The event is not really a secret - it just is at an undisclosed location and you have to RSVP to get in and they may or may not send you the address.....but let's assume that they do, because than your Saturday night will turn into a bad ass Sunday morning sunrise.
Once you're done with The Lift LA party, which goes from 10 pm to 5 am - you can top things off with a Bloody Mary breakfast - but only after you've indulged and consumed Quantic, B+ & Eric Coleman, Miles Cleret and Jeremy Sole.
Just in case you missed some of the latest videos from producer/artist Calvin Harris - here are looks at some of his latest "Feel So Close" and "Bounce" featuring Kelis. Enjoy...
English electro-pop act Metronomy headline the Troubadour on Saturday October 15th as part of a tour through the SoCal region.With their third album, The English Rivera, under their belt, and praise from "The Look" - the four piece hit up the left coast to hopefully perform some of the tunes from their album nominated for the Barclaycard Mercury Prize "Album Of The Year."
The music on English packs more energy than some of their previous releases.Songs like The Bay remind me of background tracks from Earthworm Jim and music that I put into a folder called "general synth dopeness."
And when I watch the video - with the aerial shots of yachts, licking popsicles and a whole lot of white shirts and pumps - I really do feel so good when I listen to it. The girl in the group just happens to be the drummer too - yet another reason to dig this quartet.
For this leg of their tour, Metronomy will be supported by fellow electro-pop artist NewVillager. The show October 15th is allegedly sold out.However tickets are still available for their show at the Detroit Bar in Costa Mesa and I think they may be playing the Mondrian Hotel as well.
Last week NeverShoutNever released their third full-length studio album Time Travel. While that might not be a blip on all rockers' radar, it certainly is a huge one for their devoted fan base.Anyone who’s been a fan of Christopher Drew and band knows their discography also includes multiple singles and over 3 other EPs.In support of the new release NSN launched “The Time Travel Tour” with A Rocket To The Moon, The Plain White T’s, Fake Problems, and Carter Husley. *
The tour rolls through Los Angeles this week, with NSN performing at HOB-Sunset and The Grove of Anaheim on September 28th and 30th, respectively.While tickets are still available for each show - what fans should be rushing to is the exclusive hang out event with the band happening Friday September 29th.Announced only last Friday, the indie-rock band act as special guest at the grand opening of the new Warner Bros. Records store in Burbank.
The band will be doing an acoustic set as well as a signing.This exclusive event is limited to the first 250 people who show up.Do not be fooled; NSN draws a crowd. If you want to get in, you might expect to be waiting a few hours ahead of time to secure your spot.The show starts at 5:00 PM and there will be exclusive merchandise available for purchase, including a limited edition lithograph signed by the whole band.
Even better news for those who attend the HOB-Sunset show.If you bring your ticket stub you get the lithograph and a special NSN button for FREE! And as a consolation for those who cannot attend the in-store appearance (i.e. those who work normal jobs with normal hours), you will be able to stream the session online.These exclusive opportunities don’t happen very often anymore with the band so if you can get to Burbank with time to kill in line - consider it.
The new WB Records location is 3300 Warner Blvd., Burbank, CA 91505.Street parking is available but limited.If no parking can be found on Warner Blvd - try Riverside Dr.
Over the summer Mondrian Sessions successfully put on unique live shows featuring artists of all ilks - from Cults to Feist to Fool's Gold and more. Each show featured hand selected buzz artists and their new fall series looks to be no different. TheMondrian Sessions are proud to announce their fall line up of shows - the first of which is happening tonight at Mondrian LA and is hosted by IAMSOUND Records.
This evening’s performance comes from the hands and mouth of English synth-pop artist Little Boots.Little Boots is vocalist Victoria Hesketh - a catchy, cute little fireball. Considering this whole event is poolside and intimate it’s going to be an amazing time.Be on the look out for future Mondrian Session shows with Newvillager (October 20) and SBTRKT (October 24).
