Floating Away

Oh No! Oh My!, The Deadly Syndrome @ The Echo

I think my favorite thing in the world is a show that starts at 6 pm.  Its perfect for me. I get to go out, see some great music and then either 1) meet up with other people later on or 2) go straight home and go to bed.  Ended up making a night of it, which makes the night seem super long.  But, did manage to see Orlando Bloom, Kate Bosworth (I think) and Adrian Grenier.  Adrian Grenier's band, The Honey Brothers opened up the night. 

The Deadly Syndrome

So, I went to this show to see Oh No! Oh My!, but left a huge fan of the Deadly Syndrome.  Duke has been talking these guys up for a while and I have been thoroughly enjoying some of their work (especially "I Hope I Become A Ghost"), but I was not expecting their live show to be as great as it was.  These guys are the real deal and after last night's show, they launched themselves right up there with the Parson Red Heads in terms of my favorite LA Bands. 

Not only do they write catchy songs with great arrangements, but their live show is spectactular.  The band closed with "Eucalyptus"  which turned into a 8 minute percussion jam session with all four members huddled around the drum kit rocking out only to bring it back the end.  It was very impressive and I would say that most people left that night very impressed by these guys. 

MP3: Eucalyptus - The Deadly Syndrome

Oh No! Oh My!

Recent Dim Mak signees Oh No! Oh My! played a great set that included several songs with Jesse from the Deadly Syndrome (see the accordian player in the top picture).  Their songs are catchy and full of big hooks, very reminiscent of The Little Ones or the Shins.   Highlights include the wonderful "Walk in the Park" and the rocking "Jane is Fat".

MP3: Walk In The Park - Oh No! Oh My!

Taking chest painting to a whole new level

Every now and again you'll run into something really great on the YouTube.  Check this out if you get a case of the Mondays... (even though it's Tuesday, but it feels like Monday, since we didn't have work/school yesterday...)

The Good Listeners, Tandemoro @ The Scene Bar, Glendale

Traveled out to The Scene Bar on Thursday night to check out Jax's Indie Schmindie Night.  I made it out there with the intent of checking out the Mezzanine Owls, but instead left before they took the stage (Set times were pushed way back and the Mezzanine Owls didn't take the stage until close to midnight).  Dan at Music Glob has a great write up.  While I just stared at Adrian Grenier (aka Vince from Entourage) from a distance, he actually had the balls to go to up and chat him up. 

Tandemoro:

We arrived just as Tandemoro was taking the stage.  Nice catchy indie pop with turntables.  I had read about them on Rock Insider, but hadn't actually taken the effort to click the link to hear what they sound like.  It took a while, but by the end I was very impressed.  They are a bit rough on the edges, but they had a few gems, including the excellent Lock Your Doors.  They have a great sound, catchy and very poppy, but with some great beats and guitar riffs.  Apaprently, some of these guys are also in the Western States Motel, which makes a lot of sense as the two bands do share similar musical attributes.

MP3: Lock Your Doors - Tandemoro

The Good Listeners:

Another band I knew nothing about.  These guys have everything I like.  Dreamy, hazy keyboards, great drumbeats, horns, jangly guitar.  They are really all over the place, but their songs are wonderful. I am sucker for soft pop.  The Good Listeners also set up an LCD screen and it looked like they were going to play some videos for us, but nothing ever came up.  These guys are another local band.  They will be playing Tangier this Friday, Feb 23.  Make it out there and see what these guys can do.  You will not be disappointed.

Summer 2007 @ The Hollywood Bowl

Like last year, there is another great summer season at the Hollywood Bowl.  While the Belle and Sebsatian show was one of my favorites from last year, I am incredibly excited for this year's version when The Decemberists play with the LA Philharmonic on July 7.  No word yet on the opening act, but expect another big name.  The Shins opened for Belle and Sebastian last year.

Other notable dates below:
July 15: Cafe Tacuba
July 20 and 21: Jamie Cullum w/ The LA Philharmonic
Aug 10 and 11: Cheap Trick and the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra celebrating 40 years of Sgt. Peppers.  Special guest vocalists to be announced.
Aug 22: Dave Brubeck
Sept 14 and 15: Pink Martini and the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra
Sept 23: Rufus Wainwright plays Judy Garland

Happy Valentine's Day

You might remember our quality post last Valentine's Day titled, How to be a mensch..., well, no doubt the quality of my posts have gone down since last year. 

