Monday, July 28, 2008
First of all, thanks to the anonymous IM this morning mentioning CWBH's lovely write-up preview on last week's show. If you haven't added them to your Twitter feed you should do so. Also, thanks to Janet at Going.com for her support for the show and for being awesome in general. We were pretty low-key about that night, mainly because low-key affairs are usually the best. Plus, the intimacy of the show allowed us to properly record the everything in high quality audio for possibly something special later on down the line. By the way, thanks to Arlo for making it sound like heaven that night. Wow.
This weekend was pretty amazing. Lots of people showed up for Bloody Robots' CD release show on Saturday. And we do believe those Robots blew away quite a few people that night -- did we really see a certain member of Obi Best throw her bra on stage (seen above)?. Be sure to pick up their album, coming soon to a local record shop near you. It's one of our favorites of the year. We should also mention how happy we were to do two shows with ExitMusic last week. Add them to your list of bands that should be making headlines soon. Great interview of them by Web in Front here... Also, congrats to Castledoor who celebrated the release of their new EP at Little Radio on Sunday. The band plays 7/31 at The Scene with The Flying Tourbillon Orchestra, Gangi, and others. They also have another EP release show down in Long Beach on 8/9 at {open}. Photos from all the weekend fun are up.
So the deal this week is International Pop Overthrow returns for its 11th year. Dave Bash doesn't get enough credit for keeping this festival going. It's quite a task presenting a festival of this scope in Los Angeles -- just ask Poptopia, the "other" pop festival that ended after a few good years. Elsewhere, Spacehog, Golden State and others at Viper. HEALTH return to The Smell. And the final residency Mondays for July. Bloc Party is also doing DJ spot at All Star Lanes with Desert Eagles and others... On Tuesday, The Watson Twins, Robert Francis, and Tim Fite at The Echo. The Shys celebrate the release of their new album You'll Never Understand This Band The Way That I Do at the Troubadour with Emily Wells, Nico Stai, and others. Dead Rock West at The Scene. And Haim at the Temple Bar... Wednesday, Thavius Beck, Ras G, and others at Low End Theory. Peanut Butter Wolf opens for Chromeo at the Music Box... On Thursday, the lovely and amazing Hello Dragon celebrates the release of their long-awaited debut album The Quantum Explorers at Spaceland with The Hectors, Barrio Tiger, and Costa Nova. Castledoor, The Flying Tourbillon Orchestra, Gangi and others at The Scene. Imaad Wasif and Two Part Beast, Tweak Bird, and Sasqrotch at The Smell. The Parson Red Heads open for Grand Ole Party. My Pet Saddle, Avi Buffalo, Boris Smile and others at The Prospector. David Garza opens for Alejandro Escovedo at the Troubadour. El Ten Eleven opens for Pinback at the Samueli. And Aushua, Radars to the Sky, and Forcefield ON at Alex's.
In other news: Detour Festival has announced this year's lineup, which includes locals The Mars Volta, Shiny Toy Guns, Peanut Butter Wolf, Bitter:Sweet, The Submarines, Afternoons, Guns 'N Bombs, The Mae Shi, and many others. They're also doing another "Battle of the Bands" type contest to get another local band on the lineup. The festival is 10/4 on 1st and Main... Wire returns to Los Angeles on 10/14 with a show at the Echoplex. Tickets on sale now. Tickets for Mission of Burma's 9/25 show at Echoplex goes on sale Thursday... Sam Sparro's big show at the Troubadour 8/9 has been moved to the El Rey on 9/9. Update your calendars... The artist formerly known as Emma Burgess is now Brandi Emma. Update your bookmarks.
Hello Dragon - "Rats of L.A." (MP3)
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Castledoor, we adore.
That's been our mission statement from the moment we first laid ears on this band. A full two years since their debut EP Follow the Dove, the release of 'Til We Sink is obviously long overdue. Just skimming through their MySpace comments from the thousands of anxious fans who have succumbed to the band's trademark feel-good indie rock tunes is indication enough that the public demands more Castledoor. For the time being, this three-song treasure should suffice as the band continues to work toward a full-length release in the near future.
