Live Music Options: 5/16/11 - 5/22/11

I caught the Henry Clay People, Apex Manor and Shadow Shadow Shade show at the Satellite on Friday night. Ton of fun. The Henry Clay People played a lot of new songs. Apex Manor played their last LA show for a while with a full band.Great night.

Monday 5/16/11

[Pick of the Night] White Arrows / Rumspringa / Kenan Bell @ Bootleg (Free)

[Recommended] He’s My Brother, She’s My Sister / Resavrant / Caught a Ghost / Magic Mirror / Anna Oxygen & Cloud Eye Control @ The Satellite (Free)

 [Recommended] Hands / Obi Best / Gardens and Villas @ Bardot (Free w/ RSVP)

Black Carl / Brandon Mayer & Hidden Powers / Price @ Silverlake Lounge (Free)

Shivering Denizens / Frank Fairfield @ Redwood

Federico Aubele / Line and Circle @ Troubadour ($15)

The Bixby Knolls / Tes Elations / LA Font / Queen Kwon @ The Echo (Free)

Airlines / Yoya @ Echoplex (Free)

Benefit for the Littlest Tumor: Zach Galifianakis @ Largo ($40)

Stephen Kellogg / Tift Merritt @ Bootleg ($22) – Early show at 7:30 PM

Yael Naim / Kristeenyoung @ Hotel Cafe

Swimsuit / Secret Twins / City Center / Tinylittle @ The Smell ($5)

Harassor / Vulture / Bitches / Bro Hammer @ Pehrspace

Tuesday 5/17/11

[Pick of the Night] The Black Angels / Sleepy Sun @ Detroit Bar ($16)

[Recommended] Alberta Cross / Chasing Kings / Sunny War / War Horse @ The Satellite ($10)

This Will Destroy You / Pure X / Sleepover @ The Echo ($12) – Instrumental rock band from Texas

The Lonely Wild @ The Central (Free)

The Elected / The Moor / The Chances @ Troubadour ($15)

Ms. Lauryn Hill / The Hot 8 Brass Band @ Fox Theater Pomona ($48 - $60)

Jesus Culture Band / Jake Hamilton / Banning Liebscher @ Club Nokia ($20 - $35)

Drop the Lime / Classixx / MNDR / Bosco Delrey / Samo Soundboy @ Echoplex ($15)

The Fiery Furnaces @ Largo ($25)

The Death Set / Win Win / Hello Girls @ Bootleg ($10)

The Wet Years / Demo Team / Mevansa / Tod Wisenbaker @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)

Lelia Broussard @ Hotel Café

Dirty Eyes / The Blessings @ Redwood

Wednesday 5/18/11

[Pick of the Night] Thao with the Get Down Stay Down / Morning Teleportation @ Royce Hall (Free for UCLA students / $20 non-students)

[Recommended] Low End Theory: Tokimonsta / Mophono / Secret Sidewalk @ Airliner ($10)

[Recommended] The Stripminers / Mack Winston and the Reflections / Morgan Phalen @ The Satellite ($12) – The Stripminers features Brett Anderson from The Donnas and DJ Bonebrake from X.

[Recommended] Patrick Park / Sara Lov / Vinnie Fera / Swimming In Trees / Nostalghia @ Bootleg ($10)

[Recommended] The Belle Brigade @ Amoeba (Free) – 7:00 PM; The new album’s got a lot of Fleetwood Mac elements to it.

Buffalo Tom / The Heavenly States @ Troubadour ($20)

Johnny Flynn & Sussex Wit / Caitlin Rose / James Mathe @ The Echo ($15)

The Watkins Family Hour @ Largo ($25)

Of Verona / White Lights / Wingard Manor @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)

Kevin Devine with The Wealthy West @ Hotel Cafe

Gipsy Kings @ The Grove of Anaheim ($74 - $98)

Lonesome Heroes @ Redwood

Step-by-Step Look at Vinyl Production @ Grammy Museum (Free) – Moderated by Neil from Origami with Pete Lyman, Peanut Butter Wolf, a rep from Bill Smith Records and a repfrom DoradoPkg.

