This summer has seen a group of awesome shows by the guys in Chop Love Carry Fire. Previously mentioned on TVD, Chop Love Carry Fire is a new band comprised of some seriously veteran musicians: Jeremy Toback and Butch Norton. From Hotel Cafe and the Bootleg to Central and Molly Malone’s, the guys have been on a tour of LA, cementing their place onto the scene.
I was able to check out one of the summer CLCF shows back at Molly Malone’s and I was really impressed. There is just so much sounds coming out of three guys. There is simultaneously this intricacy and a simplicity in the arrangements: an interplay of straight forward rhythm, the force of rock, and intoxicating melody. And the talent is right in your face. All of their playing; it makes you part your lips and nod your head. There is also something familiar and nostalgic in the music; omething from my childhood in the 90s. It’s rock with a hypnotizing sound, and a mood and a purpose.
Maybe it has to do with that I just finished Rob Sheffield’s book Love Is A Mixtape. Maybe it’s cause I’m a musician. Maybe it’s cause I have an obsession with how people meet. Maybe it reminds me of a guy or guys I used to date. But there is something I love about the lyrics of Michelle Branch’s new single “Loud Music.”
Formed in Los Angeles, the White Arrows’ story seems like it could have been written by one of the city’s many screenwriters. Mickey Schiff was born legally blind, and spent his childhood sharpening his auditory senses and teaching himself music. Suddenly, at age 11, Schiff amazingly gained sight, and his world came alive in a burst of Technicolor light. After studying ritualistic shamanism at NYU, Mickey returned to L.A. to start White Arrows with brother Henry Schiff and childhood friend J.P. Caballero. However, unbeknownst to the brothers then, J.P. was literally family, courtesy of a sperm donation by his dad to help some friends conceive.
Curious what a band with that story sounds like? The band describes their sounds as “a joyous burst of kaleidoscopic beats, genre-hopping and psychedelic textures,” all with a little bit of L.A.’s Eastside sound thrown in to make it feel like home. Hometown heroes, Airborne Toxic Event, have already embraced them by having them open up for their big El Rey show this past April.
If you like what you hear, the White Arrows are headlining The Bootleg Theater this Thursday, August 25th. Tickets are only $8 and doors are at 9pm.
In LA by-way-of San Diego, Josh Damigo is the kind of singer/songwriter who will not only charm you with his songs and voice, but also with his humor and honesty. In a town known for image and all the truth-bending that comes along with trying to fit into it, Josh is earnest, hardworking, and a fighter. From his lyrics and his stage banter to his youtube videos and blog, he lets you in… and because he is so honest, I listen. And I relate.
He won the Best Acoustic Music Artist at last year’s San Diego Music Awards and has opened for the likes of Sean Mullins, Tyler Hilton, Zac Brown Band, Green River Ordinance, and Carolina Liar. My favorite song of his is “LA Is Not Your Home,” a simultaneously brutal and humorous take on living in Los Angeles. I’ve lived in LA all my life – and I love this city – but I still relate to this song so much. I don’t think there is anyone in this city who hasn’t lived here and not felt disjointed somehow. This song puts that feeling into words.
Check out “LA Is Not My Home” and TVD’s interview with Josh Damigo after the jump. And if you’d like to see him live (and you do), you can catch him at On The Rox Friday, September 2nd at 8pm. Tickets are only $5.
Chop Love Carry Fire, the new project formed by veteran musicians Jeremy Toback and Butch Norton, will be live at Molly Malone’s this Wednesday, August 17th.
I first heard Toback back when I was a wide-eyed intern at LA’s Channel 103.1fm, the now defunct Triple A format radio station that helped set the stage for my love of the singer/songwriter genre. He is most well-known for his solo work (check out “You Make Me Feel”) and as a member of the alternative band Brad he had with Pearl Jam’s Stone Gossard (listen to “The Day Brings.”) Norton is best known for his work with the Eels, along with the likes of Fiona Apple, Tracy Chapman, Aimee Mann, Rufus Wainwright, and Lucinda Williams. Joining them onstage will be guitarist Billy Mohler (Smashing Pumpkins, Macy Gray).