Castledoor celebrates the release of 'Til We Sink today at Little Radio's Summercamp with special guests Tenlons Fort, Matt Ellis, and Hypernova. The perfect place for a midsummer afternoon party to cheer on one of L.A.'s best bands. The new limited edition vinyl (500) EP 'Til We Sink is available now through Seven Inch Project.
July 27, 2008
CASTLEDOOR
TENLONS FORT
MATT ELLIS
HYPERNOVA
Little Radio Warehouse
1218 Long Beach Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90021 | Map
21+ / $10 / 12pm
Castledoor - "Dumpster Diving" (MP3)
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Noir metal. Art thrash. Cinematic hardcore. That's what we call it. But even after a few years of experiencing the beautiful noise of Bloody Robots we still don't know exactly what it is. Except that it is utterly brilliant.
Bloody Robots are the dynamic duo of drummer Tom Cabela and bassist Jimmy Fusil, two clever boys with a common love of film (Cabela directed Colorforms/Obi Best's video "Nothing Can Come Between Us" and The Antarcticans' video for "The Ghost of Trees and the Erase of Man"), experimentation, and Faith No More. That combination can perhaps be only exemplified with the band's debut album Q: Are we not robots? A: We are Bloody Robots!, a warped and twisted ten chapter graphic novel of an album that's equal parts Danny Elfman & Rob Zombie, Fritz Lang & Roger Corman, and Frank Miller & Osamu Tezuka. In truth, the album defies simple classification although we call it the soundtrack to being attacked by a swarm of evil mutant insects ("Metal Unicorn"), sawed in half (lengthwise) ("Unidentifiable Remains of the Day"), and then eaten inside out ("Death March Madness"), left for dead. Now who wouldn't want to hear that? It's grindcore with irony. Deathgrind with a sense of humor. Prog metal with a point. All of which sums up as to why...
Los Angeles loves Bloody Robots.
The band celebrates the release of their debut album Q: Are we not robots? A: We are Bloody Robots! tonight at Future Music. Ben Pringle (The Rentals, Nerf Herder) will be joining the band on this special occasion along with special guests ExitMusic and Pride of Kenya.
July 26, 2008
Los Angeles Loves...
BLOODY ROBOTS CD release
EXITMUSIC
PRIDE OF KENYA
with DJ ADRIAN YOUNGE and DJ SUCKAPUNCH
Future Music
5112 York Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90042 | Map
8:30pm / FREE / All Ages
BLOODY ROBOTS - "Metal Unicorn" (MP3)
EXITMUSIC - "The Decline of the West" (MP3)
PRIDE OF KENYA - "Kentucky Nightmare" (MP3)
Bloody Robots - "Metal Unicorn"
Friday, July 25, 2008
You know you ain't shot nobody, so stop lyin'.
Thank you to everyone who came out to hang with us the last few days. On Wednesday, we were very honored to host Tenlons Fort, Ema and the Ghosts, Avi Buffalo, and Brandi Emma who are not only some of the most talented artists we know but also some of the greatest human beings we've ever known. T-Fort will be shooting a music video on Tuesday (7/29) downtown. Email them if you're interested in taking part... Thursday's benefit show for Spencer Rollins was also quite fantastic. Cobra Lilies, Dorian Wood, ExitMusic (pictured above), Avi Buffalo, and Young Animals all made the night a special one with lovely performances. Huge, huge thanks to the lovely ladies of Eagle Rock Bowling & Drinking Club who not only offered to be hosts of the event, but came early/stayed late to set up/break down. Not enough credit can be given to these fine people. Some pics are up but be sure to check out Ms. Layabout's YouTube channel for videos.
Not so fast, we're not done this week. We're presenting yet another show tomorrow (7/26) at Future Music. Bloody Robots celebrate the release of their brilliant debut album Q: Are We Not Robots? A: We Are Bloody Robots! with special guests ExitMusic and Pride of Kenya. This show took several months to organize and we're so happy that's it's finally come. Full posting thingy that we do before all the shows we present to follow but all you need to know is that it's going to be amazing and it's free.
