Kristen’s Top 10 Acts to See at SXSW ’13

I’ve listened to over 1600 bands, RSVPed to countless parties, and have a schedule that is twenty some pages long. It’s impossible to see everything you want during SXSW, so in order to help keep me sane, I’ve selected a few bands that I hope to prioritize in the coming week.

 

1. twenty one pilots

This band is my current obsession after seeing them play in LA at The Troubadour. Their unexpected yet compelling songs and insane live energy make them a can’t miss and I intend to see them upon every opportunity.

Where to catch twenty one pilots:

Wednesday at 4pm at Waterloo Records Outdoor Stage (600 N Lamar)…playing with the also buzz-worthy Tegan & Sara and Macklemore & Ryan so be sure to get there early

Wednesday at 5:30 at The Warner Sound Party at The Belmont (305 W 6th St)

At some point in the week at The Spotify House click here for more information and to RSVP for this pop up show: http://spotifyhouse.splashthat.com/

 

2. BOY

Boy’s album “Mutual Friends” is my favorite album to come out this year so far.  After seeing them live at The Troubadour last week, they have firmly cemented themselves as one of my top picks for SXSW.

Where to catch BOY:

Wednesday 3pm at The Radio Day Stage at The Austin Convention Center

Wednesday 12:30am at The Central Presbyterian Church (200 E 8th St)

Friday 12am at Hickory Street (800 Congress Ave)

Saturday 1:30 at Never Clock Out Day Party at Peckerheads (402 E 6th St)

 

3. Leogun

If you’ve been reading any LMN lately, you know I’m in love with this band from the UK. And one day I will see them play “Drunk Enough” live…

Where to catch Leogun:

Thursday 10pm at StubHub Live Showcase at Old School (401 E 6th St)

Saturday 10:45 at VEVO TV Control Room (304 W 4th ST)

 

4. Frank Turner

I had to miss Frank Turner at The Roxy last week due to illness…sigh. I will not make that mistake again at SXSW. Frank is an amazing performer and has a new album coming out in April which means new songs!!

Here’s the video for the first single off the forthcoming album, Tape Deck Heart:

Where to catch Frank Turner:

http://frank-turner.com/blog/2013/03/south-by-south-madness/

 

5. Bastille

Bastille’s “Flaws” made one of my end of year mixes two years ago and the guy has yet to play a city that I can get to. Sure, he’s from the UK, but still…I’ve been waiting far too long to miss out on a Bastille show.

What to catch Bastille:

Tuesday 1am at The British Embassy/Latitude 30 (512 San Jacinto)

Wednesday 10pm at Club DeVille (900 Red River Rd)

Thursday 1pm at The Filter at Cedar Street Courtyard Party (208 W 4th)

 

6. Young Guns – of all the bands I listened to, Young Guns was probably my favorite of those I’d never heard before
See them Thursday 3:30 at The Wind Up Records Party at Empire Control Room (606 E 7th St)

7. Sir Sly – after finally getting a sense of who these guys are last month at their Echo residency, I’m just craving more
See them Thursday 1pm at The Hype Hotel (301 Brazos St)

8. The Milk Carton Kids – hands down one of my favorite live performances come from this acoustic duo
See them Saturday 10pm at The Central Presbyterian Church (200 E 8th St)

9. Andrew McMahon – because Something Corporate will always hold a very special place in my heart
See him Friday 3:05 at Quantum Collective’s Whole Foods Rooftop Showcase (525 N Lamar)

10. Lions In The Street  – I’ve been wanting to see this Vancouver band for more years than I care to admit…SXSW’13 will mark the first time we’ve been in the same city at the same time!
See them Saturday 1am at BD Riley’s (204 E 6th St)

 

I could go on…but follow LMN on twitter (@_localmusicnat) to see what we’re up to all week and stay tuned here for nightly recaps of our adventures!

 

~ Kristen

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 1/21-1/27

So excited by what is going on in LA this week, music-wise. One of my new favorite Brit Bands, Leogun have returned to the area playing shows on Tuesday and Thursday. This along with shows from The Ten Thousand, Sabrosa Purr, Rival Tides, We Were Indians, Sad Robot, and of course the three-day Band of Skulls/Muse combo, suggest this will be a great week to rock out. Let’s do it!

