Tonight in LA: Tracy Michele

Who: Tracy Michele and Joseph Garate

Where:  Bar Lubitsch

When: 9:30pm

Price: $8 at the door, $5 in advance

RSVP: https://www.facebook.com/events/142385699268748/

Band Of The Day: Don’t Sigh Daisy

Don't Sigh Daisy

Let me start off by saying YouTube is really producing some good talent these days – one of those being Joshua Wicker. I heard about a cover of his through a friend and immediately I was taken aback by his passion and spin on an otherwise overplayed Pop song. He’s a great talent which is why I was ecstatic when I found out that he would be collaborating in a new Acoustic/Indie project alongside Dylan Gerard, another great find that has really missed out on a great deal of deserving recognition.

The new band, Don’t Sigh Daisy is slowly growing in fans and appreciation with their Folk-Acoustic sound. They almost remind me of a tamer version of Mumford & Sons however their single “Fear” from the new album “Go On” is unique in its own right as is the band.

“Fear” has a great melody on the guitar that is haunting and painful but passionate in the same – melted with the voice of Gerard. What I love about a simple song like this is the emotion you can hear in Gerard’s voice – the small creaks as he’s finishing off a note or the cry when he’s just barely singing one of the powerful lines, “Give her your best, you’ll need her just yet.” There is something behind that rawness of emotion that Don’t Sigh Daisy puts into their music that really forces the listener to understand the sentiment behind the song.

Only fault I can give is that I’d like to hear more of Wicker on backing vocals – but I’ll take what I can get. Again, great band – great song – hopes for an even better album and most importantly much more to come from them in the future!!

– Jamey

Artist: Don’t Sigh Daisy

Album: Go On

Song: Fear

Happy 70th Birthday John Lennon!

“You may say  I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one”

Today would have been John Lennon’s 70th birthday. It is ashamed he is not here today. Imagine all the things he could have accomplished in the years he’s been dead. It is a shame that a man whose only message was peace, was gunned down outside his home all those years ago.

Here is a fantastic cover my friend Julian Shah- Tayler did of Lennon’s song “Mother”

We love you John! Happy birthday! You continue to make an impact day after day in so many people’s lives.

–Amanda

Support Independent Musicians: Album review Corey Koehler’s Never Too Late

Corey Koehler’s newest release Never Too Late finds an abandoned niche explaining what goes on in the hearts and minds of the hard-working men in our lives and fills it with gritty songs from that are disarming and pleasant.

Upon first listening to the record, the songs are sonically appealing and the production is good, but that’s about it. It isn’t until the third listen, when you’re not quite paying attention, that the songs sink in and reveal their sincere nature. The lyrics reveal profound feelings in a way that appears simple, but isn’t.

One of the standouts on the album is “Take This Ring” and it is a song that chronicles the thoughts that are at once calming and also exciting that men think before tying the knot. The song is reflective and at the same time tender without being overly sentimental.

Corey also writes songs that he hopes will inspire and uplift people. “Change the World” and “On My Way” both have subtle hooks and easy melodies are disarming and soothing and inspire hopefulness and optimism.

My favorite song on the album is “To All The Girls (Bitterness)” purely for its cheeky irreverence. The song title also contains bitterness in parentheses but it isn’t as bitter as it wants to be. Which is a good thing, too much bitterness wouldn’t sit well with the overall likeable character of the album.

So there you have it. Never Too Late is a kind of ‘every man’ record for the hard-working Joes who know that all you need to enjoy life is a good beer and the love of a good woman.  Great words to live by. The album is also touching for its sincerity and relatable because of Corey’s ability to make the listener comfortable, whether it be from his asides or his laid back nature. You can give the album a listen at  planetcorey.com. While you’re there, you can get three songs from Corey’s album for free if you add yourself to the fan list.

–Felicia

Show and Tell #2: Have Gun, Will Travel

I was never a fan of folk-rock music. I always associated it with the country music my Dad made me listen to as a kid. Anything close to sounding like country was my Dad’s music and I steered clear of it. Then about 4 years ago, one of my favorite Florida rock bands, The Chase Theory decided to start an Americana side project. This side project, Have Gun, Will Travel, quickly became the front leader and The Chase Theory was a memory of the past.

At first I was sad to see this change, then I caught the CD release show for the first 7-song, self titled EP. In a small bar called Fogertyville Café (that has since closed) Matt Burke took the stage with only a guitar and harmonica. I remember it as if it only happened a week ago. Throughout the show, Matt had his band mates from The Chase Theory and other local musicians accompany him during some songs. These guys, Danny Burke, Scott Anderson, and JP Beaubien, later became full time members of the band. After the performance I brought 2 CDs, one for me, and one for my Dad (it made a great Father’s Day gift).

Have Gun, Will Travel went on to record a full length album entitled “Casting Shadows Tall As Giants” with help from Joshua Hernandez and Nate Oliver. This album is a lot more upbeat then the first release, and earned them a lot of respect around the folk-rock scene, leading to their invitation to play SXSW in both 2008 and 2009. My favorite songs from this release are When We Were Kings, Maravilla, and Pins and Needles.

Almost immediately after “Casting Shadows Tall as Giants” was released, I went on the hunt to find    more folk-rock bands. I finally got it. My “Dad’s music” was actually cool. Maybe I just needed an    exceptional band with meaningful lyrics to open my eyes. I began frequenting all of the Have Gun,  Will Travel shows and found out about other great bands in the local scene such as Will Quinlan and  the Diviners, Geri X, and Matt Butcher.

