505 Reasons to Believe the Hype

By pcsanchez7505

I’m not a very political person. I never have been, and doubt I ever will be. I do pay attention (for the most part) during important elections, and I’ve even volunteered at polling places before. I’ve only been old enough to vote in two elections, and I’ve cast my opinion into the sea of democracy each time. The American democracy, that is, is a system, although a precarious one, of checks and balances, or so I thought.

It’s not my intent to get too political, because this is a music column after all. I would like to say, however, that musicians, bands and artists of all kind have a unique voice, especially during times of political upset or confusion. Some musicians make music that reflect on very current and specific issues while others create timeless messages of hope or despair. Now, I’ve never been very political, but I’ve always turned to music to amplify reality or to bring me comfort. With the results of the latest presidential election in mind, here are a few songs, new and old, that I think capture the mood.

1. “Million Dollar Loan” by Death Cab for Cutie

“Million Dollar Loan” is one of 30 songs part of an artist coalition to speak out against the Trump Campaign. The song, released Oct. 10 by Death Cab for Cutie, a Seattle based band, talks about the apparent hypocrisy of Trump’s assertions that he is a “self-made man.” It was the first song in the project 30 Days, 30 Songs. The project featured other artists such as Josh Ritter, Thao Nguyen and Cold War Kids.

2. “Strange Fruit” by Billie Holiday

In 1939 when Billie Holiday first sang “Strange Fruit,” the bone-chilling subject matter of the lyrics astounded and shocked many. While society has come a long way from the racism and hate seen in 1939, there is still more work to be done.

3. “One Day” by Matisyahu

Matisyahu is one of those rare individuals who seem to transcend the melancholy attitude of many cynics. His humanity and goodness radiates through his music, and during times of despair, his voice rings out as a beacon of light. “One Day” calls upon the individual to make a better world through positive action.

4.”The Revolution Will Not Be Televised” Gil Scott Heron

Honestly, no matter who you voted for, rallied for or supported, this year’s election seemed more like a reality television show than an actual political and democratic exercise. “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised,” released in 1970, is a strong statement and call to action. It is a song that advocates for progress outside of the living room. This song is especially poignant in today’s age where ratings, click bait and social media traffic are all that seem to matter.

5. “What’s Going On” by Marvin Gaye

No one said it better than Marvin Gaye in “What’s Going On.” Gaye wrote the song in response to brutality seen during anti-war protests, but the message of spreading love and nonviolence is universal. There will always be some sort of dissatisfaction with government, leaders, politics or the “system,” but how we react to it, and in turn how those in power react to us, is the ultimate catalyst for promoting change. It’s not an easy road we’re on, but with the right attitude it can hopefully lead to better things.

Source:: Five Songs for Your Post-Election Blues

By pcsanchez7505

Earlier this year, singer/songwriter Rachael Yamagata released a new album to eager fans. “Tightrope Walker” is an album years in the making – Yamagata spoke to me a few years ago about recording the album – and many of the tracks incorporate experimental sounds, an edgier approach and of course Yamagata’s cryptic and thoughtful lyrics.

During her performance Oct. 26 at the Teragram Ballroom in Los Angeles, Yamagata pulled out songs new and old to captivate fans in a mesmerizing performance.

“I know there’s a lot to do in Los Angeles on a Wednesday night, so thanks for choosing to spend it with this little Asian,” Yamagata said.

Yamagata and her band performed seamlessly. While her band mates stayed steady behind their respective instruments, Yamagata switched from keyboard player to guitarist to solo singer – an occasional dance move was thrown in every now and then.

In between songs, Yamagata transitioned to raconteur, regaling fans with stories about tour life and inspiration behind certain songs. Fans were especially amused by a story early on in her performance about a minor spiff after a show in Texas when two girls threw stones at the band’s tour bus.

“They had no respect for bus property,” Yamagata joked.

The night of course was focused on Yamagata’s powerful vocals and equally as impressive musical talent. New tracks such as “Tightrope Walker” and “Black Sheep” commanded a strong presence while older tracks such as “Be, Be Your Love” allowed the room to take on nostalgia.

