Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Last day of September and a good time to reflect on the month as well as the eight previous months before it as we charge into the last quarter of 2009.
There were tons of record release shows in September highlighted by The Happy Hollows, The Widow Babies, Mikki & the Mauses, HEALTH, Green & Wood, and Cobra Lilies. We highly recommend getting all those records when your budget allows it. We also put our first record out this month for The Monolators and are already making plans for another release
This leaves us just one last night for September and we imagine most of us will be at The Echo for Buzzbands' One Year Anniversary with Eastern Conference Champions, Voxhaul Broadcast, Samuel Stewart, and Radio Freq. We hate to play favorites but as far as local music blogs go, this is probably the only one you ever need. K-Bronze's fair and impartial view of the scene is one thing, but you add the fact that the guy goes to more shows than most kids half his age is pure awesome. Clearly, he loves music. And he proves it everyday through the music scene omniportal known as Buzzbands.la. Show your support tonight...
In other news: It might be too early to call it, but Dead Man's Bones self-titled new record could be a Top 10 of 2009 contender, no matter if you did or didn't cry during The Notebook. And it's also seriously challenging Edward Sharpe's Up From Below (and the new LA Ladies Choir EP) as the our favorite record with the most heartbursting choruses of the century. You can't really feel guilty for being this emotionally uplifted when the kids on these choruses are singing their little hearts out on songs like "Young & Tragic," "Buried in Water," and our personal favorite "My Body's a Zombie for You." It comes out next week, so make good on the leaked copy you got and buy it. Here are two live vids from their show at the Silverlake Lounge a few months back ["Flowers Grow Out of My Grave" | "Pa Pa Power"]... Rachael Cantu covered Ra Ra Riot's "Can You Tell" for a sampler she's giving away at shows on the East Coast but you can listen to it on her MySpace. New album out tentatively in November... Odd Modern fans now can get anything you want Odd-Modernized... Also, don't forget to tune in tonight for The Like playign "He's Not a Boy" on Carson Daly, recorded live from their show at the Palladium. And The Littlest Viking does an in-studio on Livation at midnight... Oh, and just as a heads up, we're helping with a Halloween show on 10/31 at pehrspace with Asa Ransom, Eliza Rickman, The Blind (a band recommended by Matt from Manhattan Murder Mystery), and perhaps a special guest. Also, we're now co-presenting the Inara George, Eleni Mandell, Ferraby Lionheart, and Daniel Martin Moore show at the Bootleg on 11/10. We're going to be doing a ticket giveaway at some point but you should get tickets asap because this show will sell out. We actually thought about buying all the tickets just so we could have this lineup all to ourselves but that wouldn't be very "Los Angeles Loves You" of us. Damn you, motto.
Above is a photo of Ty Segall on Monday at The Smell. We love him (as indicated by the floating heart).
Monday, September 28, 2009
Very satisfying weekend of music with shows at pehrspace, L'KEG, and The Smell on Friday; Create:Fixate, HM157 1 year anniversary, Echo Curio, and Women on Saturday; and Hollywood Forever, Rockaway, and Abbot Kinney on Sunday. Rockaway Records, which has long been one of our favorite record stores in Los Angeles, celebrated their 30th anniversary with a huge parking lot sale. If you know of our record buying behavior you know that we couldn't leave without purchasing a bulk amount of everything. We are seeking help for our condition, but mostly in the form of extra storage space. Congrats to Rockaway on 30 years!
September Monday residencies end tonight. We were able to stop by for a few songs at the big ones at Spaceland, The Echo, and the Silverlake Lounge and were impressed with the great bands and big crowds. Elsehwere, Fool's Gold at Amoeba. Ty Segall, Okie Dokie, Audacity and others at The Smell. Bestial Mouths, Sister Manos, and others at Carnage Mondays at pehrspace. And Geoff Geis, Jonesin', Danny & Rina from Shark Toys, and others at Tribal... Tuesday, The 88 finishes off their Tuesday residency with Quazar and the Bamboozled. The last time we saw The 88 was when Quazar was still in the band, which coincidentally was the main reason we saw the band in the first place. They have the theme song for the show "Community," which incidentally follows the best show on network television "The Office" and precedes the worst "The Jay Leno Show." Good luck with that 4th place showing, NBC. But we digress. We Are the World open for Tim Exile at The Echo. Nina Storey finishes her residency at the Hotel Cafe. The Health Club, Downtown/Union, and Barrio Tiger at Juanita's. Lucy Schwartz and Katie Costello at Genghis. Steve Martin leads the Steep Canyon Rangers for a couple of nights at g'net. And our ex-girlfriend Hope Sandoval comes home for a show at Hollywood Forever... On Wednesday, listen up for The Crystal Method on MBE. Buzzbands celebrates 1 year of awesomeness at The Echo with Eastern Conference Champions, Voxhaul Broadcast, and others. The Mulhollands, Bathroom Murders, and Circus Minor at Boardner's. Randy Coleman and others at the Roxy. The Smart Set and others at Room 5. Black Math Horsemen open for Kylesa at the Knit. Ben Harper opens for Pearl Jam for a couple of nights at the Gibson. tune into Carson Daly for a taped performance of The Like recorded at the Palladium on Carson Daly... Thursday, Dusty Rhodes and the River Band, The Flying Tourbillon Orchestra, Seasons, Far*Out, and others at the Knit. Schuyler Fisk, Joey Ryan, Katie Costello, Astrella Celeste and others at the Hotel Cafe. Sonus Quartet at the Bootleg Theater. Pocahaunted, Foot Village, Experimental Dental School, and Railcars at The Smell. Devon Williams opens for Desolation Wilderness at the Silverlake Lounge.
