The L.A. Dog and Pony Show

In the End, All We Have Is the Truth.

2010-08-11T12:40:00.001-07:00

WeeK 23: 2010 Resolution.

2010-06-11T17:53:00.000-07:00

Language of Flower - Song About You

The Chap - Well Done Europe

Girl In A Coma - Bother Before I'm Gone

Various Artists - Paris Calling

The Candle Thieves - Sunshine And Other Misfortunes

Fleetwood Mac - Tusk

Rainbow Arabia - Kabukimono

Hot Hot Heat - Future Breeds

Wild Nothing - Gemini

enjoy the music.

WeeK 22: 2010 Resolution.

2010-06-04T16:58:00.000-07:00

Miike Snow - Miike Snow

Title Tracks - It Was Easy

The Dodos - Visiter

Chrome Hoof - Crush Depth

Janelle Monae - The Arch Android

Casiotone For the Painfully Alone - Vs. Children

Burning Hearts - Aboa Sleeping

The Blood Beetroots - I Love the Bloody Beetroots

Lou Christie Sacco - Paint America Love

Katsen - Basic Pleasure Unit EP

Katsen - It Hertz!

Dragonette @ The Echo (05/26/10)

2010-06-01T10:25:00.000-07:00

i've always approached 18+ shows with trepidation not because i'm envious of their youth. or intimidated by their style. or maybe because i assumed they've made more mistakes than i ever did as a teen...believe that..i'm a good girl. but because i've heard they're the most dangerous to attend. from stabbings to shootings to police in riot gear taking you to county because you got caught up in groupthink. but seriously keep your glocks/homemade knives/violent tempers at home and away from the dancefloor. unless we're talking metaphorically and you're going to "kill it on the dance floor" than by all means please i encourage it because i do all the time. except really. let the music bring us together and let's have a good time. unfortunately, a party foul at the Dragonette show spoiled a part of the best show of the year. i couldn't enjoy the show until they left in case they were going to throw down...i learned a long time ago never mess with the Lords of Hell especially if you're in the middle. but all was good when they left. i had the most best of times. i saw dragonette open for little boots and wasn't to thrilled about it. so when they announced they were going to play again at the echo i bought my tickets and waited. i didn't want to get too excited because unlike cotton candy and snow cones concerts never really meet your expectations. rarely if they do. for some bands i want their live show to be far superior than their studio album. i'll be honest: my name is andria. i'm a concert enthusiast. live shows should be the testament to your band. if you're selling records but no one's coming to your shows then break up and/or start wearing costumes because your shows suck. leaving the little boots show i was a bit disappointed in dragonette. but i went back to their studio album and sorta forgave them. and then i went to their echo show and they totally redeemed themselves. they were what i expected from this electropop and more. three years ago proved to be the fork in the road for me coincidentally three years ago was the first time i heard of this canadian band. since then i've become who i like to be and who i'm becoming. as too for dragonette from their first EP Dragonette to their debut album, Galore to finally their second album, Fixin to Thrill. relatively new to their field they've already opened for New Order, Basement Jaxx, Little Boots. they've collaborated with Martin Solveig (C'est La Vie Remixes) and Kaskade (Dynasty)...if that's not ideal already than we're not on the same wavelength and i suggest you continue on your way.

Must Listen To:

"I Get Around" - Galore

"Get Lucky" - Galore

"Competition" - Galore

"Easy" - Fixin To Thrill

"Fixin to Thrill" - Fixin to Thrill

"Gone Too Far" - Fixin to Thrill

"Stupid Grin" - Fixin to Thrill

"Boys & Girls" - C'est La Vie Remixes

in short listen to ALL of Dragonette's work.

enjoy the music.

WEEK 21: 2010 Resolution.

2010-05-27T17:33:00.000-07:00

VV Brown - Travelling Like the Light

Nina Nastasia - Outlaster

Major Lazer & La Roux - LazerProof

Langley Schools Music Project - Innocence & Despair

The Beatles - Help!

Nas & Damian Marley - Distant Relatives

The Mynabirds - What We Lose In The Fire We Gain In The Flood

Dinosaur Feathers - Fantasy Memorial

Best Coast - Where The Boys Are

Japanther - Rock 'N' Roll Ice Cream

enjoy the music.

WEEK 20: 2010 Resolution.

2010-05-18T16:35:00.000-07:00

Stornoway - Beachcomber's Windowsill

Myster Jets - Twenty One

Scissor Sisters - Ta-Dah

The Drums - The Drums EP

Kaskade - Dynasty

Or, The Whale - Or, The Whale

Matt Van Schie - Balmy Nights EP

Van She - V

Gin Wigmore - Holy Smoke

The Crystals - The Best of the Crystals

enjoy the music.

1,2,3 @ The Silverlake Lounge and The Like @ The Echo (05/10/10)

2010-05-15T11:48:00.000-07:00

free concert(s) monday night special. the silverlake lounge has become the new el rey theater. the el rey use to be good to me except now gordon has resigned, greece is about to go under, and the 2011 microsoft worldwide conference is coming to los angeles...bad. but there's hope with the likes of the smaller music venues/bar. there's sort of a think globally act locally mentality that preserves the intentions of the real musicians and not of the shallow industry. i've never been into the stadium shows..painting by the numbers and not connecting to the people is not my cup of tea. unless, its green and with a drop of honey i'm not drinking it. unless, it has alcohol.

fortunately, as of late, the silverlake lounge has been bringing quality shows to their makeshift barstage. more so than just a dive bar but has become a bona fide music venue. which can be hard if there's already more than one music venue to choose from in the area (the echo, echo curio, echoplex, spaceland.) too much of a good thing is rare in this dog eat dog world. try asking toys r us, yahoo, bed bath and beyond, etc. but they all work. especially for me. the itinerary of the free concert(s) monday night special included 1,2,3 @ Silverlake Lounge 9pm then The Like @ The Echo 10pm. a mile apart from each other it was conceivable but in los angeles anything is possible so much could happen to interfere with the plan. exploding crotch bombs, alien invasions, earthquakes in the valleys, lead singer of phantom planet having pizza at the table across from you (one of the aforementioned did occurred that night..to my witness). the first stop was the silverlake lounge to see 1,2,3. they were the first of the evening. but the only band i wanted to see live on the show list. i'll be honest i had only heard their first song on their myspace music player, Confetti. there's soul, there's rock, there's something special with this band. so i proceeded to the silverlake lounge. they mentioned this was their first show and we were there to pop their live show cherry. except i really can't pick up what their putting down because they were really good. the first time is full of mistakes and regrets..oh wait just me? Or maybe i just couldn't get pass the idea that the lead singer (Nic Snyder) looked a little like joaquin phoenix and ed westwick of gossip girl..you can see why they couldn't do no wrong (heeheexoxoheehee). maybe it was their first Los Angeles show. this pittsburgh band did alright. Nic was from a band called Takeover UK which i'm anxious to hear and criticize. but that's for another time. thumbs up for 1,2,3. they'll be back June 30 to play at the bootleg theater (jury's still out whether i like this venue or not..but maybe i'll check them out).

The next show was The Like at The Echo. I saw more of The New Fidelity which was fine except i wasn't to thrilled about their music. eh not for everyone. honestly, how many songs can you really have about California. don't get me wrong my favorite states out of all but i have lot more going on in my life than the california sun. So then The Like was on stage. fun good stuff. didn't stay for the entire set but they're here for the month of may w/ a residency at the echo. i highly suggest you make it out. if you heard The Like before better take a listen to them again because they're not what the use to be.

enjoy the music.

WEEK 19: 2010 Resolution.

2010-05-14T15:02:00.000-07:00

Various Artists - Clap Your Hands and Stamp Your Feet

Zee Avi - Zee Avi

The New Fidelity - All Here Now

Brazilian Girls - New York City

Little Comets - Adultery

Sleigh Bells - Treats

Phantogram - Eyelid Movies

Various Artists - Sub Pop 200

Turin Brakes - Outbursts

Bombay Bicycle Club - How Are We

enjoy the music.

WEEK 18: 2010 Resolution.

2010-05-07T10:35:00.000-07:00

The Hold Steady - Separation Sunday

The Hold Steady - Stay Positive

Shout Out Louds - Work

The Shondes - The Red Sea

Beach House - Zebra EP

The Andrew Sisters - The Andrew Sisters

Ratatat - LP4

Crystal Castles - Crystal Castles (II)

Bing Crosby - Swings

Broken Social Scene - Forgiveness Rock Record

enjoy the music.

WEEK 17: 2010 Resolution.

2010-04-30T10:34:00.000-07:00

The Beatles - Abbey Road

Pete Fountain - Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans? Disc 1 and Disc 2

Buddy Guy - Buddy's Blues

Ray Charles - Ultimate Hits Collection - Disc 1

Lonnie Johnson - Guitar Blues (The Blues Collection Vol.74)

Sylvester Weaver - Complete Recorded Works, Vol. 1 (1923-1927)

Memphis Minnie - Let's Go To Memphis Town

Ma Rainey - (1924-1928)

Jimmy Yancey - Complete Recorded Works, Vol. 1 (1939-1940)

Little Walter - Boss Blues Harmonica (The Blues Collection Vol. 20)

**one of my favorite new music weeks.**

enjoy the music.

WEEK 16: 2010 Resolution. A Marriage Celebration Edition

2010-04-26T10:35:00.000-07:00

*Dedicated to Mr. and Mrs. Vincent and Joanne Amazona.

Portia Nelson - Let Me Love You:...The Songs of Bart Howard

The Imperials - Love Is The Thing

Peggy Lee - All-Time Greatest Hits - Volume 1

The Beatles - Beatles For Sale

Benny Goodman - The Essential Benny Goodman

Nat King Cole - L-O-V-E

Various Artists - Lifetime of Romance

Mr. Gnome - Heave Yer Skeleton

Major Lazer - Guns Don't Kill People...Lazers Do

Various Artists - Santogold a Diplo Dub

enjoy the music.

Mr. Gnome @ Silverlake Lounge (04/20/10)

2010-04-21T14:10:00.000-07:00

despite what a certain center said about Cleveland that's just "bull." he's need to get out more maybe a visit to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, A Christmas Story House , or even the West Side Market . whatever this boy is talking about he needs to take a moment enjoy the Forest City. i have a feeling he won't because some people are just boring. and if they're going to be demolished in the first round of the playoffs i too would talk ish about the other team...just like a child. boo hoo. speaking of the best of Cleveland: Mr. Gnome. to say the least this week has been rather busy for me. this entire month of april has been quite busy. even the sundays (the day of rest..my me time) has been filled with things to do and people to see (and not in the Hollywood sense but in the best times of ones life). albeit most of it has been with family so i wouldn't change that for anything/anyone..sidenote: they are the best people in my life and given me much joy. i'm only sorry you're not part of my family but you ARE a friend and that's just as important. so thank you. i just remembered Honeyhoney is from Ohio. no wonder rock and roll hall of fame is in ohio. they KNOW their music. and great music. caveat: if you're emotionally unstable it's time to take your meds and/or let it ride before listening to Mr. Gnome. they will take you on an up and down ride to your deepest fears which is done in such an effective and awe inspiring manner that it still haunts you even after you've left the bar, driven home, and snuggled into bed and in the moments right before you've falling asleep and quite possibly in your dreams. mr. gnome has been compared to mazzy star, portishead, massive attack. i'll be honest and say nothing can compare to the aforementioned bands but mr. gnome is definitely in the same likes of. she (Nicole Barille) plays the guitar and provides the vocals. he plays the drums, sometimes the piano, and sometimes back up vocals. its pretty amazing to see the two play when you hear their music...because it's not quite you expect. at least not for me. but i'm just a concert enthusiast. not a music aficionado. and when i see these two do their thing. it was soo good..i haven't been this impressed by a live show especially when it wasn't expected. her vocals are genlty calming (with reverb and echo) but in contrast are his percussions and let me start another paragraph to speak of his drum abilities:

remember the name, Sam Meister. here's to hoping he stays with Mr. Gnome but the likelihood he moves on to the bigger arenas is possible. not to say mr. gnome could never fill up the arenas. i'm just its best felt through the intimacy of a dimly lit room sin smoke and mirrors (coincidentally, it was fourtwenty so there was a lot of smoke in the room ;) so sin mirrors. he pounds it out like its life/death at the carnival and in such a venue as the silverlake lounge you feel it.

Current Album: Heave Yer Skeleton (2009)

Debut Album: Deliver This Creature (2008)

Must Listen to Song(s):

Pirates (Deliver This Creature)

Night of the Crickets (Deliver This Creature)

Deliver This Creature (Deliver This Creature)

Spain (Heave Yer Skeleton)

Plastic Shadow (Heave Yer Skeleton)

Vampires (Heave Yer Skeleton)

Pixie Dust (Heave Yer Skeleton).

http://www.myspace.com/mrgnome

enjoy the music.

WEEK 15: 2010 Resolution.

2010-04-16T10:51:00.000-07:00

David Byrne & Fatboy Slim - Here Lies Love

Various Artists - Kitsune Maison Compilation 9

LCD Soundsystem - This Is Happening

Marmaduke Duke - Duke Pandemonium

Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys - 1932-1947

Pete Molinari - Today, Tomorrow, and Forever

Pete Molinari - Walking Off The Map

The Ruby Suns - Fight Softly

Slow Club - Yeah So

YPPAH

Black Bug - Black Bug

Vermillion Lies - What's in the Box?

enjoy the music.

