Prince in LA

So, Prince was in LA for an appearance on Jay Leno (see below) and three shows on Saturday. While I did not go to any of those shows (blame funding), I heard they were great, albeit too short. Nonetheless, Prince can rip it. He is a force to be seen, and all music enthusiasts should be privileged to see him at least once. He can shred on the guitar much more than you might realize from his hit records.

The YouTube Orchestra

This is an interesting concept - orchestral instrumentalists from all over the world drawn together through YouTube. Meet the YouTube Orchestra at this clip below. On April 15, 2009 they will perform at Carnegie Hall in New York:

Relentless 7 - Under Pressure - The Mint - 12/6

This is a video of Ben Harper's new band RELENTLESS SEVEN performing "Under Pressure." I was at the show - it was awesome.

They are playing at The Wiltern on May 28th. If you were one of the lucky ones seeing them at the small rooms around L.A. for the last few months, kudos to you. Looks like those gigs are done, considering they are playing the Wiltern, the 'Roo and other festivals.

Wale "Nike Boots" Link

Universal Music Group disables embedding from youtube, which almost makes me not want to recommend their videos. Nonetheless, I can't hate, I like this song and l like the simple black and white video.

Check it out. Copy and paste this url: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukTz2c0q9VY

LA CONCERT BLAST - Last One for March 09

Concert goers –

Hey. Hope you’re all doing well.

Got some cool new things to report:

• I went to this party on Monday hosted by Hunnypot Radio (check them out http://hunnypotunlimited.com/) and it was really cool. The selection of music was like filet mignon (i.e. choice cuts only) and they had some artists make entertaining appearances on the show. I highly recommend it for music scenesters.
• The French Semester was victorious in their LA Deli contest. Their follow up show at The Knitting Factory kicked ass. Check out their new record “GOOD FRIENDS ONLY I COULD SEE” on their MySpace page http://www.myspace.com/thefrenchsemester - some of my personal favorites are “Remembering Right Now” and “Fourteen.” If you can check them out at the Airliner on March 28th before they split the country for their European tour, you should.
• Discovered a new band that played at SXSW called The Volunteers. They are a rock type group from New York featuring a vocalist, Dan Goddard, that I went to high school with. Their album SPECTROPHILIA also has some top notch material (and a really cool cover) – personally I am feeling “Hoogabooga” which you can listen to on their MySpace page http://www.myspace.com/thevolunteers. The SPECTROPHILIA album is available on emusic.com if you are an emusic subscriber.

Below you’ll find your last LA CONCERT BLAST for the month of March. Since I got a late start this week (which can be blamed on March Madness in Vegas) I am taking you all the way through next weekend (April 5th). I recognize that the list is a little thin as the week gets further out. Check for updates on the blog.

Wednesday March 25th
• The Pepper Pots @ The Bluebeat Lounge
• Branford Marsalis @ Catalina Jazz Club
• Marnie Stern, Starfucker @ Echo
• Monte Carlo 76 @ Mama Juana’s
• Black Gold, No Kids, Parenthetical Girls @ Spaceland
• Hot Panda, Ambrose, Joe Brooks @ The Mint
• Paula Cole @ Pepperdine University
• Platinum Rockstars @ briXton
• Dub Club @ Echoplex
• Jason Heath and The Greedy Souls @ The King King Club
• Aqualung @ The Hotel Café
• Ozomatli @ The Grammy Museum
• Tricky @ Henry Fonda
• The Ascetic Junkies @ The Mint
• Sam Roberts Band w/ Mother Mother @ Troubadour
• Tyga @ Roxy
• Bret Dennen, Angus and Julia Stone @ H.O.B. – Sunset

Thursday March 26th
• DUBLUVA @ Lighthouse
• Dan Hicks & The Hot Licks, The Ditty Bops, Van Dyke Parks @ El Rey
• Outlaw Nation @ Saint Rocke
• Illinois, Kenan Bell, Boom Bip @ Echo
• Tera Melos, These Arms Are Snakes @ Echoplex
• Branford Marsalis @ Catalina Jazz Club
• Angelique Kidjo @ Bovard Auditorium
• Rhett Miller @ Largo
• Hot Panda @ Silverlake Lounge
• Red Fang, Earlyman @ Spaceland
• The Mighty Regis @ Molly Malones
• Sebastian Grainger, Beep Beep, The Show Is A Rainbow @ Knitting Factory (Front Room)
• Alaska In Winter @ Bordello
• Moonalice @ The Mint (FanManager Anniversary Party Night!)
• The Mae Shi, The Past Lives @ The Smell
• James Hunter, Ryan Shaw @ briXton
• Avowed @ Rusty’s Surf Ranch
• Alaksa In Winter @ Bordello Bar
• The Last Ambassadors @ The Apple Store (Santa Monica)
• The Bacon Brothers @ Hard Rock Café
• Chris Pierce @ Air Conditioned Lounge (Venice)
• Tropo @ H.O.B. – Sunset (Foundation Room)
• The Gay Blades, Craig Owens @ The Knitting Factory
• Great Northern @ Roxy
• The Tallest Man On Earth, Emily Wells @ Troubadour
• Folio @ Silver Factory Studios

