Monday, December 14, 2009
What lovely and enchanting evenings we all had at Largo over the weekend. We had been waiting awhile (ok, 11 years) for Jon Brion's birthday to land on one of his residency Fridays again and it finally came. If you were there in 1998 we don't have to tell you how amazing that night was but we can still say it remains to be our favorite show of all-time. He was a bit under the weather on this night but still sounded like the mad genius we all know him to be. For the late night set, he was joined by Nels Cline, Fiona Apple, and Benmont Tench for a wonderful set of classic standards and free-for-all jamming. Sunday, we were back at g'net for Aimee Mann's annual Christmas variety show. This year's announced special guests are Michael Penn, Ben Gibbard, and Zooey Deschanel. Some of the unannounced guests include Nellie McKay, Rich Sommer ("Mad Men"), Weird Al Yanokovic, Patton Oswalt, Creed Bratton ("The Office"), and of course co-host Paul F. Tompkins. It's been awhile since we've actually sat down to see a whole Aimee Mann show. She started doing opening slots for Jon Brion's Fridays before getting popular enough to headline her own nights. It's still a bit strange to see her joke around and have fun on stage these days since back then she didn't say much of anything except quietly sing a few songs then go cower in the darkness. In any case, we highly recommend heading out to Largo for any of the nights they have scheduled for the rest of the year. Even though shows may say they're sold out, you might want to stop by anyway to get last-minute openings. Also, this Friday will be Jon Brion's last regular weekly as his night will go monthly come 2010. We you love long time, wee Jon Brion.
What's up this week...
We call nights like tonight "heavy" meaning lineups are weighted top to bottom making it difficult to club hop (yes, some scenesters also call it "Rosie" but we think that's just mean). Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros return home with a show at the Mayan. Joe Purdy and Meaghan Smith continue their run at the Hotel Cafe. BIRTH! and others at pehrspace. Aimee Mann & friends at g'net. Trent Cantrell, Kazell, and others at Playhouse. And of course Monday residencies up the ying yang... Tuesday, Kenan Bell, Res and others at Spaceland. The Damselles, The Voyeurs, and others at The Echo. Pepper Rabbit opens for The Rural Alberta Advantage and The Shaky Hands at the Bootleg. And Aimee Mann and Joe Purdy finish off their thing at g'net and the Hotel Cafe, respectively... Wednesday, Obi Best and Correatown ice dance at Pershing. Saint Motel, Ruspringa, Oliver Future, and Early Dolphin at Spaceland. Shark Toys, Widow Babies, and others at The Smell. Kid Sister battles Moving Units at The Vanguard. Twilight Sleep, Acid Girls, and War Tapes open for Lilofee at The Echo. Jake Newton and others at The Mint. Claire Holley, Nicole Gordon, and others at Cafe 322. The Good Listeners, Sonus Quartet, and Hi Ho Silver Oh at the Bootleg. Spring Summer and Micky Adams at the Standard Hotel. Cannoneers of the New Command, Post-Op, and others at Boardner's. And Power 106 hosts their annual holiday function at Gibson... Thursday, Mia Doi Todd premieres her new Michel Gondry-directed music video "Open Your Heart" at the Hammer. Fool's Gold returns home with a show at The Echo with The Entrance Band and TEARIST. Sea Wolf and others at the Roxy. Hotel Cafe does their annual holiday shows with all-star lineups. Man's Assassination Man and others at the Silverlake Lounge. PROTECTME, Woven Bones, and others at The Smell. Manhattan Murder Mystery, Lost Lake, Guppies, and Magick Orchids at L'KEG. Oliver Future and others at The Mint. Little Red Radio and others at Pershing. Dunes, Luna Is Honey, and others at Bow & Sparrow. Rose's Pawn Shop back at Redwood. Marie Digby and others at Saint Rocke. And probably more stuff is happening but our fingers are hurting from typing all this and so we're stopping here even though we actually could have typed more instead of complaining about it.
Complete calendar listing here.
Happy birthdays this week to Jeff Koga (LAist) and Joey Siara (The Henry Clay People).
Pictured above is from the launch party of "Spread Eagle" on Saturday at Show Cave, which was fantastic. Show Cave, by the way, recently moved into its new location in Glassell Park and already it's in the running for best new space of the year. We love it.
Mia Doi Todd - "What If We Do" (Luxury Wafers Sessions)
