I was just listening to Minus The Bear so i decided to check out their website. Saw that stereogum had a new MTB track! It’s awesome. I’m really excited for the new album Planet of Ice coming out August 21. New album also means tour which means you must go see them. They are absolutely awesome live.
For another track off the new album… check out Dr. L’Ling
Minus the Bear: Myspace | Official Website
This week is finals week yet there is of course no short of things to do around LA. Tonight is Indie 103.1’s 3 year anniversary party for Check One, Two Mondays at the Viper room.
I hope to head out yet I do have a final tomorrow so we’ll see how things pan out the rest of the day. This week I may be a little sparse on the blogging due to the end of classes for now.
Click the flyer for all the details yo.
Oh yeah, and it’s 21 + always at the Viper Room.
Quite big news released today that I just read on the tripwire. It turns out that Sea Level Records, home to all lovers of music is closing down at the end of June. Pretty big hit for the LA community but what has to be done must be done.
Todd has posted up the announcement on the Sea Level website.
June 22nd Sea Level going away party at Safari Sams. (details later)
FREE MUSIC! FREE ALBUM!
This completely free album was actually released last month but I totally forgot to mention it here on the blog. Hello Young World is a free mixtape produced by Lushlife full of lots of good indie dance music. I often just leave it on all day while at work. Some artists to note… Modest Mouse, Hard-Fi, Bloc Party, The Go! Team, The Pixies… well there is just alot of good ones. Best part about it… completely free.
Here’s the track listing…
01/ Intro - Stars
02/ Hard To Beat - Hard-Fi
03/ Information First - Zoot Woman
04/ If I Ever Feel Better - Phoenix
05/ Walking With The Ghost - Tegan and Sara
06/ Saturdays - Cut/Copy
07/ The Gilded Age - Ordinaire
08/ Ten AM Automatic - The Black Keys
09/ Regret - New Order
10/ The Comeback - Shout Out Louds (Tommie Sunshine Remix)
11/ Churches - New Musik
12/ Mercury Tears - Chromeo (Lushlife Edit)
13/ Debaser - The Pixies
14/ Common People - Pulp
15/ The More You Live, The More You Love - Flock of Seagulls
16/ Come On Lets Go - Paul Weller
17/ In Between Days - The Cure
18/ Huddle Formation - The Go! Team
19/ Two More Years - Bloc Party (MSTRKRFT Remix)
20/ The Sporting Life - The Decemberists
21/ Float On - Modest Mouse (Lushlife Edit)
22/ Girlfriend in a Coma - The Smiths
Now go download it from helloyoungworld.com
OR here is a direct link to the zip file - download album
I wanted to tell you guys about Vosotros, a music collective here in LA. They are a group of awesome people making music and a record label. Every month they make a new band and they play the last Thursday of every month at Land in Little Tokyo. Along with the live show they record a podcast which you can pick up at canyoutasteit.com. It’s really awesome that this kind of thing is being done around town. Three other local bands play at the show along with the monthly new band. If you want a taste of some new local music, Vosotros live@land is the place to go.
East West Quintet, Ninja Academy, pb&j… and g, Super Robot.
Land: 366 E 2nd Street in Little Tokyo
9:00 / 3 bucks
Vosotros Website
Sorry folks, I just noticed this site looks like butt in internet explorer and certain things are messed up like the freaking logo.
I hate you internet explorer and your stupid ways you treat certain graphics.
Fixed things for the time being… I’ll probably be messing with things all the time over the next couple weeks. At least this way you’ll have another new thing to look at.
Yet still, everybody please, browse happy.
I know a good portion of you readers may already know about Great Northern yet I thought I would throw my two cents in. They are beautifully awesome. It’s orchestral indie pop as I’ve heard it dubbed. The Los Angeles half male half female indie rock group has been making huge waves as of late. Selling out their record release show over at The Echo with a line around the block is a pretty big deal. That kind of thing happens when every single song on the album is as good as the last. Every time I go to listen to just a song, I’ll listen to the whole album because it’s just that good. Some of the beautiful lyrics remind me a bit of the amazing Imogen Heap and instrumentals/arrangements like The Arcade Fire. Don’t get me wrong here though… they are their own band all together. I’m just trying to piece together my thoughts of what they sound like. The only real way is to listen for yourself. Buying the album is MORE than worth it. Eenie Meenie has done an excellent job with the Great Northern. They are currently on tour through June, catch them before they start selling out tickets all the time.
Great Northern: Myspace | Website | Buy on iTunes
Another good U.K band hoping over the pond to the U.S, The Electric Soft Parade. The band is brother combo Alex and Tom White plus a slew of other folks, Matthew Twaites, Math Priest, Jake Rousham, Tom McKay, Matt Eaton, Phil Sumner, Joe Bennett and Ben Elliott. Their first US release, No Need to Be Down-Hearted is great. I gave a good listen (finally) and liked it all. It’s fresh and something new for us over here. I’ll try and take a stab and describing what I think it is… indie rock for sure - yet a bit of pop to get your foot tapping.