Fans sang in unison with Yamagata, and throughout the night, many had smiles on their face. Yamagata’s welcoming presence and sincere nature transported fans from the bustling city of Los Angeles to a space that was tranquil, innocent and explorative.

Yamagata explained that many of her songs were written because of a particular life event or interaction with someone, and they were written to be related to. Everyone in the audience had a song to relate to, whether it was one of heartache, love or existential wonder.

Through her performance, Yamagata seemed to form a connection with her audience, and she allowed herself to be vulnerable and honest. Each song brought out a memory and intense emotion for Yamagata, and fans seemed to mirror her nostalgia.

The night was not just an emotional stroll through the park. Yamagata spent a lot of time working on her set to make sure the album translated well live and fans had the best experience possible. On stage you could see months of hard work come into fruition.

The night ended in a stroke of professional accuracy and candid sincerity.

To hear music from Rachael Yamagata, visit her website here.

Source:: New Music Unfolds as Rachael Yamagata Wows L.A.

By pcsanchez7505

British band Foals have been nonstop since the release of their first album in 2007. The five-piece band consisting of vocalist and guitarist Yannis Philippakis, drummer and percussionist Jack Bevan, rhythm guitarist Jimmy Smith, bassist Walter Gervers and keyboardist Edwin Congreave has four albums under their belt and a reputation for putting on an exciting and high energy live show. After a year of touring with other bands and making a few festival stops, Foals began a headline tour this fall, with a few dates in Southern California. After the end of this year though, the band will take a six-month break to recuperate and relax. Before the start of their tour, Bevan took some time to answer a few questions about the band’s music and upcoming tour.

Q: Last year you released “What Went Down.” Have you been working on anything else since then besides touring?

A: No, we’ve just been so busy touring. As a band we’re not very good writing on the road. We’ve just had so many shows … so we’re looking forward to taking a bit of a break after we finish touring and then getting into writing later next year at some point.

Q: Yeah, I read earlier that you guys said you’d be taking a breather after December. How do you think you’ll adjust to a normal pace of life after so much touring?

A: I’m quite excited about the idea of taking a break. We’ve basically been going since we made “Antidotes” in 2007. Every time we finished touring for a record we’ve almost immediately started writing the next one, so yeah, it’s what we love, but at the same time, a lot of us have stuff we want to do that isn’t just band related. It’s going to be definitely quite weird to go for months without doing any sort of band related stuff. I think having that time will make us really focused and excited for when we do start playing again with each other.

Q: I’ve been to a couple of your shows in the past, and you guys have such an explosive live set. What drives such relentless energy?

A: It’s just what we love doing. It’s kind of what we’re used to. Like being a live band was the thing that we had way before making any records, so that’s kind of where we’re most at home. We love the studio as well, but like we’ve kind of been learning our way around it over the last four records. After all these years, coz’ we’ve got four records to pick from now, it’s really nice having four albums worth of songs to choose a set that can be really exciting, energetic and then also have lulls and stuff. I think we get really riled up before shows. It’s kind of the one point in the day where we have like a real release, coz’ a lot of the time being in a band you do end up sort of waiting around a lot and sort of traveling, so it’s quite stress relieving to go out there and bash on the drums for an hour and a half and kind of get into it.

Q: After four albums and many years later, does it still surprise you how fans react to your music or live shows?

It’s always amazing, like I think it’s really exciting when you have a new record or when your record has just come out and you’re kind of seeing how the crowd reacts. It’s not always how we expect it, like sometimes one song will actually go down better than we thought it would or sometimes we’ll have one we think is gonna slay it and it doesn’t go down quite as well.

A: On stage, I know you’re behind the drums and Yannis is jumping somewhere, usually into the crowd – how do you balance each other’s stage presence?

You know what your role is on stage, and sometimes it’s like a dysfunctional family … but I think it’s great. We really do get ourselves into a sort of mindset before we go on stage. Beforehand, we’ll be sort of jumping up and down getting ourselves, like a sports warm up, punching each other on the shoulder. When Yannis is doing that stuff, it doesn’t ever feel like it’s inherently natural. I feel like he wants to connect with the crowd more than you can from just standing on stage and playing the guitar. And I feel the same. A lot of the time I’ll get up on my drum stool or whatever, and it’s just like little things you can do to feel it even more, that connection with the crowd.

