Sunday, August 22, 2004
A late friday night start had us at the Derby for Satisfaction and Fielding, the latter of whom got a nice mention in the LA Times Calendar last week. I, too, caught on late to this band only recently seeing them at The Joint and Molly Malone's. When I first saw them I originally thought they kind of sounded like Counting Crows or DMB if either of those bands sounded good. That's obviously not a good comparison at all. With Eric Balmer's raspy croon enveloped in such a full, Britpop-powered sound, they're much more akin to Doves, Coldplay, and The Verve. Comparisons schmarisons, they're excellent... I'm a Satisfaction rookie although it's hard to ignore the fact that they play like every other week around town. When you do that, you're either called "the hardest working band in LA" by the LA Weekly or "spreading yourself too thin" by audiophilic bloggers. Well, they kind of remind of Phantom Planet back when they were more into rock n roll rather than getting caught up in the other stuff that goes along with rock n roll. If you know what I mean.
Photos removed for bandwidth. Contact me if you'd like copies or go to http://la-underground.textamerica.com/.
Photos removed for bandwidth. Contact me if you'd like copies or go to http://la-underground.textamerica.com/.
Friday, August 20, 2004
If Tangier had a marquee, it might have read "Girls, Girls, Girls" on Thursday. Luckily for Amy Cooper, Angela Correa, and Renee Stahl they didn't have to do any stripper pole acrobatics to impress me.
Correa is fairly new to the LA area having moved from San Diego's thriving singer-songwriter scene in the last year. She has a depression-era country/folk style with emphasis on depression. She sings murder ballads, way over yonder in the minor key. Well-dressed, falsetto-laden Tom Brosseau joined her for a few songs that made me melt. Watch out for these two in the form of Les Shelleys.
Renee Stahl is well-known to most locals, having played nearly every venue in town at least once. She's certainly developed her sound quite well since the release of her 2002 contemporary folk album "Melancholy Pop." Fans of Vienna Teng, Bic Runga, and Paula Cole would swoon. Leslie King joined her on backup vocals.
San Francisco's Amy Cooper is pure gold. With a bold Lucinda Williams-esque twang and a pretty smile this lady is destined to be worshiped by all the fans who think Sheryl Crow sold out.
Photos removed for bandwidth. Contact me if you'd like copies or go to http://la-underground.textamerica.com/.
Correa is fairly new to the LA area having moved from San Diego's thriving singer-songwriter scene in the last year. She has a depression-era country/folk style with emphasis on depression. She sings murder ballads, way over yonder in the minor key. Well-dressed, falsetto-laden Tom Brosseau joined her for a few songs that made me melt. Watch out for these two in the form of Les Shelleys.
Renee Stahl is well-known to most locals, having played nearly every venue in town at least once. She's certainly developed her sound quite well since the release of her 2002 contemporary folk album "Melancholy Pop." Fans of Vienna Teng, Bic Runga, and Paula Cole would swoon. Leslie King joined her on backup vocals.
San Francisco's Amy Cooper is pure gold. With a bold Lucinda Williams-esque twang and a pretty smile this lady is destined to be worshiped by all the fans who think Sheryl Crow sold out.
Photos removed for bandwidth. Contact me if you'd like copies or go to http://la-underground.textamerica.com/.
