Kristen’s ’11 Mix – Track 6 – TFDI

6. “Hold On Tight” – TFDI

TFDI is Jay Nash, Tony Lucca, and Matt Duke and they really are Totally Fucking Doing It! Three of my favorite singer-songwriters singing, writing, and touring together; how could this not be amazing! The trio released an album called When I Stop Running and it is one of my favorite albums of the year. I was front row for a last minute gig at Room 5 and it was one of the best shows of my year. Each of these performers knows how to write and sing a song and together, they make magic! It was so hard to choose one song for this mix. I could have easily gone with Nash’s “If I Was a Ghost” or Lucca’s “Hurtin Kind”, but I opted for Duke’s “Hold On Tight” in honor of his show stopping cover of Bright Eyes’ “Lover I Don’t Have to Love” that was performed at Room 5 with such raw and visceral emotion that when the song ended I realized I had stopped breathing.

More TFDI videos:

 

 

 

 

~ Kristen

New Music Tuesday 9/27 featuring Tony Lucca, Mariah McManus, Jake Newton, Switchfoot, etc.

Tony LuccaUnder The Influence

Tony Lucca has been one of my favorite singer-songwriters for many years now. I had no idea he had a new CD in the works until yesterday…I feel a bit shamed. Since Mr. Lucca has moved out of LA, I don’t see him play as often, so I’m not even sure I’ve heard any of these new songs! Obviously, I will be obtaining the CD as soon as possible. Tony Lucca is one third of the TFDI triad (Tony Lucca, Matt Duke, Jay Nash). He is taking a bit of a break from the TFDI tour, but will be back out on the road with the boys in October for the Pittsburgh show.  Don’t miss out on this tour. It is magical.

You can buy Tony’s new CD on Itunes or amazon 

Here’s Tony with TFDI singing one of my favorite songs of their album, When I Stop Running (incidentally one of my favorite albums of the year).

 

Mariah McManusNice to Meet You 

I first saw Mariah McManus when she was fronting the rock band Glare of Rockets.  I was blown away by her voice, especially at such a young age. I was very excited when I heard Mariah was embarking on a solo project and releasing new material.  I’ve been listening to her tracks off of her facebook page for weeks and I’m a bit obsessed.  Mariah is going to take the music world by storm using her unique and enchanting voice to win over anyone who listens. This is a must get album for me. Take a listen at the free stream from aol music. Download her first single “Say It Again” on her website. Come to her CD release party tonight (9/27) at The Hotel Cafe.

Buy Nice to Meet You on Itunes

 

 

Jake NewtonKill The Past

Jake Newton is a singer-songwriter currently living in Los Angeles…mostly at The Hotel Cafe.  Jake is part of the next wave of  Hotel Cafe artists following in the footsteps of artists like Cary Brothers, Sara Bareilles, Greg Laswell, etc.  After what I would call a highly successful Pledge Music campaign, Jake Newton is finally ready to release his full length album, Kill The Past. I pledged to his campaign a while ago and have been keeping up with the whole process of this record so I am particularly excited to finally have it available. Come join me Friday night as Jake has his record release party at The Hotel Cafe. Also playing that evening is Keaton Simons so it will be a good one!

You can get the new CD on Amazon or Itunes.

 

 

SwitchfootVice Verses

Switchfoot has had an impact on my life ever since I got a hold of The Beautiful Letdown which I still believe is one of the greatest CDs in my collection. Then a couple of years ago, I was again impacted by a live performance of Switchfoot’s “Hello Hurricane”. I am looking forward to hear what new tunes this San Diego based group has put forth in their new album, Vice Verses. Then I would highly recommend checking them out on their co-headlining tour with Anberlin (another great live band). They are in LA October 11th at The Wiltern.

Get the album on Amazon or Itunes.