So let's talk about tonight: Robotanists are tonight's guests on "Demolisten". Darker My Love and Fool's Gold at The Echo should be quite nuts. For a more casual affair, Jon Brion and Dave Palmer split rooms at g'Net. Finally back in Los Angeles where they belong (at least for one night), the wonderful Brazzaville return to the Temple Bar. Ninja Academy and others at pehrspace. weyou., The Youngs, David Scott Stone, Tales of Banyan, and Voice on Tape at Mr. T's Bowl. John Webster Johns and others at El Cid. Radars to the Sky open for The Republic Tigers at Spaceland. Young Animals, Hotbodies and others at Echo Curio. And there's supposedly some big DJ party thing at the Avalon with Busy P and a bunch of others... On Saturday, we hope you can stop by for a bit at Future Music. If not, you'll probably be at Rumspringa, Lemon Sun, Eastern Conference Champions, and Gangi at the Troubadour. Or Dusty Rhodes and the River Band, Whispertown 2000, My Pet Saddle, and others at the Key Club. Seasons, Odd Modern, and Downtown/Union redux show at pehrspace. Toys That Kill, ADHD, and Tijuana Knife Fight open for Riverboat Gamblers at Alex's. Crystal Antlers open for Howlin Rain at Spaceland. Also, Tha Alkaholiks have two shows on Saturday: An early show at Fat Beats and a late show at Crash Mansion... Sunday, we will be out in full force to see the long-awaited EP release show for Castledoor at Little Radio's Summercamp. Although we do realize that Modular is competing with their own pool party at The Standard Downtown with members of HEALTH DJing alongside Does It Offend You, Yeah? and others. Later that evening, Neil Hamburger returns for his Sunday residency at Spaceland. And Red Maids, Masterslave, Holy! Holy! Holy!, and Killsonic at Mr. T's Bowl.
Lemon Sun - "Same Old Ground" (MP3)
Dusty Rhodes and the River Band - "Ghost Trails" (MP3)
Tha Alkaholiks - "The Flute Song (lalala)" (MP3)
Thursday, July 24, 2008
A friend in need is a friend indeed.
You know we love when the people of Los Angeles rally to support one another in time of need. And Young Animal Spencer Rollins is definitely in a time of need. A series of benefit shows have been organized to help alleviate some of the costs incurred while dealing with some sad and unfortuante events that recently took place out in San Bernardino. Tonight's show at All Star Lanes features performances by Young Animals, Cobra Lilies, ExitMusic, Avi Buffalo, and Dorian Wood. For those not able to attend this evening's show, you can still donate by going to the band's MySpage page or check out the other benefit shows around town including 9/30 at Safari Sam's.
Please come and support a fellow friend of the local music scene, listen to some great bands, and maybe toss a few bowling balls around for a bit. It's a win-win-win kind of night.
July 24, 2008
Los Angeles Loves...
YOUNG ANIMALS
EXITMUSIC
COBRA LILIES
AVI BUFFALO
DORIAN WOOD
All Star Lanes
4459 Eagle Rock Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90041 | Map
All Ages / $5 / 8pm
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Portland indie rock band The Prids were to play Spaceland last night with Babyland and Shiloe but got in a major car accident Sunday night en route to Los Angeles. The band suffered serious injuries but were released from the hospital within the day. A Paypal donation has been set up (check their site) to help the band out with medical fees along with probably tons of musical equipment and other things lost in the wreck. Proceeds from last night's show at Spaceland also went to the band. We hope The Prids make a full recovery and someday find their way back to town soon.
In other news: After a week of unfortunate events, everyone's favorite blogger K-Bronze is back for his regular gig at Little Radio's "Buzz Bands" show. Tune in tonight at 6pm... Spacehog is supposedly playing a secret show on Monday at the Viper Room... Deerhoof just announced a few dates on the west coast including 10/3 at the Avalon. And the rumor is that The Happy Hollows are opening so you can check that off your dream lineups list... Dntel guest DJs on KXLU's "Headspace" tomorrow at 8pm... Next Red Bull Sound Clash pits Nico Vega vs. Crash Kings on 8/12 at Crash Mansion... Nocando and DJ Handprints celebrate the release of their new mixtape L.A. vs Hollywood tonight at Low End Theory... L.A. County Fair recently announced their "End of Summer Concert Series" lineup including WAR (9/5), The Bangles/Berlin/The Motels (9/19), and many others... This discussion should amuse some people... Good article on those Airborne kids... The next "Rock with a Twist" has been set for 8/28 at All Star Lanes. Begin starving yourself.