All Mondrian Session shows are at the Skybar and go from 8:00 PM till midnight.Special guests DJs will be at each show.All Sessions are FREE as long as you RSVP here and are at least 21 years old.
Check out the latest music video from Yelawolf - the talented hyperactive white MC. With ad lib drops from Lil Jon, lots of Jack Daniels and girls wrestling in an inflatable pool make this video indeed HARD WHITE.
Check out "Hard White (Up In The Club)" by Yelawolf featuring Lil Jon.
Saturday night's Roots concert at House of Blues was exactly what I needed - a smack in the face from a veteran band.
While festival season brought out many great acts, including The Roots themselves, I felt it rarely elicited straight magic from those veteran touring artists when they hit the massive stage. The metaphorical torch of rocking the crowd felt like it had been passed to the groundswell of rising talent that go bananas when they see capacities they previously thought unattainable - the way Childish Gambino did at Bonnaroo or The Stone Foxes did at Outside Lands Festival. Well, this Saturday, The Roots reclaimed the throne as the best live show in town...any town.
The fearsome Fallon house band executed Roots classics, a few new joints and a healthy mix of covers to an over capacity crowd at the Sunset Strip's The House of Blues. Entering around 9:45, I caught a handful of tracks off of "How I Got Over" - including the end of the title track and "Fire" (normally accompanied by John Legend) on ground level where you could barely find place to stand. Apparently I missed Thought @ Work - but Thought's buttery poetic verses over the new material clearly announced he was on his illa-fifth adrenaline.
If there was any question whether they were ready - their drop of the now infamous "Hear I Come" let you know America's favorite house band from Philly via NYC had indeed come. The eruption from the floor (and the sheer volume of people) resulted in my retreat to the balcony - which proved brilliant. The view from up top showcased a crowd packed so close it was like they were trying to get a better smell of the Roots' sweat.
Focusing on a lot of Things Fall Apart and Do You Want More?!? material for a good section of the show - from sexy bass on The Next Movement and beautiful melodies on Step Into The Realm and You Got Me to the always smooth Proceed and an amaze-balls version of Mellow My Man - it felt like it was a Roots show from a decade earlier. The bass was often so in the pocket, if you shut your eyes, you may have even thought that Hubbard was still slapping licks....except that Tuba Gooding Jr. wasn't in the band back then and his bass drone was an undeniable highlight.
Doing 360 degree rotations and two stepping all over stage, Tuba really rocked the crowd with showmanship. Him and Captain Kirk Douglas traded stage theatrics to really entertain the packed house (as well as themselves).
They may have been the most emphatic performers on stage - although they got a challenge from Childish Gambino who made a surprise appearance during an interlude after the Mellow My Man jam. Gambino played three songs with his own band, which, at times, included ?uestlove on percussion. He came out to 'Freaks and Geeks' - one of his most bragadocious but nonetheless dope releases, but he closed with "Bonfire" the overnight heater that had seen its real introduction at a Paris show and on Hot 97 just earlier that week. The actor better known as Donald Glover certainly made the most of his appearance only raising my expectations for his next show and his hopefully coming soon album on Glassnote.
Gambino quickly relented the mic to the master, Mr. Trotter, or Black Thought, who shortly after the interlude orchestrated a series of amazing rock covers - from "Sweet Child O Mine" to Gil Scott Heron's "The Bottle." The Roots continued their stage show - with Kamaal, James Poyser and the new bassist all joining the choreographed dances - and by shows end - even Frankie Knuckles was in the dancing mix.
Myself nor the rest of the crowd wanted the show to to be over. Attendees endured to the bitter end and then hung around stage hoping to get just a second more and then to get whatever drum sticks or other items The Roots were willing to hand out (?uestlove gave away the head on one of his drums). Some even retreated to The Foundation Room where Poyser, Knuckles, Tuba Gooding Jr. and Gambino could all be found mingling with concert goers. Everyone left satisfied because it was easily the best concert House of Blues has hosted all year...