 

Other CDs I’ll be looking into today:

  • Will Hoge- Number Seven
  • Beth Hart and Joe Bonamassa – Don’t Explain
  • LeAnn Rimes- Lady and Gentleman
  • Kasabian- Velociraptor
  • Carolina Liar- Wild Blessed Freedom
  • Hanni El Khatib- Will The Guns Come Out
  • VHS or Beta- Diamonds & Death
  • Nneka – Soul Is Heavy
  • New Order – Power, Corruption, & Lies
  • Duke Spirit- Bruiser
Happy New Music Day!!
~ Kristen

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 8/29-9/4

I’m still sad about the cancellation of Sunset Junction. While I enjoyed the psudeo-Sunset Junction party in the backyard of Dangerbird Records yesterday (I’m definitely getting the new Butch Walker record out this week), I was really looking forward to the Belle Brigade/Rooney/Hanson line-up today. I guess it’s all for the best. Now I have some time to catch up on work! Yay.

Other highlights from last week include my feat of epic proportions, finally seeing Brett Hite (such an amazing voice), the intimate Hotel Cafe performance from Needtobreathe (I was a puddle on the floor after that one) and seeing Michelle Branch again after six years (brought back so many happy memories).

What I’m really looking forward to this week is the recently scheduled TFDI performance at Room 5 Monday night. Here I was thinking I was going to miss all of their Southern California stops. And playing with Garrison Starr! I expect nothing short of amazing.

Here’s what else I have on the agenda:

 

Monday: Garrison Starr and TFDI at Room 5 (8,9)
ALSO: Chamberlin and Carbon Leaf at Saint Rocke (8,9)

 

Tuesday: The Howls, Pawn Shop Kings, and Fiction Family at Bootleg (8:30)
ALSO: Amber Rubarth, Allie Moss, Ian Axel, and Bess Rogers at The Hotel Cafe (7pm)
ALSO: Moderne Man at The Roxy (7:30)
ALSO: Beachwood Rockers FREE at The Piano Bar featuring John Pringle (8pm)

 

Weds: Andrienne Pierce, George Stanford, and Johnny Moezzi at Silverlake Lounge (9,10,11)
ALSO: Queen Caveat at The Shore in Hermosa Beach (10pm)
ALSO: Anna Nalick at The Hotel Cafe (8pm)
ALSO: Didi Benami at Room 5 (10pm)

 

Thursday: Fierce Creatures at The Hotel Cafe (11pm)

 

Friday: Keaton Simons at The Hotel Cafe (10pm)
ALSO: Terraplane Sun at The Echo (9pm)

 

Saturday: FYF Featuring The Head and The Heart, Avi Buffalo, Cold War Kids, The Weakerthans, Broken Social Scene, etc. (noon) http://fyffest.com/fyf-schedule/
ALSO: The Cordovas at The Hotel Cafe (7pm)
ALSO: Sick of Sarah at The Roxy (8pm)
ALSO: Jamestown Revival at Room 5 (10pm)
ALSO: Patrick Stump at Saint Rocke (9pm)

 

Sunday: The Cordovas at Cafe Boogaloo in Hermonsa Beach
ALSO: Dead Sara at The Slidebar in Fullerton
ALSO: Of Verona at The Viper Room (10pm)

 

 

To Keep in Mind:
September 8th Dead Sara at The Viper Room
September 9-10: San Diego Music Thing
September 10th: Blue October at House of Blues Sunset Strip
September 10th: The Kills at The Wiltern
September 11th: Our Lady Peace at The Viper Room
September 12th: Dan Wilson at Bardot
September 16th: Lobster Fest with Andy Clockwise and more
September 17th: We Barbarians at The Satllite
September 20th: Howie Day at The Hotel Cafe
September 22-24: Hotel Carolina (South Carolina)
September 22nd: Jonathan Tyler and the Northern Lights at The Viper Room
September 23rd: Inara George at Bootleg Bar
September 23rd/24th: Lee Dewyze at The Hotel Cafe
September 24th: The Script at Hollywood Palladium
September 24th and 25th: William Elliot Whitmore at Bootleg Theater
September 25th: The Lonely Forest at The Wiltern
September 28th: Puddle of Mudd at The Viper Room
October 11th: Rival Sons and Evanescence at Hollywood Palladium
October 14th: Butterfly Boucher at Bootleg Theater
October 22nd: The War on Drugs at The Satellite
November 7th: Lights at The El Rey
November 12th: Feist at The WIltern
November 19th: Milo Greene, The Belle Brigade, and The Civil Wars at The Wiltern
March 13th-18th: SXSW (Austin, TX)

