Monday, June 29, 2009
Thank goodness this is a short week because we already need another weekend to recuperate from this last one. And quickly. After briefly stopping by EDC on Friday night just to get a quick look at the layout we got our dance on Saturday for Major Lazer and Simian Mobile Disco, rode some carnival rides, and enjoyed some fireworks. But not before checking out Ceci Bastida at the Bootleg (Friday) and The Voyeurs and The Damselles at The Comic Bug (Saturday). The next big massives are Almost Better Than Sex and Freshly Squeezed, both on 7/11.
Last of the June residencies is upon us. Get on it. Otherwise, go see Mika Miko, The Strange Boys, Roman Candles, and PROTECTME at The Smell. Nicole Simone opens for Ed Harcourt and The Langley Sisters. Zombelle, Lily Marlene, and others at Women. Amie Miriello and others at Molly Malone's. White Hinterland and others at Echo Curio.
Tuesday, Leslie and the Badgers celebrate the release of their new record Roomful of Smoke at Spaceland with The Chapin Sisters, Olin and the Moon, and Eagle Winged Palace. The Strange Boys, Shirley Rolls, and The Growlers at The Echo. Bleu begins a Tuesday residency at the Hotel Cafe with special guest Rooney. Alex & Sam, Cassorla, and Angie Mattson at the Bootleg. Tiny Vaudeville #4 at Echoplex. Two real guitar heros at the Bowl. Bengal Lancer, Links, and Papa at the Silverlake Lounge. Best Coast, Mothfight, Soft Black, and Werewolves at Echo Curio. Pierre de Reeder, I See Hawks in L.A., Monster, and others at The Airliner. Rose's Pawn Shop and Jake La Botz at the Redwood. The Year Zero at The Prospector. And Amazing Baby does a free in-store at Origami.
Wednesday, Very Be Careful, La Santa Cecilia, and Wait.Think.Fast. at La Cita. The Gaslamp Killer celebrates the release of his new mixtape "Hell and the Lake of Fire" at LET with Exile and others. Eulogies, Avi Buffalo, and others at The Echo. Marvelous Toy, Go West Young Man, and others at the Silverlake Lounge. Splinter Cake, tik///tik, and others at Ports O Call. And Dazzler opens for Amazing Baby and Band of Skulls at the Hammer.
Thursday, a benefit for Spaceland's Jennifer Tefft at The Echo and Echoplex featuring performances by She Wants Revenge, Great Northern, Living Things, Dead Meadow, Rocco Deluca, Nico Stai, LA Ladies Choir, Useless Keys, and others. Black Math Horseman opens for Citay at the Silverlake Lounge. And Whitman, Splinter Cake, Nora Keyes, and Nicole Kidman at The Smell.
For a complete calendar listing click here.
Pictured above are members of San Francisco's Battlehooch stealing hearts (and probably comic books).
Friday, June 26, 2009
What a week, wouldn't you say? We won't go on about the untimely passing of certain individuals as to not sit on the overkill button, but we will say that it took us a month of chores to buy that Thriller album when we were kids. And when we finally got that thing, we opened it like it was wrapped in gold, after which we stared at the cover and the inside gatefold with that badass tiger cub for hours while listening to it. Even if you weren't a fan, you have to admit the guy was a complete original and a force of nature on stage. And even in today's indie rock world, you see his influence in local bands from Casxio and Sam Sparro to Electrocute and Totally Radd!!!/Dazzler. In any case, we need a good weekend to get over this one...
And the big event this weekend is of course Electric Daisy Carnival. Insomniac's been doing this thing since 1996 and we never thought this revival of the massive would ever top the mid-to-late-90's hysteria but 2009 has probably been one of the most prolific years for large-scale dance festivals in a decade. Clearly, people want to dance and we're all in luck because EDC is one of the biggest of the year. Held again at the 100k capacity Coliseum, this year's spinners include Thievery Corporation, Groove Armada, Paul Van Dyk, ATB, Monsters of Jungle, Boys Noize, Roger Sanchez, Infected Mushroom, Mark Farina, The Crystal Method, Simian Mobile Disco, LTJ Bukem, and many other favorites. Just to show how heavy this lineup is, Zabiela, Daedelus, Hazen, and Caldwell are openers on their respective stages. In any case, we still wish these things would go longer. Remember dancing until the sun came up over the Mojave? Yeah, then we'd all drive home and get in car wrecks because of sleep deprivation. Ok, nevermind.
