Pawnshop Roses

Kristen’s 2012 Mix – Bonus Track – Pawnshop Roses

Posted on by Kristen

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!!

Pawnshop Roses

Even though Pawnshop Roses is no longer technically together, singer Paul Keen is still writing and playing. Paul has this wonderful ability to capture true emotion and still craft lyrically sound and catchy tunes. This is one of the most honest songs I’ve heard in a while and it is the most played track in my iTunes library this year.

You can find the track here, at minute 53:34

 

~ Kristen

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 11/14-11/20

Posted on by Kristen

Greetings from Philadelphia! I’m out east having a blast catching up with friends and some of my favorite local bands. Last night I was reminded of how much I love The Pawnshop Roses. You should all check them out. (http://pawnshoproses.com/pawnshoproses.com/Home.html)

As much as I love being in my old stomping grounds, I’m a bit upset at not being in LA Monday. Why do all these amazing shows have to occur while I am not there? I guess I should be grateful that I don’t have to choose between Empires at the Satellite, The Silent Comedy at Bootleg, and Harper Blynn at Bardot. I’ll leave that choice up to you. I am also devastated that I’m missing out on Augustana at The Hotel Cafe Tuesday night.

Fortunately I’ll be back by Sunday for a super cool show that WE ARE PRESENTING at Lot 1 with Wires in the Walls. More on that later. For now, just mark your calendar!

Here’s what else is happening this week:

Monday: Empires at Origami Vinyl (6pm)
ALSO: Empires and Vanaprasta FREE at The Satellite (9pm)
ALSO: Jack & White, Terraplane Sun, Little Hurricane, and The Silent Comedy FREE at Bootleg Theater (8pm)
ALSO: It’s a School Night at Bardot featuring Greg Holden and Harper Blynn (10:30)…FREE with RSVP
ALSO: Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 (9pm)
ALSO: Fun at The Troubadour (9pm)

 

Tuesday: Augustana at The Hotel Cafe (10:30)
ALSO: Brett Hite at the W Hotel (8pm)
ALSO: Bird by Bird at Silverlake Lounge (10pm)
ALSO: So & So at The Viper Room (8pm)
ALSO: Beachwood Night FREE at Piano Bar (8:30)

 

Weds: Harper Blynn and Schuyler Fisk at The Hotel Cafe (9-12)
ALSO: Kyle Nicolaides, The Stone Foxes, and Armada at The Viper Room (8:15, 10:15, 11:45)

 

Thursday: Noel Gallagher at UCLA’s Royce Hall (8pm)
ALSO: Marketa Irglova at The Troubadour (10pm)
ALSO: Amber Rubarth at The Hotel Cafe (10pm)…record release show
ALSO: Lady Sinatra at The Viper Room (9:30)

 

Friday: Noel Gallagher at UCLA’s Royce Hall (8pm)
ALSO: Wires in the Walls at O’Brien’s (10pm)
ALSO: Jones Street Station at The Hotel Café (midnight)
ALSO: Cold War Kids at The Troubadour (10pm)

 

Saturday: Semi Precious Weapons and Indians at The Roxy (8pm)
ALSO: Milo Greene, The Belle Brigade, and The Civil Wars at The Wiltern (7:30)
ALSO: Jones Street Station at Bootleg Theater (10pm)

 

Sunday: Wires in the Walls at Lot 1(8pm)
ALSO: Tony Lucca at The Hotel Cafe (8pm)

 

To Keep in Mind:
November 29th: Rachel Yamagata at The Troubadour
December 2nd: Fair to Midland at The Troubadour
December 2nd: Allen Stone at The Echo
December 2nd: Priscilla Ahn at The El Rey
December 2nd: Camp Freddy at The Roxy
December 6th: The Postelles and Maniac at Bootleg Theater
December 9th: Camp Freddy at The Roxy
December 14th: Deas Vail at The Roxy
December 16th: Camp Freddy at The Roxy
December 16th: Oh Land at The El Rey
December 16th: Hotel Café Christmas Party night 1
December 17th: Hotel Café Christmas Party night 2
December 23rd: Camp Freddy at The Roxy
Feb. 2nd: Mutemath at Club Nokia
March 9th: William Fitzsimmons at The Troubadour
March 13th-18th: SXSW (Austin, TX)

 

~ Kristen

 

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Watch This! Videos from Pawnshop Roses, Lovers Drugs, Needtobreahte, Mutemath

Posted on by Kristen

Some days you just really need music to get you through. For me, today is one of those days. If you’re also having one of those days (or even if you’re not), here are some videos I’d recommend checking out!

