viper room

Kristen’s ’11 Mix – Track 4 – Dead Sara

Posted on by Kristen

4. “Weatherman” – Dead Sara 

Dead Sara is my #1 band discovery of 2011. I’ve seen this band perhaps more than any other this year. Between shows at SXSW, their Viper Residency, a couple Roxy gigs, and late night sets at Hemingway’s, so many amazing memories of my 2011 surround this band. One of my favorite parts of 2011 were the two weeks I took part in a Neuroimaging Training Program or “Brain Camp” where I got to meet and work with some amazing people from around the world. I had the opportunity to take some of my new friends out and share my other world, including a night at Hemingway’s with Dead Sara. There is very little I enjoy more than introducing my favorite bands to new ears and there has been no band I’ve been more excited to share this year than Dead Sara.

 

For more Dead Sara and a sneak peak and the songs off their upcoming album (and a couple cameos by yours truly), check out this video:

 

~ Kristen

New Music Tuesday 7/26/11

Posted on by Kristen

It’s Tuesday! New music comes out today! Here’s what I’ve got on the top of my shopping list (there are some really good ones this week):

 

Living Like Kings in Confined Space – Halos

I’ve enjoyed this band every time I’ve seen them. Their song “Amalgam” made my SXSW 2011 mix. I’m really looking foward to finally having this album. If you like soaring rock songs, you should check it out. And if you’re in LA, come to their record release party TONIGHT at The Viper Room. 8pm.

Download the album here

 

 

Indians – Indians

Joe Hursley (The Ringers) strikes again with this first album from his new band, Indians. This high energy debut does a decent job at capturing the crazy intensity of a live Indians performance. I’ve been listening to it since the CD release party at The Viper Room last Friday. Songs like “Long Way Home” and my favorite (at least thus far) “Dream Store” are perfect “get pumped up songs” and I’m finding this CD a perfect mood setter for a night out on the town.

Download the album here

 

 

Pressure and Time – Rival Sons

I had no idea this CD wasn’t officially released yet. I’ve been groovin’ with it for weeks now. This LA based bluesy rock band has been on my list of acts to see ever since I first heard singer Jay Buchanan sing his first note at an intimate Hotel Cafe mini set. Rival Sons seem to be getting more notice lately; playing gigs around the world, having their video played on MTVU, and being nominated for classic rock Hall of Honour awards.  Definitely a group to keep your eyes on.

Buy the album here

 

 

LP1– Joss Stone 

I haven’t heard any of this yet, but I’ve been a fan of this soulful Brit since 2003’s Soul Sessions and I’m definitely interested to see what she’s been up to lately.

 

Buy it here

 

 

Happy Listening!

 

~ Kristen

PS: apparently Nico Vega’s debut LP was not available worldwide on ITunes until today. This is one of my very favorite CDs so if you don’t yet have it, give it a download. You won’t regret it.

 

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 8/23-8/30

Posted on by Kristen

I write to you now from a bench outside one of my favorite dining establishments down the street from where I went to college in Bryn Mawr, PA. I’m waiting for my college roommate and her sister to come pick me up and carry me through the next leg of my east coast journey. I flew in yesterday to Philadelphia in time to see one of my favorite local Philly bands, Alright Junior, at The North Star Bar. It had been a year since I’d seen them and words are hard to conjure to appropriately explain how incredibly happy I was to be in their presence again . It’s one thing to listen to a CD over and over again, but nothing can really replace the live experience and last night was just a validation as to why Alright Junior is one of my favorite bands.  

A week from now I will be writing to you a tad on the late side…I will be a beach house in South Carolina enjoying the singer songwriter extravaganza, Hotel Carolina. I will unfortunately not have internet access so I apologize in advance for next week’s delayed concert list.

For me this week is going to be somewhat dry as far as concerts are concerned. I’ll be in the Washington DC area if anyone knows of a good band playing in those parts please let me know. I’ll definitely be envious of all of you back in LA enjoying all the amazing shows, such as:

Monday:  Hellen Stellar at Silverlake Lounge (10pm)
ALSO: Andy Clockwise at The Hotel Café (6pm)
ALSO: The Outline and Heavy Young Heathens FREE at Spaceland (8:30)
ALSO: Paris Carney and Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 (8,9pm) 

Tuesday: Monster Eats the Pilot , Diamond Light FREE at The Viper Room (11,12)
ALSO: Thriving Ivory at The Troubadour (10pm)
ALSO: Jake Newton at Molly Malone’s (9pm)
ALSO: The Maine at House of Blues (7:30)
ALSO: Fitz and the Tantrums FREE at Amoeba Records (7pm) 

Weds: The White Buffalo at The Mint (10:30) 

Thursday: Filter at The Roxy (8pm)
ALSO: The Shakers and Purple Melon at The Viper Room (9:30,10:30)
ALSO: Rick Cornette at The Cat Club (8pm)
ALSO: Flight from Above at The Troubadour (9pm)
ALSO: The Beth Hart Band at Whiskey A Go-Go (7pm) 