Tenlons Fort has landed. Hope to see a few of you tonight. We made limited edition posters and buttons for tonight. Limited edition meaning we got tired of making them after like 5.
The Prids - "Let It go"
Monday, July 21, 2008
We really shouldn't say this is an anniversary show. It's more just a reason to have friends over to hang out for a night. Kind of like a slumber party. And while we were tempted to ask everyone to come in nighties, sleep tees, and other assorted pajamawear it's certainly not mandatory although very much encouraged.
Once again, we have brought together some of our closest friends from our great city to play a few songs. And although Humble Jack Gibson (aka Tenlons Fort) is no longer a local resident since moving back to Austin back in December, we still consider him an Angeleno through and through. He'll be coming all the way from Texas just for this show and a special performance at this week's Summercamp (with Castledoor).
Also joining us this evening are the lovely Ema and the Ghosts and Avi Buffalo, both of whom will undoubtedly be performing some new songs from rumored upcoming releases. And, as you might have noticed, we invite these two quite a lot to do shows. If you wrote as many good songs as they do we'd invite you too.
And, finally, Emma Burgess who not only gives arguably the best hugs in the universe but can sure break a heart a two with that voice of hers (just ask her 25k+ MySpace friends). This is our first show with Ms. Emma (who we billed on the flyer as her given name Brandi Emma simply because we've always loved it and we're not-so-subtly hinting that she should go back to using it) so we're honored that she can come by and grace us with her songs slash hugs.
So that's the show. Again, let's not talk about anniversaries, commemorations, or anything involving this silly thing known as la-underground. In fact, let's not talk at all unless of course it's about how much we absolutely love you.
July 23, 2008
Los Angeles Loves...
TENLONS FORT
EMA AND THE GHOSTS
AVI BUFFALO
EMMA BURGESS
Mr. T's Bowl
5621 1/2 Figueroa Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90042
21+ / FREE / 9pm
Tenlons Fort - "Night to Forget" (MP3)
Ema and the Ghosts - "Folsom Prison Blues" (Johnny Cash) (MP3)
Avi Buffalo - "I'm So Exclusive" (MP3)
Emma Burgess - "Massachusetts" (MP3)
Hello Monday, back so soon I see.
This will be the busiest week of the month for us as we're helping with a couple of shows as well as attending a double-digit amount of events that made us pull a muscle just now just thinking about...
Get out to the residencies tonight (RFSL's turn to present Princeton's SLL residency). Otherwise, Holly Conlan, Terra Naomi and others at the Hotel Cafe. Letting Up Despite Great Faults, The Rhone Occupation, Whalebones, and others at Echo Curio. And Tori Amos does an in-store at Amoeba... On Tuesday, Summer Darling, The Black Watch, Amateurs, and red hot buzz band from Mexico Chikita Violenta at The Echo. Babyland, The Prids, and Shiloe at Spaceland. Lenka, Judith Owen, and others at the Hotel Cafe. Annie Stela opens for Jay Brannan at the El Rey. And Ray Davies down at The Grove of Anaheim... Wednesday, we're presenting a show at Mr. T's Bowl but you'll probably be interested to know that Inara George and Van Dyke Parks (who we must say we've been playing the heck out of that new album lately) return to Tangier. Randy Newman has a sold out show at g'Net. And The Meemies and others at the Silverlake Lounge... On Thursday, we're co-presenting a benefit for Spencer Collins of the band Young Animals featuring ExitMusic, Cobra Lilies, Avi Buffalo, Dorian Wood, and Young Animals at All Star Lanes (details to follow). The Warlocks play at the Troubadour. Afternoons open for Tokyo Police Club at the Hammer. Burning Brides, Nebula, and others at Safari Sam's. Anavan, tik///tik, and others at The Smell. The Meeting Places and others at the Silverlake Lounge. Sara and Sean Watkins with David Garza at g'Net. And The Valley Arena and The Year Zero down at Alex's Bar.
