Neon Trees

SXSW Recap: Thursday 3/15

Posted on by Amanda

I think the mantra for SXSW this year is “I Will Survive.” At least, that was my mantra today. I am now 5 badges and 10 wristbands into SXSW and made it to 13 shows today. While I’m certain I could have accomplished more, my body was unable to handle the pressure. Well, it wasn’t my body so much as my feet. You spend the majority of your (entire) day walking or standing and that’s a lot for some feet to take if they aren’t used to it.

Thankfully the adrenaline from the music was able to abate the pain and I was able to enjoy the day (when I didn’t want to take my feet off). My day started and ended with The Silent Comedy. They proceeded to tear down (or maybe melt) the Velveeta Room and finished the set with myself, Trina, and Lauren onstage dancing and singing with tambourines in our hands and Josh on the floor in the crowd. It happens.

The day also included a full band set from Tournament of Hearts, a sampling of Morning Parade and another helping of Twin Atlantic at the swanky Hard Rock Hotel show. By this point, my feet are none too happy with me from all the walking I’d done the day before. However, the draw of Neon Trees was too much to resist. I walked to Antones and made it in just in time. At one point, I contemplated not attending but I’m very glad I made it out. New music and old music along with overall shenanigans that singer Tyler brings. Made m way to the Filter party and proceeded to win $10 from Amazon, which was not the highlight. The highlight was seeing Kaiser Chiefs from the VIP balcony rocking out to a packed house! Talk about awesome!

Despite the desire to take my feet off, I managed to make it through Penguin Prison and Semi Precious Weapons. It was time to rest for a bit before going back out for the evening to finish the night with Eve 6, Standing Shadows, Vanaprasta, and Nico Vega, and The Silent Comedy. Somehow, despite all the idle pain, there is nothing but happiness during those moments of music and i think that’s part of what makes SXSW special. But now, it’s time to stretch out, hydrate, and rest up because we are going to do it all over again tomorrow!

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 3/12-3/19

Posted on by Kristen

Yesterday was all about intense SXSW preparation. I spend the entire day diligently going through all the party lists and band schedules to put together my best approximation of a game plan. Then I went out to see some amazing bands and got no sleep (I guess another form of preparation?). I hope to get together a list of my top picks posted soon. Also, Amanda and I will of course be updating you all on our adventures all week long via twitter/facebook/etc. so if you want a taste of SXSW, we’ve got you covered!

For those of you still in LA next week, there are a few choice shows for you too:

Monday: NO FREE at The Echo (10pm)
ALSO: The Janks FREE at Bootleg Bar (10:30)
ALSO: Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 (9pm)
ALSO: Chris Dallman at The Hotel Café (9pm)

 

Tuesday: Ari Shine and Chi McClean at Room 5 (7,8)
ALSO: Maniac FREE at The Central (9pm)

 

Weds: Lovers Drugs at The Down & Out (10:30)
ALSO: The Pretty Reckless at House of Blues Sunset (8:30)
ALOS: Jane Carrey, Chris Pierce, Infantree at The Hotel Cafe (7, 8, 10)

 

Thursday: Wire in the Walls at Bootleg Bar (10pm)
ALSO: Drive-By Truckers at House of Blues Sunset (8:30)

 

Friday: The Honey Trees and Ry Cuming at The Hotel Cafe (9, 11)
ALSO: Guster at Largo (two shows: 7:30, 10)
ALSO: Umphrey’s McGee at House of Blues Sunset (two shows: 5pm and 8pm)
ALSO: Justin Hopkins at WitZend (10pm)

 

Saturday: Sara Bareilles at The Troubadour (8pm)
ALSO: Berklee Mixer at The Hotel Cafe featuring Rob Giles, Adrianne, Charley Turner, and more (7:30)

 

Sunday: Dia Frampton at The Troubadour (9:30)
ALSO: Charlene Soraia at The Hotel Cafe (8pm)

 

Monday (March 19th): The Janks FREE at Bootleg Bar (10:30)
ALSO: NO FREE at The Echo (10pm)
ALSO: Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 (9pm)

 

 