Shawn Mullins / Calaghan / Susanna Hoffs @ The Mint ($20)

Thursday 5/19/11

[Pick of the Night] Vieux Farka Toure / Balle Fette @ The Satellite ($17) – The son of Malian guitar legend Ali Farka Toure

Citizen Cope / Alice Smith @ Troubadour (Sold Out)

Tommy Santee Klaws / Rachel Goodrich / Daniel Ahearn @ The Echo ($7)

Axis of Awesome @ Largo ($20)

Lusitania / Jack Littman / Irontom / Paladino @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)

Blockshot / Gina Young / Chilean Miners / The Flytraps @ The Smell ($5)

Citizen Fish / Krum Bums @ Alex’s Bar ($12)

Friday 5/20/11

[Pick of the Night] Joe Pug / Strand of Oaks @ The Satellite ($10) – Talented singer/songwriter

[Recommended] The Belle Brigade @ McCabe’s (Sold Out)

Kylie Minogue / Kaskade @ Hollywood Bowl (Sold Out)

Citizen Cope / Alice Smith @ Troubadour (Sold Out)

Love Inks / Black Elephant / Sister Crayon @ The Echo

Kina Grannis World in Front of me Tour / Imaginary Friend @ Largo (Sold Out)

Lavender Diamond @ Center for the Arts in Eagle Rock ($12)

Boris Smile / Masxs / Paulie Pesh / Fake Furs @ The Smell ($5)

Citizen Fish / The Apathy Circle @ The Glass House ($12)

Pek Pek / Tan Dollar / Glow Marrow @ Pehrspace

Brent Amaker and the Rodeo / Spain @ Redwood

Saturday 5/21/11

[Pick of the Night] Echo and the Bunnymen / Kelley Stoltz @ Club Nokia ($33 - $42) – Kelley Stoltz once recorded a tribute to Echo and the Bunnymen’s Crocodiles.

[Recommended] S. Carey / Other Lives @ The Satellite ($12) – S. Carey’s a member of Bon Iver and talented solo musician. Other Lives are on TBD Records (home of Radiohead and Henry Clay People).

[Recommended] Aloe Blacc & the Grand Scheme @ Detroit Bar ($15) – Also at the Music Box on Sunday.

[Recommended] Silver Lake Jubilee: Geotic / Rainbow Arabia / Jail Weddings / Black Flamingo / Ceci Bastida / Mia Doi Todd / Neverever / Marvelous Toy / TRMRS / Audacity / Pangea / Silent & Clementine @ 1070 Myra Ave – This is a good chance to see a ton of local bands over the course of a weekend. Gets started at 10 AM each day.

Citizen Cope / Alice Smith @ Troubadour (Sold Out)

100 Monkeys / Sabrosa Purr / Toy Bombs @ El Rey ($17)

Yelle / French Horn Rebellion / DJ Jorf featuring Papercut @ The Music Box ($25)

Houses / The One AM Radio @ The Echo ($10)

The Paul F. Tompkins Show @ Largo ($25) – With guests Busy Phillips, Andy Daly and Jon Brion

Rival Schools / Suedehead / Nations Afire @ Bootleg ($14) – Veteran post-hardcore band.

Lita Ford @ Galaxy in Santa Ana ($25)

Willie Nile / Peter Lewis @ McCabe’s ($20)

Virginia City Revival / Simon Stokes @ The Redwood

Vaud and the Villains / Woody Pittman @ The Mint ($15)

LJO: Tribute to Clifford Browns @ Luckman Fine Arts Complex ($25 - $35)

Sunday 5/22/11

[Pick of the Week] Aloe Blacc & the Grand Scheme / Tutu Sweeney & the Brothers Band / DJ Jeremy Sole @ The Music Box ($21) – I’m a huge fan of Aloe Blacc’s last record. Sort of a modern Bill Withers with an effortless singing style.

[Recommended] Silver Lake Jubilee: The Little Ones / Crystal Antlers / The Black Apples / Dante vs. Zombies / Slang Chickens / One Trick Pony / Tommy Santee Klaws / We Are the World / Love Grenades / Races / Twilight Sleep / SISU / Cobra Lilies @ 1070 Myra Ave – Gets started at 10 AM each day. Good chance to see a lot of local bands in one place. Stay late for The Little Ones.   

Japan Benefit: Dilated Peoples / Breakestra / Very Be Careful / Boogaloo Assassins / The Good Times ft. Black Shakespeare @ Echoplex ($15)

Steve Earle @ Bootleg ($10) – Doing a reading at 5:00 PM

Dunes / Turkks / Cold Showers / Night Control @ Bootleg ($10) – A couple of Mexican Summer bands.

Yeasayer / Smith Westerns / Hush Hush @ The Glass House ($20)

Devin the Dude @ The Roxy ($20 - $35)

Jesca Hoop @ McCabe’s ($15)

Djinn / Otto’s Daughter / Kevin Never Talks / I Killed the Symphony / Chris Arena / Josh Damigo / Jimmy Lloyd / Gabe Kubanda @ Troubadour ($8)

Ellington: Best of the Sacred Concerts @ Walt Disney Concert Hall ($24 - $114)

Grand Ole Echo @ The Echo (Free) – 5:00 PM – weekly country shindig

Krautrock Nite @ The Echo – Members of Best Coast, Moving Units, Upsilon Acrux play Neu! Can and La Dusseldorf songs.

