Friday, May 29, 2009
It's a busy weekend so let's just do this junk:
Tonight, we'll be at pehrspace for a little show with some friends. If you've got other plans (lots of great shows tonight) you might want to still stop by after. We'll have complimentary food and beverage for the show, as we do all our pehrspace shows. Should be fun.
So, ok, tonight... Listen up for Okie Dokie on "Demolisten." Nosaj Thing opens for Bassnectar at the Music Box. Bodies of Water, Greg Laswell, Molly Jenson, and others at the Hotel Cafe. Lisa Donnelly celebrates the release of her new record We Had a Thing at the Roxy. Tom Freund opens for Graham Parker at McCabe's. LA Record presents Brightblack Morning Light and Rio en Medio at the Center for the Arts Eagle Rock. School of Seven Bells opens for Black Moth Super Rainbow at the Troubadour. Animal Collective and Grouper at The Wiltern. Vast at the Key Club. Jon Brion at g'net. My Imaginary Friends celebrate the release of their new record at El Cid and then promptly go on a nice West Coast tour in support of it. The Living Suns and Damon Moon and the Whispering Drifters at Echo Curio. Jesus Makes the Shotgun and others at The Smell. Miss Derringer and The Underground Railroad to Candyland open for Riverboat Gamblers at Spaceland. And Windy & Carl, Nudge, and White Rainbow at Synchronicity.
Saturday, Also, LA Record presents Black Dice, Wolf Eyes, Richard Bishop, and Earthless at Gilberts. Robedoor, Sudden Oak, Dreamcolour, and others at Echo Curio. Phoenix and the Turtle, SA Bach and others at The Cocaine. Greater California and The Shrouded Strangers. Hungry Beat! dance party at pehrspace. Tijuana Panthers, Okie Dokie, Gestapo Khazi, and others at The Hickey Underworld. BuFest has a great lineup of singer-songwriters out at Paramount Ranche (Meiko cancelled). Mouments opening party should be fun. And don't forget about ARTWALK Culver City.
Saturday, Warpaint plays Space 15 Twenty. One Trick Pony opens for Langhorne Slim at The Echo for the kids. Le Switch, Les Blanks, and Go West Young Man at Dakota. Moonrats, Devon Williams, Audacity, and The Curious Mystery at The Smell. The Flying Tourbillon Orchestra, One Trick Pony, and Meredith Meyer open for Cale Parks at pehrspace. Parade of Lights, Eugene & the 1914, and Luna Is Honey at the Que Sera. The Rosewood Thieves, He's My Brother, She's My Sister, and Henry Wolfe at the Bootleg. The Amazements, Knight Rider, and others at Silver Factory Studios. Mad Gregs, Mooey Moobau, and others at Echo Curio. The Blood Arm open for We Are Scientists down at Detroit. Propagandhi at Echoplex. Hallo!Gallo! and Pharohs at Part Time Punks. The Janks, King Washington and others at The Scene. And VHS or Beta Deejys at Bardot.
Fingers tired. Full listing here.
The picture above is from Vegas last weekend. It has nothing to do with this post. We'll probably make into a poster at some point though. Have a good weekend.
Tom Freund - "Francie" (MP3)
Robedoor - "Fire in the Hole" (MP3)
The Flying Tourbillon Orchestra - "Don't Be Fooled" (MP3)
Thursday, May 28, 2009
We got into our first moshpit at a Suicidal Tendencies show in the late 80s. Before we could even lick our wounds, we were lured into another one at an Anthrax show in Japan that left us bruised and scarred for months. And after getting into a slash pit (a mosh pit with sharp objects) at a Slayer show that ended with us getting eighteen stitches on our head, we knew we were hooked. The addictive nature of crashing one's body into others is a strange phenomenon and even now with our Benjamin Button-like elderly frame, we still long for the days of getting tossed around a little.
And so the day has finally come. On Friday, we've invited a few of our favorite local punk bands for a little cocktail party throwdown at pehrspace and you're all invited. Granted, the closest thing we've seen to a moshpit at a Monolators show was Eli Monolator busting his own head on one of those cherub things on The Bordello stage. Still, that qualifies as pretty punk rock in punk rock 101. As for Audacity, Woah Hunx, Okie Dokie, and UV Lights, their recent shows at the Vermont House, The Smell, L'KEG, and other fine establishment have informed us that you might wanna wear a helmet (and a cup) for this one.