To Keep in Mind:
March 20th: Needtobreathe and Ben Rector at Club Nokia
March 20th: War on Drugs at Avalon
March 21st: Boyce Avenue and Tournament of Hearts at Avalon
March 22nd: The Lumineers at The Hotel Café
March 23rd: Truth & Salvage Co. at The Troubadour
March 24th: Ani DiFranco at The Orpheum Theater
March 24th and 25th: Allen Stone at The Troubadour
March 30th: All American Rejects at The Troubadour
March 31st: Tyrone Wells at The Roxy
April 1st: Charlotte Martin at The Bootleg Bar
April 10th: Neon Trees at The Troubadour
April 11th: Mike Doughty at Bootleg Theater
April 12th: Joseph Arthur at The Largo
April 19th: Foxy Shazam at The Roxy
April 13th-15th AND 20th– 22nd: Coachella
April 25th: Ben Kweller at The El Rey
April 27th: Ingrid Michaelson at The Troubadour
May 2nd: Cage the Elephant at The Mayan
May 8th: Snow Patrol at The Hollywood Palladium
May 10th: Jay Nash at The Hotel Cafe
May 11th: Imagine Dragons at The Troubadour
June 3rd: Deas Vail at The Troubadour
June 5th: Ben Howard at The Troubadour
June 13th and 14th: Phantom Planet at The Troubadour
June 16th: Thrice at Club Nokia

 

~ Kristen

http://www.localmusicnation.net/

http://twitter.com/#%21/_localmusicnat

 

 

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 3/5-3/11

Posted on by Kristen

Last week, my evenings were largely devoted to SXSW prep. I’d like to say the same for this week, but there are just too many good shows. Dan Wilson (my fave songwriter) is playing three shows at The Hotel Cafe along with Rachel Yamagata, Queen Caveat has their EP release show Thursday, and Friday night The Strip delivers the powerful one, two punch of Twin Atlantic at The Viper Room and Nico Vega with Street Drum Corps at The Roxy. And honestly, that’s just the beginning of the great shows this week in LA. Here are the rest of my suggestions:

Monday: Dan Wilson and Rachel Yamagata at The Hotel Cafe (two shows 7 & 10:30)
ALSO: Ivan and Alyosha and NO FREE at The Echo (9pm)…start of a March residency for NO
ALSO: It’s a School Night at Bardot featuring Madi Diaz, Robert Francis, Peach Kings (9pm)…FREE with RSVP http://www.itsaschoolnight.com/losangeles/
ALSO: Scars on 45 at The Troubadour (10pm)
ALSO: Maniac FREE at Harvard & Stone (10:30)
ALSO: The Janks FREE at Bootleg Bar (10pm)
ALSO: Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 (9pm)

 

Tuesday: The Silent Comedy and Daniel Bedingfield at The Hard Rock Cafe (8:30)…SXSW kickoff party
ALSO: Dan Wilson and Rachel Yamagata at The Hotel Cafe (7pm)

 

Weds: Leah Siegel of Firehorse, Adrianne (record release show), and Infantree at The Hotel Cafe (8,9,10)

 

Thursday: The Dollyrots and Queen Caveat (EP release) at The Viper Room (9, 11)
ALSO: The Active Set, Bethpage Black, Crash Kings at The Troubadour (8pm)
ALSO: Harper Blynn, Rocco Deluca (record release), and The Gallery at The Hotel Cafe (9, 10, 11)
ALSO: Chris Wilson and Filligar at The Roxy (8pm)
ALSO: So & So at WitZend (9pm)

 

Friday: William Fitzsimmons at The Troubaour (10pm)
ALSO: Vanaprasta at The Bootleg Bar (11pm)
ALSO: Harris Grade at Amplyfi
ALSO: Javier Dunn at Room 5 (10pm)
ALSO: Justin Hopkins at WitZend (10pm)

 

Saturday: Twin Atlantic at The Viper Room (9:30)
ALSO: Nico Vega and Street Drum Corps at The Roxy (10:30)
ALSO: The Material at Amplyfi (10:30)
ALSO: Rosie and Me at The Hotel Cafe (7pm)
ALSO: Punch Brothers at The El Rey (8pm)

 

Sunday: The Aussie BBQ at The Echo featuring Austrailian music and free BBQ (12:30pm)… http://www.attheecho.com/2012/02/02/sunday-03-11-12-aussie-bbq-echo/

 

 

