Local Natives and The Monthlies

Two Recent Local Band Addictions.

I have certain band addictions when it comes to the local music scene. There’s the long time addiction to The Mulhollands and Automatic Music Explosion. There’s the more recent addiction to IO Echo. And now I’m developing two new addictions: Local Natives and The Monthlies.

Local Natives, a Monday night at Spaceland. I first came across Local Natives during their February Silverlake Lounge residency based on the advice of a friend. I enjoyed their set. I loved their vocal harmonies and swayed to their melodies. I went back the following week to catch their set again. I wanted to share my new music addiction with some of my friends, but it took awhile to do so. I knew Local Natives were playing around town multiple times a month, but nothing really ever worked out for me — a number of times they were last minute additions to a schedule or they played on nights where I had a conflict. My schedule aligned with theirs when they were opening for Castledoor, which had June’s Monday night residency at Spaceland. So I sent out an e-mail blast to a handful of friends and was able to convince three of them to come on out and sample Local Natives.

The one comment I get whenever I tell people about this band is: isn’t that a bit redundant, Local Natives? I have to agree. Of course, I didn’t come up with the name so I can’t answer the question.

Some notes about the night:

When I arrived at Spaceland, the floor was a mess with party favors. The first band must have been interesting.

(click on images to enlarge) 

Local Natives didn’t have their violinist. That was disappointing. I later learned that the violinist will join them at least part of the time during their upcoming August residency at Spaceland. (Yes, readers have a chance to see them at Spaceland each Monday of August.)

There was a nice fan base for Local Natives lined up alongside the stage. They danced like crazies. And they made sure they held spots for their friends who took off to get drinks from the bar.

As for the residency band, Castledoor, they have an interesting two keyboard set-up. That night was the first time I’d seen Castledoor. As they were making their way onto the stage via the stage door to start their set, a friend of mine said, “There’s the castle [pointing to the stage] and now they’re coming in via the door. Castledoor.” Okay, so maybe we are a bit dorky at times. Towards the end of their set Castledoor handed out free CDs of a Bob Dylan cover they did during their set – they’d made a recording the previous night.

It was a steam room in Spaceland. I’ve been to Spaceland enough times to know that it gets hot inside, but that night seemed especially hot. (Of course, as I write this in my apartment around 10:30 p.m. in late July, I’m sweating through my t-shirt.)

Afterwards, I hung outside with some friends at the valet while one waited for her car — a brand new (used) car. I took a photo of my friend next to her new car. Her old car was in constant break-down mode. Flat tires. Clutch. Congratulations to her on her new (used) car.
Here is the video for “Airplanes Split” by Local Natives

The Monthlies, at Silverlake Lounge. For about a week there, I was sick. I was fully out of commission for two days and then spent about five days on that borderline where you’re no longer on death’s door, but you know if you push yourself too hard you’ll just head back in that direction. I mentioned to some friends that I was amazed at how much time I had on my hands during that one week period. My Monday thru Thursday nights are usually spent in the following manner (edited, of course): exercise a couple nights, catch a band or two, watch some television, read a chapter or two from a book and then write these lovely columns in between all of that other stuff I just mentioned. So during my week of illness I found myself with all this free time. I didn’t feel like I should exercise or go out so I just sat around the apartment wondering what I should do with all my free time. I do love to read, but there is only so much reading I can do in a night. And with no 24 or Lost on television, turning on the television seemed like a waste of time. I do have to admit my apartment needed(s) some cleaning, but that felt like it belonged in the don’t-push-yourself-too-hard category.

When I got my health back, I was feeling a bit of cabin fever. So on a Wednesday night, I went out and did my exercise routine and then I headed off to Silverlake Lounge to catch The Monthlies. My first encounter with The Monthlies occurred when a friend (same friend who suggested Local Natives) suggested checking out a local spot. The reason wasn’t to see The Monthlies, but they were the first band of the night and I found myself really liking them. I figured I should check them out one more time to see if I really did like them or if it just happened to be my frame of mind that night. I enjoyed them just as much the second time around.

Some observations from Silverlake Lounge. The Monthlies had some technical difficulties at the start. The bass player’s amp went out. He said he’d had it since 8th grade. Someone yelled out, “You’re leaving behind your adolescence years.” When he also mentioned that this had never happened to him before, someone else yelled out, “Guys always say that.” There was a small crowd at Silverlake Lounge, but a good 20 people or so were there specifically to see The Monthlies. There was even a group from Germany (I hope that if they ended up writing a blog that they mention how great the local music scene is in Los Angeles; this is a totally indirect, and now direct, reference to plug two earlier columns I wrote regarding my Vancouver trip). As their set ended, they asked if they could play an encore for their friend Alex who was sitting close to the stage. The stage lights went crazy during the encore, which surprised and amused the band – especially the guitarist. One of their friends was in the back, having fun with the light switches. All told a beautiful set.

Here are The Monthlies with their video for “Hip Girl”

(Note: not all photos were taken on the nights highlighted.)

Aug 03, 2009 | Categories: Notes From Vivace Column, Out to See | Tags: Automatic Music Explosion, Bob Dylan, Castledoor, Germany, iO Echo, Local Natives, Notes from Vivace, Silverlake Lounge, Spaceland, The Fold, The Monthlies, The Mulhollands | 2 Comments »