The Swell Season | Local Music Nation

Kristen’s Top 10 Bands to See SXSW 2012

Posted on March 13, 2012 by Kristen

We started the morning in Wilcox, Arizona. Drove 12 hours to get to Austin and immediately went to the Pure Volume House for its Late Night show featuring LMN faves Dead Sara and Foxy Shazam. What a fantastic way to begin SXSW 2012! Tomorrow officially begins the madness, so I thought I’d share with you my top 10 picks for the week:

Twin Atlantic- if there is one band I try to see every time they play in Austin it will be Scottish rockers, Twin Atlantic. No matter that I’ve seen them three times in the past month. Their CD, Free, has a problem leaving my car stereo. Catch them at The British Embassy (512 San Jacinto) Friday night at 11pm.

2. Queen Caveat– This dynamic rock quartet from LA just released a new EP, Slap on the Wrist, and I cannot wait to see them turn heads and make even more new fans with their energetic live performance. Check them out at The ATN Showcase at The Bayou Lounge (500 E 6^th St) Friday night at 10pm

3. The Silent Comedy– There is no greater joy than dancing with friends at a The Silent Comedy show. Some of my best memories from SXSW 2011 surround this folk-rocking band from San Diego. Only makes sense that 2012 will be a repeat. See them play the rooftop at Whole Foods Friday at 5:15.

4. The Milk Carton Kids- missing a Milk Carton Kids show is simply not acceptable in my book. This duo sing songs so beautiful my heart melts every time. They are only playing one show, The Hotel Café showcase at St. David’s (301 E 8^th St.) Friday night. The line-up at this show also boasts other LMN faves such as Meiko, The Lumineers, LP, and Rachel Yamagata. The Milk Carton Kids play at 9pm.

5. We Are Augustines- I’ve been meaning to see this NYC-based band for some time now. I am MOST excited to finally get the opportunity in Austin. Their first show is 10pm Tuesday night at Antone’s (213 W 5^th St). Seems like a great way to start the week to me…

6. Tournament of Hearts– Tournament of Hearts is my pick for best unknown band to check out. That’s what SXSW is all about, right? These rockers from LA are in Austin to show the industry that they are a band to watch. Watch them at The Bayou Lounge Thursday at noon (500 E 6^th St)

7. Glen Hansard- The Swell Season puts on one of the best shows I have ever seen. It’s something about the way Glen can convey such emotion in his songs. I’m looking forward to seeing him solo Thursday 3:30 at Antone’s (213 W 5^th St.)

8. Maverick Sabre- Two years ago Maverick Sabre captivated me with his song “I Need”. This past year this Englishman finally released his full length album which I looove. I saw he was playing sxsw this year an instantly blocked out my schedule. Catch him at The British Embassy Saturday night at 11pm.

9. Marcus Foster– Marcus Foster has already sold out two shows at The Hotel Café later this month. I failed to get a ticket so I must catch him at SXSW. I’m aiming for 9pm Weds night at Maggie Mae’s Rooftop (323 E 6^th St).

10. Dead Sara- Dead Sara has been one of my favorites for some time now. Their debut album comes out in April and they are already getting so much buzz they can no longer play smaller venues in LA. SXSW may be the last time I get to see them up close in awhile. Can’t miss that! Catch them play alongside some other fantastic LA bands at the Buzzbands showcase at Freehouse (700 W 6^th St.) 1:30 Weds afternoon.

As for tomorrow, some anticipated highlights include We Are Augustines (10pm) and Band of Skulls (11pm) at Antone’s (213 W 5^th St) and fiN at The British Music Emassy (Latitude 30- 512 San Jacinto)

Ok, now time for my 3 hour “nap”

~ Kristen

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar 2/6-2/12

Posted on February 5, 2012 by Kristen

Well…that was certainly an eventful weekend. Friday night I had a very ominous feeling before going to the El Rey to join a friend for Adam Gontier (of Three Days Grace) and Martin Sexton. At the end of the evening, I ended up in fascinating company at my fave late night eatery and I thought my gut must have been waaay off. Three hours later, sleepless and in the ER with a friend, my earlier instincts were justified.