In other words, this show is going to be serious. And it’s all at Molly’s. One of the most intimate rooms you can see a rock show in Los Angeles.
Giving you guys a little warning with this one, just in case it sells out, and cause I’m currently obsessed with the new single “Faster” off Matt Nathanson’s latest album Modern Love.
I’ve been a fan of Nathanson’s ever since I saw him play a small little coffeehouse in college, before he was signed, and the way he got the entire coffeehouse of people who had never heard him before to sing along to Bon Jovi’s “Living On A Prayer.” So when he got signed and I started hearing him on the radio, I felt a certain pride. I was happy he had made it so far.
That’s would be me! While you guys have gotten to know me as a music lover and the LA editor for The Vinyl District, I’m also a singer/songwriter… and this Saturday, August 6th, I’ll be playing an acoustic set at Room 5.
Room 5 is one of my favorite, little intimate spots in the city, complete with big, cushy red leather chairs, a stage perfectly suited to go acoustic on, and a sound system where you feel like the voice on the other end envelops you.
I’m letting you all plan ahead for this one! I just found out the lovely Meiko – with her distinctly introspective voice and catchy melody lines – will be returning to Hotel Cafe on August 24th.
When listening to her music, the first thing you hear is this beautiful, original voice. It is this combination between sweet and soulful, raspy and smooth. The simultaneously soothing and catchy melodies then sweep you away into the wonderfully detailed and relateable story-telling of her lyrics.
This Friday, Seattle-based Motopony is back in LA performing at The Echo with Those Darlinsand White Arrows. We’re giving away 1 pair of tickets to the show, Motopony’s self-titled debut album on vinyl and a band t-shirt. Keep reading to find out how to win!
This past week, Motopony, along with well-known artists Arcade Fire, Kings of Leon, Iron & Wine, Bon Iver and Adele, were selected to have their song “King of Diamonds” featured as the Starbucks iTunes Pick of the Week. The song was available as a free download at Starbucks locations throughout the United States.
Kicking off their summer tour this Friday, the folk band shares dates with Those Darlins and Daniel Johnston. Plus the guys will also be performing at Bumbershoot Festival (9/5) and DeLuna Festival (10/16).
Wallpaper, led by producer/songwriter/artist Ricky Reed, is catchy, funny, clever, and perceptive. It’s hip-hop/electronic/pop hybrid beats will have you bopping your head with a smirk on your face. It is perfect weekend music that is sure to turn the Troubdour into a giant party when he headlines tonight.
My favorite track off his soon-to-be-released EP STUPiDFACEDD is “1234.” It has the kind of supremely catchy melody you find in either a pop anthem or a children’s song and the kind of lyrics that you know the entire crowd sings along with every night. It is a feel-good party song, the kind of song you would sing at full blast in the car with your friends, windows down, good times up. On repeat. I dare you to listen and not feel good.
Sam Luna is one of those specials artists whose passion, excitement and love is contagious. He sings – with a huge boyish grin on his face – and you can’t help but feel…happy. His message is of love, beauty, and all things that bring people together.
Interestingly enough, Luna almost didn’t have the courage to sing. Having started writing poetry before songs, he says “…[I] finally decided to pick up the guitar and turn my words into song. I was always scared and thought I could never be as good as the musicians that I listened to every day. I realized that was the thing that holds all of us back. So in an effort to encourage others to believe in themselves, I began to believe in myself. I played my first show three days after picking up the guitar and I haven’t stopped since. ” Thank goodness he did.
The first pre-release off of his upcoming debut album is a song called “Tide Caught Fire.” It’s an upbeat, heart-thumping song that screams for a campfire sing-a-long, which he re-enacts at his live shows:
The Hood Internet is the mastermind production duo behind one of my favorite songs right now, “All Of The Lights,” a mash-up of Ellie Goulding‘s “Lights” and the Portland Cello Project’s rendition of Kanye West‘s “All Of the Lights.”