Here’s what else I would recommend:

Monday: Monday Monday FREE at Room 5 (8pm)

 

Tuesday: The Basement Sessions FREE at Hemingway’s Lounge featuring Leogun (9:30)
ALSO: Jared James Nichols, Tyler Bryant and The Shakedown, Franky Perez & The Truth at The Viper Room (9, 10, 11:30)
ALSO: The Young Romans and Drew & Ellie Holcomb at The Hotel Cafe (7,8)
ALSO: Lwan at Room 5 (8pm)
ALSO: Beachwood Tuesdays FREE at The Piano Bar featuring Barnaby Saints and Clare Means (9pm)

Weds: Rumer at The Hotel Cafe (9:30)
ALSO: Rival Tides at Amplyfi (7:30)
ALSO: The Airborne Toxic Event at The Mayan Theatre (7pm)
ALSO: Band of Skulls and Muse at The Staples Center (7pm)

 

Thursday: Kevin Earnest, Korey Dane, and Words and Music by Dan Wilson at Room 5 (7, 7:30, 8)
ALSO: Leogun at Saint Rocke  (9pm)
ALSO: Raheem Cohen at Lyric Theatre (8pm)
ALSO: Lady Sinatra and Ours at The Viper Room (9:45, 11)
ALSO: Band of Skulls and Muse at The Staples Center (7pm)

 

Friday: We Were Indians at Central SAPC (9:30)
ALSO: Jon Brion at Largo (9:30)
ALSO: Sabrosa Purr and Ours at The Viper Room (9:45, 11)

 

Saturday: Sad Robot at El Cid (10pm)
ALSO: The Nervous Wreckords at The Satellite (9pm)
ALSO: Ben Folds Five at The Wiltern (7pm)
ALSO: Muse at The Staples Center (7pm)

 

Sunday: Little Kids Rock Benefit Show with Joshua Radin and friends at The Hotel Cafe (8pm)
ALSO: Ron Sexsmith at The Grammy Museum

 

 

To Keep in Mind:
January 30th: Dead Sara at The Viper Room
Feb. 1st: Tegan and Sara at Club Nokia
Feb. 1st: Queen Caveat at Saint Rocke
Feb. 2nd: Augustana at The Troubadour
Feb. 2nd: The Creepshow at The Hotel Cafe
Feb. 5th and 6th: Kris Allen at The Hotel Cafe
Feb. 7th: Haim at The House of Blues
Feb. 7th: The Grammy Foundation’s Pay It Forward Event at The Saban Theater featuring Ed Sheeran, LP, Leann Rimes, Emmylou Harris, etc.
Feb. 8th: The Stone Foxes at The El Rey
Feb. 9th: Ed Sheeran at Hollywood Palladium
Feb. 12th: Ellie Goulding at Hollywood Palladium
Feb. 13th: Papa Roach at Club Nokia
Feb. 13th: Dear Boy at The Troubadour
Feb. 17th: Ed Sheeran at Nokia Theatre LA Live
Feb. 20st: twenty one pilots at The Troubadour
Feb. 21st: The Shakers at The Roxy
Feb. 26th: Anberlin at The House of Blues Sunset
Feb. 28th: Matthew Perryman Jones at Bootleg Bar
Feb. 28th: Jukebox the Ghost at The Echo
March 5th: Marcus Foster at The Troubadour
March 8th: Boy at The Troubadour
March 12th: CHVRCHES at The Echo
March 13th: Frightened Rabbit at The Music Box
March 15th: Anais Mitchell at McCabe’s
March 20th: Nico Vega, Atlas Genius, and Imagine Dragons at The Wiltern
March 24th: Janis Ian at McCabe’s
April 20th: Tyrone Wells and Wakey!Wakey! at The Troubadour
April 23rd: The Revival Tour at The El Rey
May 18-19th: Overture Con at The Mint
June 1st: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club at The Wiltern
August 19th/20th: Ed Sheeran at The Staples Center

~ Kristen

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Kristen’s 2012 Mix – Track 9 – Leogun

I spend all year going to shows and collecting songs and pictures and stories. I’ve spent the last month or so compiling some of my top musical memories into a music mix with accompanying booklet (my favorite little crafting project). So, here I share with you my top tracks of 2012.

Enjoy!!

Leogun

Leogun was a facebook recommendation from Biffy Clyro’s Simon Neil. I listened (of course) and immediately like the band. I was more than a little excited when a mere week after I first heard them, this UK band booked a show in LA at The Satellite. Their live performance only further cemented my love.

~ Kristen

New Music Tuesday 10/16/12 Featuring Leogun, Kris Orlowski & Andrew Joslyn, ZZ Ward

New Music! Hooray!