This Valentine's Day, the big question is:  what's Google doing?  Obviously, the g is in the chocolate run off from the strawberry.  But the l?  The stem of the strawberry?

Yes, I'm embarrased that this is all I've got today.  And in fact, it was Dan who brought it to my attention.  However, at his work they only have access to the WW, so he can't access most of the fun sites which are located in the third W.  Imagine going to a Bed Bath and Beyond, without the Beyond section.  I know.  Nightmare.

Division Day, Great Northern, Happy Hollows Tonight!

Anyone who follows the indie rock scene in this great city knows the guys in Division Day.  Super nice and even more talented, they are worth rooting for.  They have been written up in the NY Times and every blog ever.  Their songs are catchy, fun and full of keyboards and they have finally been given the honor of Monday Night Residency at Spaceland.   

Tonight will be their second stint and they will be joined by Great Northern, Peter Walker and The Happy Hollows.  Great Northern is one of my favorite bands in LA.  They have just signed to Eenie Meenie Records and a proper full length will be out in May.  Get there early.

MP3: Division Day - Tigers
MP3: The Happy Hollows - Meteors 
MP3: Great Northern - Home

This American Life @ Royce Hall

I am in the midst of a NPR renaissance.  I can't stop listening and downloading podcasts of the fine programming that airs on our public radio stations nationwide.  One of my personal favorites (and quite possibly one of the best things on any medium), This American Life has announced a nationwide tour.  Ira Glass and company will be coming to Royce Hall on Monday, March 12.  Tickets are on sale here.

Also, if you didn't know, This American Life has been working for some time to move their show to Showtime.  While, many skeptics (including me) thought that the show would lose a bit in a visual format, I think the clip below proves differently.  The show looks beautiful and I look forward to watching it on March 22. 

Also, one last piece of National Public Radio hilarity.  I caught this on the great Sunday game show Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me today.  The San Francisco Chronicle has begun podcasting people's complaints about the paper.  Listen here to one man complain about the wording in a headline (trust me, its funnier than I have just described it to be). 

Radars To The Sky

When did LA become so rich in music? I feel like every band I hear now I really like is from LA and really great. The list of great bands keep growing and I would like to be the first to add Radars to the Sky to that list (ok . . . so maybe not the first since Reid posted about them before I did).

They have a great sound that is right up my alley (I am such a sucker for indie rock with female vocals).  Their song, Long Walk Home, is great for those reasons.  Not to hard, soothing female backing vocals, a great beat that makes you bob your head and play it again. 

They are playing El Cid Friday night with another great local band, Thailand.  If I wasn't rocking out with Ralph Nader, I would be there in a heartbeat.  Next time boys (and girl).  Until then, we will always have this song.

MP3: Radars to the Sky - Long Walk Home

Where do you stand on Ralph Nader?

It doesn't really matter what your answer to this question is.  I personally love the guy.  I have never voted for him but I have always agreed with what he had to say and am incredibly impressed with his record.  Just a quick glance at his wikipedia entry proves that Ralph has had a lasting impact on the way we live our lives.

A new documentary, An Unreasonable Man, comes to LA this Friday.  Ralph will be speaking at all 3 evening performances (4:30, 7:15 and 9:55) at the Nuart in West LA.  Buy your tickets here for what promises to be an interesting night. 

Still don't believe me.  Check out the trailer:

Voxtrot On the Move

I am always shocked by the speed at which bands get huge these days.  I was just perusing the blogosphere and found this news: Voxtrot will be coming back in May and headlining the El Rey!  Don't get me wrong, the band is wonderful and still is one of my favorite things from last year, but they have only released 3 EPs!

In 14 months, the band has gone from opening up for The Pink Mountaintops at the Echo (see photo above) to headlining the El Rey.  Crazy.  They will be performing with my favorite all girl group from Brooklyn, Au Revoir Simone.  All dates after the jump.