Toy

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 7/11-7/17

Posted on by Kristen

This past week has been incredibly rough. From all the problems resulting from the new apartment to my car breaking down and work stuff just not…working, I haven’t been in the best of spirits. I am very grateful to have friends who made the effort to drive me to/from a couple shows, without which I would descend into madness. I at least made it to two of the four The Silent Comedy shows. Those boys never fail to deliver a good time. Their show at the LACMA with Saint Motel was particularly enjoyable as it included a tour of the Tim Burton exhibit AND it got done early enough for us to catch a little “Weatherman” from Dead Sara at The Viper Room.

My favorite show last week, however, was Truth & Salvage Co. with Brian Wright Monday night at The Hotel Cafe. I discovered Truth & Salvage Co. at this venue over two years ago and seeing them play my favorite stage once again was like a homecoming. This band has the ability to transform the energy of an entire room making it impossible to not feel a strong sense of communal love, happiness, and an overwhelming desire to dance. And let’s not forget about the Brian Wright icing on the Truth & Salvage cake! That man is a marvel…and is incidentally playing a last minute gig tonight (Sunday) at Piano Bar at 10:30 (told you something would come up)

This week I start an intensive two week training course so my evening adventures will again be diminished. Nothing will stop me, however, from Parade of Lights Thursday night at The Viper Room. I’ve mentioned these boys before and am incredibly excited to have them back in Los Angeles. If you can make it, I’d love to see you there.

Here’s what else is going on (it’s quite a healthy week for music):

 

Monday: Andy Clockwise and Lemon Sun FREE at The Satellite (10pm)…the first of a month long residence from Mr. Clockwise
ALSO: Races FREE at Bootleg Theater (10:30)…another start of a must-see residency
ALSO: Thao and Mirah at The Hotel Cafe (8pm)
ALSO: Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 (9pm)

 

Tuesday: Eli James FREE at Hemingway’s Lounge (10pm)
ALSO: Matthew Mayfield and Johnny Marnell at The Hotel Cafe (9, 10)
ALSO: Stop Motion Poetry at The Roxy (7:30)
ALSO: Beachwood Night at Piano Bar featuring Dave Green and Jesse Cole (8pm)

 

Weds: Jay Nash and Anna Nalick at The Hotel Cafe (9, 10)
ALSO: The Lookout Kids at The Viper Room (10:30)

 

Thursday: Parade of Lights at The Viper Room (11pm)
ALSO: The Bangles FREE at The Santa Monica Pier (7pm)
ALSO: The Soft Pack and Hanni El Khatib FREE at The Hammer Museum (7pm)
ALSO: The Californian FREE at Pershing Square (7:30)…part of the Spaceland under the stars summer concert series

 

Friday: Curtis Peoples at The Hotel Cafe (10:30)
ALSO: Nikki Monninger (silversun pickups), Brian Aubert, The Janks, Sabrosa Purr, and Vicky Cryer at The Satellite (9pm)
ALSO: Beatnik Jr. at The Good Hurt (10:30)
ALSO: Sarah McLaughlin at The Hollywood Bowl (8:30
ALSO: Music in the Zoo featuring Mini Mansions, Hands, Honeyhoney, Kitten, and more (6pm)…an excuse to get into the zoo after-hours!! http://lazoo.org/mitz/index.html

 

Saturday: Maniac at The Bootleg Theater (10:30)
ALSO: Sarah McLaughlin at The Hollywood Bowl (8:30)
ALSO: Trapt at The Roxy (10pm)
ALSO: OSLO at The Satellite (11pm)

 

Sunday: Black Baptista at The Viper Room (11pm)

 

NOTE: Saturday and Sunday is LA’s Carmageddon, so I’d only venture out if you don’t have to go too far…or anywhere near the 405.

