Joe Firstman

Kristen’s Wedding Mix ’12- A Selection

Posted on by Kristen

I have a friend who is getting married at the end of this month so obviously, I am making her a lovely wedding/marriage themed mixed CD. In the process of combing through my music library to select the perfect songs, I’ve realized that many of the songs that one might classify as “love songs” aren’t really that at all. Well, there are a lot of songs about love, but I feel that they are mostly about love lost, a yearning for love, or what might more appropriately be labeled “lust” songs.

Another challenge is keeping the ratio of slow songs to more upbeat numbers reasonable. Ballads are great, but there can be rock songs about love and marriage, right? right??

Overall this has been a fun little exercise as it’s encouraged me to take a closer listen to some of my favorite songs. I thought I’d share some of my selections, so here are my top five cuts from my first wedding mix:

1)      “Mountains” – Biffy Clyro

I firmly believe this to be the most romantic song ever written. I think for full impact, one must read the book Only Revolutions which inspired the song and the album it is on. I selected the acoustic version for the mix

 

2)      “Nothing Without You” – Carney

I am also including the obvious “Think of You” but I wanted to rock the mix up a bit.

 

3)      “Car Door (Dancing In the Aisles)” – Joe Firstman

All the complexities of marriage boiled down to a single line: “I’ll open up your car door every time as long as you’ll reach over and unlock mine”

 

4)      “On Top Of The World” – Matthew Perryman Jones

the beauty of this song is paralyzing

 

5)      “May I Suggest” – Red Molly

an affirmative song that should be played every day, but might be particularly relevant on a day like your wedding day

 

I also have on deck, songs from Ed Sheeran, Ben Rector, NEEDTOBREATHE, A Fine Frenzy, Tony Lucca, and more!

However, suggestions are welcomed…

 

~ Kristen

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 7/9-7/15

Posted on by Kristen

I’ve been doing a lot of writing this weekend. I can’t write without listening to music, so I’ve been doing a lot of that as well. After seeing Joe Firstman Friday at WitZend play one of the best shows I’ve seen in a while (from anyone), I’ve got his entire catalog on repeat. I’m also mixing in The Young Roman’s Tiger Child and the live EP Twin Atlantic gave out last week which has a particularly compelling acoustic version of “Make A Beast Of Myself”. Finally, last night, while at The Satellite to see Queen Caveat, I discovered a new band from Portland called Rags & Ribbons so I’m absorbing and slightly obsessing over their album The Glass Masses.

Soon, however, I’ll have to switch over to The Silent Comedy to pump myself up for their show tonight at The Echoplex. I can’t imagine a better way to end the weekend than a TSC dance-party.

Next week starts off strong with a show from Tony Lucca at Room 5. We’ll see how much Tony’s popularity has increased since his showing on The Voice. My other pick of the week might have to be Saint Motel’s record release at The El Rey on Saturday. I’m so proud of these LA locals, rising in popularity to headlining status at The El Rey! There are also several great shows at The Hotel Cafe this week including one by LMN Band Love Tournament of Hearts.

Here’s my full calendar of recommendations:

Monday: Tony Lucca at Room 5 (8pm)
ALSO: Lost Lander and Terraplane Sun FREE at The Satellite (10,11)
ALSO: Miracle Parade at R Bar (?)…be sure to check the R Bar website for the current password to get in

 

Tuesday: Monsters Calling Home at The Hotel Cafe (10:30)

 

Weds: Connie Lim and Sonia Rao at The Hotel Cafe (8,10)
ALSO: Roman Candle Wars at Los Globos (10pm)
ALSO: The Dig FREE at Silverlake Lounge (11pm)
ALSO: Andy Clockwise at King King Hollywood (8pm)

 

Thursday: Sara Watkins & Tom Brosseau at The Largo (8:30)
ALSO: Naia Kete and The O’s at The Hotel Cafe (9, 11)
ALSO: London Cries at The Viper Room (11pm)

 

