Joe Firstman

Fifteen Albums…

Posted on by Kristen

Someone posted this on facebook. I like doing these little quiz-type things, but I rarely post them. This one really got me thinking so I thought I’d go the extra mile. Here are the directions:

Rules: Don’t take too long to think about it. Fifteen albums you’ve heard that will always stick with you. List the first fifteen you can recall in no more than fifteen minutes.Tag fifteen friends, including me because I’m interested in seeing what albums my friends choose. To do this, go to your Notes tab on your profile page, click “Write a note”, paste title and rules in…

And after the appropriate 15 minutes, here was what I came up with:

  1. Joe Firstman- War of Women   01 Introduction to _The War Of Women
  2. Sarah McLachlan – Mirrorball Building a Mystery
  3. Dido- No Angel All You Want
  4. Andrew Lloyd Webber- The Phantom of the Opera Soundtrack The Phantom of the Opera
  5. Jewel- Spirit Jupiter
  6. Carole King- Tapestry So Far Away
  7. Love Actually Soundtrack God Only Knows
  8. Alanis Morrisette- MTV Unplugged Head Over Feet
  9. Veronica Mars Soundtrack We Used To Be Friends- The Dandy Warhols
  10. Granian- On My Own Two Feet Contagious
  11. Carly Simon – Coming Around Again As Time Goes By
  12. Maroon 5- Songs About Jane The Sun
  13. Teitur – Poetry & Airplanes Rough Around the Edges
  14. Moulin Rouge Soundtrack Elephant Love Medley
  15. Ally McBeal: For Once In My Life featuring Vonda Shepard You’re the First, the Last, My Everything

Honestly, I surprised myself with some of the answers. I was thinking of entire albums and not just favorite songs or favorite bands (most of which didn’t even make the list!). Also, the thing all fifteen of my choices have in common is that the entire album is strongly linked to something in my life…a place, a time, an event, etc. As a result, most of them are from my past…when I actually listened to entire albums obsessively and before the majority of my music came in its live form.

I’ll never forget, for example, listening to The Veronica Mars Soundtrack in my car quite heavily the last few months of college…or having Sarah McLachlan’s “Surfacing” on repeat while getting lost in Washington DC on a Girl Scout trip…or listening to Jewel’s “Spirit” while playing Pokemon on my Gameboy. Then, of course, there is the album I listen to whenever I am deeply upset because it can be the only thing that makes me feel okay (that would be Joe Firstman’s “War of Women”, also strongly connected to what I still consider to be the best day of my life).

I could go on, but all of these albums make me feel something above and beyond the music itself. I’m sure it’s that nostalgic link that will keep these albums firmly implanted in my brain for years to come.

~ Kristen

Almost Time for Hotel Carolina!

Posted on by Kristen

Just about to start the road trip from Maryland down to Isle of Palms, SC for a weekend of music on the beach. I’ve never been to Hotel Carolina but I’ve only heard good things and I’m incredibly excited at the prospect of nothing but beaches and music for an entire weekend. So many of my favorites are going to be there: Joe Firstman, Tony Lucca, Keaton Simons, Curtis Peoples, etc. etc. etc.

If you too are headed to Isle of Palms this weekend (or even if you’re not), here are some videos to get you all pumped up:

~ Kristen

New Music Tuesday!

Posted on by Kristen

It’s Tuesday…you know what that means! 

I’m excited about several albums that come out today so I thought I’d share:

Joe Firstman: Live At The Treehouse
my love for this man’s music will never cease…I’m really looking forward to hearing this album, which I hear is mostly stripped down remakes of older songs

Lissie: Catching a Tiger
go here to listen and watch some great videos

Filter: The Trouble With Angels
What has this band been up to since they were promoting the photography industry? I don’t know, but let’s find out shall we?

Darker My Love: Alive As You Are
I’ve been hearing a lot of buzz about this band, so I’ll be interested to see what it’s all about

Tea Leaf Green: Looking West
these guys are playing with Truth & Salvage Co. at The Troubadour on Oct. 2nd…might as well get pumped about their music because you know I’m going to be there!

Can’t wait to go buy some new music! If you’ve already checked them out, let me know what you think!

~ Kristen

Have you been to Saint Rocke?