Full calendar listing here.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Next two weekends are heavy so let's just do this...
Tonight, listen up to "Demolisten" for a performance by Cobalt Cranes and a guest appearance from Ben McShane of CGT. Later, check out Autolux and Mini Mansions at the El Rey. Lemon Sun, One Trick Pony, and others at the Hotel Cafe. Tweak Bird opens for Om and Lichens at Echoplex. Funeral Party, My Pet Saddle, Goldiggers, A.M., and Gossip Tree and the Boys and Girls Club of East Los Angeles. 60-Watt Kid, Random Patters, and Bobb Bruno at the New Puppy Gallery. Rocco DeLuca opens for Rodrigo Y Gabriela at the Orpheum. And Seaspin opens for Telefon Tel Aviv at Spaceland. Dead Man's Bones at Bob Baker. Jon Brion at g'net. Mike Watt and others at the Redwood. PROTECTME, Shark Toys, Woah Hunx, and Railcars at The Smell. Big Whup, Blankett, Missincinatti, and Frankie at pehrspace. And Captain Ahab and others at L'KEG.
Saturday, TarFest plays host to Eskimohunter, The Deadly Syndrome, and The Polyamorous Affair at the El Rey. Robotanists, Stab City and Spider Problem at The Boogie Den. Scott Ford All Star Jam at the Roxy. Chris Dallman EP release show at the Hotel Cafe with Jim Hanft and others. The Karabal Nightlife, Shirley Rolls, and The Hard to Get at Echo Curio. Audacity, Cobalt Crnes, Bastidas, and others at L'KEG. Grand Elegance, UV Lights, and others at Max's Steiner. HM157 celebrates one year with performances by Victim Vision, Eliza Rickman, Mad Gregs, and others. Maria, Catwalk, Sea Lions, and The Tartans at The Smell. Moment Trigger, Deracine, Mikki and the Mauses, and Not the Government at Women. Yann Novak & Will Long, Mem1, Sublamp and others at pehrspace. Oliver Future opens for Cotton Jones at Spaceland. Tomes celebrates a record release at The Cocaine. Create:Fixate's "SnapFlash" down at PEC. And, of course, the return of Nocturnal Festival.
Two big festivals on Sunday with Abbot Kinney with Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros, The Parson Red Heads, and others in Venice and Longhair Illuminati with Warpaint, Tweak Bird, and others at the Knitting Factory. Also, Autolux at Detroit. Indian Jewelry opens for !!! at the Troubadour. And Kid Koala at the Key Club.
Full calendar listing here.
Eskimohunter - "Surfing at 32F" (MP3)
The Karabal Nightlife - "Sea Of Sleep" (MP3)
Oliver Future - "The Big Sleep" (MP3)
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Stopped by Low End Theory last night for the return of the UK's darling daughter DJ Mary Anne Hobbs. The last time she was in town, there was a line down the street so it wasn't a surprise to be watching the show from the damn taco counter again. Nevertheless, she recently released an excellent compilation of inspiring new dubstep entitled Wild Angels and is in the U.S. promoting it [buy it here]. The night's unbilled special guests were Nosaj Thing (whose track "IOIO" appears on Wild Angels) and Flying Lotus who continue to slaughter ear drums with some of the most progressive beats of the decade. Last we saw Nosaj Thing he was opening for The Glitch Mob at the Roxy. Bjork was in the audience and it's only a matter of time before other majors start to take notice of this guy's talent. Personally, we think a Nosaj/Bjork collab is inevitable.
Some may forget that Nosaj Thing is an alumna of Sean Carnage's Mondays, which is where we were this past week. And if you weren't there, you missed a good one. We'll spare you the wordy rhetoric and let videos do the talking -- although the picture above should explain things somewhat clearly. Also, keep in mind when watching the Ahab video that it's Monday at midnight and, yes, those are kids dancing (take notes Silver Lake). More Carnage next week with Bestial Mouths and friends.