My top suggestions this week:

LeogunLeogun EP 

This band has created some of the most exciting tunage I’ve heard in a while. For more see what I wrote about them after I saw them last week. Bottom line: pick up this EP!

http://www.localmusicnation.net/2012/10/11/new-band-alert-leogun/

 

Kris Orlowski & Andrew JoslynPieces We Are EP 

A singer-songwriter with a compelling baritone voice backed by a full orchestra…a full orchestra!  Do you really need more to want to give it a listen? Okay, check out this video.

 

ZZ WardTil The Casket Drops 

I remember being impressed with ZZ Ward’s soulful vocals when I saw her at SXSW last spring. Then this video for “Save My Life” featuring Michael Fitzpatrick (Fitz of Fitz and The Tantrums) crossed my path and I was compelled to share.

Other CDs I’d like to explore:

 

~ Kristen

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 10/15-10/21

In the middle of a bit of a work-crisis, so I’ll keep this short. Actually this whole week has kind of been one work crisis after another…and sadly I do not see the end. I did get out Wednesday night to check out rocksters, Leogun, and I am pleased to report I have a new band love from the UK.

Speaking of recent band discoveries, I have a few this week I’d really like to see. Sad Robot continues their Silverlake Lounge residency Monday night and then my favorite band from Culture Collide, Denmark’s terminal, has a show Thursday night also at Silverlake Lounge. And if we’re talking about can’t miss shows, Stephen Kellogg & The Sixers are making their last stop in the LA area before they go on an indefinite hiatus (one of my least favorite word combos). They are at Saint Rocke Saturday night. Don’t miss out!

Here are the rest of my recommendations:

Monday: Sad Robot FREE at Silverlake Lounge (10pm)
ALSO: Xavier Rudd at Fonda Theatre (8pm)
ALSO: Monday in the Round at Room 5 featuring Stephen Wrabel, Jesse Thomas, Clare Holley and Joel Eckels (9pm)

 

Tuesday: Madi Diaz, Tim Easton, Harper Blynn at The Hotel Cafe (7, 8,9)
ALSO: A Tribute to Tom Petty featuring Robert Francis, Drive He Said, The Californian and many more FREE at The Satellite (9pm)
ALSO: Freelance Whales at The El Rey (8pm)
ALSO: Terraplane Sun CD Release at Dakota Lounge (8:30)
ALSO: Stop Motion Poetry at Room 5 (9pm)
ALSO: The 9 Songwriters at WitZend (7pm)
ALSO: Ellie Goulding at The Troubadour (9:30)
ALSO: First Aid Kit at Fonda Theatre (9pm)
ALSO: Duff McKagan at The Viper Room (10pm)
ALSO: Beachwood Night at Piano Bar FREE (9pm)

 

Weds: The Young Romans and Jessie Payo at The Hotel Cafe (8,9)
ALSO: Adam Bones at Boardner’s Club Moscow (10pm)
ALSO: Irontom, Black Box Revelation and The Sheepdogs at The Troubadour (8:30, 9:15, 10)
ALSO: Ellie Goulding FREE at Amoeba Records (6:30)

 

Thursday: Terminal and Alright Alright at Silverlake Lounge (8,9)
ALSO: Tim Halperin, Griffin House, and Ernie Halter at The Hotel Cafe (7,8,9)
ALSO: The Record Company and The Whigs at Bootleg Bar (10, 11)
ALSO: Charlene Kaye at The Mint (10:15)
ALSO: Greg Holden at Room 5 (10pm)

 

Friday: Tony Lucca and Justin Hopkins at The Roxy (8pm)
ALSO: Frightened Rabbit at The Troubadour (10pm)
ALSO: Allen Stone at The Fonda Theatre (8pm)
ALSO: Oedipus at The Viper Room (10pm)
ALSO: Barnaby Saints at El Cid (11:45)
ALSO: Maroon 5 at The Orpheum Theatre (9:30)

 

Saturday: Stephen Kellogg & The Sixers at Saint Rocke (9pm)…last LA area show before the band goes on hiatus
ALSO: The Shakers at The Viper Room (11pm)
ALSO: The Script with Tristan Prettyman at The Greek Theatre (8pm)

 

Sunday: Jake Newton, Charlie Peacock, Fleeting Heart, Branches at The Hotel Cafe (7pm)
ALSO: Mika at The Fonda Theatre (9pm)
ALSO: Lady Sinatra at The House of Blues (8pm)

 