To Keep in Mind:
March 13th-18th: SXSW (Austin, TX)
March 14th: The Pretty Reckless at The HOB Sunset
March 16th: Guster at Largo
March 18th: Dia Frampton at The Troubadour
March 20th: Needtobreathe and Ben Rector at Club Nokia
March 20th: War on Drugs at Avalon
March 21st: Boyce Avenue and Tournament of Hearts at Avalon
March 22nd: The Lumineers at The Hotel Café
March 23rd: Truth & Salvage Co. at The Troubadour
March 24th: Ani DiFranco at The Orpheum Theater
March 24th and 25th: Allen Stone at The Troubadour
March 30th: All American Rejects at The Troubadour
March 31st: Tyrone Wells at The Roxy
April 1st: Charlotte Martin at The Bootleg Bar
April 10th: Neon Trees at The Troubadour
April 11th: Mike Doughty at Bootleg Theater
April 12th: Joseph Arthur at The Largo
April 19th: Foxy Shazam at The Roxy
April 13th-15th AND 20th– 22nd: Coachella
April 25th: Ben Kweller at The El Rey
April 27th: Ingrid Michaelson at The Troubadour
May 2nd: Cage the Elephant at The Mayan
May 8th: Snow Patrol at The Hollywood Palladium
May 10th: Jay Nash at The Hotel Cafe
May 11th: Imagine Dragons at The Troubadour
June 3rd: Deas Vail at The Troubadour
June 5th: Ben Howard at The Troubadour
June 13th and 14th: Phantom Planet at The Troubadour
June 16th: Thrice at Club Nokia

 

~ Kristen

http://www.localmusicnation.net/

http://twitter.com/#%21/_localmusicnat

Amanda’s Top Ten Musical Experiences (cont.)

Posted on by Amanda

I bet you thought I forgot all about this! Well, the truth of the matter is… I haven’t been home to write and when I am home, I’m sleeping. I’ve been out making new musical experiences for 2012! As such I’m giving you three more of my top musical experiences and I promise the top 2 won’t be far behind.

 

5.SXSW- I don’t really know how to describe SXSW to anyone other than calling it a musical orgy of sorts. There is so much to see and do whilst in Austin, Texas that it’s hard to keep your head on straight. Last year was my first year and I hope to be going every year after. The cool thing about SXSW is you really only need money for a place to stay and some food. We never went to any official shows (which is what badges are required for) and we had a hard time keeping up with all the musical options out there. During our time at SXSW we saw; Fierce Creatures, Viva City, Purple Melon, AWOLNATION, Neon Trees, The Head and The Heart, The Kin, Dead Sara, Fitz and The Tantrums, Tailor Made Fable, Keaton Simons, Liam Finn, Atomic Tom, Ivan and Alyosha, Queen Caveat, The Gallery, Sabrosa Purr,  The Greenhornes, The Silent Comedy, Mother Mother, Agnes Obel, Brian Wright, Brooke Fraser, Cary Brothers, Holly Conlan, Jim Bianco, Joey Ryan, Kenneth Pattengale, Laura Jansen, Little Red Radio, OK, The Milk Carton Kids, Deluka, Hugo, Meriwether, My Cousin The Emperor, Sinai, Taylor Locke & The Roughs, The Good Natured, Augustana, Doll and The Kicks, Empires, Lenka, Twin Atlantic, and The Stone Foxes. Well, you get the idea…

 

4. Blink-182- I was never a huge fan of Blink. Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t change the radio station when their music came on or anything but nothing about them made me have a burning desire to see them live. In 2011, I saw them not once but twice and they will always have a warm spot in my heart. The first time I saw them was for the Honda Civic Tour. I was working with Kevin and Rebecca Joelson and doing some shooting of the event which means I was in the pit for the first few songs and was able to be side stage for the rest of their set. I was surprised at just how many Blink-182 songs I knew and Rebecca and I sang along from the sidelines. What really blew my brain was when they ‘finished’ their set and this giant rig comes down from the batons where all the lights are. I had been staring at it all night trying to figure out what it was. Well, it was a giant arm with a drum set attached! Travis got on this rig and was taken out over the audience while he played a solo for a few minutes. The rig would tilt down, back up and move around. It was mind blowing!!!! Needless to say, I was a fan after that.