This is our first all-punk lineup in a few years and we couldn't be more excited. Hope to see you there.
May 29, 2009
Los Angeles Loves...
THE MONOLATORS
AUDACITY
WOAH HUNX
OKIE DOKIE
UV LIGHTS
pehrspace
325 Glendale Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90026 | Map
All Ages / $5 / 9pm
Complimentary food and beverage will be available
The Monolators - "Trouble I'm In" (MP3)
Audacity - "Nearly Loosed My Mind" (MP3)
Okie Dokie - "Ooga Booga" (MP3)
UV Lights - "UV Lights" (MP3)
OKIE DOKIE - "Capital Glad Passion"
Monday, May 25, 2009
We returned from a fun and very eventful weekend in Las Vegas (that included one wedding, one Cirque du Soleil show, and no gambling) with AsDSSka's 25 7" release show at Family. The new duo of Aska Matsumiya and David Scott Stone (who, pictured above, are also both in the wonderful group The Sads) write minimalist electronic pop that is too exquisite for words. Fans of Lisa Germano, Stina Nordenstam, and Uke should pick up this new record right this minute. Also, Family debuted its new window installation by the geniuses that are Nicholas Haggard and Peter Sutherland. Go see it. Anyway, here's AsDSSka's video for "Hold On," directed by Crystal Moselle and Spike Jonze.
When you're done weeping from the beauty of that video, we're presenting a show this Friday (5/29) featuring a lineup of a few or our very favorite local punk rock bands, many of whom we've been obsessed with the last few months and therefore inundating our four readers with Twitter slash Flickr postings. We'll post more details later but just know that The Monolators, Audacity, Okie Dokie, Woah Hunx (formerly NON+), and UV Lights are going to make you oi boys and girls very happy.
As for this week:
Of course, today is Memorial Day and as always we pay respect to those have sacrificed their lives for this country. Today is also the last of the Monday residencies. You will not see Juliette Commagere play very many free shows after this. Quite frankly, with that voice of hers, she shouldn't playing for free at all. Plus, Gangi, Golden Animals, Lex Land, and the rest of the Monday residents around town are too good for this pro bono stuff anymore either. Elsewhere, check out Carnage's folk night at pehrspace. Great lineup there too.
Tuesday, listen up for Carina Round on MBE with guest host Chris Douridas. Also, we're very much looking forward to listening to BBC Radio 1's Mary Anne Hobbs' show at around 6pm (PT) for a nice friendly L.A. vs N.Y. battle between our very own Low End Theory DJs and their very own Dub War DJs. Daddy Kev, Gaslamp Killer, and Nobody will be representing the West... Avi Buffalo finishes off their residency at The Echo. It's been a good one. They've made lots of new fans and it's been a good learning experience before they head out on their first tour in June. Also that evening, Divisadero celebrates the re-release of their great record Lefty on JAXART... Foot Village and others at The Smell. And, don't even front, you're all going to be at Amoeba getting your So Real records signed by Mrs. Ryan Adams, aren't you?
Wednesday, Mia Doi Todd opens for Sun Kil Moon at the El Rey. Tig Notaro opens two nights for Jens Lekman at The Echo. The Glitch Mob open for The Prodigy at The Palladium. Carina Round and others at the Hotel Cafe. War Tapes celebrate the release of their new record The Continental Divide at Club Moscow. Love Grenades and Roy G and the Biv do Club NME at Spaceland. Downtown/Union finishes off their residency at Mr. T's Bowl. Pilar Díaz at La Cita. Eagle Winged Palace and others at Marathon Live. Franklin For Short, The Spires, and others at L'KEG. And Ezra Buchla and others at Echo Curio.
Thursday, listen up for Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros on "Morning Becomes Eclectic" with guest host Anne Litt. West Indian Girls plays Saint Rocke down in Hermosa. Ben Harper & Relentless7 and The Henry Clay People at The Wiltern. Nite Jewel, Monster and others at The Smell. Foot Foot, Big Death, and Former Ghosts at Echo Curio. Fleetwood Mac at the Staples Center. Sparrow Love Crew and Roy G and the Biv at The Prospector. And Big Business and Tweak Bird at the Detroit.
