LA

Kristen’s SXSW ’11 Mix: Part 5

Posted on by Kristen

This year’s SXSW experience was a little different than in years past (ie I actually got to GO instead of my usual just listening to all of the artists). Still, I wanted to maintain the spirit of my annual SXSW Mix being a list of artists that are mostly new to me that I somehow discovered or was inspired to write about due to my SXSW experience.  I am so excited about every one of these artists/groups. I can’t wait for them to come through LA and play!

Here’s the final part of the official mix:

 

17. “Dominos” – Electric Touch

For a hot minute, Electric Touch was in LA and I discovered their music here. Then they moved to Austin, so I had to wait ’til SXSW to see them again. Now, they’ve played Coachella and seem to be doing a bit of Warped Tour this year. Keep your eyes open for this band, ’cause your ears will be happy if you do! Here are some tunes including my favorite, “Dominos”.

 


 

18. “Amalgam” – Halos

Ok, I saw this band at The Viper Room well before SXSW…but they were there and this is the perfect excuse I’d been looking for to mention how much I enjoy them. Check out their album, Living Like Kings in Confined Spaces.

 

19. “American Dream” – Sinai

Phildelphia’s golden boys, SINAI, gave one of their rare performances at SXSW this year. It was one of my most anticipated performances of the week as I’d been waiting to see this band, comprised of some of my favorite musicians, play since they announced their formation. They certainly didn’t disappoint. I love this video for “American Dream” because quite a bit of it was taken at their Austin performance.

 

20. “Remove Money Maker” – Viva City

These Brits were a big part of my SXSW experience. The more I see them, the more I love them. Check out their CD, Phobia, which features this song as well as other dance-able hits.

 

~ Kristen

 

and you think we’re done but wait…

Kristen’s SXSW ’11 Mix: Part 1

Posted on by Kristen

This year’s SXSW experience was a little different than in years past (ie I actually got to GO instead of my usual just listening to all of the artists). Still, I wanted to maintain the spirit of my annual SXSW Mix being a list of artists that are mostly new to me that I somehow discovered or was inspired to write about due to my SXSW experience.  I am so excited about every one of these artists/groups. I can’t wait for them to come through LA and play!

I’ve broken the mix down into several parts which will be revealed over the next several days…enjoy!

 

  1. “Something In the Water” – Brooke Fraser

She may have been quite popular for several years, but only just before SXSW this year did Brooke Fraser hit my radar. This New Zealand native played several showcases in Austin including one sponsored by my favorite venue, The Hotel Cafe. Check out her third ablum, Flags, for this tune as well as my other favorite BF song, “Who Are We Fooling” featuring Aqualung.

 

2. “Coming Down That Road” – The Deaf

Came across this song while cruising the SXSW artist pages. Instantly it caught my attention, putting this band from the Netherlands on my need to see list.

 

3. “Run Back Home” – The Blue Pages

The Blue Pages was one of many acts that I discovered form the All Together Now Showcase. These Brooklyn boys put on a captivating show. If you’re in the NYC area, go check them out at Bowery Electric June 23rd!

 

4. “Sail” – AWOLNation

One of the best crowds I was in at SXSW this year was for AWOLNATION’s set at Rusty Spurs. They made my list of top SXSW sets…I really can’t wait to see these guys again. Come back to LA already!

 

more to come…

 

~ Kristen

It’s Raining!

Posted on by Kristen

I love when it rains in Los Angeles! I guess if we can’t have snow, it’s the next best thing, signaling some sort of seasonal change. On my drive into work this morning, this song came on my Ipod. I felt it wholly appropriate for the day.

~ Kristen

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 8/31-9/5

Posted on by Kristen

Well all I can say is what a weekend! Hotel Carolina really was any music fan’s dream vacation and I am so grateful I was able to go. I really hope to give the weekend a proper write-up at some point, but you will have to be patient. I’m always so impressed with those people who get their pictures up right away…when do they sleep?

Speaking of sleep, I am in desperate need. I’m looking forward to getting back to Los Angeles and hearing everyone’s stories about Sunset Junction, The Sunset Strip Music Festival, and all the other great shows I missed out on while I was away. Let’s catch up this week! Here’s my plan:

Tuesday: Anna Nalick at The Hotel Café (10pm)
ALSO: Lovers Drugs at Saint Rocke (9:30)
ALSO: Mississippi Man at The Troubadour (8:45)
ALSO: Sabrosa Purr at Silverlake Lounge (11pm) 

Weds: Helen Stellar at Bootleg Theater (10pm)
ALSO: Alex Lambert at The Roxy (8pm)
ALSO: Amber Rubarth at The Hotel Café (9pm)
ALSO: Beachwood Rockers’ Society at Crane’s 

Thursday:  Brian Wright and Greg Laswell at Saint Rocke (9,10)
ALSO: Hear NoHo (music festival in North Hollywood) featuring Jessie Payo (8pm)… http://www.hearnoho.com/ 

