The Start Of A Monumental Week: Lavender Diamond at The Echo

I just inadvertently deleted a bunch of my most recent posts, so I'd better get back to writing to fill the gap:

I had planned on not missing the final Lavender Diamond (above) residency night on Monday, September 24th at The Echo because I was not able to attend the earlier ones. When I heard, late Monday afternoon, that Dirt Bird had been added to the bill to open the night, that clinched it. I ran home from work, gobbled down dinner, and headed out to the 8:15 # 02 bus on Sunset which got me to The Echo at 8:55. Of course, the music didn't start until 9:30, but it gave me the opportunity to grab a beer and say hello to Athena and Claire of Dirt Bird and see and touch their astonishing new "Amadeus"-style wigs.

Claire Mckeown happily agreed to pose, out on The Echo patio, to document the event, seen at right. Stunning, huh? Well, I've seen Dirt Bird a few time. they even played  my first Feed Your Head Lot 1 show back in September 2011. But they have become such a tight and highly regarded act in the past few months that it was time to see them again. Claire Mckeown and Athena LeGrand have perfected their art and gave a performance that silenced The Echo audience (hard to do) and held them in rapt attention for the duration of their set.

One might think the particularity of their style might limit the music to a rather small palette. Not so. Though the roots may be in 18th Century Camber Music, when coupled with their pungent, contemporary lyrics they create a whole other bird, which they call "New Renaissance". Both ethereal and caustic, there's something vaguely other-worldly and Miss Havisham-like about their demeanor as they sit on stage in the glowing blue and red lights that play off their elaborate wig-hats. They need cobwebs on the stage. The time-travel aspect of their performance would resonate throughout the entire evening.

The gorgeous dueling soprano vocals weaving around each other like two halves of one voice were showcased in songs like "Lil' Bo Blue", "Cliftons", "Easy" and the title tune off their lovely EP, Summer Night Hours. I can't recommend this act highly enough, simply as an example of the huge range of styles we have here in this flowering music community.

Next up was Diva, who appeared buried in chiffon, to take us on a meditative journey out into deep space. She instructed the audience to begin by relaxing our entire bodies, piece by piece, until we felt able to rise as one whole unit through the roof of The Echo and out into the night sky. We continued on up until we passed beyond our own Solar System, out into the outer reaches, kind of like the slab in 2001. Bringing us back to earth, Diva then doffed the chiffon to reveal a costume not unlike something Carmen Miranda might wear and proceeded to sing some unusual song accompanied by pre-recorded music tracks.

The intention was clear. Becky Stark wanted the audience in a relaxed and open- minded state in order to receive Lavender Diamond directly into our souls. But when the music is as gorgeous and as moving as the new material from Lavender Diamond's latest album (released today) Incorruptible Heart, she needn't have worried.

After a couple of song where her vocals were a bit too soft, the sound mix was corrected and allowed Becky's voice to soar over the band. Last night, more than ever, I noticed the similarity of her pure, crystalline voice to that of Judy Collins or Julie Andrews. A voice that seems completely unaffected and as natural as a mountain stream.

With a backing band assembled from previous band members and a few new faces they progressed through a program that included songs bound to become my favorites. From "Everybody's Heart's Breaking Now" to "Oh My Beautiful World" and especially "All The Stars" in which Becky literally has to stand back from the mike and let her pearly tones ring out, so she won't break the mike or shatter glasses.

Still entertaining the audience with her gift for humor, the between song banter is as much fun as the music itself, but she seems to reign herself in so as not to break the mood with too much talk. the entire night was enchanting and what better way to start the week.

Tonight I get to contrast that with the concert by Amanda Palmer and the Grand Theft Orchestra at The Fonda. From tranquility to perversion. I love it!

whrabbit
photos by Brad Roberts

Everest Open For Alberta Cross At The Troubadour

I'll admit it's been a while since I've seen Everest give a show, but they came roaring back to vibrant life in front of an adoring audience at The Troubadour on Tuesday night, July 24. They've been out on tour with Alberta Cross this summer and this was their Los Angeles stop. Picking up their latest album last week, before the show, I was bowled over to find this third album, Ownerless, every bit as exciting and dynamic as their first two releases, so I couldn't wait to hear it live.

Doing a little more homework, I also bought the latest album by Alberta Cross, Songs of Patience, and found it to be a tight record with a familiar '70s dinosaur rock wall of sound, with some pretty melodies, so I figured to stay for the headliner as well. The opening act was one of the guitarists from Alberta Cross, Aaron Lee Tasjan in a solo set. I really did enjoy his rambling, stream-of-consciousness songwriting. Like running into a talkative speed-freak at a truck stop. But his songs were both funny and acute.