Friday March 27th
• The Asteroids Galaxy Tour @ Echo
• Cold War Kids, Crystal Antlers @ Orpheum
• The Pod (Ween Tribute Band) @ Molly Malones
• Yuksek, Don Rimini, Family Force 5, Hit the Lights, A Rocket To The Moon @ Avalon
• Nas, Damian “Jr Gong” Marley @ Grammy Museum
• The Takeover UK, Gliss @ Spaceland
• Los Lobos @ Conga Room
• Billy Joel, Elton John @ Honda Center
• Soul Stash @ Crane’s Hollywood Tavern
• Carney @ Vanguard
• Louis C.K. @ The Wiltern
• PJ Morton, Free Will, Sophia Wisdom @ The Mint
• DJ Oggy @ Blue Moon
• Living With Lions @ The 580
• Girlie Girl Catfight Show @ El Rey (Performing Arts/Burlesque type show)
• War Tapes @ Motion Lounge
• Kyler England, Ehren Ebbage, Pedestrian @ The Hotel Café
• Rhett Miller @ briXton
• JJ Cale @ McCabe’s Guitar Shop
• Miss Kitty’s Haunted Mansion @ Echoplex
• The Soul of John Black @ Cozy’s Bar and Grill
• The Last Ambassadors @ Rusty’s Surf Ranch
• West Indian Girl @ Air Conditioned Lounge (Venice)
• Captains of Industry @ The Good Hurt
• Los Tigres Del Norte @ Gibson Amphitheatre
• Pete Rock @ Key Club
• Pelican, Tombs, Wolves in the Throne Room @ Troubadour

Saturday March 28th
• TOM MORELLO, BOOTS RILEY, Slash, Shooter Jennings, Corey Taylor, Jerry Cantrell, Sen Dog, Wayne Kramer (Justice Tour) @ Henry Fonda
• New Found Glory, Bayside, Set Your Goals @ Avalon
• Honor Society @ H.O.B. – Sunset
• Mad Temple @ Club Vodka
• Tilt Presents Radioclit, Short Circuit, etc. @ Echoplex
• Funky Sole @ Echo
• Prince @ Nokia Theatre L.A. Live (7 pm)
• Prince @ Conga Room (9:30 pm)
• PRINCE @ Club Nokia (Midnight)
• Kim DiVine @ Cat Club
• Ottmar Liebert & Luna Negra @ El Camino College
• Paul Chesne @ O’Brien’s Irish Pub (Santa Monica)
• JJ Cale, Pieta Brown @ McCabe’s Guitar Shop
• Platinum Pied Pipers @ Dakota Live Music Lounge
• Bill Maher @ Gibson Amphitheatre
• Marc Ford & The Neptune Blues Club @ Cozy’s Bar & Grill
• Emery, Eyes Set To Kill @ Troubadour
• Ninja Academy @ Old Town Pub
• Peachcake @ Baja Cantina
• Aids Wolf @ The Smell
• Keaton Simons, Kyler England, The Rescues @ The Hotel Café
• DJ Oggy @ Tatou
• Women, Chad VanGaalen, Abe Vigoda @ Spaceland
• Scott Amendola @ Redcat Theatre
• Herman Dune @ Natural History useum
• The Last Ambassadors @ Molly Malones
• Biohazard, Suicidal Tendencies @ Palladium
• Tyrone Wells @ Saint Rocke
• Fumosonic @ Café Metropol
• eEnik @ Paul Gleason Theater
• Gabriel Angel @ Hollywood Park
• Branford Marsalis @ Catalina Jazz Club
• Madeleine Peyroux, William Fitzsimmons @ Club Nokia
• Chris Trapper @ Genghis Cohen
• Alesana, Drop Dead Gorgeous, Fall From Grace, etc. @ El Rey
• Standard @ Marlin Bar & Grill

Sunday March 29th
• Press Play @ Angelus Temple
• The Homosexuals, Silver Apples @ Echo
• Radar Bros., Le Switch @ Echo
• Black Fag @ Molly Malones
• Neil Hamburger, The Fuxedos @ Spaceland
• Lukas Rossi @ The Hotel Café
• The Idan Raichel Project @ Orpheum
• The Renderers @ The Smell
• Lilofee @ Cinespace
• Chris Duarte Group @ Café Boogaloo
• Crystal Antlers @ Founders Park
• Detroit7 @ knitting Factory
• The Bird and The Bee @ Broad Stage
• Paul Chesne @ Santa Monica Farmer’s Market
• DJ Quik @ Key Club
• Rasputina @ Troubadour
• KSM @ Roxy
• Billy Boy On Poison @ The Viper Room
• Gym Class Heroes, Lil’ Wayne, T-Pain, Keri Hilson @ Gibson Amphitheatre

