Songwriters in the Round

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 8/9-8/15

Posted on by Kristen

I must say, there are a LOT of festivals going on this week. Thursday is the Sunset Strip Block Party celebrating the fact that there will no longer be construction holding up traffic along the strip (YAY!). Saturday is the Venice Beach music festival featuring Keaton Simons . Then both Saturday and Sunday at the Echoplex is the Free for All music festival sponsored by When You Awake and featuring Langhorne Silm on Sunday.  And let’s not forget about Warped Tour  on Weds in Pomona featuring many fantastic bands including my new favorite, After Midnight Project. We could also throw in the North Park Music Thing down in San Diego which I’ll be attending over the weekend.

But really these festivals are just prepping everyone for next week’s Sunset Junction  and the, of course, Sunset Strip Music Festival at the end of the month.

As for what else is going on:

Monday: Of Verona and Soul Puppet FREE at The Troubadour (9:30, 10:30)
ALSO: Matthew Jordan at Saint Rocke (8:30)
ALSO: Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 (9pm) 

Tuesday: Jake Newton at Molly Malone’s (9pm)
ALSO: Holly Conlan at The Hotel Cafe (9pm) 

Weds: Keaton Simons at Cinespace (8pm)
ALSO: Warped Tour in Pomona
ALSO: Semi Precious Weapons at The Staples Center (8pm) 

Thursday: Soraia at Good Hurt (11:30)…Philly band alert!
ALSO: The Shakers at The Cat Club (10pm)…part of Sunset Strip Block Party (http://thesunsetstrip.com/blockparty)
ALSO: Queens of the Stone Age and Eagles of Death Metal at Club Nokia (9pm)
ALSO: My Morning Jacket and Avi Buffalo at The Greek Theater (8pm)
ALSO: Semi Precious Weapons at The Staples Center (8pm)
ALSO: Wartapes at The Viper Room (10pm)
ALSO: The Northstar Session at Molly Malone’s (9:30)
ALSO: Freelance Whales at El Rey opening for Tokyo Police Club (8:30) 

Friday: Natalie Merchant at Orpheum (8pm)
ALSO: Soraia at Canter’s Kibitz Room (10pm)
ALSO: American Idols 2010 Live at The Staples Center (7:30) 

Saturday: Venice Beach Music Fest f. Keaton Simons (1:30pm)
ALSO: Rasputina at The Troubadour (10:15) 

Sunday: Langhorne Slim at The Echoplex (4pm)
ALSO: Mississippi Man at The Troubadour (8:30)
ALSO: Levon Helm and Jenny Lewis at The Greek Theater (8pm) 

 

To Keep in Mind:
August 21st and 22nd: Sunset Junction
August 27-28th: Sunset Strip Music Festival
August 28th: Something Corporate at Club Nokia
September 4th: After Midnight Project at The Key Club
September 18th: Heart at Gibson Amphitheater
September 25th: Band of Horses at Greek Theater
September 25th: Muse at Staples Center
October 1st: Brandi Carlile and The Avett Brothers at Nokia Theater LA Live
October 13th: Frightened Rabbit at The Mayan Theater
December 11th: The Black Crowes and Truth & Salvage Co. at Hollywood Palladium

~ Kristen

Songwriters in the Round Scores Again!

Posted on by Kristen

Last Monday night’s Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 was a bit of a fantasy event featuring my very favorite west coast duo of Kenneth Pattengale and Joey Ryan and my very fave east coast duo, Isaac and Thorry Koren (AKA The Kin-currently based in NYC although originally from Australia). Although I have known both sets of artists (with The Kin, it’s been years), they had not known each other. It was fun watching them all fall in love with one another, as everyone had genuine appreciation for the art and the artist on the stage. After Joey and Kenneth did a couple of tunes, Isaac made a comment about how great they were. Then, after The Kin’s first song, Joey, with his typical deadpan humor, informed the audience that he knew after Isaac’s complement, they were just setting them up to blow them away.  And it just continued from there…

The two pairs, along with the always fabulous Joel Eckels, put on one of the best shows I have seen at that venue. Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 always seems to bring out the best in the artists and the spontaneous collaborations born from that kind of set-up are unique opportunities to see these musicians at their finest, pushing everyone on stage to become even better and giving Kenneth Pattengale multiple reasons to prove that he is one of the most talented musicians you will ever meet (he plays on neary every song…even if he’s never heard it before). This Monday night in particular, was truely something special to behold. The emotional intensity bursting forth from the stage Monday night quite simply left me melted in a puddle on the floor.

Fortunately, I was able to hold it together long enough to take a couple pictures, and more importantly, capture a song by The Kin called “The Boy Who Turned to Stone.” This song was one of the most memorable from the very first time I saw The Kin play. I haven’t heard it for years now and that they choose to bring it back out at this moment just adds to the memorable nature of the evening.

