Radio Free Silver Lake

Video Free Silver Lake: Happy Hollows, Dum Dum Girls, Hawnay Troof, Signals, Useless Keys

By Jed

1) I am very pleased to direct your attention to yesterday's release of the video for the Happy Hollows' non-album track "Big Bad Wolf" from Spells on the Filter Magazine web site. I'm surprised it didn't make it on the album, as I think it is just as smart/accessible (that's what I say about the Happy Hollows, right?) as everything of their one-of-the-best-of-2009 album. As I've said before, I can't wait until these guys are as huge as they deserve to be. WATCH IT:

FYI, it is directed by Ryan Reichenfeld.
More FYI, their next show will be at the Troubadour on May 13, just a few blocks from my apartment.

Show Review: 2 Trips to Hollywood Forever Cemetery - Dead Meadow (3/25/10) and Dustin O'Halloran (3/26/10)

by Brad Roberts

 

I wasn't sure what to expect as I bussed down Santa Monica Boulevard on Thursday, March 25, 2010, and arrived at Hollywood Forever Cemetery. I'd only heard about this show by Dead Meadow a few days before and instantly thought, "the Masonic Lodge only holds about 300 people, this show is free and I can't possibly get there before 8 o'clock...Shit!, I'll never get in". But I learned that if you pre-ordered their new CD/DVD, Three Kings, they'd put you on an RSVP list, guaranteeing admission to the show. I decided to go for it, in spite of many great competing shows on Thursday.

Arriving around 8:30, I got in line as an announcement was made that, regardless of any RSVP list, we all had to wait in line, but we were assured that we would all get in. The event was not a model of coordinated planning as only one person was authorized to check ID's, so it would be slow going. From the windows above we could hear Lantvrn playing their set and, judging from the number of us waiting in line, they must have been playing for about 12 people inside. During their 30 minute set we progressed about 6 feet forward in line. Frustration was beginning to set in.

 

Another announcement was made telling us they would delay the Dios set until we were inside and, indeed, it was about 9:30 when I finally got in. The upside was the sight of the Canter's Deli truck parked near the entrance, and a doorman who, when he checked my ID, exclaimed, "wow, you don't look it." We were also told that Colt 45 was sponsoring the evening, but that the venue limited each patron to 2 beers, so we were told to grab both and chug them for maximum effect. Most complied.

The Spires, Early Dolphin, The French Semester at the Echo Curio 3/19/10

By Kathryn Pinto
Photo by Olivia Hemaratanatorn

“I’m at the best show of SXSW and I’m not even in Austin.”

Most of Los Angeles was at South by Southwest a week ago Friday, but a few of us were holding down the fort at the usual spots. There were no schwag bags at the Echo Curio, but if you needed one for your drink you could have a brown paper bag.

The week before I had missed much of the French Semester’s set (pictured here performing at the Echo In January) at Spaceland opening for Explode Into Colors and Quasi, who were both incredible. So I arrived early at the Echo Curio to see them play with the much-lauded Spires who I hadn’t yet seen live. I even turned down an invitation to a hot tub party (sans time machine) to go--reasoning that any decent hot tub party could not possibly be in full force until after midnight.

The Spires went on first. You know that photo on the cover of Our Noise, the Merge Records book? That’s how I felt about three seconds into the Spires’ set. Floating, suspended mid-air, in the moment. The Ventura three-piece played poppy sweet-sad songs that mainline straight to your inner sixteen year-old’s heartbreak nerve, melancholy brit-rock with shades of the Velvet Underground.

The L.A. Show Low Down (Or: "To Sit So Still In The Endless Swirl, The Mountains Thought, I'm Like Clouds, And Everything's Going On...")

by Brad Roberts

Last week's concerts were mind boggling and the effects haven't worn off yet. First there was the endless swirl provided by Dead Meadow and their love-in/CD release party that threatened to swallow the Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever into a psychedelic vortex. Going back to the Cemetery the following night for piano wizardry, with strings,,,and magic, by Hauschka and Dustin O'Halloran with The Magik Magilk String Quintet. But Saturday was a concert for the ages with Field Music and Learning Music stunning and electrifying a fine Los Angeles audience whose attention was riveted to the performances on stage at the Bootleg Theatre. I'm still trying to wrap my head around all this. There are reviews to come.

I wouldn't harp so much on last week if it weren't for the fact you can still catch the amazing Field Music at Amoeba on Tuesday, Skip this one at your peril, and you will be sorry one day. Also on their schedule is an appearance on KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic on Thursday, April 1.

I've only seen We Are The World (seen above) once before and I was impressed at their grand theatrical stage presence and entertaining gypsy wedding music. This Thursday they begin a three week residency to celebrate the release of a new CD, Clay Stones, at The Echo. And I'm really looking forward to the new EP from Torches in Trees which is getting a release party on Friday at The Echo. This local band is one to watch.

