LA

Jonathan Tyler & the Northern Lights

Posted on by Amanda

Listening to all the SXSW ’10 bands, Jonathan Tyler & the Northern Lights definitely caught my ear. I loved their song “Gypsy Woman” but was frustrated when I couldn’t find it anywhere online (so I could add it to my mix). Fortunately, they played LA Thursday night…The Viper Room. It was a typical Viper Room experience. I went by myself and since there are no walls to really melt into, it felt a bit like being the weak link in a Red Rover game most of the evening. But Jonathan et al. made it worthwhile. They play my favorite type of rock ‘n roll- with a southern flare (the band is from Texas, but its members originate from all over the southern portion of the country).  Their inspiring music and invigorating live performance will definitely qualify them for a spot on my watch list. They have a CD coming out at the end of the month (April 27th) and are touring all over CA and then the south…making a stop at Bonnaroo (yay!!).  
Tonight (Saturday) they will be in San Diego at The House of Blues.

If you can’t catch them live, be sure to check out their videos and live recordings on their website. I’ve been told the Viper Room show will get put up there so I’m excited to have something to listen to while I patiently wait for April 27th.

~ Kristen

New Band Love: After Midnight Project

Posted on by Amanda

So instead of writing up some grand summary of the events of last weekend (Nico Vega/Metric at The Hollywood Palladium, San Diego Indie Music Fest, Bamboozled), or trying to post some of the 300+ pictures I’ve taken (they’ll come up eventually on facebook), I just wanted to share with you the story of my newest band obsession, After Midnight Project.

These guys were the first band we saw Sunday at Bamboozled…such a great way to start the day! The crowd wasn’t very big so it was easy to get up front and take some pictures. The set was elevating…the band has a great dynamic and the energy on stage was transferrable to the audience (always a good sign). I instantly fell in love with the sound and the songs.

After the set we ventured over to the merch booth and met their lovely merch guy, a fellow Cardinals’ lover (I was sporting a hat showcasing my favorite baseball team).  We purchased the band’s CD, Let’s Build Something to Break, and chatted a bit with the band. Turns out they are from LA (YAY!) although they don’t really play local shows (not so yay). So, if you’re in LA and want to catch them, you’ll have to wait ‘til Warped Tour.

Next comes the amusing story. The band announced that they were going to do an acoustic set later in the day…and, as you may know, I’m a big fan of rock bands breaking it down acoustically. When we ventured over to the acoustic venue we weren’t exactly sure how it worked. I just walked in, but Amanda was stopped outside. Turned out, the acoustic set was a VIP only event. With one of us in and one of us out, what were we to do?!?

But, in case you didn’t know, Amanda is awesome. She told me to stay where I was and a set and a half later she appeared at my side…having gotten in with the band. Turns out, After Midnight Project is really great to their fans. When Amanda told them of our predicament, they were more than happy to help out!

And I’m so glad it all worked out because the After Midnight Project acoustic set was definitely the highlight of my day (well, right after seeing Something Corporate again after so many years). They even pulled off the song entitled “Scream For You” which involves screaming from both the band and the audience. After the set, we got to hang out a bit more and meet some of the After Midnight Project family.

Anyway, another band to add to my list! I haven’t stopped listening to their CD since I got it (I’m finally able to take that Biffy Clyro CD out of my car stereo). If you want to see After Midnight Project live (as you should), they are currently touring with Story of the Year so be sure to catch that show if it comes to your area. And if you go to Warped Tour be sure to check them out there. Personally, I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed for a local headlining show at The Roxy or something…

~ Kristen

Kristen's LA Concert Calendar 3/29-4/4

Posted on by Amanda

It’s been more years than I care to think since I last saw them, but Something Corporate is back and I still love them. I’m still not entirely back down to Earth as I write this. I also don’t know how I’m going to get any sleep tonight…I’m way too excited. Between San Diego Indie Music Fest and Bamboozled, we saw over 20 bands this weekend, most of them for the first time…I’m a bit overwhelmed with new music. Clear standouts (for me) were Far, After Midnight Project, and, of course, Something Corporate. I’m sure I’ll be detailing more of this at some point in the blog (links below), so keep checking ;).  Amanda will have her take too!