Morrissey’s 52^nd Unhappy Birthday with  Sweet and Tender Hooligans @ House of Blues Sunset ($18)

Recent Concert Announcements

Okkervil River Play the Wiltern in June

The Wiltern

6/23/11: Okkervil River / Titus Andronicus / New Villager (Friday at 10 AM)

The Echo

Mondays in April: Amanda Jo Williams

5/1/11: Vivian Girls / No Joy / Sweater Girls (now)

5/3/11: Beach Fossils / Craft Spells (now)

5/11/11: Greenhornes / Jeff the Brotherhood (now)

5/15/11: The Deadbeats (now)

5/18/11: Johnny Flynn & the Sussex Wit with Caitlin Rose (Saturday at 10 AM)

5/28/11: Allo Darlin (now)

5/31/11: Eternal Summers / The Beets (now)

6/5/11: Phil Wilson / Aberdeen (now)

The Satellite [sold through Ticketfly]

Mondays in April: The Waking Sleep (free)

Mondays in May: He’s My Brother, She’s My Sister (free)  

3/19/11: Big Dick / Brendan Hines (now)

5/4/11: Pipettes (now)  

6/23/11: The Fleshtones (now)

Detroit Bar

5/21/11: Aloe Blacc (now)

Bootleg

4/5/11: Deradoorian (now)

4/7/11: Seasick Steve (Friday at Noon)

4/21/11: Yoni Wolf (now)

4/30/11: Mindy Smith (now)

Club Nokia

5/7/11: Diddy Dirty Money (now)

The Music Box

4/23/11: Chase and Status (now)

4/27/11: Donald Glover + Childish Gambino (Saturday at 10 AM)

5/23/11: Yeasayer / Smith Westerns / Hush Hush (now)

6/2/11: Manchester Orchestra (Friday at Noon)

6/29/11: Brooke Fraser (Saturday at 10 AM)

El Rey

3/26/11: Melanie Fiona (Saturday at 10 AM)

5/6/11: Junip / Acrylics (Saturday at 10 AM)

5/12/11: Femi Kuti & the Positive Force (now)

5/13/11: Man Man (Friday at 10 AM)

5/21/11: 100 Monkeys (Friday at 10 AM)

6/29/11: Sondre Lerche / Nightlands (Saturday at 10 AM)

Staples Center

6/1/11: Usher / Akon (Friday at 10 AM)

8/17/11: Josh Groban (Saturday at 10 AM)

10/8/11: Keith Urban / Jake Owen (Friday at 10 AM)

Honda Center

6/29/11: Rihanna / Cee Lo Green (Saturday at 10 AM)

Gibson Amphitheatre

6/14/11: Bruno Mars / Janelle Monae / Mayer Hawthorne & the County (now)

Hollywood Bowl

6/14/11: Motley Crue / Poison / New York Dolls (TBD)

Walt Disney Concert Hall

2/11/12: Judy Collins (TBD)

4/11/12: Soweto Gospel Choir (TBD)

Troubadour

4/11/11: k.d. lang / The Belle Brigade (Saturday at 1:00 PM)

4/29/11: Jessica Lea Mayfield (Thursday at 1:00 PM)

Recent Live Music Announcments

The Music Box

4/23/11: Bassrush – Chase & Status (Saturday at 10 AM)

4/28/11: The Airborne Toxic Event (presale now, password = MIDNIGHT; Saturday at 10 AM)

5/22/11: Aloe Blacc (presale Friday at 10 AM, password = NEEDADOLLAR; Saturday at 10 AM)

5/24/11: Yeasayer / Smith Westerns / Hush Hush (presale Friday at 10 AM, password = AMBLING; Saturday at 10 AM)

6/24/11: Black Lips / Cerebral Ballzy (Saturday at 10 AM)

El Rey

4/5/11: Neil Finn / Matt Costa (Saturday at 10 AM)

4/20/11: Kara DioGuardi (presale Friday at 10 AM, password = IDOL; Saturday at 10 AM)

4/27/11: The Airborne Toxic Event (presale now, password = MIDNIGHT; Saturday at 10 AM)

5/10/11: Pinback (Saturday at 10 AM)

Troubadour

4/26/11: The Airborne Toxic Event (Friday at 1:00 PM)

6/6/11: Orange Goblin (now)

The Satellite [sold through Ticketfly]

3/3/11: Mavis Staples (now)

3/8/11: Andy Clockwise (now)

