Very, very few things surprise me anymore. The fact that every band that you know and like, that shouldn't necessarily exist within the world of Myspace will likely have a Myspace profile either run by the band themselves or, more often than not, run by a fan. For example. So I don't know why it surprised me just a little when I stumbled across the Myspace page for the band Cardinal.
It's not as if it's any more unusual for Cardinal to have a Myspace page dedicated to them than say Bubblegum Splash. However, I've never owned any recordings from Bubblegum Splash, and I learned of their existence through the internet. So Myspace has really been my only outlet for discovering that particular band's music. Cardinal on the other hand were recommended to me by a real live person who is much more knowledgeable than I am, and whose taste in music I regard more highly than well, anybody really. Thanks to the most convenient location of this conversation (the KCRW music library) we were able to listen to the record right then and there. I was struck then by how specifically place and time it felt. Though it was released in 1994, it didn't feel like a record that was released in 1994, and the clever 60s pop style that it encompasses is probably one of the last things that would spring to your mind when you think of music and 1994. However, I feel that if I had been in college that year, and had discovered that record I probably would have listened to it, and nothing else until I wore out at least two copies (more likely three) blasting it day in and day out on my walkman. In fact when I listen to it now on my ipod, I still feel as though those sounds are emerging from a portable cassette player, and not a computer.
But we live in a time now when everything is on a computer. As much as I was struck by the sheer beauty and complexity of the record, (those harmonies, those lyrics, those guitars, those trumpets, those... harmonies...) at the exact same time I had frighteningly easy access to at least 12 new (to me) records that I was falling in love with almost as much as that one. Even as I knew that had I discovered Cardinal in another time period I would have listened to that record and nothing else, I also knew that because of the time that I did discover it in the phase of listening to that record day in and day out wouldn't last nearly as long as it should have.
There is also the fact that I have not yet found the time to really get into any projects (Richard Davies, and Eric Matthew's solo work most glaringly) that preceded or followed Cardinal that allows that band to be even more specific to me. One band who made one perfect record, who basically only existed within the span of one year. Therefore though their Myspace page doesn't really surprise me in the long run, for that first moment it did. Even though somewhat ironically, it was the discovery of that Myspace page that led to the record accompanying every walk that I took during that week. Like it was 1994, and it was the only record I cared to know about, and it would never leave my walkman, ever.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
See Her Runing Around She's The Girl About Town That You (Probably Haven't) Heard Of 2/12- 2/17
I realize that noon on a Tuesday is a bit illogical of a time to be posting a concert calendar that for all intents and purposes SHOULD be ready to go first thing Monday morning. This is what happens when one gets distracted by lovely Sunday afternoon things, and distracted by the promise of being wowed by Kid Congo at The Echo on Sunday night, and that same person has to make it to Santa Monica from Echo Park by nine the next morning. People like that seem to forget how very little brain function these things leave them with on Mondays. Next week will be better, I promise. I trust that you still defer to him, him, him, this guy, these fine folks... right?
TUESDAY 2/12:
Versa Vice, She's Your Sister, Sumo, and The Black Tales at The Silverlake Lounge
Talkdemonic, and Guam at Spaceland
The Bombs, We Are Good Friends, El Paso Hot Button, and Gravity Propulsion System at The Scene
Rufus Wainwright at The Wiltern
Dublab and Part Time Punks Present "Give Up," and/or a Sad, Slow Dance party at La Cita.
I simply cannot get past my excitement over the fact that for once this "Give Up" night is NOT opposite Radio Free Silver Lake's Let's Independent.
Prepare yourself for Valentine's Day in the proper style by dancing and crying (also, I'm imagining, falling and laughing...) here:
WEDNESDAY 2/13:
The Weather Underground, and Free Moral Agents at The Silverlake Lounge
Andre Williams, and The Flash Express at Spaceland
I Make This Sound, The Breakups, The Amateurs, and Le Switch at The Echo
Wonderground, Brian Wright, Ferraby Lionheart, Cory Branan, and Hayes Carll at The Hotel Cafe
Darkest Hour at The Roxy
It's been a while since I've made it to a Le Switch show, and I feel like I might start going through withdrawl soon. I've heard very nice things about the rest of the bands that are joining them at the Echo as well. The show is I Make This Sound's EP release party. The fact that they're in such good company speaks well for them. I hope I'll be able to make it to this one.
