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2011, concerts, live music, music

[recap] M83 – The Music Box – 11/9/11

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I’ve been a big fan of M83 since I first heard “We Own The Sky” in the snowboard flick, That’s It, That’s All.  Since then, Anthony Gonzalez and company have become one of my favorite musical acts and i’ve gobbled up everything they’ve released (at least i think i have).

Last night, the wifey and I were lucky enough to see them play a super sold-out show (tickets were going for $150+ on stubhub) at The Music Box in Hollywood.  This was my first time seeing the group live, and I honestly didn’t know what to expect.  I absolutely LOVE M83, but I’m always a bit nervous that I’ll be let down when I see one of favorites live for the first time.  Needless to say, the show was everything I expected — ambitious, visually stunning, the perfect amount of loud, and quite simply…epic.

If you missed last nights show (or if you’re thirsty for more) M83 will be back in LA for a show at Club Nokia on Jan 13th.  Tickets go on sale Nov 12th here. (complete tour dates here)

Setlist:
Intro (ft. Zola Jesus)
Reunion
Kim & Jessie
One Year, One UFO
My Tears Are Becoming A Sea
Teen Angst
We Own The Sky
Steve McQueen
Wait
This Bright Flash
Claudia Lewis
♪ Midnight City
A Guitar And A Heart

Encore:
Skin Of The Night
Couleurs

A few highlights from the show (in no particular order):
I was pleasantly surprised with the opening act, Active Child.  Take a minute and give them a listen, you won’t be disappointed…unless of course you hate the harp.

Credit: Andrew Youssef http://amateurchemist.blogspot.com/

Zola Jesus joining the band on stage for “Intro” (video below thanks to youtube user suprefan)

White Sea’s powerhouse vocalist/keyboardist Morgan Kibby was a force to be reckoned with (seriously, she was amazing and her stage presence captivated me all night).

Credit: Andrew Youssef http://amateurchemist.blogspot.com/

The perfect transition from “My Tears Becoming a Sea” to “Teen Angst” and the vocals on “Wait” gave me chills.

“Midnight City” is even better live and the saxophone player, who seemingly appeared on stage out of nowhere, tore up his solo.

2011, music, new music

[new music roundup] 10.04.11

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Here are a few of my favorite new releases this week.  First up is actually one from last week that I missed, but it’s too good to pass up.  Enjoy.

 

Youth Lagoon//The Year of Hibernation

For fans of: Vacationer, Lips Songs, Purity Ring, Gross Magic

Key tracks: Montana, Afternoon, Cannons, Bobby

 

 

Feist//Metals

For fans of: Cat Power, Broken Social Scene, St. Vincent, Angus & Julia Stone

Key tracks: How Come You Never Go There, A Commotion, The Circle Married the Line

 

 

Talkdemonic//Ruins

For fans of: Lymbyc Systym, The Octopus Project, Couch , El Ten Eleven

Key tracks: Revival, Violet, City Sleep, Midnight Pass

 

 

We Were Promised Jetpacks//In The Pit of the Stomach

For fans of: Frightened Rabbit, Tokyo Police Club, Los Campesinos!, The Airborne Toxic Event

Key tracks: Act on Impulse, Medicine, Picture of Health, Sore Thumb

 

 

Zola Jesus//Conatus

For fans of: Salem, Glasser, Cold Cave, School of Seven Bells

Key tracks: Vessel, Avalanche, Shivers, In Your Nature

hot off the press, music

[hot off the press] M83 + Zola Jesus

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If Anthony Gonzalez, better known as M83, didn’t already have you excited about his upcoming double LP when he released the oh so good track Midnight City, you will be now.  Just a couple of days ago, Mr. Gonzalez dropped the opening track from Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming and it features the vocal contributions of Zola Jesus (along with some impressive vocals from Mr. Gonzalez himself).  I’ve only heard these two tracks from the new LP, but i’m confident it will be on a plethora of year end lists come December (including my own).

Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming is set to be released on October 18th and M83 will be on tour in support of the LP this Fall.

♫ M83 – Intro (feat. Zola Jesus) ♫

concerts, live music, music

[CMJ 2011] First Round of Artists Announced

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CMJ Music Marathon & Film Festival just recently announced the first round of artists scheduled to play this year.  The initial lineup is fantastic and full of personal favorites—Portugal. The Man, Givers, Zola Jesus, Talib Kweli, Dum Dum Girls, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Braids… just to name a few.

If you’re not familiar with CMJ, take my word for it, DON’T MISS THIS FESTIVAL.  I personally can’t think of a finer music festival in the US.  Not only is it your chance to catch an insane amount of live music, full of up-and-coming buzz bands that you get to enjoy before they lay claim to a swath of Grammys, but it just happens to also take place in one the world’s greatest cities.

I told myself last year I wasn’t going to miss 2011…let’s just say I’m already saving up for next year.  But don’t miss out on my account.  You can purchase badges here, peep the plethora of previously-announced industry-stacked panels here, and keep checking back here for more CMJ 2011 news.  CMJ is set for Oct. 18 – 22 in NYC, but in the meantime, familiarize yourself with the initial lineup below and enjoy some tunes along the way.

Artists playing CMJ 2011:
Portugal. The Man
CSS
Neon Indian
Wombats
Wild Flag
Metronomy
Talib Kweli
Givers ♫ Up Up Up ♫
Zola Jesus  ♫ Night ♫
Class Actress
Dum Dum Girls
Art Vs. Science
Viva Brother
Davila 666
Eleanor Friedberger
EMA
Jean Grae
Pharoahe Monch
Unknown Mortal Orchestra  ♫ How Can You Luv Me ♫
US Royalty
Datarock
Kermit Ruffins
Parlotones
Kvelertak
Sea of Bees
Handsome Furs
Memoryhouse
Kevin Devine
Braids  ♫ Lemonade ♫

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).