As a result of my jam-packed schedule this weekend, this week’s list might not be all inclusive. But it’s still got some amazing shows. If you can only make one this week, please please PLEASE come out to The Bootleg on Weds to check out The Silent Comedy. It will be a lovely way to break up your week!

Here’s what I’ve got going on this week:

Monday: Paris Carney at Room 5, followed by Songwriters in the Round featuring Joel Eckles, Dawn Thomas, Jay Nash, and Laura Meyer (8pm)…my new favorite way to spend Monday evenings…!!

ALSO: Warpaint at Spaceland (8:30)

Tuesday: Haiti Benefit Show featuring Jonah Matranga of Far and Gratitude (10pm)

ALSO: Northstar Session at The Hotel Cafe (10pm)…EP Release Show

Weds: The Silent Comedy at The Bootleg (9:30)

ALSO: Brooke White, Nina Storey, and Tommy King at The Hotel Cafe (8,9,10) 

ALSO: Beachwood Rockers’ Society at Crane’s

Thursday: Jonathan Taylor and the Northern Lights at The Viper Room (11pm)

ALSO: Justin Nozuka and HoneyHoney at The Hotel Cafe (9,10)

ALSO: Puddle of Mudd at Grove of Anaheim (8pm)

ALSO: Viza at The Troubadour (10:45)

Friday: Alkaline Trio and Cursive at The House of Blues (9pm)

ALSO: Andy Clockwise at The Echoplex (8:30)

ALSO: Mozella at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)

ALSO: The Silent Comedy at The Casbah in San Diego (copies of their new CD will be available at this show!)

Saturday: Amie Miriello and the so and sos at Molly Malone’s (10pm)

ALSO: Nonpoint and Cold at The Roxy (8pm)

ALSO: Bad Religion at The House of Blues (8:30)

ALSO: JR Richards at The Hotel Cafe (10:30)

Sunday: HAPPY EASTER!!

To Keep in Mind:

April 6th: Paper Tongues at The Troubadour

April 9th: Lights and Owl City at Club Nokia

April 9th: Cary Brothers CD Release with Joey Ryan AND Truth & Salvage Co. at The Hotel Cafe

April 12th: Butch Walker at El Rey

April 16th: George Stanford CD release at The Hotel Café

April 16th-19th: Coachella

April 21st and 22nd: The Glee Tour at Gibson

May 15th: Carney at The El Rey   

May 15th: 30 Seconds to Mars at The Greek Theater

May 22nd: Frightened Rabbit at The Casbah (in SD)

June 6th: Mumford & Sons with The Silent Comedy at BellyUp (in SD)

June 10-13th: BONNAROO (in Tennessee)

~ Kristen

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar 3/29-4/4

Posted on by Amanda

It’s been more years than I care to think since I last saw them, but Something Corporate is back and I still love them. I’m still not entirely back down to Earth as I write this. I also don’t know how I’m going to get any sleep tonight…I’m way too excited. Between San Diego Indie Music Fest and Bamboozled, we saw over 20 bands this weekend, most of them for the first time…I’m a bit overwhelmed with new music. Clear standouts (for me) were Far, After Midnight Project, and, of course, Something Corporate. I’m sure I’ll be detailing more of this at some point in the blog (links below), so keep checking ;).  Amanda will have her take too!
As a result of my jam-packed schedule this weekend, this week’s list might not be all inclusive. But it’s still got some amazing shows. If you can only make one this week, please please PLEASE come out to The Bootleg on Weds to check out The Silent Comedy. It will be a lovely way to break up your week!

Here’s what I’ve got going on this week:

Monday: Paris Carney at Room 5, followed by Songwriters in the Round featuring Joel Eckles, Dawn Thomas, Jay Nash, and Laura Meyer (8pm)…my new favorite way to spend Monday evenings…!!

