A NIGHT IN PHOTOS – SEPT. 16, 2009
This is a “night in photos” column with a short write-up tagged to it.
Wednesday night, September 16th, I headed out to Spaceland and then to El Cid. At Spaceland, Diane Birch was in town. You may recall that I wrote a column about her awhile back (click here for that column). My regret about that column was not having any photos to share with you from that night. Therefore, the inspiration for this photo column that was discussed with my TRAffIK editor/friend. After Birch’s set, I headed over to El Cid where I caught two bands: New Fidelity and New Maximum Donkey. Yes, two bands with the word “New” in it. I believe both of these bands were previously mentioned/featured on inTraffik.com. Hope you all enjoy the photos (click on images to enlarge). (more…)
New Maximum Donkey Two Ways
I’ve decided to try something a bit different this week. I’m going to write an overview of the New Maximum Donkey show I saw at the Scene last Friday (two Fridays ago, by the time you read this). But as an experiment, I’m going to do it two different ways: first the way I’d normally write something, and second in the manner of a “regular” rock writer/blogger. Who knows? Maybe the way they write things is just more effective at conveying this sort of thing, so I’m willing to try it out. Here goes: (more…)
Notes From Vivace’s August Playlist
The Faraway Places - ”The Sun Goes West”
The New Pornographers – “These Are the Fables”
Tegan and Sara ” Back in Your Head”
(more…)
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.)
Notes from Vivace’s July Soundtrack
5 Days Dirty: “Sound of Revolution”
Gangi: “Waiting on the Line”
Saint Motel: “Dear Dictator”
The Shakers: “Distress Signal”
Neo Geo: “Can’t Catch Me”
Part 1: Looking for the Music Scene in Vancouver
Vancouver. I’ve always wanted to go to Vancouver. I have some Canadian friends who insist that Vancouver ranks as the most beautiful city in the world. So recently, I decided that instead of just thinking about it, it was time to just do it. I needed a vacation. And so off I went by myself.
One of my goals while in Vancouver was to check out the local music scene so that I could write a column for TRAffIK. The search started on a Friday afternoon at a Burbank Barnes and Nobles. I went to the travel section and started to scan through a couple of the Vancouver books. Two music venues caught my attention: The Brickyard and Sonar. On a Sunday night, I mapped out the two locations.
I got to Vancouver Monday afternoon and decided that evening to see if there was anything happening at these two locations. Now I couldn’t help but transfer some of my Los Angeles based knowledge over to Vancouver. You can find some decent stuff on Monday nights in Los Angeles. You have free shows at Spaceland and Silverlake Lounge. The Key Club has Steel Panther (Metal Skool) and every so often some of my favorite local bands play that night. So I couldn’t help thinking that perhaps Vancouver had some Monday night shows, as well.
Both locations were within a kilometer or two of where I was staying so I headed off on foot towards these two locations. I got to Sonar first. It was closed and actually it wasn’t called Sonar anymore. I then headed off in the direction of The Brickyard. I soon found myself passing by groups of people who didn’t look all that well. I soon realized I was walking through Vancouver’s version of Skid Row. This wasn’t exactly where I wanted to be, but then I was close enough to The Brickyard so I headed over there. There was no Brickyard. The building was getting remodeled. A total strike out. A lesson learned: don’t trust those travel books.
I headed back towards the Sonar – walking on the road part of the way to avoid certain folks of questionable emotional stability. There was a pub right next door to the Sonar. I walked up to the door guy and asked him, “Is there a local music scene around here? You know, local bands.” The door guy responded, “I don’t know, but maybe John [made up name] might know. Hey, John, this guy wants to know where the local music scene is.” John came over, “What are you looking for?” I replied, “I’m looking for the local music scene – local rock bands.” He answered, “I’m not sure. I’m a DJ in the area. You can try out Honey. They’re doing 50’s/60’s music.” His girlfriend (or female companion) jumped into the conversation, “There is something going on at Richard’s on Richards tonight. M83 is playing.” She said it with a conviction that this was a well known band. Perhaps I should feel ashamed to admit that I hadn’t heard of this band. Anyways, John gave me some basic directions and off I went.
When I got to Richard’s the door guys there told me it was $20 Canadian. I did have some Canadian dollars that I’d gotten at the LAX airport – what a rip-off by the way, but I felt like I needed some Canadian currency should I find myself in a situation where only cash was accepted. I walked up to the ticket gal who then said, “$30.” Now that was all my Canadian money. I’m a cautious person. Giving away all my money just doesn’t sit well with me in general. I have this penchant for always wanting to carry some cash around with me and that feeling only grew stronger while in Canada. I had to pass. I regret that I did. I later found out that after Richard’s M83 was going on tour with Depeche Mode in Europe. (Note: I’ve read – in doing some post-Vancouver vacation research — that Richard’s on Richards might be closing down to make way for a condo project. (more…)