Saturday, I cancelled my plans to participate in Tyrone Well’s music video shoot in Venice for sleep’s sake. Then it was an evening at The Rainbow Room and The Hotel Cafe with great food, friends, and music (the three essentials of any successful evening).

Today I had to cut myself off from the world and lock myself in lab as I had entered the weekend woefully behind on an important deadline at work and that I have two big presentation to give in the next seven days. This week is going to be rough…thankfully there are a few choice shows to pull me through. Here are my options:

Monday: Youngblood Hawke, Lady Danville, Useless Keys FREE at The Satellite (9pm)
ALSO: Paris Carney and Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 featuring Kyler England, Sweet Talk Radio, Shane Alexander, and Joel Eckels (8,9)

Tuesday: Queen Caveat at Hemingways (11pm)
ALSO: The Elizabeth Kill at Skinny’s Lounge in NOHO (9pm)
ALSO: Makepeace Brothers and friends Acoustic Nights at WitZend (9pm)
ALSO: Marcus Very Ordinary at The Central (8pm)

Weds: Millow, Marketa Irglova, Jake Newton and Garrison Starr at The Hotel Cafe (8, 9:30, 10:30)
ALSO: Roman Candle Wars and Red Circle Underground at Bootleg Bar (9,10)
ALSO: Aunt Martha and Meiko at Saint Rocke (8pm)

Thursday: Harper Blynn at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)
ALSO: Ben Kweller FREE at Amoeba (7pm)
ALSO: Kris Allen at The Mint (9pm)
ALSO: Oh Darling and Y Luv at The Satellite (9pm)
ALSO: Joss Stone at The Troubadour (8pm)

Friday: Teitur and Aunt Martha at Largo (8pm)
ALSO: Graham Colton and Abandoned Pools at The Viper Room (9,10)
ALSO: Javier Dunn, Parker Ainsworth, Rocco Deluca, and Juke Kartel at The Hotel Cafe (8pm)
ALSO: Dr. Dog at The Orpheum (9pm)

Saturday: White Denim at The Satellite (10pm)
ALSO: The Fray at The Troubadour (7pm)
ALSO: Ari Shine at The Mint (9:30)
ALSO: Judy Collins at Walt Disney Concert Hall (8pm)

Sunday: The Swell Season at McCabe’s (8pm)
ALSO: Twin Atlantic and You Me at Six at Chain Reaction in Anaheim (7pm)
ALSO: Jonah Matranga at The Hotel Cafe (8:30)

To Keep in Mind:
Feb. 14^th: Twin Atlantic and You Me at Six at The Troubadour
Feb. 17^th: Ryan Adams at The Hollywood Bowl
Feb. 18^th: Mayday Parade at The El Rey
Feb. 19^th: The Darkness at House of Blues Sunset
Feb. 20^th: Milo Greene at The Satellite
Feb. 22^nd: Will Dailey and Mariah McManus at The Hotel Café
Feb. 22^nd: Imagine Dragons at The Viper Room
Feb. 27^th: Dead Sara at The Viper Room
March 5^th: Scars on 45 at The Troubadour
March 5^th-6^th: Dan Wilson and Rachel Yamagata at The Hotel Cafe
March 8^th: Crash Kings at The Troubadour
March 9^th: William Fitzsimmons at The Troubadour
March 10^th: Nico Vega at The Roxy
March 13^th-18^th: SXSW (Austin, TX)
March 14^th: The Pretty Reckless at The HOB Sunset
March 18^th: Dia Frampton at The Troubadour
March 20^th: Needtobreathe and Ben Rector at Club Nokia
March 22^nd: The Lumineers at The Hotel Cafe
March 24^th: Ani DiFranco at The Orpheum Theater
March 24^th and 25^th: Allen Stone at The Troubadour
March 31^st: Tyrone Wells at The Roxy
April 1^st: Charlotte Martin at The Bootleg Bar
April 13^th-15^th AND 20^th– 22^nd: Coachella
April 25^th: Ben Kweller at The El Rey
April 27^th: Ingrid Michaelson at The Troubadour
May 8^th: Snow Patrol at The Hollywood Palladium
June 13^thand 14^th: Phantom Planet at The Troubadour