Deadmau5 just can't get enough of Southern California....or maybe we can't get enough of him. Either way, he is storming back through the state on his Meowington Hax tour at the start of Halloween Weekend.
If you missed his epic four night sold out run at Hollywood Palladium - NOW is your chance to correct that mistake. Tickets for the Petco Park show on October 28th go on sale tomorrow at noon via Live Nation. With support from Feed Me and Tommy Lee & DJ Aero and special guest Avicii the show is likely to be a certified banger.
If you’re questioning what to do tonight, you should head over to the Echoplex because the Swedish electro/hip-hop group Teddybears will be there.With tracks like Cobrastyle, Get Mama A House, and Cardiac Arrest you won’t be let down.Their mix of rock, punk, and hip-hop have gotten them a solid fan base and welcoming audiences worldwide.
The release of their sixth studio album in early 2010, Devil’s Music, was re-released in June of this year.The album now features artists like Robyn, Cee Lo, Eve, and B.o.B.Songs like Chrystal Meth Christian and Rocket Scientist are the result of the Teddybears combining multiple types of genres in order to birth music you have to move to.
The show tonight is the monthly Check Yo Ponytail 2event held at the Echoplex.Supporting acts for tonight at Win Win, Physical Forms, Teams.
After seven years, the Doheny Days Festival returned to Doheny State Beach in Dana Point California this past weekend.Day One brought out a slightly older crowd - perhaps because of the location or the line-up? Either way, just about anyone who was legal to, started drinking the second they walked through the gates. There were multiple games for kids, shopping opportunities and sponsors like Sailor Jerry’s Rum and local radio powerhouse KROQ.
The day kicked off with SoCal locals Aloha Radio, a surf rock band whose lead singer has a Gwen Stefani feel circa Return of Saturn.The group was fun and enthusiastic and definitely got their crowd moving. With the recent release of their EP Big Wave Madness they seem to be drawing more attention to themselves.
I bailed early on Aloha Radio’s set because on the main stage the Ken Garcia Band was performing.Garcia’s Latin chill rock not only invited listeners, but his apparent ease on stage made the crowd just hang back and enjoy the music.His niece sang a very emotional version of California Dreamin’ by The Mamas and the Papas, and immediately following, Ken sang one of his many songs about his wife of 30 years.One of the last tracks the band performed was called Gypsy Nights, which Ken boldly claimed Mick Jagger stole the guitar lick from in order to pen Paint It Black.
Next, Common Sense took the stage.This engaging reggae-rock group was, in my opinion, the best act of the first half of the day.They moved the crowd throughout the entire set and even played along with them. At one point, one of the crowd's beach balls ended up on stage and the front man sat on it...before almost falling off.Their spontaneity and skill were truly entertaining.
Heading to the back area of the festival I found DJ Ean Golden spinning tracks.He was good, spinning Top 40 and even some Dubstep to change up the music some.However, he wasn’t able to draw a very large crowd considering: (a) the placement of the stage (b) Katchafire was on the main stage and (c) it was a mediocre DJ at a rock festival.I understand having a DJ for in between sets but Ean seemed a little out of place.
Realizing that the DJ set wasn’t going to be anything new, I headed over to the main stage to catch Katchafire.Hailing from New Zeland, this seven-piece reggae band has toured internationally and their album Revival went double platinum in NZ.As with the other reggae acts they delivered a solid dosage of chill, laid back fun.They ended their set with Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds, which had the whole crowd singing along and feeling at ease.
There was a short break after the Katchafire set that caused JJ Grey & Mofro to go on late.Turns out their bassist was stuck in traffic so one of their guitarist switched instruments in order to keep the show going.The wait was completely worth it -JJ knew how to talk to his audience and command the crowd. His songs were emotional and drew you in - with his perfect combination of blues and rock & roll making every song relatable.I was impressed and highly suggest checking out his music.