And, in closing, mixing Activia and Flinstones vitamins does not make you shit rainbows. But it was worth the try.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Congrats to Cobra Lilies on the release of their new EP "In the Key of Bicycle Bell." What began just a few years ago as a humble little folk side project of Mary and Eli Monolator has grown to a circus parade of costumes, kazoos, and clog dancing. It's also grown into more of a communal gathering of friends than they probably ever imagined, as members of Ema and the Ghosts, Smells Like Flan, Cat Hair Ensemble, Divisadero, Kissing Cousins, and Shiloe have all joined in the Lilyfest. As a result, "Bicycle Bell" (produced by Wendy Wang of The Sweet Hurt), is filled with all the lovey dovey feel-good sentiment you'd expect from a band made up of such a collective of musicians and friends. But as silly and chaotic as their shows can sometimes be (as seen above), these recordings are surprisingly much more rich, focused, and accessible than we thought they could be. The ghostly harmonies playfully haunting the choruses on "She Grows Wings At Night" float like apparitions off a Gris Grimly illustration. And the tap dance/trumpet duet on "There's Always Love" might be closest link between indie folk and The Charleston we may ever see. It's a great little record so be sure to pick one up at shows or at various local record stores.
So what's up this week...
Nels Cline and G.E. Stinson do an in-store at Fingerprints tonight. Captain Ahab, The Monolators, Odd Modern, and Basses Loaded for Carnage Mondays at pehrspace. Lucy Woodward and Michelle Lewis at The Mint. boxViolet and others at Dragonfly. Erin McCarley returns to town for a show a the Troubadour. And of course Monday residencies... Tuesday, Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros homecoming show at the El Rey with LA Ladies Choir and Frank Fairfield. IO Echo, Funeral Party, and Rainbow^Arabia at the Troubadour. Soko, Penelope Fortier, and Chris Garneau at the Bootleg. Xu Xu Fang opens for Pink Mountaintops at The Echo. Seaspin, White Arrows, and others at the Silverlake Lounge. The Watkins Family Hour at g'net. And The 88 continue their residency at Spaceland. Also, on Tuesday catch Taryn Manning of Boomkat appearing and performing on that night's episode of "Melrose Place"... Wednesday, The Entrance Band and Night Horse open for Amazing Baby at the Troubadour. Boh Runga opens for One Eskimo and Haley Bonar at the Hotel Cafe. La Santa Cecilia celebrate dos años at Mucho Wednesdays. Annie Stela opens for Harper Simon at g'net's Little Room. OohlaLA Festival begins at the Music Box. Martyrs, Prayer, and In Heat at Boardner's. And some special guests open for the lovely Mary Anne Hobbs at LET... Thursday, Toys That Kill opens for Dillinger Four and Riverboat Gamblers at the Knit. Vanaprasta, Actress, and others at the Silverlake Lounge. The Monolators, Blue Jungle, UV Lights, and Mister Loveless at L'KEG. Warm Climate opens for MV & EE at Sync. And Free Moral Agents and others at Alex's.
Full calendar listing here.
Happy belated birthdays over the weekend to Lauren Dukoff and Jessy Moss. Happy birthdays this week to Stacy Clark, Blake Sennett of Rilo Kiley, Skot Alexander of 400 Blows, and "Sea Level" Todd Clifford.
We over-indulged on lobster this weekend. The mere mention of any one of those sea cockroaches makes us want to vomit.
Friday, September 18, 2009
It's Friday and we know you're ready to get your lobster on. The annual LobsterFest in Pedro is one of the big highlights of the festival season. Especially, since the last few years have brought some of L.A.'s best indie rock bands to a part of town that rare gets L.A.'s best indie rock bands. Pictured above is one of the yummy lobsters you get with a first class ticket (admission plus lobster meal). We couldn't finish ours last year because we ate entirely too much funnel cake. Something we will consider but probably not learn from this time around. Mmm... funnel cake.
Tonight, listen up for a performance by Cobra Lilies on "Demolisten" and see them tomorrow at American Legion Post in Highland Park. Elsewhere, Everest, The Parson Red Heads, and These United States at the Troubadour. Dead Man's Bones continues their residency at Bob Baker Marionette Theater. Joe Henry and Alicia Witt at Room 5. Meat Puppets at the El Rey. Very Be Careful and Pilar Diaz at The Mint. Saccharine Trust, The Urinals, Chuck Dukowsky Sextet, and others at The Smell. The Monolators, Wait.Think.Fast., and Seasons at American Legion Post. Jon Brion at g'net. Meho Plaza, Kill Kill Kill, Octave Cat and others at pehrspace. Funeral Party, Layton, Firs, and Plastiscene at Spaceland. And Pocahaunted and others at Sync. The Humpers, Lords of Altamont, and others at Alex's Bar. Also, L.A. Ladies Choir and Linda Perhacs perform live on KPFK on Dublab's Future Roots Radio.