THURSDAY 2/14:
The Black Lips, Pierced Arrows, and Terrible Twos at El Rey Theatre
Was Not Was, Brian Wilson, and Kris Kristofferson at The Orpheum Theatre
Matt Hopper, The Old Believers, and The Meemies at Pehrspace
The Entrance Band, Warpaint, Golden Animals, Ben Goodman & Alina Hardin, and Dionysus at The Silverlake Lounge
Mellowdrone at Spaceland
Echo Park Records presents: Very Be Careful, Paul Devro, Dam Funk, and Grupo Fantasma at The Echoplex
Darkest Hour, Cephalic Carnage, Emmure, Enter Shikari, White Chapel at The Glass House (Pomona)
Blood Red Orchestra, The Front, The Monolators, and Joshua Lanes at The Prospector (Long Beach)
LOT's to do tonight if you're single or not the "nice, quiet, romantic dinner with my sweetheart type of couple." As cool as that Was Not Was thing with Brian Wilson and Kris Kristofferson at the Orpheum sounds, it also sounds exspensive. This thing that the L.A. Record is presenting at the Cha Cha Lounge sounds awesome though. Always nice to see Jax on the ones and twos as well:
FRIDAY 2/15:
Siouxsie Sioux, and Rasputina at The Henry Fonda Theater
Nikki Corvette, The Dazes, Wild Weekend, Thee Cormans, and Jail Weddings at Mr. T's Bowl
Stepsonday, Good on Paper, and The Health Club at Pehrspace
St. Vincent, and Foreign Born at The Echoplex
Grand Ole Party, and Love Grenades at The Echo
Cobra Starship, Metro Station, We the Kings, and The Cab at The Glass House (Pomona)
GoGo Simba, OVO, Dim Rocket Delta, and Hundreds & Thousands at The Smell
DJ Shadow, and Cut Chemist at The Wiltern
We squaregirls do love the Health Club, and we love Pehrspace just as much so I can tell you that this would for sure be an excellent way to spend your Friday night. However, with St. Vincent at the Echoplex I have to give a slight advantage to the touring band. Her live show is quite amazing.
SATURDAY 2/16:
Siouxsie Sioux, and Rasputina at The Henry Fonda Theater
Deke Dickerson's All Star Frat Band, Th' Losin' Streaks, The Okmoniks, The Jinxes, The Lateenos Special Ed, and The Del Lames at Mr. T's Bowl
Liam Finn, Rocco Deluca, and Nico Stai at Spaceland
Echo Park Records presents: Arabian Prince, Glass Candy, Guns and Bombs, Los Super Elegantes, DJ avi$, and DJ Appaloosa at The Echoplex
Hang the DJs w/ The War Tapes, and Spider Problem at the Echo
Le Face, Vomit Bomb, Bad Parents, and Pukers at The Smell
Cobra Starship, Metro Station, We the Kings, and The Cab at The Troubadour (SOLD OUT)
I just realized that I've only ever heard good things about Hang the DJs, but have never been to one of their nights, and I very much want to check out Spider Problem cause what I've heard online sounds cool, and the Echo is always great so...
SUNDAY 2/17:
The A-Bones, Rock N Roll Adventure Kids, Haunted George, The Guilty Hearts, Les Hormones, and Wounded Lion at Mr. T's Bowl
Electrocute, and Har Mar Superstar at Spaceland
Alex and Sam, Rachel Cantu, Dustin Boyer at Tangier
Baby D, and BARR at The Echo
I.E., Flaspar, Teppop, Fortress of Amplitude, and Human Hands at The Smell
Part Time Punks: Smiths Nite at The Echo
Squaregirl Kristen said that she really liked Alex & Sam when she saw them a few months ago. Funny too, that Part Time Punks latest Smiths night happens to fall on Valentine's Day week. I've always maintained that there should be a counter holiday to Valentine's Day, and that the only logical name for this holiday would be St. Morrisey's Day...
TUESDAY 2/12:
Versa Vice, She's Your Sister, Sumo, and The Black Tales at The Silverlake Lounge
Talkdemonic, and Guam at Spaceland
The Bombs, We Are Good Friends, El Paso Hot Button, and Gravity Propulsion System at The Scene
Rufus Wainwright at The Wiltern
Dublab and Part Time Punks Present "Give Up," and/or a Sad, Slow Dance party at La Cita.
I simply cannot get past my excitement over the fact that for once this "Give Up" night is NOT opposite Radio Free Silver Lake's Let's Independent.
Prepare yourself for Valentine's Day in the proper style by dancing and crying (also, I'm imagining, falling and laughing...) here:
WEDNESDAY 2/13:
The Weather Underground, and Free Moral Agents at The Silverlake Lounge
Andre Williams, and The Flash Express at Spaceland
I Make This Sound, The Breakups, The Amateurs, and Le Switch at The Echo
Wonderground, Brian Wright, Ferraby Lionheart, Cory Branan, and Hayes Carll at The Hotel Cafe
Darkest Hour at The Roxy
It's been a while since I've made it to a Le Switch show, and I feel like I might start going through withdrawl soon. I've heard very nice things about the rest of the bands that are joining them at the Echo as well. The show is I Make This Sound's EP release party. The fact that they're in such good company speaks well for them. I hope I'll be able to make it to this one.