Monday March 30th
• Billy Joel, Elton John @ Honda Center
• Jared Mees and The Grown Children @ Knitting Factory
• David Hodges, Son De Madera @ Molly Malones
• DJ Oggy @ Lucky Strike
• Summer Darling, Wait.think.fast, Kissing Cousins @ Echo
• Tiny Vaudeville @ Echoplex
• Chris Duarte Group @ Redwood Bar
• The Grates, Nico Stai @ Spaceland
• Inside the Fender Custom Shop @ Grammy Museum at LA Live
• Waiting 4 Wyatt @ Knitting Factory
• Steel Panther @ Key Club
• Emiliana Torrini, Lay Low @ Troubadour
• Heartthrob @ H.O.B. – Sunset

Tuesday March 31st
• Mai Doi Todd @ Echo
• The Bad Dates, Soul Stash @ Good Hurt
• RAIN – A Beatles Experience @ Pantages Theatre
• The Dave Rwarlings Machine, Gillian Welch @ Largo
• The Janks @ Little Temple
• Captains of Industry @ Silverlake Lounge
• The Expendables, Less Than Jake @ Avalon
• Cubensis (Grateful Dead Tribute) @ Marlin Bar & Grill
• Guadalajara Joe @ Dragon Fly Club
• Bohren & Der Club of Gore @ Spaceland
• Tom Morello @ Grammy Museum
• Gaby Moreno @ Jennifer’s Coffee Connection (Studio City)

Wednesday April 1st
• THE RAKES @ Troubadour
• White Denim @ Spaceland
• Shaped Like A Gun @ The Airliner Club
• You Me & Iowa @ Dakota Live Music Lounge
• Keith Anderson, The Lost Trailers @ H.O.B. – Sunset
• Tanya Nunez @ O’Brien’s Irish Pub (Santa Monica)
• William Tell, Lynhurst, Owltrain @ Knitting Factory
• Lucy Schwartz @ Hotel Cafe
• War Tapes @ The Smell
• Dub Club @ Echoplex
• Gregory and the Hawk @ Echo
• Non Human Intelligence, Fayuca @ Knitting Factory
• Jill Marie, Bryson Vancleve @ Room 5
• Gavin DeGraw, Angel Taylor, Joey Degraw @ El Rey
• Candlebox, Jet Black Stare, Royal Bliss @ Roxy

Thursday April 2nd (Brandon’s Birthday)
• LILY ALLEN, NATALIE PORTMAN’S SHAVED HEAD @ The Wiltern
• Anya Marina, Matt Hires @ The Hotel Café
• Peelander-Z, The Phenomenauts, Captains of Industry @ The Knitting Factory
• Mama’s Cookin, Eric Lindell @ The Mint
• Omar Sosa @ Jazz Bakery
• Tift Merritt @ Largo
• Voxhaul Broadcast, Spirit Vine, My pet Saddle @ Echo
• Finding Fiction @ Good Hurt
• Jeremy Jay @ The Smell
• Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Justin Townes Earle @ Spaceland
• Bill Frisell @ Skirball Cultural Center
• RAIN – A Beatles Experience @ Pantages Theatre
• Jill Marie @ Giggles n’ Hugs
• Bonnie “Prince” Billy, White Magic @ El Rey
• Press Play @ Angelus Temple
• Valient Thorr @ Alex’s Bar
• The Zone @ Saint Rocke
• Wylde Bunch @ Dakota Live Music Lounge
• Fishbone @ Air Conditioned (Venice)
• Plan White T’s, Vedera, Danger:Radio @ H.O.B. – Sunset
• Divine Heresy @ Whisky A Go Go
• Robert Francis @ Troubadour
• TAT, Sing It Loud @ Key Club

Friday April 3rd
• DR. LONNIE SMITH, Big Organ Trio @ The Mint
• Mishka, John Brown’s Body @ The Roxy
• Revolutioanry Side Effects, Check In The Dark @ El Cid
• Charmaine Clamor @ Catalina Jazz Club
• Acid Mother’s Temple, Sonic Suicide Squad @ Echo
• Omar Sosa @ Jazz Bakery
• Little Big Town, Zac Brown Band @ Club Nokia
• Delta Nove @ Que Sera
• Fifteen Fleeting @ The Blue Café
• Eric Lindell @ Café Boogaloo
• Club Underground @ Echo
• Valient Thorr @ Spaceland
• Silent Treatment @ The Knitting Factory
• The Blue Hit @ The Hotel Café
• Bus Driver, Time Fite @ Natural History Museum
• Pillars And Tongues @ Regent Theatre
• RAIN – A Beatles Experience @ Pantages Theatre
• Lamb of God, Children of Bodom, God Forbid, DevilDriver @ Palladium
• Which One’s Pink (Pink Floyd Tribute) @ briXton
• The Haunted, The Agonist, Merauder @ Key Club
• The Get Up Kids @ Troubadour
• Atomic Punks @ H.O.B. – Sunset