Vampire Weekend @ The Fox Theater (04/14/10)

2010-04-15T11:47:00.000-07:00

i totally forgot how much i enjoyed vampire weekend until last night's very last minute concert adventure (the free ticket has no bias for/against about the concert..but it was nice ;) ). i have heard that in 2006 vampire weekend had a slew of free tuesday night specials in and around los angeles..i didn't go. in 2007 they came out w/ their debut album. the evening i heard their song on mtv OVERNIGHT SUCCESS?!?! supposedly, i saw them in 2008 at street scene san diego. but i can't remember that one (SS2008 Highlight: Justice). now they are everywhere. congrats on all their success and continued success. Jan2010 Contra their second and current album was released. i listened to the free npr stream of the entire album and unfortunately, i didn't take a second/third/fourth listen..it was a week before the actual release...out of sight out of mind. what was suppose to be an evening at the movies, peanut m&m's and whether or not to put butter on the popcorn (which honestly, what would the point be without it) turned into an adventure (if you don't know me by now...i got 99 problems...) i work off of the miracle mile adjacent to sofax and next to the lacma on wilshire boulevard. no where near pomona, california. which coincidentally is the fifth largest city in california. tom waits and mark mcgwire hail from pomona. other than that its the glass house and the fox theater. there's suppose to be an art scene but i've only been in pomona including last night's concert twice. the first time was to see mates of state/the black kids at the glass house. how soon did i forget the kids of the area. i really don't know where they all come from BUT well i don't want to sound judgmental: someone needs to teach the kids some etiquette: puff, puff, pass? i've been to a few or more concerts and i haven't seen it this much/that bad.

the vampire weekend album (2007) was a fun album. sometimes though the lyrics are so personal to the artist as an avid music listener...i don't understand it. the second album was different. it's all about the musical composition/arrangement. vampire weekend has the catchy tunes in their back pocket and you in the palm of their hand...whether you believe it or not they do. what's different from their first indie rock album the second album has more of a synth-pop wonderness on some of their tracks. which i thoroughly enjoy. over and over and over again. the entire concert was a great mix of the two albums. i enjoyed borderline obsessed over the first album. stop listening to it so that i wouldn't get sick of it and dry heave at the mention vampire weekend. even the sight of the VW bug would have such an effect. Contra's not worthy of purchasing until as of late only after the concert. are they worth the convenient charges? well, probably not because i still don't understand the lyrics. worth the hour and a half drive? sure, there's a chick-fil-a en route and very close to the venue (highly recommend the number 5 w/ chick-fil-a sauce. w/ the lemonade. yummy).

Current album: Contra

Must Listen to Track: "Run," "Giving Up The Gun"

To Say the Least: if you can't catch them at coachella they'll be at the hollywood bowl in sept2010 (you have to dance in the pit...no sitting allowed).

enjoy the music.

Honeyhoney @ The Hotel Cafe (04/08/10)

2010-04-12T11:33:00.000-07:00

one of the many reasons why it's so hot damn so hard to write this is because most often than not music is not always so straightforward. specifically country music. it's change throughout its history: in short - its a mix of different musical traditions from different ethnic groups in the region (from european-americans and african americans) no matter what genre a band considers themselves to be in most often they've also taken a little bit of influence from another genre. an evolution of their sound is in progress. whenever you are approached by the singer/songwriter you should expect two things: First, the singer: strong vocals that range between good, amazing and feelin' it. Second, the songwriter: from the lyrics to the musical arrangements. when you combine the singer slash songwriter you can expect a great show...(well, it's as good as a warm bowl of chili w/ a slice of cornbread..great. now i'm hungry. focus.).

well, that's what you should expect...nowadays, however, statistically, there are more singer/songwriters than there are talented musical entertainers that tell a story. heck, i'm a singer/songwriter (but for the record, only in the privacy in my own apartment or in traffic on the 101 am i really a singer/songwriter). that being said the live show is important more so than the studio album. Honeyhoney, the indie country blues folk band, does more than sing the songs they write or just play the instruments. but they "SANG" it. emphasis on the SANG! and do they play it too. dueling banjos, steel guitar and drums, bass guitar, with a hint of the fiddle.

I can't say I told you so because HoneyHoney has a month long residency at the Hotel Cafe for April so you still have some time. when this concert enthusiast was there. there wasn't much space for this five foot-with-shoes-on gal. without a a doubt every person in attendance that evening will tell a friend or two of theirs. and then they'll go to the show and you'll find yourself without a ticket..you'll be left outside the hotel cafe alleyway singing your own rendition of any bob wills' tune (even though the club next door did a "FABULOUS!" set list of their own..if you know what i mean). honeyhoney has all the parts and their sum is as good as it gets in los angeles especially when you're dealing with the emotions of your soul. solid.

Current Album: First Rodeo.

Must Listen to Song: Sugarcane.

To Say The Least: worth the convenient charges.

Concert Photos Courtesy of: Orange Creative Studio

here's a very little taste until you get to the Hotel Cafe yourself:

enjoy the music.

WEEK 14: 2010 Resolution.

2010-04-09T12:42:00.000-07:00

Saint Motel - ForPlay

The Beatles - A Hard Day's Night

Citizen Cope - Every Waking Moment

Mr. Gnome - Deliver This Creature

Lali Puna - Tridecoder

Honeyhoney - First Rodeo

Chiddy Bang - The Swelly Express

Shout Out Louds - Work

The Morning Benders - Big Echo

Erykah Badu - New Amerykah Part Two: Return of the Ankh

enjoy the music.

Sour Mash Hug Band @ Silverlake Lounge (04/01/10)

2010-04-02T16:02:00.000-07:00

most often than not i leave it up to a flip of a coin. i'm a firm believer in destiny. an external locus of control. a fortune cookie away from true love. there's only so much that you can do until destiny deals you your hand. you'll either be prepared to accept the responsibility or you'll crumble and fail to meet the challenge. so as much as you think you create your luck destiny will prove you otherwise. my point: learn hard, work hard and be prepared for your destiny.

i drove by the silverlake lounge and it seemed empty even though it was already minutes pass the call time for the first band of the evening i felt like i was going to be late and wouldn't be able to get in. oddly, there was a spot just up the block from the venue. should have been an indication of how the night might have been (like any night the ends is disaster or dullness) except i still felt an urge to go. i approached the venue and as i suspected it was empty. well, not entirely. the majority of the people there either worked in the venue or going to play at the venue. left with a handful of people who knew someone in the bands of the night. and from there probably only three other people myself included were there to listen to live music. granted we've been in an economic recovery mode. it was holy thursday. and it was a cold night. colder than it has been in a long time. no excuse for me but for others it might be an issue. i enter the dimly lit bar/music venue. naturally, i take out my cellphone and check if i've any received any facebook friend requests when i'm in an awkward situation to fill a void (except more often than not i don't receive any friend requests so there's another void i have to fill...i should really stop that nervous habit..but i guess its better than biting my nails or talking to myself). except this time i literally ran into this dude and his friend which means i was in their way. awkward stepping into each others way trying to figure out which step to take next. there's a lot of space around us but we couldn't get it right. until when they offered to buy me a beer which at that point they had realized i was by myself..a beer or two later another friend arrives at the venue. ends up being someone i've known from a previous project. the world just got smaller. which i was starting to believe otherwise. current world population is almost seven billion people (6999177463..that's billion right?) current US population is 309.014.838...i probably won't even see .00000000000001 percent of those totals. in any event it's not how many people you know: its how well you know yourself. so really it doesn't really matter total population count unless you were trying to patent something that occurs in nature and you wanted to make more money that is in circulation if not more than that. more of a reason for me to go out and explore what destiny has in store for me. if i had it my way i'd probably be at home working on my Ebm chord on the uke. but that didn't happen. instead, which far exceeded any expectations for an evening out by myself, the rest of the evening was more than i could have written up but nothing less than amazing. a mosh pit of extremes: cramazing = crazy/amazing. sometimes you have to live in the moment, savor the raisin, live like you just bought an immunization card through the black market so you can get to your south american destination (don't ask me if that's a true story... because i'll probably deny it).

as for the music:

Sour Mash Hug Band:
this san fran band are everything that i enjoy about music when it comes to a mix of gypsy/bluegrass/jazz ragtime. a mix of an accordion, violin, upright bass, and what i think was a resonator guitar, trombone, ukulele banjo, with vocals that can transport you to any of my favorite world destinations: new orleans, buenos aires, paris...all in the comforts of my home city in los angeles. Must Listen to Song: Music Box Waltz.

sometimes i think i'm just too lucky to be able to appreciate the context.

enjoy the music.

WEEK 13: 2010 Resolution.

2010-04-01T12:00:00.000-07:00

Choir of Young Believers - This Is For The White In Your Eyes
Cocoon - My Friends All Died In A Plane Crash
The Living Sisters - Love To Live
The Chapin Sisters - Lake Bottom
Pylon - Chain
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark - Dazzle Ships
Washed Out - LIfe of Leisure
Washed Out - High Times
Dum Dum Girls - I Will Be

Goldfrapp - Head First

enjoy the music.

YACHT @ Echoplex (03/26/10)

2010-03-31T11:41:00.000-07:00

it was the first album of the new year and the new resolution (to listen to ten new *new to me* albums a week) what a wonderful start of the new year. it was something new and exciting that i had stumbled upon. upon a music blog/paris fashion week/or an actual stumble on the sidewalk in which their album postcard was dropped after a concert on wilshire. by the way i'm in the market for a pair of shoes sin shoelaces..i just don't have the time for you to tie...

as for YACHT

the reason why i went to the echoplex probably the only reason why i would go to the echoplex again. i don't need to be reminded i'm NOT in high school again...apparently this is what the kids are listening to..better this than something at the hollywood bowl (no offense.) it was the first time and i didn't think this sort of thing still happened but underage adolescents asked us to buy them something at the bar...props to them except for the fact they wanted something cheap and ended up w/ a can of beer. kids my advice for future run ins: "if you're going swim dive in the deep end and go for something top shelf." as for yacht: they consider themselves experimental. i consider them electronic. they're best described as something in the middle so it's jussssstttttt righhhhhtttttt. released in july of '09 from the moment i heard they're album in jan of '10 i've wanted to see them live...albeit i wasn't in the middle of the mix of kids i thoroughly enjoyed every mantra moment. i couldn't tell you the other performers that evening as i'm really not in their target audience bracket maybe but i will pick up their album and see what i really missed because the dogs were barken and it was already my friday night bedtime....

Tracklist:

01 “Ring The Bell”
02 “The Afterlife”
03 “I’m In Love With A Ripper”
04 “It’s Boring / You Can Live Anywhere You Want”
05 “Psychic City (Voodoo City)”
06 “Summer Song”
07 “We Have All We’ve Ever Wanted”
08 “Don’t Fight The Darkness”
09 “I’m In Love With A Ripper (Party Mix)”
10 “Psychic City (Version)”

Their current album: See Mystery Lights

Must Listen to Song: Psychic City (if this tune is number forty eight of the 50 Most Downloaded Mp3 of 2009 is any indication...)

enjoy the music.

The Living Sisters, She & Him @ The El Rey Theater (03/25/10)

2010-03-28T11:29:00.000-07:00

The El Rey Theater March 25, 2010:

The Living Sisters:

side note to preface: probably the only other time that i wish i was in the womb of another other than back in my own mother's. surround sound seven point one probably cannot compare to the sound of being inside the womb. constant lullably echos between sleeping and whatever an unborn baby does inside the womb (ponders on the philosophy of the contradictions of technology in an eastern civilization?).

The Living Sisters: Inara George (The Bird and the Bee and the pregnant one), Eleni Mandel and Becky Stark. their songs are sweet and something i will have on "while i sleep and dream about tomorrow" playlist. Their current album: Love to Live. Their must listen to: "You Make Me Blue."

not to be confused w/ The Chapin Sisters who i saw at an Amoeba in-store show about two years ago. american folk pop who actually are sisters i can only remember the "mom jeans" they were sporting for the show. coincidentally, they had opened for she & him and it looks like again in april at the glass house. Their latest 2008 album: Lake Bottom LP. Their must listen to: Don't Love You. take a listen to The Smith's cover, "I Know It's Over." *trivial trivia: one of the sisters is actually the daughter of Wes Craven (she's a half sister to the Chapin Sisters)...

She & Him:

no matter who you are or even who you think you are you've been heartbroken. no matter who's at fault or whatever the circumstance the end result is all the same: "O burning doubt and long regret, O tears with which our eyes are wet, Heart-throbs, heart-aches, the glut of pain, The somber cloud, the bitter rain..." sooner or later though you realize the worth of such pain. because it's part of living the life. if you're inclined to enjoy the moment as much as i do you take the good as well as the bad you have to. part of the good that makes the bad seem not as bad after all is the music. when you have the music that gets you through it you do get through it. that's what She&Him are. the good to the bad. their lyrics are that of a sad song but when the instruments and the vocals come together...you're almost glad you're going through such emotions. her cute to his sexy guitar moves it's fun to go to a She&Him concert. i hadn't planned on going but a ticket emerged out of the debts of destiny and now its probably one of the best concerts in my high school er wait i'm not in high school anymore..kinda felt like i was though..just like in high school i ended up w/ some other kids homework that i had to finish before homeroom the next day....i'm so glad i'm out of the tricky game of high school drama and in the highly professional work environment of animation. errr.

enjoy the music.

WEEK 12: 2010 Resolution.

2010-03-26T17:15:00.000-07:00

Spinnerette - Spinnerette

Bonobo - Black Sands

Patsy Cline - Legendary Country Singers

Plastiscines - About Love

Massive Attack - Protection

Rocket Empire

She & Him - Volume Two

Cults

Esperanza Spalding - Esperanza

Bear in Heaven - Beast Rest Forth Mouth

Warpaint - Warpaint.

enjoy the music.

