Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 7/9-7/15

I’ve been doing a lot of writing this weekend. I can’t write without listening to music, so I’ve been doing a lot of that as well. After seeing Joe Firstman Friday at WitZend play one of the best shows I’ve seen in a while (from anyone), I’ve got his entire catalog on repeat. I’m also mixing in The Young Roman’s Tiger Child and the live EP Twin Atlantic gave out last week which has a particularly compelling acoustic version of “Make A Beast Of Myself”. Finally, last night, while at The Satellite to see Queen Caveat, I discovered a new band from Portland called Rags & Ribbons so I’m absorbing and slightly obsessing over their album The Glass Masses.

Soon, however, I’ll have to switch over to The Silent Comedy to pump myself up for their show tonight at The Echoplex. I can’t imagine a better way to end the weekend than a TSC dance-party.

Next week starts off strong with a show from Tony Lucca at Room 5. We’ll see how much Tony’s popularity has increased since his showing on The Voice. My other pick of the week might have to be Saint Motel’s record release at The El Rey on Saturday. I’m so proud of these LA locals, rising in popularity to headlining status at The El Rey! There are also several great shows at The Hotel Cafe this week including one by LMN Band Love Tournament of Hearts.

Here’s my full calendar of recommendations:

Monday: Tony Lucca at Room 5 (8pm)
ALSO: Lost Lander and Terraplane Sun FREE at The Satellite (10,11)
ALSO: Miracle Parade at R Bar (?)…be sure to check the R Bar website for the current password to get in

 

Tuesday: Monsters Calling Home at The Hotel Cafe (10:30)

 

Weds: Connie Lim and Sonia Rao at The Hotel Cafe (8,10)
ALSO: Roman Candle Wars at Los Globos (10pm)
ALSO: The Dig FREE at Silverlake Lounge (11pm)
ALSO: Andy Clockwise at King King Hollywood (8pm)

 

Thursday: Sara Watkins & Tom Brosseau at The Largo (8:30)
ALSO: Naia Kete and The O’s at The Hotel Cafe (9, 11)
ALSO: London Cries at The Viper Room (11pm)

 

Friday: Thao with the Get Down Stay Down at California Plaza Downtown (12pm)
ALSO: Justin Hopkins and Orlando Napier at Harvelle’s (9:30)
ALSO: Brendan Hines and Golden State at The Hotel Cafe (9, 10)
ALSO: Javier Dunn, Jesse Thomas, and The Young Romans at Room 5 (8,9,10)
ALSO: Lady Sinatra and Warner Drive at The Viper Room (10,11)
ALSO: David and Devine at On the Rox (8pm)
ALSO: Ryan Cabrera at The Key Club (10pm)

 

Saturday: Tournament of Hearts and Dawn McCoy at The Hotel Cafe (8, 9)
ALSO: Saint Motel with Princeton and Chasing Kings at The El Rey (8pm)…Saint Motel Record Release
ALSO: Carina Round at The Bootleg (10:30)
ALSO: Finish Ticket at Amplyfi (9pm)
ALSO: Purple Melon and Berlin FREE at Pershing Square (7:30)

 

Sunday: Tyrone Wells at Saint Rocke (8:05)

 

 

To Keep in Mind:
July 19th: Missy Higgins and Butterfly Boucher at The Troubadour
July 25th: Emery at The Roxy
July 25th: Charlotte Martin at The Hotel Cafe
August 3rd: Cory Chisel at The El Rey
August 10th and 11th: Jack White at Shrine Auditorium
August 13th: The Kills at The El Rey
August 13th: Birdy at The Roxy
August 14th: The Dunwells at The Hotel Café
August 23rd: Civil Twilight and Morning Parade at The El Rey
August 24th: Truth & Salvage Co. at The Troubadour
September 1st & 2nd: FYF at Downtown LA
September 4th: Gotye at The Greek Theatre
September 14th: The Hives at The Wiltern
October 1st: Ed Sheeran at The Wiltern
October 11th: Awolnation and Imagine Dragons at Club Nokia
October 19th: Tony Lucca at The Roxy
November 6th: Jens Lekman at Fonda Theatre