Now, unfortunately, as happens at many festivals, I had to miss an act I wanted to see - Blitz the Ambassador because I was too busy rocking out to G. Love & Special Sauce.Seriously, don’t let the name fool you - this band is just fantastic and their special sauce is no joke.There is a natural flow and energy within their music that forces you to stop and listen and the crowd was on their feet for almost the entire set. G. Love was witty and charming, and the outfit as a hole really impressed me with their hip-hop/rock styling. Part of my next paycheck will definitely be going towards buying their music.
The last two sets were Donovan Frankenreiter and Ben Harper. Although good pictures were hard to come by in the sunset, good music was not. Donovan’s set was so relaxed - it was just comfortable to sit and listen to his words. G. Love joined him at one point - which resulted in an increase in praise from the crowd. Overall Donovan was great, but you could feel the anticipation building for the final act of the night, Ben Harper. The audience was enchanted by Harper and who could blame them? There’s no doubt that his performance was the right way to end the night.
While the music was spectacular and I enjoyed my experience - it is worth noting that the festival could have been a bit smoother. Doheny attempted to control money flow by issuing wristbands with scannable parts that permitted patrons to load money onto their wristband. This was the only means by which you could purchase concessions - which resulted in unnecessary delay and a multitude of technical difficulties. Whatever savings was generated by people not stealing from the festival's coffers were lost on the decrease in efficiency and lost sales due to customer frustration and impatience. I want to be able to hand someone $10 and in return get a burger or fries or whatever overpriced item I choose - but I was not able to do that with ease.
All in all, the long awaited return of the Doheny Days Festival was kicked off right.Good music, fun, and a welcoming environment. I can’t wait to see if the festival comes back around next year.
One week from today, Ben Harper, a musician whose voice, energy and following could easily fill the El Rey Theatre, is taking his talents to The Mint. Not only will he be delivering a rather exclusive performance for the intimate venue, he'll also be generating money for a good cause.
This won't be Harper's first time either - he is a constant do-gooder, usually using music as his vehicle to create that good. He doesn't just kill you with kindness on stage - he does plenty off stage to help those less fortunate then him. On Monday September 19th he'll be doing good for Babette Ho to support her efforts to fight an advanced cancer.
Tickets go on sale Tuesday September 13, 2011 at 10 a.m. Tickets are $75 and can be purchased here.
Blues and punk meet pure rock in Baby Brother’s debut album, Strange Things. They are a Brooklyn-based band whose tunes pay homage to their current city while staying true to the roots from which they hail.
On Strange Things you can hear influences from big names such as The Ramones, Richard Hell, and John Lennon (circa the Double Fantasy album). It’s rock ‘n’ roll and it’s raw, no electro pop fusion here - the music is as naked and honest as the subject matter. Their lyrics pine and whine about love and loss, fucking up, having your heart broken, getting mad, going mad and being hopeful.
Their twangy rhythms and bluesy vocals are off-set by the sporadic appearance of heavy power chords and quick, harsh tempos. Most of their songs clock in at about three minutes leaving no time for drawn-out gimmicks.Instead Baby Brother pay tribute to the past few generations by hitting upon the three major music markers of the last century: blues, punk and rock ‘n’ roll.
Big Brother may be watching you, but Baby Brother is the one to watch. Their debut album Strange Things is currently available on iTunes with their follow-up album set to be released at the end of this year, and if it’s anything like their first, it is sure not to disappoint.
Looking for some fun at the beach this weekend? Well cruise on down to Doheny State Beach September 10 & 11 for the Doheny Days Music Festival in Dana Point, California. This two day festival event features over 20 artists drawing from a variety of genres, including rock, reggae, chill-hop, jam and more.
Day 1 (Saturday) features Ben Harper, G. Love and Special Sauce, Blitz The Ambassador, Donovan Frankenreiter and much more! Personally I most look forward to G. Love and Special Sauce as I've been jamming out to their tunes since grade school and it is impressive to see the longevity of their career. Also JJ Grey & Mofro play some pretty bad ass bluesy rock that doesn't quite sound like anything else out there.