Two outstanding songs on their own, The Hood Internet mash-up somehow brings out the veiled vulnerability of West’s message, while amping up the subtle angst in Goulding’s song. Goulding’s falsetto seems to effortlessly wrap around the treble of the strings, as if her melody and lyrics were actually written for the string arrangement. The mix of the acoustic strings with the feel of the hip-hop and electronic back beat brings the song to life. I loved it the first time I heard it and that feeling hasn’t failed me yet. It’s the kind of wide-eyed love that reminds me why I fell in love with music in the first place. It’s that good.
Based in Chicago, The Hood Internet will be rolling through LA with a show at the Troubadour July 22nd. Here are the details:
The Hood Internet | Troubadour | Friday, July 22nd | $10/$12 Advance/Door | 8pm | All Ages
SaraBeth Tucek will be releasing her album Get Well Soon tonight Wednesday, June 29th at the Bootleg Theater.
Working with producer Luther Russell (Richmond Fontaine, Noah & The Whale), and having shared the stage with such greats as Bob Dylan, Jim James of My Morning Jacket and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Tucek’s star is definitely rising.
There is nothing like the energy of a record release show, so if you’d like to check her out, tonight’s show is definitely not one to miss. Here are the details and the title track off her album:
Wednesday, June 29th | Bootleg Theater | 2220 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA | 10:30pm| $10 | 21+
“It features moments of true beguilement, and referencing the greats – a bit of Feist here, Throwing Muses there, along with touches of Karen Dalton, Cat Power and Linda Perhacs – together with a musical menu of Neil Young, The Velvet Underground and even a dash of Big Star, helps to make Get Well Soon a marvel.” —Ian Wade, BBC Music
“The title track is a gorgeous acoustic ballad about death and loss, while heavier moments such as Wooden evoke Crazy Horse-era Neil Young. A dignified, record, bound together by grief.” —The Times
“It’s a magnificent album from start to finish from an artist who effortlessly demonstrates that music still has the power to move and inspire, despite what the pop charts may tell you.” —BBC 6Music
The Seattle-based folk rock outfit visited SoCal for their second time ever. First, performing two back-to-back shows in LA with an intimate set at Origami Vinyl in Echo Park and then KCRW One Colorado Listener Event in Pasadena. Motopony’s self-titled debut record, which was released this past month, charted at #1 on KCRW and the top 200 on the CMJ Chart. In support of the album and new music video for “King of Diamonds,” the band has officially kicked off their summer tour and will be back in LA on July 29. In celebration of Southwest Airlines 40th anniversary, Motopony is performing at four airports, from coast to coast, all in one day. The guys are set to perform at the Southwest Airlines terminals in Baltimore, St. Louis, Dallas and Los Angeles. Starting at the Baltimore Washington Airport this morning, here is the band performing their signature track “King of Diamonds.”
Here’s a recap of the last few days for the band:
Wednesday, June 28th |We found ourselves in San Diego without much hassle. After two hours of sleep in Bakersfield, we killed the rest of the leg from SF by 4pm. Something about the air in this low cal city puts your feet on the ground a little softer. It’s just chill, like a way back kind of chill. As soon as we hit the Motel 6 it was like OK to let our guards down and be as tired as we felt from the trip. I dream-floated for a half hour on my magic carpet of a hotel bed while I waited for some friends to take me to get a hamburger. Soon after, we found the venue around the corner.
The Casbah is like the best of Seattle’s bars and clubs rolled into one easy-uppy spliff. Like the basement cool of the chacha and the smoking courtyard of lindas. The low stage makes you feel closer to the people like the sunset tavern in Ballard and the sound was crisp without being sharp. Our bartender didn’t blink when I got a nice beer with my ticket. Actually, the staff was some of the mellowest dudes I think I’ve ever encountered in the industry. Totally awake but just not aggressive like I’m used to. Maybe they had a case of the Mondays. The show was well attended for the first act…but being “mondaimatory,” it thinned out hard by the time we played. This kind of show is important to me. The people still there are there because they like you enough to show up to work a little hungover on Tuesday morning. They aren’t many, but they are there and that means something to me. One scruffy ruffian high-fived me before the show and said he had hitched a ride to see us from a few hundred miles away. No line at the merch table, sparse claps twixt songs, and no girls jumping on stage to dance tonight, boys. This is the show that matters to me because I want the music to mean something even if I’m not the king of the universe in that moment.