~ Kristen

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Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 2/27-3/4

This week’s concert list is brought to you from an Academy Awards viewing party. So far, Hugo is winning a lot more than I anticipated, but I’m still pulling for The Artist for the win. I did pretty well seeing all but one of the best picture nominees (sorry War Horse, not gonna happen). I’m sad that there weren’t more original song nominations…and that we aren’t going to see a live performance of “Man or Muppet”. Although, I am enjoying the live music playing out to commercials (was that an electric guitar?).

I can’t believe next week we enter the month of March! It’s almost SXSW time!! In preparation, I may be a little light on show-going next week. Alternatively there are some great shows on the West Side this week which will really save me on travel time. Mind the Gap/Maniac at The Central and The Makepeace Brothers at WitZend on Tuesday and a fantastic lineup at Harvelles on Thursday with Garrison Starr, Jamestown Revival, Jake Newton and Satellite. Here are the rest of my recommendations:

 

Monday: Indians and Dead Sara at The Viper Room (9, 10)
ALSO: A House for Lions and Milo Greene FREE at The Satellite (9, 11)
ALSO: It’s a School Night FREE at Bardot featuring Haim (9pm) http://www.itsaschoolnight.com/losangeles/
ALSO: Paris Carney and Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 (8, 9)

 

Tuesday: Mind the Gap and Maniac at The Central (10, 11)
ALSO: Ruby Friedman and Abbot Kinney at The Hotel Cafe (7, 11)
ALSO: The Muddy Reds FREE at The Echo (9pm)
ALSO: The Jealous Sound at The Satellite (11pm)
ALSO: The Makepeace Brothers at WitZend (9pm)
ALSO: Foxy Shazam at The SIidebar in Fullerton (8pm)

 

Weds: Milow and Infantree at The Hotel Cafe (8, 10)
ALSO: Dana Williams at Room 5 (10pm)

 

Thursday: Garrison Starr, Jamestown Revival, Jake Newton, and Satellite at Harvelles (8pm)
ALSO: Harper Blynn and Madi Diaz at The Hotel Cafe (9, 10)
ALSO: Taylor Locke & The Roughs and Purple Melon at The Viper Room (9, 10)
ALSO: He’s My Brothers, She’s My Sister at The Echo (11pm)

 

Friday: Joe Purdy, Brian Wright and Brother Sal at The Hotel Cafe (10:30)
ALSO: Jackie Greene at The Troubadour (10pm)
ALSO: Ilsey Juber at Room 5 (9pm)

ALSO: Armada at The Viper Room (9pm)
ALSO: Justin Hopkins at WitZend (9pm)

 

 

Saturday: The Shakers at The Roxy (8pm)
ALSO: The Elizabeth Kill at Molly Malone’s (9pm)
ALSO: Kevin Martin at On the Rox (9pm)
ALSO: O’Brother at The Satellite (10pm)
ALSO: Ty Segall at The Troubadour (10:45)

 

Sunday: Miniature Tigers at The Troubadour (9:45)

 

 

To Keep in Mind:
March 5th: Scars on 45 at The Troubadour
March 5th-6th: Dan Wilson and Rachel Yamagata at The Hotel Cafe
March 8th: Crash Kings at The Troubadour
March 9th: Vanaprasta at The Bootleg Bar
March 9th: William Fitzsimmons at The Troubadour
March 10th: Nico Vega at The Roxy
March 10th: Twin Atlantic at The Viper Room
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 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 31st: Tyrone Wells at The Roxy
April 1st: Charlotte Martin at The Bootleg Bar
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 11th: Imagine Dragons at The Troubadour
June 3rd: Deas Vail at The Troubadour
June 13th and 14th: Phantom Planet at The Troubadour

 

~ Kristen

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Amanda’s Top Ten Musical Experiences (cont.)

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!

