SUPERGOODMUSIC

Saturday, May 22, 2010

From Reflection to Hyper - Hitting The Sunset Strip for Live Music

Had the privilege and pleasure of hitting up the Sunset Strip a handful of times this week, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday nights, but I finally remembered to bring my camera to Talib Kweli & Hi-Tek at House of Blues on Wednesday and Hyper Crush last night at The Roxy. Both acts come with a hip-hop edge, but wildly different spectrums. Kweli & Hi-Tek representing Reflection Eternal and their lyrically rich and classic sound whereas Hyper Crush is a flavor of the new electro-fueled party anthem hip-hop variety in the vain of other artists like LMFAO.

Kweli ripped it from the minute he got on stage - opening with an original Reflection Eternal banger "Move Something." The lyrics were on fire and Hi Tek backed him up perfectly all night - especially in the series of opening cuts from their original record. Concentrating on old material as they got going, they satisfied the crowd's hunger to hear their original (and arguably ground breaking) works. I was definitely satisfied, although still wish I'd gotten to hear "Africa Dream."

Hyper Crush came out on fire. Immediately after premiering their video to a wild, young, intoxicated and neon dressed crowd, the curtains lifted and they smacked the crowd in the face with their electro-dance hip-hop fusion. The crowd was shook, screamed, raised their hands on command, crowd surfed and clamored for more. Hypercrush did a great job of controlling The Roxy crowd energy and made sure they delivered on fans expectations, by hosting Far East Movement on stage for a track and on playing fan favorites, like "Robo Tech" (whose video we have just below) and their live remix of La Roux's "Bulletproof."

All in all, despite missing the opening acts, I had a great time. Like the aforementioned LMFAO, Hypercrush destroyed a sold out show at The Roxy. LMFAO just opened for Black Eyed Peas at Staples Center - so who knows what is next for the interesting trio they call Hypercrush?

Pictures and post by Brandon "Boom D" Dorsky

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Pictureless Observations from LA's Music Scene

So, I foolishly have hit the town the last few nights sans camera. While that means we don't have pictures to share from our escapades - there are still stories, highlights and bands worthy of mention since our last update.

Saturday night brought us to the second night of Flying Lotus for the epic introduction of Lotus with a band. With Lotus flying high off the release of Cosmogramma, the night was one to be remembered. Not only was there a Cosmogramma themed design-your-own-tee-shirt station in the back of the Echoplex, but there were Cosmogramma images being projected on walls both inside and out. The whole night had a very artistic avant-garde feel to it - which was only further emphasized by the improvisational saxophone playing of Ravi Coltrane.

Looking at the bill for Saturday night, I did not anticipate that we'd go from Gaslamp Killer to Coltrane's quintessential jazz in a matter of an hour, but it happened. Spanning the spectrum of multiple genres, the night became a melting pot of experimentation, collaboration and last, but not least, people. There were all sorts of heads out - from electro freaks, to hip-hop heads, to music critics, to seeming jazz aficionados. While the eastside is more often the locale for finding a mixed bag of people - this was one of the more diverse crowds I'd seen at a show recently. Although we tuckered out at the end of Flying Lotus' set, we were happy to have witnessed Flying Lotus' first full band performance. If you failed to make it - you can check out some free flying lotus downloads from www.rcrdlbl.com right here - http://rcrdlbl.com/artists/Flying_Lotus/music - including his remix of Kanye West's "Love Lock Down."

Sunday we took the night off from concerts, but we were back at it again on Monday with stops at the Libertine and 14 Below. The Libertine, hosted Hunnypot Unlimited's radio show with guest Foster The People, who unfortunately cancelled their performance due to a band member's personal issues. Nonetheless, "Hot Tub" John Anderson asked the questions and produced some nuggets of information about the recently signed and rising LA indie-electro-soul buzzband. From Libertine we made an obligatory stop at Pinches Tacos (best Carne Asada taco in town), before heading to the westside to meet up with A/J and Dak of Saint Motel for Glen & The Sunshine Gang at 14 Below.

Arriving at 14 Below, A/J, Dak and I bumped into @berkorules of @theviperroom before witnessing the crazed unitard party that is Glen & The Sunshine Gang. With half the band in skeleton themed unitards, it was a spectacle to be seen. That picture was only made more graphic when the pantsless keyboard and effects player removed his shirt and started dancing in his tighty whities in the middle of the crowd. I was particularly down with their juiced up version of "We Didn't Start The Fire", the classic song from Billy Joel's Storm Front album. Glen, their front man, who began the song by jumping off stage in his not so flattering to the crotchal region all red unitard, gave a performance that can only be described as rock star. What this band might lack in great songs they make up for in great (and energetic) live show. Although I can't say SUPERGOODMUSIC will be rocking out to Glen & The Sunshine Gang tracks on a regular basis - we do look forward to seeing the band again and intend on being a bit more intoxicated to enjoy the balls to the wall party that is GTSG.