Honestly there is a bunch that could be said, yet I suck and am tired coming off of the three day weekend. While perusing their myspace I noticed they had this quote up.
“The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs. There’s also a negative side.”
Hunter S. Thompson
With that, enjoy the mp3 below… it’s good stuff.
The Electric Soft Parade: Myspace | Website | Buy on iTunes
MP3
The Electric Soft Parade - If That’s The Case, Then I Don’t Know
This video/song is perfect for a Sunday afternoon. Just a nice relaxing day - go ride your bike, take some photos? I think I will. I dig songs/videos with a story, especially one like this. It’s like disappointing but there is still hope you know. I’ll let Ken describe the song…
a lo-fi acoustic campfire ballad.
Those are Ken’s words right there and I have no other words to say. Watch and enjoy.
Gavin Castleton is quite the talented dude. Started music as a child writing his first song at age 7. Then up until now has released I don’t even know how many albums… like over 10. With his old band Gruvis Malt and then recently all his own stuff. There is basically nothing he can’t do. He’s worked with all kinds of amazing artists, just read his myspace page, you’ll see. Anyways, onto now. He just released the Hospital Hyms EP and has plans for three more EP’s this year. Wow, busy guy.
Here’s the deal on what Gavin’s style is as far as I’ve been reading… progressive rock / hip hop plus the folk and electronica. He’s a mix of everything you want to listen to right now. Make sure to grab the latest EP on iTunes.
Gavin Castleton: Myspace | Official Website | Buy on iTunes
If you don’t love Adult Swim and all they do I don’t know what there is to like in this world. They are constantly putting out good shows like Aqua Teen Hunger Force and Robot Chicken. I’m a big fan cause they give me something to watch on the good ol tee vee.
Earlier this week they released Warm & Scratchy. A free album full of exclusive tracks by awesome bands. Here’s the tracklisting.
01. Me-I - TV On The Radio
02. Dead Sound - The Ravenettes
03. The Equestrian - Les Savy Fav
04. Crimson Red - The Rapture
05. Justine - 120 Days
06. Canada Vs. America - Broken Social Scene
07. Color of the love You Have - SOUND Team
08. The Bunting Song (acoustic version) - The Good, The Bad and The Queen
09. Half Century - The Brother Kite
10. Silver (Original Beats) - Jesu
11. Back to Flash - Amusement Parks on Fire
12. Stay Awake - Asobi Seksu
13. Winter - Fennesz
14. Sunset Rodeo - Liars
Here’s how you get it - GO HERE to adultswim.com and download away.
Such a good time last night at the show. Thanks to all who came out, the awesome bands, the echo, and co-sponsors for a great success. I was out in full force trying to make use of my new camera. Of the 280 photos I took, 55 of them are decent enough for sharing. I really gotta get used to my digital SLR so good good photos can be taken. All my friends that came out, thanks it wouldn’t be fun with out all of you. I was so happy to see JAX and Heather and Happy Birthday to Heather! Now on with the review… gonna be shortish this time.
PHOTOS: MusicGlob Gallery: 5/23/07 at The Echo
Gallerys: The Monolators | Castledoor | 8-Bit
THE MONOLATORS Myspace | Website
I was so happy to finally see The Monolators and they rocked. Energy from every song built on the last until the end which came too soon. The crowd was large and loving every minute of their unique psychedelic rock with a little tiny punk. Overall great set, loud and fun. I got to talk with Eli and Mary for a few moments and they are so great. It’s just a perfect setup, awesome music and awesome people.
CASTLEDOOR Myspace
Castledoor is an indie pop gem. All dressed up and looking good they played a solid set of there foot tapping goods and and later busted out the acoustic for a slow one. They are a full gang and look comfortable together on stage. If you check out their blog you’ll see how fun they all are. I don’t want to just say they played a good show “it was fun” like I always do but I’m fresh out of creative writing talent. Couple extra bits: I didn’t know it but bassist Brandon and I went to high school together. Such a small world, him playing the show and me co-presenting. Also they are/have been recording at the ship (you know the famous one over there in silverlake that tons of good bands record in) and I can’t wait to here what they have coming up. Lots of potential so keep an eye out as they will be sticking around for awhile.
8-BIT Myspace
I knew 8-Bit was going to be rad but I didn’t know how rad. They were so rad they were sick. Their get ups fit them perfectly. Once they took to the stage the took control of the crowd. Within seconds everybody was nodding their heads to the beat. Their rap is fresh and unique. They know how to keep it real I guess you would say with songs like “Suck my dick bitch,” and various others off their latest album. At the time they went on I think everybody was drunk enough to get really into it. I know I was cause I think I took close to 100 pictures of just them. 25 were good enough to share with you. If you get a chance, they are a must see.
SUMMER DARLING Myspace
I’m so sorry Summer Darling yet I arrived during your last song and was only able to snap a few crappy photos. I know you’re awesome though and I’ll see you soon!
** update 5/24/07 ** Thanks to everybody who was there, good times all around.!
8-Bit, Castledoor, Summer Darling, The Monolators
The Echo [1822 Sunset Blvd.]
doors 8:30 $7 door / $5 with flyer FULL POSTER HERE TO BRING TO DOOR
Presented by KXLU 88.9 | LA Underground | LA Taco and of course MUSICGLOB.