Saturday, Robotanists play a free early evening show at Pershing Square. Cobra Lilies celebrate the release of their new EP "Songs in the Key of Bicycle Bell" at American Legion with Moses Campbell, Amanda Jo Williams, and Tommy Santee Klaws. Mike Watt, Nels Cline, Saccharine Trust, and others play a benefit show at the Knitting Factory. Chelsea Girls, Killola, and Go Betty Go at the Roxy. Orange celebrates a new record at the Key Club. Hiking, The Deadly Finns, and Devon Williams at pehrspace. Shiloe, The New Room, and others at The Prospector. And The Humpers, The Hangmen, Stab City, and Barrio Tiger at Redwood.
Sunday, Brian Eno discusses his genius to youngsters at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach. Dead Rock West opens for Pieta Brown (daughter of Greg Brown) at McCabe's. Mount Eerie, Karl Blau, No Kids, and Tara Jane O'Neil at the Center for the Arts in Eagle Rock. Shirley Rolls, Last American Buffalo, Chris Garneau and others at Spaceland. The Mulhollands, Idyllists, Prayer, and others at Cinespace. The Avengers, Pansy Division, and others at PTP. Best Coast and Pearl Harbor do Territory. And N'dambi at the Savoy Entertainment Center.
Full calendar listing here.
Last American Buffalo - "Breaking Up Mine" (MP3)
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
So we were spotted at Detroit Bar last night catching the Sea Wolf/Afternoons/Sara Lov show. We hadn't seen these bands in awhile so it was good catching up, plus this tour package was very intriguing. Apparently, the rumored/speculated love lost between the former members of Irving are not so, as this marks the first outing for Sea Wolf and Afternoons, making it hard to wait an extra two days to see them at the Troubadour. Also, three years ago, Sea Wolf opened for Devics on a national tour. That show probably had a third of the crowd this night had and we're told that has something to do with a certain girl that gossips. In any case, a packed O.C. crowd enjoyed three of L.A.'s best last night beginning with the lovely Ms. Sara Lov. She's touring with just a record player as a backing band, which is quite ingenious but also comes with the occasional technical glitch (in her case record skipping.) Her voice, however, is still as hauntingly beautiful as ever [watch video here]. We talked with her a bit after the show and she still has no clue we used to sit next to each other in art class in college many years ago. We didn't bring it up because we dropped out of art to do film, something we're not proud of. Something we are proud of is standing stage front for Afternoons who sounded gigantastic. We think quite a few people who were expecting a night of gentle indie folk were literally blown to the back of the room by the choral rock opera that is this glorious band. We're expecting big things from Afternoons so they better hurry up with that record already [watch video here]. Sea Wolf played mostly new songs from their new record White Water, White Bloom out next week on Dangerbird. If you're a Sea Wolf fan you're probably going to love this record. Yes, to the keen music listener, that can be read as that there are no real surprises. Alex Church writes thoughtful travel songs for long country roads, which we don't mind so much, but sometimes there are bumps and dips on those roads that make for a more interesting trip. Favorite tracks to "bump": "Winter's Heir," "O Maria!," and "Orion & Dog". Get the record here and at shows. The tour hits the Troubadour for a sold out show tomorrow or tonight at the Glass House
And since we have a little free time and haven't done this in awhile...
In other news: IFC has some behind-the-scenes footage of the new Fool's Gold video "Surprise Hotel." Debut record out 9/29 on IAMSOUND (pre-order the vinyl here). Favorite tracks: The whole record is fantastic (and way too short) but let's face it "Surprise Hotel" and "Nadine" are too much fun... Priscilla Ahn got her trademark long hair did in favor of an Amélie do, but we say she could go with a much shorter boy cut, a lá Demi Moore in "Ghost." You know, in honor of Patrick Swayze and everything... Buzzbands, aka the best music blog in L.A., celebrates their one year anniversary at The Echo on 9/30 with Eastern Conference Champions, Voxhaul Broadcast, Samuel Stewart, and Radio Freq... Our dream ethereal post-rock lineup of School of Seven Bells and Warpaint plays the Troubadour on 10/5. Why this show is not sold out yet is quite frankly shocking to us. Get on it... Speaking of shows that should sell out, Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros homecoming show on 9/22 is close to doing so, especially with L.A. Ladies Choir and Frank Fairfield opening. Get your tickets now... American Gil & the Major Dudes, a supergroup if you will of great underground bands past and present including Child Pornography, Voice on Tape, and Holy Curtain, play their last show ever on Saturday at The Smell... Silversun Pickups' new video for "Substitution" recently premiered, which probably doesn't need our promotion but whatevs. At some point, we'll try and post a video of the band from around 2002 just to see how much they've changed. We also have some video from 2001 but those early shows would be kind of unfair to post. It also could be substantial evidence to put us in jail given how obsessed we were with Tanya Haden at the time. TeeEmmEye, Los Angeles probably didn't need an update on that.