I got a chance to say hi to Russell Pollard and Joel Graves as they were running around the club rounding up the band. We haven't seen each other in a while and it was great to see them again. But they took to the stage like rock stars. Everest played a set pulled from all three albums in what amounted to a greatest hits collection, liberally sprinkled with many songs from Ownerless.

"I See It In Your Eyes" from Ghost Notes and "Let Go" from On Approach were given new life with robust performances, while songs like ""Give a Little", "Far Off, Away" and "Raking Me Over The Coals" showed off some of the most impassioned vocals and aggressive instrumental performances that characterize much of Ownerless.

The band was at the top of their game and seemed to enjoy every minute they were on stage. That's infectious. And to see Russell, who has bloomed from a somewhat shy frontman to this rock and roll beast. I mean he really throws himself completely into the music and it was inspiring to both the audience and to his fellow band members. The excitement was palpable.

Working up a sweat and dancing around the stage, even scrunching down on the center stage and beating his tambourine on the floor as he listened to his band, made your realize he was relishing every minute. Surely world-wide fame can elude them for only so long. It was a performance I won't soon forget.

I was left weary and spent when Alberta Cross took to the stage at about 10:15, but they launched into some of my favorite songs on their record right away, so I stayed for a while. While the band is technically highly proficient, there's something a little glossy and surface about their music. But I did enjoy hearing their lead singer's powerful voice, the harmonies, and the wall of noise accompanying songs like "Lay Down" and "Life Without Warning" was decidedly impressive.

whrabbit

Feed Your Head Night at Lot 1

Well, this is a bit last minute, but this show has been a bit last minute and somewhat challenging, but finally it's ready...and not a moment too soon. It's tomorrow night.

It's such. an honor to feature Tenlons Fort every time Jack Gibson comes through town. And each time it seems the band reaches a higher plateau. Watching them get tighter and tighter with each show, this one should really raise the roof. Some of the finest singing, songwriting and playing of any band around, don't miss this chance to hear him in the homey confines of Lot 1.

Rodman was brought to the bill by Tenlon's Jillinda Palmer, and their strong suit being simple guitar picking and subtle, smooth vocal harmonies, I'll be very excited to see them on Saturday. Their song "Wolf" at Bandcamp is astonishingly pretty.

As a big fan of Castledoor ever since I saw them years ago at a show The Monolators gave at Tangier in 2006, I was thrilled to see Nate Cole join Tenlons Fort on stage at The Troubadour (at right) in June at the Judson show, where his voice gave the vocals an extra heft. Now that Nate and his wife Liska Cole have relocated back to California, I am especially proud to be presenting their first local performance as Doom & Gloom, the cheery moniker they have chosen. But the music is far from gloomy, bringing that twinkly pop sound they perfected with Castledoor into a different realm.

Downtown/Union saved the day, and jumped on board at the last minute and it's always a pleasure to host them, and they can bring any night to a rocking climax. Bo Bory and his band mates are among the hardest working bands in town and the work pays off handsomely. They also happen to be great friends.

This was going to be my Saturday night on July 7, until I learned about the big shindig at Echo Country Outpost to say a big, warm farewell to Olentangy John as he moves to New York. I'm sorry we're losing him, but anyone who doesn't want to live in New York City at some point in their life, as far as I'm concerned, is missing a vital component in their intellectual curiosity.

Back to the point, this starts at 5 and I can spend a few hours there before heading over to Lot 1. There'll be BBQ, refreshments, and music, music, music by the likes of Tommy Santee Klaws, Fort King, Leslie Stevens, RT n' the 44's, Ruthann Friedman, Evan apRoberts and too many others. I'm also looking forward to getting over to Echo Country Outpost, which seems to cast a spell over everyone who goes there.

It's going to be a good weekend.

whrabbit

Little Red Lung, Pisces... and Tonight

Turnout was great for the Little Red Lung video release show at the Eagle Rock Center for the Arts last night, June 22, 2012, with the added bonus of watching Sarah Negahdari 's new band, Pisces, blossom right before our astonished eyes. The setting was the sublimely atmospheric Spanish mission-style hall on Colorado Boulevard in Eagle Rock (a formidable bus ride). The art exhibit that accompanied the show was exquisite, and I was glad to meet one of the artists, Adam Pernell Deal, whose self portraits were profoundly revealing. The whole atmosphere was one of explosive creativity.

When I saw both bands perform together last January at Hotel Cafe, I was impressed with the sense of two artists breaking barriers and forging new styles. For Sarah it was an opportunity to go more personal and move from the realm of pure rock with The Happy Hollows to an experimental, genre-bending blend of interpretive rock that must have been inside her all along. For Zoe-Ruth Erwin it was the chance to hear her compositions fully realized with the proper musicians for an overwhelming, sweeping sound.

