Radio Free Silver Lake

Ticket Giveaway: RFSL presents Radars to the Sky, with The World Record and The Californian at El Cid this Saturday

By Kathryn Pinto

Radio Free Silver Lake is proud to present  Radars to the Sky this Saturday March 22 at El Cid with The World Record and The Californian playing in support. We even have a free pair of tickets for one lucky reader (see details below).

 Radars to the Sky began when frontman Andrew Spitzer was retraining for a proper grownup career at law school. During those long nights with Torts and Civil Procedure, Spitzer picked up his much neglected guitar and, soon joined by drummer Kenny Kupers, he started writing new songs and putting together a full band that Spitzer called "the most fun I've ever had playing music, and some of the best times of my life." The feeling is mutual.

Saturday's show is a farewell--at least for now--Kupers is moving to New York and the Spitzers are spending a year in Washington DC. This is the last chance to see Radars until Spitzer's next reinvention. The World Record --who write some of the catchiest and best-written songs out  today-- and The Californian --self described as "sometimes surfy sometimes folky sometimes bluesy sometimes beatlesy sometimes stupid sometimes really really sad ..." are opening the show in the cool grotto that is El Cid. A good time will be had by all.

To enter for free tickets drop an e-mail to "RFSLpinto(at)gmail(dot)com”. Include "Radars to the Sky at El Cid" in the subject line and your full name (and any other comments you may have) in the e-mail text. You can also enter via twitter @kpinto.  Good luck to all. Please be certain to get that e-mail to us by 12 noon Friday March 21.

Ticket Giveaways this Weekend: Hanni El Khatib at the El Rey 10/25 and BOY at the Fonda 10/26

By Kathryn Pinto

Radio Free Silver Lake and promoter Goldenvoice have tickets to two fantastic shows this weekend. Details on how to enter are below. Hanni El Khatib plays this Friday October 25 at the El Rey Theater, with Bass Drum Of Death and Tijuana Panthers opening. El Khatib closes out the North American leg of his tour in support of Head in the Dirt (produced by Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys) with a hometown show in Los Angeles. The San Francisco-born skater plays rowdy jangly garage rock influenced in equal parts by garage rock, 1960’s R&B and skate rat punk rock.

On Saturday night BOY takes the stage at the Fonda, Jeremy Messersmith opens the evening. The Swiss-German girl duo BOY bounce their smart and sexy pop to the Fonda on the momentum of the summer hit video “Little Numbers.” Comparisons to Phoenix, Bon Iver and Feist may not capture the intelligence and joyfulness of this duo, but they do indicate what an excellent show is in store for Saturday night.

To enter drop an e-mail to "RFSLpinto(at)gmail(dot)com”. Include "Hanni El Khatib at the El Rey" or “BOY at the Fonda” in the subject line and your full name (and any other comments you may have) in the e-mail text. You can also enter via twitter @kpinto.  Please be certain to get that e-mail to us by 12 noon today Friday October 25.

 

 

Hanni El Khatib   plays the El Rey Theatre (5515 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036) with Bass Drum Of Death, Tijuana Panthers Friday, October 25, 2013, presented by Goldenvoice and KCRW. Tickets $20, available here. Doors at 8pm show at 9:00pm. All Ages.

BOY plays the Fonda Theatre (6126 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028) with Jeremy Messersmith Saturday October 26, 2013, presented by Goldenvoice. Tickets $20, available here. Doors at 8pm, show at 9pm. All Ages.

 

Two Ticket Giveaways for Tonight: Surfer Blood at the El Rey and Best Coast at the Fonda Theatre

By Kathryn Pinto

Radio Free Silver Lake and Goldenvoice have tickets for two amazing shows tonight. See details below for how to enter. Surfer Blood, the West Palm Beach, Florida foursome who have drawn comparisons to the Pixies, the Foo Fighters play the El Rey in support of their latest album Pythons, along with opening acts Team Spirit and Andy Boay. Best Coast, along with Baby Alpaca & Death Valley Girls play a benefit at the Fonda for the L.A. Animal Rescue along with special guest DJ's Sam Sparro & Kim Anh. Best Coast is Bethany Cosentino’s celebration of all things laid back and sun soaked, from flip flops and to the Everly Brothers, as only someone escaping her first New York winter could appreciate the California sun. All proceeds from the show directly benefit the Los Angeles Animal Rescue, a non-profit organization primarily focused on pet overpopulation and spay / neuter outreach.