To Keep in Mind:
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
October 27th: Harper Blynn Halloween at The Hotel Cafe
November 2nd: Tonic at The Hotel Cafe
November 2nd: Matt Wertz at Largo
November 2nd: NEEDTOBREATHE at Fox Theater Pomona
November 3rd: All American Rejects at The Wiltern
November 5th: LP at The Troubadour
November 6th: Jens Lekman at Fonda Theatre
November 7th: Joe Firstman at The Hotel Cafe
November 8th: The Kin at The Roxy
November 9th: Brandi Carlile at Orpheum Theater
November 10th: Mumford & Sons at The Hollywood Bowl
November 10th: Marc Broussard at The Hotel Cafe
November 11th and 12th: Jack’s Mannequin at The El Rey
November 13th-15th: Gary Clark Jr. at The Troubadour
November 15th: Blue October at House of Blues
November 16th: Joshua Radin and A Fine Frenzy at The Wiltern
November 17th: Milo Greene at The El Rey
November 20th: The Postelles and Mayday Parade at House of Blues
November 20th: Rachel Yamagata at The El Rey
December 6th: Imagine Dragons and Garbage at San Manuel Casino
December 8th: Boyce Avenue at Club Nokia
December 11th: Atlas Genius at The Troubadour
January 23rd: Muse at The Staples Center
Feb. 9th: Ed Sheeran at Hollywood Palladium

~ Kristen

http://www.localmusicnation.net/

https://twitter.com/_localmusicnat

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New Band Alert: Leogun

 

Leogun stormed into my life Wednesday night when they played an electrifying set at The Satellite. I don’t think this band has been around for too long (they joined facebook in April of 2012), but I’m sure it won’t take too long for their popularity to grow. They are the kind of band that demands notice. For a quick summary, their fb page gives two definitions for the term “Leogun”. The first is “a three-piece band from London, surging with a mix of blues, soul and a whole lotta rock & roll. With “bite your head off” choruses and a hunger to groove, LEOGUN mixes the musicality and heart bleeding emotion of The Racounteurs with all the sexual prowess and break-neck attitude of Queens of The Stone Age.” The second definition is “believed to be a were-lion, LEOGUN was a half man, half lion.” I think that sums up my experience of the band quite nicely.

Their debut self-titled EP comes out next week (10/16). Here are my quick thoughts on each song:

“Let’s Be Friends” – their first single, a great introduction to their rockin’ style with stand-out guitar licks, soaring yet gritty vocals, and brazen attitude all wrapped in a catchy tune.

“End of The World” – sung with abandon, it will seduce you

“You’d Better Love Me”- a blistering rock song that rightly demands the attentions of its listeners

“Everyday” – a slower-building jam that showcases the groovier side of the band but will have your head banging by the end

 

Here’s the band’s first official video:

 

Other important info to get you connected to the band:

Website: http://leogunband.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LeogunBand

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LeogunBand

They are currently touring around the US. Be sure to catch them if they near a city by you!

 

DATE CITY VENUE INFORMATION
10/10/12 Los Angeles, CA The Satellite More Info
10/14/12 Phoenix, AZ Hard Rock Cafe More Info
10/17/12 Philadelphia, PA North Star Bar More Info
10/18/12 Easton, MD Nightcat More Info
10/19/2012 New York City, NY Fat Baby – CMJ Convention More Info
10/23/2012 Somerville, MA Johnny D’s Restaurant & Music Club More Info
10/31/2012 – 11/04/2012 Miami to Great Stirrup Cay Kiss Kruise II More Info
11/07/2012 Chicago, IL The Ace Bar More Info
11/08/2012 Madison , WI The Rigby More Info
11/09/2012 Minneapolis, MN 7th Street Entry More Info
11/11/2012 Saint Louis, MO Heartbreakers Rock-N-Roll Saloon More Info
11/12/2012 Lee’s Summit, MO Jerry’s Bait Shop More Info
11/14/2012 Denver , CO Hi-Dive More Info
11/16/2012 Colorado Springs, CO Stargazers Theatre More Info
11/20/2012 Boise, ID Neurolux More Info
11/21/2012 Spokane, WA Knitting Factory Concert House More Info

Listen! Learn! Love!

~ Kristen

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 10/8-10/14

I’m nearly done with the Culture Collide madness that has consumed the last several days. Today’s block party marks the end of this glorious event which, I must say, is the most fun I’ve had at a festival since SXSW…I think it’s the people. Everyone I’ve met and chatted with has been lovely and the vibe is friendly and music-centric. The festival also gives me a chance to see international acts I might not be exposed to otherwise. My favorites thus far have been the Danish band, terminal, Toronto’s The Balconies, Ewert and The Two Dragons from Estonia, and Scotland’s Admiral Fallow who is, I believe, the first band I’ve encountered that uses my favorite instrument, the clarinet, in their live performance.