Freelance Whales, Bear in Heaven, Cymbals Eat Guitars @ The Echo (03/24/10)

2010-03-22T14:18:00.000-07:00

there are certain sounds that always bring me back to the happy-go-lucky carefree days of my childhood: my mother's smiling whisper, afternoon school recess, and the indestructible toy glockenspeil. but before i knew it i reached my tween years and without any notice the inevitable young adultchild that i had become the frequent sounds had changed to the parental stare of judgment, that dreaded computer hum and the at most two year shelf-life of the mp3 player (you know which one i'm talking about...genius btw). but let's talk about the glockenspeil. a percussion instrument that's similar to the xylophone except the glockenspeil has metal bars unlike the wooden bars of the xylophone. what makes the glockenspeil special is it's pitch. higher than the xylophone it seems more delicate of a sound like that of a bell and you remember what teacher says what happens when a bell rings...in this case a dutchman is getting lit ;) fyi: glockenspeil enthusiasts know that the original glockenspeil had used bells instead of the metal bars. its subtle but it gives you goosebumps when applied correctly which freelance whales does perfectly.

I had bought the tickets in advance after listening to their debut album, "Weathervanes." apparently i have seen/heard Freelance before: they had opened for Fanfarlo: one my favorite bands of 2009-present day. by association i was introduced to Freelance Whales by their album i went to their concert. and from what i read their favorite venue to play is in the subway stops of Brooklyn which is one reason The Echo is an ideal place..their home away from home?

Upon further reading, Weathervanes tells the "story of a boy who falls in love with a ghost." which certainly the story for most Angelinos myself included...when i was younger i often looked up to the moon and whispered to myself with hope and optimism, "somwhere [my soulmate is] looking at the same moon" which has changed slightly to: as i look over the los angeles basin: through the cluster of skyscrapers, thousands of buildings, through the congested freeways, underneath the smog, and amongst the millions of people, "that mofo is somewhere down there." yet still hopeful.

Freelance Whales' music is multilayered so much that you feel there's a hellofa lot going on which can be overwhelming but when its arranged so sweetly its as good as Freelance. every single band member of freelance offers their vocals during many of their songs which in turn gets the crowd getting involved as well. song after song at the sold out freelance concert everyone was singing and moving to the music which you can't help but join in as well.

as for Bear in Heaven and Cymbals Eat Guitars. I had gone to the show for Freelance Whales (as many other people in attendance had done as well) the lineup wasn't ideal as Freelance had gone first. by the time i ordered and drank my first alcoholic stress reliever Freelance was finished with their set :( on any other evening i would have probably enjoyed the other two bands. but i couldn't get into it. however, i took a listen to Bear in Heaven's album, "Beast Rest Forth Mouth" and i enjoyed psychedelic/electronic blend i'll probably save it for the much anticipated roadtrip. as for cymbals eat guitars if you enjoy the guitar solo he's your guy. i, however, enjoyed the bass and drums...but i think the main attraction to this group is the guitar. lets not forget about the keyboards (even if i couldn't hear it that much..sorta just waiting for this guy to bring the band bottled water..but he was there playing along). if the gallons of sweat on the stage and on the first row of concert enthusiasts is any indication of how intense this guy plays well then you've got yourself a winner: get him a stuffed animal and some cotton candy and let's go to the carnival!

enjoy the music.

on the topic of character attributes: rudeness. talking on your cellphone in a movie theater: rude. when there's traffic on the 101 and an asinine driver cuts in front of you: rude. taking the last bit of cotton candy that doesn't belong to you: rude. not responding to a friend: rude. positive or negative it as i'm told can help quite a bit. getting what you want at the cost of someone else's feelings: not so rude? more times than not i find myself standing directly behind someone who just arrived at any given concert venue. they pushed their way through and found the spot they wanted to stand in which coincidentally is the same spot i've already been standing in. i'm no tall glass of water BUT i do have feelings dude do not stand in front of me: rude. except he/she sought what they wanted and went for it. now they have the perfect pole position to enjoy the concert. maybe there's not as much of thin line between rude and that's life. either way consideration never hurt anybody. speaking of consideration or lack thereof, dude i don't care if you're the cousin twice removed from the bass player. stop yelling it to the person you're trying to impress. either take it outside or away from people who are trying to enjoy the music. whatever you were saying probably could have been written in an email, ichat, facebook message (everyone actually enjoys receiving notifications) or maybe quite possibly wait til after the concert...think about it. i paid with money that i worked for and not with money i really don't care for and would like to burn on loud obnoxious people.

enjoy the music (except for that guy who insisted on yelling and wasn't part of the musical acts you can enjoy bad karma).

The Crayon Fields, Washington, The Damn Sons, Seaspin @ Silverlake Lounge (03/15/10)

2010-03-18T11:22:00.001-07:00

as of late i haven't been to a concert on the pure chance of whim. the effects of the economic downturn has poked its ugly head in and wants to stay for dessert. despite countless attempts to protect myself from the trials and tribulations of an unmarried layperson of concert-going i've succumbed to the simple laws of supply and demand and i can't get them to go away (if my cooking skills or lack thereof is any indication of how grim the situation is i can't really help you). subsequently, i've become a lot more particular in that i only go to at most two concerts a month which if you had read this before that was a typical week for the LA Dog and Pony Show...but if taken in account the factors involved i'm really not being as frugal as i intend to be. i'll purchase tickets through a vendor that makes a profit on 'convenience.' which at times can cost at most half the face value of the actual ticket. don't get me wrong i understand/agree with capitalism but it doesn't mean i want to be bent over and taken to an unhappy place. there should be a happy medium, right? at least i have a ticket in advance and i don't have any trepidations about going to the box office of a show on the night of the show that could possibly be sold out. recently, fortunately/unfortunately? the shows i want to go to end up being sold out. so i'm left to purchasing in advance. hmph.

so i looked over my concert calendar and for the eleventh week of twenty ten i didn't have a concert to attend to. i was poised for a week of rest and relaxation in the comforts of my own home and the company of Migo and Jasper (a fish and an uke). but i'm sorta young and a lot restless so i checked my local concert listings to find out who was playing and more importantly where. some say (and when i say "some" i mean a fortune cookies), "it's not the destination its the journey," or "it's not how long you wait but who you're waiting for" or "its not how many years you live but how you live those years" in Los Angeles you have take into account the prior fortunes for a seemingly adequate adventure. but you also have to strategize just enough so that the evening is nothing less than epic. and when i'm mean epic you better bring your passport and a clean pair of undergarments because you'll never know where you'll end up or what you have to barter. albeit careful of being anywhere less than a dark alleyway behind a seedy donkey show venue. however, most planning is already determined by the laws of physics, for example, weather conditions, time constraints, and cactus taco shop on vine (carne asada tacos before any show is a must for any night of music, sweat, and joy). other factors include but are not limited to who's going, who's driving, what's the parking situation like, where's the closest atm, what's the venue like, how much is a jack and ginger, etc. so much to say there's a lot to consider when going out for a concert. so much that sometimes if you're really not in the mood for it can limit you to the comforts of your laziness. and you miss the opportunity to listen/see great new music. monday nights are trickier. most of the venues have resident bands playing free shows to extend their reach to a selected group of stereotypically group of kids identified as hipster (who are actually are there for music except collective wisdom poses them in a negative light) and an even smaller group of good ol' rock n' rollers who've seen more than they actually admit but are willing to share (my favorite kind). its tricky because on a typical monday night you're still recovering from the weekend and you've anticipated a monday night at home but are torn because there's a free show at your local dive. flip a coin and leave it to destiny was the way of the old world before the shock and awe of '03 (when your nickel and dime actually meant something good and not so much a way of keeping the distressed blue collar down). but consideration for all things bright and beautiful in this world takes a lot more effort and self-evalution.

so on the eve of the evening on monday i was determined to go the Silverlake Lounge. a couple of invites later and i was scheduled to meet some friends in time to see the second band begin. except again. sorta young and really restless i ended up getting there just right before the first band began playing. i arrived in an ideal moment because any sooner or any later i wouldn't have experience those rare moments in life that enforce your belief that people are good and not out there to take you limb for limb and sell you to the highest bidder. cut to: sharing a joke or two with some of the members of the bands and learning from an almost inebriated gentleman that "no matter how much it costs if your friends are happy it's worth it." priceless. as the evening continues and while the music is playing its hard not to get distracted (at least for the adhd in me) by the surroundings which can only be described as an odd mix of nonchalant traveling angelinos that have been disenfranchised by the nature of the beast.

The Crayon Fields

Washington

The Damn Sons

Seaspin

all in all highly recommended bands. i left the venue crossing the street when a driver of a car yelled out to me, "great job!" i don't know if he was referring to me crossing the street when there was red hand or if he thought i was part of the band..i'd like to think the latter but i don't think so cause i don't look like any of the females in the aforementioned bands..either way i left feeling just right about the evening.

enjoy the music.

WEEK 11: 2010 Resolution.

2010-03-18T09:00:00.000-07:00

Seaspin - Reverse
Crayon Fields - All the Pleasures of the World
Paper Route - Absence
Efterlang - Tripper
Knee High
Massive Attack - Blue Lines
Annie - Don't Stop
Annie - Anniemal
Local Natives - Gorilla Manor
Mika - The Boy Who Knew Too Much
The Ettes - Do You Want Power.

enjoy the music.

WEEK 10: 2010 Resolution.

2010-03-15T14:24:00.000-07:00

Animal Hospital - Animal Hospital
The Felice Brothers - Mix Tape
Neon Indian - Psychic Chasms
Shanti - This Moment
Stereolab - Margeine Eclipse
Fenech-Soler - The Cult of Romance
Here We Go Magic - Here We Go Magic
Paolo Conte - The Best of Paolo Conte
Kate Bush - The Sensual World
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club.

Class Actress, Dragonette, Little Boots @ The El Rey Theater (03/10/10)

2010-03-11T17:22:00.000-08:00

Electropop: whether it is recognized or assumed this will make you get up and enjoy the moment. catchy hooks and dance beats is as good as carne asada and fries, bert and ernie, baskin and robbins, cut and paste, ike and tina...well, not so much ike but you get the point...i'm a product of the 80s (specifically, '81) electropop flourished late 70s early 80s it was instilled in my brain along with the fondness of mcnuggets and odd understanding of the implications of the fall of the berlin wall in western china. in any event, electropop will forever be in my heart. w/ acts like ladytron, yelle, lady gaga, la roux, dragonette, little boots, ladyhawke, and peaches its sorta everywhere without being in your face. even your favorite american pop-con is getting in the electropop mix..its called the ra-ra-remix. synthesized to your hearts. now on with the show:
Class Actress - i just made it to hear the last beat of the last song from Class Actress. bummer. that just proves getting a quick bite to eat in Los Angeles is not is quick as you expect it to be. even if you're literally across the street from the concert venue don't bet being on time unless you don't enjoy the food, service is less than expected, and/or dinner guest(s) has nothing more to add to the conversation than how the bread rolls are less than ideal. fortunately, for me, i've never had a quick bite. from what i hear Class Actress' studio album is up my alley. you're brought back to the sounds of the classic new wave w/ expressive vocals, however, according to the girl in the line for the restroom the live show lacked the performance. in any event i enjoy their music.
Dragonette - the reason for the season. i had high expectations for this group. if you have the chance there are more than a few youtube videos of their live performances/music videos that suggest awesomeness. i, myself, prefer their second studio album rather than their first but i'm more progressive than others. don't get me wrong i do like to know where the ashes a band comes from but it's not necessary. i prefer a more mature defined sound of a sophomore album. granted some have strayed from their original intentions by their sophomore album but some have developed what they were meant to be: their existence in this universe. for me it took Dragonette's Fixin to Thrill that is Dragonette. Galore/Fixin to Thrill are not as day and night but there is an emotional difference. maybe not so much in sound but in the dialogue between artist and audience member.. as for their live performance at the el rey on the tenth of march twenty ten it was less than expected. don't get me wrong it was more than i can imagine yet it was missing something that i can't really express. probably because it was that amazing. can an studio album be considered a success if it involves three hit singles?. i believe in the power of three but not in pictures. this was a good album. its becoming a recent trend as of late that the band i went to see is the opening band of the night. unfortunately, i don't get all of the band i wanted to see if there is still a headliner. though, however, consider yourself lucky if you find yourself w/ an ideal lineup (just as it was at the el rey on march tenth twenty ten). you can't even expect a better line up at music festival than that of dragonette and little boots.

Little Boots - only until after i bought my tickets to see dragonette open for little boots did i even start to listen to little boots. i don't usually find bands by association (bands that sound similar to each other) but through but not limited to the music blogs, word on the street, catwalk soundtracks of paris fashion week. so on the fifth week of this year i got Hands HER DEBUT ALBUM!! debut album w/ an EP, Illuminations. i'll be honest i wasn't initially hooked, lined, and sinked to the album mostly because i already had my dragonette to keep me satisfied. BUT, Little Boots has done it. not the impossible but the Reason for live performance concerts (which some musicians somehow forget): she deflowered this Little Boots-naiveté and turned this relatively naive concert enthusiast into a fan.

Imagine the el rey: small enough to be just right. the bar is in the back behind the sound booth. you enter and you're looking right at the stage. you enter another world that you forget about the outside reality (unless, however, the allure of the danger dogs says hello). i've been there more than enough times to consider the el rey theater my favorite concert venue in los angeles. but i haven't been to a concert like that of Little Boots. another concert reviewer did not like the show. that person does not understand. i suppose if you're paid to have an opinion you'll give it. whether this or that person agrees. granted i wasn't up near the stage but far from the stage in the back of the dance floor. key words: dance floor. i didn't see Little Boots. I FELT Little Boots. i listened to the music and was meant to do what i was meant to do: dance. i've probably listened to the album only a good three or four times before the show BUT I felt the music so much that i was able to dance my heart out.
"No more poison
Killing my emotion
I will not be frozen
Dancing is my remedy remedy Ohhh
Stop stop praying cos I'm not not playing
I'm not frozen Dancing is my remedy remedy Ohh

Move, why you watching me
Dance with the enemy
I've got a remedy Ohh o ohh o o
Move, why you watching me
Dance with the enemy
Here is my remedy Ohh o ohh o o..."

enjoy the music.