ALSO: Warpaint at Spaceland (8:30)

Tuesday: Haiti Benefit Show featuring Jonah Matranga of Far and Gratitude (10pm)

ALSO: Northstar Session at The Hotel Cafe (10pm)…EP Release Show

Weds: The Silent Comedy at The Bootleg (9:30)

ALSO: Brooke White, Nina Storey, and Tommy King at The Hotel Cafe (8,9,10) 

ALSO: Beachwood Rockers’ Society at Crane’s

Thursday: Jonathan Taylor and the Northern Lights at The Viper Room (11pm)

ALSO: Justin Nozuka and HoneyHoney at The Hotel Cafe (9,10)

ALSO: Puddle of Mudd at Grove of Anaheim (8pm)

ALSO: Viza at The Troubadour (10:45)

Friday: Alkaline Trio and Cursive at The House of Blues (9pm)

ALSO: Andy Clockwise at The Echoplex (8:30)

ALSO: Mozella at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)

ALSO: The Silent Comedy at The Casbah in San Diego (copies of their new CD will be available at this show!)

Saturday: Amie Miriello and the so and sos at Molly Malone’s (10pm)

ALSO: Nonpoint and Cold at The Roxy (8pm)

ALSO: Bad Religion at The House of Blues (8:30)

ALSO: JR Richards at The Hotel Cafe (10:30)

Sunday: HAPPY EASTER!!

To Keep in Mind:

April 6th: Paper Tongues at The Troubadour

April 9th: Lights and Owl City at Club Nokia

April 9th: Cary Brothers CD Release with Joey Ryan AND Truth & Salvage Co. at The Hotel Cafe

April 12th: Butch Walker at El Rey

April 16th: George Stanford CD release at The Hotel Café

April 16th-19th: Coachella

April 21st and 22nd: The Glee Tour at Gibson

May 15th: Carney at The El Rey   

May 15th: 30 Seconds to Mars at The Greek Theater

May 22nd: Frightened Rabbit at The Casbah (in SD)

June 6th: Mumford & Sons with The Silent Comedy at BellyUp (in SD)

June 10-13th: BONNAROO (in Tennessee)

~ Kristen

May15th: Save the Date! Carney is Coming!!

Posted on by Amanda

This week, they are at SXSW, MAY 15, they will be in LA at The El Rey.  Mark your calendars, get your tickets, and whatever you do, don’t miss your chance to see one of my favorite LA bands, Carney, before they venture off to the Big Apple.

Their album, Mr. Green Vol.1, FINALLY comes out May 11th. For a taste, check out the music video for their first single “Love Me, Chase Me” directed by the talented Timothy Garrett.

http://www.carneyband.com/

~ Kristen

The Classic Crime comes to Anaheim

Posted on by Amanda

This Tuesday I really hope to find the time and energy to trek down to Anaheim to a place called Chain Reaction to see a band called The Classic Crime. The Classic Crime is from Seattle but despite their relative proximity they don’t seem to make it down to LA all that often and I’ve only seen them once (at Warped Tour).  I discovered them several years ago when I was bored and cruising myspace (two things that never happen anymore). The band had just released an acoustic EP, Seattle Sessions, and someone had posted the track “Seattle” on their page. It was love at first listen! I immediate ordered the EP and that song ended up making my best of list that year. Now listen and love that track, but be warned that is not the sound typical of this band (I mentioned Warped Tour, right?). Actually, when listening to the breadth of their catalog of music, I realize that it’s a bit difficult to classify them much further than “rock.” Their CD The Silver Chord produced one of my fave tracks of this year, “Closer Than We Think.” They have a new CD coming out April 6th called Vagabonds and I would love to see some of their new material performed…I’m also still crossing my fingers that I’ll get to hear “Seattle.” My heart…will melt…

 http://www.myspace.com/theclassiccrime

~ Kristen