Tonight in L.A. (October 28, 2012)

On this last Sunday of October you could spend your day watching football and recovering from the Halloween weekend that was - or you could continue to hit the pavement and get your metaphorical trick or treat on.

If you're looking to do the latter - start in Venice today with the friendly folks from Jam In The Van at the rally for Matt Kline for Venice City Council.  JITV's recruited a few artists to get in their rig - like Robert Delong, Zach Deputy and locals Restavrant - so roll thru to see what their recording experience is like in the flesh...and while you're at it, vote if you're a Venice resident.

Speaking of JITV, van veteran Meiko joins Donovan for a set at El REy Theatre tonight.  Lights and Arkells at Fonda Theatre or Anya Marina & Friends at The Hotel Cafe might please a similar crowd.  

IF you need your Sunday to be a bit more turned up - consider the Boo Over at Lure, the Dance of the Dead at Drai's Hollywood with Yuksek, Thee Mike B and DJ Metric, Armin Van Buuren at Exchange LA or join the beachside party at Del Monte Speakeasy for Bacchanal with guest appearances from members of De La Soul's band and resident DJ's Mr. NumberOnederful and DJ Bu$rider.   Note that costumes are required for the Boo Over - which you can RSVP for here.

For a full list of shows - see below.

• With Philosophy of Soul, Chasing Colors, Dark Heavens, LNE, Depth Charge Anthem @ The Viper Room

• Back Pocket Memory, Tommy Miller & Friends, Bristol to Memory, Spence, Rudi, The Christopher Brothers, Stefan Alexander @ The Roxy

• The Toledo Show @ Harvelles

• Donovan, Meiko @ El Rey Theatre

• Red Fang, Black Tusk, Lord Dying @ Troubadour

• Conquerors of the World, Septciflesh, Krisiun, Melechesh, Ex Deo, Enquisition @ Key Club

• Armin Van Burren, Darin Epsilon @ Exchange LA

• Silent Hill Halloween Party @ Belasco Theater

• Lights, Arkells @ Fonda Theatre

• Public Image Limited (PIL) @ Club Nokia

• Mark Mallman, Transfer, State to State, Hustle and Drone, Palace Ballroom @ Bootleg Bar

• Converge, Torche, Nails, Kvelertak, Dangers @ The Echoplex

• Dignan Porch [Captured Tracks], Catwalk, Grmin @ The Echo

• Anya Marina & Friends, Brendon Walsh & Ron Funches, Kita Klane @ The Hotel Café

• Emily King, Lisa Tucker, Dave Cavalier, STAMPS, Arnold Maur @ The Mint

• Cult of Youth, Pure Ground, Jack Ladder & The Dreamlanders, Survive @ Los Globos

• Cubensis – A Grateful Dead Tribute @ The Central SAPC

• Girl Next Door – Halloween Spooktacular @ King King Hollywood

• Touch of Death: Dance of The Dead w/ Yuksek, Thee Mike B, DJ Metric @ Drai’s Hollywood

• Bacchanal Soundsystem feat. Matt Demerritt (De La Soul), Joey Reina, Woody Aplanalp, Davey Chegwidden, Matthew Silberman, Mr. NumberOnederful, DJ Bu$rider @ Del Monte Speakeasy

• KRS One, LuckyIAM @ Yost Theater

• Scare-aoke @ Detroit Bar (FREE)

• Daniel Bambaata Marley, Audible Mainframe, Dub 8 @ Saint Rocke

• Two Door Cinema Club, Friends, Bad Veins @ The Observatory

• Further Seems Forever, Chris Conley, Weatherbox @ House of Blues – Anaheim

• The Hobart Brothers, Jon Dee Graham, Freedy Johnston, Susan Cowsill @ McCabe’s Guitar Shop

• Collie Buddz, The Hold Up, New Kingston, Los Rakas @ SLO Brew

• Kevin Miso, Zach Deputy, Trevor Green @ Coach House

• Zach Deputy, Robert Delong, Restavrant + More @ Main + Abbott Kinney Rally for Matt Kline

Goulding's "Lights" Blind Boulder Crowd

Having seen Ellie Goulding’s name thrown around the blogosphere for the past few months surrounding the release of her album Lights and the stream of remixes that followed, coming from a slew of big names - from Chiddy Bang to Bassnectar. When I saw that she was coming to Boulder as part of her massive US tour, I was psyched, only to be let down when I learned tickets were sold out weeks in advance. Luckily I found a friend who hooked it up, and I was able to check out Ellie Goulding at the Fox Theatre this past Saturday.

I was perhaps equally pumped to throw on my dancing shoes for the opening band The Knocks, who went onstage promptly at 9:00. I’m a big fan of their music because it’s such a departure from the heavy whomps and aggressive sounds that classify most electronic music these days. The Knocks are just fun to dance to.

Also, unlike most other DJs and Producers, The Knocks use more than just computers and software to make their songs. Their set-up includes keyboards, drums, and other toys they used throughout their performance to add to the jams coming through their computers. The Knocks set included their hit singles “Dancing with the DJ” and “Something to Dance To” along with some pretty awesome remixes including “What’cha Say” by Jason Derulo. For their short 45 minute-ish set, The Knocks kept the party grooving and the bodies moving. Never have I seen the opening act get so much love, and they definitely left the crowd wanting more. I hope The Knocks get a headlining spot the next time around. They deserve it.

After a short break, Ellie Goulding’s band came on stage and started playing “Under the Sheets.” After a few bars, Ellie herself triumphantly joined them on stage. The crowd, admittedly full of mostly teenage girls, went crazy. She followed by going through most of Lights, including the hit title track and “Starry Eyed.” Throughout her set, which lasted a little over an hour, the energy was huge. Ellie did her best to belt out every word, even though she was still recovering from an illness, which forced her to cancel the previous show in Minneapolis.

I’m not quite sure where Ellie Goulding came from but she is turning into a phenomenon over here in the US. She has sold out just about every show across the whole country, people know all of the words to her songs, and the energy, at least in Boulder, was tremendous.

Ellie is going to be a full on pop star soon enough, but I’m a big fan because she’s changing the game. Her music isn’t typical bubblegum pop. Lights is full of everything from slow ballads, to electronic jams, to straight up rockers. Not only does shoe play great music, she will likely be a positive influence on teenage girls growing up with misogynistic and anti-feminist music all around them. I’m excited to see what Ms. Goulding has in store for her next.

Review by Adam Freedman (Colorado)

A Bite From The Cobrasnake's B-Day Party @ Cinespace