Week 9: 2010 Resolution.

2010-03-05T16:19:00.000-08:00

Discovery - LP
Caro Emerald - Deleted Scenes From the Cutting Room Floor
J*Davey - Boudoir Synema: The Great Mistapes
Apsci - Best Crisis Ever
Freelance Whales - Weathervanes
Cymbals Eat Guitars - Why There Are Mountains
We Have Band - You Came Out
Class Actress - Journal of Ardency
Noisettes - What's The Time Mr Wolf?
Pacifika - Asuncion

Week 8: 2010 Resolution.

2010-02-26T12:45:00.000-08:00

Tilly and the Wall - O
Sharon Van Etten - Because I Was In Love
Wild Beasts - Two Dancers
Iggy Pop - Lust for Life
The Cribs - Ignore the Ignorant
Wu Tang Vs The Beatles - Enter the Magical Mystery Chambers
Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - Four in Blue
Kepi Ghoulie - Life Sentence
Chuck Berry - 14 Greatest Hits
Swing Out Sister - Where Our Love Grows
Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings - 100 Days, 100 Nights

Week 7: 2010 Resolution.

2010-02-22T11:16:00.000-08:00

Scary Mansion - Make Me Cry
Jay Electronica - StyleWars EP
Appleseed Cast - Low Level Owl Vl. 1
Appleseed Cast - Sagarmatha
Manel - Els Millors Professors Europeus
Gypsy Kings - Gypsy Kings
Glee Cast - Glee: The Music, Volume 1
Glee Cast - Glee: The Music, Volume 2
Mumford & Sons - Sigh No More
Patti Smith - Horses

Fanfarlo @ The El Rey Theater (02/20/10)

2010-02-21T22:25:00.001-08:00

Fanfarlo @ Amoeba Hollywood (02/18/10)

2010-02-21T22:19:00.000-08:00

enjoy the music.

Old Man Markley @ The Echo (02/17/10)

2010-02-21T22:08:00.000-08:00

enjoy the music.

Week 6: 2010 Resolution.

2010-02-12T13:06:00.000-08:00

Broken Bells - Broken Bells
Four Tet - There Is Love In You
Sade - Soldier of Love
Massive Attack - Heligoland
The Killermeters - Charge
Lali Puna - Faking The Books
Alphabeat - Alphabeat
Wakey!Wakey! - Almost Everything I Wish I'd Said the Last Time I Saw You...
The Pipettes - We Are The Pipettes
We Are Wolves - Invisible Violence

enjoy the music.

Nouvelle Vague w/ Soko @ The Music Box at Henry Fonda Theater (02/09/10)

2010-02-10T16:31:00.001-08:00

According to wikipedia, Nouvelle Vague is a French musical collective. different musicians contributing their talents. That being said maybe someday I'll be a member of Nouvelle Vague. They did have a drummer who is an American citizen. So, they're not limited to french nationals. however, obviously they didn't receive my craigslist post which read: "Wanted: a band that needs a tambourine player." because the only response i've received was soliciting spam and creepy one that was asking for a free concert ticket in exchange for "company." here's hoping an actual band will respond and maybe someday too shall an angel receive their wings.

regarding Nouvelle Vague, twenty three dollars if far less the price of an airline ticket to barcelona, spain. nouvelle vague reminds of barcelona. i must have briefly mentioned this as this is my second nouvelle vague show. recap: barcelona, tattoo, nouvelle vague. that sort of transition in one's young life is mentioned, which shall span over generations and become part of american folklore. in any event, the much anticipated first concert of the year turned to just that...not so much the concert of the year but it was still quite enjoyable. which one should expect from a cover band. i'll be honest i enjoy a good cover song. but nouvelle vague gets it. whether you like it or not or have the energy not to you can't help but dance or at the very least tap a toe or nod your head. the revolving door of this band has lead to different contributions of female vocalists. all entertaining some really good but in total a delight. most of their set list was from their third album, 3. and most likely i'll be there for 4 and 5 (in the event there are subsequent albums). Shana Halligan of Bitter:Sweet sang some songs w/ the band which was a surprise because i was hoping she would be in the studio working on their new ablum. i've been waiting... patiently..fyi: myspace friends don't keep each other waiting.

as for Soko: a couple years ago i took a chance on this french singer/songwriter not because her voice was brought down my the angels of heaven but more so because you could really hear/feel the pain physical/emotional pain through her voice and lyrics. however, i'd hold out until she's playing at your local dive venue in which the intimate settings offsets the makeshift stage and lack of actual bootleg liquor.

enjoy the music.

deja vu

2010-02-10T01:21:00.000-08:00

It's how the French say already seen it. Which for me typically is not so French. But maybe that's Nouvelle Vague.

maybe someday

2010-02-09T15:31:00.001-08:00

Hamburg, Germany.

2010 Concert Calendar

2010-02-04T14:23:00.000-08:00

02/09/10 - Nouvelle Vague w/ Soko @ Music Box
02/20/10 - Fanfarlo @ The El Rey Theater
02/26/10 - Soundtrack of Our Lives & Nico Vega @ The El Rey Theater
03/10/10 - Little Boots w/ Dragonette @ The El Rey Theater

enjoy the music.

Week 5: 2010 Resolution.

2010-02-04T14:19:00.000-08:00

Chairlift - Does You Inspire you
Miss Li - Dancing The Whole Way Home
Hope Sandoval & The Warm Inventions - Through The Devil Softly
Toro Y Moi - Causers Of This
Pantha du Prince - This Bliss
Mondo Drag - New Rituals
Kaki King - Dreaming of Revenge
Rocketship - A Certain Smile, A Certain Sadness
Television Personalities - And Don't the Kids Just Love It
Bernadette Seacrest and Her Provocateurs - The Filthy South Sessions
Little Boots - Hands

enjoy the music.

2010 Resolution: Learn the Uke: Status.

2010-02-02T23:56:00.000-08:00

nine days after the purchase and probably my fifth night of practicing. three songs later: You Are My Sunshine, I'll Follow the Sun, and Amazing Grace. and now to my first song with tabs. after a day of work my brain hurts. trying to learn a song w/ tabs i want to hurt somebody. (Berceuse - Brahms) it's so frustrating. but i must learn it. and i will.

enjoy the music.

jasper

2010-02-01T22:06:00.000-08:00

2010 Resolution: 2. Learn the Uke.

Week 4: 2010 Resolution.

2010-01-29T11:53:00.000-08:00

Anathallo - Canopy Glow
Jens Lekman - Night Falls Over Kortedala
Meaghan Smith - The Cricket's Quartet
The Dodos - Time to Die
Magic Men - Real Life Color
Dead Man's Bones - Dead Man's Bones
Skybox - Morning After Cuts
Lars and the Hands of Light - The Looking Glass
Charlotte Gainsbourg - IRM
Various Artists - Up In The Air Soundtrack
Dan Auerbach - Keep It Hid
Efterklang & The Danish National Chamber Orchestra - Performing Parades
Beach House - Teen Dream

enjoy the music.

it's a television commercial

2010-01-28T22:14:00.000-08:00

during Week 2: 2010 Resolution. I discovered the Submarines. I couldn't tell you where i found the band (probably some music blog one of many i read.daily.) got the album and started to listen. something was familiar. so i listened some more. i couldn't put my finger on it. i got to the end of the album and i was stuck. indifferent. but i felt like i should like it. it was catchy or maybe because i've heard of it already before. its the end of week 4 and i'm at the uke w/ the tv set vol on low (so my neighbors don't hear me..i need autotune for my voicebox). and then it was familiar because it's a freakin' television commercial and you know this commercial has been running for sometime now. it's been ingrained. still, indifferent to the submarines..

2010 Resolution: 2. Learn the Uke.

2010-01-23T22:07:00.000-08:00

my left hand finger tips hurt...a ouch s ouch d ouch f ouch...my first song that i want to learn is a goody: I'll Follow the Sun by The Beatles. so far my introduction to ukulele learning is on the internets and it has helped..maybe tomorrow i'll walk to my local library and check out a book (unless there's a chance of rain). along with the online intro youtube have a great selection of ukulele musicians including but not limited to SoElusiveMe she brings the kinda ironic joy to ukulele playing with a bit of sarcasm tone in the end of each song. maybe someday SoElusiveMe will become SoElusiveMeandI...sounds like a good band name? maybe not. when i younger i dread having to practice the piano. which i now regret i didn't. but the uke has given me a second chance. it's a bit frustrating because i can't feel my finger tips. and remembering the chords are a bit of a challenge (note to self: probably not a good idea to practice after an saturday evening out and about but as soon as i got home i picked it up and started practicing...couldn't say anything in a while has had that power over me).

ten minutes later...

alright. i just finished playing Amazing Grace. i didn't realize (unless i did just didn't want to admit it) but there's a lot of singing involved with the ukulele. Wanted: singer to accompany my ukulele.

enjoy the music.

**update: i didn't go to the library. it didn't rain i was just lazy.

enjoy the music.

Week 3: 2010 Resolution.

2010-01-21T12:28:00.000-08:00

Noah And The Whale - First Days of Spring
Alex & Sam - Sounds Like This: Part Two
Radiohead - In Rainbows
Noah Georgeson - Find Shelter
Eriend Oye - Unrest
Pepper Pots - Now!
The Rifles - Great Escape
Blind Pilot - Three Rounds and a Sound
The Mumlers - Don't Throw Me Away
Slow Club - Yeah So.
Coconut Records - Nighttiming
Coconut Records - Davy

enjoy the music.

maybe someday

2010-01-20T21:22:00.000-08:00

Go to and understand an Opera before I'm sixty five years old.

maybe someday

2010-01-19T00:58:00.001-08:00

masada @ sunrise.

Week 2: 2010 Resolution.

2010-01-18T15:57:00.000-08:00

Carla Bruni aka Carla Bruni-Sarkozy. - Comme si de rien n'etait
The Submarines - Honeysuckle Weeks
Junkie XL - Booming Back At You
The Startling Line - Direction
Pixie Lott
Alphabeat - The Spell
Delphic - CounterPoint
Same Cooke - Sam Cooke at the Copa
Peter, Paul and Mary
Beyonce - I am Sasha Fierce
Micachu & the Shapes
Dirty Electronite 2008
Noisettes - Wild Young Hearts
Karen O And The Kids - Where The Wild Things Are Soundtrack
The Boy Least Likely To - The Law of the Playground.

Week 1: 2010 Resolution.

2010-01-18T15:55:00.000-08:00

YACHT - See Mystery Lights
The Beta Band - The Three E.P.'s
Girls - Girls
Florence and the Machine - Lungs
Doug Burr - On Promenade
Afro Celt Sound System - Sound Magic, Vol. 1
Tindersticks - Curtains
Leonard Cohen - The Best Of
Drake - So Far Gone
Rihanna - Rated R
Japandroids - Post-Nothing.

2010 RESOLUTION.

2010-01-06T11:03:00.000-08:00

on the sixth day of the new year i've finally solidified a worthy resolution. i'm in total denial of my character flaws to resolve that only now can i think of resolutions first and foremost i'm going to learn to play the ukulele. i grew up playing a musical instrument and it was always fun albeit frustrating to get good at it. from the piano to the clarinet i've always had music in my life. the second resolution is a spinoff of the orginal and a lot less expensive. instead of going to at least one concert a week i'm going to listen to at least ten new (to me) albums. as much as concert going was incredibly fun and life altering it was a bit expensive. still it was worth it. so here's to 2010 may you be as strong in your resolution. who knows maybe i'll see you at the gym. probably not. kampai!

Resolution.

2010-01-05T19:12:00.001-08:00

Pet Peeves:
1. when my favorite song is the best song on an album.
2. when i'm in the vicinity of and we don't stop to order tito's tacos...i thought this was understood.
3. when i have a "funny story" about a liquor store.
4. thinking of something to say when it's obviously become awkward
5. farmville.

Noah And The Whale @ The Crocadile (10/24/09)

2009-12-09T23:50:00.000-08:00

Seattle, Washington. with mother, father, and brother. to be continued.

numbers

2009-12-09T23:23:00.000-08:00

twenty nine shows. forty nine weeks. two cities. sixty five bands. eight concert venues. four unwritten entries to edit sometime in the future. ?#? songs listened to. ?#? albums obtained. ?#? alcoholic beverages consumed. three hundred forty three days of two thousand nine second year of "concert-going" resolution resolved.

if numbers are any indication of the universe two thousand ten equals THREE. "The phrase "Third time's the charm" (or, rarely, "Three time's the charm") usually means that the third time a person attempts something, he or she will succeed."-wikipedia.com. coincidence?

three words: enjoy the music.

The Airborne Toxic Event @ The Walt Disney Concert Hall (12/04/09)

2009-12-02T17:33:00.001-08:00

Fanfarlo @ The Echo (11/23/09)

2009-12-02T17:32:00.000-08:00

Bouncing Souls @ The El Rey Theater (10/30/09)

2009-11-10T10:59:00.001-08:00

Regina Spektor @ The Greek Theater (10/28/09)

2009-11-10T10:58:00.000-08:00

Gossip @ The Henry Fonda Theater (10/26/09)

2009-11-10T10:57:00.000-08:00

my first introduction to gossip came from a music blog. a streaming version of "heavy cross" caught my attention so i got the album. i took a listen to the album in its entirety unfortunately, it didn't grab me. it was early in august and i was distraught about missing and airborne show. still hurt about that one. time goes by and the gossip "surprise" the audience at the perez hilton presents tour and close for ladyhawke....blown away. beth ditto's voice will move you. but only if you have a soul. upon the release of their fourth studio album they perform at the henry fonda theater. armed with good people we embark to the music venue. i can't speak for them but it was one hellofa good show. and by the looks of it i'm probably speaking for them. one hellofa good show. their live show can't be compare to anyone because they're in a class of their own. it will move you if not knock you up and down and all around. i did not stop dancing. not for one song. not for one pause. purely fantastic. when i'm older i can say i went to this show. the grand kids will respect me more for that reason alone. i've been stuck on their latest album, Music for Men. i'll have to go down memory lane and take a listen to their previous work...won't you join me?

enjoy the music.

