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concerts, live music, music

[recap] Make Music Pasadena 2011

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Make Music Pasadena was last week (i know, i know…i totally lagged on posting this) and it was super fun!

First and foremost, it was FREE.  You can’t really complain about free music.  On top of that, the lineup was quite impressive (I would’ve paid to see a lot of the acts that played), it wasn’t nearly as hot as it could’ve been, and the people watching was epic.

My only real complaint was the how they handled the main stage setup and crowd control.  The Morning Benders set was basically ruined because it took Pasadena PD, and the laziest event security I’ve ever seen, way too long to clear a sidewalk.  If this event continues to grow, the organizers are going to have to brainstorm quite a bit between now and then on how to allow for more peeps.

As far as the actual music goes, I thoroughly enjoyed myself.  Unfortunately, I was unable to stay ’til the end, so I missed out on Ra Ra Riot, Zola Jesus, Kisses, and Robotanists, but the acts I did catch didn’t disappoint.

Saint Motel was my personal favorite of the day.  Butch was just as good live (maybe even better) than the recorded version, and their new track, Puzzle Pieces, was fantastic (but i’m a sucker for anything with piano or keyboards).  Coming into it, I was most looking forward to NewVillager.  I wouldn’t say I was disappointed, but after a strong start, they started to fizzle out by the end of their set.  Either way though, I’m still super excited for their debut album (out Aug 16 via I Am Sound Music).

Best Coast definitely drew the largest crowd of the day (at least what I saw).  This was my first time seeing them live and they definitely lived up to the hype.  They kicked off their set with one of my favorite tracks (Crazy For You) and even played some new stuff (Gone Again – Free download courtesy of Adult Swim).

All in all, I had a great day and i’m already looking forward to next year.

Saint Motel
Saint Motel
Saint Motel
Pasadena PD ruining The Morning Bender's set
The Morning Benders
NewVillager
NewVillager
NewVillager
Best Coast
Best Coast
Best Coast Crowd
Best Coast (would've been such a good shot, had it not been for the douche fist-pumping with the water bottle)
People Watching
Creepy Guy in Gold Unitard and Russian Hat

♫ Saint Motel – Puzzle Pieces ♫

p.s. if you want some more free music in Pasadena, be sure to check out Seattle’s Motopony for KCRW’s Summer Nights at One Colorado this Saturday (6/25).

concerts, live music, music

[live] Diego Garcia – 6/11/11

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I’m not gonna lie, Summer is my least favorite season.  However, it’s one saving grace are the abundance of free concerts (especially in LA), and as far as I’m concerned, Summer officially kicked off last Saturday (6/11).

Diego Garcia soundcheck 1

KCRW regularly presents live music and their Summer Nights events truly delivers.  Summer Nights brings music out of the studio and into communities across Los Angeles with a series of free, all ages, outdoor shows. From Pasadena to Downtown L.A. to Westwood and beyond, KCRW brings hot bands, live DJ performances and more to stages throughout L.A. – all-ages and ALL FREE.

Diego Garcia soundcheck 2

This year’s series kicked off last Saturday at One Colorado in Pasadena.  All those present, including yours truly, were treated to a fantastic night of 70′s-inspired tracks, lush strings, Spanish guitars, some mighty fine cello (courtesy of Mr. Daniel Benson), and some good ol’ fashioned love songs, by the one and only Diego Garcia.  KCRW DJ Anne Litt (personally, my favorite KCRW DJ and a very nice lady!) was also present, opening and closing the show, with a live DJ set.  As an added bonus, my wife and arrived early and were lucky enough to catch the sound check!

Overall, I wholeheartedly enjoyed this show.  Had I paid for this show, it would have been a dollar well spent.  The crowd sang along and even got on their feet and danced towards the end.  The sound was great and even though the crowd was pretty big by the end of the show, there was still that sense of intimacy that many shows lack.

And at the end of the show, Mr. Garcia left the audience some very good advice — “There are three things you can do for a woman: Love her.  Suffer for her.  Turn her into a pop song.”