Q: What do you want your fans to take away from your shows?

A: I hope they get out of it what we do, because we really enjoy being up there and playing. For me the dream would be for them to feel the way I felt when I used to see my favorite bands when I was a teenager. If I go and see my favorite bands now when I’m not on tour now, it’s a totally different experience you’re not thinking about in the same way when you’re on stage. You’re not analytical. You’re just enjoying it.

For more information, visit Foals website.

Source:: Foals talk about upcoming tour and taking a break

By pcsanchez7505

For the sixth year in a row, the Echo Park community in Los Angeles, California will host Echo Park Rising, a free music festival featuring an eclectic mix of established musicians and home-grown favorites. This year’s event is set to be even more special, hosting not only musicians and comedians but special guest speakers as well. Echo Park Rising takes place Aug. 18-21.

What started as a way to celebrate the music, business and entertainment community nestled in Echo Park has now become an established event that attracts people of all ages. The free show offers a variety of musical genres and performers, and the open-air set up allows attendees to get a feel for the unique atmosphere found in the neighborhood.

Moon Honey performing at the Echo.

With dozens of musical guests, there is never a dull moment. Some of the bands performing this year include Feels, Bleached, Adult Books, Moon Honey and Pom Poms. The music festival will also feature Echo Park favorites such as Funky Soles (an epic dance party held every Saturday evening by The Echo featuring funk music) and a Lollipop vs. Burger Records show – both record labels have roots in the North East L.A. (NELA) community and harbor out-of-the-box musicians and bands.

Jessie Payo of Pom Poms performing at the Satellite.

The bands featured at Echo Park Rising are not ones you’ll hear on any mainstream radio station. They’re eccentric, bold and at times avant-garde. The mix of music and entertainment seen at Echo Park Rising makes it one of the best free festivals around, and it has become a must-see event for many.

This year, Echo Park Rising will also host a special book reading by Vicky Hamilton, Guns N’ Roses first manager, whose memoir, “Appetite for Dysfunction,” regales infamous tales of Hamilton’s experience with the rock ‘n’ roll business. The reading will take place Aug. 18 at Stories Books and Café on Sunset Boulevard.

Aside from catering to the diverse and expansive music community found in Southern California, Echo Park Rising is a great example of Echo Park’s commitment to cultivating a rich musical hub. Echo Park and its neighboring community, Silver Lake, are full of smaller venues where young, new or local bands perform. It’s in these venues – The Echo and Echoplex, El Cid, the Satellite and more – where bands have found a safe place to experiment, learn and entertain. A show at any of these venues can often feel like a house party packed with friends, family and fans alike.

Admission to Echo Park Rising is free, but VIP experience tickets can also be purchased. The festival will take up parts of Sunset Boulevard, Glendale Boulevard and Alvarado Street. Traffic for the event is high, but parking can be found in neighboring streets. For more information about the line-up and FAQ, visit the festival’s website.

Source:: Echo Park Rising takes over NELA

By pcsanchez7505

Two things seriously lacking in this world are a no holds barred attitude and rocking female punk bands. Both of those are met however thanks to the raw and powerful East L.A. band Feels. The (nearly) all girls rock group has some serious fire power on stage – and that’s not just because of guitarist Shannon Lay’s fiery orange hair.

Bad jokes aside, Lay and her band mates Laena Geronimo (vocals, guitar), Amy Allen (bass) and Michael Rudes (drums) have an innate talent to fill any venue with an insatiable energy that collides with their audience and propels them to dance, mosh and move in any way possible.

Feels performed to a packed house every Monday night during their July residency at the Echo, located on Sunset Boulevard, in Echo Park. The band is no stranger to the area and reveled in the fact that they were surrounded by familiar faces and fans.

Their last night at the Echo proved to be a ground shaking event where their short set list of about 13 songs unfolded in a wheeling whirlwind of a performance that began with flowers and ended in a small shower of balloons.

Before hitting the stage, Geronimo stepped up to the mic to announce the debut of their new music video, which was projected before Feels came on stage.

Preceding Feels were Cat Signs, The Baltic and Adult Books. While Feels may have been the headliner that night, the other bands did just as well with introspective tunes, heavy punk sound and a strong stage presence.