 

3. Bonnaroo- In 2011, Bonnaroo was what Coachella should have been lineup wise. If you’ve ever been to or know about Coachella, think of Bonnaroo as the cooler sister who is both hippie and hip. Bonnarro is also held in a giant field and while it lacks the artistic attractions like the wandering robot and the giant hand that can kill a car, it has yoga and it’s own post office. Bonnaroo also has this giant fountain which I’ve been told gets painted different colors every year but it’s a great way to stay cool in the heat. Coachella doesn’t have that. Granted Coachella is easier to get to, but flying out gave us the chance to hang out in Tennessee and check out Nashville for a day or two. Our highlights from Bonnaroo were already posted on this site but we had a blast watching Eminem, The Head and The Heart, Portugal. The Man, Neon Trees, Kopeckey Family Band, Mumford and Sons, Cory Chisel and The Wandering Sons, Alberta Cross, The Black Angels, and The Decemberists. Bonnaroo is a new tradition in my book and I can’t wait to see the lineup for 2012!

 

See you soon for my top 2!

Kristen’s ’11 Mix – Bonus 1 – Cory Chisel and the Wandering Sons

Posted on by Kristen

Bonus 1. “Never Meant to Love You” – Cory Chisel and the Wandering Sons 

LMN made the trek to Bonnaroo this summer. This is my favorite festival. From early morning yoga to the late night dance parties, I treasured every moment of my Bonnaroo ’11 experience. I discovered so many great bands (Aunt Martha, The Black Box Revelation, The Kopecky Family Band, Fences, JEFF The Brotherhood), saw several favorites for the first time (Scissor Sisters, Amos Lee, Neon Trees, Freelance Whales, Black Angels, Alberta Cross, Robert Plant), and enjoyed beloved bands like The Decemberists, Emimen, Deas Vail, Mumford & Sons, Nicole Atkins, The Head & The Heart, Band of Skulls, The Black Keys, etc.  Going into the event Corey Chisel and the Wandering Sons were on the top of my list of bands to check out. I ended up seeing them three times. “I Never Meant To Love You” is one of my favorite songs. I couldn’t locate a recorded version, but I tracked this bootleg. Check out the bands album, Death Won’t Send a Letter.

~ Kristen

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 12/12-12/18

Posted on by Kristen

Last Friday night, I had another one of those epic evenings on the Sunset Strip. I started at The Viper Room to see San Diego’s Kevin Martin. Then I ran to The Key Club to catch Jon McLaughlin and Stephen Kellogg and The Sixers with what must have been one of the most polite audiences I’ve ever been a part of. In drastic opposition, I stopped by The Roxy to witness some of the magic that is Camp Freddy. This week’s special guests included Neon Trees, Linda Perry, Sebastian Bach, Paul Stanley (KISS), and Fred Durst. I was going to head back to The Viper for the after party, but got sidetracked by some friends and pizza at Frankie and Johnny’s. Nights like these remind me why I love The Sunset Strip.

Monday night I’ll be back on The Strip for High Voltage Magazine’s Holiday Party at On the Rox. This will be the first of many holiday parties/charity events going on this week featuring some great artists and culminating in one of my favorite events of the year: The Hotel Cafe’s two day holiday party. For more details on these parties and other Kristen-approved musical events occurring this week, just keep reading:

 

Monday: High Voltage Magazine Holiday Party featuring Zero1, The Active Set, Suddyn, and Bethpage Black (8pm)
ALSO: So & So and Some Hear Explosions at The Viper Room (10:15, 11:15)
ALSO: Wires in the Walls FREE at Bootleg Bar (11:30)
ALSO: Brandi Carlile at Largo at the Coronet (8pm)
ALSO: Writers in the Round at Room 5 featuring Garrison Starr, Adrianne, Dawn Thomas, and Maia Sharp (9pm)

 

Tuesday: Ernie Halter, Mariah McManus, Amie Miriello at The Hotel Cafe (8,9,10)
ALSO: Noush Skaugen at Bar Lubitch (9:30)
ALSO: Sick of Sarah and The Lookout Kids at Silverlake Lounge (8, 10)
ALSO: Beachwood Holiday Party at The Piano Bar featuring Jesse Cole, Johnny Moezzi, Tripp Rezac, Ragsy, etc. (9pm)
ALSO: Brett Detar at The Satellite (10pm)

