Jimmy Kimmel

New Music Tuesday 9/4/12 Featuring Imagine Dragons

Posted on by Kristen

There is probably a lot of great new music coming out today, but the one you absolutely need to get your hands on is the new Imagine Dragons CD, Night Visions. If you haven’t heard of this band, you’ve probably at least heard their songs on various movie trailers and TV show promos. They also snagged a MTV video music award nomination for their song “It’s Time” which will also be covered on an upcoming episode of Glee. In other words, this little rock band from Las Vegas has come a long way in the last year or so when I was rocking out with them at The Viper Room. They are one of my favorite rising bands and I couldn’t be happier for them!

Tonight, to celebrate their release, the band will be making an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel so tune in!

 

Here’s a picture I took of Imagine Dragons last night when they did an acoustic set at The 98.7 Penthouse:

 

~ Kristen

New Music Tuesday 10/4 Featuring Jack’s Mannequin, Mutemath, Lights, and Allen Stone

Posted on by Kristen

An overwhelming number of new albums I’m excited about today. Not even sure where to begin on this one. My top picks could be any number of the albums listed below…

 

Jack’s Mannequin – People & Things 

I actually got to preview this one. I wrote the following review for High Voltage Magazine:

Prince of punk rock piano, Andrew McMahon is back with another offering from his outfit Jack’s Mannequin. People and Things is standard fare for any McMahon fan, who should run immediately to the record store. It’s all there in this album; the voice, the pleading lyrics, the soaring choruses, the PIANO ROCK. Andrew McMahon has developed a trademark sound and each track can be identified as his almost immediately. While there isn’t anything very new sonically, lyrically the record shows a maturing outlook on love, life on the road, and relationships which will connect immediately to Andrew’s maturing fan base. Standout moments on the album include the poppy opener “My Racing Thoughts”, the catchy “Television”, the soaring vocals in “Platform Fire”, the quiet beauty of the more acoustic “Restless Dream” and the profoundly realistic, and somewhat hard hitting lyrics in the song “Hey Hey Hey” which reminds the listener that “we’re all going to die someday” and invites them to “sing with me just one more time.”  Hopefully not a prophetic statement…

Listen to the album here http://music.aol.com/new-releases-full-cds/#/2

Buy it on ITunes or Amazon

 

 

MUTEMATH– Odd Soul 

MUTEMATH’s self-titled debut CD, has some of my favorite songs on it. MUTEMATH also puts on one of the best live performances. Odd Soul is bound to make its way into my CD collection based on these two facts along. I’m also loving the video for the single. I’m en route shortly to see the band perform on Jimmy Kimmel. VERY excited about this one.

Pick up the CD on Itunes or Amazon

 

 

LIGHTS– Siberia 

Lights (AKA Valerie Poxleitner) has come a long way since I first heard her song “Feburary  Air” on a TV commercial about three years ago. I really like this Canadian’s first full length CD, The Listening, especially the songs “The Last Thing on Your Mind” and “Face Up.”  I’m generally not a huge fan of the electro-pop genre, but there is something about the sweetness of the voice in contrast with the electro beats that draws me in. As long as that combination remains, I’m sure Siberia will be another hit in my book. LIGHTS will be coming to Los Angeles November 7th at The El Rey.

Buy Siberia on Amazon or Itunes

 

 

Allen Stone– Allen Stone

I’ve seen this Washington soulster deliver some impressive and inspiring performances over the past year. I’m quite excited to finally have recorded versions of songs like “Satisfaction” and “The Wind.” Allen Stone has one of those voices that can change the way you think about life. Definitely give him a listen and buy the album.

 

 

Other CDs coming out today that I’m anxious to put past my ears:

~ Kristen

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 9/5-9/11

Posted on by Kristen

Looks to be another busy week ahead…and an especially good one for The Viper Room. I’m more than a little excited to finally see Our Lady Peace perform live…and on such a tiny stage (insert squeals of delight).