Saturday April 4th
• RATATAT, Tussie, Despot @ Palladium
• Moss Bluff @ Crane’s Hollywood Tavern
• Sharam @ Avalon
• Puscifer, Into the Presence @ Club Nokia
• Eric Lindell @ Café Boogaloo
• Stero Total, Leslie & The Ly’s @ El Rey
• Bigfellas @ Molly Malones
• Arturo Sandoval @ Luckman Theater
• Funky Sole @ Echo
• Bootie LA @ Echoplex
• Eugene Mirman, John Wesley Harding @ Largo
• RAIN – A Beatles Experience @ Pantages Theatre
• Naomi Less @ Room 5
• Kaskade @ Vanguard Theatre
• Rebel Rebel @ The Hive
• Los Pinguos, The Debonaires @ The Mint
• Dennis Leary @ Nokia Theatre L.A. Live
• Omar Sosa @ Jazz Bakery
• Free Moral Agents @ Knitting Factory (Front Room)
• Left Alone, Gamblers Mark @ Knitting Factory (Main Stage)
• DJ Oggy @ Tatou
• Spencer Owen, ON the Fritz @ The Cocaine
• Left Alone @ Knitting Factory
• Tortured Soul @ The Roxy
• BeauSoleil Avec Michael Doucet @ McCabe’s Guitar Shop
• Rachael Yamagata @ Troubadour
• Madame Trash Heap @ The Cat Club
• Adam’s Attic @ Key Club
• Berlin, Killola @ H.O.B. – Sunset
• Great Lake Swimmers, Kate Maki @ Spaceland
• DJ Oggy @ Tatou

Sunday April 5th
• Justo Almario, Omar Sosa @ Jazz Bakery
• You Me & Iowa @ Que Sera
• Droog, Simon Baker @ Downtown LA Standard
• RAIN – A Beatles Experience @ Pantages Theatre
• Asher Roth @ Key Club
• Doshus @ Dakota Live Music Lounge
• Organica @ Royce Hall
• Cut Chemist, Sixteens, Secret Society of the Sonic Six @ Echo
• Old Californio CD Release Party @ Echo (5 pm)
• Bigfellas @ Molly Malones
• Puscifer @ Club Nokia
• Press Play @ Angelus Temple

BEASTIE BOYS @ HOLLYWOOD BOWL!!!!!!!!!

UNBELIEVABLE NEWS TO REPORT - THE BEASTIE BOYS WILL BE HEADLINING THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL ON SEPTEMBER 24th FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER!!!!!!!!!!!

COPY AND PASTE THIS LINK TO READ MORE ABOUT THE SHOW AND REISSUE OF CHECK YOUR HEAD

http://www.jambase.com/Articles/17146/Beastie-Boys-Check-Your-Head-Reissue-Hollywood-Bowl-Sept-24

Jealous of you SXSWers

I must admit that I am entirely jealous of anyone and everyone that was at SXSW in Austin, TX this past week (For the uninformed, SXSW is to music what Sundance is to film). At the time it came to make plans, I was working full throttle at the law firm and really did not have the availability to spare a week of my time to head to Austin to check out the latest and greatest in the music scene. Unfortunately, my job status didn't change until two weeks before SXSW when I no longer had the funds saved to go....

But, for those that did go, I have no doubts that it was a blast. The scene sounded like it was going to be incredible this year. I can't remember a year in history where there were more acts that I wanted to see (not to mention more people that I grew up with who were performing - what's up Scott "Kid Cudi" Mescudi and The Volunteers' Dan Goddard???!?!?!?). The stellar line-up, combined with sponsored parties and the generally vibe of Austin all equals up to one kick ass time.

For those of you who did go - I would love to get your feedback on who the best acts were - musically, stage presence, improvisation, etc. Also, any tips on where to stay and what to do or not to do at SXSW would be helpful for me as well as other readers.

THANKS.

Steve Aoki Link

Aoki's blog and free Aoki downloads here:

http://steveaoki.dimmak.com/blog

The French Semester - A & R Event

The Knitting Factory hosted the audibly pleasing The French Semester last night as part of an A & R Showcase. The quartet played a pretty good show from 8:15-9 pm to a decent size crowd of 40 to 50 people. They opened with "Backwards Rolling" and did another tune before hitting a crowd-pleaser with "Remembering Right Now."

Next was "Fourteen" where Riaz, the lead vocalist and guitarist, hit some brief smooth, throwback guitar solos over the subdued, loungy, indie-rock-doo-wopish song. That was probably my favorite song of the night. After one or two more songs, the band announced they would play two new and unrecorded songs to close out their set, and the crowd seemed generally content. Hopefully some A & Rs were in the crowd and took note of the talented and unique sound of TFS. I know I did....

http://www.thefrenchsemester.org/

http://www.myspace.com/thefrenchsemester

Will.i.am Listening Party

Went to a listening party for Will.I.Am's new record last night. Ben took me and Dylan and it was spectacular.

The room was Interscope's cool little private club just off Colorado and the tunes were being supplied by Apple and Will.I.Am himself. The booze was free. The women were beautiful (definitely some video groupies in the crowd). The vibe was cool.

Even cooler was dancing next to Polo Da Don, sitting next to Timbaland and meeting DJ Bombshell Baller. Meeting Bombshell Baller was probably the coolest part of the night - www.bombshellballer.com . She was friendly, funny, attractive and apparently she is a talented DJ (her website links to her myspace page where she has some of her tunes).