 

Weds: Noush Skaugen at Room 5 (8pm)
ALSO: The Rescues at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)
ALSO: Kyle Nicolaides at Bootleg Bar (9pm)

 

Thursday: Youngblood Hawke at The Echo (9pm)
ALSO: Carina Round at The Hotel Cafe (7pm)
ALSO: The Spring Standards at Silverlake Lounge (8pm)
ALSO: Invisible Children Benefit Concert Night 1 featuring Jon Foreman, Matt Pryor, Aaron Gillespie, etc. (7pm)

 

Friday: Hotel Cafe Holiday Party Night 1 featuring Priscilla Ahn, Meiko, Rocco Deluca, Raining Jane, Tim Jones, Adam Grace, Walker Young, Laura Jansen, etc. (7pm)
ALSO: Why Hunger Benefit Concert at Hard Rock Hollywood featuring Cary Brothers , Bleu, and Crash Kings (9pm)
ALSO: Invisible Children Holiday Benefit Night 2 featuring The Mountain Goats, Ivan & Alyosha, etc. (7pm)
ALSO: Belle Brigade at The Satellite (10pm)
ALSO: Forrest Day at Molly Malone’s (10pm)
ALSO: Camp Freddy at The Roxy (11pm)
ALSO: Beverly Kills at The Federal (6pm)
ALSO: Chris Cornell at Orpheum Theater (8pm)
ALSO: Oh Land at The El Rey (8pm)

 

Saturday: Hotel Cafe Holiday Party featuring Butch Walker, Joe Purdy, Cary Brothers, The Rescues, Keaton Simons, Holly Conlan, Austin Hartley Leonard, Jake Newton, Chris Pierce, Amie Miriello, etc. (7pm)
ALSO: Terraplane Sun at The White Buffalo at Bootleg Bar (9, 11)
ALSO: Tori Amos at Orpheum Theater (8pm)

 

Sunday: Odd Us and Red Circle Underground at The Hotel Cafe (8:30, 10:30)
ALSO: Tori Amos at Orpheum Theater (8pm)


 

To Keep in Mind:
December 23rd: Camp Freddy at The Roxy
December 31st: Semi Precious Weapons at The Roxy
January 10th: Dead Sara at The Troubadour
January 12th: Milk Carton Kids at The Largo
January 17th: The Silent Comedy at The Roxy
January 19th: Civil Twilight at Bootleg Bar
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 18th: Dia Frampton at The Troubadour
March 24th: Ani DiFranco at The Orpheum Theater

~ Kristen

 

http://www.localmusicnation.net

http://twitter.com/#!/_localmusicnat

To Do Today: Dead Sara, Ten out of Tenn, High Voltage Magazine, The Silent Comedy, etc.

Posted on by Kristen

I love to do lists! Here are a few items I would highly recommend adding to your list of things to do today:

 

WATCH Dead Sara’s new video for “Weatherman”: Dead Sara is my newest favorite band. Get to know them as they have the talent to take over the world.

 

DOWNLOAD Ten out of Tenn’s new CD, Volume 4, at Noisetrade.com. This is a fantastic collection of songs from an amazing collection of Nashville-based artists. You can download it for FREE or leave a tip of your choosing. I’ve had this CD for a couple weeks now and I LOVE it!

 

 

PLEDGE to High Voltage Magazine’s campaign to raise funds to release new print issues! $10 gets you an awesome music compilation full of  b-sides and rarities from the likes of Hurricane Bells (featuring Justin of Blue October), Shawn Christensen (Stellastarr) and Kevin McAdams (Elephante), Robbers On High Street and more to be announced. You can also pledge to receive a signed and framed poster from Neon Trees, tickets to a show of your choice in select cities, and more!

 

 

WATCH The Silent Comedy’s live performance at SofarSounds in Los Angeles. They play stripped down versions of “The Prince” and “Footnotes”

 

 

DOWNLOAD this week’s Daytrotter Sessions featuring the likes of Kina Grannis, William Elliot Whitmore, and The Dandy Warhols.

 

this just in! DOWNLOAD a live version of Scars on 45‘s song, “Heart on Fire” that will be featured on the next Grey’s Anatomy Soundtrack.

 

~ Kristen