I’m also really looking forward to next Friday/Saturday as it is The San Diego Music Thing. It’s basically a mini SXSW in San Diego. Panels on music related topics then evenings crowded with shows, many of them at venues in walking distance from one another. Friday night we have the likes of Queen Caveat, Kevin Martin, Purple Melon, Andy Clockwise, Nico Vega, The  Silent Comedy, Endoxi, and Eli James…whew!  It’s gonna get a tad crazy…

But enough San Diego talk (that’s Amanda’s job)! Here’s what’s happening in Los Angeles next week that gets my stamp of approval:

 

Monday: Big Black Delta FREE at The Satellite (11pm)…starting their Monday night September residency
ALSO: Fat City Reprise at The Viper Room (10pm)
ALSO: It’s a school night at Bardot featuring Nightmare the Cat and Carina Round (10:30)…FREE with RSVP

 

Tuesday: The Canyons FREE at The W Hotel in Hollywood (9pm)
ALSO: Lovers Drugs FREE at The Central (9pm)
ALSO: Eli James at Hemingways (10pm)
ALSO: Johnny Moezzi at The Foundry on Melrose (8pm)
ALSO: Ari Shrine at Saint Rocke (6pm)

 

Weds: Gabe Dixon at The Hotel Cafe (7pm)
ALSO: So & So at The Viper Room (9:40)
ALSO: The Muddy Reds at The Central (11pm)
ALSO: AWOLNATION on Jimmy Kimmel…if this is the only LA date they’re going to play then by golly I’m going to be there!
ALSO: Heart at Gibson Ampitheatre (7:15)

 

Thursday: Sabrosa Purr and Dead Sara at The Viper Room (10,11:15)…part of Dead Sara’s September Residency!!!
ALSO: Allen Stone at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)
ALSO: BethPage Black at The Mint (9:50)
ALSO: Colin Hay at Saint Rocke (10pm)
ALSO: Band of Horses at The Wiltern (8pm)

 

Friday: Taylor Locke at The Central in Santa Monica (10pm)
ALSO: Last American Buffalo and War Tapes at The Hotel Cafe (11pm)
ALSO: Hello Vegas at Bootleg Theater (10:05)
ALSO: Harris Grade at Amplyfi (?)
ALSO: Fitz and the Tantrums at The Greek Theater (7:30)

 

Saturday: Beatnik Jr. at The Viper Room (11pm)
ALSO: Amy LaVere at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)
ALSO: Blue October at The House of Blues Sunset (7pm)
ALSO: The Kills at The Wiltern (8pm)
ALSO: Ray LaMontagne at The Greek Theater (6:30)

 

Sunday: Hello Vegas(8pm), Of Verona(9pm), Our Lady Peace (10pm) and The Shakers(11pm) at The Viper Room
ALSO: Lelia Broussard at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)
ALSO: The National at Hollywood Bowl (8pm)

 

 

To Keep in Mind:
September 12th: Dan Wilson at Bardot
September 16th: Lobster Fest with Andy Clockwise and more
September 17th: We Barbarians at The Satllite
September 20th: Howie Day at The Hotel Cafe
September 22-24: Hotel Carolina (South Carolina)
September 22nd: Dead Sara and Jonathan Tyler and the Northern Lights at The Viper Room
September 22nd: Andy Clockwise and Queen Caveat at The Roxy
September 23rd: Inara George at Bootleg Bar
September 23rd/24th: Lee Dewyze at The Hotel Cafe
September 24th: The Script at Hollywood Palladium
September 24th and 25th: William Elliot Whitmore at Bootleg Theater
September 25th: The Lonely Forest at The Wiltern
September 28th: Puddle of Mudd at The Viper Room
October 11th: Rival Sons and Evanescence at Hollywood Palladium
October 14th: Butterfly Boucher at Bootleg Theater
October 22nd: The War on Drugs at The Satellite
November 7th: Lights at The El Rey
November 12th: Feist at The WIltern
November 19th: Milo Greene, The Belle Brigade, and The Civil Wars at The Wiltern
March 13th-18th: SXSW (Austin, TX)