To get in the mix for entry drop an e-mail to "RFSLpinto(at)gmail(dot)com”. Include "Surfer Blood at the El Rey" or “Best Coast at the Fonda” in the subject line and your full name (and any other comments you may have) in the e-mail text. You can also enter via twitter @kpinto.  Please be certain to get that e-mail to us by 12 noon today Monday October 21.

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Surfer Blood with Team Spirit and Andy Boay play the El Rey Theatre (5515 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90036) tonight, Monday October 21, 2013, presented by Goldenvoice and KCRW. Doors at 8:00pm, at 9pm, All Ages. 

Best Coast with Baby Alpaca & Death Valley Girls play an L.A. Animal Rescue benefit with special guest DJ's Sam Sparro & Kim Anh at the Fonda Theatre (6126 Hollywood Blvd.,Los Angeles, CA 90028) tonight Monday October 21, 2013 presented by Goldenvoice. Doors at 7pm, show at 8pm, all ages.

Ticket Giveaway: Palma Violets with Skaters Saturday October 19 at the El Rey

By Kathryn Pinto

Saturday night the Palma Violets take the stage at the El Rey theater in support of their debut album 180 (Rough Trade) with Skaters opening and we have two pairs of tickets to the show, courtesy of Goldenvoice. Young  Brits Palma Violets play with a frenetic energy that leaves everyone in the venue energized, elated and sweat-soaked from bounce dancing through the set. Pitchfork said of their debut, "..the best moments of 180 transcend matters of craft. Palma Violets are reminiscent of what it’s like to hear rock music for the first time, and not have anything clever to say in response. Sometimes a good racket speaks louder than words."

To get in the mix for entry drop an e-mail to "RFSLpinto(at)gmail(dot)com”. Include "Palma Violets at the El Rey" in the subject line and your full name (and any other comments you may have) in the e-mail text. You can also enter via twitter @kpinto.  Please be certain to get that e-mail to us by 12 noon on Friday October 18.

 

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Palma Violets and Skaters play the El Rey (5515 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036) Saturday October 19, presented by Goldenvoice. Doors at 8pm, All Ages, Tickets $20.

Ticket Giveaway: Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, The Sun Ra Arkestra and Oliver Mtukudzi at the Hollywood Bowl Sunday August 4

By Kathryn Pinto

Radio Free Silver Lake is giving away tickets for a lucky reader (and a guest) Sunday night when Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes play the Hollywood Bowl along with the Sun Ra Arkestra and legendary Zimbabwean performer Oliver Mtukudzi as part of the KCRW World Festival at the Bowl. See below for details on how to enter the giveaway.

Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes are the brainchild of Alex Ebert who dreamed up Edward in 2009 as a hippy band frontman-cum-cult leader, equal parts Polyphonic Spree and some lost Laurel Canyon jam session from the 1970’s. Fueled by the sparks ignited by Ebert’s meeting with vocalist Jade Castrinos some enchanted evening in downtown Los Angeles, this band of ten has been spreading love and messianic positivity to audiences worldwide with three albums and countless live shows over the past four years. The band’s self-titled third album is out now.

Multi instrumentalist Marshall Allan has led the Sun Ra Arkestra since 1995, after the passing of the Sun Ra in 1993. They play avant jazz and jazz combined with traditional African music. Marshall not only leads the Arkestra, but he writes new arrangements and compositions for the Arkestra “centered totally on the study, research, and further development of Sun Ra's musical precepts.”

Known as Tuku, Oliver Mtukudzi, is known for exquisite guitar music honed over a decades-long career that spans Afropop and the global embrace of traditional African music. Tuku’s music is “poetry of everyday life” that subtly, but pointedly addresses racism, women’s rights, AIDS, as well as universal human experiences that unite all people.

To get in the mix for entry drop an e-mail to "RFSLpinto(at)gmail(dot)com”. Include "Edward Sharpe at the Hollywood Bowl" in the subject line and your full name (and any other comments you may have) in the e-mail text. You can also enter via twitter @kpinto.  Please be certain to get that e-mail to us by 12 noon on Thursday August 1.