Full listings here.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Did anyone catch the opening set by rising star Ceci Bastida at The Echo on Monday? Because she kind of blew our minds with that performance. It's been a few months since we saw her and by the look of things, those countless hours she's spent reworking her sound with the likes of The Gifted, XXXChange, and David Garza have certainly made the difference. Old school fans of Tijuana No! are going to shit their pants... Tuesday, we checked in on an early early set by milady Brandi Emma at Crane's. If her lovely new songs weren't enough to draw us to the Cahuenga corridor on a night when The Decemberists were playing a block away (hence, no parking for 15 miles), then her new sexy Alex Owens look was (picture above). Plus, the girl has some of the best stage banter (mostly with herself) ever. She's working on a new record now. And she performs with her new project The Smart Set at the L.A. Pride Festival on 6/14. By the way, this year's Pride Fest has a great lineup including Berlin, Taxi Doll, Audra Mae, among others.
Tonight, the wonderful Pilar Díaz begins her residency at La Cita. Does anyone outside of the Mucho Wednesdays circle realize how great she is? You should see her on this residency if you don't know what's up... Also, Useless Keys were just added the Club NME lineup tonight at Spaceland opening for New York's BM LINX. Message them on MySpace to get on the list for free... Downtown/Union continues their residency at Mr. T's Bowl tonight with Marvelous Toy, Odd Modern, and a rare performance by The Natural Disasters. Downtown/Union recently released their new record Aurora Ahora, available now on iTunes and CDBaby.
On Thursday, Jim Hanft continues his residency at the Hotel Cafe with Susie Suh (who we haven't seen in a few years). Ms. Susie gets her own residency next month with Butterfly Boucher (who we haven't seen in more than a few years)... Also, on Thursday, there's a good lineup at the Roxy with Funeral Party, Venus Infers, The Tender Box, and Star Parts. All those bands are getting lots of love from radio, bloggers, and the like... And, down in Long Beach, The Valley Arena celebrates the release of their new record We Died out on JAXART.
Complete listings here.
In other news: The official Jeff Buckley Grace Around the World DVD release will be held at Largo at the Coronet on 6/9 with very special guests performing. Tickets are on sale now through Largo with proceeds going to the Silverlake Conservatory of Music... The Beggars Group (Matador/XL/4AD) is coming to town, setting up a new L.A. office in July. We think we just heard the opening of a thousand Microsoft Word's searching for that generic résumé template... Local awesome punk trio NON+ have changed their name to Woah Hunx. Update your They perform at pehrspace on 5/29 with The Monolators, Audacity, Okie Dokie, and UV Lights... Don't know if we'll be able to do this Friday's update thing we usually do since one of us is getting married in Vegas and we're all headed out there tonight. But we're sure you're up on what's going on. We love you.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Congrats to Amateurs on the release show of their new vinyl EP "If We Dare Win." To be honest, we were hesitant about the band continuing on as Amateurs with the departure of all but lead singer/guitarist Keith Waggoner. But Friday's show at Spaceland proved that the band may look a little different but they still got that raucous Amateurs sound. Pick up the EP at shows and at Origami Vinyl... We had tickets for Giant Drag's Saturday reunion at the Troubadour since the day they went on sale but then we just decided to not do that and head over to O+S at the Bootleg. Don't think enough has been said about this band. We will say that their live show is even better than their record and hopefully those rumors of a residency with The Fold are true. We could listen to that band forever. Mia Maestro played the opening slot. She's a pretty famous actress who has a very pretty voice so we'd imagine Perez Hilton will be all over her pretty soon... Later on Saturday, we stopped by the Dirt Dress Perdido en la Suciedad record release show but just missed them. Nevertheless, we congratulate them on their new record (actually, a cassette) on Papermade. We did catch Restavrant who were rad, of course (pictured above). See them every Thursday in May at the Silverlake Lounge... Sunday, there was an earthquake. We were at a Target in Huntington Beach. The cashier in the electronics department was very pretty.
Happy birthday shout-out to Alex Lilly (Obi Best) over the weekend. We also missed Alex Ebert and Anni Rossi's birthdays a few weeks back. Celebrating birthdays this week: Nate Cole (Castledoor), Jonathan Price (The Henry Clay People, I Make This Sound), and Jeffrey Rosenberg (formerly of Young People/Lavender Diamond).