Monday, September 14, 2009
The beginning of the Fall TV season officially is underway. We haven't really discussed anything remotely involving television on this blog for several years, even though one or two of us may or may not work on a couple of shows (that possibly could be up for Emmys this year). We actually don't watch much TV but we were at a Ralph's around 4am last night (i.e. the best time to go grocery shopping) and saw that ridiculous cover of Time Magazine from last week. NBC has been pushing this new Leno show all summer and if they really think this will save them from their 4th place slump, they're in big trouble. All we can say is if you do watch television this season, watch "The Office" and TiVo everything else so that you can go see bands like...
Monday residencies continue tonight. Elsewhere, Computer Lab, Teen Beer, and others at pehrspace. And Golden Hits, Warrior Line, and others at Echo Curio... Listen up for Annie Stela on "Morning Becomes Eclectic" on Tuesday. Later, The Like (with new lineup) opens for Arctic Monkeys at the Palladium. The Happy Hollows play a free show at Gibson Guitar Showroom for Vimby. Ed Helms and friends at g'net. Sea Wolf, Afternoons, and Sara Lov at Detroit. Olin & the Moon and others at the Silverlake Lounge. Sonos celebrates the release of their new record SonoSings at the Hotel Cafe. WEAVE! opens for Vieux Farka Toure at the Echoplex. Devon Williams, opens for Throw Me the Statue and The Brunettes at The Echo. And The 88 continue their residency at Spaceland. UV Lights and others at Five Star Bar. Also, catch Metric on Carson Daly later... Wednesday, Metric and The Soft Pack open for Phoenix at the Greek. Glasser opens for Chairlift at the Troubadour. Ceci Bastida and Wait.Think.Fast. at La Cita. Signals, The Press Fire!, and Protectme open for Monotonix a the Smell. Club Moscow celebrates 5 years with Robotanists, Vanaprasta, and Golden Years. Family of the Year opens for Telescope at the Knitting Factory. The Growlers, Dirt Dress, My Pet Saddle, and Audacity at the Bootleg. The Gaslamp Killer and others at the Roxy. Joe Henry at Room 5. G.E. Stinson, Jorge Martin, and others at Viento y Agua. The French Semester, Rademacher, Downtown/Union, and others at the Silverlake Lounge. Sun Araw, Robedoor, and others at L'KEG. Samiyam and others at The Airliner. And The Killers at the Bowl. Also, for couch potatoes, Yeah Yeah Yeahs on Conan while Pete Yorn does Carson Daly. Thursday, Sea Wolf, Afternoons, and Sara Lov at the Troubadour. The Airborne Toxic Event, The Henry Clay People, and Red Cortez kick off their tour at the Fox Theater in Pomona. Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Breeders, and Yacht at the Greek. VOICEsVOICEs, Pistol Pistol and others at Mr. T's Bowl. Miranda Lee Richards, The Shine Brothers, and others at Spaceland. Timbre Timbre and The Minor Canon at the Silverlake Lounge. And Emily Wells struts it on Carson Daly.
Full calendar listing here.
Note: ANAVAN is no longer playing on the Monotonix show at The Smell this week. Word is that they broke up a few weeks back. Hopefully, members of the band continue to do music in some fashion as this is a huge loss to the scene. Their most recent record Cover Story was one of Top 5 favorite albums of 2008. Also, we can't even remember the last time Monotonix played in town without ANAVAN as the two bands have toured extensively together. We'll miss you... Also, Jim Carroll passed away over the weekend. We met him through our mutual friend Cindy Lee Berryhill years ago but only saw him live a few times. We won't even pretend that we understood half of what he did in his various appearances doing spoken word and music, but that didn't make him any less fascinating to watch. Daly.
Friday, September 11, 2009
KXLU's annual Fundrazor kicks off today. Times are tough but donate what you can. Okay, let's get to the weekend...
