Last night on NBC 's "Parenthood," Happy Hollows made a cameo and performed "Lieutenant" from their newest album SPELLS which you can purchase here on iTunes and here on Amazon. You can watch their entire episode on NBC.com.
For those of you in Austin, Texas or planning on making the trip down there, The Happy Hollows are performing at this years SXSW film and music festvial starting tonight!! Here's their schedule:
March 17 - Red Eyed Fly (Little Radio Party) - 3:30PM March 17 - Jaime's SpanishVillage (Autumn Tone SXSW Showcase) - 9:00PM March 18 - Scoot Inn (Baeble Music Party) - 12:30PM March 18 - Lustre Pearl (Filter/Dickies Party) - 3:00PM March 18 - Lambert's (Aquarium Drunkard Party) - 5:00PM March 19 - Republic Live - (Consequence of Sound / Rawk Plog! Party) - 1:30PM March 19 - Guero's (Loyalty Firm Party) - 8:00PM March 20 - Homeslice Pizza (WOXY/Ship Party) - 5:00PM
photograph by picksysticks / Inara George of Bird and the Bee
Ahead of their upcoming album, The Bird and The Bee played a rare show at Los Angeles' El Rey Theater.The duo made up of Inara George and Greg Kurstin mostly played songs from their third full-lenght album, "Interpreting the Masters Volume 1: A Tribute to Daryl Hall and John Oates" which drops on March 23rd.Described as a love letter to the famed "rock and soul" duo Hall & Oates,it was fitting that another duo would take on these songs, putting their own special touches on these timeless classics.
Bird and the Bee's Inara George / photo by picksyticks
Playing to a sold out theater, the very pregnant George began the night with Rich Girl and if you thought she was going to take it easy because of her pregnancy, you thought wrong.Usually playing the bass, she gave it up for the night and, instead, danced and gleamed to every beat and melody.
Kurstin was recently nominated for Producer of the Year at this year's Grammys for his work with Lilly Allen and Bird and the Bee.And his talents and efforts clearly showed in this latest album.With his jazzy, warm arrangments complimented by George's silky, angelic voice, The Bird and the Bee has taken on the task of exposing a new generation to the music of Hall & Oates.Judging from the show last Friday, one can say they've accomplished that.Their love for this music is genuine.
Inara George of bird and the bee / photo by picksysticks
Later on in the night, walking onstage to the surprise of the sold out theater was non-other than John Oates himself, who performed "Maneater" alongside George and Kursten.The Bird and the Bee did play some of their own songs such as Love Letter to Japan, Again & Again and Polite Dance Song. But the night belonged to Hall & Oates and was dedicated to T-Bone Wolk, the Hall & Oates bassist for nearly 30 years, who died earlier this month after an apparent heart attack.
bird and the bee perform with John Oates / photo by picksysticks
bird and the bee perform with John Oates / photo by picksysticks
In the end, the night was a touching tribute to Hall & Oates, the top-selling duo in music history.George announced she was due April 30th so expect The Bird and the Bee to go on a short hiatus.But unitl then, they did leave us with one original song on their new album called, "Heard It On The Radio" which you can view down below.Thanks to dodkalm83 for capturing the video!Make sure you check out the album which is released March 23rd from EMI's Blue Note Records.
More news from Lilith Fair. L.A.'s own The Go-Go's and The Bangles have been added to the list of artists performing at this year's Lilith Fair.
AllMusic dubs The Go-Go's as the most popular all-female band to emerge from the punk/new wave explosion of the late '70s and early '80s, becoming one of the first commercially successful female groups that wasn't controlled by male producers or managers. Formed in Los Angeles in 1978, their hit singles -- "We Got the Beat," "Our Lips Are Sealed," "Vacation," "Head Over Heels" -- were bright, energetic new wave pop which made the group an integral part of the Californian punk scene.
Forming in Los Angeles in 1980, The Bangles shot up the charts with such hits as Manic Monday, Walk Like An Egyptian, Hazy Shade of Winter and Eternal Flame.
Go to Lilith Fair website to see if they're stopping at a city near you. No specific dates have been announced yet but Los Angeles has been announced as one of the cities. Yay!