Aided by her trusty band of musicians, including Charlie Mahoney on bass, Chris Hernandez on drums and occasionally, Nick Ceglio,or totally solo, Sarah's songs for Pisces are a strange mix that pull you in not only by the personal nature of the lyrics, but also the incredible range in her vocals. When I heard the songs before they were in their early stages, but the sound here, in this cathedral like building added an incredible echo that made the place ring like a bell. Especially impressive was the final number when they were joined by a seated sitar player adding a whole new Indian-raga flavor to the set and bringing it to an ecstatic close. 

Soon afterward, Little Red Lung presented a video for the song "50 Fingers", directed by portraitist Sarah Sitkin, that is easily one of the best I've ever seen. The surrealistic imagery fits perfectly with the haunted Berlin beer-hall sound of some time long-ago alongside the oceanic orchestral sound of her mini-orchestra. Poetic and unsettling, it was a tough act for the band to follow. The crowd was wowed. But live, Zoe-Ruth and her crowded stage of musicians still managed to match the power of the video. Kevin premieres the video over here at Buzzbands.

Beginning with a live version of "50 Fingers" they played a set that completely enveloped the room with a tidal wave of varied sounds, all anchored by Zoe Ruth's bizarre and heady compositions. She also possesses one of the most beautiful voices in the local scene and compliments it with other excellent singers that are never buried under all the orchestration. The songs are so complex, I don't doubt she could write a symphony.

Atmospheric and hypnotic I stood there swaying back and forth as if in a trance. That seemed to be the effect the set had on everyone there, as afterward people wandered around as if a bomb had gone off. The band expanded and contracted with each number like some kind of living, breathing animal. Strings, saxophones, trumpets, keys, pre-recorded material, all had their place and were carefully balanced.

It was a lot to take in and I was glad there were only two bands, as any more would have made my head explode. For these sets of music, the Eagle Rock Center for the Arts was the perfect setting providing an almost reverent environment for the proceedings. I don't think people who were there will ever forget it.

(concert photos by me.)


Now tonight, June23, 2012, I have to head over to Santa Monica to this show:

Headliners, Radars To The Sky put this together, with Radio Free Silver Lake (where you can read a column by Andrew Spitzer of Radars on 5 favorite songs here) and it's a great line up of varied and talented bands ranging from local darlings, The Hectors, to the 'burning up the town!' band Torches, who are about to embark on a tour of the Northwest and gather a huge new following.

Also on the bill are Fort King, who are blazing a new trail with a new line up and newcomer, songwriter/pianist Ceeca. Music starts at 8. Gotta go.

whrabbit

Judson, Tenlons Fort and Torches Triumph at Troubadour - June 20, 2012

Well that was pretty damned impressive! Three of my favorite local bands making it to The Troubadour and delivering a classy, inspiring and satisfying evening of some of the best our East Side friends have to offer. And the audience that trundled half way to the coast to toast these three success stories made The Troubadour feel more like The Satellite or The Echo.

I'll begin with Tenlons Fort because that's where the evening began. I got there early as I had no intention of missing one minute of the action. The club was fairly empty when I arrived but by the time Jack Gibson and his merry band of pranksters took the stage, friends and fans were filing in. Since Jack has been back in town, I've seen him play a few times, and if the first few sets were a little rusty, now, as a band of six, Tenlons Fort has hit it's stride. His preternatural ability to select from some of the best players in town really payed off last night.

In addition to musicians like Sheridan Riley on drums, John Seasons on bass and vocals, Jillinda Palmer on keys and vocals, he brought Nate Cole back to the local stage to provide powerful harmony vocals and it was great to hear his voice again. He and his wife have recently transplanted themselves back to California and this is most welcome news. His band, Castledoor, was one of my favorites in the early years. Together, they made Jack's compositions soar to the rafters of The Troubadour as song after song seemed to reach it's perfect state. I'm more excited than ever for them to play my next Lot 1 show on July 7. What a wondrous bunch of musicians and I hope they'll record together.

Jack's delivery is so earnest and open and completely without pretense, that his heartfelt lyrics are all that much more touching. And the whole band is so tight and together the music is filled with variety and invention. An all-round great set!


But it was Judson's night. He was the reason this whole evening came together with such a talent, top-heavy bill. Like Jack, Judson McKinney has assembled a stage-full of wonderful musicians (John Seasons again! and violinist, Kaitlin Wolfberg) and it's beginning to look like the Judson McKinney Chamber Orchestra.

Beginning simply with just two players in a duet of trumpet and keys, a quiet, baleful little melody set the mood as all the other musicians walked on stage to take their places. I noticed they have expanded to a band of eight. Launching into a full set of familiar and some newer material, they held the audience in thrall.

