the smashing pumpkins @ the viper room – 6.30.10

something that will probably never happen to me again in my lifetime: seeing the smashing pumpkins play an intimate show of “hits” at the viper room in hollywood alongside 250 super fans. it happened last week, and i’m happy to say that i survived the heat and unbearably tight quarters.

i’ve had the opportunity to see billy corgan play live a few times since moving to LA last year. it’s interesting, as i have never been a super fan myself, but i’ve read enough articles about him to feel like i know him in some odd way (which is really strange.) i find him very intriguing, and i do like to watch his mood erratically fluctuate when he plays live. maybe that’s why the photo above resonated with me so much – there’s a lot of emotion in everything billy corgan does, and you can see it, hear it, and feel it the minute he takes the stage. PHOTO LINK!

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the good listeners – movie/record release @ the egyptian theater – 6.23.10

i have told countless friends about the inspiring story behind the movie and record release of “don’t quit your daydream” by LA’s the good listeners. my obsession with the band came full circle at the end of june when i had the opportunity to see their documentary on the big screen at the egyptian theater, and then hear the band play live in the courtyard after the premiere.

the movie itself got a proper theater debut right in hollywood, with contributor/producer and “entourage” icon adrian grenier taking the stage with the band. while grenier plays a critical role in making the documentary a reality for the good listeners, it’s really the music that takes center stage, along with a story that inspires to the very end.

and the record, with or without the movie attached, is EPIC. i have played it non-stop for months now, and every time “if i stay,” “good enough,” or “eighty steps away” comes on, i am reminded why the daydream is so important.

PLEASE buy this album, and download the movie. it may just save your soul. PHOTO LINK!

erykah badu + janelle monae + lupe fiasco @ the greek – 6.20.10

erykah badu was slated to be my first show at the greek, and honestly i didn’t think my weekend could get any better. but then i saw janelle monae open for ms. badu, and “wow” is all i gotta say. there’s a reason janelle is featured in every magazine on the newstand right now. new sound, new dance moves, new energy – she reminds me a lot of a young michael jackson. and even though she’s tiny, she’s a big show stealer. you can read all about it  HERE. and more photos too: PHOTO LINK!

matt pond PA + wintersleep @ troubadour – 6.17.10

maybe i was tired. i don’t really know what hit me, but it sure wasn’t the matt pond PA + wintersleep show at the troubadour last night. i was expecting great things from two bands i greatly admire. not so, not so. first, wintersleep are better recorded than live (disappointing,) and matt pond PA is not playing much off the new album “the dark leaves.” seriously?! do you know how bad i wanted to hear “starting” live? big bummer. BIG. PHOTO LINK!

night with buzz bands LA @ spaceland – 6.15.10

it’s easy to see why the night with buzz bands LA shows are becoming one of the best new music showcases going on in the city right now. the bands are typically rare, on the verge finds, that you not only need to know, but WANT to know. and tuesday’s show at spaceland was no different, with a shiny line-up of new and newly reformed LA bands that included chasing kings, vanaprasta (photo above,) abandoned pools and judson & mary. i definitely found a few more names to add to my list of top 10 bands in LA. PHOTO LINK!

helen stellar + 22-20s @ spaceland – 6.11.10

helen stellar, another one of my favorite LA bands, played a gorgous show at spaceland on friday night. i’ve seen them play live four times now, and at every show i listen transfixed, floating in a sea of light and sound that i can’t get enough of. PHOTO LINK!

fitz & the tantrums @ spaceland – 6.10.10

i think that i’ve seen fitz & the tantrums play live 4-5 times now, and every show is a  fantastically energetic, dancefloor adventure. I ADORE THIS BAND. you can check them out every thursday in june at spaceland, and then at the hammer museum in july. i predict big things for fitz on the near horizon, so do yourself a huge favor and see them live in a small venue while you still can. PHOTO LINK!

mumford & sons @ the fonda – 6.3.10

i missed mumford & sons a few months ago when they played a sold-out show at the troubadour. i finally caught them at the fonda this time around, and i’ll admit, my expectations were high. i was envisioning the avett brothers with a harder, sexier edge. i was wrong, as nothing i have seen lately matches the energy and passion that the avett’s possess when they are on stage. i like mumford better recorded. ’nuff said. catch my photos and a kinder review over on buzz bands. PHOTO LINK!

school of seven bells @ the echo – 6.2.10

school of seven bells – i just don’t get you. and it appears i am the only one, as men flock to your shows in mass and stand transfixed before your stage. as a girl, it’s quite amusing to watch this ritual – way more exciting than your lack-luster, trance-inducing performance. i know i am in the minority on this one when i say that i could not wait for the night to be over. a much more positive take on the show is over on buzz bands, along with my photos. PHOTO LINK!