Triumphant. That is the word that comes to mind when I think about this dude’s music. An integral part of the Los Angeles music scene, Andy Clockwise Read the rest of this entry »
Nicole Simone : Download
February 23rd, 2010
First impressions matter. The softness, raspy and oh-so-sexy vibrancy that is Nicole Simone is captivating. Sweetly centered around her joyful, tender musings, acoustically, the girl can flat out seduce Read the rest of this entry »
Sons of August @ Old Towne Pub
January 12th, 2010
Sons of August is the latest band that I am enthusiastic about. Maybe it’s the melancholy mood I’ve been in lately or simply my love of a warm, sad love song, but Sons of August perfectly pulled my heartstrings. Read the rest of this entry »
Tristan Prettyman @ Hotel Cafe
April 10th, 2009
I arrived at Hotel Café to find the venue well populated and Tristan Prettyman up on stage, “…waste all my time…” with an acoustic guitar in hand and a percussionist sitting on top of a box, tapping it while hitting the tambourine with the left foot (I could not see his right foot, so I’m not sure what he was doing with it). The atmosphere was warm and inviting as she finished the song and began another, adding in a funny comment in between to warm up the audience further.
Her set included both new and old songs, all done acoustically and accompanied by the percussion instruments, which added life and dimension to Tristan’s set. Her voice played over the instrumentation, at times rough and raspy, other times even and controlled, the notes sometimes breaking into airy wisps. Depending on the mood of the song, she would take the low road, rumbling over the lyrics with deep emotion, or take the high road, skipping through the words with high emotion. In all cases Ms. Prettyman displayed her talent and experience, aware of how to please an audience and how to hold its attention.
The highlight of the performance was probably when Tristan did “the Speckled Frog Song,” a children’s counting tune that delighted many of the spectators with its audience participation feature. “Yum, yum!” everyone cried out, immediately followed by giggling as they realized they had just been reconnected with their childhoods, which in a 21+ club very rarely happens. But that was Tristan’s gift; her semi-self-conscious personal anecdotes tied the songs together while at the same time connecting herself with the audience. Overall it was a great performance, and Tristan really seemed to enjoy herself, basking in the dim red hue of the Hotel Café.
If you want to check out Tristan Prettyman for yourself, she will be performing at Hotel Café every Wednesday night this month, April 2009, don’t forget to bring your long lost childhood.
Mirch
www.loudvine.com
Asher Roth @ The Key Club
April 7th, 2009
The first time I heard the music of Asher Roth was last summer in Chicago. I was visiting some friends from high school who had been listening to the Atlanta rapper’s mixtape for a few weeks. Kyle, Bryan, and John were as White as their names sounded, but one couldn’t let the Kappa soccer apparel, Maxim magazines, and beat-up New Balances fool you- these pot heads could talk rap shop with the best of them. “Deej” (my high school nickname deriving from my former Disc Jockey profession) ” Deej, you need to be up on Asher Roth” Brian exclaimed “He’s out of Atlanta and has DJ Drama and Don Cannon doing his mixtape. It’s called The Green House Effect. Shit’s tuuiight.” Sure enough, quicker than you could say Body Tap I was listening to the latest playlist on my former classmate’s itunes- a sound that took me by surprise and disappointment at the same time. After about two and a half songs I had made my opinion about Asher Roth. “He sounds like Eminem” I said nonchalantly “And he raps about as well as him. I’ll have to look out for him.” That was it. Not much more crossed my mind about the up and coming rapper.
Tonight I am watching Asher Roth perform in front of a packed Key Club. The MC has come up a great deal since I first heard his name back in Illinois. His music has graced millions of youtube and itunes eyes and ears since my buddy Brian first googled his name- and yes, he still sounds a lot like that other rapper. Yet despite the comparisons and potential shallow adversities that the Southern rapper could face, Asher Roth seems to carry a confident demeanor (and dare I say swagger?) in front of the Los Angeles crowd tonight. “Big ups to unprotected random sex” Roth shares openly, “I know I’m not trying to be in relationship yet so, until then…wrap it up.” Roth has been extremely open and sharing with the crowd tonight. His outgoing and relaxed stage presence fits his well structured and punch-line filled rhymes perfectly. He’s currently on a majority of radio’s top 100 playlist with his hit single “I love College” a musical bait that seems to be sticking with a lot of people. His execution of keeping the party going from city to city is doing wonders for him, shutting the mouths of doubters and fence riders (not ashamed to say) like my self.
The twenty-three year old’s focus on partying, weed, sex and drinking are laced well with the promotion of positive thinking, peaceful spirits, and even being conscious of what you eat. Roth spit an acapella verse detailing his choice on healthy eating habits and raising awareness to what we feed our youth-not just in the food sense- and being sure to maintain the mental and physical stability of one’s self. His set showed the multi-dimensional Roth, the charming, witty, fun, storyteller that you can’t find on a mixtape. Or maybe you can, but pompous shmucks like me don’t get past the two and a half songs.