Also expected to perform are Los Angeles local artists Fine Frenzy, Ke$ha, Sara Bareilles, Colbie Caillet, The Submarines, Donna Delory and The Weepies.
Let's face it.Picksysticks nor any of the bands covered on this site wouldn't be here today if it weren't for Joan Jett and The Runaways. This pioneering all-girl punk bandbroke down barriers when people said girls couldn't play rock and roll.Co-founded by 15-year-old Jett in Los Angeles in the 70's, The Runaways faced a hostile heavy-male music scene.Finding success and recording five albums, The Runaways toured with The Ramones, Cheap Trick and Tom Petty.After breaking up in 1978,Joan Jett continued with her solo career and later started up her new band, "Joan Jett and the Blackhearts."In 1980 she also founded her own record label, Blackheart Records, making Jett the first female artist to own and operate a record label.It's the same label L.A. darlings, "The Dollyrots" are signed to.
Now, with the highly anticipated new movie chronicling the band's early years, "The Runaways" starring Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning hitting theaters March 19th, Joan Jett's profile will, no doubt, make headlines again exposing a new generation to Joan Jett's influence in rock and roll.
Also dropping in stores on March 23rd (digitally March 16th)is the soundtrack from the movie, "The Runaways –Music From The Motion Picture" from Atlantic Records.Some tracks re-recorded with Kristen Stewart who plays Joan Jett and Dakota Fanning who plays Cherie Currie.Here's the track list:
"THE RUNAWAYS--MUSIC FROM THE MOTION PICTURE" (Atlantic Records) Available digitally March 16th, in stores March 23rd
1. Roxy Roller - Nick Gilder 2. The Wild One - Suzi Quatro 3. It's A Man's Man's Man's World - MC5 4. Rebel Rebel - David Bowie 5. Cherry Bomb - Dakota Fanning 6. Hollywood - The Runaways 7. California Paradise - Dakota Fanning 8. You Drive Me Wild - The Runaways 9. Queens Of Noise - Dakota Fanning & Kristen Stewart 10. Dead End Justice - Kristen Stewart & Dakota Fanning 11. I Wanna Be Your Dog - The Stooges 12. I Wanna Be Where The Boys Are (Live) - The Runaways 13. Pretty Vacant - Sex Pistols 14. Don't Abuse Me - Joan Jett
The film, set in Los Angeles beginning in 1975, sees Joan Jett (Kristen Stewart) and Cherie Currie (Dakota Fanning), two teenage valley girls with punk in their blood, meet and become the heart and soul of the seminal all-girl band, The Runaways. Floria Sigismondi brings The Runaways to the big screen in this story of a group of extraordinary young women as they rise from rebellious Southern California kids to rock stars of the now legendary band that paved the way for future generations of female musicians. Under the Svengali-like influence of rock impresario Kim Fowley (Michael Shannon), the group evolves into an outrageous success and a family of misfits. With its tough-chick image and raw talent, the band quickly earns a name for itself--and so do two of its leads: Joan is the band's pure rock 'n' roll heart, while Cherie, with her Bowie-Bardot looks, is the sex kitten.
After touring touring and MORE touring, Nico Vega is back with their brand new single and video for Gravity!
Shot by Marcus Dunstan who directed such horror favorites as Saw IV, V and VI, and The Collector, the video is an eerie masterpiece that shows the band being chased every which way...with a few surprises in between!
The band is still currently on tour with The Soundtrack Of Our Lives as well...don't miss them if they are still coming to your city!
Here are the remainder of the dates:
Feb 24 2010 The Casbah w/ TSOOL San Diego, California Feb 25 2010 The Glass House w/ TSOOL Pomona, California Feb 26 2010 The El Rey Theatre w/ TSOOL Los Angeles, California Feb 27 2010 The Independent - Noise Pop Festival San Francisco, California
Electric Valentine is offering their debut album, "Automatic" for free right HERE. You can still get CD quality wavs on iTunes with the bonus track. The physical cd comes with a bracelet and is available at Hot Topic, through Electric Valentine's merch store and at live shows. Electric Valentine is playing Austin's SXSW music and film festival this March.