~ Kristen

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

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 8/15-8/21

Last week I kind of took it a bit easy. Let’s call it a conservation of energy tactic. Saturday, I went from 0 to 100. I stopped at The Hudson block party where I discovered a great new band (Nightmare & The Cat), did some dancing, ate some food, and witnessed a Wu Tang performance. I left early, missing out on a couple of my favorites (Dead Sara and Andy Clockwise). I had to get to Santa Monica for the Milk Carton Kids CD release event where I spent two hours on the brink of tears, either from laughing too hard or from the sheer beauty and brilliance of the music. Then I jetted from McCabe’s down to Saint Rocke just in time to be blown away by the powerful and empowering Nico Vega. So many great friends gathered at this final performance, I ended up talking/laughing/smiling through the wee hours. A day to remember for sure!

And really, yesterday was just the beginning of a week-long celebration of music and friends surrounding The Sunset Strip Music Festival. If you want to know what I’m up to next week, just go here: http://www.sunsetstripmusicfestival.com/.

And that’s not all? In fact, there are so many shows I wish I could go to this week but can’t that I’m beginning to think that I’ve done something to upset the universe. The cruelty of having TFDI’s So-Cal dates conflict directly with SSMF. The inhumanity of me NOT getting a ticket to see Muth Math at The Troubadour. The audacity of scheduling TWO Death Cab for Cutie/Frightened Rabbit dates when I cannot attend either one.

 

What a week! Here goes my list:

 

 

Monday: Automatique at The Viper Room (10:15)
ALSO: Robert Francis FREE at Bootleg Bar (11pm)
ALSO: The Wilderness of Manitoba at Origami Vinyl (7pm)
ALSO: Adele at The Greek Theater (7:30)
ALSO: Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 (9pm)
ALSO: it’s a school night at Bardot featuring Damndogs (featuring members of Jet) and Nikki Lane (10:30)…FREE with RSVP http://www.itsaschoolnight.com/

 

Tuesday: Mute Math at The Troubadour (8pm)…if someone has an extra ticket to this thing, I’ll be your friend forever…
ALSO: Wilderness of Manitoba at The Hotel Cafe (7pm)
ALSO: SSMF Showcase at The Roxy featuring The Green Children, Kyle Nicolaides, Los Einsten, and more (7pm)

 

Weds: SSMF Showcase at The Roxy featuring Benvenue, Lido Beach, and more (7pm)
ALSO: Old 97’s and Josh Ritter at The Wiltern (7pm)
ALSO: Alex Lambert at Room 5 (10pm)
ALSO: Parker Ainsworth at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)
ALSO: The Weepies at The Troubadour (8pm)
ALSO: Adele at Hollywood Palladium (7pm)

 

Thursday: Nico Vega and Eastern State Champions at The Roxy (9pm)
ALSO: The Canyons (8), The Veronicas (9) and Run Run Run(10:30), The Tender Box (11:20), Nude (12:20) at The Viper Room
ALSO: TFDI at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)
ALSO: Johnny Polonsky at Silverlake Lounge (9pm)
ALSO: Frightened Rabbit and Death Cab for Cutie at The Greek (7:30)

 

Friday: Dead Sara and Buckcherry at The Roxy (8pm)
ALSO: Kevin Martin at On the Rox (8pm)
ALSO: Taylor Locke & The Roughs (8:30), Lady Sinatra (9:30), Purple Melon (10:30), Hillbilly Herald (12), and Eli James (1am) at The Viper Room
ALSO: TFDI at Saint Rocke (9pm)
ALSO: Keaton Simons at The Hotel Cafe (11pm)
ALSO: Red Light Sky at Amplyfi (9:45)
ALSO: Frightened Rabbit and Death Cab for Cutie at The Greek (7:30)

 

Saturday: SSMF at The Sunset Strip (between The Key Club and The Whiskey) featuring Motley Crue, Bush, Youngblood Hawke, Indians, Love and A .38, Deluka, Queen Caveat, Jordan Cook, Imagine Dragons, Sabrosa Purr, Semi Precious Weapons, and SO MANY MORE (1pm)
ALSO: Walk the Moon at Bootleg Bar (11pm)
ALSO: Taryn Manning at The Hotel Cafe (11pm)
ALSO: Maxim Ludwig & The Santa Fe Seven at The Troubadour (8:15)
ALSO: TFDI at Zoey’s in Ventura (5pm)

 

Sunday: Koffehouse presents 5th Annual Evening of Independence at Ford Amphitheatre featuring Tyrone Wells, Satellite, Allen Stone, Jamestown Revival, Of Verona, Jes Hudak, and MORE (6pm)

 

Monday: Big presentation at work…I’m just pointing this out to emphasize how much the universe hates me right now.