Tonight, listen up for Greater California on "Demolisten." Battle night at The Smell with ANAVAN, The Press Fire!, Neon Navajo, Wet Dreams, LACO$TE, I.E., Not the Government, and Bastidas at The Smell. Fol Chen, Nite Jewel, and others at PDG Warehouse. Ceci Bastida at the Bootleg. Drew Andrews at Origami. Tod Adrian Wisenbaker opens for Ben Nichols at the Center for the Arts in Eagle Rock. Jon Brion at g'net. My Pet Saddle, Traps, PS, and others at pehrspace. Old Lumps (who comedy-rocked the late slot last Monday at Spaceland), Line and Circle and others open for Two Sheds. And Par Avion and The New Room at Silver Factory Studios. Also, don't forget to watch Carson Daly for Lex Land.
Saturday, Not the Government does an in-store at Origami. Wendy and Lisa at g'net. Later, No Age opens for Explosions in the Sky. The Voyeurs, The Damselles, and others at the Comic Bug. War Tapes open for VNV Nation at the Nokia. Django Haskins and The Californian at the Bootleg. Truth & Salvage Co., Eliza Rickman, Leftover Cuties, and others at the Hotel Cafe. And don't forget all those festivals Summer Voyage and SummerShine Pop Fest.
Sunday, Local Natives and Saint Motel play for the kids at The Echo. Later, Santé D'Or Animal Rescue benefit at the Echoplex with Gliss, Army Navy, Rainwbow^Arabia, The Polyamorous Affair, Bobb Bruno, VOICEsVOICEs, and many others. El Ten Eleven and others at $ucka Free $undays. Nocando and others at Space 15 Twenty. Greg Laswell at Saint Rocke. And The Tartans and Sea Lions open for St. Christopher at PTP.
Full calendar listing here.
Traps Ps - Pixelvision
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Oh, look a Wednesday update thingy! Actually, sorry, there's really nothing to update other than maybe all that hoopla that Largo is finally selling booze. That's not the problem, though, parking is the problem. Other than that, Monday residencies went well. Castledoor is really making a case for residency of the year with this latest weekly they're doing down at Spaceland. And if anyone knows how to do these things by now it's Cast lé Door (as their cleverly designed new t-shirts read) given their previous stints at the Silverlake Lounge (Mondays and Thursdays), The Echo (twice), and Detroit Bar (Mondays). Yeah, we've probably overkilled on C-Door shows but there we were on Monday, waiting in line with all the other anxiously excited fans, just wanting to sing along to their new hits ("Fifth Tambourine," "Shouting at Mountains") and the old ones ("Magnetic Forces," "Burn the Maps"). Castledoor go on a quick jaunt to NorCal this week and then play the final night of their Monday residency on 6/29 -- which really should be the last we ever see their name together with "free residency" again.
Today, listen up to Little Radio on Ana Calderone's show around noon for a performance by the one and only SoKo. Later today, Pete Yorn celebrates the release of his new record at the Roxy. Susie Suh does some celebrating of her own with her new "The Bakman Tapes EP" release at the Hotel Cafe. Spinnerette, Har Mar, and Woah Hunx play a sold out Troubadour. Go Betty Go, The Dollyrots and others at The Bordello. The Watson Twins play another "Found" night at g'net. Aushua opens for The Picture at Spaceland. Jason Simon, Louis Le Hir, and others at Marathon. And our old friend Patty Griffin (oh, the living room concert days of 1996) comes back to town playing with Buddy Miller, Emmylou Harris, and Shawn Colvin at the Greek. Wilco also make an appearance on Conan tonight.
Tomorrow, Daedelus, Peanut Butter Wolf, Jogger, and Mexicans With Guns at Echoplex. LANDy, Avi Buffalo, and The Minor Canon at The Regent. Jesus Makes the Shotgun Sound, Dalmacio Von Diamond & the Enochian Keys, and others at The Smell. Upsilon Acrux, Peter Kolovos, and others at The Scene. Two Guns and others at Detroit. Holland Greco (where have you been, my dear?) at The Mint. And Sara and Sean Watkins at g'net's Little Room.