Electric Valentine performing "A Night With You" at The Roxy video by 405east
photo by picksysticks / Killola performing at the Knitting Factory in Hollywood
With awards season in full swing, CHERRY GRRL is celebrating those who made positive, entertaining, impactful and memorable contributions in 2009. From your favorite actresses to advocates, you nominated those that you wanted to see recognized for their efforts last year and now it's time to put it to a vote.
In the music category, L.A.'s own KILLOLA has been nominated as Best Band/Musical Group of the Year! Please vote and check out the rest of the deserving nominees HERE. Voting will be open until 12 midnight on March 10th.
KILLOLA starts their "Buy The Milk U.S. Tour" March 12th at Austin's SXSW music and film festival. Their tour will end right here at The Roxy in Los Angeles on April 23rd.
With a loyal Los Angeles fan-base,The Happy Hollows looks to breakout in 2010.Self-releasing their album "Spells" late last year, Autumn Tone Records picked it up and just released it last week on their label guaranteeing a wider audience beyond the Los Angeles borders.If you haven't had the pleasure of hearing them, you probably have already but just didn't know it.The band and their song, "High Wire" were recently featured in a national commercial for latest Samsung commercial.They're also slated to perform at this year's SXSW music & film festival in Austin, Texas in March.And to top it off, The Huffington Post just profiled them in their "Best Bands in the US" feature.Read the whole article right HERE or click the photo below.And be sure to catch them when they perform March 12 at The Troubadour.
The Huff Post's Jonathan Kim also posted some Youtube vids of the interview with front- woman Sara Negahdari. Check out all of them HERE. Below is a short clip of Sarah talking about the L.A. music scene. And check out our past write-ups of The Happy Hollows HERE!
Reviews:
“When you see the Happy Hollows, there will be no doubt that you're witnessing something special.” -- Huffington Post
"A pugilistic mix of stinging guitars, turbulent rhythms, and shouted vocals that alternates between childlike experimentation and ferocious firestorm. Spells is twisty and frantic, yet perpetually melodic.” -- Los Angeles Times
“Flecks of heavy stoner fuzz and wafts of breezy modern rock blow in and out of Spells, but at its core, it's a ripper. Most of the credit goes to Sarah Negahdari; she's a powerful but economical guitarist, jutting in and out of the tracks like a jagged saw.” -- Pitchfork
“A killer hybrid of Kim Deal, PJ Harvey and Emily Haines. Negahdari has the guitar chops, explosive energy and winning sense of humor that should make The Happy Hollows one of the more interesting bands of our new millennium’s next decade.” -- Wired Magazine
“The Happy Hollows have a lot of weapons in their arsenal but chief among them is Sarah Negahdari and her Polly Harvey meets Kim Deal croon.” -- Magnet Magazine
Audra Mae performs at The Hotel Cafe photo by picksysticks
I'm sure all of you have heard the great story of Susan Boyle and how she almost had the top-selling album of 2009 with her debut album, "I Dreamed A Dream," only to be beaten by Taylor Swift's "Fearless" album. Boyle's album sold over 3 million albums and is currently #2 on the Billboard 200 charts. But did you know that L.A.'s own Audra Mae co-wrote "Who I Was Born To Be," the only original song on Susan Boyle's album? Well, she did and I'd like to think that the only original song in an album full of covers had something to do all those sales! You can read the whole story at MTV.comHERE but here's a short excerpt of the article:
"[Audra Mae] hooked up with the little-known Swedish production/songwriter trio Play Production about a year ago, and this summer they sent her the chords and melody for a song they said was intended for Boyle's album.I knew it needed to be a song that made sense for her to sing, so I went online and researched her and her life and found out how she got to be where she is, and it came from that," Mae said of the gentle piano ballad with the inspirational chorus "And though I may not know the answers/ I can finally say I'm free/ And if the questions lead me here/ Then I am who I was born to be."
"I knew it needed to be something that she could be proud to sing," Mae explained. "Almost like a mantra — and I'm thrilled that she liked it enough to put it on the album. The cool thing is that she symbolizes real talent above anything else, above a show with pyrotechnics, a hot body ... she's f---ing talented and it's really awesome to be a part of that."