Last night we ventured to The Roxy in hopes of catching both Ironheel and Bigelf. Ironheel includes band members (Jim) that hail from Boom D's hometown of Shaker Heights, but unfortunately, SUPERGOODMUSIC missed their performance. We did happen to catch Vas Defrans and Bigelf - both loud, but both worthy of The Roxy's stage. Bigelf not only had big sound, but big make-up, big hair and a big wardrobe. For reference the lead singer - whose name I do not know - was wearing a striped scarf and a jacket, with a mane down to at least his shoulders and more eye make-up than you've seen since Cats. (Okay, the Cats reference is an overstatement, but I'm just saying - homeboy rocks the make-up hard). We caught most of their big performance but left a little early to attempt a run at seeing Steve Aoki and Special Guest at Dimmak....which was thwarted by Frankie & Johnny's scrumptious pizza and a desire to watch LOST. (BTW - LOST finally answered some questions!)

Friday, May 14, 2010

Crash Kings Grace The Roxy

Uploading a video of their performance of "Saving Grace" last night at The Roxy right now, we just had to upload a few pictures, taken by Brandon "Boom D" Dorsky, of this amazing (and rising) trio too.

Their songs are performed with a passion, the wa-wa hohner is fun to watch, and the band is tightly knit. KROQ often knows what's up when it comes to the indie rock scene and last night at The Roxy was no exception.

Crash Kings are great - and their over hour long show solidified why we had them play our 10 Days of 2010 earlier this year, and why we went to see them at SXSW and why we will go see them the next time they are in town. Their shows are fun, sweaty, sexy and filled with rock n' roll flavor, both old and new as evidenced by their top notch Hendrix cover last night.

The trio know how to channel energy, keep a crowd focused and deliver the supergoodness.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

SUPERGOODMUSIC Festival Preview: May Kicks Off The Season

Summer is fast approaching as music festivals galore are just around the corner, from L.A.’s very own UCLA’s Jazz Reggae Festival on Memorial Weekend, to the esteemed (and much larger) Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza Festivals, all the way through to the San Francisco’s mid-August Outside Lands Festival (whose line-up will be announced June 1^st) and the young, but hip, Sunset Strip Music Festival at the end of August.

SUPERGOODMUSIC is already gearing up for the festive summer with planned stops at Wakarusa, Bonnaroo, and potentially Electric Daisy Carnival, Reggae on The River, Outside Lands, Sunset Strip Music Festival and more. That said, there are a few new or recently minted festivals that we don’t think you should let fall below your radar, so we wanted to give you a full rundown on festivals we think might be worthy of your attendance. Over the next week or so we will be giving you month by month breakdowns of where the hottest, most action packed festivals are. This installment brings you our take on the May events that really kickoff festival season.

As previously mentioned, May is when UCLA’s Jazz Reggae Festival takes place and this year they are really bringing the heat with a line-up that includes headliners Nas & Damian Marley, as well as Raphael Saadiq, Q-Tip, Bilal, The Foreign Exchange, Zion-I, Declaime, Nneka, Barrington Levy, The Lions and more. Tickets are not too expensive, just $26 for a single day and $45 for a two day pass, but if you are on the super strict budget, apply to be a volunteer by filling out the application at http://jazzreggaefest.com / and sending it to volunteers@jazzreggaefest.com .

Up the coast, but still in the same state at Angel’s Camp, CA is Furthur Festival taking place May 28^th to May 30^th headlined by the Grateful Dead reincarnation Furthur featuring Bob Weir and Phil Lesh, as well as the former lead from Dead cover band Darkstar Orchestra and Joe Russo on drums from the always amazing Benevento-Russo Duo. The band will be joined by Galactic, The Mother Hips, Carney, Jackie Greene, Electric Hot Tuna, Common Rotation with Dan Bern and more. Tickets can be purchased at http://www.furthurfestival.com and camping is included in the cost of the ticket.

Further north, all the way in Quincy, WA at The Gorge is Sasquatch Festival! The 3 Day Event with an uber eclectic line-up kicks off on Saturday with performances by My Morning Jacket, Vampire Weekend, Deadmau5, Ok Go, The Hold Steady, Miike Snow, The National, Brother Ali, Z-Trip, Fool’s Gold, Mumford & Sons, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, Nada Surf, Dam-Funk, Dawes and more. Sunday is just as good if not better with my festy faves LCD Soundsystem, as well as Kid Cudi, Massive Attack, Pavement, The xx, Dirty Projectors, They Might Be Giants, YACHT, Simian Mobile Disco, Girls, Public Enemy, Tegan and Sara, A-Trak, tune-yArDs, Los Angeles’ own Local Natives and Avi Buffalo, Cymbals Eat Guitars, Fruit Bat and more. Monday is good too – although the least exciting day in my opinion – with performances by the still disappointing in concert MGMT and Passion Pit, but also the always enjoyable Band of Horses, Mayer Hawthorne & The County, Ween, Dr. Dog, The New Pornographers, She & Him, as well as newcomers like Neon Indian and Yes Giantess. Check out more at http://sasquatchfestival.com/