There was no doubt though that Feels is in a category of their own, and not often do bands leave me in awe. Many performances are good, and there are a lot of bands with talent, but there is something to be said about charisma and a band’s persona. Feels radiates with confidence on stage, and every move, guitar strum and note sung seems organic. Nothing permeates as fake, and with a strong collection of songs, fans simply feel the music. The band’s ability to engage in a lucid performance makes experiencing their music all the better. Plus, it’s downright fun to dance to Feels music and feel the energy of the crowd as they get lost in a barrage of sound.

The band recently released their debut LP in February. The album features several tracks with punk infused riffs and catchy hooks heavy with bass and guitar. The whole album is saturated in a cavalier attitude with sexy, snarling vocals, solid rhythms and tantalizing boldness. Their single “Tell Me” oozes with desire and conviction.

Feels will perform On Aug. 20 at Echo Park Rising, an annual music festival held in Echo Park on Sunset Boulevard, Glendale Boulevard and Alvarado Avenue. For more information about Feels, visit their Facebook page.

Source:: Feels: L.A. Band Creates Unique Sound

By pcsanchez7505

It’s not easy to make playing music look effortless, but Heaps N’ Heaps, from Venice Beach, are naturals at it. The four-piece band is in the midst of creating new music and showcasing new material on stage, an experience that has proven to be fun and visceral. Band members Alisa Fedele (keyboard, vocals), Zach Moon (guitar, vocals), John Pruitt (bass) and Dan Dowsett (drums) describe themselves as, “a band of friends making music under the sun, beneath the streets, beside the moon of Los Angeles and sometimes beyond.” Their laid back, yet highly ambitious approach to music shows in their live sets and in the studio, making them a band to watch out for.

Recently, the band stepped on stage at Good Times at Davey Wayne’s bar in Hollywood to play to a packed house of Angelinos. The small and intimate show felt more like a house party than anything else with fans dancing and singing along. The energy projected by Heaps N’ Heaps was contagious, and not a single person felt out of place. To add to the energy that buzzed around the band was of course a great set list of new music that seemed to radiate from Heaps N’ Heaps’ hearts and settle into their fans’ psyche.

Heaps N’ Heaps music falls into the alternative and indie rock category, but it’s infused with groovy bass lines and rocking keyboards. Because the band consists of good friends, there is a unique chemistry between them that permeates through their sound. On stage, you can feel the love and support each band member has for each other, and on record you can hear the dynamic collaboration going on, making for a truly captivating listening experience.

The band released their debut album “Live at the Village” last December and released a new single “Holy Things” earlier this year. “Live at the Village” consists of 11 tracks all recorded live. In it are sweet pieces of danceable tunes that come together in a fun and intriguing way. From the allusive “China Doll” to the unhinged “Holy Things,” the album showcases Heaps N’ Heaps creative talent and capacity to execute ideas in an effective way.

Heaps N’ Heaps will perform July 29 at El Cid in Silver Lake, another small and intimate bar. The band made a limited amount of CDs with unreleased tracks that they’ve been passing around before and after shows. To check out more music from the band, visit their website here or their bandcamp.

Source:: Heaps N’ Heaps Share New Music

By pcsanchez7505

Summer in Southern California continues to heat up with amazing concerts and experiences. In July, there are dozens of concerts and shows worth going too, most of which are under $15. While bigger name attractions might fill up the Forum or the Hollywood Bowl, smaller and equally as talented acts will take over museums and innovative new venues.

Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros: On July 9 Santa Monica radio station KCRW presents folk-indie band Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros at the Annenberg Space for Photography. The show is part of KCRW’s Sound in Focus series that brings free concerts to the public all summer long. Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros is a fun, quirky band with an innovative, yet delightfully familiar sound. Their most recent release, PersonA (2016), highlights the band’s growth and incorporates a beautiful medley of sounds and lyrics. While the show is free, an RSVP is necessary, and admission is not guaranteed – once the venue reaches full capacity, individuals will not be admitted in. To RSVP or check out future headliners for Sound in Focus, visit their website here.