KCRW DJ Anne Litt pleasing the crowd with some excellent, hand-picked tunes

Amazing cello, courtesy of Daniel Benson

Diego and company
Audience Participation

Summer Nights continues June 25th at One Colorado, with Motopony and KCRW DJ Dan Wilcox, and lucky New Yorkers can catch Diego Garcia July 7th at Bowery Ballroom for LAMC 2011.

♫ Roses and Wine ♫

♫ You Were Never There (Live on KCRW) ♫

p.s. those itching for more free live music, you definitely don’t want to miss this years Make Music Pasadena!

music, new music

New Music Roundup: 6/14/11

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Not as much new music to sift through as last week, but there’s still some very good music being released today that’s worth checking out.  As usual, if your time is limited and you can only check out a handful of today’s new releases, please consider these recommendations.

(in alphabetical order)

Is Tropical – Native To

♫ The Greeks ♫

Key Tracks: The Greeks, Oranges, Think We’re Alone, South Pacific, Seasick Mutiny

For Fans Of: Spokes, !!!, Stereolab, Little Comets, Clinic

Junior Boys – It’s All True

♫ Ep ♫

Key Tracks: EP, You’ll Improve Me, Itchy Fingers, Banana Ripple, A Truly Happy Ending

For Fans Of: Hot Chip, Cut Copy, Gui.tar, Love Nine, Holy Ghost!


Sons and Daughters – Mirror Mirror

♫ Silver Spell ♫

Key Tracks: Silver Spell, Rose Red, Orion, Ink Free, The Beach

For Fans Of: The Long Blondes, The Duke Spirit, Malcolm Middleton, Howling Bells

Vetiver – The Errant Charm

♫ Can’t You Tell ♫

Key Tracks: Can’t You Tell, It’s Beyond Me, Fog Emotion, Worse for Wear, Hard to Break

For Fans Of: Devendra Banhart, The Radio Dept., The Sea and Cake, The Veils, Iron & Wine

Woods – Sun and Shade

♫ Pushing Onlys ♫

Key Tracks: Pushing Onlys, Who Do You Think I Am?, Any Other Day, Say Goodbye, Wouldn’t Waste

For Fans Of: The Fresh & Onlys, Ducktails, Air Waves, Kurt Vile, Real Estate

kcrw, music, radio

Friendly Fires Visit KCRW

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Tune in today (6/10) at 11:15am for a live studio performance by English dance-punk maestros, Friendly Fires, on KCRW’s Morning Becomes Eclectic!

They’ll be treating listeners to tracks from their eagerly awaited and highly praised sophomore release, Pala, and much much more (and for all of you LA peeps, they play The Music Box tonight, w/ Wise Blood, and tickets are still available!)

Friendly Fires – Live Those Days Tonight

p.s. Friendly Fires’ were guests on the May 2011 Hype Machine Radio Show.

music, on the rise

[on the rise] The Jezabels

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The Jezabels are a four-piece musical group based in Sydney, Australia.  Hayley Mary (vocals) and Heather Shannon (piano/keyboard) first began playing together in Byron Bay before moving to Sydney to attend university, where they met Nik Kaloper (drums) and Sam Lockwood (rhythm guitar), and formed the band

The band’s sound is not exactly the easiest to define.  They’ve been compared to such bands as Fleetwood Mac and Banshees, and sound like a blend of indie pop, rock, and disco pop.  The band themselves often describe their sound as “intensindie”.  Now I’m not exactly sure what “intensindie” means, but I don’t care, and neither should you.  All you should care about is that The Jezabels make fantastic music.

They’ve received substantial airplay in Sydney, including FBi Radio and Triple J.  The later also selected the band as the Triple J Unearthed featured artist in December 2009 and featured two songs in the Triple J Hottest 100 2010 (Easy To Love came in at #49 and Mace Spray came in at #16).

The band has also found success here in North America.  They’ve toured the States and Canada, including a much buzzed about appearance at the most recent SXSW, and have been featured quite prominently on US college radio and CMJ.

The Jezabels have so far released a trilogy of EP’s: The Man Is Dead (2009), She’s So Hard (2009), and Dark Storm (2010).  As of now, they’re currently recording their debut full-length, which is due out later this year.

Stay tuned.

The Jezabels – Mace Spray