Let's see, what's going on this week...
Tonight, some really good residency lineups. Elsewhere, The Press Fire!, Show Girls, Voice on Tape and others at Mountain Bar. ANAVAN, Foot Village, The Press Fire!, and Juiceboxxx for Carnage Mondays at pehrspace. And Social Distortion, The Vandals, Japanese Motors and others at the House of Blues in Anaheim... Tuesday, Rachael Cantu headlines the Silverlake Lounge. Wet Cassette, Jack Wilson, Jr., and the others at Spaceland.Blank Blue, The Minor Canon, and others at The Prospector. And Avi Buffalo continues his residency at The Echo... Jill Sobule (still one of the best singer-songwriters around) celebrates the release of her new record California Years at g'net. Carina Round continues her residency at the Hotel Cafe. Downtown/Union continues their residency at Mr. T's Bowl. Amanda Rogers, Homesick Elephant, and others at Echo curio. Leslie and the Badgers and Olin and the Moon open for Or, the Whale at the Silverlake Lounge. Mix Master Mike at Low End Theory. And lots of big bands roll through town (Jane's Addiction/Nine Inch Nails, The Walkmen, Allman Brothers/Doobie Brothers, Ben Folds, to name a few)... Thursday, Susie Suh, Jim Hanft, and others at the Hotel Cafe. Dave Palmer at g'net. The 88 at the Key Club. Glasser opens for Ghost at Spaceland. The Valley Arena celebrate the release of the new record We Died on JAXART at Alex's Bar.
Full listings here.
In other news: Nosaj Thing's debut LP Drift is due 6/10 on Alpha Pup with a digital pre-release 5/26. It's easily one of our favorite records of the year. Release show is 6/10 at Low End Theory. Get in line now.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Quick rundown of events this past week... Juliette Commagere is a warm, funny, and wonderfully talented lady, but for whatever reason The Echo crowd on Monday was unconscious to any of this... Tuesday, chalk two straight great shows for Avi Buffalo's residency at The Echo. The duet was especially a nice touch... Wednesday, an industry showcase for the newest face of hip-hop Rob Boy at On the Rox was coupled with a stop at the Silverlake Lounge for an early electronic pop set by Firs and a late night death/black metal finale at The Scene for Lightning Swords of Death, Velnias, and Black Math Horseman... Thursday, plans of seeing all three thousands shows downtown was pretty much nixed in favor for just the Regent for another other-worldly performance by Edward Sharpe, We Are the World, and the triumphant return of Amnion (first show in nearly six months). Yes, that's Edward Sharpe above saying hi to the crowd (and, yes, that's the infamous Mathew Adam Ward in his usual state of bliss). And we should mention that we had tickets (tickets, plural) for the Troubadour show with Afternoons and friends but we just couldn't pull ourselves away from the Sharpe. Maybe that's where the Magnetic part of their name comes from.
And that was the week that was... On to the weekend, shall we?
Listen up for familyblankets on "Demolisten" at around 7pm. Amateurs celebrate the release of their new EP "If We Dare Win" at Spaceland (they also play tomorrow afternoon at Origami). Van Hunt celebrates the release of his new record Use In Case Of Emergency at Zanzibar. Jessica Fichot, UNA and others at El Cid. Jon Brion at g'net. Land of Ill Earthquakes return to the scene with a record release show at pehrspace. Mikki and the Mauses and NON+ at Show Cave. Rob Roy at The Standard. Halloween Swim Team, Dylan Doren and others at L'KEG. And ARP, Teen Wolf Too and others at Echo Curio.
Saturday, Giant Drag plays their first show in nearly a century at the Troubadour. O+S at the Bootleg Theatre. Cosio celebrates the release of their new record The Cacophonist at The Bordello. Dirt Dress celebrates a record of their own at pehrspace. The Blanks at g'net. The Crabs (featuring members of Ozma and Teaneck) perform their first and last show at the Knitting Factory doing a tribute to Weezer's Green album. The Voyeurs play HM157. Free Moral Agents, Thavius Beck, and Nobody at The Prospector. And Silversun Pickups, Airborne Toxic Event, Weezer, and others do that KROQ thing down in Irvine.