Tonight, Exene & John Doe headline a special benefit show for local gal Andrea Folmer at Alex's Bar. Elaine Layabout hosts another Hella Hipster Hoedown, this time at American Legion in Highland Park with Crooked Cowboy, The Growlers, Les Blanks, Country Pizza!, The Growlers, and others. Augustana, HoneyHoney and others at the Roxy. Anni Rossi, Chris Joyner, and others at the Hotel Cafe. Carina Round at The Standard Hotel in Hollywood. Dead man's Bones begins their residency at the Bob Baker Marionette Theater. Pollyn at the Bootleg Theater. The Health Club, Traps Ps, and Cobalt Cranes at L'KEG. Elizabeth Nicole at Genghis Cohen. Anya Marina opens for Paolo Nutini. 60-Watt Kid and others at Echo Curio. Jon Brion at g'net. Pedestrian Deposit, Human Hands, Infinite Body, and others at Women. Nathan DeYoung's "Windows & Mirrors" opening at thinkspace. And Speedbuggy celebrates the release of their new record at the Redwood.
Saturday, Sam Phillips and the Section Quartet at the Edye Second Space. Tribute to George Harrison at Spaceland. Aziz Ansari, BJ Novak, Sarah Silverman, and Paul Scheer at g'net. Flying Lotus, Daedelus, Nosaj Thing, Gaslamp Killer, Jogger, [Post-foetus] and others at the Music Box. Lelia Broussard, Katie Costello, Rachael Sage, and others at the Hotel Cafe. Tribute to Rod Poole at the Schindler House. Stacy Clark and others at Viento Y Agua. Camille Rose Garcia opening for "The Hydra of Babylon" at Merry Karnowsky Gallery. And Sin City Reloaded at the Park Plaza Hotel.
On Sunday, The Widow Babies celebrate the release of their new record at The Echo with Blue Jungle. Eagle Winged Palace, Old Californio, and The Whispering Pines at Grand Ole Echo. The Nightbirds, Dreamers, and others at Cindy's. Lucky Dragons opens for Vivian Girls, and others at The Smell. And The Honey Brothers, SoKo, and others at the Troubadour.
For a complete calendar listing click here.
Happy belated birthday to Coury Combs of Castledoor. Happy birthdays this weekend to Jordan Hudock of Marvelous Toy and Bo Bory of Downtown/Union.
Wednesday, September 09, 2009
Caught a bit of Summer Darling last night at The Echo. They're putting the finishing touches for their new album, which we should see in the coming months. We can't wait. In the meantime, their sister band Kissing Cousins is off for a couple of dates around the West Coast, promoting their new record Pillar of Salt. Fans in Scottsdale, San Diego, Fresno, Portland, and Seattle should check them out.
Listen up to "Morning Becomes Eclectic" this morning for a live performance/interview by Petracovich then see her live later at the Silverlake Lounge. Also tonight, HEALTH celebrates the release of their new record Get Color at the Troubadour. Emily Wells, Joey Ryan, Angie Mattson, Kari Kimmel, and Leah Andreone at The Echo. Heather Waters at Room 5. Not the Government, Stab City, Narwahl Party, and Bastidas at Echo Curio. Nico Vega and others at Saint Rocke. And Moving Picture Show, All Wrong and the Plans Change, and others at Three Clubs.
Thursday, Soulsavers' turn on MBE. A Fine Frenzy celebrates the release of her new record Bomb in a Birdcage with an in-store at Fingerprints down in Long Beach. NIN, HEALTH, and IO Echo at the Wiltern. Jonneine Zapata opens for Soulsavers at the Troubadour. John Webster Johns opens for Cass McCombs at the Bootleg Theater. Rainbow^Arabia and Hecuba open for Lazer Sword at The Echo. Obi Best, Robtanists, and others do the Garden Party at Edgar Varela. The Tyde, Asteroid #4, and Devon Williams open for Outrageous Cherry at Spaceland. Seasons, Collisions, Jack Wilson, Jr., and others at L'KEG. The Growlers, Blue Jungle, and others at Alex's Bar. Local Natives and We Barbarians at Detroit. Mikki and the Mauses release show and tour launch at The Smell. Mia Maestro and Aaron Robinson and others at the Silverlake Lounge. And Katie Costello at Saint Rocke.
Tuesday, September 08, 2009
Taking full advantage of a rare, full three-day weekend, we somehow survived unscathed. Congrats to The Happy Hollows (pictured above) on their record release show on Friday that was simply a thing of beauty. We cannot tell you how hard this band works on stage and off. And we could sense their huge sigh of relief, through all the recent ups and downs, as they were finally able to get Spells in fans hands. It's a great record, one you should obtain as soon as possible (release date October 6th). The band performs at this year's annual Lobsterfest in San Pedro before heading out to the East Coast in October for some shows including a showcase at CMJ, then returning in November for a residency at Spaceland.