THURSDAY 2/14:
The Black Lips, Pierced Arrows, and Terrible Twos at El Rey Theatre
Was Not Was, Brian Wilson, and Kris Kristofferson at The Orpheum Theatre
Matt Hopper, The Old Believers, and The Meemies at Pehrspace
The Entrance Band, Warpaint, Golden Animals, Ben Goodman & Alina Hardin, and Dionysus at The Silverlake Lounge
Mellowdrone at Spaceland
Echo Park Records presents: Very Be Careful, Paul Devro, Dam Funk, and Grupo Fantasma at The Echoplex
Darkest Hour, Cephalic Carnage, Emmure, Enter Shikari, White Chapel at The Glass House (Pomona)
Blood Red Orchestra, The Front, The Monolators, and Joshua Lanes at The Prospector (Long Beach)
LOT's to do tonight if you're single or not the "nice, quiet, romantic dinner with my sweetheart type of couple." As cool as that Was Not Was thing with Brian Wilson and Kris Kristofferson at the Orpheum sounds, it also sounds exspensive. This thing that the L.A. Record is presenting at the Cha Cha Lounge sounds awesome though. Always nice to see Jax on the ones and twos as well:
FRIDAY 2/15:
Siouxsie Sioux, and Rasputina at The Henry Fonda Theater
Nikki Corvette, The Dazes, Wild Weekend, Thee Cormans, and Jail Weddings at Mr. T's Bowl
Stepsonday, Good on Paper, and The Health Club at Pehrspace
St. Vincent, and Foreign Born at The Echoplex
Grand Ole Party, and Love Grenades at The Echo
Cobra Starship, Metro Station, We the Kings, and The Cab at The Glass House (Pomona)
GoGo Simba, OVO, Dim Rocket Delta, and Hundreds & Thousands at The Smell
DJ Shadow, and Cut Chemist at The Wiltern
We squaregirls do love the Health Club, and we love Pehrspace just as much so I can tell you that this would for sure be an excellent way to spend your Friday night. However, with St. Vincent at the Echoplex I have to give a slight advantage to the touring band. Her live show is quite amazing.
SATURDAY 2/16:
Siouxsie Sioux, and Rasputina at The Henry Fonda Theater
Deke Dickerson's All Star Frat Band, Th' Losin' Streaks, The Okmoniks, The Jinxes, The Lateenos Special Ed, and The Del Lames at Mr. T's Bowl
Liam Finn, Rocco Deluca, and Nico Stai at Spaceland
Echo Park Records presents: Arabian Prince, Glass Candy, Guns and Bombs, Los Super Elegantes, DJ avi$, and DJ Appaloosa at The Echoplex
Hang the DJs w/ The War Tapes, and Spider Problem at the Echo
Le Face, Vomit Bomb, Bad Parents, and Pukers at The Smell
Cobra Starship, Metro Station, We the Kings, and The Cab at The Troubadour (SOLD OUT)
I just realized that I've only ever heard good things about Hang the DJs, but have never been to one of their nights, and I very much want to check out Spider Problem cause what I've heard online sounds cool, and the Echo is always great so...
SUNDAY 2/17:
The A-Bones, Rock N Roll Adventure Kids, Haunted George, The Guilty Hearts, Les Hormones, and Wounded Lion at Mr. T's Bowl
Electrocute, and Har Mar Superstar at Spaceland
Alex and Sam, Rachel Cantu, Dustin Boyer at Tangier
Baby D, and BARR at The Echo
I.E., Flaspar, Teppop, Fortress of Amplitude, and Human Hands at The Smell
Part Time Punks: Smiths Nite at The Echo
Squaregirl Kristen said that she really liked Alex & Sam when she saw them a few months ago. Funny too, that Part Time Punks latest Smiths night happens to fall on Valentine's Day week. I've always maintained that there should be a counter holiday to Valentine's Day, and that the only logical name for this holiday would be St. Morrisey's Day...
Friday, February 8, 2008
It Was the Record That You Needed to Complete your Pop Collection...
Slumberland Records has announced the first two singles that will be released as part of it's Searching For the Now series! You might remember that I've been looking forward to the start of this series for quite some time now. So finding that email waiting for me the other day was too exciting for words. I should have written something about it sooner, but things have gotten slightly busy lining up future squaregirls nights, plus that whole real job thing...
With that said, I'll keep this post brief. Here is an excerpt from the email I received from Slumberland:
"Folks-
The first two singles in our Searching For The Now series are finally almost here.
Volume One has songs from The Company (featuring Roy Moller and Stevie Jackson) and The Hermit Crabs.
Volume Two features Bye! (Archie from Velocity Girl and friends) and The Happy Couple.
Both singles are on color vinyl and come in full color jackets. They're out February 18th, but you can pre-order until then and get the pair for $7.00, postage-paid in the US."
Seems like an unbelievable deal to me. And I have to say, I'm freaking out just a little over the idea of finally having a tangible recorded object from Bye!. I've been wearing those myspace tracks out for the past 4 or 5 months since the endlessly cool, and always in the know Imaginary Liz alerted me to the existence of the project.