 

 

To Keep in Mind:
August 22nd: Ben Rector at The Hotel Cafe
August 22nd: Scarlet Grey at The Troubadour
August 27-28th: Sunset Junction
September 3rd: FYF
September 22-24: Hotel Carolina (South Carolina)
September 22nd: Jonathan Tyler and the Northern Lights at The Viper Room
September 24th: William Elliot Whitmore at Bootleg Theater
September 25th: The Lonely Forest at The Wiltern
October 14th: Butterfly Boucher at Bootleg Theater
March 13th-18th: SXSW (Austin, TX)

~ Kristen

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

Live Concert Streaming: The End of The Show or A Great New Beginning?

Okay, I was skeptical of this concept when it first came out. Why would I want to watch a show online when I could go out and see one live? I still feel that what I love most about the live performance simply cannot come across through a video camera. I also feel that having a show streaming for all to see really takes something away from the people lucky enough to be there. But as I sit here giddy in my office chair watching my fave Chicago rockers, Empires, stream a performance live on www.audiotreemusic.com, I realize that I am slowly becoming a convert to these computer concerts.

Watching Empires rock out in a studio actually marks the third time I’ve sat in front of my computer to hear “live” music just in the past week or so. For the past several Sundays fellow Philly to LA transplant, George Stanford has broadcast live from his home, playing requests, chatting with anyone who comes into the chat room or just…talking. Also last week 2/3rds of TFDI, Matt Duke and Tony Lucca, did some video hobnobbing mixed with a few live tunes (again, mostly requests).

What I like about the current state of live music streaming is that is has evolved beyond a simple transmission of a concert. I’m watching Empires performing in a studio, something that would be nearly impossible in any other circumstance. I find myself excited to hear the band’s answers to questions ranging from the typical (what album has inspired you), the more interesting (describe being out on the road in two words), to the absurd (what color and shape would you be). I would be far less titillated by a previously recorded video, similar in nature. With the live stream, I feel an energy akin to watching a sporting event. I find myself anxious. What song will they play next? How silly will the next question be? How will everyone respond??

The unedited band interaction is also something that has previously been unique to a live concert experience. One of the reasons I love acts like TFDI, almost as much as the music itself, is the interaction between the artists. Seeing Tony and Matt’s playful banter as they respond to questions and play tunes captures an element of a live show that you don’t often get in a recording. The immediate fan to musician contact is also unique and exciting. Even at a live show you’re not going to get a hello from Tony’s adorable daughter, Sparrow, or Matt’s equally adorable, visually challenged cat. The chat service also connects fans from all over as they debate the best tune or live show while their favorite musician sings away.

So where is this all going? While I think that streaming live shows or having live chats with your favorite artists is veeery far away from replacing the actual event, I hope that it doesn’t deter people from going out and actually experiencing the music. I had someone remark recently that they were much happier watching Lady Gaga from the comforts of their home with their XL TV screen and surround sound than they would have been seeing the spectacle from a distance dealing with the crowds and the traffic. All this live streaming of major concert festivals like Coachella and Lollapalooza has allowed many people from all over the world to “attend” these events, but I’ve heard from avid concert goers that they now feel they never need to go to a festival again. Remarks like these concern me…

Another thing I’m unsure about is the new trend of having artist charge money for a “private” live show via the computer. Tickets for an online event? Really? Hrrrmm….  While I feel that this venue is great for getting the word out the about who you are and what you do, and I appreciate the artists’ ingenuity in finding a way to use technological advances to make money, I know I’m certainly not at the point where I’d be willing to pay for such an experience. I think asking for donations or whatnot is great, but I hope I never find myself wanting to buy a ticket for an online show.  I just see this going down a terrifying path into the depths of the haunted woods; dark shadows, spooky sounds, etc. etc. Maybe when I’m once again living in a music wasteland or in another year when selling tickets for online shows becomes the norm, I’ll change my tune, but for now, call me unnerved.