By the way, if you've never seen it, the picture above is of a lovely piece of stret art on the old Sears building on Western. We took a picture of it yesterday after almost being run over by a truck that unfortunately Google Street View did not catch... Incidentally, to those 16-year-olds in the Civic who threw a beer can at the van that was driving too slow for your liking last Saturday on the 101, please turn yourselves in to the police. Not only for your reckless behavior while operating a moving vehicle but also for shamelessly blasting Fall Out Boy out of your car without a proper douche bag permit.
Have a good week, Los Angeles.
Friday, July 18, 2008
There were quite a few great things to check out this past week all of which culminated with a the glorious grandiosity of Bodies of Water's CD release show last night at The Echo. The night was also the last show for drummer Jessie Conklin who will be replaced by Jamie Pitts with additional help from Julie Carpenter (Listing Ship) on guitar and vocals, all of whom were on stage for this special evening. Spaceland Prod. has a new photo policy so no pictures from us but we're sure you'll find plenty of stuff out there. BOW heads on tour with Port O'Brien before returning to town for Sunset Junction. A Certain Feeling is available online here and here or in stores 7/22 through Secretly Canuckian.
Ok, so it's another busy weekend. How busy? Well, beginning tonight...
Joe from Radio Free Silver Lake guest hosts at on Demolisten with Blake Collins performing. The Submarines play an in-store down at Fingerprints. Darker My Love and Crystal Antlers at The Echo. 400 Blows, Black Elk, and Horns at Alex's Bar. Earlimart, The Movies, and Hocus Pocus at Spaceland. Quazar and the Bamboozled, What Cheer? Brigade, and others at Mr. T's Bowl. Paris Loves L.A. and The Tommy Davy Trio at Tangier (Very Be Careful and Eric Bachmann also play at the club). Light FM, Tigers Can Bite You, C.R.A.F.T. Club, and Siggy Fox at The Scene. Captain Ahab, Whitman, No Paws (No Lions), I.E., and others at The Smell. Jon Brion at g'Net. Todd C., Nate Denver, Daniel Ahearn, and others at pehrspace. Xu Xu Fang, Gangi, and others at Mountain Bar. Hearts of Palm UK, Par Avion, The Spires, and Automatique at The Bordello... On Saturday, the lovely Emily Wells celebrates the release of her new album The Symphonies: Dreams Memories and Parties at the Hotel Cafe with Willoughby, His Orchestra, and others. Devon Williams, Silver Daggers, and others at The Echo. 400 Blows, Bob Log III, and Black Elk at The Scene. Lili Haydn, Shane Alexander, and Olin & the Moon at Mr. T's Bowl. Golden State at On the Rox. "Tonalism" at the Santa Monica Pier. The Happy Hollows, The Transmissions, and Forcefield ON at The Prospector. The Lady Tigra, Blank Blue, and others at Crane's. Ceci Bastida opens for Pacifika at Crash Mansion. And of course this little festival called HARD... Sunday, Summercamp presents Le Switch, The Flying Tourbillon Orchestra, and Bloodcat Love. Hecuba, Lucky Dragons, and others at The Smell. Miranda Lee Richards, Winter Flowers, and The Black Pine at Cafe Mariposa. Azalia Snail, Puppies and Kittens, and others at Echo Curio. Grant Langston, Claire Holley and other at Grand Ole Echo. And the big Download Festival at the Gibson Amphitheatre.
Earlimart - "Hymn And Her" (MP3)
Lili Haydn - "Maggot Brain" (featuring DaKah) (Funkadelic cover) (MP3)
Bloodcat Love - "City Song" (MP3)
Monday, July 14, 2008
We had fun this weekend. How about you? Specifically, that Bordello show on Friday was one of the best shows we've seen this year. Hecuba, We Are the World, and Rainbow Arabia are three of our favorite new artists in the last year so whoever came up with the genius idea of having all three of them together deserves a full body massage or something. We posted some pics but that hardly does the show justice. Thank goodness for this new thing the kids are using called video technology.