Read the entire story HERE. Recently signing with SideOneDummy records, Audra's debut album is set to drop this March! Check out photos and read our past write-ups of Ms. Audra Mae HERE. And here is Susan Boyle singing "Who I Was Born To Be" on Oprah!
photograph by Picksysticks / Nico Vega playing Sunset Junction last year.
L.A.'s own Nico Vega just announced their US tour starting next month. Kicking off the tour on February 16th in New York, the band will be playing up until the 26th with TSOOL until their gig in San Francisco for the Noisepop Festival.
Nico Vega performing the hauntingly beautiful "Wooden Dolls" off their latest album. video by 405east
Nico Vega has spent a better part of the last two years hitting the road with Manic Street Preachers, Semi Precious Weapons and the Von Bondies but come this winter the band are set to team up with and support The Soundtrack Of Our Lives.
Here are the upcoming tour dates:
Feb 16 2010 The Fillmore At Irving New York, NY Feb 17 2010 The Note Westchester, PA Feb 18 2010 Black Cat Washington, DC Feb 19 2010 The Studio @ Warehouse Houston, TX Feb 20 2010 Emo's Austin, TX Feb 21 2010 Granada Theatre Dallas, TX Feb 23 2010 Rialto Theatre Tucson, AZ Feb 24 2010 The Casbah San Diego, CA Feb 25 2010 The Glass House Pomona, CA Feb 26 2010 The El Rey Theatre Los Angeles, CA Feb 27 2010 The Independent - Noise Pop Festival San Francisco, CA
Yeah, I know Sarah McLachlan isn't from L.A. but she's one of the reasons I started PICKSYSTICKS. And I will be seeing her later this year when Lilith Fair 2010 begins its tour. Check out the confirmed artists performing this year HERE!
Until then, enjoy Sarah's new song, "One Dream," which is being used for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics this February on NBC. "One Dream" is inspired by the athletes of the world as they strive to reach their Olympic goals. Enjoy the track's OFFICIAL music video and let it inspire you! "One Dream" is out now on iTunes and digital retailers everywhere.
So, I'm watching today at work (yes, I basically watch tv all day since I have one on my desk). And since I usually watch "Let's Make A Deal" & "Price Is Right" in the mornings, I knew that the Dollyrots would be performing on the show. I didn't know in what capacity but I was still anxiously waiting. It wasn't until the very end until Drew Carey introduced them during the second showcase and they started singing their new hit single! Yay. A co-worker started talking to me just as they started playing so I told him to shut up.
So, in case you missed it, here it is - earlier today on the CBS' The Price Is Right, The Dollyrots played their new single, "California Beach Boy" during a speical 'musical showcase.' It's pretty cool. Hopefully they'll have more 'musical showcases.' And you can purchase their new single on itunes or purchase the new single from Blackheart Records HERE!
Huh?! What the...? Where's my car?!
Rockin' out to The Dollyrots! I would be too if I was watching the Dollyrots!
The Dollyrotsunveiled a new song today from their upcoming album on the Blackheart Records label. Click the above photo or HERE to hear "California Beach Boy" and "Dumb which is the B-side song." You can buy it on vinyl and download starting today! Wow, this is just enough to hold me over until their new album comes out.
And get this, this Friday (January 15th), The Dollyrots will be performing on "The Price is Right." Luckily for me, I have a television on my desk so I can watch. The rest of you people better Tivo it! This Friday people!
And click HERE to watch and hear other new songs, "Om Nom," "California," and "Some Girls" that could possibly be on their upcoming album. This album is going to ROCK judging by these new songs from bassist Kelly Ogden, guitarist Luis Cabezas & drummer Chris Black.
Fine Frenzy, Colbie Caillet, Ke$ha, The Submarines, Sara Bareilles, Donna Delory and The Weepies
WOW! I'm so excited to see this year's list of artists confirmed for LILITH FAIR 2010! L.A. locals scheduled to perform are Fine Frenzy, Ke$ha, Sara Bareilles, Colbie Caillet, The Submarines, Donna Delory and The Weepies. This is going to be an incredible tour. Not only are my favorite local bands performing, I'm so excited to finally get to watch Sarah McLachlan, Sheryl Crow, Indigo Girls and Mary J. Blige - all who are on my wish list to see live. Others on the list that I've had the honor of watching live are Tegan & Sara, Zee Avi and Brandi Carlile - each worth the price of admission alone. So to watch this stellar cast of artists in one day is heaven! Check out their website HERE for more up to date information and to view more artists confirmed on the tour!