From Vancouver With Love (10/09)

2009-10-21T10:35:00.000-07:00

while on my visit to vancouver british columbia, canada here are a few bands visiting the area:
-Gossip
-Dragonette
-The Airborne Toxic Event
-Florence + the Machine
-Fanfarlo
-Metric
-Regina Spektor
-The Blue Violets
with music venues like The Venue, The Orpheum Theater, and The Commodore..i'd probably maybe someday come back to vancouver for a destination concert.

enjoy the music.

Ladyhawke @ The Avalon (10/03/09)

2009-10-04T21:28:00.001-07:00

its a far distance from new zealand. so what does an american to do? watch the lord of the rings trilogy? i can't even get through the first one. watch jurassic park (sam neil is from new zealand)? my only copy is on vhs. watch true blood (anna paquin is from new zealand)? i don't have cable. knit a wool sweater? knitting?!? that's what the mall is for but i'm typing this late in the evening hours. i've been fortunate to have met a few new zealanders through my travels who have tried to get me to visit new zealand for some time now. obliged graciously however i've had to decline. probably far too many times the invitations have been limited to nonexistent. wah wah wah. in any event new zealand just got a little closer. Ladyhawke is a singer-songwriter with only one album on her table but from the looks of the size of the audience they can't get enough of her. to be honest my main purpose was to see ida maria for perez hilton presents. but due to unforeseen circumstance ida maria canceled. which left ladyhawke as well as semi precious weapons (who are doing very well in their own rite..opening for the sounds...you go boy! girl? definitely boy!!) and Julian Christian Perretta to their own. which was fine. the entire tour was screwed up. but it was fine i was there for the music. by the time ladyhawke was on stage it was good in the hood because i had a wonderful time. with such songs, "Paris is Buring," "My Delirium," "Another Runaway," oh who am i kidding the entire album is fantastic. it's still on my playlist called, "daily breath of fresh air" and to my surprise and those in the audience who don't subscribe to perez hilton's sms text messages/blog The Gossip was set to perform as a "surprise guest" i was surprised. i was blown away by The Gossip (Beth Ditto, lead singer of The Gossip is a fellow Razorback) from the lead singer to the drums to everything about the gossip captivated me. so much that i went to see them again at the henry fonda theater (entry will follow). in any event it was ladyhawke's show. caveat: destiny will find you even if you're not looking.

enjoy the music.

The Get Up Kids @ The Avalon (09/24/09)

2009-10-04T21:27:00.002-07:00

apparently they were emo before what i think emo is today. Emo History Lesson The Get Up Kids are a far cry from what i'm use to mainstream emo of today kinda scares me. so i'll be listening to the original emo..broaden my horizons and follow the rainbow..sorry for the short entry but if you read the wiki entry that's probably enough information for this evening. but hey, now you can say you've learned something new..at least i did.

enjoy the music.

Soko @ The Bootleg Theater (09/22/09)

2009-10-04T21:27:00.001-07:00

well, there it is..the list of musicians i want to see live is dwindling down slowly but surely. SOKO was one of those artists. i had heard of her a couple years ago (I'll kill her, i will never love you more) and since then i wanted to see her live. her voice is raspy/real. nothing produced about it. which only gets better towards the end of the show no matter how early in the morning it became. along the lines of ida maria without all the problems. in any event i've wanted to see her live and dreams do come true if you wait long enough. she played in what seemed like a makeshift theater turned music venue called bootleg theater. i was hoping for my first taste of moonshine but they only served beer and wine. its small but not crowded. imagine this: philip glass mid to late 60s everyone's trippin and feeling the music. bootleg theater was that kind of place. believe it or not i only had beer. the carne asada burrito before the show was not sitting to well. in any event it was intimate and comfortable. its safe to say probably one of the only places in los(t) angeles that you'll find the pre-spaceland crowd. the two acts before soko had a fantastic show (Chris Garneau, Penelope Fortier) definitely noteworthy. but it all came down to soko. the actress turned singer turned actress turned singer/songwriter was a bit late due to technical difficulties of garneau but it was worth the wait. some new/some old songs well into the next morning. if you couldn't guess the theme of the evening: french infused folk..which is probably one of my favorites of the genres. i've attempted to learn the french language but between the laziness and attention deficit problem probably not going to happen..unless, however, my french friend from paris visits sometime soon it might just happen...wink wink nod nod smile smile. btw soko still waiting for an actual album to be released. i don't know if it was the intimacy of the venue but she was really there w/ her audience. she acknowledged our presence more so than any other artist/band that just says, "thank you for coming out" with no set setlist it was like she was just jamming out with friends and you too were a friend of hers as well...which is refreshing. her songs are like a paul laurence dunbar poem:
"O burning doubt and long regret
O tears with which our eyes are wet,
Heart-throbs, heart-aches, the glut of pain,
The somber cloud, the bitter rain,"
but again thats real.
http://www.myspace.com/mysoko
i just checked and checked again she's playing at the henry fonda theater October 24th. fantastic! more room to enjoy.

enjoy the music.

Phoenix @ The Greek Theater (09/16/09)

2009-10-04T21:26:00.000-07:00

I file this one under **NEW TO ME.** at The Greek Theater and with Metric opening for them how bad can this band be? French disco-pop never sounded so good (if i ever heard it nothing really comes to mind so late in the afternoon/early in the evening). more and more as the days go by since i've heard of phoenix they're everywhere!! i didn't realize how out of the loop i'm in on pop culture from tv commercials/films/tv shows. i had a fantastic time w/ friends and the thai food was yummy yummy. not necessarily considered a french band since they sing in english. but i'm waiting for their swan song french acoustic folk. it's somewhere out there. on the heels of their new studio album Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix they're physically everywhere. mostly on the european side of the atlantic i'm glad i saw them on this side of the pond.

enjoy the music.

NICO VEGA @ The Roxy (09/08/09)

2009-09-09T20:10:00.000-07:00

you'll stand up and rock out! that's what you should expect from Nico Vega. i'll be honest my first impressions w/ nico vega left a sour taste as i felt they were force feeding me messages of post-9/11 sentiments of the world (disdain for political regimes and sociological systems.) their studio album is good but their live show is awe-inspiring. there's blood, sweat, and tears from this band and you can feel it. even their acoustic versions of their songs are as powerful...you get their message served delightfully to you even if you least expect it. no need to wonder what happened to the music that moves a generation to question and protest their current "comfortable" lives because nico vega is present. there's no cotton candy coating w/ this band. the three member band (vocals, guitar, drums) is all they need to rock out.
check it out i'm somewhere in the crowd rockin' out:

nico vega is a tough sell to those who don't know their music and during these economic hardships it's really hard to sell it to friends who are not concert fanatics as i am, so i'm left to my own resources...more often than not i find myself feeling awkward and rather hesitant and intimidated but those i'm surrounded. fortunately my prejudices don't dictate my outlook on people/life because very soon after (which has come with experience) i've always come to conclusion of understanding and benevolence towards those i don't know/recognize. so was the case for the fans of nico vega. absolutely without a doubt a fun group to rock out w/ even if we're absolutely completely perfectly unknown strangers. we found the common denominator and were able to have an amazing evening of music.

can't say for sure if they'll make the top twenty pop billboard (seacrest should be out) but this band is worth the a night of rock.

enjoy the music.

THE DUKE SPIRIT @ The El Rey Theater (09/01/09)

2009-09-02T11:22:00.002-07:00

i had only heard (repeatedly for that matter) one song from the duke spirit. an acoustic version of "Wooden Heart" which was quite different from their usual sound. this was more than two years ago and honestly never gave them a second thought because their acoustic wooden heart was just what i wanted from this band. nothing more or less. cut to present day specifically the first of september and they're playing at the el rey theater. which is almost across the street from my place of employment. not only was proximity a factor but the opening band for the evening was band of skulls and if there was anything that i felt more about that evening it was going to be band of skulls. i'll be honest band of skulls killed it that night. it wasn't fair for the duke spirit as they were a tough act to follow (at least for my tastes anyway). at the end of the evening i was intrigued by the duke spirit. i got their album. so i suppose the purpose of the concert worked. i left the theater wanting more. more because i didn't really enjoy the show. i don't want to be too critical but from this to that i didn't understand what she was singing about..i couldn't follow the music. all the right elements were there just not on the same wavelength. maybe too much so that destructive interference occurred. the duke spirit just finished a world tour opening for incubus the el rey theater is not the venue as those they just played at probably a third of their usual but they played like i was a stadium away (way too loud...which in some cases can break the concert going experience). not loud that a pair of earplugs could remedy but walking outside back to the parking garage onto the 101, exiting, parking space 9, apartment number 9, pressing play on the untitled playlist 8 any song on their new album "neptune" (specifically wooden heart, this ship was built to last) headphones in would suffice if not succeed in the duke spirit listening experience. i won't say i won't go to another of their concerts because their music is really really good. i would just to make sure the venue fits their music. nothing bigger than the wiltern but not smaller than the fonda (just in my humbled opinion).

enjoy the music.

BAND OF SKULLS @ The El Rey Theater (09/01/09)

2009-09-02T11:22:00.001-07:00

"motel, taco bell" that's all it took. little did i know after listening to the rest of the song subsequently the rest of the album did i hear much more than those three simple words. coming from a three member band Band of Skulls is much more complexed. if not their lyrics but their oh sweet rocknroll melodies. they're fun and bad ass rock stars that you could party with and feel guilt-free despite breaking a couple state and local laws. i can probably say for sure that i first heard of band of skulls sometime at the beginning of july a month later i've probably listened to their album everyday since then. my day is incomplete without them. i don't know why that is but going to see them live and really enjoying their rocknroll probably has something to do with it.

this import british rock band has it and taking it to the bank. especially if performed at lolla 2009 and contributing to the second installment of the major motion picture, Twilight. the end to the small music venue for the band of skulls. it was fun while it lasted. i will miss what i had and as they say "nothing gold can stay." someday in the future this blog will have continued pass my physical existence and left to the devices of generations that have followed we can read this and shed light was it was like before their world domination. who knows what the future holds for concerts as most record labels throw concerts because of an upcoming album release will there be a time when the concert will occur to make an album? does that make sense or is it wishful thinking. i can't remember right now the worse concert going experience to date but they should take some notes about how's it done from band of skulls.

i'll be the first to admit i've been caught rockin out in my not so private open-aired cubicle at work...headphones on and lyrics in hand what would you expect?

enjoy the music.

JJ GREY & MOFRO @ The El Rey Theater (08/28/09)

2009-09-02T11:21:00.000-07:00

once again i fell victim to the bright lights of the marquee, the proximity of the el rey theater and the tickets out of the box office with no "convenience" charges. even more so a friend's recommendation to see/listen JJ Grey & MOFRO. and so that's how it happened. as soon as i walk through the door florida pride was apparent you could even feel the humidity of the what seemed like a sold out event. without a doubt the very definition of southern soulful blues is JJ Grey.

i wish i had gone to this show better prepared so i can really get into the music but for my first time he was gentle needless to say i enjoyed.

enjoy the music.

Philip Glass @ Hollywood Bowl (07/23/09)

2009-08-15T15:33:00.000-07:00

what do the following pieces of work have in common: The Hours, Taking Lives, Grand Theft Auto IV (the video game) and Candyman? yes, you've guessed correctly: Philip Glass. if you didn't guess correctly you have to learn how to read titles better. even if you didn't guess correctly and you've seen these films and played this video game you have to learn how to listen to scores better. all of these projects have the Philip Glass touch. and no matter how monotonous you think it sounds he'll surprisingly capture you. actually the music will grab your heart and touch your soul (which is still an understatement). and you don't have to be on any mind altering hallucinogen he does that for you...well his music does anyway. that's whats so amazing about philip glass. if you want to sound smarter than you think you are and probably more than a fifth grader amongst strangers mention philip glass. philip glass = minimalist = art music. without a doubt you'll be accepted and acknowledge amongst the highbrow intellectuals (if you aren't you should probably consider wearing glasses that's what i do.) many believe that philip glass is not classical music. there's quite a controversy amongst classical snobs and glass enthusiasts. just like the ol' chicken and the egg debate there's real definitive answer. glass and his ensemble would not have been invited to the hollywood bowl and the LA philharmonic would not have played his music if it wasn't music. and that's the bottom line, the edge of the cliff.

enjoy the music.

Old Man Markley @ The Troubadour (06/26/09)

2009-06-25T17:32:00.002-07:00

i'm almost embarrassed to write about this one because not only was it almost two months ago but also i really enjoyed the show i should have blogged about this one the morning i returned from the show. however, "time is but the stream i go a-fishing in" cut to present day and i can't say anything else about this bluegrass band because it's all been said by everyone else. i pride myself of being an unoriginal one of a kind but along w/ the many who have attended an old man markley show you're among the rest havin one hell of a good time. you don't know the american foxtrot, NO PROBLEM! you're subconscious will guide your body. you leave your worries at the door because they have no problem kickin your a$* (with their music) if you're not having a good time. they're that good.

enjoy the music.