I’ll be toting around a camera, have long blond hair, drunk. Come talk to me!
TOMORROW: live review, The Monolators.
I don’t know when this popped up but I just heard about it… Mark Ronson’s Annie Mac Minimix is up for download on his myspace page for Radio 1’s show. I think it was for the Big Weekend show… don’t know just passing along good news.
I’ll be covering alot of Mark Ronson’s new album coming up because it’s wicked awesome… yes wicked awesome.
Mark Ronson: Myspace | Official Website
MP3 [don’t know if this is allowed… but hey here ya go]
Mark Ronson - Annie Max Minimix
So I went down to my hometown of San Diego last Sunday for the big radio show of the year at the Coors Amphitheater. You know like Weenie Roast here in LA basically. So I’ve been pretty out of it with my blogging this past week and one of the reasons I was waiting for 91X to post some photos so I could include them in my post here. Too bad they are useless to me. I wish there were more good ones but whatever I’ll use what I can.
Story time it is… I’ll run down who I saw first to who I saw last.
THE USED myspace | website
As a side note they have a new album out today. I don’t really know much about it yet. I mean I’ve been a Used fan since the first album when I was just a kid. Now that I’m grown up a bit and Bert has blond hair I don’t really know what to do. Anyways…. live show. Audio sucked. I was really disappointed. I think it’s because they went on at 3:15 and the sound guy didn’t feel like giving them the time of day. Maybe, just maybe it was for some other reason. Either way I was disappointed and hoped for better. I’ll have to see them some other time and place when they are headlining and hopefully it’ll be good.
SILVERSUN PICKUPS myspace | website
Everybody’s favorite buzz band hit it big. Like really big. I thought hey these guys are good when I first heard them quite a long time ago. I wrote a post on them here in the archives. I never thought that they would be playing festivals and big shows. Congrats to them. Silverlake turned big time. As for the live show… audio was still a little crappy but they played a solid ‘good’ show. The thing that really caught my attention was how comfortable on stage they were and they were just having fun with it. Songs dragged on for twice their length as they were rocking out and just having a blast. Some dude won a contest to be their roady for a day and they were messing with him quite a bit. Basically he was their bitch and he was having fun with it too. All in all, I wish I saw them at a smaller show ages ago like I should have being a blogger and all, but I didn’t so all well. They won’t be playing too may smaller venues anymore.
THE BRAVERY myspace | website
I was all about The Bravery two and a half years ago or however long they popped their heads into the scene. Then all the drama between them and The Killers front man Brandon Flowers made me side with The Killers and I stopped listening to The Bravery. (Douchery by Brandon Flowers, he later apologized) I also pulled one of those “their not cool anymore” cards when I was a douche. I still am a douche but at least I know and tell you guys the truth. Guess what, I like em again. Not like the thousands of eleventeen year olds or whoever but as a person who has watched their style change a bit into something more evolved. They also won my vote as my second favorite set because it sounded the best. I could actually hear the vocals and everything was mostly mixed correctly. I was able to enjoy the songs and not be stuck thinking about how the sound is crappy. They played all the popular ones that everybody danced a bit to and a few new ones from the album that comes out today. Great show, I was impressed and they won me over.
30 SECONDS TO MARS myspace | website
Welp folks, 30 Seconds to Mars took the cake as far as my book is written. I had been listening to their latest album, A Beautiful Lie all last week and I’ll admit I like it. It’s actually pretty crazy how big a year or two has taken them but they’ve always had a pretty huge fan base. Due to of course Jared Leto. Being a dude I’m not so partial to saying things like this, but everybody knows he’s hot. I thought I would see alot more kiddies because I thought thats what a large portion of their fan base was. I was wrong. They played quite the amazing show. Just goes to show you when you have a front man like Jared Leto that knows he is a rock star and plays the part perfectly you will see a good show. During “The Kill” he decided to run around the whole lower level climbing on chairs and through people. Standing on top of anything he could with spotlights right on him. I had never seen that by anybody in a show of this size. He’s a good example of actor turned rock star as he knows exactly what to do to get the crowd into it. He had all the lights turned off and everybody put up their lighters or cellphones which always looks awesome when you have a grip of people. Pretty amazing show and I didn’t even know I was that into that much.
– RECAP –
All in all, good festival. It was nice and cloudy most of the time so it wasn’t too hot. There was all kinds of weird stuff going on on the lawn like a couple of jerkoffs asking us if we drove “a fast car” that is “blue” because supposedly a fast blue car cut him off on the freeway and he “remembers faces” as he was talking to my friend. He later was almost arrested yet wasn’t and continued to be a jerkoff. Oh yeah, then there was two girls romping around making out and fondling each other. Alot of people thought that was worth watching. As always in San Diego and well pretty much any big festival like show there was bro’s wanting to fight each other. Some guy got knocked out cold in the walkway right below the lawn so everybody rushed to check it out. Just remember, the lawn is always an adventure - but get good seats. It’s worth the money most of the time.