 

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Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, along with The Sun Ra Arkestra and Oliver Mtukudzi play the Hollywood Bowl (2301 N Highland Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90068) Sunday August 4, show at 7pm. Tickets are $12.00 - $139.00 plus fees, and are available via Ticketmaster.

Gates open at 4:30pm. Parking at the Bowl is limited; concertgoers are encouraged to arrive early and to use public transportation or Bowl shuttles to offsite parking.

Ticket Giveaway and Show Spotlight: Brass Bed at the Hotel Café Saturday July 20

By Kathryn Pinto

Radio Free Silver Lake is thrilled to present Brass Bed at the Hotel Café this Saturday night July 20 and we have tickets for one lucky reader (and a guest) to check out the show. See details below to enter for your chance at tickets.

Straight up one of the best bands touring these days, Brass Bed released an album earlier this year that took their psychedelic indie pop to a new level. Smart, moody textured guitar music with pretty melodies and a few pop hooks like The Secret Will Keep You is what the RFSL staff has been enjoying about this year’s albums. The songwriting on the Danny Reisch produced album reflects on themes of becoming a ‘real adult,’ the contrast of confidence with an undercurrent of uncertainty. NPR Music’s Robin Hilton favorably compared the album to Wilco “Taking a page from the Wilco playbook (think Summerteeth or Yankee Hotel Foxtrot), Brass Bed wraps dark themes in sunny melodies, adding a layer of mysterious synth sounds before letting the mix dissolve into glorious chaos.” The Secret Will Keep You is out now on Crossbill Records.

To get in the mix for entry drop an e-mail to "RFSLpinto(at)gmail(dot)com” (if you are 21 or older). Include "Brass Bed at the Hotel Cafe" in the subject line and your full name (and any other comments you may have) in the e-mail text. You can also enter via twitter @kpinto.  Please be certain to get that e-mail to us by 5pm on Thursday July 18.

 

Brass Bed play the Hotel Cafe, 1623 Cahuenga Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90028 this Saturday July 20, along with The Bowmans (8pm Get Tickets), Steven Roth (10pm), Brass Bed (11pm), Erin McLaughlin (7pm), Doors at 7:00pm, $10, $21+.

 

Ticket Giveaway: Delicate Steve with Icy Demons, Pregnant at the Echo Tomorrow, Tuesday July 3

By Kathryn Pinto

To get your Independence Day celebration started off right we've got a real quick ticket giveaway to Delicate Steve (with Icy Demons and Pregnant) tomorrow night at the Echo, thanks to Delicate Steve's team. The last time Delicate Steve was in town, tour mishaps had his band rerouted from a gig at the El Rey with RaRa Riot to the loft of Origami Vinyl where we all stood in the packed store with our necks pitched at an angle hanging on each note to take it all in. Oh man. For the unitiated Delicate Steve is a mostly instrumental guitar band with occasional vocals that have the kind of structured suspense and feeling rarely seen in acts working verse-chorus-verse lyrics, much less this more limited palette.

Daytrotter described the band as “the feeling you get when you've got a great big mug of beer, with a picturesquely appropriate head of foam on top and the prettiest girl in the bar sitting right next to you and EVERYTHING'S going right
with the world." Listen and then just go to the show. 

To enter send an email with "Delicate Steve at the Echo" in the subject line to RFSLpinto[at]gmail[dot]com OR @reply me at twitter @kpinto, or by Noon, Tuesday  July 3.
Since this a a really short turn around, tickets go to the first person to reply.

 

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Delicate Steve, along with Icy Demons and Pregnant play The Echo, 1822 W Sunset Blvd, LA, 90026 Tuesday July 3, 18+, $10, Doors 8:30pm.

Ticket Giveaway: Judson, Tenlons Fort, Torches at the Troubadour Wednesday June 20

By Kathryn Pinto

Judson plays the Troubadour Wednesday June 20, with Tenlons Fort and Torches playing in support. We have two pairs of tickets to the show for some lucky Radio Free Silver Lake readers thanks to Judson and the Troubadour.