Information about ordering the singles can be found here.
With that said, I'll keep this post brief. Here is an excerpt from the email I received from Slumberland:
"Folks-
The first two singles in our Searching For The Now series are finally almost here.
Volume One has songs from The Company (featuring Roy Moller and Stevie Jackson) and The Hermit Crabs.
Volume Two features Bye! (Archie from Velocity Girl and friends) and The Happy Couple.
Both singles are on color vinyl and come in full color jackets. They're out February 18th, but you can pre-order until then and get the pair for $7.00, postage-paid in the US."
Seems like an unbelievable deal to me. And I have to say, I'm freaking out just a little over the idea of finally having a tangible recorded object from Bye!. I've been wearing those myspace tracks out for the past 4 or 5 months since the endlessly cool, and always in the know Imaginary Liz alerted me to the existence of the project.
Information about ordering the singles can be found here.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Just Look at the Size of You...
I spend, oh probably more time than I should volunteering for things. These things are mostly (read: pretty much all) music related. The one particular head scratcher for people is my time spent on the Barsuk Street Team. One of my long time favorite (active) labels, Barsuk has been something that I've contributed to for about a year and a half now. In fact I probably owe most of my being able to shake off the social anxiety, stand alone at shows in this slightly intimidating neighborhood, and actually talk to people who are much cooler than me to my status with the Barsuk Street Team and the late (sniff) Sea Level Records. However, that is another story.
Generally though, what I hear when I tell people that I volunteer my time to hang posters for a record label is this, "They don't even give you gas money?" To which I say, "No I get free cds and access to guest list privileges for any of their band's shows." They then look at me like I am insane. Truth be told I sometimes feel insane for devoting so much time to a non-paid service myself. Especially since I set my own work hours, tend to be very lazy, and often do street team stuff when I should be working on projects that I am getting paid for.
Then I find myself in a situation like the one that I found myself in on Monday night, and I realize that it is all so very worth it. So very, very worth it. I was asked to help work the door at an extraordinarily intimate acoustic Nada Surf show. It was mostly for music supervisors so my job was essentially to drive Nada Surf's bass player Daniel back to their hotel so that he could pick up his laptop, check in the 30 or so people that were on the guest list, then watch what is certainly the best show that I've seen so far this year. Of course, that's an easy call since we are only a month into 2008. However, I think this one will stay pretty high up there as the year carries on.
Let's start with the sound in this room. It's a tiny space tucked away in Beverly Hills that serves as a show room for Gibson guitars so automatically you know that this is a place is designed to make music sound good. The equipment must have been top of the line because everything sounded so pure, and all of the levels were perfect. Of course it always helps if the band in possession of all these advantages is already a top notch band. Nada Surf are plenty more than just a top notch band. I've long been in awe of how they pull off their perfectly constructed, filled to capacity, but never over the top pop songs. How well written these songs are both lyrically, and musically. The fact that they feel immediately familiar, but never predictable. And those harmonies, oh wow those harmonies. If Nada Surf were one of those bands that only worked in a studio setting one would likely be able to forgive them. I'm not a musician, but I can imagine that it's virtually impossible to pull off that kind of pop song as impeccably in a live setting. Nada Surf do. Of course nothing sounded just like it does on record, this being a relatively stripped down set and all. Somehow that made it even more impressive. They had a cellist join them who played the most interesting looking cello that I've ever seen. It was made almost entirely out of metal, and had essentially no body, just a long neck, and a stand. I would say it was the coolest instrument of the night. However drummer Ira Elliott was sitting on, and playing a very nifty Afro-Peruvian instrument called a cajon which is essentially a box that you can play like a drum! Imagine someone playing the bongos, if that person were actually sitting on the bongos, and if the bongos sounded more like a snare drum. He also made a makeshift kick drum by wearing a tambourine around his foot. I would say that's seriously fucking innovative, but I get a sneaking suspicion that this is a secret that a lot of drummers are in on. Me? I'm not a drummer so I thought it was cool (and seriously fucking innovative.) Daniel Lorca, and Matthew Caws stuck to standard bass and guitar respectively. Everything sounded great. They mostly played songs from the new album (which is still my favorite of 2008 so far by the way) as the crowd was mostly made up of music supervisors, and the point of the evening was mostly have the new songs heard by the people who will put the songs in the commercials. And the songs should be in the commercials. One of three non new album songs was actually their relatively big 90s single "Popular," which was introduced as "So this evening is 98% fun, 2% something else cause we got a call from our manager the other day saying um, at that show in L.A. could you guys play Popular, and remind them that it's never been licensed..." So they were incredible sports and launched into the distorted guitars, wry spoken word lyrics, and just overall NINETIESNESS of it all. And they did commit, I will give them that... And the thirteen year old girl part of me was kind of into it, you shouldn't give me that...