The annual F Yeah Festival took on the enormous task of taking their show outdoors for the first time on Saturday. It was an endeavor that we can hardly fault for a 3-stage festival on government-owned land, organized by well-intentioned DIY'ers. Also, having seen pretty much all the bands on the lineup, we were really there just to support and enjoy the event. And observe. So while there were quite a few negative reactions to the festival (we don't like wasting 3+ hours of our day either), we'll try and keep an open mind and say it could have been worse. However, the festival at the very least owes a slot next year to The Mormons for providing some entertainment to the kids around hour 3 of waiting in line. The infamous mobile unit (with new lineup) was in full effect epitomizing the punk and DIY attitude of the festival to a T.
So with summer now pretty much over, September school season is now here. And with more kids now back to the books, we get a little more room to do the hokie pokie at shows. Like...
September residencies: The Icarus Line, Leslie and the Badgers, Saint Motel, The 88, Dead Man's Bones, Jon Brion, Tony Gilkyson, Stab City, Harper Simon, Nina Storey, Josiah Leming, Alex Band, and the return of Sean Carnage Mondays at pehrspace. Also, don't forget Space 15 Twenty is doing a month-long tribute to John Hughes with screenings of some of his classic 80's hits.
September record release shows: The Happy Hollows, HEALTH, Ninja Academy, The Widow Babies, A Fine Frenzy, Mikki and the Mauses, Cobra Lilies, Green & Wood, Divisible, Orange, Speedbuggy, Big Whup, Felix Da Housecat, Sarah Stanley, Sonos, Cobalt Cranes, Slavic Soul Party!, Latchkey Kid, Chris Dallman, Brother Sal, Joel Christofer, JFJO, Lovehammers, Kottak, Leda Atomica...
September festivals/big events: Port of Los Angeles Lobster Festival, Nocturnal Festival, Longhair Illuminati Art & Music Festival, Sunset Strip Music Festival, Elaine Layabout's Hella Hipster Hoedown, East Hollywood Music Festival (tentative), Sam Phillips with The Section Quartet, Slow Sound Fest, OohLaLA Festival, George Harrison Tribute, Sea Wolf/Afternoons/Sara Lov, Buzzbands Night at The Echo, The Airborne Toxic Event/The Henry Clay People/Red Cortez, Clean Air Clear Stars Festival, An Evening with Brian Eno, and the return of Hope Sandoval...
Friday, September 04, 2009
Apparently, there's a little controversy about The Happy Hollows record release tonight at Spaceland. After yesterday's post, we were sitting at Hyperion Tavern (watching Ms. Chelsea Wolfe) and the argument if whether Spells (the title of the Hollows' new record) was a verb or a plural noun came up. It should be noted that alcohol was a factor in this debate (a factor that we personally did not partake in). The obvious argument is that the band does cast "spells" over their audience as Sorcerer Hernandez unleashes his magic wands to a seductive beat, to which Enchantress Negahdari and Charlie the Wizard do the witches dance on stage on their broomsticks made to look like guitar and bass. That, we know, is pretty clear. What maybe not so clear is the possible fact that The Happy Hollows like to spell, so indeed tonight might very well be a performance art piece dedicated to the beauty and complexity of letters forming words. If so, we hope Negahdari will be channeling her inner Sealfon for this show. While the answer to this debate will take place stagefront at Spaceland tonight, we can still conclude now that Spells is the perfect euonym for this record. We can also conclude that this is by far the stupidest thing we've ever written.
So, what else is going on this weekend?
Tonight, listen up for the aforementioned Chelsea Wolfe who's in town to play "Demolisten" and later the 2023 Loft downtown on Santa Fe (and tomorrow at pehrspace). Ninja Academy celebrates the release of their new 7" at Old Towne Pub. Whispertown 2000 and The Belle Brigade at The Echo. Deadbolt, Lightning Woodcock, and others at Redwood. The Old Believers and The Red River at Origami. The aforementioned Gun Outfit plays Vacation. John Williams conducts soundtracks at the Bowl. Idyllists, Cosio, and others at the Bootleg. My Imaginary Friends, Arrica Rose, and others at Mr. T's Bowl. Jon Brion at g'net. Moment Trigger, I.E., Goof Troop, and others at Women. And Thriller, Gypsy River Haunts, and others at pehrspace. Also, don't forget to TiVo Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros on Letterman tonight.
Tomorrow, there are two great fests to feast over as both F Yeah Fest and What Job? return. Elsewhere, Felix Da Housecat celebrates a record release at the Avalon. Local gal Sarah Stanley celebrates a record of her own (Tuesday Girl, available now) at Cinema Bar. The Voyeurs, The Breakups and Tandemoro at Spaceland. Alex & Sam, My Imaginary Friends, Clare Means, and others at the Hotel Cafe. Lisa Donnelly and This Is the State at the Bootleg. Timonium, Chelsea Wolfe, and others at pehrspace. And Restavrant, The Weight, and others at the Redwood.