3/30/11: Air Sex Championships (now)

4/6/11: Rademacher (now)

4/14/11: Yuck (now)

4/22/11: Movits (now)

4/25/11: Airbone Toxic Event (Friday at Noon)

Nokia Theatre LA Live

4/15/11: Charlie Wilson / Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds (Friday at 10 AM)

5/13/11: Brian McKnight (Friday at 10 AM)

6/24/11: Men of Soul – Peabo Bryson / Howard Hewett / Freddie Jackson / Jeffrey Osbourne (Friday at 10 AM)

Echoplex [Ticketweb]

3/22/11: Soundtrack of Our Lives (now)

4/8/11: Naked and Famous (now)

5/1/11: Mudhoney (now)

5/21/11: Houses / The One AM Radio (now)

The Echo

4/29/11: Royal Bangs / Superhumanoids (now)

5/2/11: Battles (now)

6/1/11: Gruff Rhys (now)

Club Nokia

3/26/11: Seth MacFarlane Swingin’ in Concert / Sara Bareilles (presale Friday at 10 AM, password = MUSIC; Saturday at 10 AM)

4/3/11: Talib Kweli / David Banner / 9^th Wonder (presale Friday at 10 AM, password = RAINBOWS; Saturday at 10 AM)

4/20/11: The Original Alice Cooper Group / Duff McKagan’s Loaded / Sebastian Bach (now)

5/8/11: Ghostland Observatory (presale now, password = RONDO; Friday at 10 AM)

5/13/11: The Royal Family Ball / Soulive / Lettuce (presale now, password = ROYAL; Friday at 10 AM)

Citizens Business Bank Arena (Pomona)

6/24/11: Willie Nelson’s Country Throwdown Tour- Willie Nelson / Jamey Johnson / Randy Houser / Lee Brice / Brantley Gilbert / Craig Campbell / Lukas Nelson (presale now, password = YEEHAW; Friday at 10 AM)

Staples

9/3/11: Jenni Rivera (Saturday at 10 AM)

Hollywood Palladium

3/22/11: Girl Talk (now)

6/9/11: Adele [moved from The Wiltern] (Saturday at 10 AM)

Gibson Amphitheatre

6/12/11: Bruno Mars / Janelle Monae / Mayer Hawthorne & the Country (Saturday at 10 AM)

The Forum

5/20/11: Rammstein (Saturday at 10 AM)

The Wiltern

4/13/11: Queens of the Stone Age (now)

4/30/11: Hollywood Undead (Friday at 10 AM)

5/21/11: Adam Carolla (now)

Avalon

3/29/11: The Sounds (Friday at 10 AM)

Fox Theater Pomona

4/20/11: Kottonmouth Kings (presale Friday at 10 AM, password = LEGALIZE; Saturday at 10 AM)

Largo

4/28/11: Watkins Family Hour (now)

4/29/11: Punch Brothers (now)

4/30/11: Ed Helms Whiskey Sour Hour (now)

5/1/11: Steep Canyon Rangers with Steve Martin (now)

5/6/11: Grant Lee Buffalo (now)

Bootleg

3/29/11: Washington (now at Ticketfly)

4/3/11: Dan Bern (now)

4/16/11: Lake / Agesandages (now)

Grammy Museum

3/23/11: Raphael Saadiq (now)

3/25/11: Los Lonely Boys (now)

The Glass House

3/10/11: The Concretes (Friday at Noon)

5/7/11: Ghostland Observatory (Friday at Noon)

6/25/11: The Black Lips / Cerebral Ballzy (Friday at Noon)

Bardot (RSVP)

3/7/11: Pop Levi / Broken Records / Johnossi

3/14/11: Polock

3/21/11: Teddy Thompson

Detroit Bar

4/16/11: Yuck (now)

5/12/11: The Greenhornes (now)

6/23/11: Black Lips (now)

My Favorite New Music Releases of 2010 (Top 20)

A big thanks to all these artists for putting out great music this year. I had a lot of fun listening to music this year...

20)  Jamey Johnson: The Guitar Song (Mercury) – I was initially interested in this for the packaging. It’s a 3LP set with the first disc on black vinyl, the second disc on half white/half black vinyl and the third disc on white vinyl. It’s shitkicker music, but ambitious shitkicker music in the tradition of Merle Haggard. Across 25 songs, Johnson shows his tender side, his sense of humor and his pissed off blue collar, ex-Marine, Southerner side. Points off for being the co-writer of “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk” (although he made more in the hour it took him to write that than I’ve made all year). 

19)  Aloha: Home Acres (Polyvinyl) – They’re such an underrated band. It’s layered, emotional indie rock. Click through to listen on Polyvinyl’s band page.