We met this rad band from SF called The Ian Fays. We promised each other shows in our respected towns and laughed when we realized we were in the same hotel. Our hotel is literally around the corner from the airport. What a town, man.
Baltimore: We landed in a Baltimore rainstorm no problem. This climate is like pretty much inside out from Seattle. Outside the temperature and humidity is exactly how I keep my apartment, but inside all the constant A/C makes me want to wear a coat. Much like cool summer nights on our beaches. Odd. I’m in my hotel now. I have to wake up in five hours and play seven shows on planes and in airports all across the USA. Happy birthday Southwest, and many more. -DB
The Seattle-based folk rock outfit visited SoCal for their second time ever. First, performing two back-to-back shows in LA with an intimate set at Origami Vinyl in Echo Park and then KCRW One Colorado Listener Event in Pasadena. Motopony’s self-titled debut record, which was released this past month, charted at #1 on KCRW and the top 200 on the CMJ Chart. In support of the album and new music video for “King of Diamonds,” the band has officially kicked off their summer tour and will be back in LA on July 29.
In celebration of Southwest Airlines 40th anniversary, Motopony will be performing at four airports all in one day, from coast to coast this Wednesday. The guys are set to perform at the Southwest Airlines terminals in Baltimore, St. Louis, Dallas and Los Angeles.
Monday, June 27th | Hey friendlies. Sorry to miss a day, I can explain. I woke up in a hotel in Glendale, a hood in the NE of LA (NELA?) We made our way down the highway to Echo Park, a rad little enclave full of subculture. Snuggled between a hip-hop clothing store and a flower tablecloth cafe we climbed the spiral staircase into the loft of Origami Vinyl. There we played a stripped down set to the likes of Perry Watts, Nate from the LA Times, and some fans from Mexico up for the soccer game against the US.
This kind of show is a refreshing crash course in street cred. Attentive, intelligent and courteous, the record store audience is a delight. As soon as we packed the gear down out of the loft and up into the truck we drove to Pasadena and played the One Colorado courtyard for KCRW. I’m not going to lie, THAT WAS THE BEST CROWD/SHOW/EVENING we have had to date. What must have been 800 people, packed in, despite the soccer traffic, let themselves witness the sun setting on our first three songs. It was magical. People came and danced on the stage, we were called out for an encore, and there was a line at the merch table. We felt like, well, rock stars. KCRW is the best GOD DAMN RADIO STATION in the whole republic of CA. We owe them a night of their dreams.
Glendale hotel and the morning road to San Francisco: Mike (our soon to be permanent guitarist) had flown in and cabbed it to the One Colorado show – putting our passenger manifest at six grumpy dudes. BTW…the box truck is hereby named “samsquanch.”
We made it to Hotel Utah; a bi-level audience in a neat little wood room at the base of an old SF style corner apt building. Colorful, gin soaked, and overtly nautical, this little bar is the kind of place you want to live near. The show was really fun. Brantley set his beers on the upright piano and the bass tones of one of our opening songs rattled them to his feet. I looked over at him during the third song and he was laughing and twinkle toeing through a pool of beer and broken glass. The telecaster is soaked and is no longer responding to simple questions. Luckily, Brantley had three backup guitars. An hour later we mowed through local food lovingly served to us by our bartender and loaded the samsquanch.
On the road again: we are three hours from San Diego. Tomorrow, WE FLY TO BALTIMORE?!?!? I swear I live in a hybrid reality co-dreamed by David Lynch and Tom Waits and Wes Anderson. Which is actually the most entertaining and thrilling and hilarious and human adventure in the universe…I swear.
This summer has seen a group of awesome shows by the guys in Chop Love Carry Fire. Previously mentioned on TVD, Chop Love Carry Fire is a new band comprised of some seriously veteran musicians: Jeremy Toback and Butch Norton. From Hotel Cafe and the Bootleg to Central and Molly Malone’s, the guys have been on a tour of LA, cementing their place onto the scene.