Moving on to next week, here is my list of shows I’d love to attend. Top picks would have to go to Canada’s Reignwolf (Jordan Cook) who plays two shows this week and Leogun from London who plays a free show Wednesday at The Satellite. Oh, and if you managed to snag a ticket to the AWOLNATION/Imagine Dragons combo, well, that will be a good show too.

 

Monday: Reignwolf at The Hotel Cafe (8pm)
ALSO: It’s a School Night at Bardot featuring Royal Teeth (9pm)
ALSO: Immanu El and Jordie Lane FREE at The Satellite (9pm)
ALSO: Tegan and Sara and The Black Keys at The Honda Center (8pm)
ALSO: Florence and the Machine at The Hollywood Bowl (7pm)
ALSO: Monday in the Round featuring Ray Don, Trevor Menear, and Joel Eckels (9pm)

 

Tuesday: The Balconies at Bootleg Bar (9pm)
ALSO: Reignwolf at The Satellite (9pm)
ALSO: Jared Lee and Taylor Locke & The Roughs at The Viper Room (10,11)
ALSO: Nathaniel Rateliff and Michael Kiwanuka at John Anson Ford Theater (7:45)
ALSO: The Wallflowers with Everest at The Fonda Theater (8pm)
ALSO: JEFF the Brotherhood at The Troubadour (10pm)
ALSO: Immanu El at Central SAPC (midnight)
ALSO: Half Moon Run and Metric at The Greek Theater (7:30)

 

Weds: Leogun FREE at The Satellite (11pm)
ALSO: Bad Books at The Troubadour (9:40)
ALSO: The Young Romans and Milow at The Hotel Cafe (8,9)
ALSO: A House for Lions at Central SAPC (11pm)
ALSO: Rufus Wainwright at The Grammy Museum (8pm)

 

Thursday: AWOLNATION and Imagine Dragons at Club Nokia (8pm)
ALSO: George Stanford at the Spare Room of the Roosevelt Hotel (10:30)
ALSO: The Union Line and Northern Youth at Bootleg Bar (10,11)
ALSO: K.Flay at The Echo (10pm)
ALSO: Cage 9 and Black Belt Karate at The Viper Room (10,11)

 

Friday: The Shakers at Irish Times in Culver City (9pm)
ALSO: Amie Miriello at Molly Malone’s (9pm)
ALSO: Haley Reinhart at Room 5 (8pm)
ALSO: Western Scene at El Cid (10pm)
ALSO: Bell X1, Goodnight Texas, and Oak & Gorski at The Hotel Cafe (8,9,10)
ALSO: Gaelic Storm at The Troubadour (9pm)
ALSO: The XX at The Hollywood Palladium (8pm)

 

Saturday: Meiko with Bobby Long, Anna Nelson and Patrick Park at The Roxy (8pm)
ALSO: The Short Eyes at Westwood Brewing Co (8pm)
ALSO: Family Cave at The Good Hurt (11pm)
ALSO: Barnaby Saints at Molly Malone’s (10pm)
ALSO: Howlin Rain and Tea Leaf Green at The Troubadour (9:15, 10:30)
ALSO: London Cries and Unwritten Law at The Viper Room (10,11)
ALSO: David Byrne and St. Vincent at The Greek Theater (7:30)
ALSO: Aimee Mann at The Wilshire Ebell Theatre (7pm)

 

Sunday: Anberlin and The Smashing Pumpkins at Gibson Amphitheatre (7:45)

 

 

To Keep in Mind:
October 16th: Ellie Goulding at The Troubadour
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 5th: LP at The Troubadour
November 6th: Jens Lekman at Fonda Theatre
November 8th: The Kin at The Roxy
November 9th: Brandi Carlile at Orpheum Theater
November 10th: Mumford & Sons at The Hollywood Bowl
November 11th and 12th: Jack’s Mannequin at The El Rey
November 13th-15th: Gary Clark Jr. at The Troubadour
November 15th: Blue October at House of Blues
November 16th: Joshua Radin and A Fine Frenzy at The Wiltern
November 17th: Milo Greene at The El Rey
November 20th: The Postelles and Mayday Parade at House of Blues
November 20th: Rachel Yamagata at The El Rey
December 8th: Boyce Avenue at Club Nokia
Feb. 9th: Ed Sheeran at Hollywood Palladium

~ Kristen

http://www.localmusicnation.net/

https://twitter.com/_localmusicnat

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