And happy birthday today to Noah Green (formerly of The Henry Clay People) and tomorrow to Jose Galvez of Ozma.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Huge thanks to all our old friends we saw on Saturday either on stage or out in the audience. It was really a fun night and all the bands sounded terrific. Special shout out to The Shade for asking us to help with the show. For a new band they certainly held their own opening up the night. They're apparently finishing up some recordings soon so look out for those. More shout outs to Robotanists for taking on the late night finale slot with as much gusto as they would if they were headlining the Troubadour. We clearly have not seen them nearly enough over the years, but to be fair we actually thought they had long moved on from the underground when we saw Loma Lynda do Aoki's Cinespace Tuesdays back in 2004. That band's dark, hypnotic rock mixed in with their noir-drenched visuals made them one of the more talked about bands at the time. These days, Ms. Ellquist has never sounded more confident with that beguiling voice of hers, a voice not too distant from Hooverphonic's Geike Arnaert or Olive's Ruth-Ann Boyle. In any case, chances are we'll be begging them for another show with us again soon, you can guarantee that. One last shout out to I Make This Sound, which featured a whole new lineup of musicians including members of Le Switch, The Breakups, and The Sweet Hurt. It was their first show in many months but with such an all-star cast of players (not to mention great songs) they 'made that sound' quite well. Ok, that was stupid. Anyway, thanks again to all attendees. Video streams of the show are archived here.
This week...
Monday residencies have been yummy this month, haven't they? More please. Also, the lovely Caitlin Crosby celebrates the release of her debut record Flawz at the Hotel Cafe tonight. Whitman, Splinter Cake, Bipolar Bear, and others at Carnage's night at Women. Lemonwilde is strangely scheduled to play at both Viper and the Silverlake Lounge. If you love them, which you should, you should go to both. Oh, and some guy named Elvis Costello plays Amoeba (tapes Conan tomorrow) and new buzz band Wilco is in town at The Wiltern. Incubus at Echoplex. And check out Pete Yorn on Conan O'Brien later tonight.
On Tuesday, Foreign Born celebrates the release of their new record Person to Person (out on Secretly Canadian) at Vacation [Download "Vacationing People" here and "Early Warnings" here]. Acid Girls celebrates their new single at Arena. Ditto for Pete Yorn who will be doing an in-store at Fingerprints down in Long Bizzle. thenewno2 and others at Spaceland. The Sweet Sweet Things, Carrick Moore, and The Wheel at the Silverlake Lounge. Cryptacize, Wounded Lion, Missincinatti, and Emily Lacy at Echo Curio.
Also on Tuesday, Lex Land tapes a performance on Carson Daly to be aired this Friday. A few months ago, she was gracious enough to perform at our "Live at Mr. T's Bowl" show and blew everyone away with her voice, her songwriting, and of course her rendition of the Habanera from Bizet's "Carmen." If she's not signed yet, she will be. Easily, one of the best singer-songwriters in town right now and one of the finest voices we have ever heard, period. Believe it... As a related note, has anyone checked out Daly's new late night format of taped man-on-the-street shows? Apparently, he's been all over Los Angeles Twittering and promoting local establishments while touting network television debuts of some indie bands. We haven't seen much of it but it's not a bad idea -- although it's pretty transparent that his production and talent booking staff know more about the local scene than he does. In other words, we highly doubt he's been anywhere near The Smell but you can pretty much guess that he'll have a camera crew over there at some point taping Mika Miko while he voice-over's that he's been into them since the Cobalt. We really don't care about him touting indie cred as long as he actually helps out local bands, which he should do often if he ever wants us to write a paragraph this long about him again.
Damn, this is long. If you want a complete calendar go here. We'll try and do a Wednesday update thing maybe.
Friday, June 19, 2009
While watching Gram Rabbit rock l'Rocke last night (pictured above) we realized we actually have a little bit of a silly streak going. We've been to a show of some sort every night this year since January 2. When we were young and carefree we averaged 8 clubs a night for the whole year of 1999 (that was such a good year). So this streak is nothing more than a Molitor compared to the DiMaggio we had back then. Still, all this really means is that there are just too many great things happening on any given night in Los Angeles. And this weekend is no exception...