However it gets even better on Day 2 of Doheny Days Music Festival with Weezer, Ziggy Marley, Cake, Hyper Crush, Neon Trees and much more jamming out on Sunday. If I had to choose between attending on Saturday or Sunday, I would take Sunday in a heartbeat as Weezer's classic material is infectious, Neon Trees and Cake will certainly rock the fest, jamming out to Ziggy Marley always invites a mellow mood and dancing to some electronic pop from Hyper Crush could be the perfect end to a weekend.
This is one of the more affordable music festival choices to come our way, so I recommend looking into tickets if any of the artists pique your curiosity.
Last Monday, I witnessed lead singer of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah perform an intimate acoustic session at what was originally slated as a listening session for the band's upcoming album, Hysterical. Instead I heard about 15-20 minutes of an acoustic session with the lead singer playing mostly songs from before the band got together. Unfortunately some travel complications prevented the majority of the Clap Your Hands crew from making it.
On a positive note, the listening session was staged at the Soho House in Hollywood - which provided an ideal and intimate event setting with a great view from the Hollywood hills. Although I did not get a true sense for how the band actually might perform live due to their travel complications - I nonetheless enjoyed the hang with industry peeps and the impromptu solo set.
If the whole band showed up, I'm sure I would be much more excited (and have a lot more fodder for) writing this review and be able to give you a more honest and accurate opinion of their latest album, Hysterical, which is out now on iTunes. I wish I could have seen the whole band and will keep my eyes peeled for their next LA gig. However, despite failing at that, I can confidently say that if you are a fan of upbeat indie rock then there's a good chance you will enjoy Clap Your Hands Say Yeah.
Here's two free songs off the band's latest album, Hysterical.
The second installment of North Coast Music Festival is filled with artists both big and small - but there are 11 current, former and future chart toppers that we think make the return of the festival an extra special one. This collection of artists have been bringing thier A game to stages for years - and we expect nothing less from them this weekend in Chicago.
1. Thievery Corporation - 8:30 - 10:00 Sunday; Red Bull Grove Stage -
With a new album under their belt – “Culture of Fear” – that continues the massive groups reign as the quintessential eclectic world influenced chill music.From “Stargazer” to the title track – the new record is a winner and maintains the Corporation’s position as one of the better composition groups out there.With an ensemble that can exceed a dozen people – its not so easy to find a stage suitable for the Corporation – but North Coast is providing that platform (they also play a late show on Sunday). Check out this youtube video for "Free" off of the new record.
Squaring off against Thievery, this may be the toughest decision of the festival. But Bassnectar has been crushing the festival circuit this summer.Arguably at more big or legitimate festivals than any other electronic artist/DJ this summer, Lorne has been throwing the bass down on stages around the country at lightning pace.With a progressive and coordinated visual performance to compliment his tunes, and always with something to say to the crowd before an epic drop, a Bassnectar festival set is not to be missed. If you do have to miss it - he is going on a national tour.
3. Common - 7:30 - 8:30 Saturday; Named After Groupon Stage -
With rumors circulating of a new album coming soon and a recent series of Rock The Bells performances of his record “BE”, Common is again part of the buzz in the hip-hop community.His conscious, eloquent, creatively crafted lyrics compliment almost any beat he is given and there is no doubt the Chi-Town native is probably cooking up something wicked.With a festival performance in his hometown – I certainly wouldn’t miss it.The potential for a cameo or guest to show up is realistic and whether one does or doesn’t, Common can carry a performance from coast to coast any day.
4. Rusko – 6:30 - 7:30 Saturday; North Coast Stage
Producer extraordinaire Rusko brings his preferred bass drops to NCMF and I couldn’t be more excited.After unfortunately missing him at Camp Bisco (he cancelled) and his absence from some of the most major festival line-ups (Coachella, Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza) – catching a Rusko set this summer has not been that easy. The 26 year old dubstep juggernaut has produced for M.I.A., Britney Spears and recently Mike Posner’s "Shut Up."