18)  Pernice Brothers: Goodbye, Killer (Ashmont) – I still like Joe Pernice’s wordplay. Who else writes a song called “Bechamel?” Highlights are “The Great Depression” and “Something For You.” 
MP3: Jacqueline Susann

17)  The Moondoggies: Tidelands (Hardly Art) – This one’s not as loose and carefree as their debut, but it is quality roots rock that’s been growing on me since its release.
MP3: It’s a Shame, It’s a Pity

16) Futurebirds: Hampton’s Lullaby (Autumn Tone) – Tasty Americana with no pretense. Aquarium Drunkard’s got some downloads HERE.

15)  Roky Erickson: True Love Cast Out All Evil (Anti-) – This is the best thing Erickson’s done since 1967. A lot of the credit has to go to his backing band, Okkervil River. “Goodbye Sweet Dreams” is the standout track. Left click HERE to stream tracks from Anti-

14)  Dungen: Skit I Allt (Mexican Summer) – Swedish psych mang. This one’s a little mellow and free. Tame Impala may be getting all the attention right now, but I still like Dungen better.  

13) Sleigh Bells: Treats (Mom & Pop Music) – For people who know me, this is probably the most surprising inclusion on this list. They push everything to the point of complete distortion but keep it fun. Their eyesore of a website is the visual equivalent of their music, yet somehow it works (the music, not the website).  

12) Le Switch: The Rest of Me Is Space (Self-released) - These local guys were also #3 on my LA best of list. Stream the whole album HERE.
MP3: All About Heart

11) The Soft Pack: The Soft Pack (Kemado) – A 33 minute blast of simple, hooky rock ‘n’ roll songs. No affectation – just fun.  The vocals are high in the mix and his voice is sort of a cross between Julian Casablancas and Jonathan Richman. I guess they live in LA now, I still think of them as a San Diego band, so I left them off mine. Highlights are “More or Less” and “C’Mon.” Stream songs HERE.

10) Surfer Blood: Astro Coast (Kanine) –The easiest (and most reductive) way to describe them is Weezer meets the Shins. The vocals are processed and buried in the mix but come through clean on the choruses. The occasional bit of tropical percussion creeps through from time to time. Bonus points for the David Lynch and Twin Peaks references. Highlights are “Swim” and “Harmonix.”

9) Menomena: Mines (Barsuk) – This record is a bit depressing, so I don’t listen to it as much as some of the other stuff on this list. It’s chaotic, unpredictable and has quick time signature changes. Menomena once again prove there’s a place for saxophone in indie rock.
MP3: Five Little Rooms

8) The Besnard Lakes: The Besnard Lakes Are the Roaring Night (Jagjaguwar) – They build songs like nobody else. Swirling guitars, falsettos and intense as shit. See them live because it’s always a highlight of the year.
MP3: Albatross  

7) Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings: I Learned the Hard Way (Daptone) – Retro soul done so well. Great voice, great band and really good songs add up to repeat listening.

6)  The Black Keys: Brothers (Nonesuch) – It’s blues rock so you’ll hear some copped riffs. On this record you might also hear some Tom Jones, T. Rex and Cold War Kids.

5)  Radar Brothers: The Illustrated Garden (Merge) – This was #2 on my local list. It might be my most listened to record of the year.

4)  Aloe Blacc: Good Things (Stones Throw) – This was #1 on my local list. Like a lost Bill Withers’ record from 1973.

3)  Deerhunter: Halcyon Digest (4AD) – This guy should not be allowed to sequence his own records. It starts out slow and then really hits its stride around track five. “Helicopter” and “Desire Lines” are two personal favorites.
MP3: Revival

2)  Kelley Stoltz: To Dreamers (Sub Pop) – I just enjoy the shit out of Kelley Stoltz’s music. Hipsters would probably rather listen to the other band he plays with, Sonny & the Sunsets (and they’re pretty good too) but I love this. Maybe I love the 1960s too much?  
MP3: I Don’t Get That

1) Phosphorescent: Here’s to Taking It Easy (Dead Oceans) – On wax their laid back grooves make them seem like a modern day Willie Nelson. But live, his superb band completely annihilated the Troubadour earlier this year. There’s tons of beautiful pedal steel on this record. Highlights include “Tell Me Baby (Have You Had Enough)” and “The Mermaid Parade.”
MP3: The Mermaid Parade

Top 10 Local (Los Angeles) Releases of 2010

It was another great year to be a local music fan. The diversity of music in this town is pretty staggering. A few of these releases will pop up on national top 10 lists while a few others will probably only be on my own.....