Friday: Run Run Run at The Roxy (8pm)
ALSO: Austin Hartley-Leonard and Rocco Deluca at The Hotel Cafe (7,10) 

Saturday: AFTER MIDNIGHT PROJECT at The Key Club (8pm) 

Sunday: The Elizabeth Kill at The Mint (8pm)

To Keep in Mind:
September 7th: Todd Carey at The Mint
September 9th: Curtis Peoples at The Mint
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
November 17th: Tyler Hilton at The Roxy
December 11th: The Black Crowes and Truth & Salvage Co. at Hollywood Palladium

~ Kristen

p.s. Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter! https://twitter.com/_localmusicnat

Discovering New Artists: Ben Rector

Posted on by Kristen

Ben Rector was one of the artists featured on my SXSW ’10 mix. I fell in love with his song, “World Moving Backwards”. The other day I stumbled across this website called noisetrade.com. It allows you to sample and download tunes from up and coming artists in exchange for promoting them to your friends on facebook or twitter…or even just sending out some emails. You can leave a monetary “tip” as well if you’re so inclined (you know you want to!).

I downloaded a few additional tunes from Ben Rector’s summer sampler and am very pleased to say that “World Moving Backwards” is not the only song of his I enjoy. I really wish this singer-songwriter from Tennessee would venture out to LA and play for us… As of now, no tour dates have been posted, but I will definitely be on the look-out.

In the meantime, if you want to investigate this artist further, check out his website, buy his newest CD, Summer Candy, download his free summer sampler, and watch some videos (he has some really cool ones, including the one below for his cover of one of my favorite songs “Free Fallin’”)  

~ Kristen

Queen Caveat EP released!!

Posted on by Kristen

Last Thursday night, The Viper Room played host to Queen Caveat’s EP release party.  Finally, we have some music to listen to from one of my new favorite bands! I have been overindulging all weekend. The EP, entitled Emptor, is available on ITunes…I would highly recommend one checking it out… 

To preview, go to the Queen Caveat Myspace page and listen! And while you’re there, download one of the tracks for FREE!

Also note their upcoming LA shows:

August 25th at King Kong
September 11th at Spaceland

my current fave track: In My Bed – Queen Caveat

Listen! Learn! LOVE!

~ Kristen

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 7/26-8/1

Posted on by Kristen

Still struggling with coherency issues so I’m going to keep this short. This week, like last, is jam packed with musical goodness. I’m especially excited about the return of a couple of my favorite bands to LA. Truth & Salvage Co. on Friday at The House of Blues and The Kin on Sunday at Zanzibar in Santa Monica. But really, that’s just the beginning of all the awesomeness going on next week…check it out:

Monday: Soul Puppet at The Hotel Cafe (8pm)
ALSO: Aiden Moore and Abbot Kinney at Molly Malone’s (10,11)…last chance to catch Aiden before he goes off to NYC
ALSO: Mississippi Man FREE at The Echoplex (10pm)
ALSO: Paris Carney and Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 (8,9) 

Tuesday: National Rifle at El Cid (?)…Philly band alert!
ALSO: Moving Picture Show FREE at The Viper Room (10pm)
ALSO: Adam Lambert at Pacific Amphitheater (7:30) 

Weds: Bang the Gong Tour featuring Civil Twilight, Paper Tongues, and Neon Trees at The Glass House in Pomona (7pm)
ALSO: Adam Lambert at Pacific Amphitheater (8pm)
ALSO: Purple Melon and Meiko at Pershing Square (8pm)
ALSO: Guggenheim Grotto at The Hotel Café (8pm)
ALSO: Beachwood Rockers Society at Crane’s 

Thursday: Queen Caveat EP Release and Transfer at The Viper Room (10,11)
ALSO: Garrison Starr and Civil Twilight at The Hotel Cafe (8,9) 

Friday: Truth & Salvage Co. at The House of Blues-Sunset (9pm)
ALSO: Dirty Sweet at The Viper Room (10:40)
ALSO: Army of Me and Tyrone Wells at The Hotel Cafe (7,9)
ALSO: Morcheeba at The Hollywood Bowl (8:30) 

Saturday: The Nervous Wreckhords at The Viper Room (9pm)
ALSO: Viza at The Troubadour (11pm)
ALSO: Morcheeba at The Hollywood Bowl (8:30) 

Sunday: Amber Rubarth and The Kin at Zanzibar in Santa Monica (9pm)
ALSO: Terra Naomi at The Hotel Cafe (9pm) 

To Keep in Mind:
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
October 1st: Brandi Carlile and The Avett Brothers at Nokia Theater LA Live
October 13th: Frightened Rabbit at The Mayan Theater
December 11th: The Black Crowes and Truth & Salvage Co. at Hollywood Palladium

~ Kristen