Amanda’s Top 10 Musical Experiences (continued)

The musical journey continues as I continue to reminisce about endeavors of good old 2011. There was so much good music packed into one year but choices must be made (or so I’ve been informed).

 

8. Cage the Elephant I remember when this band caught some buzz in 2010 and for one reason or another, I was never able to attend a show to see if they lived up to the hype. Thankfully for me, Cage the Elephant played Wrex the Halls this year in San Diego and I happened to be lucky enough to work the show. I was shooting video from the mixer in the middle of the floor and despite my distance, I could feel their energy. The highlight of their set was singer Matthew Shultz’s crowd surfing. He came off the stage into the crowd not once, not twice, but three times! The last time was after the band finished playing and had walked off stage. He looked out into the crowed, shrugged his shoulders as if to say ‘why not?’ and crowd surfed his way off stage.

 

7. Milk Carton Kids and Joe Purdy At barely a year old, The Milk Carton kids have really started to make a name for themselves. I first saw one half of The Milk Carton Kids when Joey Ryan opened for Carney a few years ago. I was enchanted with him then and soon he was making music with his musical soul mate (or so it seems), Kenneth Pattengale. In 2011, they came through San Diego a few times, one of which was supporting Joe Purdy at The Belly Up. I remember this show specifically because a few friends joined me for the show and one of them was so taken with The Milk Carton Kids and the childhood memories they brought back to her, she started to cry. Joe Purdy was new to me and he did not disappoint! It was a lovely night all around and I’ll hold it fondly in my mind for quite some time.

 

6. North Park Music Thing Now known as the San Diego Music Thing. I think. It might change it’s name again. All you really need to know is that it is 2 days full of speakers and music. In the morning/afternoon you can find workshops with top dog speakers about anything from touring to selling your music for tv. There is a whole other slew of workshops from basic music industry 101 to the state of radio. The evening is chock full of local acts at local venues. To give you an idea, this year included music from; Nico Vega, Kevin Martin, The Silent Comedy, Andy Clockwise, Endoxi, Youngblood Hawke, White Apple Tree, Grand Tarantula, The New Kinetics, Queen Caveat, Republic of Letters, Saint Motel, Purple Melon, Little Hurricane, Mattson 2, Miss Erika Davies, Jesse LaMonaca and the Dime Novels, The Heavy Guilt, Cuckoo Chaos, The Nervous Wreckords, Writer, Gregory Page, Steve Poltz, Maren Parusel, and Dynamite Walls. And that was in two days!

While Nico Vega isn’t a San Diego band, they were just a few of the guests we had in from LA!

 

Amanda’s SD Concert Calendar 11/7-11/13

It’s finally starting to feel like winter here in San Diego! This past weekend we had a significant amount of rain accompanied by thunder and lightening. There is still a crisp coolness in the air that makes me want to cozy up with a blanket, a book, and some hot chocolate. However, that doesn’t mean you can be bundled and out enjoying some music. I have some suggestions for your week…

 

Monday: Purple Melon and Kevin Martin @ Casbah $8

Tuesday: Mattson 2 @ El Dorado @9
AND: Heavy Glow  and Gayle Skidmore @ Belly Up @8 $8

Wednesday: Ra Ra Riot @ Belly Up @9 $18
AND: Elliot Yamin @ Anthology @730 $10-$32

Thursday: Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears @ Belly Up @9 $18/$20
AND: The Bangles @ House of Blues SD @8 $20-$40

Friday: Thrice @ House of Blues SD @7 $20-$38

Saturday: Dead Feather Moon, The Get Down Automatic, and The Heavy Guilt @ Casbah

Sunday: Rest

 

Keep in Mind:

November 14th- HoneyHoney @ Soda Bar @830 $10
November 16th- The Dirty Heads with Gym Class Heroes @ House of Blues SD
November 17th- The Sounds @ Soma @7
November 20th- Newfound Glory @ House of Blues
November 22nd- Morrissey @ Escondido Center for the Arts
December 3rd- Little Hurricane @ Casbah $14
December 10th- The Chris Robinson Brotherhood @ Belly Up
December 19th- Pinback @ Belly Up
January 22nd- Wilco and With Denim @ House of Blues
February 3rd- Mute Math @ 4th & B

:

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 11/7-11/13

I’m still recovering from the awesomeness that was last Thursday night. Between Twin Atlantic at The Music Box and all the music, dancing, and friends at the High Voltage Magazine release party at On the Rox, I’m still beat. Could be because I’m still recovering from my bout of ill health. This cold weather isn’t helping. But I suppose I need to get used to it as I’m jetting to the east coast at the end of the week.