Something about Judson seems to invite every romantic road story and love story to describe his music.  It’s as if the more complex story of spiritual struggle, persistent hustle and hard work won't measure up to the fairy tale. It’s really great to see Judson playing one of the best rooms in town after so many times in his early days in LA seeing him busking on a street corner.  Not to say that Judson isn’t still paying his dues, but it’s nice to see his tireless efforts showing some fruit.

Tenlons Fort, Jack Gibson’s project, backed by John Seasons and Sheridan Riley (at last report), opens the night. Rounding out the lineup is Torches, with their just-released debut Heads Full of Rust getting airplay on KROQ for their infectious single "I Want Something."

To enter send an email with "Judson at the Troubadour" in the subject line to RFSLpinto[at]gmail[dot]com OR @reply me at twitter @kpinto, or by Noon, Monday  June 18.

 

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Judson plays the Troubadour with Tenlons Fort and Torches Wednesday, June 20, 2012 at 8:00 pm $10. Advance tickets are available online

Ticket Giveaways: Papa, LA Font & Busy Living May 3 at the Echo, Allo Darlin', the Wave Pictures & Yellow Red Sparks, May 5 at the Echo

By Kathryn Pinto

Ticket giveaways are back for two great shows this week, thanks to the good people at the Echo: Thursday May 3: Papa, LA Font and Busy Living (presented by Origami Vinyl and Hit City USA). Papa is big vocals and expansive arrangements produced when 1970's soul and punk fight is out for possession of the band's heart. LA Font, a highlight of Brokechella with their own brand of tightly wound post punk Tesla coil will come to electrify the Echo.

Then on Saturday May 5 for an EARLY SHOW (5:00pm) Allo Darlin’, The Wave Pictures and  Yellow Red Sparks take the stage. Allo Darlin’ play a bright sunny indie pop that the New York Times called  "terrific, witty and heartfelt, like a less moody Belle & Sebastian."

Don't miss this chance for free tickets to these shows. As a bonus, we're also giving away a a pair of tickets to the first person to submit an entry for each show, in addition to our standard random giveaway. Feel free send RFSL an entry for both shows. To enter, drop an e-mail to "RFSLpinto(at)gmail(dot)com” that includes "Papa & LA Font at the Echo" and/or "Allo Darlin' at the Echo" in the subject line and your full name (and any other comments you may have) in the e-mail text. You can also @reply to me on twitter twitter.com/@kpinto. Please be certain we have that e-mail (or @reply) by 5pm WEDNESDAY, May 2 (for Papa, LA Font) or 5pm FRIDAY, May 4 (for Allo Darlin'), to secure your spot in the mix.

Ticket Giveaway: Radars To The Sky deliver the new Detritus e.p. at The Satellite on February 23

By Joel Robinson

Greetings Radio Free Silver Lake viewers/readers/listeners! A brief note to let you know of free tickets available for a great show coming to the neighborhood one week from today.

Radars To The Sky will be at The Satellite to celebrate the release of their newest offering, the Detritus e.p. In celebration of this, we here at RFSL (who happen to be presenting said event) are making available two pairs of free tickets to a couple of lucky readers.

Based on the set RttS dropped on us at the premiere of the film "Pass The Music" a few weeks ago, this one is not to be missed. Including songs such as their cover of The Cure's "Lullaby" as found below, they truly bring IT to the stage.

Lullaby

Joined on the evening by Naive Thieves, Francisco The Man, and Manhattan Murder Mystery, this night has the makings to be a darn good 'un! In fact, the RttS team is so psyched about this one that they are offering you a $5.00 entry if you rsvp to their Facebook/radarstothesky presence or to them at [email protected]. That's a three buck savings over the $8.00 night-of-show door!

Of course, that said don't miss this here chance on a freebie entry for you and a guest to attend. Drop an e-mail to "RFSLjoel(at)gmail(dot)com” that includes "Radars To The Sky deliver Detritus e.p." in the subject line and your full name (and any other comments you may have) in the e-mail text. Please be certain we have that e-mail by NOON WEDNESDAY, February 22, to secure your spot in the mix.

And is often the case, lucky winner of free tix or not, this one is worth the trip.  -jdr

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Radars To The Sky celebrate the release of their new Detritus e.p. at The Satellite (1717 Silverlake blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026) next Thursday, February 23. Doors at 8:30, with entry on night of show at $8.