billy corgan @ open books long beach – 8.28.09

i scored a last-minute gig shooting the billy corgan show for SPIN.com! 

it was a long, hot evening… he played a 17-song set at open bookstore in long beach on a scorching summer night. while i have never been a big smashing pumpkins fan, billy’s new material and all-star band, spirits in the sky, made me hang onto my spot up front even though i was dripping in sweat and dying for a gallon of water. 

spirits in the sky includes the likes of rocker dave navarro and linda strawberry amongst many other famous faces – linda being the best dressed girl ever. (i soooo wanted her yellow dress.)

read the review and see photos on spin.

MORE photos on flickr.

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friendly fires @ el rey – 8.24.09

chris turned me on to friendly fires earlier this year. i have been dying to see them live ever since. last night i got my wish. 

definitely worth the wait.

if there is a band to see up close, center stage, it’s them. more photos on flickr!

friendly fires – paris:

One day we’re gonna live in Paris
I promise
I’m on it
When I’m bringing in the money
I promise
I’m on it
I’m gonna take you out to club showcase
We’re gonna live it up
I promise
Just hold on a little more

And every night we’ll watch the stars
They’ll be out for us
They’ll be out for us
And every night, the city lights
They’ll be out for us
They’ll be out for us

One day we’re gonna live in Paris
I promise
I’m on it
I’ll find you that French boy,
You’ll find me that French girl
I promise
I’m on it

So go and pack your bags
For the long haul
We’re gonna lose ourselves
I promise
This time next year will be forevermore

And every night we’ll watch the stars
They’ll be out for us
They’ll be out for us
And every night, the city lights
They’ll be out for us
They’ll be out for us

And every night we’ll watch the stars
They’ll be out for us
They’ll be out for us
And every night, the city lights
They’ll be out for us
They’ll be out for us

i probably should have posted this on stolenlyric.com

los campesinos @ el rey – 8.21.09

luckily the los campesinos show at the el rey was a good final show to shoot before my camera decided to DIE.

yes, it has happened before. i’m learning not to panic as much. trying, at least. 

go see photos and read the review.

elefant @ the fonda – 8.7.09

a few years ago, i was SO into elefant. when they first hit the scene, i tried like mad to see them at harry o’s during the sundance film festival. no dice. the place was jammed with celebrities dying to see frontman diego garcia up close and personal.

when elefant finally played in denver, i caught their show at the gothic. it was solid.

i think that’s why saturday’s show at the fonda was so disappointing. while i had to fight screaming drunk girls for a place up front and center, the music was weak. diego’s voice was weak. not the “comeback” i was expecting at all. 

show review and photos on buzz bands.

more photos of elefant and love grenade on flickr.

chief @ 3 clubs – 8.6.09

stumbled onto santa monica’s chief during an intimate show last night at 3 clubs. while everyone in the band took turns on vocals, each time the four-part harmonies kicked in, i was reminded of the magic of fleet foxes and local natives. (i just can’t get enough of the CSN & Y sound that is flourishing right now.)

just signed to domino records, chief is sure to be playing out more in the near future. keep an eye out!

more photos on flickr

dawes @ the echo – 8.5.09

while i was supposed to stay home and actually sleep for once, dawes lured me to the echo with their free weekly residency happening all this month. photos and such over on buzz bands. and a few more over on flickr. take a peek and go see them next wednesday. super fun show!

local natives @ spaceland – 8.3.09

i swore that i was not gonna shoot last night’s local natives show at spaceland, but i couldn’t help it. i have seen these boys play three times now, and i am so addicted. when is the full-length coming out?! i need it. now. more photos and a mini-review over on buzz bands.

stellastarr @ troubadour – 7.31.09

oh, stellastarr, how do i even begin to describe one of the most surprising shows i have experienced since landing in LA? all i can say is that saturday night at the troubadour made my summer. so many great moments, no words can describe, so i relay all my thoughts in images… along with a great review that can be found on buzz bands.