Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 12/5-12/11

I barely survived last week. I can’t remember the last time I pushed my poor body so hard for so long. I can’t say it was a bad week because it was peppered by some amazing musical experiences, but it’s not a good sign when going to a show is a “break” rather than the end of your day. But it is weeks like these that make me most thankful for great live music and its ability to get me through just about anything.

Here’s to hoping this week can be fabulous without the severe sleep deprivation!  Musically, there is a lot of promise. Friday I’m going to wish I could be in 10 places at once. Thankfully, my fave rockers Queen Caveat will also be making an appearance Weds night down in Hermosa Beach. They’ve been busy recording new music and I’ve been suffering withdrawals…

As for the rest, here’s my list:

 

Monday: Brian Wright at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)
ALSO: Sabrosa Purr FREE at Silverlake Lounge (9pm)
ALSO: Beverly Kills at Howl at The Moon in Universal City (10pm)
ALSO: It’s a School Night at Bardot featuring Daniel Lanois and Rocco Deluca…free with RSVP (10pm)
ALSO: Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 (9pm)

 

Tuesday: Maniac and The Postelles at Bootleg Bar (8:30,10:30)
ALSO: Benefit for Free The Slaves at The Hotel Café featuring Joe Purdy, Cary Brothers, The Rescues, The Makepeace Brothers, etc. (8pm)
ALSO: Me Talk Pretty at The Key Club (10:30)
ALSO: The Dahls at The Viper Room (9pm)
ALSO: Carina Round and Puscifer at The Orpheum (8pm)
ALSO: Beachwood Night FREE at The Piano Bar (9pm)

 

Weds: Queen Caveat FREE at The Shore Lounge in Hermosa Beach (9:30)
ALSO: Meiko at The Hotel Cafe (9:30)
ALSO: Scott Weiland at The El Rey (8pm)
ALSO: The Kooks at The Music Box (9pm)

 

Thursday: Ryan Cabrera at The Viper Room (midnight)
ALSO: The Kooks at The Music Box (9pm)

 

Friday: Jon McLaughlin and Stephen Kellogg at The Key Club (9, 10:15)
ALSO: Queen Caveat and Kevin Martin at The Viper Room (11, 8pm)
ALSO: The Silent Comedy at Villian’s Tavern (?)
ALSO: The Elizabeth Kill at Molly Malone’s (8:30)
ALSO: Camp Freddy at The Roxy (9pm)
ALSO: Sara Bareilles and Joshua Radin at The Palladium (7:30)
ALSO: The Belle Brigade at McCabe’s (8pm)
ALSO: William Elliot Whitmore and Trampled by Turtles at The Troubadour (9,10)
ALSO: The Chris Robinson Brotherhood at The El Rey (8pm)

 

Saturday: Quiet Mind, Soul Puppet, The Young Royals, and Roman Candle Wars at Molly Malone’s (8pm)
ALSO: Aimee Mann Christmas Show at The Wiltern (8pm)
ALSO: Sugarcult at Chain Reaction in Anaheim (7pm)
ALSO: KROQ Almost Acoustic Christmas at The Gibson Amphitheater featuring Incubus, Bush, Chevelle, New Found Glory, etc.

 

Sunday: Satellite Holiday Recital and Toy Drive FREE at The Satellite featuring Steven Wikin (Vanaprasta), Useless Keys, Rob Kolar & Lauren Brown (He’s My Brother, She’s My Sister), etc. (7pm)
ALSO: Odd Us and Parker Ainsworth at The Hotel Cafe (8,9)
ALSO: Brandi Carlile at Broad Stage in Santa Monica (?)
ALSO: KROQ Almost Acoustic Christmas at The Gibson Amphitheater featuring The Black Keys, Cage the Elephant, Death Cab for Cutie, Florence + The Machine, Mumford & Sons, The Naked and Famous, etc.