As for the listening part of the event, I really dug a few of the tracks - especially the one that kept saying "Mazel Tov" and something about tonight lasting forever. I told Ben that should be the next single - that it has a lot of crossover appeal. Maybe they will brand that song somehow...There was at least one other song beside the current single that I thought had single potential written all over it, but I can't remember any of the lyrics.

The long and short of this event is that it was really cool, I had fun, and I hope I get invited to more of them.

Big Organ Trio on April 3rd @ The Mint

An exciting young funk/jazz/boogaloo band, Big Organ Trio, will be opening for Dr. Lonnie Smith, the boogaloo legend, on Friday April 3rd @ The Mint. Here is a little treat from when BOT played in Santa Monica at 14 Below a few years back...

Cool Daft Punk Music Website

This website is like an online Daft Punk MPC machine. 16 buttons, 16 different samples - simple daft punk lovers fun.

www.najle.com/idaft

Fan Manager Website Launch Party

On March 26th, Los Angeles based FanManager.net will be having a party to celebrate their fourth anniversary and launch of their new website at The Mint (6010 W. Pico Blvd.)

Moonalice will be performing, with GE Smith and Jack Casady. The show will start around 10 pm. DJ Samantha Love will be spinning before Moonalice comes on. Tickets are $10 at the door. Gifts will be given to the first 100 individuals who come. If you can come out to support FanManager and Moonalice - please do!

Concert Blast (3/16-3/23)

Monday March 16
Primal Scream, Brian Jonestown Massacre @ Club Nokia
Simian Mobile Disco w/ JDH and Dave-P @ Henry Fonda
MSTRKRFT @ Roxy (CD Release Party)
Kurt Vile @ Echo Curio
Wait.Think.Fast @ Echo
Larytta, Girls, Hecuba @ Echoplex
Nico Stai, Youth Group @ Spaceland
The Mighty Regis @ Molly Malones
Kyler England @ Room 5
Cute Is What We Aim For, Breathe Carolina, Anarbor @ HOB – Anaheim
Great Northern, Superkali with DJs Zarembo + Selector Raiford @ Silverlake Lounge
Steel Panther @ Key Club
Bang Bang Eche @ The Viper Room
Mika Miko @ The Smell
The Soundtrack of Our Lives @ Troubadour

Tuesday March 17
….and You Will Know us By The Trail of the Dead @ Echoplex
Dave Gleason, Mars Arizona @ Redwood Bar & Grill
Skid Row @ Key Club
Ladyhawke, Jeppe @ Troubadour
Jason Webley @ Echo Curio
Vital Transformation, Stab City @ L’Keg Gallery
Mickey Avalon @ Roxy
Ladyhawke @ Troubadour
Kap Bambino @ The Viper Room
Jason Aldean, Arnie Lynn @ HOB – Sunset
The New Low @ Brennans Pub (Marina Del Rey)
Furcast, So Many Wizards @ Silverlake Lounge
Moving Hearts @ Royce Hall at UCLA

Wednesday March 18
Golem, The Sway Machinery @ Echo (includes members of Antibalas)
Anthony B @ Echoplex
THE FRENCH SEMESTER, Shout to the Left @ Knitting Factory
MSTRKRFT @ Jimmy Kimmel Live
You Me & Iowa @ Molly Malone’s
Mariza @ Walt Disney Concert Hall
Brandy Robinson @ Room 5 Lounge
Stab City @ Old Towne Pub
Amber Ojeda @ Dakota Live Music Lounge
Taylor Hicks, Check in the Dark @ Roxy Theatre
Escape the Fate, Black Tide, Burn Halo @ HOB – Sunset
Jenni Alpert @ Hotel Café
Smith and Pyle @ Spaceland
Sucker for Pumps, Giant States @ Troubadour
Merchants of Moonshine @ King’s Road Café
The Happy Problem @ Spaceland

Thursday March 19
War Tapes @ The Scene
City Fritter @ Crane’s Hollywood Tavern
Ladysmith Black Mambazo @ Conga Room
Press Play @ Angelus Temple
The Mighty Regis @ Molly Malones
John McLauglin, Chick Corea, Christian McBride, Kenny Garrett @ Royce Hall
Jim Hanft @ The Hotel Café
Erick Macek @ UCLA
Madorico @ Dakota Live Music Lounge
Soft Fangs, Icy Lytes @ Echo Curio
The One AM Radio @ Space 15 Twenty
Nick Jago @ Spaceland
Elle ven @ Rusty’s Surf Ranch
The Absolute, 100 Monkeys @ The Mint
Paula Maya @ The Talking Stick
Justo Almario @ The Baked Potato
Possessed, Doug Doppler @ HOB – Sunset

Friday March 20
Dave Mason, John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers @ Cerritos Center
My imaginary friends @ Echo Curio
Kyle Williams @ Rainbow Room
DJ A-Trak, The Count & Sinden @ Avalon
Fourtet, Jon Hopkins @ Echo
Tanya Nunez @ El Cid
Ghost Hounds @ Molly Malone’s
Brandon Rogers, the soul of John Black @ The Hotel Café
The Hot Toddies, Paul Wall, New MaximumDonkey @ Knitting Factory
DJ Oggy @ Blue Moon
The Collab Project @ Dakota Live Music Lounge
Justo Almario @ The Baked Potato
Rakim and Keny-Y @ Club Nokia
Franco De Vita @ NOKIA Theatre
Tuck & Patti @ Catalina Jazz Club
Johnny Bennett @ Crash Mansion L.A.
Silent Treatment @ The Roxy
People @ Troubadour