~ Kristen

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

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 1/24-1/30

Posted on by Kristen

Amanda and I are in New York City at the moment. Just came back from seeing the boys of Carney rock Spiderman: Turn Off the Dark (again). They made some changes in the second half that I loved. As you know, we ventured to the east coast because my first favorite band, Pepper’s Ghost, had a reunion show at The Grape Room, Saturday in Philadelphia (their first show since 2007…). There are no words to describe how I felt about seeing this band play again. The whole day, really, spent with some of my favorite people and seeing a couple of my top bands (we also went to Northstar to catch a bit of Alright, Junior’s set) is bound to go down as one of the best days of my year…hopefully I’ll find some time to put up some pictures and, fingers crossed, video (!) soon.

But, in the meantime, we’ve got lots of great shows to look forward to this week in LA! Can’t wait to get back (and not just because I’m freezing my fingers off over here)! Here’s what I’d like to do:

Monday: Cold War Kids at Bootleg (10:30)
ALSO: Camp Freddy at Whiskey a Go Go (9pm)
ALSO: The Script at Jimmy Kimmel (6:45…with reservation from 1iota.com)
ALSO: Iron & Wine FREE at Amoeba (7pm)
ALSO: Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 (9pm)
ALSO: It’s a School Night at Bardot featuring Royal Bangs and Gary Clark Jr. (10:30)

Tuesday: Cold War Kids at Amoeba (6pm)
ALSO: Anna Nalick at Saint Rocke (10:30)
ALSO: WPA featuring Glen Phillips and Sean Watkins at The Hotel Cafe (7pm)
ALSO: The Vaccines at The Satellite (9pm)
ALSO: The Canyons at Molly Malone’s (9pm)
ALSO: Iron & Wine at The Wiltern (8pm)
ALSO: Olin & The Moon FREE at The Echo (10pm)
ALSO: 8mm at The Good Hurt (11pm)

Weds: Red Circle Underground at Silverlake Lounge (11pm)
ALSO: Keaton Simons at The Roxy (8pm)
ALSO: Iron & Wine at The Wiltern (8pm)
ALSO: Bryan Greenberg at Saint Rocke (10pm)

Thursday: High Voltage Presents at The Mint featuring Armada, 8mm, etc. (8pm)
ALSO: Amos Lee at The Music Box (9pm)
ALSO: Graydon at Silverlake Louge (9:30)
ALSO: Steel Train at The Troubadour (8:45)

Friday: Queen Caveat and Nico Vega at Saint Rocke (9,11)
ALSO: The Postelles and Free Energy at The Roxy (8pm)
ALSO: Honeyhoney at Bootleg (9:45)
ALSO: Parade of Lights at Club Cohiba in Long Beach (7:30)
ALSO: Juke Kartel at The Hotel Cafe (10:30)
ALSO: Maxim Ludwig at The Sante Fe Seven (11:45)
ALSO: Rocco Deluca and Daniel Lanois at The El Rey (8:30)

Saturday: Charlotte Martin at Bootleg (10:30)
ALSO: Tyler Hilton at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)
ALSO: Oh Darling at the Santa Monica Pier (5:30)

Sunday: George Stanford at The Hotel Cafe
ALSO: Against Me! at The Music Box (8pm)
ALSO: The Shakers at O’Briens

To Keep in Mind:

Feb 1st: Patrick Park at The Hotel Café
Feb. 1st: Queen Caveat at The Viper Room
Feb 5th: The Silent Comedy at El Rey
Feb 9th: Sarah McLaughlin at Nokia Live
Feb 9th: Tina Dico at The Troubadour
Feb 16th: Nicole Atkins at The Troubadour
Feb. 16th: Scars on 45 at The Hotel Cafe
Feb. 20th: Beth Hart at The Echoplex
Feb 26th: Josh Ritter and Scott Hutchinson (Frightened Rabbit) at The Music Box
March 1st: Biffy Clyro at The Troubadour
March 3rd: Civil Twilight at The Troubadour
March 4th: After Midnight Project at The Roxy
March 22nd: War on Drugs at The Troubadour

~ Kristen

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar 8/16-8/22

Posted on by Kristen

I’m still flying high over all the glorious weekend I had in San Diego at The North Park Music Thing…either that or this feeling is caused by the combination of acute sleep deprivation and abnormally high levels of caffeine necessary to accomplish everything that needs to be done for Monday.