More Monday residency fun tonight. All the lineups are good... On Tuesday, Radio Free Silver Lake's "Let's Independent" returns with performances by The Black Pine, ExitMusic, and The Black Kites. Local hip-hop wonderkid Shwayze flies in from the east coast leg of Warped Tour for a taping on Tuesday at Jimmy Kimmel and a performance at The Roxy (new album comes out 8/19, new MTV series premieres 7/23). One Trick Pony and Mad Gregs at Ding a Ling. BlackBlack, Zombelle, and others at Echo Curio... Earlimart performs live on "Morning Becomes Eclectic" on Wednesday. Inara George & Van Dyke Parks play an intimate show in Tangier's front room while Ceci Bastida, The Crimea, and others take over the main back room. Rolling Blackouts, The Monolators, The Growlers, and Spider Problem at The Echo. Pizza!, The Tartans, and others at Mr. T's Bowl. Army Navy and others at Spaceland. BPM Magazine celebrates their 12th anniversary at the Avalon with performances by 2 Live Crew, Z-Trip, The Bloody Beetroots, Guns N Bombs, and others. Digital Underground at the Roxy. Nico Vega, Gods & Monsters, 8mm, The Bangkok 5 and others at the Key Club... On Thursday, Bodies of Water celebrates the release of their new album A Certain Feeling (due 7/22 on Secretly Canadian) at The Echo with special guests The Henry Clay People and Seasons. Jason Falkner, The Breakups, and What Cheer? Brigade at Spaceland. Miss Derringer, Pedestrian, and others at Safari Sam's. Io Echo opens for The Duke Spirit at the Hammer. David Garza opens for James Hall at the Roxy. And Sara and Sean Watkins at g'Net.
In other news: A celebration of the life of Eleven/Queens of the Stone Age keyboardist Natasha Shneider will take place on 8/16 at the Music Box with a special performance by QOTSA. Shneider lost her bout with cancer on 7/2... Castledoor is looking for a cargo/15+ passenger van for their upcoming tour this week. We know you have one so give it. Other classifieds are here... The Airborne Toxic Event and Darker My Love are nominees for this month's Yahoo Who's Next thing. Vote here... E3 is this week. If you see us, come say hi... Thanks to all who wrote us for our "anniversary" on Saturday. We hope to post a few "Los Angeles Loved..." write-ups on bands we've seen over the past 11 years of doing la-underground. The actual "anniversary" show is 7/23 at Mr. T's Bowl.
Bodies of Water - "Under the Pines" (MP3)
Friday, July 11, 2008
Anyone else having a really busy Friday at work today? Yeah, high five on that. Just a few more hours though and we can get to the fun stuff...
Greg Laswell celebrates the release of his new album Three Flights from Alto Nido tonight at the Hotel Cafe. Elsewhere, I See Hawks in L.A. and The Chapin Sisters at McCabe's. Money Mark at California Plaza. Brother Reade opens for Dan Deacon at The Getty. Lightning Swords of Death and others at Relax Bar. Jonathan Rice and Nik Freitas open for the lovely Maria Taylor at Echoplex (check out recent footage of a rained out show on their current tour). Hecuba, We Are the World, Rainbow Arabia, and Hazm at The Bordello. Jon Brion/Dave Palmer at g'Net. And the 31st Annual Lotus Festival kicks off at Echo Park... Three CD release shows on Saturday: Daedelus at The 533, Pedestrian at the Hotel Cafe, and The Living Suns at the House of Blues in Anaheim. The French Semester, Thailand, and Archways at On the Rox. The Who get their do at Pauley Pavilion with performances by Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters, Flaming Lips, Tenacious D, and Incubus with a special performance by The Who themselves. "Fly By Day Festival" at The Airliner features performances by Automatique, The Mulhollands, The Hectors, Shiloe, C.R.A.F.T. Club, The Karabal Nightlife and others. Kenan Bell, Death to Anders, Radars to the Sky, and others head up the ADD Fest on 5th and Hewitt, downtown. Morgan Page opens for the great Pete Tong at the Vanguard. Bad Dudes open for RTX at Spaceland. Almost Better Than Sex returns with DJ sets by Sandra Collins, Sneak, Tech Itch and others at Pharaoh's Lost Kingdom. Also, must mention the Hollywood Book Festival and at The Grove... On Sunday, Summercamp hosts The Happy Hollows, The Damselles, Speedbuggy, Paul Dillon, and an open mic for any bands interested in playing. Hey Willpower, Anavan, and Sounds of Asteroth at Safari Sam's. Whispertown 2000, Olin and the Moon, and others at Tangier. Tunnelmental Experimental Assembly and others at Spaceland. James Wilsey, Austin Hartley-Leonard and others at the Grand Ole Echo. And Matmos at Echoplex.