Posted on by Kristen

It’s not in LA proper so it’s taken me awhile to get there, but Saint Rocke is now on the fast track to becoming one of my new favorite places to see live music. Located on the PCH in Hermosa Beach, it really isn’t that far away (especially when the traffic is light). It’s got all the charm of The Hotel Cafe but with more space, more seating, and free parking! Plus, if you order food during their happy hour (starts at 5pm M-F) nearly the entire menu is $5. I opted for the kobe beef sliders with sweet potato fries and they were delicious…I have it on good authority that the tacos and the pizzas are also excellent options.

I didn’t just decide to check out a new venue on a whim. I was drawn to Hermosa Beach because it was a stop on the Joe Firstman/Jay Nash tour. The line up played The Hotel Cafe last Thursday but I could not make it as I was at The Roxy enjoying Alex Band (more on that from Amanda).

For the record, this duo is NOT to be missed. I’ve been following Joe around the country for over five years now and never have I seen the same set twice…he even changes up his own songs to keep things fresh. Already, songs from his most recent release, El Porto, have gotten new versions.  I will enjoy just about anything coming from this guy but Sunday night’s set was one of the most enjoyable I’ve seen him do in years. A great mix of old (one of my all-time favorite CDs is his debut The War of Women), new, and newly revised. His next record, Joe Firstman Live at The Treehouse, comes out next month and I cannot wait to hear it all. For a taste, go to his website and download a free track!  

Jay Nash has been a more recent addition to my list of favorite singer-songwriters. His recent collaborations with some of my favorite artists like Caitlin Crosby and Matt Duke brought him to my attention. He is also the founder and frequent participant in my favorite Monday night activity, Songwriters in the Round at Room 5. Unfortunately just as I start going to more of his shows, he decided to up and move to Vermont. The fact that he has returned to LA so soon is encouraging however and I hope that more tours like this one will continue to bring him back to his former home.

Both Joe and Jay are the kind of artist that need to be seen live to truly be appreciated for the amazingly gifted musicians they are. And when they get on the stage together, the energy is kicked up an additional notch as they feed off each other to create the kind of performance that could never be captured or repeated…moments that make you realize how incredibly fortunate you are to be in that exact place at that exact time…moments that keep you going to show after show…the kind of stuff to live for and the reason I love artists like Joe Firstman and Jay Nash and venues like Saint Rocke that can bring out these kinds of magical moments.

If you want to check out a show at Saint Rocke, here’s a link to their calendar . Might I suggest Pat McGee this Sunday…or if you read this in time 100 Monkeys tonight (Tuesday July 20th).

If you want to see more of Joe Firstman and Jay Nash their tour together is almost over, but they both have dates up on their websites and they will both be at Hotel Carolina at the end of August.

~ Kristen

p.s. this is a repost, but here’s a recording a took of the song Jay wrote about leaving California…I think it may be my new favorite.

Golden State Goodnight– Jay Nash

Amanda’s Very Late Show Calendar 6/13-6/18

Posted on by Amanda

The title says it all. Sorry we missed Monday but from what I can tell, there wasn’t really anything that was missed. I know how you are San Diego. You don’t really like to get going until Thursday, Wednesday if we are lucky. I mean, just look at Tuesday!

Anyways, there has been a lot going on behind the scenes here at LMN. If you saw Kristen’s post you will see what I mean. I’m up in LA (again) until Thursday so be sure to enjoy the shows until I return and even after I return…

Tuesday: ???

Wednesday: Alex Band (of The Calling) @ Anthology @7:30 $16
AND: Jay Nash and Joe Firstman @ Lestats @8 $?
AND: Antibalas @ The Casbah @9 $14 adv/$16 day of
AND: Long Live Logos @ U-31

Thursday: The Guggenheim Grotto @ Lestats @8 $15
AND: 91X Loudspeaker feat. Dead Feather Moon, The Pheromones, and Italian Japanese @ The Belly Up @9 $8 ($1 goes to SD Music Foundation)

Friday: Dirty Sweet @ The Casbah
AND: Get Back Loretta @ Bar Pink @ 10 FREE
AND: Thrice @ House of Blues San Diego @7 $20 adv/$23 day of
AND: Inspired Flight @ Kava Lounge @9

Saturday: The Silent Comedy @ The Casbah
AND: Sight and Sound @ Queen Bees @7:30

Sunday: Tony Lucca @ Anthology @7:30 $10 value tix/$14 regular tix
AND: Jamie Cullum @ Humphreys by the Bay

Keep in Mind:

July 19th- The Dead Weather @ House of Blues San Diego
July 21st- Shawn Mullins @ Birch Aquarium @ Scripps
July 30th- Transfer @ The Casbah
July 31st- Wendy Bailey @ Bar Pink
August 6th- Endoxi @ Epicentre
August 7th- Silversun Pickups @ Soma
August 8th- Tokyo Police Club @ The Casbah
August 10th- Vans Warped Tour- San Diego
August 18th- Steve Poltz @ Birch Aquarium
August 21st- Wolfmother @ House of Blues San Diego
September 18th- Paramore @ Viejas Arena
September 22nd- Muse @ Viejas Arena
September 25th- The Black Keys @ Soma

Kristen’s Concert Calendar: 7/12-7/18

Posted on by Kristen

Well, Amanda and I certainly had quite the busy weekend getting sneak previews of some very exciting projects coming out soon. Slash-approved British rockers, Gods and Men, are in the process of recording their first album for Pacific Records. Remember the name…it will come up again soon, I’m sure. Also, San Diego’s own Endoxi just finished their first full-length CD, Earthbound. The record is coming out August 3rd and the release party will be August 6th at Epicentre in SD. I’m very excited about Endoxi, and feel that they are poised to become the next big band out of San Diego.

But if you need a good show before August 6th, this week will definitely satisfy. Two of my very favorite bands are playing the Troubadour, The Silent Comedy on Tuesday (opening for Andy Clockwise) and Nico Vega on Weds (opening for Sweethead). You know you’ve been meaning to check out these bands I’m always blathering on about…well, here’s your chance so don’t miss it! 

As for everything else (it’s quite a fantastic week for music):

Monday: Matt Morris at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)
ALSO: Mississippi Man FREE at The Echo (10pm)
ALSO: The Shakers at Les Deux (10pm)
ALSO: Abbot Kinney at Molly Malone’s (8pm)
ALSO: Kings of Leon at Hollywood Bowl (7:30)
ALSO: Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 (9pm) 

Tuesday: The Silent Comedy and Andy Clockwise at The Troubadour (8:30)
ALSO: Imagine Dragons FREE at The Viper Room (10pm)
ALSO: Matthew Jordan at Cafe Was (7pm)
ALSO: Austin Hartley-Leonard at The Hotel Cafe (8pm) 

Weds: Nico Vega at The Troubadour (9:15)…what else do you need? 

Thursday: KT Tunstall, Garrison Starr, Jay Nash, Joe Firstman at The Hotel Cafe (7-11)
ALSO: Killola at The Viper Room (11pm)
ALSO: Wakey Wakey at Bootleg (10pm)
ALSO: Alex Band at The Roxy (8:30)
ALSO: Fitz & the Tantrums at the Hammer museum (7pm)
ALSO: Alternate Routes at Levitt Pavilion in Pasadena (8pm)
ALSO: Nico Vega at Velvet Jones in Santa Barbara (7pm) 

Friday: Tyrone Wells at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)
ALSO: Victoria Clemmons, Kris Karlsson, Alex Rhodes at Genghis Cohen (8,9,10)
ALSO: Lovers Drugs at Rusty’s Surf Ranch in Santa Monica (9pm)
ALSO: Juke Kartel at The Viper Room (11:15)
ALSO: MGMT at The Greek Theater (7:30) 

Saturday: Thrice at Fox Theater in Pomona (6:30)
ALSO: Leerone and Laura Jensen at The Hotel Cafe (8, 10)  
ALSO: The Silent Comedy at The Casbah (SD) 

Sunday: The Swell Season and Bird and the Bee at Hollywood Bowl (7:30)
ALSO: Joe Firstman and Jay Nash at Saint Rocke (7pm) 

To Keep in Mind:
July 21st: Gaslight Anthem at The Wiltern
July 23rd: Tony Lucca album release at The Mint
July 28th: Bang the Gong Tour featuring Civil Twilight, Paper Tongues, and Neon Trees at The Glass House
July 29th: Queen Caveat EP Release at The Viper Room
July 29th: Civil Twlight at The Hotel Cafe
July 30th: Dirty Sweet at The Viper Room  
July 30-31st: Morcheeba at Hollywood Bowl
August 6th: Endoxi CD release at Epicentre (SD)
August 12th: Semi Precious Weapons at Staples Center
August 21st and 22nd: Sunset Junction
September 4th: After Midnight Project at The Key Club
September 25th: Band of Horses at Greek Theater
September 25th: Muse at Staples Center 

~ Kristen