 

To Keep in Mind:
July 19th and 21st: Alkaline Trio at The Troubadour
July 21st: Missy Higgins at The Santa Monica Pier
July 22nd: Langhorne Slim at The Echo
July 22nd: Indians CD release at The Viper Room
July 26th: The Indigo Girls at The Troubadour
July 28th: Ben Sollee at Bootleg Theater
July 28th: A Perfect Circle at Gibson Auditorium
August 11th: Toy and Lifehouse at Ventura County Fair
August 12-14th: Outside Lands in San Francisco
August 16th: Mutemath at The Troubadour
August 18th and 25th: The Veronicas at The Viper Room
August 18th: TDIF at The Hotel Cafe
August 19th: Buckcherry at The Roxy
August 18-20th: SSMF
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

~ Kristen

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

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar 7/4-7/10

Posted on by Kristen

This week has been kinda painful. Let’s just say I hate moving. My mom was in town from Pennsylvania to help with the move. She accompanied me Weds night to the El Rey to see Nightlands and Sondre Lerche THEN she came with me to On the Rox to rock out to Semi Precious Weapons’ last Empire gig…completely with late night dining at The Rainbow Room. We didn’t get home ‘til the wee hours. I just have to say that my mom totally rocks and I am quite lucky to have her.

Because of the move, my last week was a bit light on shows. Hopefully this week I’ll be able to turn it all around. This may be slightly problematic as my car currently doesn’t function properly…but The Silent Comedy is starting a West Coast tour with Saint Motel, hitting up The Casbah (San Diego) on Tuesday, Detroit Bar (Costa Mesa) Weds, LACMA (LA) Thursday, and Velvet Jones (Santa Barbara) on Saturday so…we shall just have to make something work, now won’t we!

Also happening this week:

 

Monday: Truth & Salvage Co. with Brian Wright and Erin McLaughlin at The Hotel Cafe (7:30)

 

Tuesday: Anya Marina and Meiko at The Hotel Cafe (8,9:30)
ALSO: Alice Wallace at The Mint (9pm)
ALSO: Beachwood Night at Piano Bar (8pm)…this event is always free!

 

Weds: Lovers Drugs at Silverlake Lounge (10pm)
ALSO: Anna Nalick at The Hotel Cafe (10pm)

 

Thursday: The Silent Comedy and Saint Motel at LACMA
ALSO: Golden State and Dead Sara at The Viper Room (9,10)
ALSO: Fat City Reprise at Silverlake Lounge (10pm)
ALSO: The Northstar Session at The Hotel Cafe (11pm)
ALSO: Chasing Kings and Infantree at Bootleg Bar (10:30, 11:30)

 

Friday: Queen Caveat at On the Rox (8pm)
ALSO: Graham Colton at The Hotel Cafe (7pm)
ALSO: Singer-Songwriter Night FREE at Pi on Sunset (9pm)…a songwriters in the round format featuring Alina Smith and friends

 

Saturday: Moderne Man at The Viper Room (9pm)

 

Sunday: I’m sure something will present itself before Sunday

 

To Keep in Mind:
July 14th: Parade of Lights at The Viper Room
July 15th: Curtis Peoples at The Hotel Cafe
July 19th and 21st: Alkaline Trio at The Troubadour
July 21st: Missy Higgins at The Santa Monica Pier
July 22nd: Langhorne Slim at The Echo
July 22nd: Indians CD release at The Viper Room
July 26th: The Indigo Girls at The Troubadour
July 28th: Ben Sollee at Bootleg Theater
July 28th: A Perfect Circle at Gibson Auditorium
August 11th: Toy and Lifehouse at Ventura County Fair
August 12-14th: Outside Lands in San Francisco
August 18th and 25th: The Veronicas at The Viper Room
August 18th: TDIF at The Hotel Cafe
August 19th: Buckcherry at The Roxy
August 18-20th: SSMF
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

~ Kristen

 

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

 

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 6/27-7/3

Posted on by Kristen

It’s a big week! Work-wise, I’m going to be finishing up and turning in something I’ve been working on for months. In my personal life, I’m moving this week…and my mother is flying across the country to assist. Musically, it’s the last Empire (Semi Precious Weapons’ weekly party at On The Rox). All of this is making me a little overwhelmed  and emotional…fingers crossed it all goes well.