They closed the night on the more serious note of new album opener, "See These Bones." Shockingly enough where I would have expected an entire roomful of jaded, arm- folded, hip people clapping politely after this, I instead heard cheers, and saw that most everyone was smiling. If that doesn't offer you enough proof of their overwhelming goodness, I don't know what possibly could.
Generally though, what I hear when I tell people that I volunteer my time to hang posters for a record label is this, "They don't even give you gas money?" To which I say, "No I get free cds and access to guest list privileges for any of their band's shows." They then look at me like I am insane. Truth be told I sometimes feel insane for devoting so much time to a non-paid service myself. Especially since I set my own work hours, tend to be very lazy, and often do street team stuff when I should be working on projects that I am getting paid for.
Then I find myself in a situation like the one that I found myself in on Monday night, and I realize that it is all so very worth it. So very, very worth it. I was asked to help work the door at an extraordinarily intimate acoustic Nada Surf show. It was mostly for music supervisors so my job was essentially to drive Nada Surf's bass player Daniel back to their hotel so that he could pick up his laptop, check in the 30 or so people that were on the guest list, then watch what is certainly the best show that I've seen so far this year. Of course, that's an easy call since we are only a month into 2008. However, I think this one will stay pretty high up there as the year carries on.
Let's start with the sound in this room. It's a tiny space tucked away in Beverly Hills that serves as a show room for Gibson guitars so automatically you know that this is a place is designed to make music sound good. The equipment must have been top of the line because everything sounded so pure, and all of the levels were perfect. Of course it always helps if the band in possession of all these advantages is already a top notch band. Nada Surf are plenty more than just a top notch band. I've long been in awe of how they pull off their perfectly constructed, filled to capacity, but never over the top pop songs. How well written these songs are both lyrically, and musically. The fact that they feel immediately familiar, but never predictable. And those harmonies, oh wow those harmonies. If Nada Surf were one of those bands that only worked in a studio setting one would likely be able to forgive them. I'm not a musician, but I can imagine that it's virtually impossible to pull off that kind of pop song as impeccably in a live setting. Nada Surf do. Of course nothing sounded just like it does on record, this being a relatively stripped down set and all. Somehow that made it even more impressive. They had a cellist join them who played the most interesting looking cello that I've ever seen. It was made almost entirely out of metal, and had essentially no body, just a long neck, and a stand. I would say it was the coolest instrument of the night. However drummer Ira Elliott was sitting on, and playing a very nifty Afro-Peruvian instrument called a cajon which is essentially a box that you can play like a drum! Imagine someone playing the bongos, if that person were actually sitting on the bongos, and if the bongos sounded more like a snare drum. He also made a makeshift kick drum by wearing a tambourine around his foot. I would say that's seriously fucking innovative, but I get a sneaking suspicion that this is a secret that a lot of drummers are in on. Me? I'm not a drummer so I thought it was cool (and seriously fucking innovative.) Daniel Lorca, and Matthew Caws stuck to standard bass and guitar respectively. Everything sounded great. They mostly played songs from the new album (which is still my favorite of 2008 so far by the way) as the crowd was mostly made up of music supervisors, and the point of the evening was mostly have the new songs heard by the people who will put the songs in the commercials. And the songs should be in the commercials. One of three non new album songs was actually their relatively big 90s single "Popular," which was introduced as "So this evening is 98% fun, 2% something else cause we got a call from our manager the other day saying um, at that show in L.A. could you guys play Popular, and remind them that it's never been licensed..." So they were incredible sports and launched into the distorted guitars, wry spoken word lyrics, and just overall NINETIESNESS of it all. And they did commit, I will give them that... And the thirteen year old girl part of me was kind of into it, you shouldn't give me that...
They closed the night on the more serious note of new album opener, "See These Bones." Shockingly enough where I would have expected an entire roomful of jaded, arm- folded, hip people clapping politely after this, I instead heard cheers, and saw that most everyone was smiling. If that doesn't offer you enough proof of their overwhelming goodness, I don't know what possibly could.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
See Her Runing Around She's The Girl About Town That You (Probably Haven't) Heard Of 2/5- 2/10
Hello, I hope you are all easing back into the working week as well as can be expected. I'm off to work myself in a matter of moments. Before I leave though, here is what I was able to find in terms of rock shows happening this week. Once again, please take what I say with a grain of salt. And always refer to this guy.
TUESDAY 2/05:
Dead Meadow, Midnight Movies, and The Great Northwest at The Echoplex
Blue Cheer, and Sea of Air at The Knitting Factory
Black Mountain, and Howlin' Rain at The Troubadour
There sure do seem to be a lot of people out there who love Black Mountain. I know Midnight Movies have undergone some line up changes since the last time I saw them. However, I'm going to venture a guess that they are still compelling as fuck, and they are playing with Dead Meadow about whom I've heard very good things.