Friday: Thao with the Get Down Stay Down at California Plaza Downtown (12pm)
ALSO: Justin Hopkins and Orlando Napier at Harvelle’s (9:30)
ALSO: Brendan Hines and Golden State at The Hotel Cafe (9, 10)
ALSO: Javier Dunn, Jesse Thomas, and The Young Romans at Room 5 (8,9,10)
ALSO: Lady Sinatra and Warner Drive at The Viper Room (10,11)
ALSO: David and Devine at On the Rox (8pm)
ALSO: Ryan Cabrera at The Key Club (10pm)

 

Saturday: Tournament of Hearts and Dawn McCoy at The Hotel Cafe (8, 9)
ALSO: Saint Motel with Princeton and Chasing Kings at The El Rey (8pm)…Saint Motel Record Release
ALSO: Carina Round at The Bootleg (10:30)
ALSO: Finish Ticket at Amplyfi (9pm)
ALSO: Purple Melon and Berlin FREE at Pershing Square (7:30)

 

Sunday: Tyrone Wells at Saint Rocke (8:05)

 

 

To Keep in Mind:
July 19th: Missy Higgins and Butterfly Boucher at The Troubadour
July 25th: Emery at The Roxy
July 25th: Charlotte Martin at The Hotel Cafe
August 3rd: Cory Chisel at The El Rey
August 10th and 11th: Jack White at Shrine Auditorium
August 13th: The Kills at The El Rey
August 13th: Birdy at The Roxy
August 14th: The Dunwells at The Hotel Café
August 23rd: Civil Twilight and Morning Parade at The El Rey
August 24th: Truth & Salvage Co. at The Troubadour
September 1st & 2nd: FYF at Downtown LA
September 4th: Gotye at The Greek Theatre
September 14th: The Hives at The Wiltern
October 1st: Ed Sheeran at The Wiltern
October 11th: Awolnation and Imagine Dragons at Club Nokia
October 19th: Tony Lucca at The Roxy
November 6th: Jens Lekman at Fonda Theatre

~ Kristen

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Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 5/28-6/3

Posted on by Kristen

I’m not a huge fan of music videos or recorded concerts. I like my music in live form. But I must say, the musical highlight of my week was getting in the mail my new Biffy Clyro Live at Wembley CD/DVD made during their Revolutions tour. I popped in the DVD while composing this week’s show list and within one song, I was bouncing around my room in my Mon the Biff t-shirt with that stupid giddy smile plastered across my face. I spent entirely too much money importing this special package, but the unadulterated happiness it has provided is priceless. Now I have to decide where to put my new Biffy Clyro poster…maybe I should obtain a frame…

Aside from multiple watching of my new prized possession, here’s what else I’m up to this week:

Monday: The Mowgli’s and Voxhaul Broadcast at The Viper Room (8,11)
ALSO: It’s a School Night at Bardot featuring Samantha Ronson, The Miracals, and secret guest headliner (9pm)…FREE with RSVP http://www.itsaschoolnight.com/losangeles/
ALSO: Hilary Hahn and Hauschka at The El Rey (7pm)

 

Tuesday: Rocco Deluca at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)
ALSO: Y Luv, Act as If, and Midnight Hour at The Satellite (9pm)
ALSO: Wintersleep at The Echo (10pm)

 

Weds: Tyler Hilton at Saint Rocke (10:30)
ALSO: Songwriter Round at Room 5 featuring Adrianne, Garrison Starr, and Maia Sharp (8:30)
ALSO: Safety Suit and Daughtry at Nokia Theater LA Live (7:30)
ALSO: Barcelona, Terraplane Sun, and Churchill at The Satellite (9pm)
ALSO: Jack White at The Wiltern (7:30)

 

Thursday: Mariah McManus at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)…first night of Mariah’s Thursday night residency at The Hotel Cafe
ALSO: Finish Ticket and The Gallery at Amplyfi (8pm)
ALSO: Greg Laswell and Elizabeth Ziman at The El Rey (8pm)
ALSO: Jack White at The Wiltern (7:30)

 