Nouvelle Vague @ The Henry Fonda Theater (06/20/09)

2009-06-25T17:32:00.001-07:00

almost three years ago i went to europe specifically paris, france, die, drance, lourdes, france, barcelona, spain, all around italy. half way through the trip i received an email from my dad in which he says, "have a safe clean fun!!!" from the three exclamation points i think he knew i just got a wrist tat. i was traveling and often confused about the direction in which my life is going and it was unanimous vote a compass. it is my first and only (to date) tattoo. the tattoo artist was a strapping barcelonian man who could have put any image on my body mostly because i don't know the spanish word for "no" (dangerous i know) so he provided a distraction to ridiculous pain sensation along my left arm. but there was also the music that played. it was a cover band. or at least the same words and somewhat the same beat to my catchy songs. i believe the specific song was "on the boardwalk" as soon as the tat was finished i somehow managed to find the direction i was heading to exit (the adrenaline was still kicking so it was somewhat a challenge to focus) a flight a stairs later i asked the receptionist/other tattoo artists what the name of the band that was just playing. they mumbled something in catalan/spanish/english which after scribbled on some flyer for a week-long electronic music festival (a week too early): Nouvelle Vague. she even offered to give me the cd but i declined (again the adrenaline was kicking and in hindsight it would have been a great souvenir. however, i didn't have anything to give her which i would have felt bad unless she would have accepted a half eaten powerbar and/or a crumbled metro map of paris. but she did tell me where i could purchase the cd, but unable to listen to the cd until i got home i waited to get the album. still, their music stuck. and as soon as i got home i got their self titled album along with their second album called bande a part. the subsequent until present day nouvelle vague has always and mostly continue to be on any traveling playlist or even enjoy the day any day playlist. however, nouvelle vague a parisian band doesn't travel much this side of the atlantic. the closest they've been to me (in california) has been new york city. and that was a couple of years ago. which spurred the idea of a destination concert night. i would travel to a city just to go to a concert. it didn't come to fruition however maybe someday. it was somber friday and i just read that nouvelle vague was performing on saturday at the fonda. i couldn't believe i didn't see this coming. on the heals of the release of their third studio album i still didn't think they would perform in california. but to my surprise they came I saw and they CONQUERED!!! it was everything i came to expect and love about nouvelle vague. they take a previously recorded song and make their own. even though not completed a considered (at least in my humble opinion) a cover song they still create something that keeps you in without boring you with predictability. "3" their third studio album is a delight if you looking a nouvelle vague twist to bluegrass country. i highly recommend investing in an evening with nouvelle vague specifically Oh La LA: The French Music Festival in California october 24, 2009. C'est ci bon!!

enjoy the music.

Camera Obscura @ The Henry Fonda Theater (06/11/09)

2009-06-25T17:31:00.000-07:00

on occasion when i'm at a concert and i'm not familiar with a band (probably 75% of the concerts i attend i'm not too familiar with their music - i call it an adventure) i'll write myself memos on my phone to remind me of the concert going experience. since i don't know the new songs (the two hour crash course of the band before the concert doesn't help all that much) i'll write memorable lyrics or whatever i'm observing (my inherited addhd leaves no time for stillness) Camera Obscura was no different. i didn't "know" the band all that well but i wanted to go on an adventure so off to the henry fonda theater we went and from the looks of it i need to shop at urban outfitters a lot more...in any event here's what i wrote during the concert:

"Perfect Smile
Stuck on You
i wanted to control it but love, i couldn't hold it
if you were in the 60 holding a martini
shaken and maybe stirred they would be on the transmitter
on more than two occasions (trend?) they're smackin their chewing gum...sounds disinterested if not in this situation in thought...maybe?
i thought i knew you well dreams
tell me
heartbroken
brent and tim were here"

i like to keep it short because i don't want to be that girl who's texting on her cellphone at a concert but you get the hint.

upon my research on camera obscura its the first time i've heard the music genre term called chamber pop which is described as "an emphasis on melody and production, as artists layered their baroque, ornate songs with richly textured orchestral strings and horns, all the while virtually denying the very existence of grunge, electronica, and other concurrent musical movements." alright i've learned something new today (captain's log monday july 20, 2009 11:54p.m. sherman oaks, ca 91423).

enjoy the music.

Metric @ The Wiltern (06/09/09)

2009-06-22T11:20:00.000-07:00

one of the benefits of randomness most often than not you'll be introduced to enjoyable music. i find myself in a state of unexpected surprise when a new band is introduced to me because i'm looking for a particular sound or genre because of a particular mood. its like taking a bug in the mouth as your out on your afternoon jog. it was a few months ago and i had a car rental to get me to point A to point B. i didn't have my five disc cd changer that was accustomed to but one cd to get me through the tragic morning commute and the gentle evening commute. the mp3 cd was given to me by a coworker friend who subsequently took me to the Metric concert. for a good two weeks i listened to Metric to and from work (I will NOT listen to the radio!)

nothing memorable about the show except one or two songs. i haven't listened to metric since then so i can't say it's on my list. i did, however, enjoy the concert maybe someday i'll be in the mood for synthesizer and drum-machine driven sounds of metric.

enjoy the music.

Little Joy @ The Troubadour (06/05/09)

2009-06-16T12:16:00.001-07:00

highly anticipated concert of the year. it's only june but i'm calling it to be one of the best live shows i've been to. unless noted otherwise i'm sticking to it with fists in the air ready to defend. i couldn't tell you who opened for Little Joy because not really much of a concern to me, however, one has to think what the "success" rate of an opening band to become bigger and better than the band they once opened for. i can only think of no doubt and christina aguilera but that was way before becoming a concert enthusiast. maybe Black Kids to Mates of State (personal commentary)? in any event Little Joy is why I went and why I breathe (a "little" dramatic...maybe, but i'm proving a point). quality over quantity has been a mantra long before i was introduced to the all you can eat buffets in vegas. composed of Rodrigo Amarante, Fabrizio Moretti, and Binki Shapiro you'll get hints of their Los Hermanos and The Strokes bands respectively. but altogether you'll get something soothing to the soul sweet and enjoyable when your life is good. their live show was just as charming...from their simple tunes to Fabrizio himself (albeit Fabrizio's performance limited to the maracas and beer in hand) Little Joy is a chill summer day with your friends.

the summer is here!

enjoy the music.

STAR LIGHT STAR BRIGHT: Glenn Miller

2009-05-31T22:39:00.000-07:00

Star Light Star Bright is a new section of the L.A. Dog And Pony Show that brings light to an influential person/group to the art of Music.

whether you believe it or not you know some Glenn Miller. it's that big band tune thats the score to your happy go lucky morning when 101S/Highland Avenue were flowing, as you're about to enjoy your first cup of coffee only to realize a coworker has left a box of portos in the kitchen to share...or when you're on the receiving end of a wink and smile you'll hear Glenn Miller's music. during the age of the cola wars, nintendo, hypercolor and r&b/pop boy bands Big Band swing couldn't contend to the distraction of the time. nevertheless, i played the clarinet. however, not until after my formative years did i realize the power of the big band. According to wikipedia, "A big band is a type of musical ensemble associated with playing jazz music and which became popular during the Swing Era from the early 1930s until the late 1940s" no wonder people were gung ho about the war and why America was "the victors" the soundtrack of the time was orchestrated by Glenn Miller. what do we have? autotune and samples? music inspires and motivates to be a better person. i suppose sex, drugs and rock n roll sell rather than the former.

GLENN MILLER

enjoy the music.

lyrics mashup of current playlist

2009-05-17T22:23:00.001-07:00

"i've been waiting for a sign, i've been waiting for a sign to tell me where tell me where where i belong, wait they don't love you like i love you wait, they don't love you like i love you. well i'm just a poor little baby cause well i believe them all. fall in love with vanities. everythings gonna get lighter, even if it never gets better. oh simple thing where have you gone i'm getting old and i need something to rely on. my friends all agree give in to our defeat in secret we believe we're nothing, nothing, nothing that we need. you say that i'm the only one but will my heart be broken when the night meets the morning star. i've received a message just to live and let go but the past it tangles into everything i know. whatever makes you happy whatever you want whatever you want you think you're so special i wish that i was special. its really not bad not worse than you thought. so little time i've tried to understand that i'm trying to make a move just to stay in the game i try to stay awake and remember my name but everybody's changing and i don't feel the same. it hit me i got everything i need it hit me i got everything i need."

only until now did i realize that i have more than one playlist all of which have their different takes on life. the most recent playlist that i've compiled has songs i enjoy at this moment can it be an extension of my self? i suppose maybe or not really i don't want to believe but i can't deny it. from the following artists: yeah yeah yeahs, ingrid michaelson, the distillers, mates of state, keane, spinnerette, lily allen, invid, and amy winehouse.

enjoy the music.

Chris Cornell @ The Wiltern (05/03/09)

2009-05-05T11:33:00.000-07:00

chris cornell = soundgarden = audioslave = badass mother f-er. if you like someone with powerful vocals that can move and shake an entire music venue chris cornell can do it for you even the morning after.
tangent: concert going etiquette 101
1. do not try to "dance" yourself into a spot that someone is already standing in.
2. take a shower (at least apply an over the counter antiperspirant)
3. do not sing on the top of your lungs w/ the performer (i paid to hear a professional and not hear you attempt to...save it for the shower or in your car cause i don't want to hear it.)
4. rock on! have a good time but not at the expense of your fellow concert goer.
5. drink responsibly.

I'll be honest the only chris cornell song i know and heard of is black hole sun large in part because of rock band. and i can't say i was surprised about chris cornell because from every other person told me he's the best thing since the creation of man. not just to music but as a human being. yum yum.

you feel what he's singing and from the looks of it he does too. which you cannot ignore no matter how terrible your day is going. someday i'll sit down and make a list of my all time favorite live concerts (albeit this is something like that) chris cornell is on the list i don't know where he falls but he's definitely on the list. despite the greatness of his performance i'm in no rush to get his albums but i do recommend going to his concert. he made the wiltern sound good.

enjoy the music.

Black Kids/Mates of State @ The Glass House (04-24-09)

2009-04-29T15:15:00.000-07:00

three things come out of the city of Pomona, California..two of which involve something i have no idea about so we won't go there but the third is culture (music + art)..its not that surprising that the fifth largest city in Los Angeles County they're bound to have a music scene. Tom Waits, Rozz Williams, Snoop Dogg, and a handful of pornstars were born in Pomona. So it's fitting that The Glass House exists. an all ages music venue which if you can't get a ticket to a much anticipated/hyped sold out concert in the city of los angeles mostly like they'll play a night before/after the concert in los angeles. if you haven't guessed it already this was my first visit (and not the last) to The Glass House. the sound/space is worth the drive (and if the driving conversation/playlist is carefully thought out it's a win-win situation (at least it was for me). Black Kids/Mates of State both have become a must listen to for my morning commute to work along with airborne toxic event, lily allen, ida maria, girl talk, mando diao, the distillers, yelle (one or two songs from each artist usually gets me to wilshire/masselin with a smile). Black Kids: no, i'm not racist that's the name of the group...first blew my mind at lolla 2008 in chicago...about seventy five percent of the bands i saw were a first for me and to my surprise were rather gentle and i enjoyed rather thoroughly. black kids among my favorites that weekend

a can't honestly say that i remember such a performance because that's rather personal but i remember their name however, their studio album didn't hook me so i only had a vague memory of their lolla show. until the glass house. it clicked all over again. their music is catchy and these "kids" makes it all so fun. consider yourself soul-less if you can't get into it...
as for mates of state a coworker of mine says they sound the same as they did ten years ago...i don't know how i should take that because i really enjoy them (maybe i'm so ten years ago)
apparently they were at lolla 2008 as well (must have missed them)

tangent: i really loved Lollapalooza 2008. as for 2009 - TBD.

mates of state - who doesn't love a husband/wife tag team duo? i hope it works out because they make great music together.

btw the late night taco run after coming from the glass house is ALWAYS a good time. my recommendation: machos tacos.

enjoy the music.

Stereo Total @ The El Rey Theater (April 04, 2009)

2009-04-09T16:49:00.001-07:00

two years ago i was minding my own business and invited myself to see stereo total at the el rey. i had not known of stereo total prior to this chance moment bit i figured it was testament to one's character what kind of music one goes to see live. before this chance i had based my (at this time) acquaintance's character solely on first impressions and rumors. and since i had not heard of any rumors of this new friend i figured i'd go to a concert with him to try to get to know him just a little better. so i was introduced to stereo total. think german and french cultures collided and burst into something that will be best understood by a live performance. that was two years ago. cut to: present day. it was still that same experience plus a distinct french smell (or at least a distinct smell omitting from the two persons in front of us or were waving their arms "like they just don't care..but they're having a good time and i can't hate the player maybe just the game). at the time i was their new number one fan but after this recent show i can best no explain stereo total in three simple words: "um," "eh," and "sure." don't get me wrong i will still listen to their rockabilly inspired electronic rock music because i love it but i will have to think twice and and maybe a third time to convince me to go again...unless, they have a new album out. but after two years you'd think they would have done that (unless they've been too busy to do otherwise like jet setting around the world spreading their love). HOWEVER, the night was not a total bust. Four words: LESLIE AND THE LY'S. lets hope their next tour they'll be headlining because they stole the show. if you're not yet a facebook friend to Leslie Hall or not a part of the mobile museum of gem sweaters, grab a pair of clean undergarments and your passport and they'll take you on a fun filled ride. probably not totally necessary but you'll have a great time at their show. the december issue of Psychology Today explains the idea of Living in the Moment. Leslie and Ly's own it. genius hyphen funny. if you're having a terrible day listen to the lyrics and electro-rock beats and you'll finally understand what it means to live the dream...

enjoy the music.