WEDNESDAY 2/06:
Gran Ronde, Bloodcat Love, War Tapes, and Big Bang at Bordello
An Aquarium Drunkard Presents The World Record, The Weather Underground, Le Switch, Frankel, Blair at The Silverlake Lounge
Club NME at Spaceland with Ungdomskulen, and Minipop
Bedouin Soundclash, Westbound Train, and Beat Union at The Knitting Factory
Have I ever mentioned here that I adore Le Switch? Because for some reason, I'm just not sure if I've mentioned it enough...
THURSDAY 2/07:
The Entrance Band, Tweak Bird, and Mountain Party at the Silverlake Lounge
Blood on the Wall, and Afternoons at Spaceland
The Lilys, and Ladies & Gents at The Echo
Pinback, and MC Chris at The Glass House (Pomona)
People Noise (ex-VHS or Beta), Azure Down, and Crystal Antlers at The Prospector (Long Beach)
The Kooks at the Troubadour- SOLD OUT
The Lilys were too good for words when I saw them at Spaceland back in December. Do try to see them if you can.
FRIDAY 2/08:
Huntsville, Majestys, Sundowner, Chelsea Trash, and Musec at Mr. T's Bowl
Super Furry Animals, Holy Fuck at The Echoplex
The Kooks, Morning Benders at The Echo
Rumspringa, Halloween Swim Team, Bad Dudes, and Pocket Rockets at The Smell
Rhett Miller, and Jennifer O'Connor at The Troubadour
I still haven't seen Rumspringa much to the chagrin of several friends of mine, and if Halloween Swim Team are the band that I am thinking of I heard a song of theirs on KXLU several years ago and loved it. Listening now on myspace right now, I think it was. Friday night at the Smell anyone?
SATURDAY 2/09:
Check Yo' Ponytail with Mixhell, Data, My!Gay!Husband!, Frankie Chan, and Paparazzi at The Echo
El Tambor at The Echoplex
The Black Lips, Pierced Arrows, Japanese Motors at The Glass House (Pomona)
Crystal Antlers, Candy Apple, The Balloon at The Scene
We Be The Echo, Totally Serious, BiPolar Bear, Tremellow at The Smell
Editors at The Wiltern
Robyn at The Troubadour- SOLD OUT
Um... It seems like I've heard good things about Crystal Antlers, and the squaregirls do love, love, love The Scene.
SUNDAY 2/10:
Editors at The House Of Blues Anaheim
Electrocute, The Lady Tigra, B.R.A.M., and ARP at Spaceland
People Noise (ex-VHS or Beta), Casket Salesmen, The Prisoner Dilemma, Jupiter at The Glass House (Pomona)
Part Time Punks with Kid Congo Powers at the Echo
If Part Time Punks isn't already your default Sunday night plan, you should make it so...
TUESDAY 2/05:
Dead Meadow, Midnight Movies, and The Great Northwest at The Echoplex
Blue Cheer, and Sea of Air at The Knitting Factory
Black Mountain, and Howlin' Rain at The Troubadour
There sure do seem to be a lot of people out there who love Black Mountain. I know Midnight Movies have undergone some line up changes since the last time I saw them. However, I'm going to venture a guess that they are still compelling as fuck, and they are playing with Dead Meadow about whom I've heard very good things.
WEDNESDAY 2/06:
Gran Ronde, Bloodcat Love, War Tapes, and Big Bang at Bordello
An Aquarium Drunkard Presents The World Record, The Weather Underground, Le Switch, Frankel, Blair at The Silverlake Lounge
Club NME at Spaceland with Ungdomskulen, and Minipop
Bedouin Soundclash, Westbound Train, and Beat Union at The Knitting Factory
Have I ever mentioned here that I adore Le Switch? Because for some reason, I'm just not sure if I've mentioned it enough...
THURSDAY 2/07:
The Entrance Band, Tweak Bird, and Mountain Party at the Silverlake Lounge
Blood on the Wall, and Afternoons at Spaceland
The Lilys, and Ladies & Gents at The Echo
Pinback, and MC Chris at The Glass House (Pomona)
People Noise (ex-VHS or Beta), Azure Down, and Crystal Antlers at The Prospector (Long Beach)
The Kooks at the Troubadour- SOLD OUT
The Lilys were too good for words when I saw them at Spaceland back in December. Do try to see them if you can.
FRIDAY 2/08:
Huntsville, Majestys, Sundowner, Chelsea Trash, and Musec at Mr. T's Bowl
Super Furry Animals, Holy Fuck at The Echoplex
The Kooks, Morning Benders at The Echo
Rumspringa, Halloween Swim Team, Bad Dudes, and Pocket Rockets at The Smell
Rhett Miller, and Jennifer O'Connor at The Troubadour
I still haven't seen Rumspringa much to the chagrin of several friends of mine, and if Halloween Swim Team are the band that I am thinking of I heard a song of theirs on KXLU several years ago and loved it. Listening now on myspace right now, I think it was. Friday night at the Smell anyone?