 

As long as it’s free and easy, however, I think I’m becoming a fan of these live events. While I would much prefer Empries’ front man, Sean Van Vleet, singing in my face and getting the opportunity to have a brief one-on-one conversation with guitarist/producer, Max Steger, after a show, I’d take this over nothing at all. Especially considering that the band is from Chicago and does not travel out to Los Angeles that often. I’m getting to hear new songs, I know which band member likes The Smashing Pumpkins and which considers himself a diamond…who likes to answer ridiculous questions and really who just wants to be out on the road…I find myself wishing more of my favorite bands, especially those stuck in distant cities, would do things like this (Philly bands do you hear me?).

While I’m still getting to know what sites are best for streaming and which bands put on the most ridiculous shows, here are a couple on my radar. I’m hoping to use this as another new way to both promote and discover great new music! Let me know if you have any suggestions…

 

Sites that offer live streaming:

http://www.audiotreemusic.com/audiotree_live.html (where I just watched the Empires set)

http://www.vokle.com/ (where Tony and Matt conducted their chat with the help of Rockridge Music)

http://www.facebook.com/GeorgeStanfordMusic?sk=app_142371818162 Livestream where George Stanford plays some Sunday afternoons at 3pm

http://www.ustream.tv/ (where Chris Wilson of Endoxi hosts his Wilson Wednesdays: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/wilson-s-room#utm_campaign=www.facebook.com&utm_source=8134646&utm_medium=social

http://www.justin.tv/ (where I was once caught singing back up on stage…thinking it was just to the friends I had in the small room…ha)
ALSO where San Diego music guru Lauren Scheff (ScheffXP) often streams. Monday nights with the incredibly entertaining Kevin Martin. (http://www.justin.tv/scheffxp)

 

~ Kristen

 

because I couldn’t resist:

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

SOOO many things to be excited about this week. Too many really. The Milk Carton Kids CD release and Nico Vega at Saint Rocke on the same night…it’s like making me choose which of my theoretical children I like more. And throw in John Elliot’s CD release, a rare Matthew Jordan performance, and a stacked line-up at The Hudson block party and well…can I be in like 5 places at once?

Also this week, some of my favorite out-of-state musicians are in LA. Nashville’s Andrew Belle, Philadelphia’s Adam Arcuaragi, and New York City’s Kill the Alarm are all must see performances.

And that’s just the start of all the great acts I’d love to see this week. It’s a good time to be in Los Angeles, that’s for sure! Hope you can all make it out to at least a show or two this week. There are certainly enough great ones to choose from.

 

Here’s my list:

 

Monday: Robert Francis FREE at Bootleg Bar (11pm)
ALSO: Infantree and Whispering Pines FREE at The Satellite (9pm)
ALSO: Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 featuring Brooke Northrop, Annaliese, Wes Poland, and Joel Eckels (9pm)

 

Tuesday: Jes Hudak at The Hotel Cafe (10pm)
ALSO: Johnny Moezzi at The Foundry on Melrose (9pm)
ALSO: Juke Kartel at The Viper Room (10:30)
ALSO: Beachwood Rockers at The Piano Bar (free music from 8-?)

 

Weds: Adam Arcuragi at The Hotel Cafe (7pm)
ALSO: Sia and Oh Land at The Wiltern (7pm)
ALSO: Warped Tour in Carson (11am)

 

Thursday: Beatnik Jr. at Silverlake Lounge (9pm)
ALSO: Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Benefit at Cafe Was featuring acoustic sets from Ernie Halter, The Material, Kyle Nicolaides, and more (8pm)
ALSO: Lovers Drugs at Good Hurt (10pm)
ALSO: Golden State and Family of The Year at The Roxy (8pm)
ALSO: Ellie Goulding at The Wiltern (6:30)
ALSO: Toy and Lifehouse at Ventura County Fair (7:30)

 