This week also marks my welcome back to the world of the living (hopefully). I tested my newly regained health out yesterday at the vegan beerfest which took place at The Roxy. It was a tad exhausting, but I didn’t keel over or develop some new form of illness so we’ll chalk it up as a success! Also, The Silent Comedy played a set that got the entire festival dancing (double success!!). If you still haven’t seen this band, I shake my fist at you. Mark your calendars for July 7th when they’ll be playing LACMA with Saint Motel. Tim Burton’s exhibit is in town, so come for some art and some music…you won’t regret it!

 

In the meantime:

 

Monday: Armada at The Viper Room (11:15)
ALSO: Le Butcherettes at The Troubadour (10:15)
ALSO: The Californian FREE at The Satellite (10pm)
ALSO: Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 (9pm)

 

Tuesday: The Postelles at The Echo (10pm)
ALSO: Indians at The Satellite (10pm)
ALSO: The Canyons at Molly Malone’s (8pm)
ALSO: J Scott Bergman at The Bootleg (8:30)
ALSO: Beachwood Night at Piano Bar (8pm)…great night of FREE music

 

Weds: Sondre Lerche and Nightlands at The El Rey (8pm)
ALSO: Empire On the Rox with Semi Precious Weapons (10pm)…FREE with RSVP to rsvp@semipreciousweapons.com (this is the LAST Empire…don’t miss it!)
ALSO: Jackie Tohn at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)
ALSO: Brooke Fraser at The Music Box (8pm)
ALSO: Big Black Delta at The Satellite (10pm)

 

Thursday: Shawn Hlookoff at The Viper Room (10pm)
ALSO: The Shakers FREE at The Troubadour (8pm)
ALSO: Eli James at On the Rise at The Hard Rock Cafe (9:45)
ALSO: Maxim Ludwig and the Santa Fe Seven (10pm)
ALSO: Maren Parusel at Silverlake Lounge (9pm)
ALSO: Chasing Kings at The Roxy (8pm)

 

Friday: Warped Tour Pomona (11am)

 

Saturday: Ragsy, Andy Clockwise, George Stanford at The Hotel Cafe (10,11,12)
ALSO: Sabrosa Purr at Bootleg (10pm)

 

Sunday: Warped Tour Ventura (11am)

 

To Keep in Mind:
July 4th: Truth & Salvage Co. at The Hotel Cafe
July 7th: The Silent Comedy and Saint Motel at LACMA
July 7th: Dead Sara at The Viper Room
July 14th: Parade of Lights at The Viper Room
July 15th: Curtis Peoples at The Hotel Cafe
July 19th and 21st: Alkaline Trio at The Troubadour
July 22nd: Langhorne Slim at The Echo
July 26th: The Indigo Girls at The Troubadour
July 28th: Ben Sollee at Bootleg Theater
July 28th: A Perfect Circle at Gibson Auditorium
August 11th: Toy and Lifehouse at Ventura County Fair
August 12-14th: Outside Lands in San Francisco
August 18th: The Veronicas at The Viper Room
August 18th: TDIF at The Hotel Cafe
August 19th: Buckcherry at The Roxy
August 18-20th: SSMF
August 27-28th: Sunset Junction
September 3rd: FYF
September 22-24: Hotel Carolina (South Carolina)

~ Kristen

 

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

 

New Band Alert: Toy

Posted on by Kristen

Alana Grace + 3/4 of After Midnight Project = Toy. That’s enough to sell me. I still remember being impressed with Alana Grace back in 2008 when I first saw her at Bonnaroo. Her song “Domino” was stuck in my head for days. And, of course, After Midnight Project is one of my favorite LA bands of more recent years. Their CD, Let’s Build Something to Break, still gets play time in my car stereo. I can’t say I’d put this combo together, but I’m excited to see where it will go.