SATURDAY 2/09:
Check Yo' Ponytail with Mixhell, Data, My!Gay!Husband!, Frankie Chan, and Paparazzi at The Echo
El Tambor at The Echoplex
The Black Lips, Pierced Arrows, Japanese Motors at The Glass House (Pomona)
Crystal Antlers, Candy Apple, The Balloon at The Scene
We Be The Echo, Totally Serious, BiPolar Bear, Tremellow at The Smell
Editors at The Wiltern
Robyn at The Troubadour- SOLD OUT
Um... It seems like I've heard good things about Crystal Antlers, and the squaregirls do love, love, love The Scene.
SUNDAY 2/10:
Editors at The House Of Blues Anaheim
Electrocute, The Lady Tigra, B.R.A.M., and ARP at Spaceland
People Noise (ex-VHS or Beta), Casket Salesmen, The Prisoner Dilemma, Jupiter at The Glass House (Pomona)
Part Time Punks with Kid Congo Powers at the Echo
If Part Time Punks isn't already your default Sunday night plan, you should make it so...
Monday, February 4, 2008
I Wonder What You Dream About...
At the risk of sounding incredibly cheesy, I dream about pop nights like the one that we were able to put together last night at The Scene. This one was quite near and dear to my heart as I was finally able to book two of my very favorite local (well one local, one almost local) iniepop bands The Tartans, and Maria. I know I talk about the Tartans and Maria ad nauseum around these parts, but I really can't stress enough how amazing these two bands are. Last night they were able to wow me even further. I'll never understand how bands are able to do this, but I will not question it. Murder Mystery drove to us all the way from New York (making a few stops along the way of course,) and were a tremendous amount of fun. They won more than a few new fans, and considerably upped the squaregirls' pre- existing considerable fandom. They also (in what I can only hope will be a new Sunday night tradition) covered an Orange Juice song. This time around it was "Poor Old Soul." Swoon. As for my contribution to the evening, I will never get past the giddy feeling that comes from playing Black Tambourine, Pop Will Eat Itself, The June Brides, etc. to people who get just as excited about hearing Black Tambourine, Pop Will Eat Itself, the June Brides, etc. played loudly through club speakers as I do. I'm always surprised to find that these people exist in Los Angeles, but well, I'm simply thrilled (honey) that they do. And Brian from the Tartans rocked it so hard during his guest DJ set, I'm not actually sure that I'm worthy to so much as speak to him again until my own skills in that department improve drastically. As always, we could not possibly be any more grateful to everyone who came out, and enjoyed the bands with us. You seriously made our month!
I've got a lot of work to catch up on today, so I won't have time to post the full concert rundown for the week until tomorrow. Here are the options for tonight (Monday,) and boy are there options...
The Karabal Nightlife, Kissing Cousins, & Sonadora at Bordello
Vampire Weekend at Amoeba Music
Henry Clay People, Coco B’s, Le Switch, & The Natural Disasters at The Echo
The Lynx Technique; Names in Vain; Jim, Son of James, & Johnny Mack at The Scene
Robert Francis, Jesse Denatale, & Dan Cranes at The Silver Lake Lounge
Icarus Line at The Viper Room
Hot Chip at The El Rey
KCRW Presents Rickie Lee Jones at Echoplex
Pinhead Gunpowder at The Troubadour
Sean Carnage Presents Foot Village, Carla Bozulich, Sonelle, Barry Conley, & Jeff Boynton at Pehrspace
The Pity Party, The Happy Hollows, Light FM, & Rademacher at Spaceland
It seems like there is something for nearly everyone tonight. If you happen to be planning to stop by Amoeba on your way home to buy some records resign yourself to parking far away, and fighting through a crowd. If you happen to be stopping by Amoeba on your way home from work to see Vampire Weekend, well resign yourself to parking far away and fighting through a crowd, but get there early so you'll be able to see! I've heard a lot of really good things about the Karabul Night Life's show they're at Bordello which is a nice place to spend some time, insane construction surrounding the general area aside. It's always possible to catch Rademacher and The Happy Hollows at Spaceland, then dash over to the Echo for the first night of The Henry Clay People's residency where Le Switch play as well. No my current jangle pop drunkenness has not made me forget my rock crush on Le Switch. Of course if venue hopping seems to daunting for you I should point out that The Natural Disasters are a lot of fun, and they join the Henry Clays, and Le Switch... It's also the first night of the Rickie Lee Jones residency at the Echoplex. Those shows are bound to be impressive.
I've got a lot of work to catch up on today, so I won't have time to post the full concert rundown for the week until tomorrow. Here are the options for tonight (Monday,) and boy are there options...