On Sunday, Ceci Bastida plays the Air Conditioned Lounge. Foot Village, Total Bros., and others at L'KEG. Ovideo, Monster, and others at Echo Curio. And UV Lights, Dirt Dress, and others at The Que Sera.
Full listing here.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Had a good weekend spending some time with the Mother of all la-underground (our Mom, that is) up in the Bay Area and by sheer coincidence The Parson Red Heads/Monolators' so-called "Walking Wounded" tour just happened to be rolling through at the same time. We've seen a number of great L.A. bands perform up north over the years. 400 Blows and Tongue (Liz McGrath of Miss Derringer) played an amazing show at El Rio in like 1999 and who could forget the Rilo Kiley, Mates of State, and Velvet Teen show at The Outhouse (a venue half the size of pehrspace) in 2002. This show was just as good. San Franciscans dance way more than Angelenos at rock shows, even during ballads, which we find peculiarly awesome. And we have to shout out Excuses For Skipping for bringing out such a huge supportive crowd that did the most un-L.A. thing of sticking around for the last non-local band (Parsons) AND giving them three encores to boot. Unheard of, right? The short tour ended last night in Santa Barbara with a tambourine-athon sing-along finale (pictured above). [Insert obligatory "Good times" sentiment here]. Good times.
Tonight, listen up to GTFU for the final installment of Keith Morris' weekly appearance. Monday residencies continue with great lineups. We'll be at a few of those. Elsewhere, Meat Puppets sign copies of their new record Sewn Together at Amoeba. ANAVAN, BIRTH!, and others at pehrspace. Haroula Rose and Agness Twin open for My Flag is on Fire at Echo Curio. And Yusuf Islam does a special invite-only performance at the El Rey.
Tuesday, listen up for Maria Taylor on "Morning Becomes Eclectic." Michelle Malone celebrates the release of her new record Debris with friends Redcar. Meat Puppets does the full record release show at The Mint. The Parson Red Heads open for Operation Aloha at the Troubadour. Avi Buffalo continues their residency at The Echo. Evangenitals show at Mr. T's Bowl has been moved to York Studios. The Kids of Widney High, The Mormons and Bastidas at Juanita's. And Felix Cartal EP release at Cinespace.
Wednesday, Carina Round celebrates the release of her new digital EP "Things You Should Know" at the Hotel Cafe with Sierra Swan and others. Fool's Gold opens for Extra Golden and others at Dub Club at Echoplex. Shiloe, Future Ghost, and Atlantic Line at Spaceland. Dissolver and others at Three Clubs. Pilar Diaz at La Cita. Downtown/Union continue their residency at Mr. T's Bowl with Seasons, The Hectors, The Health Club, and others. Hello Dragon, Firs, Divisible, and others at the Silverlake Lounge. Robedoor, Eternal Tapestry, and others at Echo Curio. Lightning Swords of Death and others at The Scene. And Juakali, Jush Arora, and others at LET.
What's with Thursdays being so crazy this month? This one is no different... Watch for Sara Bareilles on a new episode of "30 Rock" and The Airborne Toxic Event on Jimmy Kimmel. Then contemplate going to either Afternoons, Happy Hollows, and Warpaint at the Troubadour or Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros, thenewno2, We Are the World, and Amnion at the Regent. Or The Polyamorous Affair, Magick Daggers, Blue Jungle, Halloween Swim Team and others at Echoplex. Living Things, Posso, The Library, Keenhouse, and Royal Rumble at the Globe. Restavrant residency at the Silverlake Lounge. Imaad Wasif with Two Part Beast, Magic Lanter, and others at The Prospector. And Sara Watkins at g'net.
In other news: Times are a changing at Mr. T's Bowl. Here are the new rules at the club. On Tuesdays through Thursays there is a two drink minimum, which is basically an $8 cover charge that will provide you two drink tickets. On Fridays and Saturdays, it's a $5 cover. Incidentally, we'll be presenting what will probably be our last "Live at Mr. T's Bowl" on 7/22. We have nothing against the new policy but we do know that the new changes are making quite a few bands upset. Just know that the rules are not coming from Gus (booker) and Arlo (sound genius) and we all knew this was coming so let's just move on dot org.