Friday: Sunset Strip Music Festival featuring:
               * The Silent Comedy  (9pm) and Run Devil Run (10pm) at The Viper Room
               * Nico Vega (10pm) and Unwritten Law (11pm) at The Roxy
               * The Other Side of Morning at The Cat Club (9pm)
ALSO: Denim Family Band Reunion Concert at The Hotel Café (11pm)
ALSO: John Williams at The Hollywood Bowl (8:30) 

Saturday: Sunset Strip Music Festival featuring:
             * Queen Caveat at The Viper Room (9:30)
             * Transfer at The Key Club 
             * Street stage with Semi Precious Weapons, Neon Trees, The Smashing Pumpkins, etc.
ALSO: Something Corporate at Club Nokia (7:30) 

Sunday: Tyrone Wells at Saint Rocke (9pm)
ALSO: Travis Warren at The Hotel Café (10pm)
ALSO: Green River Ordinance, Switchfoot, and Goo Goo Dolls at The Greek Theater (7pm) 

…and because I might be late and don’t want you to miss out…

Monday (August 30th): Haim and Whispertown 2000 FREE at Spaceland (8:30)
ALSO: Venus Infers and 8mm at Saint Rocke (8pm)
ALSO: Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 (9pm) 

To Keep in Mind:
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
September 30th: BIFFY CLYRO at The Bootleg Theater
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

FREE Music Downtown LA

Posted on by Kristen

Weds night I found myself downtown at Pershing Square for a free outdoor concert featuring the unlikely combination of Meiko and Purple Melon. I enjoy both the LA-based songstress and the British rockers and the show was very Hotel Cafe meets The Viper Room in a park with food trucks and free lattes (AKA awesome!). 

What is also awesome is that Pershing Square offers these free shows several times a week ALL SUMMER long! Weds nights are sponsered by Beta Records and  Thursday nights go by Spaceland under the stars. Then the week culminates in another show Saturday night.  

To check out the schedule go here

So many great artists to look forward to…I’m especially excited about The Janks on August 7th.

Seriously, how can you pass up free music in a park?

~ Kristen

Local LA Shows For The Week

Posted on by Amanda

Nico Vega’s new music video for their song “Gravity” is FINALLY out! I was fortunate enough to be a part of it and so proud of how it turned out. We might as well call this Nico Vega week. Starts with a fantastic music video and ends on Friday with their show at the El Rey opening for The Soundtrack of Our Lives. And if you’re really crazy (like me), you might consider a midweek journey to San Diego to catch them at The Casbah…seriously…

I can’t get enough of this band and if you haven’t already, please check them out!

Gravity- Nico Vega

As for the rest of the week (and can we talk about Tues. and how unfair it is for everyone to be playing that evening):

Monday: Joey Ryan at Room 5 (9pm)

Tuesday: Aiden Moore CD release at Molly Malone’s (10pm)

ALSO: Butch Walker CD release at The Hotel Café (10:30)…need a ticket for this one

ALSO: Until June at The Viper Room (8pm)

ALSO: Haim at The Echo (9pm)

ALSO: Tayler Locke and the Roughs at Cinespace (10pm)…found out this Rooney lad has started his own group…my sources tell me to check it out…

ALSO: Lelia Broussard at Room 5 (9pm)

Weds: Nico Vega at The Casbah in San Diego (9pm)

ALSO: The Rescues at The Troubadour (9:45)

ALSO: Beachwood Rocker’s Society at Crane’s

Thursday: Joey Ryan, Jim Bianco and Dan Wilson at The Hotel Café (8,9,10)

ALSO: Visqueen at Spaceland (10pm)

ALSO: my good friend Patrick is singing with Pancho and Sancho at The Troubadour (8pm)…there may or may not be a pirate costume…J

ALSO: Audra Mae at Bootleg (10pm)

Friday: Nico Vega at The El Rey (8pm)

ALSO: Truth & Salvage Co. at The Hotel Café (11:30)

ALSO: Still Waters Run Deep at Molly Malone’s (10pm)

Saturday: Lemon Sun at Bootleg (midnight)

ALSO: Kina Grannis at The Dakota Music Lounge (8pm)

ALSO: Mississippi Man at L’Keg Gallery (8pm)

Sunday:  nothing comes to me…sorry

 

 

To Keep in Mind:

March 4th: Mike Doughty at The Troubadour

March 9th and 10th: Manchester Orchestra at The Troubadour

March 11th: The Silent Comedy and Transfer at The Casbah

March 11th: Joey Ryan and Melissa Ferrick at The Hotel Café

March 27th: San Diego Indie Fest

March 27th/28th: Bamboozled Left featuring Something Corporate and AFI

April 9th: Lights and Owl City at Club Nokia

April 16th: George Stanford CD release at The Hotel Café

April 16th-19th: Coachella

June 10-13th: BONNAROO

Mp3s:

  • “Million Years”- Nico Vega
  • “Vaxxine” – Visqueen
  • “Free Life” – Dan Wilson…have I mentioned that this guy writes some of my very favorite lyrics?

~ Kristen