Interview: Rademacher

by Joe Fielder

We hadn't spoken to Rademacher lead Malcolm Sosa since back in the early days of youth when we used to fondly -- and, sure, perhaps a little naively -- think of Pluto as a planet. And, hell, their new material seemed to mark an interesting new moment in time for one of our favorite LA acts (if you consider Fresno as an extended LA suburb, that is), so an interview felt especially overdue.

Such was the thinking that brought us to this post.

Hey, Malcolm. What's new? How you been?

I have been pretty good. In the last year we have had a couple lineup changes, I played bass for awhile, then we got a new guitar player, then he moved to New York City, and then we got a new bass player and then I switched back to the guitar. I wrote some songs. I recorded some of them. I got a day job. That I love. And I started drawing pictures. 2009 was pretty fun, but I feel like it was just kind of a period to get me grounded for 2010.

I like that song "Magic Words" a lot. What's up with the new sound?

A big part of it has to do with me taking a bigger part in the recording process. Mostly doing all of it. So it is much more lo-fi than are usual stuff, as we usually go through guys like Espinoza at the Ship, or Josiah at the Cave. Both of them are guys with tremendous chops in the audio world.

Much of the little technique I have with recording has been based on trying to collect crappy old analog stuff that doesn't sound crappy, and finding mic set-ups that are simple and that I can leave up to mic multiple instruments. I've been trying to work fast and sloppy and get to a decent recording sound with minimal effort so I can just focus on the song.

It has been a partially successful experiment. I didn't send you any of the songs that sound like total ass. Of which there are plenty. Also I've been more into writing words and having them and the vocal delivery carry the song while the music is less melodic and more just accompanies the vocalist. I also try not use chord changes anymore.

Show Review: Seasons, The Terrapin, Wonderground at California Plaza (3/12/10)

By Jackie Lam
Photos by Efrain Rojas

Being the cheapster I am, I was more than curious about the free concert series happening every second Friday night at the California Plaza. Sponsored by Lafreebee.com, the shows are a scaled-down version of their free shows in the summertime on the main stage. The stage setup was an interesting one, and the bands played on the outside patio of Casa, an upscale Spanish-inspired restaurant and bar. There was a single row of tables and lounge chairs in front of the makeshift “stage” and most of the audience lingered about the steps.

Video Free Silver Lake: Shadow Shadow Shade, Dodos, Olney Clark, We Have Band, She and Him, Living Sisters, Spike Jonze

By Jed

1) The recently renamed Shadow Shadow Shade (formerly the Afternoons) are one of the funnest live acts in LA, and have the rare ability to perform 7+ minute songs that don't bore for a moment. This performance of "Did Not the Lights Go Out For You" from South By Southwest is the first high quality video I've seen of them. Hooray!

2) In high school, I found algebra to be a fascinating subject, practically useful, philosophically not so difficult to grasp, a useful toolbox of skills that could be used to solve actual problems. Geometry, on the other hand, I found mostly impossible to get my head around. While I would often be able to solve problems (finding the length of some side or the degree of an angle), I would often fail quizes that required me to solve proofs.  I have no idea what "algorithmic algebraic geometry" is, nor do I believe that such a thing exists, but supposedly that's what Olney Clark was getting his Ph.D in in Edinburgh, Scotland when he wrote the song "Josephin the Writer" off his self titled album. The video for the song is hand drawn, and looks like something which easily could have been put out by the Decemberists:

3) San Francisco's the Dodos have released a new video for "Longform" off of their fine 2009 release Time to Die.  The video takes us through the window of a car, and captures in detail the grass, wheat, flowers, brush, guardrails that we pass. What I like in particular is 1) the texture of the images and 2) the way the editing tracks the melody and rhythms of the song:

4) London's We Have Band have just released a video for "Divisive." Call me nostalgic for a misremembered youth, but I'm glad electro-clash isn't completely dead. Besides, I like it a lot when people form words with their bodies.

5) She and Him and The Living Sisters (Inara George, Eleni Mandell and Lavender Diamond's Becky Stark) are playing at the El Rey on March 25th. Unfortunately, it is sold out. I kind of have some bad suspicions about what the crowd would be like (self congratulatory embrace of the "slightly edgy") but maybe I only feel that way because I'm envious of those attending. From what I've heard, I truly enjoy both groups.
She and Him's recent video for "In the Sun":

The Living Sisters with "Double Knots":

6) I can’t embed it here, but all I can say is that Spike Jonze’s 30 minute short film I'm Here is highly recommended. A sweeeter version of The Giving Tree? Click on the link and watch it for me, okay?

Did I miss anything? Is there anything in particular you'd really like me to NOT miss next week? Email me at rfsljed at gmail dot com. I'll be checking my email constantly.