Kera and the Lesbians: Weird, feisty and unconventional are all understatements when describing Kera and the Lesbians, but it’s the best I can do. Kera and her band of misfits intrigue and captivate those open-minded enough to venture into her world of edgy and chic. While Kera careens over every inch of the stage, her music moves fans on the floor. Kera and the Lesbians will play July 15 at The Blind Spot in Downtown Los Angeles along with several other bands. The Blind Spot is a newer venue born out of The Blind Spot Project, a collaborative team that puts together psychedelic liquid light shows. The Blind Spot’s unique visuals will pair perfectly with Kera’s avant garde music. Tickets start at $10, but are definitely worth it to check out this innovative musician.

Thao and the Get Down Stay Down: The Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles is one of many museums hosting free concerts this summer, and on July 21, San Francisco base band Thao and the Get Down Stay Down will kick off Skirball’s free summer concert series. Experimental, eclectic and refreshingly unique, Thao and her band mix electronic sounds with piercing vocals and interesting musical collaborations. Folk, bluegrass, electro, indie and funk can be found weaving its way through Thao’s songs, and while parking for the show is $10, it’s worth it to spend a day viewing art and hearing a fantastic band. For more information, visit Skirball’s website here.

Source:: Three Sizzling Shows to Catch in July

By pcsanchez7505

There’s not much that can top a free music festival, except for when that festival is on the beach and benefits local charities. San Diego band Switchfoot hosts a day-long festival every summer on the beach for people to come and enjoy music while promoting the band’s charity that supports the community and children.

“We dreamed up an idea to give something back to our hometown, to rally our amazing community, and to invest in kids who might need a hand up,” the band wrote in their campaign for Bro-AM.

For the past 11 years the band has hosted the Bro-AM music and surf festival with special guest performers and a surf competition that brings in the likes of professional surfers such as Rob Machado. This year, Switchfoot will share the stage for the 12th annual Bro-AM music festival with American Authors, Parachute, Josh Garrels and Brynn Elliot. Bro-AM 2016 kicks off at 11 a.m. at Moonlight Beach in Encinitas, California on Saturday July 9 with bands performing until 5 p.m.

Switchfoot
Switchfoot is an alternative music band from San Diego, California. The band formed in 1996 and has released 10 albums throughout the years. Lead singer Jon Foreman also has a solo discography, releasing a four-piece EP series last year. The band mixes in their strong faith with beautiful music that touches fans and reflects their good-hearted nature. Foreman and his bandmates create a communal concert experience where they use their music to envelope fans in a unique experience.

American Authors
Known best for their upbeat melodies and catchy lyrics, American Authors bring a smile to anyone in their presence. The “Believer” and “Best Day of My Life” musicians broke through the music charts. Their sophomore album “What We Live For” will be released July 1.

Parachute
American pop band Parachute is a sweet and soft spoken band. Their acoustic sound and beautiful lyrics are best exemplified in songs such as “She is Love” and “Kiss Me Slowly.” Parachute’s fourth album was released March 11, 2016.

Josh Garrels
Indiana local Josh Garrels is a singer-songwriter, hip-hop, pop producer and orchestral folk composer who currently resides in Portland, Oregon. Like Switchfoot he too enjoys using his music for charity, and in March 2013, he raised $71,566 for the World Relief through album downloads.

Brynn Elliot
Brynn Elliot is a budding Atlanta native whose energetic persona mixes easily with his singer-songwriter soul. Elliot has toured with the likes of Alanis Morissette, Parachute and Allen Stone.

About Bro-AM 2016
Bro-AM 2016 begins with a surf competition at 7 a.m., and music starts at 11a.m. The festival is free, and there will be booths set up for food and information about Switchfoot’s charity. All proceeds go toward Bro-AM.

Source:: Switchfoot hosts free music festival

By pcsanchez7505

As the summer heats up, so do shows in Los Angeles. While there are a ton of concerts ranging in price, some of the best concerts are absolutely free. This summer, Citi presents Summer Concert Series at The Grove in Los Angeles. Located right next to the famous Original Farmers Market on Third and Fairfax, the concert series starts at 7:30 p.m. every Wednesday beginning July 6 and brings big name bands to the public for free.