Gillian Welch & David Rawlings @ Largo (March 31, 2009)

2009-04-08T17:05:00.000-07:00

Where to I begin? if you're lucky enough you'll come across a musician or an ensemble that normally would not be a part of your usual genre of music that rips through your body and finds a permanent place in your soul. Welch and Rawlings (+ Guests) have that kind of approach. it's what dr. pepper did to my coca cola and since then i cannot live without it. not to say that i need it everyday to function as a "normal" human being but when i'm in the mood for just down right good music i will now go for welch and rawlings. Any aspirations to play the acoustic guitar (like that of Welch and/or Rawlings) has gone out the window crossed the street to the nearest post office got a passport applied for a tourist visa received the appropriate vaccinations and went to some exotic foreign nation in which has no public irrigation water system (if you know anything about me this is one of my limitations as a world traveler..i just can't get comfortable enough for when number two is calling). by the way that was a compliment of their talents and they should never be associated to poo in any form or another. i'm just saying how amazing their guitar playing skills are that's it's beyond my reach (at this moment anyway) in any event it was an amazing experience. if you haven't been to the largo its what i imagine what concert going use to be like in vaudeville times. you sit down and enjoy the show. nothing to distract you (in the form of glow sticks and a steady stench of bud) nothing to "enhance" (in the form of alcohol)the show. their abilities and music accomplishes that already. the largo is a small quaint theater that conjures up fond memories at your "grandmother's home." still, the largo and subsequently the artists who perform there are an emergence between environment and artist to create the concert experience. which rarely occurs, at least in this money-making scheme that calls itself the american music industry (at least in my humbled opinion). as for welch and rawlings their blue-grass, americana, folk music (think "O Brother, Where Art Thou?) is history in a show without boring you to tears unless your a.d.d. gets the better of you (and if that's the case you should just walk to norms and order yourself the steak dinner because you just don't open yourself to music and will never understand what that really means). i could ramble on if i haven't already needless to say Gillian Welch and David Rawlings have made "the list."

enjoy the music.

Yelle @ The El Rey Theater (March 12, 2009)

2009-03-13T10:48:00.000-07:00

one of the greatest things about los angeles is that if you get lost (which happens more often than not) you can find something amazing (for the open and the willing only) or something dangerous (if you're looking for trouble; trouble will find you. end quote). it started out on an evening that was far from being hallow which probably contributed to but not limited to the events of the evening. needless to say i ended up ticket-less to a sold out yelle concert at the henry fonda theater. months later it was brought to my attention that yelle was going to be performing across the street from my place of employment (which is quite convenient..enough so a number of other coworkers had made it to the show as well). not only convenient but it was the day after my birthday so what better way to celebrate life than listening to great music. accompanied by good people and listening to catchy french pop music made the evening more than i could try to explain.. it would have been an added bonus to have a personal french translator (but that didn't happen). despite not understanding a french word i felt it as well as the rest of the sold out attendees. which i was expecting...with or without the freedom fries i enjoy french pop music which cannot be said for any other. call me crazy or as the french would say "fou de joie" another good reason why i should learn french...because i just butchered that. amazing track listing but not limited to:
1. Ce Jeu
2. Cause des Garçons
3. Dans Ta Vraie Vie
4. Tristesse/Joie
5. Mal Poli
6. Femmes
7. Tu Es Beau
8. Je Veux Te Voir
9. Amour du Sol
10. Mon Meilleur Ami
11. 85A
12. Jogging
13. Cause des Garçons [Tepr Remix]

makes you want to "enjoy life" doesn't it?

enjoy the music.

KINKY @ Henry Fonda Theater (02/24/09)

2009-03-01T13:49:00.000-08:00

i can't say it's the first concert of the new year but it's been a while since i've been out and about it almost feels like one. electronica/alternative rock/mexican folk (more alternative rock than the other two) overall, a great show if you want a mix of both worlds. albeit started later than anticipated nevertheless an unexpected surprise. unexpected because most of my kinky listening pleasure was from myspace (crazy talk i know) but not until now did kinky find their way at the right place at the right time...subsequently, to The L.A. Dog and Pony Show.
href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wonders_of_the_world">seven wonders of the ancient world; others want to go to all the locations mentioned on LOST I, however, wanted to hear what all the fuss was over the growing Mexican electronica movement. so for the record i've been to a live show of Mexican Institute of Sound, Bostich + Fussible (Nortec Collective) and now Kinky. i can't get enough borderline addicted to the beats of this genre of music.

caveat: do not search for KINKY unless it's through a music search engine...finding youtubes videos is almost impossible...unless you don't mind sorting through the TandA's videos...needless to say i looked elsewhere

enjoy the music.

2009-02-15T23:00:00.000-08:00

PASSION PIT PASSION PIT PASSION PIT PASSION PIT PASSION PIT

Nortec Collective Presents: Bostich+Fussible (01/08/09) @ The Echoplex

2009-01-12T13:11:00.000-08:00

your first bicycle. your first kiss. your first date. your first love. your first's always seem to be the one that stick out the most and becomes the standard for which everything else will be compared to. Nortec Collective Presents: Bostich+Fussible was the first concert of the new year. and in all honesty has set the bar very high as the kick ass dance til it hurts concert. when wikipedia describes the group as "documenting the collision between the style and culture of electronica and traditional Mexican music" it has to be good. prior to the show i didn't know who this nortec collective was. and when i realized they were two dj my expectations lowered and i was tempted to go home and listen to my itunes instead because for all i know the dj is playing solitaire and ichatting or updating their facebook status. however, i was convinced to stay (because of the lure of the alcohol) and when they started i was startled to see more than just two dj's on their laptops.

two djs, two trumpets, tuba, and a trombone.

come february i suspect nortec collective taking home the grammy...

enjoy the music.

The Sounds @ The Hollywood Palladium (11/20/08)

2008-12-03T23:48:00.000-08:00

Traveling Abroad To Bring List:
-undergarments
-sandals
-toiletries
-non-fiction flavor of the month book
-razorback tee
-sweater
-comfort jeans
-euros, dollars, pesos, drachma or any other units of exchange
-rockin-out-livin-the-dream kinda of playlist.

in no particular order as all are important in their own right, however, its the rockin-out-livin-the-dream kinda of playlist is the most difficult because it's the hardest to conjure up a playlist that will do just that...you want something that will carry you through the trial and tribulations of traveling abroad...most often when you find yourself in an unfamiliar setting you need something that will motivate you to explore what's unknown to you. fortunately, for me i had The Sounds in Buenos Aires. this swedish post punk revival band uses the synthesizer like its no one's business...

i walked aimlessly around the city and found the beauty of the good air...from the casa rosada to the teatro colon from evita peron to carlos gardel from la boca to san telmo...truly a beautiful city. from the people, the food, architecture the histories buenos aires is a must see and live travel destination...over and over i played The Sounds...and only twice did i stop the music. 1. to ask directions to the first ice cream shop built in buenos aires...i got pistachio yummy. 2. in the middle of rain downpour and locals from their balcony called to me to join them for shelter and empanadas...(if i wasn't by myself i would have..probably..maybe..i guess i'll never know...)

so i wouldn't miss the opportunity to the see the sounds live in concert (even if there's a downturn in the economy)...

my friend and i weren't keen on the sound system (i don't know if thats a problem w/ the palladium or the band..let's hope the former) but we moved and found the rock out spot...somewhere around here (which toward back of the floor):

my favorite part of this video wasn't the lead singer's crowd surfing abilities but at the 2:52 mark..can you guess what it is?

in any event...it was a dream come true going to the live show of the sounds..their music reminds me of a turning point at a good place and a good time in my life.

enjoy the music.

Mexican Institute of Sound @ The Roxy (11/16/08)

2008-11-23T11:32:00.000-08:00

it was a cold autumn night in the city of angeles and the promises of sunset boulevard whispered softly in the gentle breeze...most often than not it's expected you're going to have a good time in los angeles...whether you're livin large on the rooftop overlooking the downtown skyline or kickin it ohgee style w/ a blue ribbon...you're going to (as you should) make the best of the situation...whether you're out of your comfort zone and swimmin with the sharks or amongst familiar faces...find your groove and own it...along w/ this way of life there's a code among angelinos: don't spoil the fun of others...getting hit in the driver's side front = no fun. especially before the holidays..but accidents happen and so there it is. that happened so i was really looking forward to the mexican institute of sound at the Roxy. even though i've never really heard or knew of M.I.S. (which is about eighty-five percent of the concerts that i attend anyway - so no biggie) i was able to forget my worries and anxieties of the evening...when you mix rock, mexican folk and electronica the way that M.I.S. does you just get something better than the carne asada fries-horchata combo at alejandro's...at least in my humble opinion (which is sort ofa big deal)...according to wikipedia M.I.S. along with Kinky and Nortec Collective has brought the mexican electronica movement...all three are movin and shakin the third largest metropolitan area in the world (another wikipedia citation). and fortunately for us they're visiting los angeles to please our souls. to bring more smiles to the masses than the chicles you get at the u.s./mexico border...call me old fashioned if you will but i enjoy M.I.S.

M.I.S. was created by dj/producer and president of EMI Mexico, Camilo Lara...not only does he know music he knows what the masses would like...at least its what i like. i won't say he's my soul mate but i felt the connection.

i was going to embed a live performance of this song rather than the music video but it wasn't a good one...like all music you really need to go to a live show to feel the music...i'm hoping at least one person reading this will be inspired to take the leap into the abysmal cosmos of music. p.s. if you can't go to a show l.a. dog and pony show gots you covered.

there's a self-fulfilling prophecy among narcissists that torments their consciousness...it finds you no matter how fast you run and where you run to. think outside of your norm. find what's beyond the star system and make it your dream. at least finish what you've started til you hit rock bottom. there's a million possibilities but only one self. believe, live, and let go. (believe or not i got all this from a fortune cookie...the font size was the smallest i have ever seen without the use of a microscope or the center of a bobby pin and dishwasher soap (macgyver style).

enjoy the music.

Volume 11 Chapter 15 Page 08

2008-11-16T13:18:00.001-08:00

enjoy the music.

Volume 11 Chapter 11 Page 08

2008-11-10T23:22:00.000-08:00

enjoy the music.

TV ON THE RADIO (11-06-08) @ The Wiltern

2008-11-06T12:30:00.000-08:00

YELLE (11-01-08) @ Music Box Porcelain (11-01-08) @ The Hotel Cafe

2008-11-04T14:16:00.000-08:00

i do have a soft spot for languages i don't understand for whatever reason music that i don't understand the lyrics to become an automatic favorite flavor of the moment...they could be talking about physically and/or sexually abusing puppies but i don't understand it so i'm going to enjoy it! among those musicians that i enjoy is Yelle..and so do most of the angelino kids that would sell her show out at the Music Box in Hollywood...so we made our way aimlessly around hollywood...we weren't in the mood for house (King King) or walking around hollywood so we went to the hotel cafe. if you're in the mood for new country folk hotel cafe is your place...as small as it is this venue has good singer songwriter kind of music. so i was introduced to Porcelain. far more a better acoustic sound than a full band...mostly because of their lead singer Lo Roberts:

great vocals and poignant violin strings...

enjoy the music.

Fujiya & Miyagi (10/30/08) @ The Troubadour

2008-11-02T12:04:00.000-08:00

a little more than a year ago i moved to sherman oaks: one bed one point five bath. hardwood floors, marble counter tops, and ceiling fan. a lovely and quiet getaway from the hustle and bustle of 5700 wilshire. maybe even a little too quiet...of course the typical boisterous mother and daughter combo: Grey Gardens. OR the upstairs sarcastic borderline abusive to one another neighbors OR the cat lady across the way to the middle aged gentleman who insists its a good idea to wear a speedo around the communal areas (the laundry room, really?)...and despite their own preconceived notions that they may have about me (drunkard lush who crawls back late in the evenings)...i still enjoy living on mammoth avenue. and a little more than a year ago i had a housewarming party in which I played my "I've Gone To See A Man About A Dog" Playlist..which included and not limited to Fujiya & Miyagi...i don't think my guests heard or even paid much attention to the playlist but i had put considerable effort to the playlist...including the use of top shelf alcohol and door prizes...in any event Fujiya & Miyagi has a special place in my heart because they'll always remind me of an innocent time...

a time in which the flowers were still blooming and the sun still shining a time when i didn't have a care in the world and i enjoyed my job...(a time that's reminiscent of the summer of Mansfield '83...and for the record i still very much enjoy my job).
Born from the beaches of Brighton, England Fujiya & Miyagi the alternative/electronic sounds that transcend you to another world...no matter if you're on top of a mountain overlooking a three hundred sixty degree view over los angeles or desperately trying not to touch the bathroom stall walls at the troubadour (some insight about the concert enthusiast...)unfortunately, for you, Fujiya & Miyagi are back in Europe and probably won't be back stateside until after the new year...fortunately, for you, the euro is down...unfortunately, for you airline tickets are up..fortunately, for you, Fujiya & Miyagi's new album is ready for purchase.

enjoy the music.

Spinnerette (10/29/08) @ Spaceland

2008-11-01T14:49:00.000-07:00

"a rose by any other name would smell as sweet" Spinnerette's Brody Dalle and Tony Bevilacqua were members of a little band called The Distillers. it's been a long wait since the last studio album of the distillers in 2003. since then i've attended and graduated university; traveled to and survived seven countries; listened to, adored, and posted about sixty-two bands since the first installation of The L.A. Dog and Pony Show. i would wait, wait and wait for just something. a glimmer of hope came with the spinnerette mashup that appeared on their site (myspace) in 2004 i became a fan of the distillers off their second album that was released in 2002...by the time i felt their power they were at a fork...no new albums and no new shows...as the Distillers. rumors circulated about a new album but nothing materialized..until spinnerette. a year later a mashup from spinnerette. a year after that Spinnerette @ Spaceland. What matters is what something is, not what it is called. spinnerette's new album coming in february until then i'll have to remember what one would describe as something badass for the kids. if you believe in drunk n punk nights..you'll find a safe haven in the bosom of spinnerette. as tough as the locating and parking at spaceland on silver lake blvd. it was worth the efforts. you won't wonder if the trucker mouth is as dirty as a certain angelino trying to get to spaceland. betweens the sh's and f's there were the motha's and holy's. you get it. you've been on the 405/101 even on the 110 and 15 during rush hour or even on wilshire and la brea between the construction on highland. but you endure...the jack and ginger's are magically delicious and the crowd is well it's just is. a made a semi-new new year's resolution to introduce myself to one person from a concert i go to. so far a success...i won't say i've met my soul mate but it makes the evening a little more interesting...

all the while i post i created a mixtape:

i usually excel at multitasking but this is for something i really care about so it took a little more effort and concentration.

enjoy the music.

