salvage Co. at this venue over two years ago and seeing them play my favorite stage once again was like a homecoming. This band has the ability to transform the energy of an entire room making it impossible to not feel a strong sense of communal love, happiness, and an overwhelming desire to dance. And let’s not forget about the Brian Wright icing on the Truth & Salvage cake! That man is a marvel…and is incidentally playing a last minute gig tonight (Sunday) at Piano Bar at 10:30 (told you something would come up)

This week I start an intensive two week training course so my evening adventures will again be diminished. Nothing will stop me, however, from Parade of Lights Thursday night at The Viper Room. I’ve mentioned these boys before and am incredibly excited to have them back in Los Angeles. If you can make it, I’d love to see you there.

Here’s what else is going on (it’s quite a healthy week for music):

 

Monday: Andy Clockwise and Lemon Sun FREE at The Satellite (10pm)…the first of a month long residence from Mr. Clockwise
ALSO: Races FREE at Bootleg Theater (10:30)…another start of a must-see residency
ALSO: Thao and Mirah at The Hotel Cafe (8pm)
ALSO: Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 (9pm)

 

Tuesday: Eli James FREE at Hemingway’s Lounge (10pm)
ALSO: Matthew Mayfield and Johnny Marnell at The Hotel Cafe (9, 10)
ALSO: Stop Motion Poetry at The Roxy (7:30)
ALSO: Beachwood Night at Piano Bar featuring Dave Green and Jesse Cole (8pm)

 

Weds: Jay Nash and Anna Nalick at The Hotel Cafe (9, 10)
ALSO: The Lookout Kids at The Viper Room (10:30)

 

Thursday: Parade of Lights at The Viper Room (11pm)
ALSO: The Bangles FREE at The Santa Monica Pier (7pm)
ALSO: The Soft Pack and Hanni El Khatib FREE at The Hammer Museum (7pm)
ALSO: The Californian FREE at Pershing Square (7:30)…part of the Spaceland under the stars summer concert series

 

Friday: Curtis Peoples at The Hotel Cafe (10:30)
ALSO: Nikki Monninger (silversun pickups), Brian Aubert, The Janks, Sabrosa Purr, and Vicky Cryer at The Satellite (9pm)
ALSO: Beatnik Jr. at The Good Hurt (10:30)
ALSO: Sarah McLaughlin at The Hollywood Bowl (8:30
ALSO: Music in the Zoo featuring Mini Mansions, Hands, Honeyhoney, Kitten, and more (6pm)…an excuse to get into the zoo after-hours!! http://lazoo.org/mitz/index.html

 

Saturday: Maniac at The Bootleg Theater (10:30)
ALSO: Sarah McLaughlin at The Hollywood Bowl (8:30)
ALSO: Trapt at The Roxy (10pm)
ALSO: OSLO at The Satellite (11pm)

 

Sunday: Black Baptista at The Viper Room (11pm)

 

NOTE: Saturday and Sunday is LA’s Carmageddon, so I’d only venture out if you don’t have to go too far…or anywhere near the 405.

 

To Keep in Mind:
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 16th: Mutemath at The Troubadour
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

http://twitter.com/#!/_localmusicnat

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

Posted on by Kristen

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

Amanda’s SD Show Calendar 3/7-3-13

Posted on by Amanda

So it’s another Monda night and I’ve just realized that I’m going to SXSW with Kristen in a week. A week! This is my first time going and I feel horribly unprepared. I just feel mildly overwhelmed but I know I’m going to have a blast!!!

In the meantime, we have tons of music to look forward to this way. I like to think of it as a nice little kickoff 🙂

Monday: Tragic Tantrum Cabaret @ Casbah @9 $10
AND: Jamuel Saxon @ Tin Can Alehouse $8

Tuesday: Everest and Red Cortez @ Casbah @9 $8

Wednesday: Centerlight Pop @ Casbah @9 $6
AND: White Apple Tree @ Soda Bar @9 $8 adv/$10 day of
AND: The Midwinters @ Ruby Room @9

Thursday: Louis XIV with Lesands and Hot Moon @ Fluxx @9 $18
AND: Fever Sleeves @ Soda Bar @9 $8
AND: New Mexico @ Tin Can Alehouse $5
AND: Little White Teeth @ Casbah @9 $8 adv/$10 day of

Friday: Jay Nash and Joey Ryan @ Anthology @930 $12
AND: Tapedeck Mountain @ Casbah @9 $12
AND: Jake Newton @ Lestats @9
AND: Unwritten Law Performance and CD listening party @ House of Blues SD @730 $17.41-$27.41

Saturday: Or The Whale @ Soda Bar @ 9 $12
AND: Josh Damigo Night @ Lestats
AND: San Diego IndieFest @ Promenade Liberty Station @1130 $25

Sunday: Wendy Bailey @ Ruby Room @9
AND: San Diego IndieFest

 

Keep in Mind:

March 18th- A Scribe Amidst the Lions @ Casbah
March 20th- Devo @ Belly Up
March 24th- Kevin Martin and Fierce Creatures @ Ruby Room
March 29th- Fitz and the Tantrums @ Belly Up
April 3rd- A Rocket to the Moon, Valencia, and Anarbor @ Soma @630 $13 adv.
April 8th- Rise Against w/Bad Religion @ RIMAC Arena- UCSD
April 9th- Pete Yorn @ House of Blues
May 3rd- James Blunt @ Humphreys
May 6th- Chris Cornell @ Humphreys
May 6th- Fleet Foxes @ Spreckles Theater

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

Posted on by Kristen

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