Show Review: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club at the Echoplex (3/12/10)

By Seamus Simpson

Last Friday night I ventured to the Echoplex to see what became a great show and later proved to be an even weirder night. It began with luck: by a stroke of pure genius, or more likely better planning by my other half, I managed to make it in time to catch the whole of The Whigs set.  I went in knowing absolutely nothing about this band other than what my friend had mentioned, "They're from Atlanta and so am I, so they must be good." Not exactly a fantastic and well worded vote of confidence, but a vote of confidence nonetheless.

I am happy to report that despite my "friend from Atlanta’s" glowing recommendation the band really brought it. They were everything you expect from a good three piece band: good guitar hooks, said guitar hooks being as loud as god, and a bass/drummer combo capable of keeping up with racket being made from the guitar. This is more or less the sound that made Nirvana, Cream, Dinosaur Jr., and countless other three-piece bands so great. The Whigs have this in spades. Their songs were at once deeply melodic and raucous as hell. I couldn't name a tune for you. I couldn't single members out in a crowd, but I tell you now that we will be hearing back from this band soon.

Ticket Giveaway(s): The Echo and Echoplex host a weekend of fabulous, local, festival fun!

By Joel Robinson

Tuesday greetings out to Radio Free Silver Lake land. This week comes with free entries available for several lucky readers to a couple terrific events happening over in The Echo / Echoplex neck o' the woods this weekend. Thanks to good friends over thataway, RFSL is able to offer two pairs of entry to Saturday's Waved Out Festival as well as two pairs of entry to Sunday's POW Festival, two solid events highlighting quality music available today.

Saturday: Waved Out as presented by Aquarium Drunkard and Spaceland Productions.

Starting at 3:30, this all ages event then proceeds at both venues featuring great offerings from Surfer Blood, Best Coast, Turbofruits, Active Child, The Coathangers, Dirt Dress, Gamble House, The Po Po, Moon Duo, Sandwitches, and more to be announced as show-day approaches. An excellent experience showcasing these up-and-comers.

Sunday: Party Out West, POW Festival presented by Los Angeles Rock N' Roll Preservation Society.

This one ain't just darn good fun, but also serves as a benefit for The Musicares Foundation, friend and aide to many a musician in time of need. With entry at the Echoplex opening at 12:00 and acts including The Standells, The Zeros, Peter Case, Pierced Arrows, Giant Drag, Ty Segall, Lords of Altamont, and many others taking over from there, this promises quality sound and fun from G - O, GO!

Okay, entering the giveaway for this weekend's great events darn near follows the standard protocol.  But since we're dealing with a couple of options, there will be a bit of further definition required in your entry e-mails. To get in on a chance at gaining free entry for yourself and a friend to one of these terrific events, drop an e-mail to "RFSLjoel(at)gmail(dot)com.” Include "March Festival Fun" in the subject line. In the e-mail text include the show which is your preference and also let us know if one of them may be off the table for you (so we don't break your heart by awarding you entry to a kick-a$$ show you cannot attend). Be certain we receive it by Noon, Friday, March 26, and you're in the running!

Weather is looking like a winner this weekend and these shows most definitely are, so come on out and join the fun! Best of luck out to all in RFSL land! -jdr

The L.A. Show Low Down (Or: "It's What You Need, Here It Is / Come And Get It, So, Back To Where We Belong...")

by Brad Roberts

Welcome home everybody, from the kingdom of Texas. The music scene heats back up to a boil, post-SXSW, with a sudden flood of shows on the local and national level. I'm gonna go heavy on the visuals because there's so much to push this week. The show I'm most looking forward to is Field Music (seen at right) at the Bootleg Theatre with Learning Music on Saturday night. The English band hasn't been in town in about three years and I was unaware of them then. Their new album Field Music (Measure) is one of my current favorite things in the world so the concert is highly anticipated. Can't wait to hear how they recreate their sound live. Catchy melodies and quirky unpredictability are the hallmarks of this fine collaboration and the music is just plain addictive.

Dead Meadow give a free live performance Thursday for the CD/DVD release of Three Kings at Hollywood Forever Cemetery which, if there are any tickets left, I would suggest one gets there very early and get in line. I love their murky psychedelia and I'm looking forward to the new album and I wish I could go, but it may be nearly impossible to get in. Another show at Masonic Lodge in the Cemetery this week is Dustin O'Halloran and Hauschka, accompanied by Magik Magik String Quintet, who I enjoyed with The Album Leaf a few weeks ago. Difficult to describe as indie rock, it seems closer to strict classical music, but as such, master pianist and composer, Dustin O'Halloran, one half of the creative team that made The Devics, satisfies two of my genre preferences. I just picked up a ticket for this Friday night show.

Two festivals on the weekend at Echoplex and The Echo start Saturday with "Waved Out", to highlight rising artists in the local area for all ages. Sunday is the "POW" Festival, presented by the Los Angeles Rock N' Roll Preservation Society for the benefit of Musicares Foundation. Both events provide a showcase for a ton of local bands that are cropping up all around us in this exciting period of highly creative productivity. Los Angeles is bulging with music. See inside...