Friday: The Shakers at The Roxy (8pm)
ALSO: The Muddy Reds at The Mint (11pm)
ALSO: Orlando Napier at WitZend (10pm)

 

Saturday: The Ruby Friedman Orchestra at The Troubadour (9:30)
ALSO: Deas Vail at Chain Reaction (7pm)
ALSO: Mind The Gap at The Hotel Cafe (10pm)…part of Mind the Gap’s Saturday night residency
ALSO: Hesher Street Fair http://www.hesterstreetfair.com/hollywood/information/

 

Sunday: The Duke Spirit at The Echoplex (7pm)
ALSO: Tyler Hilton at The Key Club (7:30)
ALSO: Franklin Village Festival at the 5900 block of Franklin Ave. featuring The Cordovas, The Dirges, Clare Means, etc. FREE (12-8pm) http://www.facebook.com/events/296990293718065/

 

 

To Keep in Mind:
June 5th and 6th: Ben Howard at The Troubadour
June 6th: The Cordovas at Saint Rocke
June 7th: Dinner and a Suit at The Roxy
June 7-10th: Bonnaroo in Manchester, TN
June 13th and 14th: Phantom Planet at The Troubadour
June 15th: Joe Firstman at WitZend
June 16th: Thrice at Club Nokia
June 16th: Scissor Sisters at Hollywood Palladium
June 20th: Glen Hansard at The Wiltern
June 21st: Crash Kings at The Troubadour
June 22nd: The Avett Brothers at Nokia LA Live
June 23rd: Milo Greene at The Troubadour
June 25th: Graffiti6 at The Troubadour
June 29th: Fiona Apple at Hollywood Palladium
July 14th: Saint Motel at The El Rey
August 3rd: Cory Chisel at The El Rey
August 13th: The Kills at The El Rey

 

~ Kristen

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Free Download: Joe Firstman’s New Song!

Posted on by Kristen

 

 

Joe Firstman has a new record coming out September 6th. The title of the new CD is Swear It Was A Dream and the cover art is picture above. I know quite a few people (myself included) who will be very excited about this. Go here for a sneak peak of one of the new tunes, “Who’s Turnin Your Light Out?”. The first 200 people to ask can get a free download! So. GO!

Joe always seems to be out on the road. He’s got several dates this fall across the country:

 

Just stumbled across this video on Joe’s website. Funny, his answer to the question “what is your favorite thing about playing music?” is just about the same as my answer to why I like going to so many shows…no wonder I like this guy so much!

 

~ Kristen

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 5/2-5/8

Posted on by Kristen

Yes, there is a lot I could be saying right now, but my brain is fried from working all weekend, so I’m just going to jump to the point of this email. Lots of great shows this week. I hope to see everyone at The Roxy on Saturday for The Silent Comedy. This is a huge show for one of my favorite bands. Come support!

Monday: Xavier Rudd and Honeyhoney at The El Rey (7pm)
ALSO: Joe Firstman and Taylor Locke and The Roughs FREE at Silverlake Lounge (10,11)
ALSO: Battles at The Echoplex (9pm)
ALSO: Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 (9pm)
ALSO: Lady Danville FREE at The Getty (6pm)…part of College Night at The Getty Center  http://www.getty.edu/education/college/center_collegenight_2011.html

 

Tuesday: Alberta Cross and Maxim Ludwig and the Santa Fe Seven at The Satellite (9pm)
ALSO: Paris Carney at Room 5 (10pm)
ALSO: Red Circle Underground and The Mulhollands at Saint Rocke (8:30)

 

Weds: Tony Lucca and Justin Hopkins at The Hotel Cafe (9, 10)
ALSO: The Pipettes at The Satellite (10pm)
ALSO: Rhett Miller at Heritage Court at the Autry (8pm)
ALSO: Pint Shot Riot at The Mint (midnight)
ALSO: Chris Cornell at Ford Amphitheatre (7pm)
ALSO: James Blunt at The Wiltern (7pm)

 