10) Glasser: Ring (True Panther) – If you see a lot of local bands, then you’ve seen dramatic singing paired with weird outfits and extreme electronic beats (is it Har Mar’s fault?). For the record I like Har Mar, but a lot of the more tribal stuff makes me want to tear my eyes out and jam pencils into my eardrums. Glasser’s record teases at some of these elements, but falls solidly on the good side of the spectrum.

MP3: Mirrorage

9) Local Natives: Gorilla Manor (French Kiss) –Somebody had to form a band that sounded like 1/3 Grizzly Bear, 1/3 Fleet Foxes and 1/3 Vampire Weekend – might as well be them. Nice harmonies. My only real knock is that some of the songs could have been tightened up a bit (but you could say the same thing about Fleet Foxes), overall a very solid debut.

MP3: Sun Hands

8) Flying Lotus: Cosmogramma (Warp) – I’m not really a fusion fan or beats guy, so this isn’t really in my wheelhouse. But this is the kinda thing that I like to put on when I’m working (just what every artist wants to be – background music). Very few lyrics in there to get in the way, but plenty of textures to hold up on repeated listens. 

7) John Carpenter: Fairy Tales Forgotten (self-released) – On this record, he’s got a little bit of a weird, almost sinister Shudder to Think vibe. His live show can be significantly more rocking and blues heavy. Either way, he’s an artist I’m keeping my eye on. Stream Album

6) Warpaint: The Fool (Rough Trade) – When you follow a band through its early evolution and lineup changes, you’re never quite sure what their debut record’s going to be like and how they’ll be received on the international stage. With Warpaint, it was even better than expected on both counts. Atmospheric and moody afterparty jams.

MP3: Undertow

5) The Henry Clay People: Somewhere On the Golden Coast (TBD Records) – Longtime followers of the band were expecting more new songs (especially with the outtakes floating around out there) but as the first nationally distributed album, it’s a good representation of the band. They’re not concerned with changing the world, just helping you temporarily escape from it and I think Paul Westerberg would approve of that sentiment.

4) Off!: First Four EPs (Vice) – This has so much energy it transports back in time to seventh grade when I first got into punk and hardcore. The Circle Jerks were always a favorite so it’s appropriate that Keith Morris is involved. At the age of 55, Morris’ intensity puts all you youngsters to shame.

3) Le Switch: The Rest of Me Is Space (self-released) - The band tweaked their lineup, making more of a straight rock ‘n’ roll album this time around. I’ve always appreciated the honesty and way Aaron Kyle lays it all on the line when he sings. I volunteered to write press materials for this, so you probably already knew I was a fan.

MP3: Call Out

2) Radar Brothers: The Illustrated Garden (Merge) – I was excited when the band met me at Verdugo Bar to gauge my interest in working on their press materials and even more excited after I took the record home and listened to it. They’ve been my favorite LA band for 12 years and this is their best release since 2002’s And the Surrounding Mountains. It’s got such a rich, warm, comforting sound – quite possibly my most listened to record of the year.

Download "Horses Warriors" (click through to Merge)

1) Aloe Blacc: Good Things (Stones Throw) – If you’re a fan of old school soul, Aloe Blacc’s the real deal. He’s an insanely talented singer and it comes off so effortless. He blows away all the other local, neo-soul singers I’ve seen. His “Femme Fatale” cover might be my least favorite song on the record, but it’s probably a good entry point if you’re not a big soul fan. 

MP3: Dark End of the Street (not from the album)

Live Music Options: 11/29/10 - 12/5/10

A legend, lots of hip hop and your standard indie rock kind of week...

Monday 11/29/10

[Pick of the Night] Roger Waters @ Staples Center ($55 - $250) - Performing The Wall live; I can’t even remember the last time I listened to the Wall (probably when I was a Freshman in college) but I’d still like to see this.

[Recommended] Dirt Dress / Allah Las / Cum Stain / Oh Darling @ The Satellite [f/k/a Spaceland] (Free) – Last night to catch Dirt Dress’ Monday night residency. Their music has a sort of lo-fi, early Velvet Underground vibe.

The Books / The Black Heart Procession @ The Music Box ($25)

Black Apples / Jail Weddings / My Pet Saddle / Dante vs. Zombies (Free) – Black Apples are doing the Monday night residency this month at the Echo.

Chasing Kings / Woolen / Francisco the Man / Toy Bombs @ Silverlake Lounge (Free) – Chasing Kings is doing the Monday night residency at the Silverlake Lounge this month.

It’s A School Night @ Bardot (Free w/ RSVP) – Anybody  know who the special guest is?