Over in the Midwest, there is a festival for all hip hop lovers that my high school only wishes he could attend. The line-up includes Atmosphere, Method Man & Redman, Heiroglyphics featuring Del The Funky Homosapien, Murs, Freeway & Jake One, People Under The Stairs, Yelawolf, Casual and Pep Love, Eyedea & Abilities, Souls of Mischief, Busdriver, DJ Revolution, BK One, Wiz Khalifa, P.O.S. and many many more. Tickets can be copped at http://www.soundsetfestival.com

Also on Memorial Day Weekend is Summer Camp, now in its 10^th year. The line-up includes over 60 bands on 5 stages, with three days of performances from both Umphrey’s McGee and moe. Adding to the jamband vibe are other jam veterans – STS9, Gov’t Mule, Yonder Mountain String Band, Keller Williams, Victor Wooten, Dumpstaphunk, Railroad Earth, Cornmeal, ALO, The New Mastersounds, Zach Deputy, Hot Buttered Rum, Kyle Hollingsworth Band, Backyard Tire Fire, Dweezil Zappa Plays Zappa and other jambands you just haven’t heard of yet. On top of jambanders, there are reggae sensations Steel Pulse and Rebelution, and hard to define, but nonetheless stellar acts like G Love & Special Sauce and Slightly Stoopid. The festival is also cutting a bit more in the electronic generations direction, with performances by Pretty Lights, Bassnectar, EOTO, Future Rock, Boombox, The Hood Internet, That 1 Guy, Groovatron and more. Having attended this festival in the past, we can’t recommend it enough – the vibe and the people are fantastic and, since it is in Illinois in late May, you know it won’t be too hot. You can get tickets and learn more about the festival here – http://www.summercampfestival.com/2010/

However, those Memorial Weekend festivals are not the first festivals we think are worthy of your attendance.

This weekend, what really looks like the kickoff for festival season to us is the very first Hangout Beach, Music and Arts Festival in Alabama. Not only is the line-up absolutely stellar for a festival in its inaugural season, including performances by The Roots, Ben Harper & Relentless7, Trey Anastasio and TAB, John Legend, Zac Brown Band, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Funky Meters, Matisyahu, Girl Talk, Grace Potter & The Nocturnals, OK Go, Orianthi, Robert Randolph & The Family Band, Gov’t Mule, Ray LaMontagne and more, the festival also set-up special late night performances where the proceeds go to designated non profit organizations. Friday the 14^th, Alex B, Gift of Gab and Big Gigantic are performing and donating all profits to Mobile Baykeeper; Saturday Keller Williams Electronica performs a very special and cheap show (only $5, but tickets must be purchased in advance) where profits are being directed toward The Rex Foundation and Mobile Baykeeper.

The following weekend, on May 22^nd and 23^rd, in Dana Point, CA at Doheny State Beach – a host of musicians break it down over 2 days on 3 stages for a slightly older set – including Crosby, Stills & Nash, The Black Crowes, Taj Mahal & The Phantom Blues Band, Booker T. Jones, Eric Lindell, Jackie Greene, Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears, Big Sam’s Funky Nation and more to be announced soon. You can snag tickets to that event at http://www.omegaevents.com/dohenyblues/

For our international readers, in late May (27^th – 29^th), Barcelona plays host to the amazing Primavera Sound Festival. Although no SUPERGOODMUSIC representatives have ever attended, the line-up to this international event is too good to ignore. It feels like everyone under the sun is playing from Wilco, Spoon, Florence and the Machine, Grizzly Bear, The Pixies, The xx, The New Pornographers, Yeasayer, Beach House, Pet Shop Boys and Pavement to Diplo, Major Lazer, The Bloody Beetroots, Delorean, Orbital Sleigh Bells, Matt & Kim, Boy 8-Bit, Big Pink, The Antlers, Les Savy Fav, Fuck Buttons and more. If SUPERGOODMUSIC was in the E.U., we would be sure not to miss this event.

June brings arguably the heaviest month to our festival calendar, so heavy, you’ll have to wait a few days for our June Festival recommendations….

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

The Electro Majic Invasion

(Keith Masters at El Cid - photograph by Matt Roznovak)

(Keith Masters & Futurecop! are ELECTRO MAJIC; photograph by Matt Roznovak)

So, Keith Masters and Futurecop! descended upon Los Angeles delivering their futuristic, dream-wave, synth based electro majic music to three hungry crowds before going back into orbit and heading to San Francisco.

I had the pleasure of kicking it with the rising MC and production team all weekend and took in all three of their shows (El Cid was probably my favorite). Futurecop!'s album release is slated for the summer and will feature a smattering of songs that include Keith Masters, but look for a full on Masters and Futurecop! ELECTRO MAJIC release sometime not too far after that. Their genre melting music can already be heard on the internet and seen on our youtube channel with songs like "88 Girls" and "Teenage Love."

Below is a sampling of pictures from La Cita and El Cid (we ran out of batteries at 14 Below).