The first round of cities have already been announced with more to follow. Dates will be announced soon:
First Round of Cities:
* Atlanta, GA * Boston, MA * Calgary, AB * Chicago, IL * Dallas, TX * Denver, CO * London, UK * Los Angeles, CA * Minneapolis, MN * Montreal, QC * New York, NY * Philadelphia, PA * Portland, OR * Seattle, WA * San Francisco, CA * Toronto, ON * Vancouver, BC * Washington, DC
3rd St. Promenade photo by Bayside District photography
So now that the holiday's are good and gone, I can finally catch up on some photos I've been meaning to post.
I live a few blocks from the 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica. So, at the height of holiday shopping season, I braved the crowds to do a little last minute shopping of my own.
3rd Street is one of my favorite places to go to. Aside from the movie theaters, the weekend farmer's market, book stores, and coffee shops, 3rd Street is world-renown for its street performers. On any given day you can witness amazing performances from group dancers, circus acts and magicians. But for me, what's special about 3rd Street are the musicians that branch out along this five-block stretch of shops and restaurants. It's an inexpensive place to enjoy music as you shop or, if you like, sit on the sidewalk and listen to original tunes from talented singer/songwriters. Oh, and show your appreciation by buying their CD or dropping a few bucks in their guitar case. For only a couple dollars, you're basically saving yourself from spending the $10-$15 cover charge that you normally would spend (plus drinks) just to watch them at a nightclub.
Rachael Cantu performing at The Apple Store photograph by picksysticks
On this brisk evening, a sign outside the Apple Store invited people to watch a special performance from local favorite, Rachael Cantu. Filled with moody melodies and soulful arrangements that I like to describe as Hope Sandoval/Sarah McLachlan-esque, "Run All Night," Rachael's first album, was a mature and fulfilling debut of indie/folk rock that's filled with soul and heartbreak.
Rachael Cantu performing at The Apple Store photo by picksysticks
If her first album was a dark, threatening storm in the distance, then her second, "Far and Wide" would be the sunlight breaking through those clouds. On "Far and Wide," her second studio album, Rachael proves her songwriting versatility with a blend of colorful and upbeat melodies but manages to keep that feeling of vulnerability and raw emotion in her powerful vocals that made her first album stand out. Check out her resume! Considering she's unsigned and self-released her latest album, Rachael Cantu has toured with BB King, Pat Benatar, Peter Frampton, Tegan & Sara, Ben Lee and Ryan Cabrera. And if you're a watcher of ABC's Private Practice, then you might have recognized her song, "Devil's Thunder," in one of the episodes. Not bad for being unsigned. Rachael is currently on her US Tour which will swing back around to the Hotel Cafe on January 19th. Be sure to check her out!
Chelsea Williams performing at Santa Monica's 3rd St. Promenade photo by picksysticks
The weekend was much warmer as you can see from the pics. And it didn't take long for me to hear the soothing sounds of an acoustic guitar playing and satin voice singing off in the distance. A regular on most Saturdays (usually between Santa Monica Blvd & Wilshire), Chelsea Williams' voice is hypnotic and her rock lullaby songs? Infectious. Try walking a mile in her shoes and it's hard to imagine that she performs on the street for a living. For over two years, four days a week, Chelsea has been carrying her own P.A. system, pushing it through parking garages, setting up and dismantling her gear, three or four times a day. Selling over 50,000 CDs on her own, she's made fans literally one step at a time. Just head over to 3rd Street one weekend and if you happen to catch her playing, then notice the amount of times people basically stop shopping and listen. Performing a blend of covers and original songs, Chelsea's simple and catchy melodies highlights her silky, weathered voice. Recently she recorded a remake of "Winter Wonderland" for "Snow 2: Brain Freeze" for ABC Family and is available on the compilation, "Songs to Celebrate 25 Days of Christmas," which you can purchase at Amazon, The Disney Store and Barnes & Noble. If you can't watch Chelsea play on 3rd Street, then you can catch her at Molly Malone's in Hollywood when she plays on January 13th.