~ Kristen

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Kristen’s Concert Calendar: 7/12-7/18

Posted on July 11, 2010 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 3^rd and the release party will be August 6^th 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 6^th, 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 21^st: Gaslight Anthem at The Wiltern
July 23^rd: Tony Lucca album release at The Mint
July 28^th: Bang the Gong Tour featuring Civil Twilight, Paper Tongues, and Neon Trees at The Glass House
July 29^th: Queen Caveat EP Release at The Viper Room
July 29^th: Civil Twlight at The Hotel Cafe
July 30^th: Dirty Sweet at The Viper Room
July 30-31^st: Morcheeba at Hollywood Bowl
August 6^th: Endoxi CD release at Epicentre (SD)
August 12^th: Semi Precious Weapons at Staples Center
August 21^st and 22^nd: Sunset Junction
September 4^th: After Midnight Project at The Key Club
September 25^th: Band of Horses at Greek Theater
September 25^th: Muse at Staples Center

~ Kristen

Kristen’s Concert Calendar: 7/5-7/11

Posted on July 5, 2010 by Kristen

Happy 4^th of July everyone! I hope you all enjoyed the BBQs and fireworks. I caught a few fireworks on the drive from San Diego back to Los Angeles. I was down south (again) doing more exciting things that will appear on the website shortly.

But in the meantime, so much music to discover and shows to enjoy. Here’s what I’d love to do this week, if you’re looking for some great options:

Monday: Mississippi Man FREE at The Echo (10pm)
ALSO: Red Arrow Messenger and The Outline FREE at Bootleg (9, 10)
ALSO: Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 (9pm)

Tuesday: Steel Train at El Rey (8pm)
ALSO: Juke Kartel and Charlie Mars at The Hotel Cafe (7,8)

Weds: Carbon Leaf at The Troubadour (9:30)

Thursday: Curtis Peoples and Ernie Halter at The Roxy (9pm)
ALSO: Garrison Starr, Amber Rubarth, Brian Wright, Brother Sal at The Hotel Cafe (8-12)
ALSO: Roman Holiday at The Viper Room (8pm)
ALSO: Will Hoge, Michelle Branch, and Sugarland at The Greek Theater (7:30)

Friday: Tyrone Wells, So & So, Honeyhoney at The Hotel Cafe (9,10,11)
ALSO: The Shakers at The Kibitz Room (10pm)
ALSO: Bobby Long at The Troubadour (10pm)

Saturday: Lilith Fair at Verizon Wireless featuring Brandi Carlile, The Weepies, Sarah McLachlan, etc. (3pm)
ALSO: Run Devil Run at The Viper Room (10pm)

Sunday: The Mulhollands at The Viper Room (11pm)
ALSO: Ernie Halter and Tony Lucca at Saint Rocke

To Keep in Mind:
July 13^th: The Silent Comedy and Andy Clockwise at The Troubadour
July 14^th: Nico Vega at The Troubadour
July 18^th: The Swell Season and Bird and the Bee at Hollywood Bowl
July 30-31^st: Morcheeba at Hollywood Bowl
August 12^th: Semi Precious Weapons at Staples Center
August 21^st and 22^nd: Sunset Junction
September 25^th: Band of Horses at Greek Theater
September 25^th: Muse at Staples Center

~ Kristen

Kristen’s Concert Calendar: 6/28-7/4

Posted on June 28, 2010 by Kristen

Just got back from Warped Tour in Ventura with Amanda. Will hopefully get around to writing something about it and posting some of my pictures. It was by far the most pleasant (weather-wise) Warped I’ve ever been to…but I still managed to get a lovely burn on the shoulders. Fortunately this week’s planned activities are largely indoors.