Friday, May 08, 2009
Thanks to EXITMUSIC for letting us be a part of their farewell show last night at The Smell. It was, by far, the best show we've ever seen them do and we do believe we're not the only ones who think so. We were in stunned silence for all of their set. The night was capped off with beautiful performances by Warpaint, VOICEsVOICEs, and Alexandra Hope. EXITMUSIC's next show is 6/21 at the Cake Shop in NY. Warpaint plays the posh Bardot on Saturday (5/9). VOICEsVOICEs plays 6/10 at Spaceland. And Alexandra Hope opens for Gangi at Spaceland on 5/25.
Great weekend in store for us...
First tune into "Demolisten" tonight for the Blue Jungle. Then head out for Beat Junkies and Pete Rock for the return of Nightlife at Echoplex. MusicCares honors Anthony Kiedis at Club Nokia with special surprise performances. "Formal Space/Informal Ideas" opening at L'KEG. Frank Black and The Shys at Detroit Bar. Miss Derringer returns with a show at Alex's Bar. Abe Vigoda and The Entrance Band open for Spectrum at The Echo. Les Blanks, The Voyeurs, The Fling, and The Shade at The Scene. Imaad Wasif, Timonium, Sasqrotch, and others at pehrspace. Voxhaul Broadcast, Local Natives, Aushua, and Rumpsringa at Spaceland.
Saturday, it's officially the beginning of the summer festivals with a ton of great events all around Los Angeles. Celebrate National Train Day at Union Station with a special free performance by Matt Costa. Santa Monica Festival at Clover Park. Top of the Town Arts Festival at Houghton Park down in Long Beach. Los Angeles Murderfest 5.0 at the Knitting Factory. Audiotistic at the NOS Events Center. Then the long-awaited celebration of Mika Miko's sophomore record release at The Smell. We haven't seen them since the madness of the Eagle Rock Music Festival last year (video below) and we think we might need to show up early just to get a whiff of The Smell on Saturday. Elsewhere, Shiny Toy Guns, Nico Vega, and Vedera at Club Nokia. AM, No Paws (No Lions), Traps, Ps, and Deadly Finns at pehrspace. Dios, Kirkwood/Dillinger, Forcefield ON, and Bible Children at Alex's Bar. Okie Dokie, Audacity, and others at L'KEG. And Seasons, Odd Modern, Blue Jungle, and Collisions at Echo Curio.
Sunday, Part Time Punks celebrates 4 years with tons of guest DJs. El Vez at Spaceland. Bobb Bruno, Vaginals, and others at Echo Curio. The Beach Boys at the Orpheum. And Jewel has a record release at the Roxy.
That's it. Can't talk. Have to run.
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
We're in the middle of the Parivrtta Janu Sirsasana III position, readying our bodies for tonight's show at The Smell so we don't have a lot of time to chat... but we do want to mention the last couple of shows we saw recently.
Juliette Commagere started off her Monday residency at The Echo wonderfully with friends Obi Best and The Sweet Hurt opening. We firmly believe Obi Best should be rechristened "Oh, Be Best!" They're just that good to have a band name with punctuation. And Alex Lily is a more charming and smarter Lily Allen with better songs. Believe it. The Sweet Hurt had the early early with an added something we haven't heard in about five years from them: distortion. Could Ms. Hurt be going shoegazer on the next record, which we hear will have an all-star cast of musicians? Could there be a fog machine and a pedal board the size of Milwaukee at the next Sweet Hurt show? Fingers crossed.
Meanwhile, later that night over at Echo Curio the never-boring often-injured Monolators celebrated the release of their new digital EP "Ruby I'm Changing My Number," which should not be confused with Steely Dan's "Ricky Don't Lose That Number" -- although we will pay good money to have that mashup. The title track is quintessential garage rock Monolators (pictured above) with the sleeper hit being "French TV" being our fav of the bunch. Be sure to see them on tour with The Parson Red Heads this week around California. That's a knockout one-two punch of L.A. bands right therrrr.
