PASSION PIT PASSION PIT PASSION PIT PASSION PIT PASSION PIT

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

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)

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)

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

enjoy the music.

Volume 11 Chapter 11 Page 08

enjoy the music.

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

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

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

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

"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

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...

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

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

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

street scene 2008! wah whoo!

tv music

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

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

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?.

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

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.