Listen up for Elaine Layabout on "Demolisten" tonight. Emily Wells celebrates a "Dirty" EP release tonight at the Hotel Cafe with Andy Clockwise, Olin and the Moon, and Lex Land. Mere Mortals, Lower Heaven, Black Kites and others shoegaze at Spaceland. Ninja Academy, UNSEXXY, and others at pehrspace. "Bananaphone Porcupine SmileTime Spectacular" opening at L'KEG. The Blood Arm open for the last night of Art Brut's 4-night L.A. stand at The Echo. Hello My Name Is Red, Fast Astronauts, and Colonial Fever at Tribal Cafe. Actuary, Bavab Bavab, Warm Climate and others at Echo Curio. Gossip Tree, Goldiggers, VOLTS, and others at The Smell. LoveLikeFire and others at the Bootleg. Jon Brion at g'net. ShepFair does his thing at Space 15 Twenty.
Saturday, we're presenting a show at Mr. T's Bowl. Elsewhere, Gary Jules, Oren Levi, and Lex Land at The Mint. Crystal Antlers open for Contanstines at The Echo. Mike Watt at the Redwood. Malcolm Sosa, Foot Foot, Miniature Soap, and El Inganni at pehrspace. Modest Fur, Kevin Greenspon, Land of Ill Earthquakes, Hello, My Name Is Red and others at the Drake House. Tom Brosseau and Mike Stinson at McCabe's. Lightning Swords of Death, It's Casual and others at Mountain Bar. The New Room, The Modlins, and Actress at The Scene. Spirit Vine, Ragsy, and The Monthlies at the Unknown Theater. And Our Brother the Native, Voice on Tape, Foot Village, and others at The Smell. Also: PJ Harvey & John Parish, Grizzly Bear, Shellac, Chairlift, Nouvelle Vague, and some band called Wilco are in town.
Sunday, the annual Make Music Pasadena with headliners Juana Molina, Mirah, Whispertown 2000, and others all for free. Circle Jerks at The Key Club. Captain Ahab, Halloween Swim Team, and others at The Smell. Venus Infers and others at Viper. Ezra Buchla and others at Echo Curio. And Amy Correia returns to the town where she should be, playing a show at the Hotel Cafe with others.
Full calendar listing here.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
When we said we weren't doing any shows this month because of the necessary preparation time for July and August festivities, that was before we were gift-wrapped Saturday's show at Mr. T's Bowl. The mere mention of I Make This Sound, Blue Jungle, Robotanists, Seasons, and The Shade in the same sentence makes us jump for joy. Plus, the show is being held at T's, which we all know might be heading off into the proverbial sunset so we'd like to take advantage of any show we can get there. In any case, if you're needing some incentive to go to this show, here are just a few:
- This is I Make This Sound's first show in nearly a century since most of its members have found second (and even third and fourth) homes in other bands like The Henry Clay People, The Monolators, et al. Saturday's show will perhaps prove that they are not only a super group, but also a supergroup.
- Blue Jungle recently released one of the best records of the year with Baby Don't Cry, but their live shows are even better. Just ask all the kids who flipped their wig at The Smell last Saturday when they opened for Telepathe.
- Seasons is putting our four EPs this year in conjunction with Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. Any band that honors the earth's revolution around the sun with indie rock deserves an effing medal.
- Robotanists formerly Philistine! formerly Loma Lynda is a longtime favorite of ours even though we haven't bragged about it too much. They recently put out the oh so sexy "Close Down the Woods" EP and will put out a new all-covers release in July.
- The Shade is a newish band that recalls 90's alt rock to a T. Fans of Sugar, Gloritone, and the like should be at T's early for their slot.
For all those not within a 2000 square mile radius of Mr. T's Bowl on Saturday, we'll probably be broadcasting the show over this new thing called the Internet through our Stickam. To all those within 2000 miles we'll see you there!