Friday night in Philadelphia I’ll be at The TLA with IKE, Stargazer Lily, The Shakers, Zelazowa, John & Brittany, and Placid Admiral (featuring members of one of my all-time faves, Jealousy Curve). If you’re on that side of the country, please come out and say hi!

We’ve also got some great shows in LA this week. Vanaprasta starts their Monday night November residency at The Satellite accompanied this week by Rocco DeLuca and Beatnik Jr, Kill the Alarm is in town at Room 5 on Friday, and my beloved Milk Carton Kids are back opening for Over the Rhine at The El Rey Saturday night.

 

Here’s the whole list:

Monday: Vanaprasta, Rocco DeLuca, Beatnik Jr. FREE at The Satellite (9pm)…first night of Vanaprasta’s November residency
ALSO: Moderne Man and Roman Candle Wars at The Viper Room (8:15, 12:15)
ALSO: Maxim Ludwig, Little Hurricane and Fierce Creatures FREE at Bootleg Theater (8:30, 10:30, 11:30)
ALSO: Lights at The El Rey (8pm)
ALSO: Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 (9pm)

 

Tuesday: Thrice at The Mayan Theater (10pm)
ALSO: First Aid Kit at The Troubadour (10pm)
ALSO: Hey Rosetta! At The Echo (9pm)

 

Weds: Harper Blynn and The Damnwells at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)
ALSO: Lovers Drugs at The Mint (11pm)

 

Thursday: Irontom at Bootleg Theater (10pm)
ALSO: Lady Sinatra at The Viper (11pm)

 

Friday: Kill the Alarm at Room 5 (9pm)
ALSO: Queen Caveat and Unwritten Law at Saint Rocke (9, 11)
ALSO: Jack’s Mannequin and Guster at The El Rey (7pm)
ALSO: Liam Gerner and Jim Bianco at The Hotel Cafe (7,10)
ALSO: Brett Detar and Olin and the Moon at The Mint (9,10)
ALSO: The Sheepdogs at The Echoplex (10pm)
ALSO: Toy at The Roxy (6:30)

 

Saturday: Experience No Ho Arts Festival featuring Taylor Locke and The Roughs, Maxim Ludwig, The Nervous Wreckords, and many more FREE at The Federal Bar (12-8pm)…for more info about the festival http://nohoartsdistrict.com/experience-noho/
ALSO: Purple Melon at The Central (11pm)
ALSO: Feist at The Wiltern (8pm)

 

Sunday: Honeyhoney at The Troubadour (10:30)
ALSO: Milk Carton Kids and Over the Rhine at The El Rey (7pm)
ALSO: Empire at TRiP Santa Monica (7:30)
ALSO: Elliot Yamin at The Hotel Cafe (9:30)
ALSO: Kyle Nicolaides at Room 5 (10pm)

 

 

 

To Keep in Mind:
November 14th: The Silent Comedy at Bootleg
November 15th: Augustana at The Hotel Cafe
November 16th: The Stone Foxes at The Viper Room
November 17th: Marketa Irglova at The Troubadour
November 19th: Milo Greene, The Belle Brigade, and The Civil Wars at The Wiltern
November 19th: Semi Precious Weapons at The Roxy
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 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 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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Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 9/26-10/2

So, it has begun. The ten weeks of the fall quarter in which my time for musical outings is greatly reduced. The joys of being a teaching assistant. Anyway, need to keep this brief. I’ve got work to do. Let me know how great all the shows are…