Plain White T’s: Kicking off the summer concert series is Plain White T’s, an American pop punk band from Lombard, Illinois. The band has been around for nearly a decade and made waves on the radio in the mid-2000s with their song “Hey There Delilah” that achieved platinum status. Their songs “1234” and “Rhythm of Love” were also certified platinum in 2009 and 2011 respectively. Plain White T’s mix sweet lyrics with catchy melodies and provide the perfect atmosphere to relax on a summer evening.

Atlas Genius: Following Plain White T’s will be the Australian native band Atlas Genius. Now residing in West Hollywood, the band has toured around the world and last year released their sophomore album “Inanimate Objects.” Lead singer Keith Jeffrey writes from the heart and expresses his emotions and experiences in a relatable way that transcends to the molecules embedded in us all. Mixing electronic beats with deep lyrics, Atlas Genius are definitely worth seeing.

Smash Mouth: On July 20, The Grove will take us back to the end of an era – 1999 to be exact – where pop music ran wild and bands such as Smash Mouth made songs that made you smile. The “All Star” band most recently released “Magic,” its 8th studio album in 2012.

Cher Lloyd: Ending the series is English singer Cher Lloyd. Following the nostalgia packed Smash Mouth, Citi presents Lloyd, a newcomer who gained attention in 2010 after she came in fourth on “The X Factor.” Spunky, young and fresh, Lloyd isn’t afraid to speak her mind and brings a feisty attitude to the stage. In just a few short years she has released two albums.

The Summer Concert Series presented by Citi kicks off July 6 at The Grove. While the show starts at 7:30 p.m., there are plenty of things to do and places to eat beforehand, making it a perfect mid-week getaway.

Source:: Concert Series Brings New, Old and Current Artists for Free

By pcsanchez7505

June is starting off right with new music from post-punk band Drowners. The rambunctious, young band dropped a new song on June 1, another prelude to their sophomore album, “On Desire.” The track, titled “Conversations With Myself,” is a fun, clever and mesmerizing tune. It’s the second release for the band this year after their single “Pick up the Pace” was released in May.

The new song fits perfectly into Drowners small, but catchy, discography full of hook heavy tunes and interlacing melodies. Like their earlier work, “Conversations With Myself” is a mix of danceable bass lines and drum beats, melodramatic lyrics and a slight undertone of angst.

There is a certain maturity and progression in their new song though, and all elements work together perfectly to mix, morph and form something dark and edgy that’s still surprisingly accessible and easy to relate to.

“My one-track mind isn’t treating me quite as kindly as I’d have liked, but conversations with myself …,” sings frontman Matthew Hitt.

If there was ever a justified moment to have lyric envy, this is one of those times. Hitt writes collectively with a cool demeanor and crafts perfectly executed lines that easily penetrate your mind.

“Pick up the Pace,” is just as catchy. Hitt’s laid back vocals echo over a toe-tapping melody. Love, self-doubt and unreciprocated feelings seem to be underlying themes in both songs. The tone is never desperate though, or even needy – just honest and raw. Passion creates a distance, and it’s hard not to get lost in these two songs.

True to the song title, Drowners picked up the pace to move forward with a new album that promises to be a piece of work to look out for.

Originally from Wales, Hitt moved to New York in 2011 to pursue a modeling career. He eventually formed Drowners with Jack Ridley III (guitar, vocals), Erik Lee Snyder (bass) and Daniel Jacobs (drums) after he became intrigued with the thought of performing live. Hitt began writing songs, many of which made its way onto the band’s 2013 EP “Between Us Girls.” After their EP release, the band was approached by Frenchkiss Records. Gus Oberg and Johnny T (The Stokes and The Virgins) joined the band during the production of their self-titled debut album released in January 2014.

Since their formation, drummer Joe Brodie has replaced Jacobs, and the band has opened up for the likes of Arctic Monkeys, Cage the Elephant and Foals.

“On Desire,” out June 24, is gearing up to be a more defined synopsis and follow-up to the band’s debut release. Drowners will be playing a string of shows on the East Coast followed by a stop at Lollapalooza on July 30. While they don’t have any shows for Southern California just yet, they will hopefully add more tour dates toward the end of the year. You can hear more about Drowners via their website.

Source:: Drowners premiere new tracks from upcoming sophomore album