On Tuesday, only the wisest of the wise were out for Avi Buffalo's first residency stint at The Echo. Some insiders have said (ourselves included) it might be too early for this band to be getting a residency in a scene filled with bands clamoring for one. We stand corrected. Last night was one of the best performances they've ever done and they showed a level of restraint and control (usually seen by bands twice their age even despite their obvious nervousness. We've known Avi for a little while now and yet we still marvel how they could possibly summon the maturity and feel to write a song as unbelievably perfect as "Jessica." They only played like five songs or something ridiculous so be sure to check them out every Tuesday through May to get your money's worth. Wait, it's free. Well, you get the picture... As for the other bands we were able to catch... 1). Ms. Deep Sea Diver, we're in love with you. "Why Must a Man Change" gives us chills, it's so good. 2). 60-Watt Kid, that was the best show we've ever seen you do. We could listen to "Ocsicnarf Nas" until forever. 3). Tenlons Fort/LAZ D, you started low and slow and went out with a bang. Oh, and one more thing: 1, 2, 3... Avi!
Hope to see you at The Smell tonight.
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
Warpaint. EXITMUSIC. VOICEsVOICEs. Alexandra Hope.
In truth, that is all that needs to be said about tomorrow's show at The Smell for this is a lineup that needs no introduction by us or anybody. Simply put, this musical gathering represents four bands at the forefront of L.A.'s new world order of ethereal post-rock. Not that any of these bands actually know or care about such a movement. They're just doing what they do, creating music that they're into, yet making tons of new fans along the way. And this is what we love about them the most.
We should also make note that this is the last EXITMUSIC show before they move back to New York so that Ms. Aleksa can be an even bigger star than we already believe her to be. This will be the fourth show we've done with the band and we couldn't be more honored to be apart of this bittersweet farewell as they head back to the origins of their coupling (their story about how they met will make believers out of those who think true love doesn't exist).
We dare you to miss this show.
May 6, 2009
KXLU, Manimal Vinyl, and la-underground present:
WARPAINT
EXITMUSIC
VOICESVOICES
ALEXANDRA HOPE
The Smell
247 S. Main St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012 | Map
9pm / $5 / All Ages
Warpaint - "Billie Holiday" (MP3) Limited time download
EXITMUSIC - "Slow Parade" (MP3) Limited time download
VOICEsVOICEs - "Flulyk" (MP3) Limited time download
Alexandra Hope - "Invisible Sunday" (MP3) Limited time download
Monday, May 04, 2009
On a day, alack the day, Love, whose month is ever May...
Yes, we sing that Shakespeare sonnet whenever this month comes along. We can't help it. I mean, look how good this month is going to be...
Headed to Space 15 Twenty early Friday for "All Together Now," a night of music, film, photography, and dance by some of L.A.'s most brilliant women (pictured above). Produced by local artiste magnifique Nicole Disson, the event featured beautiful portraits by Shelby Duncan, amazing screenings by Jacqueline Suskin ("The Balance of Old and New"), Aska Matsumiya, and KT Comkowycz, and stunning performances by The Ladies Choir and Jenny O. The Ladies Choir is a newish project started by Becky Stark and Aska Matsumiya that we caught a few months ago at the Hammer and we doubt we'll ever miss another performance. Along with Stark and Matsumiya the ever-growing choirship includes members of Lion of Panjshir, BlackBlack, Warpaint, Anna Oxygen, and a veritable who's who of L.A.'s cultural scene. The songs (so far, mostly Becky Stark originals) sounded beautiful, as you might expect with such talented ladies. An album was recently recorded so look out for that in the near future... Later, we stopped by Spaceland to catch Useless Keys and Eagle Winged Palace, both of whom have new songs that you need to hear right this second. And then to Women of Crenshaw for another NON+ house party slash mosh pit frenzy initiated by your friendly folks at la-underground.
So what else is going on in May?...
Residencies this month include: Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros, Juliette Commagere, ANAVAN, Gangi, Lex Land, Avi Buffalo, Golden Animals, Restavrant, Jim Hanft, Moostache/Evening Hour...
Record release shows include: Meat Puppets, Mika Miko, Carina Round, Jill Sobule, Sara Watkins, Iglu & Hartley, Tom Brosseau, The Monolators, Amateurs, War Tapes, Cosio, The Valley Arena, Michelle Malone, Lisa Donnelly, Lindsay Tomasic, Nick Bognar, Elliot Deutsch, Dawn Mitschele, Suicide Cowboy...
