I'm also contributing to the LAist now. Go check out my first post HERE.
Being the good local citizen that I am, I attended two record release parties this week.
Languis on Sunday 3/26 @ Spaceland
Languis was celebrating the release of their new EP, Other Desert Cities, on Pehr Records. There was a really nice crowd for a Sunday at Spaceland (including lots of local musicians and some of the Plug Research crew). The band covered the backdrop of the stage in white and had some nice lighting effects. It would have been cool if they'd taken it the extra step and planned their wardrobes accordingly. They sounded tight. It's atmospheric music that also works well on the stage. Fans of Spacemen 3, American Analog Set and ambient music should enjoy it.
Download "In the Fields of (Lonely Fences)"
Irving on Wednesday 3/29 @ King King
Another impressive crowd came out to see Irving celebrate the release of their second album, Death in the Garden, Blood On the Flowers (out Tuesday on Eenie Meenie Records). It could have been bad, but the Hollywood crowd was respectful to soft rock opener Lavender Diamond. They're getting national buzz at the moment and play music that wouldn't sound out of place on easy listening 1970's radio. Lead singer Becky Stark is still as kooky as she was the first time I saw her seven years ago. After a set by Great Northern (a band featuring several members of Earlimart), Irving came out and shot some adrenaline into the crowd. Steven Scott handled vocals on the first track, "Situation." He leapt around the stage and shrieked loudly into the mic. Fans of Apples in Stereo should like that track. They followed with a Brian Canning led song, which might have been "Jen, Nothing Matters to Me." Fans of the Killers and other dance rock bands should like that one. For the third or fourth song, local hearthrob Alex Church stepped up to the mic. He taunted the ladies in the crowd with, "I Want To Love You in My Room." There was a collective shriek when he sang, "I want to take off all your clothes." About five songs in they introduced some older songs. The crowd was surprisingly responsive given that most of them were hearing the new songs for the first time.
Download "Situation"
Friday, March 31, 2006
Thursday, March 30, 2006
Weekend Live Music Picks
Petra Haden performs live at the Jensen Rec center on SaturdayFriday 3/31/06
Lucinda Williams @ El Rey Theatre [SOLD OUT] - Immensely talented folk and country influenced singer-songwriter. This is an intimate show with just her and her guitarist. I recommend all of her last three studio albums. She bought me a drink once at the Derby.
Her Space Holiday @ Troubadour [$10] - For fans of sad indie electronica.
Download "Keystroke"
Nous Non Plus @ Spaceland [$10] - A faux French band of former art school students who play music inspired by Gainsbourg, Dutronc, and Ferrer. I saw them once when they were still called Les Sans Culottes.
Daedelus / Busdriver @ the Echo [$5] - Daedulus is experimental indie electronica with a hip-hop influence. Busdriver's an underground backpack rapper.
Download Daedelus' "Move On" (with Sci)
Download Busdriver's "Unemployed Black Astronaut"
The Strokes @ Gibson Amphitheatre [$32.50] - Also tonight.
Saturday 4/1/06
Petra Haden & the Sell-Outs @ Jensen Rec Center [$15] - She recreated the Who's The Who Sell Out as an a cappella album. Listening to the record is very interesting, hopefully seeing it live will be too.
We Are Scientists @ El Rey Theatre [SOLD OUT] - For fans of the Killers, Bloc Party and Franz Ferdinand. Major label band that a lot of bloggers seem to like. I listened to the record a few times. There are a couple of catchy tunes.
Jenny Lewis with the Watson Twins @ Orpheum Theatre [SOLD OUT] - Rilo Kiley singer's solo tour. You can download her mellow country-tinged album for free from her label's site HERE. A friend in Fort Worth saw her last night and loved it.
Jason Collett @ Knitting Factory [$10] - One of the guys in Broken Social Scene who plays gentle 1970s influenced rock.
Mika Miko @ the Smell [$5] - Local all girl punk band. They're putting out an album on Kill Rock Stars this summer. Kind of like a harder rocking Raincoats?
Sunday 4/2/06
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club / Silversun Pickups @ Spaceland [$20] - This is a benefit for the Rose Scharlin school so don't try to weasle your way in on the guestlist. Get there early, advance tickets are sold out.
Sia @ Troubadour [SOLD OUT] - She's performed with Jamiroquai, Massive Attack, Zero 7 and Willaim Orbit. You might also know her from that final scene of Six Feet Under.
Lucinda Williams @ El Rey Theatre [SOLD OUT] - Immensely talented folk and country influenced singer-songwriter. This is an intimate show with just her and her guitarist. I recommend all of her last three studio albums. She bought me a drink once at the Derby.