Anyway, North Park Music Thing (NPMT) is like a mini SXSW that takes place in San Diego every year. During the day it’s a conference with booths, demo listening sessions, and panels on topics ranging from music licensing and touring on a budget to the current state of radio and music and technology. At night it’s a veritable smorgasbord of music with all the local clubs and bars playing host to a variety of showcases featuring mostly local music acts. I love conferences as places for learning and inspiration and I love concert festivals for the discovery and enjoyment factors. The combination of the two was quite heavenly.

Briefly, some highlights of my weekend included a highly entertaining keynote speech by Kim Fowley, seeing Endoxi again, the near mosh-pit that took place at The Silent Comedy set, and meeting and talking to some new music-loving friends. Also, the absolute MAGIC that occurred Saturday night as we venue hopped, listening to and discovering band after amazing band. This included several LA-based bands; faves like Lady Danville and The Rescues as well as some new fantastic groups like The Makepeace Brothers and Shaimus. Seriously, I was floating…

And in my attempt to remain up in the air, there is plenty of good stuff I’m looking forward to this week. And the list goes as follows:

Monday: Truth & Salvage Co. at Jimmy Kimmel (6pm)…it’s sold out but if you keep checking at 1iota.com, you could probably score a discarded ticket
ALSO: Dead Sara at The Viper Room (10pm)
ALSO: Alice Russell at Bootleg Theater(10:30)
ALSO: Amos Lee at Largo at the Coronet (7:30, 9:30)
ALSO: The Diamond Light at Saint Rocke (10pm)
ALSO: Crocodiles at The Echo (9pm)…just because I’m curious as to what the hype is all about
ALSO: Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 featuring John Elliot (9pm) 

Tuesday: Rachel Yamagata at The Hotel Café (10pm)
ALSO: Brandon Flowers at The Troubadour (9pm)
ALSO: Matthew Jordan at Café Was (8pm)
ALSO: Jake Newton at Molly Malone’s (9:30)
ALSO: Adam Haworth Stephens (of Two Gallants) at Spaceland (9pm) 

Weds: The White Buffalo at The Mint (10:30) 

Thursday: Jonah Matranga at The Hotel Café (7pm)
ALSO: Mat Kearney at Saint Rocke (10pm) 

Friday: Graydon at The Hotel Café (11pm)
ALSO: Rufus Wainwright at The Greek Theater (7:30) 

Saturday: Sunset Junction featuring Andy Clockwise, Everest, White Apple Tree, Saint Motel, Chris Pierce, Dawes, etc.
ALSO: Cary Brothers at The Troubadour (10pm)
ALSO: Killola at The Roxy 

Sunday: Sunset Junction featuring The Janks, Gringo Star, Fitz & The Tantrums, etc.
ALSO: Haim at The Troubadour
ALSO: Agent Ribbons at Bootleg Theater (11pm)
ALSO: Austin Hartley Leonard at The Foundry on Melrose 

To Keep in Mind:
August 26th-28th Sunset Strip Music Festival featuring The Silent Comedy, Nico Vega, Queen Caveat, Semi Precious Weapons, Neon trees,  etc.
August 28th: Something Corporate at Club Nokia
September 4th: After Midnight Project at The Key Club
September 18th: Heart at Gibson Amphitheater
September 25th: Band of Horses at Greek Theater
September 25th: Muse at Staples Center
September 30th: BIFFY CLYRO at The Bootleg Theater
October 1st: Brandi Carlile and The Avett Brothers at Nokia Theater LA Live
October 13th: Frightened Rabbit at The Mayan Theater
October 18th: Mumford & Sons at Hollywood Palladium
December 11th: The Black Crowes and Truth & Salvage Co. at Hollywood Palladium

~ Kristen