Enjoy a taste from that most amazing set and please please please do yourself a favor and go to Room 5 some Monday night (any Monday night really) and catch the Songwriters in the Round. It’s the best place to be on a Monday night in Los Angeles!

The Kin- The Boy Who Turned To Stone

~ Kristen

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 8/2-8/8

Posted on by Kristen

I’m about to head off to the first of three evenings this week featuring The Kin, so this will be short.  I’m especially excited about Monday night’s Songwriters in the Round. But that’s just the start of a great week of music as detailed below:

Monday: Paris Carney and Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 featuring Isaac and Thorry Koren (The Kin), Joey Ryan, Kenneth Pattengale, and Joel Eckels (9pm)
ALSO: John Elliot at Genghis Cohen (7pm) 

Tuesday: FREE Lovers Drugs at The Viper Room (9pm)
ALSO: Matthew Jordan at Café Was (two sets, 7 and 8:30)
ALSO: William Fitzsimmons at The Hotel Cafe (8pm)
ALSO: Circa Survive at Bootleg (9:50) 

Weds: The Kin at The Cactus Room at The Standard (7pm)
ALSO: The Hereafter at West LA Concert Series at West LA Civic Center (9pm)
ALSO: Andy Clockwise at Spaceland (10pm)
ALSO: Meiko at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)
ALSO: So & So at Molly Malone’s (11pm)
ALSO: Juke Kartel at The Viper Room (8pm) 

Thursday: The Janks at The Echoplex (10:30)
ALSO: Everest at Bootleg (11:30)
ALSO: The Binges at The Viper Room (11pm) 

Friday: Lights at The Hotel Cafe (7pm)
ALSO: 100 Monkeys at The Viper Room (11pm)
ALSO: We Are Scientists at The Troubadour (10pm)
ALSO: Silversun Pickups and Against Me at The Greek Theater (7:30) 

Saturday: The Janks FREE at Pershing Square (7:30)
ALSO: 100 Monkeys at The Viper Room (midnight) 

Sunday: I’m sure something will come up 

 

To Keep in Mind:
August 12th: Semi Precious Weapons at Staples Center
August 21st and 22nd: Sunset Junction
August 27-28th: Sunset Strip Music Festival
August 28th: Something Corporate at Club Nokia
September 4th: After Midnight Project at The Key Club
September 18th: Heart at Gibson Amphitheater
September 25th: Band of Horses at Greek Theater
September 25th: Muse at Staples Center
October 1st: Brandi Carlile and The Avett Brothers at Nokia Theater LA Live
October 13th: Frightened Rabbit at The Mayan Theater
December 11th: The Black Crowes and Truth & Salvage Co. at Hollywood Palladium

~ Kristen

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 7/26-8/1

Posted on by Kristen

Still struggling with coherency issues so I’m going to keep this short. This week, like last, is jam packed with musical goodness. I’m especially excited about the return of a couple of my favorite bands to LA. Truth & Salvage Co. on Friday at The House of Blues and The Kin on Sunday at Zanzibar in Santa Monica. But really, that’s just the beginning of all the awesomeness going on next week…check it out:

Monday: Soul Puppet at The Hotel Cafe (8pm)
ALSO: Aiden Moore and Abbot Kinney at Molly Malone’s (10,11)…last chance to catch Aiden before he goes off to NYC
ALSO: Mississippi Man FREE at The Echoplex (10pm)
ALSO: Paris Carney and Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 (8,9) 

Tuesday: National Rifle at El Cid (?)…Philly band alert!
ALSO: Moving Picture Show FREE at The Viper Room (10pm)
ALSO: Adam Lambert at Pacific Amphitheater (7:30) 

Weds: Bang the Gong Tour featuring Civil Twilight, Paper Tongues, and Neon Trees at The Glass House in Pomona (7pm)
ALSO: Adam Lambert at Pacific Amphitheater (8pm)
ALSO: Purple Melon and Meiko at Pershing Square (8pm)
ALSO: Guggenheim Grotto at The Hotel Café (8pm)
ALSO: Beachwood Rockers Society at Crane’s 

Thursday: Queen Caveat EP Release and Transfer at The Viper Room (10,11)
ALSO: Garrison Starr and Civil Twilight at The Hotel Cafe (8,9) 

Friday: Truth & Salvage Co. at The House of Blues-Sunset (9pm)
ALSO: Dirty Sweet at The Viper Room (10:40)
ALSO: Army of Me and Tyrone Wells at The Hotel Cafe (7,9)
ALSO: Morcheeba at The Hollywood Bowl (8:30) 