Her Space Holiday @ Troubadour [$10] - For fans of sad indie electronica.
Download "Keystroke"
Nous Non Plus @ Spaceland [$10] - A faux French band of former art school students who play music inspired by Gainsbourg, Dutronc, and Ferrer. I saw them once when they were still called Les Sans Culottes.
Daedelus / Busdriver @ the Echo [$5] - Daedulus is experimental indie electronica with a hip-hop influence. Busdriver's an underground backpack rapper.
Download Daedelus' "Move On" (with Sci)
Download Busdriver's "Unemployed Black Astronaut"
The Strokes @ Gibson Amphitheatre [$32.50] - Also tonight.
Saturday 4/1/06
Petra Haden & the Sell-Outs @ Jensen Rec Center [$15] - She recreated the Who's The Who Sell Out as an a cappella album. Listening to the record is very interesting, hopefully seeing it live will be too.
We Are Scientists @ El Rey Theatre [SOLD OUT] - For fans of the Killers, Bloc Party and Franz Ferdinand. Major label band that a lot of bloggers seem to like. I listened to the record a few times. There are a couple of catchy tunes.
Jenny Lewis with the Watson Twins @ Orpheum Theatre [SOLD OUT] - Rilo Kiley singer's solo tour. You can download her mellow country-tinged album for free from her label's site HERE. A friend in Fort Worth saw her last night and loved it.
Jason Collett @ Knitting Factory [$10] - One of the guys in Broken Social Scene who plays gentle 1970s influenced rock.
Mika Miko @ the Smell [$5] - Local all girl punk band. They're putting out an album on Kill Rock Stars this summer. Kind of like a harder rocking Raincoats?
Sunday 4/2/06
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club / Silversun Pickups @ Spaceland [$20] - This is a benefit for the Rose Scharlin school so don't try to weasle your way in on the guestlist. Get there early, advance tickets are sold out.
Sia @ Troubadour [SOLD OUT] - She's performed with Jamiroquai, Massive Attack, Zero 7 and Willaim Orbit. You might also know her from that final scene of Six Feet Under.
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Voxtrot's Raised By Wolves EP
I blogged about Voxtrot a few weeks ago to help promote their show at the Echo. At that point, I'd only downloaded a track and hadn't heard their full EP. I was surprised when I checked out their Myspace profile and they had over 100,000 profile views. I went out and bought the Raised By Wolves EP (I checked two record stores before finally finding it at Amoeba). I've been listening to it non-stop since then. Their music is heavily influenced by 1980s British pop like the Smiths....
Track 1 - "Raised By Wolves" - Very good song about a relationship that collapses due to a lack of committment by one person. "Being young and stupid and raised by wolves."
Track 2 - "The Start of Something" - Download this one. Super catchy toe-tapping song about infatuation with a girl. The most Smiths-like track.
Track 3 - "Missing Pieces" - This one's less poppy and more jagged which matches the wounded lyrics. "I miss you." Fans of all the dancey post-punk bands might like this one.
Track 4 - "Long Haul" - Slower and hopeful with hand claps at the end. "I wanna catch your love and make it stay."
Track 5 - "Wrecking Force" - Another quality song about adolescent love.
Voxtrot's next EP comes out on Tuesday 4/4/06. LA's Irving will be supporting them on the east coast and midwest (including two sold out shows at the Mercury Lounge in New York). On May 26th Voxtrot will open for Elefant at the Wiltern.
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
New Release Tuesday 3/28/06
Recommended
Not at this time.
Things I Need To Hear
Ghostface Killah Fishscale (Def Jam) - Original Wu-Tang member releases his fifth solo record. Early reviews say he's back to his A game after a couple of mediocre records.
Other Noteworthy Releases
Atreyu A Death-grip on Yesterday (Victory) - SoCal Ozzfest band that's probably not very unique. Appearing live at the Long Beach Arena on 3/30/06.
Matt Costa Songs We Sing (Universal) - A singer-songwriter for the Jack Johnson crowd. Appearing live at Fingerprints Records in Long Beach on 3/29/06.
Margot and the Nuclear So and So's The Dust of Retreat (Artemis) - Apparently they're named after a character in a Wes Anderson movie (Margot Tenenbaum). This was released on an indie last year, but Artemis resequenced and remastered it. Appearing live at the Troubadour on 4/25/06.
Rammstein Rosenrot (Universal) - German industrial metal and David Lynch soundtrack alums.