And if you want to go out at all this week, might I suggest Thursday heading to one of the places participating in The Gulf Coast Benefit. (http://gulfcoastbenefit.com/#about) On this day, select venues around the country will be donating money from ticket sales to organizations aiding those impacted by the oil spill. Several LA establishments (including my picks at The Roxy and The Mint) are participating. If you’re not in LA, check the website to see if a venue near you is involved. Enjoy some great live music AND play a part in helping our country deal with its current economic and ecological crisis. You’ve seen the pictures…you know you want to do something…this sounds like a perfect opportunity to me!

As for everything else:

Monday: Paris Carney and Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 (8,9)
ALSO: Victoria Clemmons and Abbot Kinney at Molly Malone’s (9,10)

Tuesday: Vienne at Saint Rocke (9:30)
ALSO: The Daylights at The Roxy (8pm)

Weds: The Smashing Pumpkins at The Viper Room (?)…no, that is not a misprint.
ALSO: The Shakers at Kibitz Room (11:30)…last night of their Kibitz residency!
ALSO: Hot Hot Heat at Bootleg (10pm)
ALSO: Joel Eckels and The Paper Sun at The Foundry on Melrose (?)

Thursday: Danielia Cotton at Levitt Pavilion in Pasadena (7pm)…is she worth driving to Pasadena for? Why yes, yes she is!
ALSO: Saint Motel at the Hammer Museum (7pm)
ALSO: The Gulf Coast Benefit at The Mint featuring Kaki King and Ben Lee (8pm)
ALSO: The Gulf Coast Benefit at The Viper Room featuring Wicker (9pm)
ALSO: Garrison Starr at The Hotel Cafe (8pm)
ALSO: Year Long Disaster at Spaceland (8:30)

Friday: Army of Me at The Hotel Cafe (7pm)…from Washington DC!!
ALSO: The Other Side of Morning at The Park Bar in Burbank (10pm)
ALSO: CocoRosie at Orphium (9pm)
ALSO: Cinder Cone at Vacation Vinyl (7pm)…record release at a record store
ALSO: The Shakers at Gallagher’s Pub in Huntington Beach (11pm)
ALSO: Paris Carney at Molly Malone’s (8:30)
ALSO: Automatique at The Viper Room (10)

Saturday: The Janks at The Hotel Cafe (11pm)

Sunday: Happy 4^th of July! I’m sure there are some lovely parties with some great music…I just haven’t found one yet…

To Keep in Mind:
July 7^th: Carbon Leaf at The Troubadour
July 8^th: Michelle Branch at Greek Theater
July 10^th: Lilith Fair
July 13^th: The Silent Comedy and Andy Clockwise at The Troubadour
July 14^th: Nico Vega at The Troubadour
July 18^th: The Swell Season and Bird and the Bee at Hollywood Bowl
July 30-31^st: Morcheeba at Hollywood Bowl
August 12^th: Semi Precious Weapons at Staples Center (with Lady GaGa)
August 21^st and 22^nd: Sunset Junction
September 25^th: Band of Horses at Greek Theater
September 25^th: Muse at Staples Center

~ Kristen

Kristen’s Concert Calendar: 6/21-6/27

Posted on June 21, 2010 by Kristen

So, I finally get to the point when I can actually take more nights off and have my weekends back and I was so excited about the prospect of being able to catch more of the shows I long to see every week and then…I go and get myself sick. Bleck! But just because I’ll probably have to take it easy this week doesn’t mean that you can’t benefit from all the great shows going on.

Here’s my dream list:

Monday: Carney at the Troubadour opening for Athlete (9pm)
ALSO: Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 (9pm)
ALSO: Abbot Kinney at Molly Malone’s (8pm)

Tuesday: Adam Arcuragi at Silverlake Lounge (10pm)…PHILLY artist alert!!
ALSO: Automatique and The Shakers at Whiskey a Go Go (9pm)
ALSO: The Open Sea featuring Ari Hest at Room 5 (7pm)

Weds: Abandoned Pools and Ashes Divide at The Viper Room (10,11)
ALSO: Lucy Woodward at The Hotel Cafe (10:30)…record release
ALSO: Josh Ritter at The Music Box (8pm)
ALSO: Hot Hot Heat and Links at Bootleg (8:30)