Standing Shadows / Scraping For Change / Oh My Stars / Death Kit @ Troubadour ($8)

The Rescues @ Hotel Café

Phil Alvin @ Redwood

Corima / The Symbolick Jews / Anomalie & the Speakeasy Earth / Use Value @ Pehrspace

Tuesday 11/30/10

[Pick of the Night] Roger Waters @ Staples Center ($55 - $250) – Night two, performing The Wall live

[Recommended] Faith No More @ Palladium (Sold Out) – I can’t remember the last time I listened to FNM (probably my junior year of college) but I’d still like to see them.

[Recommended] Les Blanks / Manhattan Murder Mystery / Coyol @ Spaceland ($5) – I’ve been a Les Blanks fan for some time now and also enjoy Manhattan Murder Mystery

[Recommended] The Californian / Le Switch / Tigerbitch @ LaBrie’s in Glendale (Free) – Good free show lineup. Le Switch are one of my favorite local bands.

Grinderman / Armen Ra @ The Music Box (Sold Out) – Nick Cave fans.

The Frames @ Avalon ($38)

Kitten / A House For Lions @ The Echo ($8)

T. Mills / Dez / Joffe Black @ Troubadour ($15)

New Kingdom / Xdao @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)

Wires in the Walls / The Whiskey Saints / Adrian Vera @ Hotel Café

Million Kids / Symbol Six / Soul Trash @ Redwood

Street Drum Corps @ The Roxy ($15)

Wednesday 12/1/10

[Pick of the Night] Faith No More @ Palladium ($63) – Night two
[Recommended] James Mulvey / John Carpenter / Terry Byrne @ Space 1520 ($5 suggested donation)

[Recommended] Low End Theory: Lazer Sword / Ages / Hoppa & Mine @ Airliner ($10)

The Grouch with DJ Fresh / Brother Ali with DJ Snuggles @ El Rey ($22)

Odd Future @ The Echo ($10) – From their website (should I be impressed they know the difference between they’re and there): “I Would Have Mom Purchase These Tickets NOW! Because All The Faggot Label Heads And Magazine Writers And Bloggers Are Going To Snatch These Up, And It’s Nothing More Annoying That People At The Show That’s Not There Because They Love The Music And Live For That Shit; They’re There Because They Want A Fucking Raise. All These People Are Pedophiles And They Just Want To Fuck Us.”

John McLaughlin & the 4^th Dimension @ Royce Hall ($43 - $83) – He played with Miles Davis, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Shakti and The Guitar Trio

[CANCELLED] Einstuerzende Neubauten @ The Music Box ($30) - THIS WAS CANCELLED

The Abyssinians @ Echoplex ($15)

Eve 6 / Dead Country @ Troubadour ($17)

Jon Anderson @ The Orpheum ($40 - $75) – The lead singer of Yes

Grammy Nominations Concert: Justin Beiber / B.o.B. / Miranda Lambert / Bruno Mars / Katy Perry @ Club Nokia ($100 - $3,000) – Early show at 7:00 PM

Train @ Club Nokia ($50 - $65) – Late show at 10:00 PM

Miracle Parade / Pierre De Reeder / Jerry Borge @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)

Lucy Woodward / Sonos @ Hotel Café

Love Sick Elephant / Julie Caine / Mark Lane @ Redwood

Thursday 12/2/10

[Pick of the Night] Everest / He’s My Brother, She’s My Sister @ The Echo ($10) – Back from their tour with Matt Costa.

[Recommended] Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti / Os Mutantes / Teen Inc. @ Music Box ($22.50) – I find it odd that Os Mutantes opens for Ariel Pink.

Hosannas / Gamblehouse / Hands @ The Satellite [f/k/a Spaceland] ($8) – Pretty solid lineup if you like the mellow, orchestrated end of the indie spectrum.

EPMD @ Key Club ($20)

Louis CK: Word @ Gibson Amphitheatre ($52)

Brooke Fraser / Sam Bradley @ El Rey ($19)

[CANCELLED] Einstuerzende Neubauten @ Echoplex ($25) - THIS WAS CANCELLED

Scarlet Grey / Killola / City Comma State / The Young Modern @ Troubadour ($10)

Paul Scheer’s Sexy Christmas Spectacular @ Largo ($20)

John Butler Trio / The Beautiful Girls @ The Wiltern ($33 - $42)

Last American Buffalo / The Steelwells / Pithy Sweet @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)

David Ryan Harris / Bob Reynolds @ Hotel Café

Dark Star Orchestra @ Grove of Anaheim ($33)

Tora Tora Tora / Vice 5 / Del Rottens @ Redwood

Friday 12/3/10

[Pick of the Night] Aloe Blacc and the Grand Scheme @ Echoplex ($12) – He may be the new soul singer you’ve been looking for.