The Karabal Nightlife, Kissing Cousins, & Sonadora at Bordello
Vampire Weekend at Amoeba Music
Henry Clay People, Coco B’s, Le Switch, & The Natural Disasters at The Echo
The Lynx Technique; Names in Vain; Jim, Son of James, & Johnny Mack at The Scene
Robert Francis, Jesse Denatale, & Dan Cranes at The Silver Lake Lounge
Icarus Line at The Viper Room
Hot Chip at The El Rey
KCRW Presents Rickie Lee Jones at Echoplex
Pinhead Gunpowder at The Troubadour
Sean Carnage Presents Foot Village, Carla Bozulich, Sonelle, Barry Conley, & Jeff Boynton at Pehrspace
The Pity Party, The Happy Hollows, Light FM, & Rademacher at Spaceland
It seems like there is something for nearly everyone tonight. If you happen to be planning to stop by Amoeba on your way home to buy some records resign yourself to parking far away, and fighting through a crowd. If you happen to be stopping by Amoeba on your way home from work to see Vampire Weekend, well resign yourself to parking far away and fighting through a crowd, but get there early so you'll be able to see! I've heard a lot of really good things about the Karabul Night Life's show they're at Bordello which is a nice place to spend some time, insane construction surrounding the general area aside. It's always possible to catch Rademacher and The Happy Hollows at Spaceland, then dash over to the Echo for the first night of The Henry Clay People's residency where Le Switch play as well. No my current jangle pop drunkenness has not made me forget my rock crush on Le Switch. Of course if venue hopping seems to daunting for you I should point out that The Natural Disasters are a lot of fun, and they join the Henry Clays, and Le Switch... It's also the first night of the Rickie Lee Jones residency at the Echoplex. Those shows are bound to be impressive.
Friday, February 1, 2008
Listening Too Long To One Song: Tullycraft "Twee"
So, as part of my never ending quest to be a "real" DJ, I've lately been trying to stick to buying records on vinyl as much as possible. I've also been replacing a few cds or mp3s with with vinyl if seems like something that I just have to play at a Squaregirls night, and I just have to play it on vinyl. Take Tullycraft's Beat Surf Fun for example. I knew that I needed to play the song, "Twee," at some point during our night in February, and I knew that it would ultimately be so much more satisfying to have the actual record in my hand to release at just the right moment as opposed to simply holding the control record for Serato (which I'm eternally grateful for the existence of) and releasing an mp3. I'm not a complete vinyl purist, but some songs just have to come from a record. More often than not the records that I continually search for have to be found online. More often than not they have to be found through a specific record label's website. I knew all of these things when I decided to buy Beat Surf Fun. I bought it directly from Magic Marker Records. One thing that I didn't know in the process of all of this is exactly how cool the people at Magic Marker actually are. When I opened the box my eye immediately went to a small button that displayed the word, "TWEE," in big, colorful letters, I was hoping against all hope that it was the button that I thought it was. Sure enough, directly above the word, "TWEE," in much smaller lettering, were the words, "fuck me, i'm..."
I've never, at any point in time referred to Tullycraft as my favorite band, nor have I ever considered them to be my favorite band. Yet, in some strange way they are the band that when I listen to them, make me feel the most "myself." It's in the obscure references that I half get, but more so in the ones that I don't get right away because nine times out of ten I will hear about something weeks or months later, and realize that there is a line in a Tullycraft song about that thing, and I will smile because it makes me feel like I'm in on some great secret. Especially on a song like, "Twee." It seems that for the most part if anyone has a frame of reference for the term twee at all it will conjure up images of sad kids hiding underneath bowl haircuts who exist in their own little world that is made up entirely of songs about unrequited crushes, and tears, and the stars. What most people don't realize is just how defiant twee was (is) in the face of aggressive, predominately macho punk rock, glossy new wave, and/or the majority of what gets referred to as "indie" music these days. Tullycraft have managed to capture all of that defiance, all of the fun, and all of the slight silliness that is twee pop in (appropriately enough) in a three minute and twenty three second pop song. Compared to the production on any of their previous singles that hinted at capturing the same things, "Pop Songs Your New Boyfriend's Too Stupid to Know About," "Josie," "Look How We Killed the Riot Grrrls," (especially "Look How We Killed the Riot Grrrls,) "Twee," could seem over produced. However, it doesn't. Everything about this song simply sounds really fucking confident. From the New Order-esque guitar that kicks things off with a bang (it should also be pointed out that this is track one/ side one of Beat Surf Fun,) to the opening line, "Well She wakes up every morning to the sound of Sarah Records...," to the giddy chorus of "She said Hey, hey, hey won't you listen to me well you can keep the punk rock, rap, beats, and house, fuck me, I'm twee do do do do...," all the way through to then end when the same guitar part from the beginning picks you up and carries you off to the next song. Truly an anthem for every kid who never felt quite tough enough to be a punk, but who longed for something more than the cool detachment of most indie rock. There is a sound clip from an introduction of the band on a radio session included on their singles compilation that seems to sum things up pretty nicely, "Tullycraft from Seattle Washington, ready to pop you into submission." Are you ready?
You can download the song here
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