Chelsea Williams performing at Santa Monica's 3rd St. Promenade photograph by picksysticks
Amy May performing at Santa Monica's 3rd St. Promenade photo by picksysticks
Another singer performing on 3rd Street this very same day was the talented Amy May. Originally from the United Kingdom, Amy spent her summer in Los Angeles to get inspiration and write songs for her upcoming album.
Amy May performing at Santa Monica's 3rd St. Promenade photo by picksysticks
With her absorbing and spellbinding voice which is framed by her bare and humble melodies, Amy hypnotizes in songs like "Real" and "Stormchaser" from her latest album, "Right Right Now." With her stint in L.A. over, Amy is scheduled to go to Thailand and Cambodia to do more performing and gain more inspiration for her second album. I can't wait for that to come.
***UPDATE*** Just walked over to 3rd Street yesterday (Thursday, January 14th) and who was there? Amy May! She's still performing in front of an appreciative crowd.
Amy May performs "Real" on Santa Monica's 3rd St. Promenade.
First it was The Submarines' songs showing up on the iPhone's 3Gs commercials. Now The Happy Hollows is featured in the latest Samsung Mobile commercial which highlights the SWYPE technology on the Omnia II - only offered on Verizon wireless cells. Check out Sarah Negahdari rockin' out with bassist Charlie Mahoney and drummer Chris Hernandez performing "High Wire" in this cool commercial. Unfortunatlety, I'm on neither AT&T's iPhone nor Verizon. But if my favorite bands keep plugging these cells, I may have to switch carriers. I'm on Sprint (maybe Killola can do a commercial for Sprint! Wishful thinking...)
Happy Hollows plays the Bordello photo by picksysticks
Chhom Nimol of Dengue Fever performs at the Echoplex photo by picksysticks
Metallica’s Kirk Hammett has chosen the song “One Thousand Tears of A Tarantula” from Cambodian-American band Dengue Fever for his Rolling Stone magazine Best Music Of The Decade Ballot. Selected the #2 song of the decade in order of importance, “Tears” sits between Radiohead’s “Everything In Its Right Place” and Mastodon’s “Oblivion” [link]
Dengue Fever’s music is a combination of classic Cambodian pop, Ethiopian jazz and Bollywood blitz, with lyrics mostly sung in lead singer Chhom Nimol’s native language of Khmer. “One Thousand Tears of A Tarantula”, originally released on 2005’s Escape from Dragon House, and again on the 2009 soundtrack to the band’s documentary DVD/CD soundtrack Sleepwalking Through The Mekong is a blistering jam with trance-like lyrics. While there is no plan (yet) for Dengue Fever to cover “Call of Ktulu” from Metallica’s Ride The Lightning, the band would certainly love to have Hammett guest on the track during the band’s upcoming West Coast tour. Dengue Fever guitarist Zac Holtzman said, “It’s a real honor to have Kirk Hammett pick “One Thousand Tears of a Tarantula” as the second best song of the decade. It’s kind of mind-blowing actually. It also happens to be my mom’s favorite song. We’d love to have Kirk come up onstage and take a solo when we hit the Bay Area next month.”
Dengue Fever's Chhom Nimol at the Echoplex photograph by picksysicks
And after what is sure to be a rockin' New Year's Eve show in hometown LA at The Mint (tickets still available at http://themintla.com), Dengue Fever heads up the coast in support of a new project out January 12 called Dengue Fever Presents: Electric Cambodia. Confirmed shows are as follows:
12/31 @ The Mint 01/07 @ SoHo, Santa Barbara, CA
01/08 @ The Independent, San Francisco, CA.
01/09 @ Berbati's Pan, Portland, OR
01/10 @ Neumo's, Seattle, WA
Dengue Fever combed through their personal collections of rare Cambodian cassettes and selected their fourteen favorite tracks for this compilation, featuring artists such as Sinn Sisamouth, Pan Ron, Ros Sereysothea and Dara Chom Chan.