la-underground presents:
CRITICAL MASS
SEASONS
I MAKE THIS SOUND
BLUE JUNGLE
ROBOTANISTS
THE SHADE
Mr. T's Bowl
5621 1/2 Figueroa
Highland Park, CA 90042 | Map
21+ / 9pm / $5
I Make This Sound - "One, Two, Three" (MP3)
Robotanists - "Close Down The Woods" (MP3)
Blue Jungle - "Here We Go Again" (MP3)
Seasons - "India" (MP3)
Monday, June 15, 2009
Congrats to Emma Kathan (The Black Pine/LANDy) on her wonderful photo exhibit "don't be long" opening on Saturday at pehrspace. We all know how under-appreciated The Black Pine are (were?) but you really should not let this presentation of fine photography go unseen. The Black Pine's most recent record will be released physically in the coming weeks while LANDy releases their debut album Eros and Omissions on 6/23 with a show tomorrow at The Echo... More congrats go out to Kissing Cousins on the release of their first full-length record Pillar of Salt, which they celebrated last night to a lovely, well-dressed crowd at Silver Factory Studios. The record was produced by Richard Swift and while that may get bloggers goosenecking at a band they should have been talking about years ago, the swooning sounds and swirls of reverb that he's laced throughout the recording really make it the best of the career. And if you've been tracking all the ethereal post-rock bands coming out of Los Angeles lately, you might want to add Kissing Cousins to the top of it.
And for all those who were at the Hotel Cafe to see that one guy, you should have come earlier for touring bands The Naked Hearts, PWRFL Power, and Cap Lori. Look for The Naked Hearts in the August issue of Interview Magazine, featured as one of the top 5 new bands out of New York (we think they might actually be one of the best new bands in America). PWRFL Power, a master of mixing folk pop and Asian harmonologia, heads out overseas to play his native Japan in September. And Cap Lori, who's one of the best new artists we've seen in the last year (especially as old fans of Mirah, Julie Martin, and Amy Linton), will release a record through PWRFL Power's record label Half Yogurt sometime soon. These three great artists (not to mention Alex & Sam who played later) will be ones to look out for in the near future, we promise.
Monday residencies battle it out again. To add to the fight, Buzz Bands presents The Lassie Foundation, Amusement Parks on Fire (in town recording or something), Magic Mirror, and The Broken Remotes at Echoplex. Daniel Francis Doyle, That Ghost, Ear Pwr, and others at Carnage's night at Women. Bloocat Love open for The Von Bondies at Viper. Also, A Camp returns to Los Angeles tonight at the Troubadour with former Angeleno/future wife Emm Gryner on bass. And Spinal Tap does Conan O'Brien for all you homebodies.
Tuesday, The Section Quartet with special guest vocalists including Sam Phillips at g'net. Hecuba opens for Bat for Lashes at the El Rey. LANDy, The French Semester, Spleen, and Rusty Anderson at The Echo. Mississippi Man and others at the Silverlake Lounge. Nite Jewel continues her tour with Telepathe down at Detroit. The Voyeurs, By Sunlight, and Bright Light Fever at The Prospector. And Art Brut plays the first of a 4-night stint in L.A. with a show at Spaceland with special guests.
Wednesday, The Airborne Toxic Event play Billabong's annual "Design for Humanity" at the Avalon. Sleepy Sun celebrates a record release with The Entrance Band, Dios, and Slang Chickens at the Center for the Arts in Eagle Rock. Susie Suh and Butterfly Boucher's residency at the Hotel Cafe continues. Robotanists, The Lynx Technique, and The Rhone Occupation at Echo Curio. Spindrift at the Redwood. Deleted Scenes, So Many Wizards, and Constant Collection at the Silverlake Lounge.
Thursday, Warpaint play a free in-store at Amoeba. Gram Rabbit and others at Saint Rocke. Busdriver, Blank Blue, and Nocando at the Knit. Luke Top opens for Chairlift at The Echo. Meho Plaza, Spider Problem, and You + Me at Space 15 Twenty. And Lex Land and Stacy Clark at Viento y Agua. And for the homebodies, Metric's appearance on Craig Ferguson airs on this night.
Full listing here.
Pictured above is the crowd at The Smell on Saturday discussing the Iranian elections via Twitter to the music of Abe Vigoda.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Yay, Friday update thing... First, congrats to Nosaj Thing on the release of his new brilliant record Drift. The show was momentarily shutdown by the fire department (pictured above) but things picked up back where it left off after the big red truck left (and it was still as crowded as before). Be sure to pick up the album asap. He's performing a few more times this weekend to celebrate its release before heading out to rock the Asians next week so get on it.
