Author Archives: Zachary James

TVD at the CMJ Music Marathon 2013: Who stole Joey Ramone?

By Zachary James | Published: October 25, 2013

Wherein TVD’s LA family, Alexandra Starlight and Zachary James, return from CMJ with a scrapbook of madness and memories. —Ed.

“As musicians and fans travel home with as many brain cells blown as speaker cabinets, we say goodbye to another CMJ.

Having attended multiple years now I can say that CMJ has its finger on the pulse. Everywhere you look there’s healthy (or unhealthy, depending on who you ask) doses of 80s electroshock disco, dream pop, punk rock, and the occasional resuscitated legend. More shenanigans below…”
—Zachary

Posted in TVD New York City | Leave a comment

TVD Recommends: Alexandra Starlight
In-Store at High Fidelity Records, Silverlake, 8/24

By Zachary James | Published: August 20, 2012

On Friday, August 24th, Alexandra Starlight will be performing at a free, all ages in-store at Silverlake’s High Fidelity Records along with all-girl trio L.A. WITCH and Last American Buffalo, who recently released a record of their own: Here She Comes.

Celebrating the release of her limited edition, clear vinyl/rainbow glitter vinyl 7″, Alexandra & The Starlight Band, the electric soul-rocker will be signing and selling a small quantity of reserved records for the event.

The prismatic rainbow glitter LP has never been created in vinyl before—the closest creation, according to the production company Erika Records, is a black vinyl/silver glitter 7″ for Mariah Carey herself (!)

Posted in TVD Los Angeles | Leave a comment

Record Store Day
in Los Angeles:
High-Fidelity Vinyl

By Zachary James | Published: April 20, 2012

Tomorrow, Los Feliz’s latest and greatest record shop High-Fidelity will be hosting an all day, all ages party in celebration of our favorite holiday….Record Store Day! The store will have special extended hours, from 10am to midnight.

If you haven’t stopped by the shop, High Fidelity has a great curated selection of rare vinyl and new releases, and for you gearheads, an assortment of high end, hi-fi vintage audio gear. To give you an idea of the sonic quality resounding through this establishment: the house sound system just so happens to be J.J. Cale’s vintage speakers, powered by the warm fuzzy glow of tube amps.

Festivities begin at 4pm, with highlights including sets from local DJs and bands. Headlining the event is the not-to-be-missed electric soul rock ‘n’ roll-out Alexandra & The Starlight Band! Full line up after the jump.

Posted in TVD Los Angeles | Leave a comment

TVD Recommends: Alexandra Starlight
at Miles Davis House
at SXSW, 3/15

By Zachary James | Published: March 14, 2012

If you’re in Austin, Texas this week for the SXSW festival, be sure to stop by the historic Victory Grill this Thursday, March 15th for a rockin’ showcase presented by the Miles Davis Estate, Monster (the famed maker of premium headphones) and Beta Records TV (a weekly music-centric television series broadcasted to over 1,000,000 viewers a week).

The event will go from 1:30 pm to 2am, with eleven stellar live music acts gracing the stage. Not-to-be-missed acts include Alexandra & The Starlight Band, fronted by electrified soul chanteuse, Alexandra Starlight whose raspy vocals have critics hailing her as a “modern-day Janis Joplin,” Miles Grooves featuring a performance by Miles Davis’ nephew, Vince Wilburn Jr., and the high-octane glam/garage/punk Molotov cokctail that is Semi Precious Weapons, who recently toured with Lady Gaga.

Full line up and RSVP information here. Poster post jump.

Posted in TVD Los Angeles | Leave a comment

Sean Bohrman of
Burger Records:
The TVD Interview

By Zachary James | Published: March 12, 2012

I recently had the chance to chat with Sean Bohrman, the co-founder of Burger Records, an independent record label and store out of downtown Fullerton. The label started in 2007 as a way to put out records by Sean’s bubblegum glam band, Thee Makeout Party, and quickly grew, encompassing releases by artists such as NoBunny and The Go.

Later, in 2009, when Sean’s day job wouldn’t let Thee Makeout Party go on tour, he straight up got in the van, drove off, cashed his 401k, opened the Burger store, and never looked back. Eschewing the disposable in favor of physical releases like vinyl and the good old fashioned cassette tape, Burger Records is fueled by a total love and appreciation for music.

There’s so much you can say about Burger…so I’ll Keep It Simple, Stupid: All hail rock ‘n’ roll. All hail Burger.