Proceeds from this album will be donated to Cambodian Living Arts which supports the revival of Cambodian traditional art forms and works to inspire contemporary artistic expression.
Kassia Conway of All Wrong and the Plans Change photo by picksysticks
I’ve wanted to see Kassia Conway sing when I first heard her warm weathered voice singing for No Love Letters.Well, that never happened but I lucked out when she emerged fronting a new band, All Wrong and The Plans Change, along with drummer Amy Wood.Their debut album, “I’m Like Whatever,” released earlier this year, is brewing with gloomy arrangements and catchy melodies that showcases the range of emotions in Conway’s restrained but forceful vocals .Check out “I Get Down” and “Lately.”And while you’re at it, listen to “All Night Takes So Long” and “Hands” from her previous band No Love Letters. They won’t disappoint!Be sure to check out All Wrong and The Plans Change when they play Spaceland on December 30th.
Here's All Wrong and the Plans Change performing "I Get Down" at the Viper Room December 13th.
> Ambre Leigh of Some Hear Explosions / photo by picksysticks
Performing earlier in the night was the guitar-heavy Some Hear Explosions.Seeing them for the first time, they didn’t disappoint. With their in-your-face anthem-like songs like “It’s Our Time Now,” you’d expect lead singer Ambre Leigh to be drowned out by their abrasive and colorful sounds but she easily rises and pushes forward with her commanding vocals.While in the ballad-esque, “Amazing,” Leigh’s voice resonates like a silky web of barbed-wire. I'll definitely catch them again when they peform.
> Ambre Leigh of Some Hear Explosions photograph by picksysticks
Nico Vega performing "Gravity" live at The Roxy in Hollywood, CA. Directed & Edited by: Narumi Inatsugu
Nico Vega may be the best, most explosive live band you've never seen but with their latest live video for their current single Gravity, here is a little sneak peek to their on stage fantasticness.
Filmed at The Roxy in Los Angeles, the band's hometown, director Narumi Inatsugu captures the band in all their glory on stage.
The band are also still currently on tour with Neon Trees and Inward Eye.
Here are the remaining tour dates:
Dec 7 2009 - The Red and Black, Washington, DC Dec 8 2009 - The Independent, San Francisco, CA Dec 10 2009 - TT The Bears, Cambridge, MA Dec 11 2009 - The Studio at Webster Hall, New York, NY Dec 13 2009 - Pirates Cove, Cleveland, OH Dec 14 2009 - Magic Stick, Detroit, MI Dec 15 2009 - Shubas, Chicago, IL Dec 18 2009 - Bender's Tavern, Denver, CO Dec 19 2009 - Burt's Tiki Lounge, Albuquerque, NM Dec 20 2009 - Wasted Space, Las Vegas, NV
Audra Mae performs at Hotel Cafe photo by picksysticks
Hey' ya'll!! How could've I missed this??!! This is awesome news for Audra Mae and well deserved! Below is the press release from Side One Dummy Records:
LOS ANGELES, October 5th, 2009 - SideOneDummy Records has signed singer-songwriter Audra Mae to an exclusive recording agreement. Her first offering for the label will be HAUNT, a five-song digital EP that will be available on Oct.20th. Her full-length debut album is expected in the early part of 2010. On the heels of the EP’s release, Audra Mae will be featured on Chuck Ragan’s annual REVIVAL TOUR, beginning in Chicago on Oct. 25 and running through Orlando, FL on November 22. The tour hits Los Angeles on Nov. 7 at the El Rey Theater.
Audra Mae is currently working on her debut album with producer Ted Hutt (Flogging Molly, The Gaslight Anthem, Lucero, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones), which will be a stripped-down acoustic affair, spotlighting her voice and her songs. One of the first completed is “Sullivan’s Letter,” based on a note written by a Civil War soldier fighting in the first battle of Bull Run to his wife. She discovered it on the back of a piece of music she was given by her father.
Simply put, Audra Mae is a natural. Once the Oklahoma native opens her mouth and lets loose with that voice, pure and strong, with a hint of country twang and a twinkle of good humor, you realize this is what she’s meant to do; Stand in front of an audience and entertain, not just with her singing, but a distinctive songwriting voice, one that’s capable of relating fully developed characters and stories.