Chances are by now you've heard about this little benefit tonight at Spaceland for a one beloved taco truck called Taco Zone, which one week ago was set afire by suspected arsonists. The late night eatery parked nearly every night on Alvarado and Montana has been an Echo Park institution for years. It's known for their decadent suadero and chorizo meats, their excellent assortment of salsas and sauces, and of course the lovely ladies in the truck who serve the community until the wee hours of the early morning. It's also known for being a great gathering place for after shows, after Dodger games, and in between recording sessions from nearby studios -- hence the reason for the lines around 2am. On one evening, we went three times alone and saw members of HEALTH, The Flying Tourbillon Orchestra, and Summer Darling. In any case, this benefit is more of a show of love than anything else since they've already replaced the truck and everyone is safe and sound but we think it's great that everyone rallied so quickly to put this show together. Just goes to show the power of community (and their suadero). Also, of note, there's actually another benefit being held at the Bandit Gallery tonight as well so those closer to Echo Park can check that out as well if Spaceland sells out, which it'd better. Red Cortez, Kenan Bell, Robert Francis, Barrio Tiger perform tonight at Spaceland with DJ sets by The Mae Shi and Gangi.
Also tonight, listen up for So Many Wizards on "Demolisten." Laura Jansen celebrates the release of her new EP at the Hotel Cafe with with Come Gather Round Us and others. Del the Funky Homosapien at the House of Blues. Shark Toys opens for Love Is All and Still Flyin' at the Echoplex. Nosaj Thing, The Gaslamp Killer, and Free the Robots at Undefeated. Saint Motel and others at Viper. Avi Buffalo opens for Agent Ribbons at Open. Tijuana Panthers, Dirt Dress, No Paws (No Lions), and others at pehrspace. Michael Runion and Furcast at the Bootleg. And the L.A. Pride Fest begins today and lasts through the weekend.
Saturday, Emma Kathan debuts her new photo exhibit "don't be long" at pehrspace. Wendy and Lisa perform for the first time in ages at g'net. The Night Marchers, Japanese Motors, Lamps, and others at Lot 613. Nikka Costa plays Saint Rocke. Blaqstarr, Nosaj Thing and others at The Standard downtown. Casxio opens for Datarock at the Key Club. Abe Vigoda, Nite Jewel, and Blue Jungle open for Telepathe at The Smell. Chuck Dukowski Sextet, The Kris Special, and others at Echo Curio. LA Ladies Choir play Immaculate Hear High. Bolero and Pink Snowflakes at The Prospector. Naked Hearts, Pwrfl Power, and Cap Lori at Origami. Holly Brook at Room 5. And festivals galore with Playboy Jazz Festival, Tour Des Artistes, and Love at the Park.
Sunday, Kissing Cousins celebrate the release of their first full-length record Pillar of Salt (produced by Richard Swift) at Silver Factory Studios with Restavrant and Cobra Lilies. We just bought the album on iTunes and it's fantastic -- their cover of The Monolators' "Red Lamb" is a revelation. Venus Infers, Useless Keys and others at Viper. Naked Hearts, Alex & Sam, Pwrfl Power, Cap Lori at the Hotel Cafe.
Full listings here.
Monday, June 08, 2009
We made some plans to go to a lot of shows over the weekend. Strange, how things change so fast after one phone call. Instead, we drove down to San Diego to a little cemetery outside of Miramar, to say farewell to an old friend from way back when. See you soon, Kid.
On to happier times...
Tonight, we welcome back our long lost friends Metric to Los Angeles. They recently released one of our favorite records of the year with Fantasies and are in town in support of it. In fact, when we listen through the whole album, we're so stunned by the production and songwriting that we can't think of anything better released this year. "Stadium Love," which they've been playing on tours for a few years, has got to be one of the best songs of the decade. As we all know, the band lived in Los Angeles for awhile before moving back to the East but we had a good 2-3 year run of shows at the Silverlake Lounge, The Scene, and The Temple Bar (where they held a regular weekly/monthly night that built the bulk of their L.A. fanbase). We miss them and, hence, tonight we visit The Wiltern. Metric performs tonight at The Wiltern (sold out).
Elsewhere, tonight: Monday residencies continue. Jubilee Singers, Old Toy Trains, and others at the Silverlake Lounge. Avi Buffalo plays two shows tonight: DiPiazza's with 60-Watt Kid and Echoplex with Corridor (record release show). Chantal Kreviazuk plays her first L.A. show in many a year at the Hotel Cafe. John Thill, Guitarded, American Gil & the Major Dudes, and others at The Smell. And LA Record and Nylon celebrate issue launches (the latter has a performance from The Ting Tings).