5. David Guetta - 8:30 - 10 Friday; North Coast Stage
The man that popularized electro-soul-house headlines tonight and, rightfully so. Owning multiple #1 hit records, including a recently released album “Nothing But The Beat” that is crushing charts on just about every continent, Guetta is at the top of his game. With lasers, robots and hot drops galore at any Guetta show – he is the perfect act to end the first night of a hopefully epic weekend.
6. Lettuce - 4:30 - 5:30 Saturday; North Coast Stage
These ambassadors of funk have been playing together for over a decade - hailing back to their days at Berklee School of Music. Each member has their own viable bad ass offshoot - from Deitch's Break Science and stint with Pretty Lights to Krasno and Evans' Soulive - they all do their thing separately. But when this super group gets together - its about as dirty as funk gets. While each man in this band is an all star - it is a toss up as to who the anchor is. I'm a big fan of Jesus, their bassist, who has smacked the strings on some classic hip-hop records as well as stages around the world. Check out a sampling of their live energy and a little background on the band in these two youtube videos:
7. Major Lazer - 6:00 - 7:00 Saturday; Red Bull Grove Stage
Major Lazer brings together super producer Diplo and producer Switch into a baile-funk, dancehall inspired island flavored beat creating duo. With one LP, one EP, a mash-up record with La Roux (Lazerproof)and a handful of mixtapes in the last three years - Lazer has been very active on the recording side of things. They've also been active on the festival circuit - although I haven't caught them yet this summer. Saturday will change that. Here's "Pon De Floor" - one of their more popular cuts that appears routinely in other people's DJ sets.
8. The Budos Band - 3:30 - 4:30 Sunday: Named After Groupon Stage
This Daptastic crew of funky soul brothers hail from Brooklyn and make funk that is one half afrobeat, one quarter soul and all parts bad ass. Distinctively different from Lettuce, as well as other funk NCMF performers The New Mastersounds, The Budos Band's commitment to tribal rhythms and sounds is evident on each of their three records, including their most recent release, 2010's The Budos Band III. Their unique afro-soul usually comes in a 10+ person package, and who knows just how many will don North Coast's stage. Check out "Up From The South" which was the theme song for the NFL network several season ago.
9. Little Dragon - 5:30 - 6:30 Sunday; Named After Groupon Stage
Swedish synth pop darlings have been all the rage in 2011, especially since their release of Ritual Union, the groups third album, on July 25, 2011. With a handful of festival appearances since then, including Outside Lands, and this weekends appearance at North Coast as well as Bumbershoot, Little Dragon is enjoying their much deserved success as much as possible. Spearheaded by Japanese singer Yukumi Nagano, the group has been around since 1996 and is finally getting their justified dues. Post festival season they will be touring with Friendly Fires and Unknown Mortal Orchestra.
Check out them performing "Ritual Union" on KCRW. And check out Syd The Kid of Odd Future remixing one of their tracks here.
10. Zeds Dead - 3:00 - 4:00 Saturday; Red Bull Grove Stage
Progressive electronic dubstep duo made up of DC and Hooks from Toronto make what I like to call disco dubstep at times. It definitely gets your ass moving. A favorite of and frequent appearance in many DJs sets - these industry darling child's performances are quite the jam. Plus - their name is a homage to Pulp Fiction. Don't miss!
11. Break Science - 3:30 - 4:30 Saturday; Named After Groupon Stage
RJD2 is a DJ in the vein of Shadow, Jel and others that blend great samples with drum machines and make beats and compositions that have a classic hip-hop feel as well as broader appeal. Break Science is the magical duo of Adam Deitch and Borahm Lee - making glitch break beat electro jams out of NYC and delivering them to the world. While you may not have heard of their project - you've certainly heard Borahm at any of Kanye's more recent shows and Deitch has been a mainstay drummer on the scene since the 90s when he played drums with the Fugees. These two party starting forces collided at this years Camp Bisco and look to continue the magic here at North Coast. (they also play a late show Saturday)