Growing up, show business has been in Audra Mae’s blood, performing in musical theater since the age of 4. She is the grand niece of JUDY GARLAND, her paternal grandmother turned her on to country and folk artists like Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton and Woody Guthrie, and her maternal grandfather introduced her to jazz.
Last year, the producers of the FX series Sons of Anarchy commissioned Audra Mae to do a cover of Bob Dylan’s “Forever Young” for the show. She recorded two versions, including one a cappella, which book-ended the series’ next-to-last show, causing an amazing run on her MySpace page when the episode aired. She has since recorded a version of Patti Griffin’s “Mary,” which will be featured in episode 10 of the show’s second season.
Gearing up for her first-ever national tour, Audra Mae has been working out material at a residency at the Vermont in Silver Lake, CA, where she has honed her craft before an ever increasing audience.
“It can be very lonely up there, just me and my acoustic guitar,” Audra says. “But once I get on-stage, the audience’s reaction takes over. I am so excited to hit the road, and do what I was put here to do.”
When you hear Audra Mae sing, you’ll realize how right she is. Audra will also be joining the annual REVIVAL TOUR this fall.
Welcome to PICKSYSTICKS, a blog site that spotlights the best indie bands in Los Angeles - they just happen to be fronted by women!
Unlike their counterparts, these chick bands shell out a different feel and sound that only these gals can emote. They can also rock as hard as the next guy often with more raw energy and emotion than most guy bands. But, through the music, what separates girl bands is that they also have the ability to let us hear their vulnerability and show us their passion.
Whether it be punk, acoustic, rock, or electronica, in a diverse city such as Los Angeles, you can find anything to please your musical tastes on any given night. If your cup of tea are girl bands then PICKSYSTICKS is the place to be. Check out these bands and you’ll realize, through this ‘angelic hard-rock,’ why L.A. is called the City of Angels.
3/1- The Shakers @ Skinny’s Lounge 3/1- hearkittykitty @ The Airliner 3/2- Rachael Cantu @ Bootleg Theater 3/3- The Pity Party @ Mountain Bar 3/3- The Shakers @ THE KIBITZ 3/5 - Lisa D'Amato @ Mr. T's Bowl 3/5- The Shakers @ Gallagher’s pub and grill 3/6- The Ditty Bops @ Geffen Playhouse 3/6- OUTLETT @ The Queen Mary (Long beach) 3/6- Mather Louth And Radio Noir @ the Unknown Theater 3/7- Mather Louth And Radio Noir @ Cal Poly Pomona Bronco Student Center 3/7- Lelia Broussard @ Saint Rocke 3/7- The Like @ All Star Lanes(Eagle Rock) 3/8- SPIDER PROBLEM @ Sapphire 3/8- Noush Skaugen @ The Cat Club 3/9- HoneyHoney @ Saint Rocke 3/9- The Rescues @ Saint Rocke 3/10- Audra Mae @ Largo 3/11- Rachael Cantu @ Hotel Cafe 3/11- of Verona MOLLY MALONE’S 3/12- hearkittykitty @ catclub 3/13- Apocalipstick @ Fullerton College Theatre Festival 3/13- Sara Lov @ The El Rey Theatre 3/13- GREAT NORTHERN @ Bootleg Theater 3/14- Mather Louth And Radio Noir @ Santa Anita Racetrack 3/14- ROCKET @ Santa Anita Racetrack 3/17- Zsuzsanna @ Hotel Cafe 3/18- terra naomi @ Hotel Cafe 3/19- Dunes @ The EchoPlex w/ High Places & Nite Jewel 3/19- Blessed Le Strange @ EL REY THEATRE 3/19- Embre @ El Cid 3/20- Alyssa Suede @ The Hotel Cafe 3/22- OUTLETT @ Henry Fonda Music Box 3/23- hearkittykitty @ The Viper Room 3/27- BEATMO @ The Basement 3/29- Marina V @ The Hotel Cafe (CD release show) 3/29- The Pity Party @ The Echo
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