Watching Asher perform is like seeing a group of college buddies hanging out on the ninth floor of the dorm. Onstage, he’s barefoot in jeans and a plain white tee, dancing around to some old school tunes, then busting out the old school dances that go along with those tunes (Asher and his band mates paused briefly in the set to break into the choreography for Candy Rain) – it was like being at the house party with all your drunk homies; kicking it and good times. He even had time to showcase his DJ and drummer, solos that brought down the house with the Humpty Dance and a cover of N.E.R.D.’s Spaz. Los Angeles received Asher with open arms.
Beating the stereotypes, critics, and haters are in Asher’s rearview. He’s an extremely talented rapper with a great lyrical gift. His spirit on stage appeals to any and everyone who watches him and his sincerity reflects that of a very wise and cool kid his age. Here’s a tip for those reading…keep him on your radar and don’t sleep on him. And a big thanks to Kyle, John, and Bryan for putting me on from day one.
A. Landon
www.loudvine.com
Weekly Picks -4/6
April 6th, 2009Another great week of live music in LA and Long Beach. Thanks for joining us! If you like what we’re trying to do, pass us along to your peeps
For every show in LA: Click Here
Monday: 4/6
Juliette Commagere, 9PM @ The Echo, Echo Park
Tuesday: 4/7
Electrocute, 9PM @ Spaceland, Silverlake
Decelis, 7PM, @ Hotel Cafe, Hollywood
Angela Wood, 10 PM @ Dakota Lounge, Hollywood
Wednesday: 4/8
The Bumpers, 9PM @ Mr. T’s, Highland Park
Tasso, 9PM @ Scene Bar, Glendale
Tall Tales, 9PM @ L’Keg, Echo Park
Thursday: 4/9
Bobb Bruno, 9PM @ The Smell, Echo Park
Del The Funky Homosapien, 9PM @ The Glass House, Pomona
Friday: 4/10
Dark Star Orchestra, 9PM @ El Rey, Los Angeles
The Amateurs, 9PM @ Pehrspace, Echo Park
Railcars, 10PM @ The Smell, Echo Park
Saturday: 4/11
B-Side Players, 9PM @ Saint Rocke, Hermosa Beach
Punk Rock Social, 9PM @ Alex’s, Long Beach
She Kills Robots, 9PM @ Room 5, Los Angeles
Sunday: 4/12
Headlights, 9PM @ Spaceland, Silverlake
The Cult of Horns Events, 9PM @ The Scene Bar, Glendale
The Frontier Brothers
April 4th, 2009
Last night was a fairly epic zig zag across town. I met some friends for dinner downtown, drove west back to Hollywood for a thing, and then up to Three of Clubs. And like the soundtrack to my race across the finish line (if it were a movie, it’d totally be in slow mo), The Frontier Brothers‘ power pop patted me on the back.
…Actually, I got there early. There was no music; no one patted me anywhere. So when The Frontier Brothers went on an hour and a half later, I was more than ready to see how they’d deliver on the promise of their album, Space Punk Starlet.
Turns out “epic” was the theme of the night. I’m not sure if it was the size and mood of the club (Three of Clubs is small and dark), but The FBs commanded the room. With their big, quirky anthems and frantic jumping, they seemed more cut out for a larger venue, or at least one with a stage more than 3 inches off the ground.
The singer (whose name I regretfully missed) was the decided leader of the band. His suit, swagger and guitar leads made him the classic front man. Oh yeah, and the make up. I never quite figured out what The Frontier Brothers were trying to conjure up (visitors from outer worlds?), but they seemed to be going for Glam with their talk of spaceships and the singer’s painted-on red stripe across his eyes. In any case, the music and schtick worked together to create both a band, and an idea of a band. Like I said, “epic.”
B. Soika
www.loudvine.com
Bloody Robots @ The Smell
April 3rd, 2009
You know what the best part of a thrash metal song is? It’s the part where, after a fair amount of build up, everything goes batshit crazy. It’s the part where everyone on stage lets loose – they channel all that is wild and unholy – and it rules. Now, take that break-shit energy, extend it for an entire set, and you have Bloody Robots. They were playing the Smell last night for a Food not Bombs benefit. As far as venues go, this downtown location is hidden down an alley wedged between fancy upscale urbanites and the crack addicts of Skid Row. Perfect place to see some musical insanity, right? Well, Bloody Robots delivered. Their rip-roaring clang frenzy of discordant art noise really put the metal in thrash metal. Literally.
With a name like Bloody Robots, it makes sense that all of their songs focused on merging mand and machine. In “Flesh and Bolts”, singer/bassist Jimmy Fusil (AKA Jimbot) declared, “This is the struggle of meat and metal, rusting on the inside and bleeding on the outside.” During one doom-funk number Jimbot simply chanted “1001001″ over and over again while drummer Thomas Cabela (AKA Model T) went loose on his sick drum-kit. Lyrics aside, most of the set was hardcore intense thrash-jam. Together, this duo sounded like a chainsaw factory being assaulted by bazookas.