[Recommended] Atlas Sound @ The Echo ($15) – Bradford Cox just keeps releasing free Atlas Sound records on his website.

[Recommended] Liars / John Weise / High Places @ TheSex ($15) – For those that like to be challenged by their music

Lower Heaven / Exploding Flowers / Jason Simon of Dead Meadow / Lantvrn @ The Satellite [f/k/a Spaceland] ($8) – Named after the Echo & the Bunnymen song with a shoegazey, fuzzy sound.

Fences / Jenny O @ Bootleg ($10) – Bummed out singer songwriter from Seattle

The Posies / Brendan Benson / Aqueduct @ Club Nokia ($25) – I do like Brendan Benson.

Power 106 Cali Christmas: Ice Cube / Chris Brown / Pitbull / Rick Ross @ Gibson Amphitheatre ($35 - $112)

Dweezil Zappa Plays Zappa / George Duke @ The Music Box ($40 - $85)

Dark Star Orchestra @ El Rey ($29)

Ernie Halter / Uncle Daddy / Brett Young / Kathryn Ostenberg @ Troubadour ($15)

Holly Conlan @ Hotel Café

Dead Kennedys / Angry Samoans / Narcoleptic Youth / Social Task @ House of Blues Sunset ($22.50)

Ghestapo Khazi / Fidlar / Kamikaze / The Hindu Pirates @ The Smell ($5)

Jackshit Christmas @ McCabe’s ($15)

Liz Pappademas & Friends @ Pehrspace

Petunia & the Vipers / Dave Stuckey’s Gutbucket Five @ Redwood

Camp Freddy @ The Roxy ($27)

Charlie Hunter Trio @ The Mint ($25)

Exene Cervenka / Sean Wheeler & Zander Schloss / C.E. Lane @ Vacation (Free)

Saturday 12/4/10

[Pick of the Night] Jens Lekman @ Skybar at the Mondrian (Free w/ RSVP) – The idea of going to the Skybar on a Saturday night is pretty icky, but he’s a talented guy.

Passion Pit / Mister Heavenly / We Barbarians / Pepper Rabbit @ Fox Theater Pomona ($32) – Sad lyrics/happy music is a great formula

Giant Drag / Fences @ Detroit Bar ($8)

Capital Cities / The Dirty Diamond / The Kepler Mission / Oh So Wild / The Nukes @ Troubadour ($12)

The Thrilling Adventure Hour @ Largo (Sold Out)

Variety’s Power of Comedy: Russell Brand @ Club Nokia ($50 - $85)

Straight No Chaser @ The Wiltern ($42 - $63)

Luna Sea @ Hollywood Palladium ($64)

Daylong Valleys of the Nile / Dunes / Diva @ The Smell ($5)

Jackshit Christmas @ McCabe’s ($15)

Foot Foot / Little Teeth / Slumber Beast / Moses Campbell @ Pehrspace

Petunia & the Vipers@ Redwood

Charlie Hunter Trio @ The Mint ($25)

Sunday 12/5/10

[Pick of the Night] Wu-Tang Clan @ Club Nokia ($45 - $65) – Do you follow Ghostface Killah on Twitter? His lessons on cleaning yourself are pretty amazing.

[Recommended] Kool Keith @ The Roxy ($21) – They don’t come much crazier than Keith.

[Recommended] Alice Coltrane Tribute featuring: McCoy Tyner / Kyp Malone / Nels Cline / Flying Lotus / Han Bennink / Daniel Carter / Michael White / Leisei Chen / Radha Botofasina @ Royce Hall ($28 - $48)
[Recommended]  Roger Waters @ Staples Center (Sold Out) – Night three, performing The Wall live 

Swahili Blonde / Scotty the Kid @ Space 1520 - Toy drive, bring an unwrapped toy
Devon Williams / The Mantles / Catwalk @ The Echo ($8)

Mississippi Man / Rumspringa / The Howls / Dahga Bloom @ Bootleg ($10)

One Trick Pony / Meredith Meyer / Star Parts @ The Satellite [f/k/a Spaceland] ($7)

Marchfourth Marching Band @ Echoplex ($12)

Danko Jones / Hillbilly Hearald / Lady Sinatra @ Troubadour ($12)

The Thrilling Adventure Hour @ Largo (Sold Out)

KIIS FM’s Jingle Ball: Katy Perry / Enrique Iglesias / Nelly @ Nokia Theatre ($80 - $155)

The Ditty Bops @ McCabe’s ($20)

Petunia & the Vipers @ Redwood

Marco Benevento @ The Mint ($18)