The Death Set (10/26/08) @ The Echo

2008-10-27T21:15:00.000-07:00

Not really anything i wasn't expecting but it was a feel good kinda punk show...if only there were more than just the ten high schoolers in attendance...maybe someday when they're old enough to drink themselves the audience will follow. but i couldn't help think that their mothers were outside waiting to pick them up...as for the taco truck on logan and sunset i hear it's THE BEST in town..we were five minutes too late to find out..next time, i suppose. as for THE Echo this was the second show at this venue. this venue never fails me i always end up having a good time...don't get me wrong it's no el rey but it'll give me my indie fix..in any event far more indie than spaceland would like to be...ok i can't concentrate on this while watching a docu on lyndon b. johnson (one of my favorites)

"...for the cries of pain, the hymns and protest of oppressed people, have summoned into convocation all the majesty of this great government the government of the greatest nation on earth. Our mission is at once the oldest and the most basic of this country: to right wrong, to do justice, to serve man. In our time we have come to live with the moments of great crisis. Our lives have been marked with debate about great issues: issues of war and peace, issues of prosperity and depression. But rarely in any time does an issue lay bare the secret heart of America itself. Rarely are we met with a challenge, not to our growth or abundance, or our welfare or our security, but rather to the values, and the purposes, and the meaning of beloved nation. The issue of equal right for American Negroes is such an issue."

back to the docu.

enjoy the music.

Before I go...

2008-10-26T19:15:00.000-07:00

heading out to The Echo to see Death Set..i know nothing about this electropunk band but i'm really exited to rock out with my eyes closed..wish me luck!

enjoy the music

The Raconteurs (09-23-08) @ The Greek Theater

2008-09-23T23:50:00.000-07:00

fortunate to receive from the giver and taker of my life i was able to see The Raconteurs at The Greek Theater. an avid fan of the white stripes The Raconteurs didn't disappoint....AGAIN. Jack White an AWESOME guitarist and probably an overall good guy (if in the event the gods somehow allow me a chance meeting...BUT i think i just heard my soulmate rockin out) knows what the audience wants and he gave it to them...i can't speak for everyone in attendance but he's one to bend over for...especially it if involves a geetar.

i was fortunate to see this performance at Lolla and again at the Greek..one of my favorites:

The Raconteurs are scheduled to rock out in san diego and santa barbara (24 and 25 respectively) i would encourage you to check them out and in the event that you do DO NOT hesitate to stand up and rock out (even if the couple behind you refuses to) and stay for their encore because it won't disappoint even at the cost of thirty minutes out of the parking lot (a small price to pay for standing before greatness).

also, if The Kills are opening for the Raconteurs get there early as from a previous post they're rock n roll: The Kills

enjoy the music.

Street Scene 2008 @ San Diego, Ca

2008-09-23T00:09:00.000-07:00

Friday:
-Justice
-Vampire Weekend
-Beck
Saturday:
-The Hives
-Tegan and Sara
-Ghostland Observatory
-Does It Offend You, Yeah?
-Devo

so LADPS hits the road and it only took five hours (sarcasm) but like in life it's not the destination but the journey...and in the case of the life of a rockin roller its truly about the twenty minutes of conversation, the amuse-gueule of hot dog bites from costco, watermelon squares and an eclectic itunes playlist (which includes and not limited to selections from The Enchanted Soundtrack)

the following are the greatest hits from Street Scene 2008:
-JUSTICE-

-VAMPIRE WEEKEND-

-GHOSTLAND OBSERVATORY

-DOES IT OFFEND YOU, YEAH?-

the second outing for LADPS and so far i haven't been disappointed. granted i didn't see ALL the bands that i wanted to see merely because of circumstances out of my control: traffic on the five and the laws of physics. when i was about five years old i had dreamed of a time of flying cars and hoverboards but now i can only wish of accurate estimated times of arrival..in LA the invention of flying cars seems a little more probable..here's to going green!
in any event i still enjoyed good music with good people which always equals a good time (despite having only eating one carne asada burrito). gray hairs, gold coins, breakfast at cafe 222 and the tractor room (which i may add has a great soundtrack for sunday brunch)

enjoy the music.

SAN DIEGO, CA

2008-09-19T16:36:00.000-07:00

street scene 2008! wah whoo!

tv music

2008-09-18T23:05:00.000-07:00

i'm getting tired hearing my favorite tunes of now on todays primetime dramadies...i don't know what it is...i'm not angry at the artists cause they're doing their thing (makin more money than I am) but I just feel dirty to their mainstream success...indifference!

Devotchka (09-16-08) @ The El Rey

2008-09-18T02:13:00.000-07:00

Devotchka brought much of the soundtrack and score to the not so small indie film called Little Miss Sunshine equals great. Devotchka at Lollapolooza in Grant Park equals great. Devotchka at the El Rey equals well i have to think about this one. on the eve of the concert i was stricken with bad karma in the form of a terrible stomach sadness. so during the concert i think my mind was on something else mainly cause of a childhood fear of public restrooms...which has carried throughout my young adult life...which is probably something freudian in which i cannot explain or even understand.

most of my favorite devotchka tunes comes from the little miss sunshine soundtrack probably because i had already a visual (i've already decided on a future post about movie soundtracks - "the winner is" from little miss sunshine is one of my favorites)

i could see myself on an edge somewhere that looks beyond into a vast land or city while listening to devotchka and all the problems and or worries are set aside and i'm allowed to enjoy life...

there were some great-like moments like the illuminated tuba, accordian, string quartet, trumpet, x and cirque du soliel performer. but overall the evening went to rupa and the april fishes. most of their songs, however, were in french so for all i know she sang of killing her dog and the infamous ninja cat. but it was still good music

i first heard of Rupa & the April Fishes at the skirball before a trip. i took the couple of songs that i had of rupa and i found myself at cafe du monde as the rain was pouring the coffee was enticing and the beignets frying and played this song multiple times...

une américaine à paris by rupa marya
il y avait quelque jours en silence
j’ai pas dit un mot
et puis je t’ai rencontré ici à paris
assis près de moi dans un bistro
tu viens d’algiers
et moi je viens de san Francisco
un monde entre nous
tu m’as demandé
t’as pas peur être américaine
ici à paris
avec tous ces arabs fâchés
j’ai dit non, je ne suis pas américaine
tu n’es past arab et nous ne sommes pas à paris
un monde fou entre nous
qu’est que tu pense de tout cela?
de tous ces histories?
les histories nous rendent foux
t’as voulu prendre ton photo avec moi
j’ai dit non merci, pas de photo
je préfère la vie
je ne suis pas américaine
tu n’es past arab et nous ne sommes pas à paris
nous sommes dans la vie
un monde fou entre nous

an american in paris by rupa marya (english version)
there were a few silent days
i didn’t say a word
and then i met you here in paris
sitting next to me in a bistro
you come from Algiers
i come from san francisco
a world between us
you asked me
aren’t you afraid to be an american in paris
with all these angry arabs?
i said no. i’m not an american
you are not an arab and we are not in paris
a crazy world between us
what do you think of all of this?
what do you think of these stories?
these stories make us crazy
you asked me if you could a photo with me
i said no thank you, no photo, i prefer life
i’m not an american, you are not an arab
we are not in paris, we are in life
a crazy world between us

enjoy the music.

Make A Wish Foundation Night @ Safari Sam's

2008-09-15T00:23:00.000-07:00

Turning Toward The Sun
An Evening of Music and Entertainment
Entertainment:
jugglers, balloon artists, a silent auction, and a top shelf bar.

Music:

Brandon Schott w/ String Quartet
Just Off Turner
Moving Picture Show

The Moving Picture Show:

the highlight of their performance: the marching band p-e-r-i-o-d.

i even won a bid for an ink piece called, "Owls."

in Los Angeles one wish is granted everyday through the make a wish foundation. take a moment make a wish and a year from the date of this post it should be accomplished..you have no other reason but your own fears which you can conquer.

enjoy the music.

Music Search Engines...illegal?.

2008-09-14T17:44:00.000-07:00

as you can see i've been a fan of the seeqpod.com music search engine...one could easily search and embed audio and video files onto their blog....here's a list of search engines:

1. Seeqpod
2. Jogli *a new fave
3. Playlist
4. Songza
5. Pandora
6. Mixwit Create a Mix Tape!

i'm not too sure of the laws...as in most cases the laws are too confusing and vague that i have no idea if it pertains to me or not..they use such big words...only until i'm in trouble do find out what the law is...ask me no questions and i'll tell you no lies...

enjoy the music.

N.E.R.D. (09-02-08) @ Courtyard of the Building

2008-09-14T17:40:00.000-07:00

a free performance brought to me by the company once called "movie time" free drinks, food, and music...who could ask for anything more? well, a working car audio system for one..but enough about me and more about N.E.R.D., please.

suppose to be this summer's thong song but i haven't been hittin the discothèque as much so i wouldn't know but it is catchy and i don't mind catching it live. at one point girls were brought up to the stage shakin their moneymakers as i went to the bathroom...it was weird...i had fun and who knew you can macgyver your way to a good time in other words all you need is green paper, a green highlighter, some tape and you're good to go. see you next year!

enjoy the music.

The L.A. Dog and Pony Show

In the End, All We Have Is the Truth.

WeeK 23: 2010 Resolution.

WeeK 22: 2010 Resolution.

Dragonette @ The Echo (05/26/10)

WEEK 21: 2010 Resolution.

WEEK 20: 2010 Resolution.

1,2,3 @ The Silverlake Lounge and The Like @ The Echo (05/10/10)

WEEK 19: 2010 Resolution.

WEEK 18: 2010 Resolution.

WEEK 17: 2010 Resolution.

WEEK 16: 2010 Resolution. *A Marriage Celebration Edition*

Mr. Gnome @ Silverlake Lounge (04/20/10)

WEEK 15: 2010 Resolution.

Vampire Weekend @ The Fox Theater (04/14/10)

Honeyhoney @ The Hotel Cafe (04/08/10)

WEEK 14: 2010 Resolution.

Sour Mash Hug Band @ Silverlake Lounge (04/01/10)

WEEK 13: 2010 Resolution.

YACHT @ Echoplex (03/26/10)

The Living Sisters, She & Him @ The El Rey Theater (03/25/10)

WEEK 12: 2010 Resolution.

Freelance Whales, Bear in Heaven, Cymbals Eat Guitars @ The Echo (03/24/10)

The Crayon Fields, Washington, The Damn Sons, Seaspin @ Silverlake Lounge (03/15/10)

WEEK 11: 2010 Resolution.

WEEK 10: 2010 Resolution.

Class Actress, Dragonette, Little Boots @ The El Rey Theater (03/10/10)

Week 9: 2010 Resolution.

Week 8: 2010 Resolution.

Week 7: 2010 Resolution.

Fanfarlo @ The El Rey Theater (02/20/10)

Fanfarlo @ Amoeba Hollywood (02/18/10)

Old Man Markley @ The Echo (02/17/10)

Week 6: 2010 Resolution.

Nouvelle Vague w/ Soko @ The Music Box at Henry Fonda Theater (02/09/10)

deja vu

maybe someday

2010 Concert Calendar

Week 5: 2010 Resolution.

2010 Resolution: Learn the Uke: Status.

jasper

Week 4: 2010 Resolution.

it's a television commercial

2010 Resolution: 2. Learn the Uke.

Week 3: 2010 Resolution.

maybe someday

maybe someday

Week 2: 2010 Resolution.

Week 1: 2010 Resolution.

2010 RESOLUTION.

Resolution.

Noah And The Whale @ The Crocadile (10/24/09)

numbers

The Airborne Toxic Event @ The Walt Disney Concert Hall (12/04/09)

Fanfarlo @ The Echo (11/23/09)

Bouncing Souls @ The El Rey Theater (10/30/09)

Regina Spektor @ The Greek Theater (10/28/09)

Gossip @ The Henry Fonda Theater (10/26/09)

From Vancouver With Love (10/09)

Ladyhawke @ The Avalon (10/03/09)

The Get Up Kids @ The Avalon (09/24/09)

Soko @ The Bootleg Theater (09/22/09)

Phoenix @ The Greek Theater (09/16/09)

NICO VEGA @ The Roxy (09/08/09)

THE DUKE SPIRIT @ The El Rey Theater (09/01/09)

BAND OF SKULLS @ The El Rey Theater (09/01/09)

JJ GREY & MOFRO @ The El Rey Theater (08/28/09)

Philip Glass @ Hollywood Bowl (07/23/09)

Old Man Markley @ The Troubadour (06/26/09)

Nouvelle Vague @ The Henry Fonda Theater (06/20/09)

Camera Obscura @ The Henry Fonda Theater (06/11/09)

Metric @ The Wiltern (06/09/09)

Little Joy @ The Troubadour (06/05/09)

STAR LIGHT STAR BRIGHT: Glenn Miller

lyrics mashup of current playlist

Chris Cornell @ The Wiltern (05/03/09)

Black Kids/Mates of State @ The Glass House (04-24-09)

Stereo Total @ The El Rey Theater (April 04, 2009)

Gillian Welch & David Rawlings @ Largo (March 31, 2009)

Yelle @ The El Rey Theater (March 12, 2009)

WEEK 16: 2010 Resolution. A Marriage Celebration Edition