The live show, made up of Matt Burke (vocals, guitar, and harmonica), Danny Burke (bass), JP  Beaubien (drums), Scott Anderson (lap steel, guitar) and Josh Hernandez (viola) is really something  to talk about. The emotions in the room during the slower songs, combined with the energy of everyone on stage and in the audience during the faster songs are something that makes you leave the show in complete awe. Living in Los Angeles has made it hard to see this band as often as I’d like since they are Bradenton, Florida natives. So now when I decide to make my journeys back to Florida, I literally check their show calendar before I book a flight so I can catch one of their live shows.

Earlier this month, HGWT put out their 3^rd album “Postcards From a Friendly City.” I checked the mail everyday before I finally got my copy, almost immediately I put it in my CD player, where it has been ever since. With 11 new songs and a remarkable remake of their song Paperback with vocals lent by Tampa Bay’s Rebekah Pulley (originally on the 1^st EP), this album is yet another gold medal for Bradenton, Florida.

“Postcards From a Friendly City” talks a lot about the bands hometown roots and pays much homage to it. In That Ol’ Death Rattle the band states “Mama when you hear that ol’ death rattle bring me back to Bradentown.” However, other tracks on the record give you the underlying vibe that they are not so sure on their future in staying there. In track three, Salad Days Burke sings “Drive around the city streets for hours, they are the best of times, they are the worst of times, they are the days of ours lives.”

Whether or not the band chooses to stay in Bradenton, Have Gun, Will Travel will soon be a recognized name in households all across the United States. Check them out at www.myspace.com/HGWT

Recommended Tracks: Sons and Daughters of the Gilded Age, Land of the Living

-Amanda

Time to break out the Christmas playlist!

Every year around the beginning of November I start thinking about my Christmas playlist. I have to force myself to wait until after Thanksgiving to put up the tree and decorations, but more importantly I have to hold off on the Christmas music. My general rule about listening to holiday music is day after Thanksgiving to January 1st. Here my list of favorite holiday songs. I will forewarn you though it is very diverse and cheesy. Here goes:

Bruce Springsteen- Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town

The Kinks- Father Christmas

Blues Traveler- Christmas

Randy Travis- Jingle Bell Rock

*N Sync- Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays

No Doubt- Oi! to the World

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers- Christmas All Over Again

Hootie and the Blowfish- The Christmas Song

Joe Diffy- Leroy the Redneck Reindeer

Beach Boys- Little Saint Nick

Paul McCartney- Wonderful Christmas

John Lennon and Yoko Ono- Happy Xmas (War is Over)

Jon Bon Jovi- Please Come Home for Christmas

Adam Sandler- The Chanukah Songs 1, 2 , and 3

Brenda Lee- Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree

Save Ferris- Christmas Wrapping

Mariah Carey- All I Want for Christmas Is You

Bryan Adams- Run Rudolph Run

Jimmy Eat World- Last Christmas

Chipmunks- The Chipmunk Song

Burl Ives- Holly Jolly Christmas

Bright Eyes- Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Phantom Planet- Winter Wonderland

Britney Spears- All I Want for Christmas

Madonna- Santa Baby

We the Kings- There is a Light

-Amanda

Show and Tell #1: Olin and the Moon

I am a frequent attender of the free Monday night residencies at the Echo in Silver Lake, CA. For those of you who are unaware, these residencies usually consist of folk rock, indie, and other acoustic singer/ songwriter types.

So last  Monday, I went to see a band who is getting quite the buzz not only around the Silver Lake scene, but in Los Angeles as a whole. The masses were on point. Olin and the Moon could be one of the best bands in the scene, right up there with Leslie and the Badgers.

They went on close to midnight so I told myself I’d catch a few songs and leave. I was so emotionally drawn in, my feet could not bear to move. This was folk rock at its truest form. I inevitably stayed for the whole set.

The frontman, David, could easily be mistaken for a high school freshman with his clean shaven face, long hair hidden underneath a beanie, and a height that reaches no higher than 5’5. His voice though is another story. With a sound reminiscent to Conor Oberst and Tim Kasher, David unveils his inner thoughts and tells a story of his life thus far. Don’t let the comparision of Oberst throw you off though, Olin in the Moon does not speak in untranslatable metaphors. Their words are clear and concise.

With perfect harmonies and guitar lent by David’s brother, Travis, their new album “Terrible Town” is an honest piece of art, among a sea of cooking cutter bands. With help from Marshall (drums), Kyle (Bass), and Brian (Pedal Steel and Banjo), Olin and the Moon is a fresh breath of air and a ray of hope for those who thought true folk rock died decades ago.

This band confirmed my opinion of Silver Lake having the best local music scene anyone has stumbled upon in a while. I may have found my new infatuation! http://www.OlinandTheMoon.com

Recommended Tracks: Terrible Town,  Friend of Feeling Good

– Amanda

Happy Halloween!!

Happy Halloween everyone! In spirit of this spooky day, here are my favorite Halloween songs:

– “Bad Moon Rising” Creedence Clearwater Revival

– “Thriller” Michael Jackson

– “Ghostbusters” Ray Parker

– “Scooby-Doo Theme Song”  The Hit Crew

– “Monster Mash” Bobby “Boris” Pickett

– “Purple People Eater” Sheb Wooley

– “This is Halloween” Danny Elfman

– “Halloween” AFI

– “Dig Up Her Bones” The Misfits

-“People are Strange” The Doors

-“Pet Sematary” The Ramones

-“Somebody’s Watching Me” Rockwell

-“Witchy Women” The Eagles

-“Living Dead Girl” Rob Zombie

ENOJY!!!

– Amanda