Thursday: Amie Miriello at Molly Malone’s (9pm)
ALSO: Apex Manor and The New Division at The Echo (9pm)
ALSO: Chris Cornell at Ford Amphitheatre (7pm)

 

Friday: Fat City Reprise FREE at O’Brien’s (10pm)
ALSO: Tristen and Ezra Furman & The Harpoons at The Satellite (9pm)

 

Saturday: The Silent Comedy at The Roxy (10pm)
ALSO: Fleet Foxes at The Hollywood Palladium (8pm)
ALSO: William Fitzsimmons and Satellite at The Hotel Cafe (8,10)
ALSO: Taylor Locke & The Roughs and The 88 at The Echo (6pm)
ALSO: Avi Buffalo FREE at The Getty (6pm)…part of Saturday’s Off the 405http://www.getty.edu/museum/programs/performances/saturdays_405.html

 

Sunday: I’m sure something will present itself

 


To Keep in Mind:
May 9th: KT Tunstall at The El Rey
May 14th: The Other Side of Morning CD Release
May 15th: Eisley at The Troubadour
May 20th: Curtis Peoples at The Hotel Cafe
May 21st: Saint Motel at The Roxy
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 15th: Augustana at The House of Blues Sunset
June 29th: Brooke Fraser at The Music Box
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 18-20th: SSMF
September 22-24: Hotel Carolina (South Carolina)

~ Kristen

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

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 4/25-5/1

Posted on by Kristen

SO full right now. So so very full. The annual Easter party was full of friends and food and eggs that now look like angry birds…what more could you want!?! Why music of course! I’m trying to clear some room in my stomach for the french fries that will hopefully accompany more friends and some awesome tunes at Saint Rocke tonight…assuming I will be able to move by then…

I will definitely be able to move by Monday night because I got my ticket for The Airborne Toxic Event at The Satellite the instant they went on sale (AKA wouldn’t miss it for the world). There are tons of great shows this week. I’m really looking forward to it. Hopefully my work schedule will permit me to partake!

Here’s my dream list:

Monday: Airborne Toxic Event at The Satellite (8:30)
ALSO: The Head & The Heart at The Troubadour (10:15)…unfortunately sold out…but if you don’t know this band from Seattle, you should
ALSO: Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 (9pm)
ALSO: The Chris Robinson Brotherhood at The Echoplex (8:30)

 

Tuesday: Madi Diaz and Joe Firstman at The Hotel Cafe (8,10)
ALSO: The Filthy Souls at The Piano Bar (midnight)
ALSO: Airborne Toxic Event at The Troubadour (10pm)
ALSO: Jonathan Clark and Satellite at Molly Malone’s (8,9)…last night of the residency!
ALSO: Alien Ant Farm, Finger Eleven, and Papa Roach at The House of Blues Sunset (8:30)

 

Weds: Joe Firstman at Saint Rocke (9:45)
ALSO: Andy Clockwise CD Release with George Stanford at The Troubadour (8:30)
ALSO: High Voltage Night at The Mint featuring Maren Parusel (8pm)
ALSO: The Ditty Bops at The Hotel Cafe (8pm)
ALSO: The Airborne Toxic Event at The El Rey (8pm)

Thursday: Purple Melon and Rival Sons FREE at Hard Rock Cafe (10,10:50)
ALSO: Little Hurricane at The Hotel Cafe (11pm)
ALSO: of Verona and The Canyons at Molly Malone’s (8,9)
ALSO: The White Buffalo at The Mint (10pm)
ALSO: The Airborne Toxic Event at The Music Box (9pm)

 

Friday: Queen Caveat at Bardot (11:30)
ALSO: Milk Carton Kids at Saint Rocke (10pm)
ALSO: Jenni Alpert and Rob Giles at The Hotel Cafe (7,9)

 

Saturday: Joe Purdy and The Milk Carton Kids at The Troubadour (9pm)
ALSO: Prohibition Rose and Inverse at The Viper Room (9, 9:50)
ALSO: The Boxer Rebellion at The Roxy (10pm)

 