According to their bio, Alana wanted to go a little heavier with the rock and add an electronic edge. She called upon Spencer Bastian, Christian Meadows, and Ryan Folden, friends from Warped Tour, to work with her on creating this sound. They’ve already been booked on a major nation-wide tour opening for  Styx and Yes. They have a song up on facebook called “Get Out of My Head.” Like their page and have a listen.

If you like what you hear (as I did), go vote for Toy for the Summerfest emerging artist series. They are competing with some of my favorite up and coming artists like Makeshift Prodigy, The Republic of Letters, Atomic Tom, and Tailor Made Fable among others.

And, there you go! Another great band to discover and follow. You’re welcome!

 

~ Kristen

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 7/18-7/24

Posted on by Kristen

I’ve been dancing around the apartment all morning…kind of on a Wallflowers kick, although my player just hit a Nirvana tune and I can dig that too. The good mood is most likely due to the fact that I have my car back and it feels like freedom. Also, I have a day off for the first time in what seems like ages (grocery shopping, bill paying, and household chores have never felt so good).
In a few minutes, I’m headed off to Culver City to check out the bands playing at the Eat Real Festival. I’m particularly looking forward to OddUs.

As for the rest of the week, here’s my schedule:

Monday: George Stanford, Toy Bombs, and Andy Clockwise FREE at The Satellite (9pm)
ALSO: Kevin Hammond at The Hotel Cafe (6pm)
ALSO: Races FREE at Bootleg (10:30)
ALSO: Eastern Conference Champions FREE at Bardot for It’s a School night (11pm)…need to RSVP http://www.itsaschoolnight.com/
ALSO: Songwriters in the Round featuring Jay Nash and Ernie Halter at Room 5 (9pm)

 

Tuesday: Dead Country and Alkaline Trio at The Troubadour (7:30, 9:25)
ALSO: Jenni Alpert at Room 5 (8pm)
ALSO: Chasing Kings at The Echo (9pm)
ALSO: Beachwood Rockers at Piano Bar (8pm)

 

Weds: Anna Nalick at The Hotel Cafe (10pm)

 

Thursday: Andy Clockwise, Kim Churchill and Missy Higgins FREE at The Pier (7pm)
ALSO: Griffin House at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)
ALSO: Spaceland Under the Stars presents FREE at Pershing Square featuring Infantree (8pm)
ALSO: Grouplove and Milo Greene FREE at The Hammer Museum (7pm)
ALSO: Alkaline Trio and Dead Country at The Troubadour (7:30)
ALSO: Owl City and Mat Kearney at Club Nokia (7pm)

 

Friday: Chasing Avalanche, Oh No Not Stereo, Indians, Har Mar Superstar, and Little Red Radio at The Viper Room (8pm)…Indians record release show
ALSO: Keaton Simons at The Hotel Cafe (10:30)
ALSO: Fitz & The Tantrums at The Music Box (8pm)
ALSO: The Material at The Roxy (8pm)
ALSO: Ryan Cabrera at The Key Club (11pm)
ALSO: Bush at Saint Rocke (9pm)
ALSO: Soundgarden at The Forum (8pm)

 

Saturday: Forest Day at The Mint (10pm)

 

 

Sunday: as usual, something will come up

To Keep in Mind:
July 26th: The Indigo Girls at The Troubadour
July 28th: Ben Sollee at Bootleg Theater
July 28th: A Perfect Circle at Gibson Auditorium
August 11th: Toy and Lifehouse at Ventura County Fair
August 12-14th: Outside Lands in San Francisco
August 16th: Mutemath at The Troubadour
August 18th and 25th: The Veronicas at The Viper Room
August 18th: TDIF at The Hotel Cafe
August 19th: Buckcherry at The Roxy
August 18-20th: SSMF
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

~ Kristen

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