 

Advance Notice NEXT MONDAY: High Voltage Holiday Party at On the Rox featuring Zero 1, The Active Set, Suddyn, and Bethpage Black (8pm)

 

 

To Keep in Mind:
December 14th: Deas Vail and Lakes at The Roxy
December 16th: Camp Freddy at The Roxy
December 16th: Oh Land at The El Rey
December 16th: Forrest Day at Molly Malone’s
December 16th: Chris Cornell at The Orpheum Theater
December 16th: Hotel Café Christmas Party night 1
December 17th: Hotel Café Christmas Party night 2
December 17th: Tori Amos at The Orpheum Theater
December 18th: Tori Amos at The Orpheum Theater
December 23rd: Camp Freddy at The Roxy
December 31st: Semi Precious Weapons at The Roxy
January 12th: Milk Carton Kids at The Largo
January 29th: Tyrone Wells at Saint Rocke
January 31st: Atomic Tom at Bootleg Bar
Feb. 2nd: Mutemath at Club Nokia
Feb. 14th: Twin Atlantic and You Me at Six at The Troubadour
March 9th: William Fitzsimmons at The Troubadour
March 13th-18th: SXSW (Austin, TX)
March 24th: Ani DiFranco at The Orpheum Theater

~ Kristen

 

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

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 MannequinPeople & 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

 

 

MUTEMATHOdd 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

 

 

LIGHTSSiberia 

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 StoneAllen 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: 11/15-11/21

Just got done grading a seemingly infinite number of exams…plus a few quizzes. Aside from two musical interludes, that’s all I’ve been up to all weekend. As for the interludes, tonight was The Elizabeth Kill at The Mint and Saturday was Philadelphia goes LA, hanging out with other Philly area natives and checking out some bands with Philly roots (Terrible Things at The El Rey and The Shakers at The Cat Club). All in all, I just can’t believe the weekend is coming to a close!

But as one week ends, another begins. And what a fantastic line-up of shows this week. Greatness, in the form of SD band The Silent Comedy, returns to LA this week Thursday at The Echo. I’m also really excited about The Lonely Forrest, a band that made my SXSW ’10 mix but that I’ve never seen. Plus Queen Caveat, Fitz and the Tantrums, Freelance Whales, Dynamite Walls…I’m exhausted already! Some tough choices will have to be made this week.

Maybe you can help. Here’s what I’m contemplating…

Monday: Chasing Kings FREE at The Silverlake Lounge (11pm)
ALSO: Paris Carney and Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 (8,9) 

Tuesday: The Lonely Forest at Spaceland (8:30)
ALSO: Queen Caveat at The Viper Room (11:15)
ALSO: Val Emmich at The Hotel Café(8pm) 

Weds: AWOLNATION and Fitz and The Tantrums at The El Rey (8pm)
ALSO: Mayday Parade at The House of Blues Sunset (10pm)           
ALSO: Tyler Hilton at The Roxy (10pm)
ALSO: Kate Miller Heidke and Terra Naomi at The Hotel Cafe (7,8)
ALSO: Natasha Bedingfield at The Troubadour (7pm) 

Thursday: The Silent Comedy at The Echo (8:30)
ALSO: Miniature Tigers and Freelance Whales at The Troubadour (9,10)
ALSO: Jack’s Mannequin/Something Corporate and Matt Nathanson at The El Rey (7pm)
ALSO: Joshua Radin at The Music Box (10pm) 

Friday: Dynamite Walls at The Viper Room (11pm)
ALSO: Chris Pierce at The Hotel Cafe (11pm)
ALSO: Avi Buffalo at The Echo (10pm) 

Saturday: Lelia Broussard RECORD RELEASE at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)
ALSO: Teddy Geiger at Spaceland (10pm)
ALSO: Abbot Kinney at The Mint (9pm) 

Sunday: Dar Williams at The Hotel Cafe (8pm)
ALSO: Eisley at The El Rey (10pm) 

To Keep in Mind: 
November 21st and 22nd: Dar Williams at The Hotel Café
December 1st: Eve 6 at The Troubadour
December 2nd: Scarlet Grey at The Troubadour
December 4th: Joe Firstman at Saint Rocke
December 11th: The Black Crowes and Truth & Salvage Co. at Hollywood Palladium
January 22nd: Guster at The Music Box 

~ Kristen

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 9/3-9/9

Happy Labor Day Weekend (whatever that means to you)! I hope you are all able to get out and enjoy the weekend. As for me, I haven’t seen much of the sun in the last couple of days. I’m trying to get some work done in order to clear my schedule for important events happening over the next few weeks.  Fortunately, my writing companion is Biffy Clyro’s Revolutions: Live at Wembley DVD which helps keep me focused…sometimes.
I did see the blue moon Friday night and I celebrated by going to The Hotel Cafe see one of my favorite bands, Truth & Salvage Co. play a secret show under their former name, The Denim Family Band. This filled me with nostalgia as it was the year I moved to LA that I discovered this band and saw them at The Hotel Cafe numerous times. Ah, memories…