T.I. King (Atlantic) - Self-proclaimed 'King of the South' and star of the film ATL which comes out this weekend. He had that annoying "Rubber Band Man" song a few years ago.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs Show Your Bones (Interscope) - I'm listening to this record as I write this. I saw them years ago at SXSW and thought they sucked. My opinion hasn't changed. Appearing live at Coachella on 4/30/06.
Rob Zombie Educated Horses (Geffen) - Just in case any suburban metal kids read my blog. Appearing live at the Wiltern on 4/24/06.
Not at this time.
Things I Need To Hear
Ghostface Killah Fishscale (Def Jam) - Original Wu-Tang member releases his fifth solo record. Early reviews say he's back to his A game after a couple of mediocre records.
Other Noteworthy Releases
Atreyu A Death-grip on Yesterday (Victory) - SoCal Ozzfest band that's probably not very unique. Appearing live at the Long Beach Arena on 3/30/06.
Matt Costa Songs We Sing (Universal) - A singer-songwriter for the Jack Johnson crowd. Appearing live at Fingerprints Records in Long Beach on 3/29/06.
Margot and the Nuclear So and So's The Dust of Retreat (Artemis) - Apparently they're named after a character in a Wes Anderson movie (Margot Tenenbaum). This was released on an indie last year, but Artemis resequenced and remastered it. Appearing live at the Troubadour on 4/25/06.
Rammstein Rosenrot (Universal) - German industrial metal and David Lynch soundtrack alums.
T.I. King (Atlantic) - Self-proclaimed 'King of the South' and star of the film ATL which comes out this weekend. He had that annoying "Rubber Band Man" song a few years ago.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs Show Your Bones (Interscope) - I'm listening to this record as I write this. I saw them years ago at SXSW and thought they sucked. My opinion hasn't changed. Appearing live at Coachella on 4/30/06.
Rob Zombie Educated Horses (Geffen) - Just in case any suburban metal kids read my blog. Appearing live at the Wiltern on 4/24/06.
Monday, March 27, 2006
Live Music Options 3/27/06-3/30/06
The Movies play tonight at the EchoMonday 3/27/06
The Movies / Division Day @ the Echo [FREE] - For college rock/new wave fans. The Movies are a very beloved local rock band (especially by people who know all the local bands). I highly recommend the download. Division Day plays the last night of their March residency.
Download The Movies' "Rock in the Slingshot"
Download Division Day's "Tap-Tap, Click-Click"
The Brokedown @ Viper Room [?] - For Wilco/AM rock fans. An up and coming local band that just played a few shows at SXSW. Catchy sunshine rock.
Download "Down in the Valley"
Ghostface Killah @ House of Blues [$25] - For hip hop fans. Original Wu-Tang member has a new album out tomorrow.
Sam Prekop / Archer Prewitt @ Knitting Factory [$15] - For indie rock/light jazz fans. Former Sea & Cake members do a "special seated show." Could be boring.
Tuesday 3/28/06
Kieran Hebdan (Four Tet) & Steve Reid @ Spaceland [$14] - For free jazz fans. Knob twiddler joins jazz drummer for improvised sounds.
Stereolab / Sam Prekop / Archer Prewitt @ Henry Fonda [$23] - For post-rock/krautrock fans. I haven't bought a Stereolab album since 1997.
Wednesday 3/29/06
Irving / Lavender Diamond @ King King [$10] - Local pop band, Irving celebrates the release of their new record, Death in the Garden, Blood on the Flowers (4/4/06). Current buzz band, Lavender Diamond opens the show.
Download Lavender Diamond's "You Broke My Heart"
Japan Nite Tour with Tsu Shi Ma Mi Re@ Knitting Factory [$12] - Japan nite is always a good time. Tsu Shi Ma Mi Re is a realy cute band. I bought one of their t-shirts last year.
Rhett Miller @ El Rey [$15] - Former rocker, current pretty boy.
The National @ Troubadour [SOLD OUT] - Rough voiced indie rock with Ohio roots.
Download The National's "Wasp Nest"
Thursday 3/30/06
Deadboy & the Elephantmen @ Spaceland [$10] - They're a two-piece with a male singer/guitarist and female singer/drummer. He used to be in Acid Bath.
Download "Blood Music"- rocking song that could be compared to the White Stripes
Download "Walking Stick" - mellow tune that sounds nothing like the White Stripes
Download "How Long the Night"
The Strokes @ Gibson Amphitheater [SOLD OUT] - I couldn't even get through their most recent album once. I do like the first album. They sound exactly like the record when they play live.
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