Big events include: Audiotistic, Lebowski Fest, Murderfest 5.0, Wango Tango, Part Time Punks 4 Year Anniversary, KROQ Weenie Roast, Santa Monica Festival, BuFest, Rose City Rocks Music Fest, Top of the Town Arts Festival...
And we're presenting two shows this month. One at The Smell this Wednesday 5/6 with Warpaint, EXITMUSIC, VOICEsVOICEs, and Alexandra Hope. And at pehrspace on 5/29 with The Monolators, Okie Dokie, NON+ and UV Lights.
Should be a fun one.
Friday, May 01, 2009
Great shows all week. Good to see The Henry Clay People on Monday at their final residency night. That might be the last time we see the band as they have long past graduated L.A.'s underground and they certainly went out in style, so to speak. The band goes on tour with Ben Harper and Relentless7 in May... Tuesday, Castledoor and The Parson Red Heads hosted a dual record release show at Echoplex that was quite the success. Both those records are available at local indie shops so pick up them asap. Castledoor plays a last-minute show at Temp Spaces tonight and The Parsons go on a Cali tour with The Monolators next week... Wednesday, we stopped by Daniel Ahearn's low-key showcase at the Knitting Factory with special guest Aaron Embry on keyboards. Supposedly, the two are working on a new album at Embry's studio Hunter's Hollow that excites us to no end. By the way, we may start a band just to record at that studio, which includes a teepee. Beat that Ocean Way!... Thursday, Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros' residency launch at the Regent was the priority. A huge crowd gathered to dance and sing along to the hits and we enjoyed every second of it (as seen above). It was also an opportunity to get a look-see at newish Angeleno Soko who probably everyone in the file-sharing world has probably downloaded one of her tracks at some point. Well, as expected, the girl is absolutely bonkers (which sounds more charming if you say with an English accent). Bonkers in a good way. Oh, and she needs a roadie, preferably one that knows open tuning.
This weekend is so good. Go to all of the below, if possible:
Listen up for Jean Paul Yamamoto on "Demolisten" tonight. Then check out a series of benefit shows through the weekend for Peter Case (whose recent heart surgery operation set him back a few bills) at McCabe's featuring Loudon Wainwright III, Dave Alvin, and T-Bone Burnett. The Pity Party and War Tapes at Edgar Varela. Useless Keys, Eagle Winged Palace, Hello From Reno and others at Spaceland. Castledoor at Temp Spaces. Holly Brook returns to her early beginnings with a show at Genghis Cohen. The Flash Express at The Echo. Foot Village, Kill Kill Kill and others at pehrspace. The Ladies Choir and Jenny O. perform at "All Together Now" at Space 15 Twenty. Seasons, The Health Club, Manhattan Murder Mysetery, and others at Mr. T's Bowl. Halloween Swim Team, NON+ and others at Women. Wolfmother and The Ruby Suns at the Natural History Museum. Joe Lally, David Scott Stone, PROTECTME and others at The Smell. Acid Girls open for Jokers of the Scene at Avalon. And Go West Young Man, Queen Kwong and others at Echo Curio.
Saturday, The Parson Red Heads do an in-store at Origami in the afternoon. Sterling Andrews signs her new photo book "Gooseberries" at Book Soup. Megapuss, Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros, Saint Motel, Rainbow^Arabia, Fawnhawk, and others at BOXeight. AM, Traps, ps, and Audacity at pehrspace. Okie Dokie, Kid Infinity, Magick Orchids and others at pehrspace. One Trick Pony, Pride of Kenya, Sebastian Clark, and others at The Cocaine. Princeton, Tigers Can Bit You, Divisible, and Writer at Spaceland. Voice on Tape, Vanessa Micale, and others at Echo Curio. And The Monthlies, Ragsy, and others at the Unknown Theater.
Sunday, Maria Taylor, Whispertown2000, and JJAMZ at the Troubadour. Le Switch, Restavrant, Matt Ellis, and Paul Chesne do an afternoon BBQ show at the Cinema Bar. Lisa Donnelly opens for Katie Melua at the Hotel Cafe. The Vespa Experiment at the Roxy. Joe Lally and Qui at The Echo for PTP.
For a complete calendar click here.
Holly Brook - "Still Love" (MP3)
The Ruby Suns - "There Are Birds" (MP3)