More potential musical memories up for grabs this week at the following shows. Obviously, my pick of the week is The Silent Comedy who open for The Heavy at The El Rey on Friday, but here are all my musical recommendations:

Monday: Kitten FREE at Bootleg Bar (10:30)
ALSO: The Lonely Wild FREE at The Satellite (11pm)

 

Tuesday: Voxhaul Broadcast at The Viper Room (9:15)
ALSO: The Muddy Reds at The Central (10pm)
ALSO: My Satellite FREE at Hemingways
ALSO: post-labor day carousal at The Piano Bar featuring Lowlight, Dave Green, Jesse Cole, and Foster Timms (9pm)
ALSO: Gaby Moreno at Largo (8:30)
ALSO: Gotye at The Greek Theatre (7pm)

 

Weds: David & Devine and Armada at The Hotel Cafe (9,10)…Armada’s Record Release Show
ALSO: Makepeace Brothers at WitZend (8pm)

 

Thursday: NO FREE at The Santa Monica Pier (7pm)
ALSO: The Material at The Roxy (8pm)
ALSO: Sweet Talk Radio at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)…Record Release Show
ALSO: The Dollyrots at The Viper Room (10pm)
ALSO: John C Reilly & Friends at Largo (9pm)

 

Friday: The Silent Comedy and The Heavy at The El Rey (8pm)
ALSO: Belmont Lights and SO & SO at The House of Blues (8pm)…Belmont Lights Record Release
ALSO: Holly Conlan, The Young Romans, Madi Diaz at The Hotel Cafe (8,9,10)
ALSO: Crosby, Stills & Nash at The Greek Theatre (7:30)

 

Saturday: Garrison Starr, Adrianne, Maia Sharp at Room 5 (9pm)
ALSO: The Elizabeth Kill at Molly Malone’s (10pm)
ALSO: Lady Sinatra at The Viper Room (10pm)
ALSO: The Honda Civic Tour at The Home Depot Center featuring MUTEMATH, Incubus, and Linkin Park (5:30)

 

Sunday: The Ataris at The Roxy (10pm)
ALSO: Pink Martini at The Greek Theatre (7:30)

 

 

To Keep in Mind:
September 12th: Allen Stone at Hollywood Bowl
September 14th: Teitur at The Hotel Cafe
September 14th: The Hives at The Wiltern
September 19th: Band of Skulls at The Fonda Theatre
September 20th: Howie Day at The Hotel Cafe
September 22nd: Epicenter at Verizon Wireless Ampitheatre
September 22nd: Sondre Lerche at The Troubadour
September 27th: Mary Chapin Carpenter and Sara Watkins at Club Nokia
October 1st: Ed Sheeran at The Wiltern
October 1st: Safety Suit at The Roxy
October 2nd: Garbage at The Hollywood Palladium
October 2nd: The Lumineers at The Fonda Theatre
October 4th: The Milk Carton Kids at The Largo
October 4th-7th: Culture Collide Festival
October 6th: Ben Howard at The Fonda Theatre
October 9th: The Wallflowers and Everest at The Fonda Theatre
October 11th: Awolnation and Imagine Dragons at Club Nokia
October 13th: Marcus Foster at The Roxy
October 16th: First Aid Kit at The Fonda Theatre
October 19th: Tony Lucca at The Roxy
October 19th: Frightened Rabbit at The Troubadour
October 19th: Allen Stone at The Music Box
October 20th: Stephen Kellogg & The Sixers at Saint Rocke
October 23rd: Shiny Toy Guns at The Echoplex
October 24th: The Darkness at Club Nokia
October 25th: Bayside at Club Nokia
October 27th: Queen Caveat at The Roxy
November 2nd: NEEDTOBREATHE at Fox Theater Pomona
November 3rd: All American Rejects at The Wiltern
November 6th: Jens Lekman at Fonda Theatre
November 8th: The Kin at The Roxy
November 16th: Joshua Radin and A Fine Frenzy at The Wiltern
November 20th: The Postelles and Mayday Parade at House of Blues
November 20th: Rachel Yamagata at The El Rey

~ Kristen

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