Greg Laswell - "The One I Love" (MP3)
Pedestrian - "Go" (MP3)
Anavan - "Boom" (MP3)
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
Thanks to everyone who came out on Monday for Princeton's EP release show and launch of their Monday residency at the Silverlake Lounge. The new Bloomsbury EP is available online or at Amoeba. Be sure to pick one up and check them out all month long at the SLL. The band is also writing a residency diary at Web in Front. Photos from the show up... Speaking of WIF, they co-presented a great night last night at The Bordello with CGT featuring "solo" performances by Mikel Jollett, Timothy James, Sarah Negahdari, Evan Way, and Andrew Spitser. The "My Little Underground" evening was highlighted by some never-before-heard songs by the famous frontmen and one frontlady. And we must say that Ms. Negahdari's solo work kind of blew us away, like dying and going to Geek the Girl meets Under the Pink heaven. Koga has the scoop.
Tonight: Kristin Hersh does a rare set at the Hotel Cafe. Restaurant does Marathon Live. Radiohead tribute show at the Derby with performances by Kissing Cousins, Michael Mangia, The Kris Special, and others. Codpiece, Downtown/Union, and others at Mr. T's Bowl. Hearts of Palm UK and others at The Echo. Sara Melson at Crane's. And The Resonant Heads at TAIX... Thursday, hard to pass up Miss Derringer and The Deadly Syndrome at the Hammer for free. However, Castledoor opens for Tilly & the Wall at the Echoplex. Supreme Beings of Leisure, who've been off the radar for five years after becoming one of L.A.'s premiere noir pop groups with their hit "Never the Same", plays a rare show at Viper. The Gutter Twins at the Roxy. Don Byron, Billy Childs, and Joe Henry at g'Net (Sara & Sean Watkins/David Garza in the Little Room). Robert Francis, Sunny Levin, and HAIM at the Troubadour. And Two Guns and others down at The Prospector.
In other news: Castledoor celebrates the release of their new, long-awatied vinyl EP 'Til We Sink at Little Radio Summer Camp on 7/27... Benefit for Spencer Rollins is 7/24 at All Star Lanes featuring Cobra Lilies, Avi Buffalo, Exitmusic, and Dorian Wood... Congrats to Abe Vigoda who recently signed to Bella Union, home of locals Devics and The Autumns (and non-locals Fleet Foxes, Beach House, Midlake)... BPM Magazine celebrates their 12th Anniversary at the Avalon with special guests 2 Live Crew, Z-Trip, Bloody Beetroots, Guns N Bombs, and others on 7/16. RSVP here... Almost Better Than Sex finally secured a venue for this weekend's festivities: Pharaoh's Lost Kingdom (genius)... Nice interview with The Deadly Syndrome boys here and performance here. Likewise, Le Switch have their session here... We just updated our calendar with lots of upcoming shows including The Who at the Nokia, Lykke Li at the El Rey, Shudder to Think at the El Rey, Josh Rouse at Largo at the Coronet, The Juan Maclean at the El Rey, and other stuff.
Monday, July 07, 2008
Mr. Fielder from Radio Free Silver Lake suggested the idea of us helping with the Princeton residency at the Silverlake Lounge this month and we couldn't be more happy to do so. RFSL will be co-presenting the 7/21 date while Aquarium Drunkard presents the 7/14 night with The Fold and KXLU, of course, being the lead presenters of the whole residency. That's a lot of presenter presence.
And it's not like they need it. Princeton has been on the radar of quite a few scene experts for over a year. In that time, they've released a promising debut EP A Case of the Emperor's Clothes; opened for the likes of Vampire Weekend, Au Revoir Simone, and My Brightest Diamond; amassed rave reviews from every blog/zine known to man; and, hence, generated quite a buzz with industry know-it-alls.