 

Nothing cheers me up quite like listening to one of my very favorite bands. My love for Pawnshop Roses goes back quite a few years now and this song is quite simply one of the best songs ever created…especially for days like these.

 

 

I just saw Lovers Drugs last night and was reminded how much I enjoy this band. I’ve mentioned before the video project they did with their first EP. Here’s the most recent addition for the song “Velvet”. Chronologically it’s the first in the story.

 

Needtobreathe is one of the bands I’m listening to most right now. I’m slightly obsessed. Here’s a song from their new CD, The Reckoning.

 

This is just a cool video and I love Mutemath!

 

There…I feel better now…a bit…

 

~ Kristen

Kristen’s ’10 Mix – Track 17 – Pawnshop Roses

Posted on by Kristen

17. “Fault Lines” – Pawnshop Roses

Another fave band from back east, Pawnshop Roses is now the final band remaining of my original triumvirate of favorite, life-altering bands (Pepper’s Ghost, Jealousy Curve, Pawnshop Roses). Their new, highly anticipated CD, Solid Gold, was finally released at the end of the year. The whole EP is fantastic but “Fault Lines” has been one of the tracks I was most looking forward to…and here it is! *squeals of excitement*

 http://pawnshoproses.com/

~ Kristen

Pepper’s Ghost Countdown: 7 Weeks!

Posted on by Kristen

I’m more than a little excited to tell you that my first favorite band (you know, the one that got me into…well every other band I’ve ever fallen in love with) is playing a reunion show January 22nd at The Grape Room in Philadelphia.

Pepper’s Ghost is a rocky/poppy/Beatles-esque band from Philadelphia, PA. The group centers around two brothers, Anthony and Michael Montesano, who share in the singing, specializing in catchy choruses and hypnotic harmonizing. Joining Anthony and Michael is Zil (Pawnshop Roses) on drums, Dave Hartley (War on Drugs, Nightlands) on bass, and Rob Bennett (Automatic Fire) on everything else (keys, guitar, mandolin, saw).

They released their first album, Opening Night, back in 2001. This recording was taken from a live show at The Trocadero and features a horn section and back up choir.  This was followed by an EP in 2002 (Bang) which offers one of my favorite, but rarely performed Pepper’s Ghost songs “Addiction.” In 2005, the band released their record label debut, Shake the Hand that Shook the World. This CD is full of fun poppy sing-along friendly tunes, including my college anthem, “Friday Night in Philadelphia.”

Shake the Hand that Shook the World got Pepper’s Ghost their first big national tour. It also got the band a number one hit on the singles chart in Canada with “You’re In My Heart (Little Pretty).” In the aftermath of this release, the band seemed to take a turn to an edgier, more rockin’ sound exemplified in their 2006 The Vet EP with songs like “Dirty Bomb” and “4 Letter Friend”. The following year they released their most recent CD, Let The Players Have the Ball. This CD was also a live recording featuring some old favorites, a few new tunes, and even a Bowie cover (“Cracked Actor”).

And now you know a tiny bit more about my favorite band. Only 7 weeks until I get to see them again. Let’s get excited!

~ Kristen

for last week’s countdown post

Pepper’s Ghost Countdown: 8 weeks!

Posted on by Kristen

go here and scroll down to January 22nd. Two words have never made me happier.

It’s been nearly 4 years since I’ve seen my favorite band take the stage. This little reunion show may not be exactly like the old days (Pawnshop Roses’ bassist Mike Walsh is rumored to be subbing in for David Hartley), but just the idea of hearing old favorites like “All I Know” be performed once again, makes me giddy with anticipation. Of course I will be there. In Philadelphia.  It won’t just be a reunion for the band. I’m hoping all the old Pepper’s Ghost family shows up to celebrate. If you are one of them (or even if you’re not), mark  your calendar now! Janurary 22nd. The Grape Room. ‘Cause you know, “it’s better when you’re here.”

~ Kristen

p.s. This video brings back SO many memories…FYI it was shot at my favorite venue (RIP The Point)

p.p.s. look forward to weekly reminders of this, one of the most anticipated events of my year.