Saturday March 21
OK Go, Io Echo @ HOB-Anaheim
Blue October, Stars of Track and Field @ Club Nokia
Tuck & Patti @ Catalina Jazz Club
War @ La Mirada Theatre
Logic @ Good Hurt Night Club
Black Mountain, The Sadies @ Echoplex
Sebastian Ingrosso @ Avalon
Evangenitals @ Molly Malone’s
Missy Higgins, Justin Nozuka @ Orpheum Theatre
DJ Oggy @ Tatou
Stampead, Erick Macek @ The Hotel Café
Yep! @ Space 15 Twenty
Luckman Jazz Orchestra @ Luckman Theater
Dear and the Headlights @ Knitting Factory
Alice Russell @ Troubadour
Dave Liebe Hart, My Imaginary Friends @ Echo Curio
Adicts @ Key Club
Will Bernard, Stanton Moore, John Medeski, Andy Hess @ The Roxy
Paula Maya @ The Talking Stick
Y & T @ briXton
Calvin Harris, Paul Oakenfold @ Vanguard
John Statz @ Tribal Café
Brendan McCreary, Andrew Paul Woodworth @ The Mint
Trevor Hall @ Dakota Live Music Lounge
Led Zepagain @ HOB – Sunset

Sunday March 22
Links @ The Viper Room
Miranda Cosgrove @ Troubadour
Cipes and The People @ HOB – Sunset
Brian Buckley Band @ The Mint
Droog @ Downtown L.A. Standard
Tuck & Patti @ Catalina Jazz Club
Fuzz-Huzzi @ Club 705
Kimberly Locke, Sam Harris @ Wilshire Theatre

Monday March 23
Mike Vitale @ Room 5
Mi Ami @ Pehrspace
Dark Meat @ The Smell
Asa @ Hotel Café
Steel Panther @ Key Club
Bishop Allen, Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band @ Troubadour
Chris Mouch Band @ Molly Malone’s
PJ Harvey, John Parish, Howie Gelb @ El Rey
Lucy Schwartz @ Room 5 (“Songwriters in the Round”)

Crutch Boogie

Check out this cool video that my friend Noah put me on to. If only I could crutch like this....

Support The French Semester

Just a quick reminder to vote for The French Semester if you have not already done so. The link to vote is http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http://thedelimagazine.com%2Fla%2Fvote.php. The opportunity to vote ends on March 15th. The winner will get great publicity. The guys could really use the publicity because they are playing an A&R Showcase at the Knitting Factory on March 18th at 7:30. A good showing at the venue could really help propel their career (and possibly mine if they hook me up with legal and/or managerial work ;) ). Admission will be $5 or free with your industry card.

Crutch Copy

So, I've been rocking it at a few shows now with crutches. First it was Raphael Saadiq at House of Blues, then Greyboy All-Stars at the Troubadour, then Cut Copy at Henry Fonda (not really - boo the fire marshall) and tonight was Cut Copy at Club Nokia.

I think I am really starting to perfect the crutch boogie. I can jump on one foot and sway my crutches around; I can do the dip in the crutches and the butterfly; I can do a pseudo lawn mower; I can do the air pump; I can pump the crutch in the air....all in all, I'm pretty versatile.

Tonight's Cut Copy show gave me the opportunity to bring out the full repertoire of moves.

Matt & Kim opened and were surprisingly good. They moved the crowd, were fun to listen to and they had a great energy. Matt seemed particularly excited to be in L.A. I walked into the venue to them starting a rendition of Dead Prez's "Hip-Hop" and was absolutely stoked. They certainly did not disappoint. That said, I thought Matt spoke a little bit too much to the crowd.

After an extensive break, Cut Copy finally came to the stage. Interestingly enough, they opened with their top hit "Hearts on Fire." While I was pleased to hear it, I was surprised it was the opener. They weaved in and out of some new and older material for a while.

The crowd was jamming, particularly two young hipsters in matching hoodies who were clearly drunk and overly fascinated with my crutches. They got all up in my face and started dancing around me. It was kind of funny. Their excitement got me a bit more amped and I began dancing more near the people around me. Several people were impressed with my crutch skills. One man was so impressed he bought me a gin and tonic.

"Satellite" was the next song I truly could identify, and that was about mid-way through the set. The show continued in much the same way it began - high energy, followed by a brief lull, followed by more high energy....but none of the songs really killed. There were a few that got me moving a bit more, but nothing that made me want to go crazy.

The show was brief, and when the encore came around - they played two songs, but no 'Lights and Music' and I was furious. I actually started yelling "Lights and Music' as encore song 2 was ending because I could not believe that they might not play it. Maybe they always intended to play it, maybe they heard Crutchy Hopkins cries for relief...either way, they broke into "Lights and Music" and it was incredible. I danced with the whole surrounding crew and when the song was over, marched my way down the stairs on one good foot :)

All in all, an excellent concert night!