Saturday: The Nervous Wreckhords at The Viper Room (9pm)
ALSO: Viza at The Troubadour (11pm)
ALSO: Morcheeba at The Hollywood Bowl (8:30) 

Sunday: Amber Rubarth and The Kin at Zanzibar in Santa Monica (9pm)
ALSO: Terra Naomi at The Hotel Cafe (9pm) 

To Keep in Mind:
August 6th: Endoxi CD release at Epicentre (SD)
August 12th: Semi Precious Weapons at Staples Center
August 21st and 22nd: Sunset Junction
September 4th: After Midnight Project at The Key Club
September 25th: Band of Horses at Greek Theater
September 25th: Muse at Staples Center
October 1st: Brandi Carlile and The Avett Brothers at Nokia Theater LA Live
October 13th: Frightened Rabbit at The Mayan Theater
December 11th: The Black Crowes and Truth & Salvage Co. at Hollywood Palladium

~ Kristen

The Kin return to LA!

Posted on by Kristen

I recieved the following via facebook event invite. Needless to say, I am incredibly excited about the return of The Kin to Los Angeles. These Austrialian-born, NYC-based brothers are one of my favorite live acts. I am especially excited about Monday night’s soungwriters in the round at Room 5 which also features another fave duo, Joey Ryan and Kenneth Pattengale.  As I write this, I am giddy in anticipation of the greatness that will surely unfold that night.
If you get the chance, I’d highly recommend you come to at least one of the events deatiled in the message below:
LA Cohorts,

Were heading west for a week of music in LA. We will be driving in from San Francisco where we have a week of making videos for the new album of groovy cover songs we have made with the Rondo Brothers, called ‘The Kin: Rondo Sessions’.

We then get to spend a week in LA with you before we head to a summer music festival in France. Please come and be with us on Sunday August 1st for our main show of the week at the venu…e ZANZIBAR…details for all shows below.

Cheers!

Isaac and Thorald
The Kin

Friday July 30th – Sunset Marquis – Special showcase – RSVP only

Sunday August 1st – ZANZIBAR – w/Bri Anne Michelle and Amber Rubarth. 1301 5th St Santa Monica, CA 90401, Doors at 7pm, $10

Monday August 2nd – Room 5 – Songwriters Circle with Friends in the round. 143 N La Brea Ave West Hollywood, CA 90036, 8pm

Wednesday August 4th – The Standard Hotel – Poolside performance
8300 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90069, free

 
 
And what song should pop up on my ITunes as I read this message: The Kin- New Day (LIVE) Enjoy!
~ Kristen

Have you been to Saint Rocke?

Posted on by Kristen

It’s not in LA proper so it’s taken me awhile to get there, but Saint Rocke is now on the fast track to becoming one of my new favorite places to see live music. Located on the PCH in Hermosa Beach, it really isn’t that far away (especially when the traffic is light). It’s got all the charm of The Hotel Cafe but with more space, more seating, and free parking! Plus, if you order food during their happy hour (starts at 5pm M-F) nearly the entire menu is $5. I opted for the kobe beef sliders with sweet potato fries and they were delicious…I have it on good authority that the tacos and the pizzas are also excellent options.

I didn’t just decide to check out a new venue on a whim. I was drawn to Hermosa Beach because it was a stop on the Joe Firstman/Jay Nash tour. The line up played The Hotel Cafe last Thursday but I could not make it as I was at The Roxy enjoying Alex Band (more on that from Amanda).

For the record, this duo is NOT to be missed. I’ve been following Joe around the country for over five years now and never have I seen the same set twice…he even changes up his own songs to keep things fresh. Already, songs from his most recent release, El Porto, have gotten new versions.  I will enjoy just about anything coming from this guy but Sunday night’s set was one of the most enjoyable I’ve seen him do in years. A great mix of old (one of my all-time favorite CDs is his debut The War of Women), new, and newly revised. His next record, Joe Firstman Live at The Treehouse, comes out next month and I cannot wait to hear it all. For a taste, go to his website and download a free track!  

Jay Nash has been a more recent addition to my list of favorite singer-songwriters. His recent collaborations with some of my favorite artists like Caitlin Crosby and Matt Duke brought him to my attention. He is also the founder and frequent participant in my favorite Monday night activity, Songwriters in the Round at Room 5. Unfortunately just as I start going to more of his shows, he decided to up and move to Vermont. The fact that he has returned to LA so soon is encouraging however and I hope that more tours like this one will continue to bring him back to his former home.