Friday: Schuyler Fisk and Andrew Belle at The Mint (8,9)
ALSO: Vas Defrans at Amplyfi (8pm)
ALSO: The Young Romans at The Hotel Cafe (8pm)
ALSO: The Decemberists at The Greek Theater (7:30)
ALSO: Rodrigo y Gabriela at The Hollywood Bowl (8:30)

 

Saturday: Milk Carton Kids CD Release at McCabe’s (8pm)
ALSO: Nico Vega at Saint Rocke (11pm)
ALSO: Bird By Bird at On the Rox (5pm)
ALSO: Amiee Mann FREE at Marina Del Rey
ALSO: Matt Jordan at Genghis Cohen (9:30)
ALSO: John Elliot and the Hereafter record release at The Hotel Cafe (11pm)
ALSO: Addison Strong at The Viper Room (10:30)
ALSO: The Hudson Block Party featuring Saint Motel, Andy Clockwise, Races, Dead Sara and more (1-11pm)
ALSO: Rodrigo y Gabriela at The Hollywood Bowl (8:30)

 

Sunday: Kill the Alarm at Room 5 (9pm)
ALSO: Andrew Belle at The Foundry on Melrose (9pm)
ALSO: Jack and White at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)
ALSO: Milk Carton Kids in Ventura at Zoey’s (8pm)

 

 

To Keep in Mind:
August 16th: Mutemath at The Troubadour
August 18th: Nico Vega at The Roxy
August 18th and 25th: The Veronicas at The Viper Room
August 18th: TFDI at The Hotel Cafe
August 18th and 19th: Death Cab for Cutie and Frightened Rabbit at The Greek Theater
August 19th: Buckcherry at The Roxy
August 18-20th: SSMF
August 22nd: Ben Rector at The Hotel Cafe
August 22nd: Scarlet Grey at The Troubadour
August 27-28th: Sunset Junction
September 3rd: FYF
September 22-24: Hotel Carolina (South Carolina)
September 22nd: Jonathan Tyler and the Northern Lights at The Viper Room
September 24th: William Elliot Whitmore at Bootleg Theater
September 25th: The Lonely Forest at The Wiltern
October 14th: Butterfly Boucher at Bootleg Theater
March 13th-18th: SXSW (Austin, TX)

~ Kristen

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

Listen to This!: When I Stop Running – TFDI

Tony Lucca, Matt Duke, and Jay Nash are three of my favorite singer-songwriters. Last year they went on a tour christened the “Totally F*ckin’ Doin’ It” (TFDI) Tour. The tour was a smashing success, spawning a 4 song TFDI EP that had the masses demanding more. This summer, the trio announced another TFDI tour coupled with the release of a full length album, When I Stop Running. I downloaded the album a couple days ago and I can’t stop listening. It’s a combination of tunes, familiar and new, all sung by some combination of voices that alone have the ability to stir the soul and together…well, can we say super group?  I’m enjoying the group takes on classics like Lucca’s “Darlin’ I” and Nash’s “Sweet Talking Liar”, but I’m even more excited about songs I hadn’t heard before like “Hurtin Kind” and the titular “When I Stop Running” as well as fun covers like a slowed down version of Tom Petty’s “American Girl” and the incredibly apropos “On the Road Again.”

If you want a description of what the trio has to offer, I’d point you to the TFDI facebook page where each of the three artists relays their take on this unique “bromance” and the upcoming tour. Here’s what Jay Nash had to say:

“It’s a simple equation, but it works incredibly well,” says Nash. “Three distinct songwriting voices and three guitars is the general blueprint, but this time around, expect surprises. Lucca gravitates toward an R&B and soul vibe, Matt Duke brings in the alternative rock, and I suppose that I am the hippie/Americana fan. Somehow it all blends together into beautiful cacophony. Last fall, I think that we found a great starting point and I cannot wait to continue on stage and in the studio. Also, Matt Duke, if you could bring an extra toothbrush along, that would be great.”

The TFDI Tour is coming through California in August. The Hotel Cafe on the 18th, Saint Rocke on the 19th, The Ventura Folk Festival on the 20th, Anthology in San Diego on the 28th. Check out the tour page for more info on cities and dates that take the trio all over the country through the fall months.

You can download When I Stop Running on Amazon where you can get “Stranger in a Strange Place” for free!

Here’s a promo for their tour last fall…

 

~ Kristen