BUT, last night, I didn't even get in because the fire marshall wouldn't let anyone else in the door. If you happened to be one of the concert goers trying to get into the Henry Fonda and got denied, please please contact me. I am trying to get our money back for the tickets. The more injured people I have, the better.

Day N Nite - Piano Version

Discovered this beautiful cover of Kid Cudi's "Day N Nite"



Check it out!

Concert Update - March Supplement

Jodeci was cancelled tonight. Sorry for everyone looking to go back to "Lately" and "Forever My Lady" days.

The French Semester will be playing at The Knitting Factory on Wednesday March 18th. Please come out and support Riaz and his bandmates. The French Semester has been nominated again as Band of the Month at the Deli LA. if you could kindly vote for them at some point they (and I) would be ever so grateful. The winner gets stellar publicity. Vote at this link...

http://thedelimagazine.com/la/vote.php

Also, Lucy Schwartz will be playing at Genghis Cohen this Saturday night at 8:30 p.m. with her full band. She is an amazingly talented young artist and songwriter. She comes from a family of talent and she should definitely be seen. If you cannot make the show this Saturday March 7th, she has some other shows in April, including another show with her full band at The Hotel Cafe on Wednesday April 1 at 7 pm.

Lastly, for any die-hard funk fans, Karl Denson's Tiny Universe and Robert Walter's 20th Congress are doing a two-day co-bill in San Francisco at the Independent on March 20th and 21st. I am considering going. If you are interested, please contact me.

LA Concert Blast - March 2009

Concerts in LA for the month of March. The first week is thorough, the rest is less thorough due to time constraints and the likely possibility that I will do other updates and that some shows will change.

If it's bold, I'm either going to the show, considering going to the show or have seen the artist and am recommending them.