Both Joe and Jay are the kind of artist that need to be seen live to truly be appreciated for the amazingly gifted musicians they are. And when they get on the stage together, the energy is kicked up an additional notch as they feed off each other to create the kind of performance that could never be captured or repeated…moments that make you realize how incredibly fortunate you are to be in that exact place at that exact time…moments that keep you going to show after show…the kind of stuff to live for and the reason I love artists like Joe Firstman and Jay Nash and venues like Saint Rocke that can bring out these kinds of magical moments.

If you want to check out a show at Saint Rocke, here’s a link to their calendar . Might I suggest Pat McGee this Sunday…or if you read this in time 100 Monkeys tonight (Tuesday July 20th).

If you want to see more of Joe Firstman and Jay Nash their tour together is almost over, but they both have dates up on their websites and they will both be at Hotel Carolina at the end of August.

~ Kristen

p.s. this is a repost, but here’s a recording a took of the song Jay wrote about leaving California…I think it may be my new favorite.

Golden State Goodnight– Jay Nash

Kristen’s Concert Calendar: 7/12-7/18

Posted on by Kristen

Well, Amanda and I certainly had quite the busy weekend getting sneak previews of some very exciting projects coming out soon. Slash-approved British rockers, Gods and Men, are in the process of recording their first album for Pacific Records. Remember the name…it will come up again soon, I’m sure. Also, San Diego’s own Endoxi just finished their first full-length CD, Earthbound. The record is coming out August 3rd and the release party will be August 6th at Epicentre in SD. I’m very excited about Endoxi, and feel that they are poised to become the next big band out of San Diego.

But if you need a good show before August 6th, this week will definitely satisfy. Two of my very favorite bands are playing the Troubadour, The Silent Comedy on Tuesday (opening for Andy Clockwise) and Nico Vega on Weds (opening for Sweethead). You know you’ve been meaning to check out these bands I’m always blathering on about…well, here’s your chance so don’t miss it! 

As for everything else (it’s quite a fantastic week for music):

Monday: Matt Morris at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)
ALSO: Mississippi Man FREE at The Echo (10pm)
ALSO: The Shakers at Les Deux (10pm)
ALSO: Abbot Kinney at Molly Malone’s (8pm)
ALSO: Kings of Leon at Hollywood Bowl (7:30)
ALSO: Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 (9pm) 

Tuesday: The Silent Comedy and Andy Clockwise at The Troubadour (8:30)
ALSO: Imagine Dragons FREE at The Viper Room (10pm)
ALSO: Matthew Jordan at Cafe Was (7pm)
ALSO: Austin Hartley-Leonard at The Hotel Cafe (8pm) 

Weds: Nico Vega at The Troubadour (9:15)…what else do you need? 

Thursday: KT Tunstall, Garrison Starr, Jay Nash, Joe Firstman at The Hotel Cafe (7-11)
ALSO: Killola at The Viper Room (11pm)
ALSO: Wakey Wakey at Bootleg (10pm)
ALSO: Alex Band at The Roxy (8:30)
ALSO: Fitz & the Tantrums at the Hammer museum (7pm)
ALSO: Alternate Routes at Levitt Pavilion in Pasadena (8pm)
ALSO: Nico Vega at Velvet Jones in Santa Barbara (7pm) 

Friday: Tyrone Wells at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)
ALSO: Victoria Clemmons, Kris Karlsson, Alex Rhodes at Genghis Cohen (8,9,10)
ALSO: Lovers Drugs at Rusty’s Surf Ranch in Santa Monica (9pm)
ALSO: Juke Kartel at The Viper Room (11:15)
ALSO: MGMT at The Greek Theater (7:30) 

Saturday: Thrice at Fox Theater in Pomona (6:30)
ALSO: Leerone and Laura Jensen at The Hotel Cafe (8, 10)  
ALSO: The Silent Comedy at The Casbah (SD) 

Sunday: The Swell Season and Bird and the Bee at Hollywood Bowl (7:30)
ALSO: Joe Firstman and Jay Nash at Saint Rocke (7pm) 

To Keep in Mind:
July 21st: Gaslight Anthem at The Wiltern
July 23rd: Tony Lucca album release at The Mint
July 28th: Bang the Gong Tour featuring Civil Twilight, Paper Tongues, and Neon Trees at The Glass House
July 29th: Queen Caveat EP Release at The Viper Room
July 29th: Civil Twlight at The Hotel Cafe
July 30th: Dirty Sweet at The Viper Room  
July 30-31st: Morcheeba at Hollywood Bowl
August 6th: Endoxi CD release at Epicentre (SD)
August 12th: Semi Precious Weapons at Staples Center
August 21st and 22nd: Sunset Junction
September 4th: After Midnight Project at The Key Club
September 25th: Band of Horses at Greek Theater
September 25th: Muse at Staples Center 

~ Kristen