His way with an American style, folk ballad and his ability to orchestrate for however many musicians he's playing with has always been a hallmark of Judson's music, but here was an army. And if his music sometimes has a tendency to ramble, it's pretty nicely orchestrated rambling, and he always returns to the song in time to wrap it up tightly, sometimes with an unexpected whispered breath. Bridgette Moody of Torches joined them onstage for one of the last songs and added steady, guiding harmony vocals with the same technical polish she brings to her own band. Beautiful song. Of course, Judson brought the house down with "William Jennings Bryan", as they usually do. It makes rocking out mandatory.

By the time Torches took their turn, the audience was primed. Riding high from the glowing reaction to their new album, Heads Full Of Rust, and the superlative write ups of their set at last week's Make Music Pasadena, they take the stage with confidence and burst into their first number.

I've watched with a kind of wonder over the last three years as this band has metamorphosed from an indie rock quintet into a psychedelic trio that is both diffused and hard edged at the same time. It seems to be Eric Fabbro's drumming that provides the forward propulsion, while Azad Cheikosman writes the hypnotic melodies for his twinkling guitar and his steady voice and thoughtful lyrics are aided by Bridgette dreamy vocals and prominent bass playing. I always marvel at how they manage to get that shimmering sound as if they were a band of six to eight players.

I love their album and have enjoyed hearing these song be born and watched them mature. Their sets now sound like a series of "hits". As if that wasn't enough, they pulled Kaitlin back on stage to add violin to the final two songs, though sound problems plagued their rendition of "Heads Full Of Rust" the song has such a beauty it came out fine. I'm so happy for this band success, and they have the chops to run with it.

The sea of familiar faces made it one of the most enjoyable nights I've ever spent at The Troubadour. Among the crowd were Seven O'Fourblog, Avi Buffalo, Matthew Ward, my Radio Free Silver Lake co-conspirator Kathryn Pinto, Laura Velez, Matthew Teardrop, Rob Danson, Ryan Fuller, Todd McLaughlin, Ashley Moon, Nic Garcia, Ray Andrew, Doug Kresse, Jason Tovar and so many more, I can't remember. Kevin Bronson of Buzzbands oversaw the night and he should be proud.

whrabbit

(I took the pictures myself, so forgive the occasional blur. I'll get better)

THE FOURTH ANNIVERSARY!

It's impossible for me to believe that this blog is four years old (May 9th, actually), but even after all this time, my life in the rock and roll community just keeps on ascending. I'm involved in a few special projects, keep up the Radio Free Silver Lake Show Low Down every Monday morning, attend as many shows as I can muster the energy for, oh, and work a full time career during the day. People often ask me where I get the energy and I have to admit, I just don't know. I can only say that the energy and passion I see in the local music scene, fuels my commitment. And music has always been an inspiration to me.

I managed to secure the talents of Malcolm Sosa of Rademacher to help coordinate the show and as the date got closer, and my schedule busier and busier, he stepped up and found most of the players for the night and I am so grateful. Because he has helped put together a line up I'm incredibly proud of. He will be playing a solo set to get the evening off on a high point at 9 PM. Jonathan Price picks it up at 9:45 and Niilo Smeds, who I haven't seen before but am a fan of based on his recordings, takes the stage at 10:30.

My good friend Harley Prechtel-Cortez has played for me before, numerous times, and he has played some of my previous anniversary shows, so it's appropriate to have him do the 11 spot. As brilliant as his bands, The Weather Underground, Red Cortez and Just An Animal (to name three) have been...and are, his solo sets are no less electrifying. Dan West played for my Lot 1 night a couple of months ago and I love his solo work, as well as his contribution to Azalia Snail. When he told me he had another band project and was anxious to get a show, his selection was natural. Sidewalk Society will close out the night at midnight and I promise it will be worth staying to the end.

There's so much more I'd like to say, but I'll tell you all about it at the show. Enough incentive?

whrabbit

Presenting Downtown/Union

I'm super happy to be presenting the third residency night of Downtown/Union at Casey's Bar on Friday night, April 20. After attending the last two installments of this residency, I can tell you, they've been rocking this downtown bar with their downtown music, bringing along a host of bands offering some fine sets including The Hectors on 4/6 and The Lonely Trees (who I'd not seen but was immediately impressed by) and Radars To The Sky on 4/13.

Who needs Coachella!

Bo Bory asked me to present this week's session as a Feed Your Head Event. I'm glad to comply. This week Downtown/Union comes with a built in blast of hard partying with Manhattan Murder Mystery and The Health Club in the bill. It's a lot of fun and even slightly treacherous trying to get your way out of downtown L.A. around 2 AM after partying with Matthew Teardrop. Good luck to all concerned. And I just learned Animal Raps will be an added attraction. Yipee!

Here's another flyer:

This will be inaugurating my return to constant concert-going as next week I intend to see a show every night, beginning with the Origami Vinyl all-day celebration of Record Store Day at The Echo on Saturday, April 21. Featuring hot bands like The Henry Clay People, Jenny O and Races, this should not be missed. And it's free! Starts at noon.

whrabbit