What I’d love to do this week:

Monday: Big Black Delta at FREE The Satellite (11pm)…last night of the residency
ALSO: Red Circle Underground FREE at Silverlake Lounge (10pm)
ALSO: Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 (9pm)
ALSO: it’s a school night featuring Ben Folds at Bardot (10pm)

 

Tuesday: Beverly McClellan and Mariah McManus at The Hotel Cafe (7, 9)
ALSO: George Stanford at The Foundry (8pm)
ALSO: Brett Hite at The W Hotel (8pm)
ALSO: Queen Caveat at The Mint (9:45)
ALSO: Rival Sons at Fingerprints in Long Beach (7pm)
ALSO: J Scott Bergman at Silverlake Lounge (11pm)
ALSO: Lisa Hannigan at The El Rey (10pm)
ALSO: Happy Hour with Ari Shrine at Saint Rocke (6pm)

 

Weds: Jens Lekman at the Masonic Lodge in The Hollywood Forever Cemetery (8pm)
ALSO: The Muddy Reds at Silverlake Lounge (11pm)
ALSO: Jamestown Revival at X Bar Patio Lounge The Century Plaza (8:30)
ALSO: Puddle of Mudd at The Viper Room (11:20)
ALSO: Joe Purdy at The Hotel Cafe (9:30)
ALSO: An Evening in the Round with Garrison Starr, Dawn Thomas, Adrianne, and Maia Sharp at Room 5 (9pm)

 

Thursday: Dead Sara at The Viper Room (11pm)
ALSO: Inverse, Purple Melon, and Love and a .38 at The Key Club (8pm)
ALSO: Terraplane Sun and Ry Cuming at The Hotel Cafe (8,9)
ALSO: Jimmy Eat World at The Wiltern (7pm)

 

Friday: Jake Newton and Keaton Simons at The Hotel Cafe (10,11)…Jake Newton’s Record Release show
ALSO: The Elizabeth Kill at Molly Malone’s (10pm)
ALSO: Hugh Laurie at The Mint (9pm)
ALSO: Juke Kartel at The Viper Room (11pm)
ALSO: Esperanza Spalding at The Orpheum Theatre (8pm)

 

Saturday: Kozmonaut, Queen Caveat, and Halos at The Viper Room (10,11,12)
ALSO: David and Devine at Molly Malone’s (9pm)
ALSO: Assemble the Skyline and Kyle Nicolaides at The Roxy (8pm)
ALSO: Portugal, The Man at Avalon (7pm)

 

Sunday: Zero 1 at The Roxy (8pm)
ALSO: Steve Poltz at The Satellite (10pm)

 

 

To Keep in Mind:
October 5-9th: Culture Collide Festival
October 8th: Michael Tolcher at The Hotel Cafe
October 9th: Michael Tolcher at Saint Rocke
October 10th: The Silent Comedy at Bardot
October 11th: Rival Sons and Evanescence at Hollywood Palladium
October 11th: Switchfoot and Anberlin at The Wiltern
October 14th: Butterfly Boucher at Bootleg Theater
October 17th: Youngblood Hawke and Imagine Dragons at The Satellite
October 18th: Portishead at The Shrine
October 19th: Melissa Ferrick and Harper Blynn at The Hotel Cafe
October 22nd: The War on Drugs at The Satellite
November 3rd: Twin Atlantic and Awolnation at The Music Box
November 4th: Mike Doughty at The El Rey
November 7th: Lights at The El Rey
November 8th: Thrice at The Mayan Theater
November 8th: First Aid Kit at The Troubadour
November 11th: Jack’s Mannequin and The Academ Is… at The El Rey
November 12th: Feist at The WIltern
November 13th: Milk Carton Kids at The El Rey
November 17th: Marketa Irglova at The Troubadour
November 19th: Milo Greene, The Belle Brigade, and The Civil Wars at The Wiltern
November 29th: Rachel Yamagata at The Troubadour
March 13th-18th: SXSW (Austin, TX)

~ Kristen

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