Tuesday, Kate Earl releases her first recording in four years with her new digital EP "Introducing Kate Earl." Pick it up on Amazon or iTunes. New album out later this summer. We've known Kate for a long time and she'd kill us if we didn't post that. But to be fair, other local releases this week include Nosaj Thing, Hecuba, Corridor, Kissing Cousins, and a re-issue of Beck's One Foot in the Grave on vinyl. Also, celebrate the release of part-time locals Sonic Youth's new record The Eternal on Tuesday at Origami Vinyl with performances by Pocahaunted and Shiloe... Also, Rhett Miller celebrates the release of his new self-titled record at the GRAMMY Museum. Lady Sinatra celebrates the release of their new record Hisses and Kisses at Viper. Grizzly Owls and Square on Square at the Silverlake Lounge. Blank Blue, Hopewell and others at The Prospector. And The Gaslamp Killer, Big Moves, and others at The Echo.
Wednesday, listen up for Jason Lytle on "Morning Becomes Eclectic." Nosaj Thing celebrates the release of his new album Drift at Low End Theory. Patrick Park joins Susie Suh and Butterfly Boucher's residency at the Hotel Cafe. Brian Blade and The Fellowship begins a week-long stint at Catalina Bar & Grill. Rainbow^Arabia, VOICEsVOICEs, and Spirit Vine at Spaceland. HoneyHoney, 2-Headed Dog and Nicole Atkins at g'net. Killola play a free show at The Shore. Manhattan Murder Mystery, The Shade, Jack Wilson, Jr., and Go West Young Man at L'KEG. And Mack Winston and the Reflections and others at Three Clubs.
Thursday, Arrica Rose & the ...'s celebrate the release of their new EP "Pretend I'm Fur" at the Hotel Cafe. Anya Marina plays the House of Campari. Two Guns and O's and the Oculist open for Jason Lytle at the Art Theatre (record release). The Monolators open for Handsome Furs at the Echoplex. Random Patterns, Intricate Machines, Ovideo, and Star Parts at the Silverlake Lounge. PaperPlanes, Mike Stinson, and Haymaker at The Prospector. The World Record and others at The Scene. Bloodcat Love and Children Collide at Spaceland. And Princeton opens for Au Revoir Simone at the El Rey.
Full listings here.
Friday, June 05, 2009
Sorry for the no-post week. We've been busy with stuff we have planned this summer, stuff we have planned this fall, watching it rain, Twittering, E3, preparing for the Metric show on Monday, testing Google vs. Bing, contemplating the loss of David Carradine, making sure Conan doesn't screw up his new gig, reading hatemail... you know fun stuff. So no time to post.
Tonight, listen up for Lee Noble and Ashley Jex on "Demolisten." Then head to see Gliss return from a long tour with their first L.A. since the release of their sophomore record with a show at the Roxy with Von Iva, Sabrosa Purr, and others. Little Joy play a sold out Troubadour. The Fuxedos celebrate the release of their debut record at Spaceland. Elaine Layabout's Hella Hipster Hoedown III at pehrspace with Restavrant, Slang Chickens, Telegraph Canyon, and Last of the Blacksmiths shoot be a hoot. The Monolators, Seasons, Meho Plaza, and Magick Orchids play what might be their last show at Mr. T's Bowl. Jon Brion at g'net. Paige Stark and Michael Runion play Sean Patrick's birthday party at Temp Spaces. Les Blanks, Marvelous Toy and others at the Unknown Theater. Z-Trip, Dam-Funk, and Gaslamp Killer at NHM. And The Press Fire! tries to raise funds for a tour with a benefit show at Bixel House.