Sunday: Thao & Mirah at The Troubadour (10pm)
ALSO: The White Buffalo at Saint Rocke (9pm)

 

 

 

To Keep in Mind:
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 14th: The Other Side of Morning CD Release
May 15th: Eisley at The Troubadour
May 20th: Curtis Peoples at The Hotel Cafe
May 21st: Saint Motel at The Roxy
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 15th: Augustana at The House of Blues Sunset
June 29th: Brooke Fraser at The Music Box
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 18-20th: SSMF
September 22-24: Hotel Carolina (South Carolina)

~ Kristen

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

 

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 2/21-2/27

Posted on by Kristen

Just got back from a crazy evening of awesomeness and feeling grateful for so many things: My friends for kicking me out the door and keeping me company all night, The Viper Room simply for being there, Duke’s for having some fairly amazing cuisine, my new friends for sharing some fun stories and being crazy cool, and most importantly, Dead Sara, my new band love that blew my MIND. At this very moment I am grateful for simply existing. See…this is how I get when I’m on a music high. I need to go to bed!

But first, this week’s choice music selections:

Monday: Joe Firstman at The Hotel Cafe (9:30)
ALSO: Tony Lucca at Saint Rocke (9pm)
ALSO: Automatique at The Viper Room (10:15)
ALSO: Everest at The Echo (10pm)
ALSO: Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 (9pm)

Tuesday: Dead Sara and Sick of Sarah at The Roxy (8pm)
ALSO: Satellite and Jonathan Clark at Molly Malone’s (8pm)
ALSO: Shawn Hlookoff at The Central in Santa Monica (9pm)
ALSO: Tom Petty Tribute night at Room 5 featuring Chris Pierce, Joel Eckels, John Elliot, Justine Bennett, Shane Alexander, Brother Sal, etc. (8pm)
ALSO: Joseph Arthur at Bootleg (9:45)

Weds: Semi Precious Weapons at On The Rox (10pm)
ALSO: Anna Nalick at The Hotel Cafe (10pm)
ALSO: Armada at The Viper Room (8:50)
ALSO: Watkins Family Hour at Largo (8:30)
ALSO: Linkin Park at The Staples Center (7pm)
ALSO: Satellite at The Central (9pm)

Thursday: Purple Melon at The Roxy (10pm)
ALSO: Holly Conlan at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)
ALSO: Best Coast at The Music Box (8pm)

Friday:  The 88 and Keaton Simons at The Hotel Cafe (9:30,10:30)
ALSO: Warner Drive at The Roxy (10pm)
ALSO: Lovers Drugs at The Good Hurt (midnight)

Saturday: We Barbarians, Kitten, and Young the Giant at The Roxy (8pm)
ALSO: Alexi Murdoch at The Bootleg Theater (10pm)
ALSO: The Shakers at The Viper Room (11pm)
ALSO: David & Devine at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)
ALSO: Stone Temple Pilots at Fox Theater (7pm)
ALSO: Local Natives at Walt Disney Music Hall (8pm)
ALSO: Josh Ritter and Scott Hutchinson (Frightened Rabbit) at The Music Box (8pm)

Sunday: Jordan Cook at The Viper Room (10pm)
ALSO: The Shakers at O’Briens (9pm)

To Keep in Mind:
March 1st: Biffy Clyro at The Troubadour
March 1st: Queen Caveat and The Silent Comedy at Saint Rocke
March 3rd: Civil Twilight at The Troubadour
March 4th: After Midnight Project at The Roxy
March 7th: The Silent Comedy at The Echo
March 8th: Vertical Horizon at The Roxy
March 8th: Queen Caveat at The Mint
March 9th: Jay Nash at Saint Rocke
March 17th: Alkaline Trio and Dead Country at The Mayan
March 21st: Joe Firstman at The Hotel Cafe
March 22nd: War on Drugs at The Troubadour
March 26th: Lady Danville at The Troubadour
May 27th: The Script at Club Nokia
September 22-24: Hotel Carolina

~ Kristen