Sunday March 1

Busta Rhymes, Diz Gibran @ Club Nokia

The New Low @ Renee’s Courtyard Café

That Was Something, The Sophomore Attempt @ The Mint

Tyvjk @ Echo

Molly Jensen @ Hotel Café

Costa Nova, New Maximum Donkey @ Knitting Factory

Jane Monheit @ Catalina Jazz Club

DJ Oggy @ On The Rox

Monday March 2

Steel Panther @ Key Club

Raphael Saadiq @ House of Blues – Sunset Strip

Bob Mould @ Hotel Café

The Fray @ The Tonight Show w/ Jay Leno

Brandon Rogers @ Molly Malones

Amy Lacour @ Room 5

Tuesday March 3

Allen Toussaint, Jon Cleary @ Cerritos Center for Performing Arts

Get Back Loretta @ Troubadour

Pop Levi, Fujiya & Miyagi @ Echoplex

Soulcrate Music @ Alterknit Lounge

Tony Bennett @ Terrace Theatre

Tom Brosseau @ Spaceland

The Grieves @ Knitting Factory

Wednesday March 4

Camel Tones @ Molly Malones

Cut Off Your Hands @ Spaceland

Shaimus @ The Mint

The Mae-Shi @ UCLA Kerckhoff Coffee House

Jodeci @ Club Nokia

Helmet, Fu Manchu, Year Long Disaster @ H.O.B. – Sunset Strip

Johnny Bennett @ Key Club

AM @ Roxy Theatre

1349 @ Whisky A Go Go

Bob Burns & The Breakups @ Knitting Factory

Crooked X @ Jimmy Kimmel Live

Jill Marie @ Room 5

Thursday March 5

Jimmy Eat World, No Knife @ Club Nokia

Kokopelli @ Genghis Cohen

Allofasudden @ Good Hurt

Eliot Lipp @ Dakota Live Music Lounge

Marcy Playground @ Brixton

Wonder Girls @ The Wiltern

The Klezmatics @ Royce Hall UCLA

The Mighty Regis @ Molly Malones

Doshus @ Air Conditioned – Venice

Cary Brothers, Buddy @ Troubadour

Bigelf @ Keyclub

Moss Bluff @ HOB – Sunset Strip

All Shall Perish, Underneath the Gun @ Whisky A Go Go

Mumiy Troll @ Roxy Theatre

Friday March 6

Check in the Dark @ El Cid

Kevin Saunderson @ Avalon

Tom Jones @ Club Nokia

Dirty Sweet, The Lonely H @ Echo

Moving Units @ El Rey

Deep 6 Holiday @ Good Hurt

Mago De Oz @ Hollywood Palladium

Asylum Street Spankers @ Molly Malones

Jason Heath and The Greedy Souls @ Mr. T’s Bowl

BLK JKS @ Natural History Museum

Amy Loftus @ Room 5

The Bad Plus @ The Mint

Hal Ketchum @ Brixton

Armored Saint @ Key Club

The Daylights @ HOB – Sunset Strip

Mumiy Troll @ Roxy Theatre

Klezmatics @ Royce Hall

Jac @ The Joint

Saturday March 7

Slipknot, Coheed and Cambria @ The Forum

Lambchop, Radar Bros. @ Largo

The Greyboy All-Stars @ Troubadour

G. Love and Special Sauce @ HOB – Sunset Strip

King Washington, Slips Into Space @ Molly Malones

The Upper Crust @ Spaceland

Conjunto Primavera @ Nokia Theatre L.A. Live

Les Claypool, The Mutaytor, Saul Williams @ The Wiltern

M83, Los Angeles Philharmonic @ Disney Concert Hall

Delilah Jones @ King Neptunes

Marcy Playground @ Key Club

Sunday March 8

Larkin Grimm, Michael Gera @ Echo

Ninja Academy @ The Grand Star

Curumin @ Spaceland

Tina Dico @ The Roxy

Soilwork, Warbringer @ Key Club

Deru @ Jimmy’s Lounge

From this point on, the only shows listed are shows that I think are worthy of mention and/or that I think might require the purchase of advanced tickets. The list from here until the end is much less thorough than the preceding week and may not include lesser known artists.

Monday March 9

Jesse McCartney @ HOB – Sunset Strip

Tuesday March 10

Cut Copy, Matt & Kim @ Henry Fonda

Neil Halstead, Zach Gill @ Largo

The Pretenders @ The Wiltern

Chali 2Na, Cut Chemist @ HOB – Sunset Strip

Wednesday March 11

Cut Copy, Matt & Kim @ Henry Fonda

Sara Bareilles @ The Hotel Café

The New Mastersounds, Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad @ The Mint

Shwayze, The Knux, LMFAO @ HOB – Sunset Strip

Thursday March 12

Break Science feat. Adam Deitch, BLVD @ Fais Do Do

De La Soul @ Key Club

Sara Bareilles @ Hotel Café

Elvis Perkins in Dearland @ Troubadour

Yelle @ El Rey

Friday March 13

The Twelves @ Avalon

Boys Noize, Diplo, Boy 8-Bit @ Shrine Expo Center

The Pink Floyd Experience @ Orpheum

Chester French, Lady GaGa @ Wiltern

Saturday March 14

Marc Ford & Neptunes Blues Club @ Café Boogaloo\

Futurecop! @ Echoplex

Lyrics Born @ The Mint

Pink Floyd Experience @ Orpheum

Sunday March 15

Monday March 16

Simian Mobile Disco @ Henry Fonda

The Soundtrack of Our Lives @ Troubadour

Tuesday March 17 – St. Patrick’s Day

Ladyhawke @ Troubadour

Wednesday March 18

MSTRKRFT @ Jimmy Kimmel Live

Taylor Hicks @ The Roxy

Thursday March 19

Friday March 20

A-Trak @ Avalon

Four Tet @ Echo

Saturday March 21

OK Go @ HOB – Anaheim

War @ La Mirada Theatre

Black Mountain, The Sadies @ Echoplex

Calvin Harris @ Vanguard

Wil Bernard, Jon Medeski, Stanton Moore and Andy Hess @ The Roxy

Alice Russell @ Troubadour

Sunday March 22

Monday March 23

Bishop Allen @ Troubadour

Tuesday March 24

Wednesday March 25

Branford Marsalis @ Catalina Jazz Club

Tricky, The Floacist @ Henry Fonda Theatre

Thursday March 26

Branford Marsalis @ Catalina Jazz Club

Angelique Kidjo @ Bovard Auditorium

The Mae Shi @ The Smell

Friday March 27

The Asteroids Galaxy Tour @ Echo

The Pod (Ween Tribute Band) @ Molly Malones

Cold War Kids, Crystal Antlers @ Orpheum

JJ Cale @ McCabe’s Guitar Shop

Pete Rock @ Key Club

Saturday March 28

Elton John, Billy Joel @ Honda Center – Anaheim

Madeleine Peyroux @ Club Nokia

Branford Marsalis @ Catalina Jazz Club

Scott Amendola @ Red Cat Theatre

JJ Cale @ McCabe’s Guitar Shop

Ottmar Liebert & Luna Negra @ El Camino College

Sunday March 29

Neil Hamburger, The Fuxedos @ Spaceland

Gym Class Heroes, T-Pain, Lil Wayne, Keri Hilson @ Gibson Amphitheatre

DJ Quik @ Key Club

Monday March 30

Billy Joel, Elton John @ Honda Center – Anaheim

Tuesday March 31

Wednesday April 1

The Rakes @ Troubadour

War Tapes @ The Smell

Thursday April 2 – Brandon’s Birthday!

Bill Frisell @ Skirball Cultural Center

Mama’s Cookin @ The Mint

Kid Sister @ Echoplex

Plain White T’s, Vedera @ HOB – Sunset Strip

Lily Allen, Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head @ The Wiltern

Friday April 3

Dr. Lonnie Smith, The Boogaloo Assassins, Big Organ Trio @ The Mint

John Brown’s Body, Mishka @ The Roxy

Saturday April 4

Ratatat @ Palladium

Stereo Total, Leslie and the Lys @ El Rey

BeauSoleil Ave Michael Doucet @ McCabe’s Guitar Shop