On Saturday, the first annual L.A. Acoustic Festival at the Santa Monica Pier has one of the most impressive lineups for an inaugural event we've ever seen with performances by Nanci Griffith, Richard Thompson, Bruce Cockburn, The Kingston Trio, Eliza Gilkyson, Slaid Cleaves, Sarah Lee Guthrie & Johnny Irion, and many more. Nanci, Richard, and Eliza are three of our favorite artists of all time. We used to travel along the west coast to see them when we were young and limber... Consumption 12 at Ironworks featuring The Monolators, The Hectors, Shiloe, Arms Up, Stalk! and many others (12pm). Abe Vigoda, Fool's Gold, and Thee Makeout Party! at Three Clubs. Signal Hill celebrates the release of their new record at pehrspace with Timonium and others. Razorcake celebrates their 50th issue with a benefit show at Nomad. Chelsea Girls, The Dreaming and others at The Roxy. Donovan Leitch shows off his new project "The Dark Root of the Dream" at g'net (look for papa Don and sis Astrella to be in the audience). The Lassie Foundation at Viper. Halloween Jack begins their residency at Spaceland. Morgan Page at the Vanguard. weyou., The Nocturnes, Howardamb, and others at The Cocaine.
On Sunday, Deep Sea Diver (who was wonderful yet again on Tuesday) and We Barbarians at Spaceland. Miranda Lee Richards, Butterfly Boucher, and Jen & Abby at Saint Rocke. Thee Makeout Party!, The Health Club, Cinderella Motel and others at The Scene. And Starving Daughters, Tender Skulls, and Bearface at $ucka Free $undays at The Que Sera.
Full listing here.
Monday, June 01, 2009
Thanks to all the bands and everyone who came out on Friday. That was about as civilized a punk show as you could have even with the hazardous debris flying about, skateboarding, and nudity (thanks to Woah Hunx, pictured above). And about midway through the show we realized our complimentary food and drinks could wind up all over pehrspace's wonderful artwork if things got too out of hand, but luckily that didn't happen. We had a great time. Huge thanks to Darren, Andrew, and Pauline at pehrspace for being awesome.
On an unfortunate, related note: Due to noise complaints the last few weeks, weekday shows at pehrspace have been moved indefinitely. This, of course, includes Sean Carnage Mondays, which has been relocated to Women of Crenshaw for tonight (and The Smell next Monday). It's important to keep in mind that pehrspace and L'KEG are right on the foothill of a fairly quiet neighborhood so those attending (and hanging out in the parking lot) should respect that. This is actually more serious than you might think as both venues could be shutdown altogether if the problem persists. Let's help keep the DIY spirit in Echo Park alive and try to rock a little more softly until things cool down. In other news, we just formed a no-noise whisper punk band called The Officer Ford and are recruiting people who can play feather harp and/or padded envelopes.
June is the midway point of the year and therefore kind of a gestation period as we recollect on the first part of the year and prepare for the second. Meaning, you'll probably see a lot of "Best of" lists (so far). However, apparently no one got the memo about said gestation period and June looks to be as busy all the rest. Poor us.
June residencies include: Castledoor, Oliver Future, Mia Maestro and Aaron Robinson, Stacy Clark/The New Limb, Brian Blade and The Fellowship, Susie Suh, Butterfly Boucher, Jon Brion, Halloween Jack, Art Brut, Giant State, Jes Hudak...
June release shows include: Foreign Born, Nosaj Thing, Tim Easton, Upsilon Acrux, Emily Wells, Arrica Rose & the ...'s, Laura Jansen, Olin and the Moon, Signal Hill, Caitlin Crosby, Astrella Celeste, Naomi Elizabeth, Corridor, Sleepy Sun, The Aggrolites, Butterfly Boucher, Michael Berg, Alicia Witt, Tik///Tik, The Fuxedos, Lady Sinatra, Brandon Rogers, Trouble & Bass, Dave Schulz, Peter Dailey...
Big festival/events include: Playboy Jazz Festival, L.A. Pride Festival, Electric Daisy Carnival, Los Angeles Film Festival, 4th Annual Lummis Day, L.A. Acoustic Music Festival, SummerShine Pop Fest, Billabong Design for Humanity, E3 Expo, Elaine Layabout's Hella Hipster Hoedown III, Razorcake 50th Issue party/benefit, Megathon, Love at the Park Festival, Emma Kathan's "don't be long" photo exhibit...
Also, we must not forget that tonight marks Conan O'Brien's "Tonight Show" takeover. Hopefully, the show does not soften the comedienne like it did Leno, who lost all the bite he had throughout the 80's. We did notice toward the end of Conan's "Late Night" tenure that the writing got pretty lackluster but hopefully that improves with the new change of scenery. Tonight's guests are Wil Ferrell and Pearl Jam.