The only thing that really sucked about the show was their audience. Bloody Robots are thrashy, but they also have a strong following in the experimental noise scene. I love me some noise, but most of the people in the crowd just stood there looking like glazed over cattle. Really people? Jimbot was up there headbanging and playing his bass like rabid dog on methamphetamine but no one in the audience was as much as headbanging. How do you just stand and sway to thrash? I really wish there had been a more metal-head-oriented fan base at this gig. I mean, at one point Jimbot put down his bass to just clang sticks on metal poles. Based on their playing alone, Bloody Robots deserved a brawl at least!
Regardless of a lame crowd, this show was sick. Bloody Robots played their asses off and for a good cause no less. Donating to charity never felt so good. Or evil.
-Rachel K.
www.l0udvine.com
The Grates @ Spaceland
April 1st, 2009
Unfortunately, I’ve not been able to attend shows for the past week due to sickly sickness, which sucks hard because music is my therapy and without it I cannot be liable for anything I may do. I had been eagerly searching for my comeback band and who do I happen upon? The Grates! The Grates graced Spaceland last night and I was super thrilled to be in good health and fortunate to catch their last L.A. performance before they head back to Australia.
Their music is ALIVE! Their sound is that of amped up, catchy rock-pop. Patience Hodgson sings and carries sweet melodies that transform from sweet to jaw dropping raunch-style, and that includes the lyrical content as well; it’s a wonderful juxtaposition. Patience is a live wire, bouncy, hair tousling, firecracker. The band members, John Patterson on guitar and Alana Skyring on drums, match Patience’s energy with a powerful, upbeat, unpretentious musical performance.I arrived just as they began their set.
Spaceland was packed with a super energized crowd. Not only was the crowd full of beans, but as I made my way through the crowd, I saw many smiles on the faces of what are usually somber and serious in Silverlake (that sounds like it could be a hit daytime drama: The Somber and Serious of Silverlake). The crowd was totally eating up what The Grates were offering and so was the clap-happy, giddy person that was myself last night.
The Grates had just come from New York and before that they were in Austin doing the SXSW thing. It was so rad that they managed to squeeze in a two venue tour in L.A. for their second record, “Teeth Lost, Hearts Won.” I was lucky to catch them because like I said, they are heading back to Australia to finish up their tour promoting the album. I couldn’t have asked for a better performance from a better band to welcome me back to the nightlife. So, thank you to The Grates for giving a stellar performance and tweaking the facial expressions of the town folk last night. Also, check them out their videos online and check out “Teeth Lost, Hearts Won” it is good, fun music and it will get you up and dancing for sure.
C. Sanchez
www.loudvine.com
Junius @ Silverlake Lounge
April 1st, 2009
Oh to be assaulted by the anguish of my generation. That’s the only way I can describe the noisy, noisy post-rock band Junius. I wasn’t quite expecting to tap into my inner angst last night, but their passionate playing was like a giant monument to turmoil. Dark and loud and tremendously angry, these guys blew away the Silverlake Lounge.
I almost wrote them off as some cliché radio emo-group when they got on the stage. All four band members were dressed in black and started playing a pre-recorded intro track without any stage lights up. But the second the guitars blasted and blinding blue backlights pulsed, I knew this band was awesome. They played their first song (the haunting “Stargazers and Gravediggers”) completely backlit. Their dark silhouettes were only interrupted briefly by a strobe light placed underneath their effects pedals. It was thrilling to see them pull off such insane lights on the tiny stage.
With a black hoody and full scraggly beard, singer/guitarist Joseph Martinez looked like a full-fledged unibomber. He had a deep, pained croon that gave fittingly tortured lyrics (“I tremble and shake… at the day of the cataclysm” during the song “Dramatist Plays Catastrophist”). Most of the time, though, his vocals were completely obscured by an extremely intense wall of sound. When his vocals did come through, it was like listening to a drowning man gasping for air before inevitably succumbing to evil distortion. And I mean that in the best of ways, as the whirlwind guitar noise is exactly what kept the music from falling into melodrama. Martinez and guitarist Mike Respach-Nieves were a force of audio nature.
Grounding the noise were crushing bass riffs by Joel Mungia and really stellar, fast-paced rhythms by Dana Filloon. Filloon’s talent was his ability to keep the songs from spiraling into pure noise-drone. Instead Julius’s noise-rock was almost danceable. It was certainly head-bangable, like a kind of a dance-static. Then again, one of my favorite things about post-rock is the way it paralyzes you into just swaying along and staring. Can you get drunk off of noise? Hmm… Probably not, but it can certainly feel that way.
Junius‘ most striking moment of the evening came from the song “Holding Knives.” Throughout the course of the song, the band’s silhouette’s would be bathed in blood reds and piercing golds. By the end of their set though, Junius had returned to their melancholy ice blue bulbs.
I’ll concede that noisy post-rock isn’t for everyone. Not everyone is down with extra fuzzy guitar riffs ripping your skull in two. And yes, the music is dark and angsty and easy to make fun of. But, Junius have a great deal of talent and offer a fantastic live show. So if you’re ever in need of indulging your inner anguish, these guys are right up your alley.
-Rachel K.
www.loudvine.com