Thursday: Kate Miller-Heidke at The Hotel Cafe (9:30)
ALSO: Jonathan Clark at House of Blues acoustic lounge (9:30)
ALSO: Rick Cornette at Cafe Was (??)…plays keys for The Other Side of Morning…also has a solo project. Curious? So am I!
ALSO: Fitz and the Tantrums at Spaceland (10pm)

Friday: The Rescues at The Troubadour (9pm)…Record Release show
ALSO: Andy Clockwise at The Hotel Cafe (10:30)

Saturday: The Silent Comedy and Jonathan Foreman (of Switchfoot) at the BellyUp in Solano Beach

Sunday: The Webb Sisters at The Hotel Cafe (8:30)
ALSO: The Shakers at O’Brien’s (10pm)
ALSO: Austin Hartley Leonard at The Foundry on Melrose
ALSO: Warped Tour in Ventura

~ Kristen

Kristen’s Concert Calendar: 6/14-6/20

Posted on June 14, 2010 by Kristen

This week will mark the debut of LMN’s first video interview series!! Amanda came up to LA and we interviewed one of my picks for best of SXSW ’10, The Other Side of Morning! It’s been a blast getting back into the video shooting/editing/etc. game. The band has a big show coming up this Thursday at The House of Blues. They hit the stage at 9pm and I’d highly recommend being there. If you’re not yet convinced keep coming back to the site this week to check out our promos as well as interview and behind the scenes footage…I am seriously excited about this so I hope you can check it out!

IMPORTANT: if you’d like to get tickets to this show, you can get them for $10 directly from the band. Just email theothersideofmorningband@yahoo.com and ask about House of Blues tickets.

But that’s not the only show happening this week. Here’s what else I’d love to see:

Monday: Paris Carney, Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 featuring Joey Ryan and Kenneth Pattengale (8, 9)
ALSO: Haim at The Troubadour (9:15)
ALSO: Abott Kinney at Molly Malone’s (8pm)

Tuesday: Purple Melon FREE at The Viper Room (10:45)
ALSO: Abandoned Pools at Spaceland (8:30)
ALSO: Terra Naomi and David and Devine at The Roxy (8:30)

Weds: The Janks and Hot Hot Heat at Bootleg (8:30, 10:30)
ALSO: Ashes Divide at The Viper Room (11pm)

Thursday: The Other Side of Morning at The House of Blues main stage (9pm)
ALSO: Queen Caveat and The Silent Comedy at Speakeasy (8:30,11)
ALSO: Run, Run, Run at Silverlake Lounge (11pm)
ALSO: William Tell and Jenny Owens Young at The Hotel Café (7,9)
ALSO: Fitz & The Tantrums at Spaceland (10pm)

Friday: Of Verona and Soul Puppet at Molly Malone’s (9:30, 10:30)
ALSO: The Whigs at The Troubadour (10pm)
ALSO: Rocco Deluca at Bootleg (10:30)
ALSO: Juke Kartel at The Viper Room (8pm)

Saturday: Until June at The Viper Room (11?)
ALSO: Lelia Broussard at The Hotel Café (10pm)
ALSO: The Like at The Troubadour (10pm)
ALSO: Rooney at The Music Box (8pm)
ALSO: Imogen Heap at The Greek Theater (7:30)

Sunday: day of rest

To Keep in Mind:
June 24^th: Kate Miller-Heidke at The Hotel Cafe
June 25^th: Warped Tour in LA
June 25^th: The Rescues CD Release at The Troubadour
June 21^st: Carney at The Troubadour
June 21^st: Gaslight Anthem at El Rey
July 7^th: Carbon Leaf at The Troubadour
July 8^th: Michelle Branch at Greek Theater
July 10^th: Lilith Fair
July 13^th: The Silent Comedy and Andy Clockwise at The Troubadour
July 18^th: The Swell Season and Bird and the Bee at Hollywood Bowl
July 30-31^st: Morceeba at Hollywood Bowl
August 12^th: Semi Precious Weapons at Staples Center (with Lady GaGa)
September 25^th: Band of Horses at Greek Theater
September 25^th: Muse at Staples Center

~ Kristen

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