Monday, January 12, 2009
Saw some shows over the weekend but that all takes a backseat to some more important news...
Congratulations to Aaron and Nikki Embry (of Amnion) on the birth of their new daughter Mayla Ray. We hear mother and daughter are doing great and we are overwhelmed with excitement to see another Embry in the world. Oh, and this video of Mayla's "television debut" is the perfect Monday morning pick-me-up...
In other wonderful news, we have to mention the greatness that was Heath Ledger's win for the Golden Globes Best Supporting Actor award. Sadly, only since his passing have we learned what a great person he was and the amazing things he did, most of which came off the big screen. It started with a show we saw in 2007, one of the greatest nights of our lives. Mr. Ledger was in the audience, which we didn't mention as to not take away from the show, but little did we know of his connection to the bands who played that night. LA Weekly recently published an article detailing his contribution to the arts. In one quote, we love the use of the word mecenate to describe his efforts, but from we've gathered from friends that was only the half of it. In any case, given the current state of the economy, we definitely need more mecenates in the world.
Happy belated birthday to Lili de la Mora of The Year Zero. Birthdays this week include Jon Hershfield and Shannon de Jong (Amateurs/Cobra Lilies).
Residencies tonight. All the clubs had really good crowds last week and it should be even stuffier on this evening. Also, Katy Perry returns to her roots at the Hotel Cafe. If she returned to the 50-capacity Genghis Cohen Cantina or Highland Grounds where she really started now that would be something (especially since Highland Grounds/The Dive closed last year). Meho Plaza, Kid Infinity, Luna Is Honey, and others at The Airliner. And of course Carnage nights at pehrspace... On Tuesday, Warpaint finally celebrates the release of their superb self-titled EP at Echoplex for Check One Twosday with Brother Reade. Gliss returns to the stage opening for Sweden-based buzz act Ida Maria at Viper. And Sara Lov continues her Spaceland residency... Wednesday, The Nels Cline Singers at g'net. Meat Puppets, Stab City, and others at Alex's Bar. Les Blanks, Death to Anders, and The Soft Hands at Three Clubs. Shane Walsh, Alex & Sam, and others at The Bordello. And Claire Holley, Geoff Pearlman, and Nicole Gordon at Room 5... Thursday, "Then Was Then & Now Is Now: A Tribute to Cy Coleman" EP release is the big show of the night at g'net with our friend Dave Palmer along with special guests Fiona Apple, Nikka Costa, Sara Watkins, Sarabeth Tucek, Perla Battala, and others scheduled to perform (don't miss it). The Entrance Band, Indian Jewelry, and The Growlers at the Troubadour. Ariel Pink and 60-Watt Kid at Detroit. Meiko, Obi Best, Lelia Broussard, and others at the Hotel Cafe. The Long Lost, The One AM Radio, and Jogger at Dakota. Blank Blue and The Year Zero at The Prospector. Two Guns and The French Semester at The Que Sera. Ben Lee in the small room at g'net. And there's a big DFA Records showcase at the Roxy with The Juan MacLean, Yacht, T&T, and Classixx. RSVP here to get in free.
In other news: Cat Power returns to Los Angeles on 2/10&11 at the Avalon. Mates of State/Black Kids tour hits the Music Box on 4/23... Apparently, JPG Magazine isn't dead. In related news, we had one photo featured at PhotoLA this past weekend. It was a photo we took in Istanbul last year, shot on film, developed and frame matted in NYC by our friends who know how to take crappy photos and make them presentable. Met lots of new friends who promised to tell us what an F-Stop is... We highly recommend getting tickets for Ms. Victoria's show at Spaceland on 2/4 earlier than later, especially if you're dialed into this huge neu wave of UK/Euro dance pop artists. She was one of a handful of artists we went to Europe to see last year and she's in town recording her new album. Also playing Cinespace on 2/3.