This month, they celebrate the release of their new Bloomsbury EP with a residency at the Silverlake Lounge. Most say it's really the next proper step for this young, precocious trio who will learn much in performing at one of Silver Lake's most well-known testing grounds. Considerate it pre-doctoral training for the Ivy League set, so to speak. And they couldn't pick a better fraternity of bands to join them as Le Switch, I Make This Sound, Willoughby, Fol Chen, You Me & Iowa, Army Navy, Young Animals, and others join them on their month-long internship. Hope to see you there.
July 7, 2008
Los Angeles Loves...
PRINCETON Bloomsbury EP release
LE SWITCH
YOUNG ANIMALS
DIRTY MITTENS
Silverlake Lounge
2906 Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90026 | Map
FREE / 21+ / 9pm
Princeton - "Leonard Woolf" (MP3)
Le Switch - "Tongue Tied" (MP3)
Young Animals - "Another Blue Christmas" (MP3)
Dirty Mittens - "Amelia" (MP3)
Congrats to The Flying Tourbillon Orchestra's EP release show last Thursday. And thanks to everyone who came out and enjoyed a night of great music before the long holiday weekend. Photos up.
July residencies include: Jail Weddings, Princeton, Bloodcat Love, Under the Influence of Giants, Plasticsoul, Sara and Sean Watkins, Jon Brion, Dave Palmer, The Bowmans, The Beeters, Easy Tiger... Release shows include: Bodies of Water, Earlimart, Melvins, Emily Wells, The Living Suns, Bloody Robots, The Shys, J*DaVeY, Greg Laswell, Princeton, Pedestrian, Supergrass, Alu, Duke Spirit, and Lex Land... July festivals include: Lotus Festival, HARD Summer Music Festival, Download Festival, Central Avenue Jazz Festival, L.A. Jazz & Music Festival, and E3 Summit... Other highlights include: "Also I Like to Rock" at the Hammer, two evenings with Inara George and Van Kyke Parks (7/16, 7/23), Tonalism, VH1 Rock Honors The Who... And we're presenting a few shows this month including the Princeton EP release show tonight at the Silverlake Lounge and a little show at Mr. T's Bowl on 7/23 to celebrate being old.
Have a good July...
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
What the f*@k is a flying tourbillon?
It's the curse of every band whose name doesn't exactly roll off the tongue or fall within our limited vocabulary range. They end up having to explain it repeatedly to us dumbfounded audience members not geekepedia enough to have looked it up. And such is the burden of The Flying Tourbillon Orchestra, whose flare for novel wordplay no doubt inspired the double meaning behind their cleverly-titled new EP Escapements. It's the perfect name for this leisurely-paced collection of chamber pop fantasia with songs that fit finely between anything in one's Elephant 6 or Arts & Crafts pantheon yet with a sobering lyrical sophistication for those Stuart Staples and Kurt Wagner enthusiasts as well. The band celebrates its release on Thursday at The Echo with friends The Stevenson Ranch Davidians, Fol Chen, and Summer Darling. Quite the perfect night to ask the band for the correct "tourbillon" pronunciation, definition, and word origin prior to the next Scripps National Spelling Bee competition.
Also of note: The show is being co-presented by two gargantuantastic blogs Radio Free Silver Lake and Web in Front and another blog not really worth mentioning. FTO has been getting recent airplay on KCRW, KXLU, Indie 103.1FM, and KROQ so tune in and request. And we hear the band will also be transforming The Echo into something grande and festive for the night so don't forget your cummerbund.
July 3, 2008
Radio Free Silver Lake + Web in Front + We present:
THE FLYING TOURBILLON ORCHESTRA EP release
THE STEVENSON RANCH DAVIDIANS
FOL CHEN
SUMMER DARLING
The Echo
1822 Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90026 | Map
8:30pm / $5/FREE for 21+ / 18+
The Flying Tourbillon Orchestra - "Don't Be Fooled" (MP3)
The Stevenson Ranch Davidians - "Let It All Go" (MP3)
Fol Chen - "Th Blvrs" (MP3)
Summer Darling - "Ride This Wave of Good Feeling" (MP3)
The Flying Tourbillon Orchestra - "The Final Chapter" (Live at Mr. T's Bowl)
Summer Darling - "Ride This Wave of Good Feeling" (Live at The Bordello)