Sunday, The Henry Clay People, The Happy Hollows, SoKo, and The Monolators do Summercamp (this might be our favorite lineup in Summercamp history and we just might have to break out the short shorts for this one). Vans Warped Tour celebrates 15 years at Club Nokia. The Germs and The UK Subs at the House of Blues in Anaheim. And Destroy Judas, Sworming, and Summerian Axe at $ucka Free.
Pictured above is a taste of what you'll probably be seeing a lot of at FYF on Saturday. An extra roll of antiperspirant would be useful but ultimately pointless.
Thursday, September 03, 2009
The Happy Hollows celebrate the release of their debut record Spells (due October 6th) on Friday. Ms. Negahdari invited us to help sponsor the show, but since we had no idea what sponsoring a show meant, we obviously mistook the request as her coy way of flirting with us. Much to our dismay she was not flirting with us and she actually did mean she wanted us to help promote the show. After wiping away the tears, we did the usual spiel of:
- Purchasing the record (check)
- Listening to "High Wire" and wetting our pants (shut up, check)
- Leaking the record via Rapidshare and BitTorrent (check, I mean uncheck)
- Opening up MS Paint (above, check)
- Waxing nostalgic (check)
- Going to the Facebook event invite and leaving the obligatory stupid comment (check)
- Buying tickets (chickity check)
In all seriousness, Spells is the record we've all been waiting for from The Happy Hollows. It's a stunning 14-track behemoth of a record filled with all the frenetic energy, juxtaposed lyricism, and complex song structure you could ever ask from this band. It sounds huge. Negahdari's guitar breakdowns (like those found out of the choruses on "DeLorean") are engineered and produced to perfection by David Newton, as if her SG were shot out of a bazooka -- if that bazooka was shot out of a cannon and the cannon were dropped from a B-1 bomber. Yet there are also subtleties on this record that make repeated listenings a requirement. Make no mistake, this is one of the best records of the year by any band in or out of the Los Angeles music scene. It would be in your best interest to buy this record as soon as you can. And, luckily for everyone, soon is Friday at Spaceland.
September 4, 2009
Los Angeles Loves... Spells
THE HAPPY HOLLOWS record release
THE PITY PARTY
THE BOXING LESSON
THE HEALTH CLUB
Spaceland
1717 Silver Lake Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90026 | Map
$8 / 21+ / 8:30pm
Email here to get on the $6 discount list!
The Happy Hollows - "Faces" (MP3)
The Happy Hollows - "Monster Room" (MP3)
The Pity Party - "Love Lies" (Vlaze Sessiosn)
We've been laying low in recent weeks, recuperating from putting out a record (we seriously have a new found respect for those who do that for a living) and making an effort to see bands that we haven't seen too many times. Like last night at 5676 (not the official name of this place but we're call it that anyway). Nathan Wasilewski, who we all know as the artist behind the artwork of The Henry Clay People's "Working Part Time" EP (available at a store near you) played an early set at this newish space in Eagle Rock that we believe used to be a clinic. These are the kind of shows we live for, especially when the genius that is Jordan O'Jordan is in town (pictured above). We couldn't believe our eyes when we saw that this was the only stop he was making in town. His new record Carbon Cycles is one of the most wonderful collections of folk ditties we've heard this year. His songs are perfectly written gems somewhat crafted within early 20th Century songbook form that fans of Gene Austin and Noel Coward are going to love. He's also of course 1/3 of the wonderful folk trio Polka Dot Dot Dot who we hear are coming to town in November and are looking for a venue to play(pehrspace? Echo Curio? Anyone?). So listen to "By Balloon or Sinking Ship" (off his out of print debut record Not Style, Nor Season, Nor Hard Handed Lesson) below and buy Carbon Cycles right this second. It's too good.
For those who missed out on Gun Outfit when they played Women a few weeks back, you should really head out to The Smell to see them tonight (also tomorrow at Vacation at 7pm). Recent records are out on PPM, which of course makes them No Age approved. While we can't say we were completely in love with their recent release Dim Light we will admit that songs like "Troubles Like Mine" and "The Valley" show promise and that most of these songs do sound better live -- although Women wasn't the most ideal venue for their blitzkrieg of dual guitar and drums. And if you want a lesson in post-punk trios listen to The Health Club. They play tomorrow opening for The Happy Hollows at Spaceland and you're going to love them.
Some great records came out this week by The Entrance Band, The Bronx, and Juliette Lewis. Also, if you're interested, the We All Fell Dead record is now available on iTunes. It features remixes by The Sweet Hurt, Odd Modern, and Boy Without Orange with a cover by boxViolet.
Jordan O'Jordan - "By Balloon or Sinking Ship" (MP3) Limited time download
Gun Outfit - "Troubles Like Mine" (MP3) Limited time download