Monday, August 16, 2004
It really takes a lot for locals to hit Hollywood Blvd. on a Friday night with theatre, concert, and walk of fame goers scrambling for parking places like an evil game of musical chairs. Reason #1 for me was MF Doom performing at the Fonda. Quite a scene just trying to get in the place, which was a bit odd since hardly anyone showed up for his performance at this year's Coachella and some of those that did shockingly dissed him and Kool Keith from the sidelines... Unfortunately, I had to leave early if I was to make The Fold's debut at King King just a few blocks down, aka Reason #2 for me being on Hollywood Blvd. on a weekend. With the lineup Sterling put together on Friday, there wasn't really a question. I arrived a few songs into The Sharp Ease's set. It's been a few years since I'd seen this band and I don't really know why I've waited so long. I really liked The Grown Ups and have fond memories of Parfrey constantly throwing her sweaty, curvy body into the loving arms of her fans at The Garage. She still has the same swagger but with a better batch of songs. I'm likely never to miss another Ease show again... I would never call myself a scenester, mainly because how can any scenester say they've only seen Kennedy once. I believe scenester law prohibits any local from seeing this band less than ten times. Admittedly, I have only seen Kennedy at Largo opening for Brion awhile back, but seated and scared to make the even the slightest noise for fear of Flannagan's wrath is obviously not the way to see this band. LA knows how good they are. No need for me to make their pants tighter... Even if you've never seen The Lovemakers, their reputation for putting on amazing performances proceeds them. Some people call them gimmicky but I think the 'act' is just a bonus to some cleverly written synth-pop. Plus, that makeout interlude session never gets old. Just ask Interscope Records... Prior to this week, I think the last time I saw Vagenius was at the Temple Bar with Maimou a few years ago. Later this month, I'll probably see them there again. This band is just absurdly talented. How any band can pull out every 80's cliche and make something modern, relevant, and ultimately unique only touches the surface of their musical imagination. There is not one weakness to this band.
I need an editor.
Photos removed for bandwidth. Contact me if you'd like copies or go to http://la-underground.textamerica.com/.
I need an editor.
Photos removed for bandwidth. Contact me if you'd like copies or go to http://la-underground.textamerica.com/.
Tuesday, August 10, 2004
No blurbs today. Too busy. Just some pictures that I thought I'd throw up from some shows over the past few weeks. I may add more later. Good to see you peeps at Viper and Spaceland last night.
Photos removed for bandwidth. Contact me if you'd like copies or go to http://la-underground.textamerica.com/.
Photos removed for bandwidth. Contact me if you'd like copies or go to http://la-underground.textamerica.com/.
Monday, August 02, 2004
Heather Reid has come a long way since her days in The Murmurs. She started Gush with Leisha Hailey in the late 90's after MCA did nothing with The Murmurs pop opus "Blender." After the eventual fallout of Gush, Reid changed her name (from Heather Grody) and moved on with the band Redcar, which made its debut at the Silverlake Lounge last fall. I've always thought she's had an amazing gift for writing great pop songs while being bitingly ironic at the same time. And her voice is one of the most underrated in the biz. She's also quite legendary for her "risque" live performances (if you remember The Murmurs notorious show at the Garage you know what I'm talking about). Anyway, for the last half decade she's been delving into theatre taking part in numerous stage productions and with Dear Bernard she's finally put both her love for theatre and music into her own production.
While it's hardly perfect, there are great moments of Reid's sense of humor and melody. The first act features "Au Pair-tunity," the musical number of the entire production. Even if you're uptight about musicals, you can't help but smile at this performance. While the second act falls a little too easily into place with a predictable turn of events, it benefits with good pacing and two genuinely heartfelt and mesmerizing solos by Reid ("It Matters To Me," "Ordinary Life"). Kelly Mantle is also really good.
I highly recommend checking out this show, if not for the talent who's involved but even just for the pure enjoyment of trying to find parking on La Cienega. It's in its final week and is sure to sell out so get your tickets early.
Edit: The final shows are now sold out. Waiting list is still available.
While it's hardly perfect, there are great moments of Reid's sense of humor and melody. The first act features "Au Pair-tunity," the musical number of the entire production. Even if you're uptight about musicals, you can't help but smile at this performance. While the second act falls a little too easily into place with a predictable turn of events, it benefits with good pacing and two genuinely heartfelt and mesmerizing solos by Reid ("It Matters To Me," "Ordinary Life"). Kelly Mantle is also really good.
I highly recommend checking out this show, if not for the talent who's involved but even just for the pure enjoyment of trying to find parking on La Cienega. It's in its final week and is sure to sell out so get your tickets early.
Edit: The final shows are now sold out. Waiting list is still available.
