Before I delve into the details of this performance, I’d like to give a little preface. First of all, I have never, ever, seen Los Angeles’ venue The Satellite so packed for an opening band (and I go to a lot of shows), and secondly, if you live in the LA area (or anywhere, for that matter) and still haven’t listened to NO, do yourself a favor and change that. You can download the Echo Park quintet’s EP, Don’t Worry, You’ll be Here Forever, for free right here. Although this is still brand-spankin’-new band (these guys haven’t even been playing together for a full year yet) it has already brought attention to itself by performing at The Echoplex, Bootleg Bar, Troubadour, and a Monday residency at The Echo upcoming in March. This dedication and determination has resulted in numerous publications dubbing NO a band to look out for in 2012, and I completely agree with this statement.

Wednesday night’s show wasn’t the first time I’d seen NO. I was able to catch the second legitimate live performance these guys played last month, and the energy between the band members was astonishing. I couldn’t believe they had only played in front of an audience just once before. Since then, they’ve played a smattering of local shows, so I was eager to check them out after some more practice. That kinetic vigor had grown, especially in vocalist/guitarist Bradley Carter.

The first time I saw him perform, he was mobile, utilizing the stage and feeding off his audience and band members. This time around he looked like a rock star. His charisma paired perfectly with the brand of anthematic indie rock he produces. He sauntered across the stage and used large, sweeping hand gestures as he sang.  His lyrics sounded so heartfelt and authentic that when he belted out, “Stay with me, isn’t there a place for me inside your heart?” from the EP’s closer, “Stay With Me,” it sent chills down my spine. His face expressed both pain and hope. His honesty was refreshing.

The band, as a whole, was spot on. Each member in this band is such a proficient musician that he could play his part with his eyes closed. And each band member had a microphone to conduct grandiose five-part harmonies, allowing Carter to joke about the ability for the audience to apply to their men’s choir online.

NO is not meant to play in small venues (although I love intimate shows) it is meant for a stadium. Its sound is so large and its energy is so powerful, it needs to resonate in a larger space, and I think, as long as the quintet keeps doing what its doing, it will be playing larger clubs in no time.

Your next chance to see NO is Monday, June 30, at Bootleg Bar. This show is FREE! 21+.

White Denim minus new guitarist Austin Jenkins

Excitement abounded for me last night, a perfectly average Wednesday in May, as I headed down to The Echo to see one of my favorite bands, White Denim.  As you might’ve heard (read?) me say before, I first witnessed this Austin-based band’s in-your-face talent when they opened for Portugal. the Man last October at the El Rey.  I picked up an album, Last Day of Summer, and was hooked.  Needless to say, I was stoked for  this week’s release of their newest album, D (read my review of it here), and even more stoked to see the now-quartet live.

Floating through the dangerous world of the MySpace “top eight” one night, I came across Fool’s Gold that immediately grabbed me.  It was like nothing I’d heard, and the unique vibe was welcomed into my music world instantaneously.  It took me a good few lines into the song “Surprise Hotel” to realize that the L.A. based indie band was, in fact, singing almost every tune in Hebrew!  So, being a lyrics freak, I totally got down to business grasping for whatever knowledge I’ve retained from former years and got to work piecing together the foreign phrases.

After not being able to kick my Fool’s Gold addiction for a week straight, (currently seeking the assistance of a twelve step program) I decided to make my way to their next L.A. show and see the sight in living color.

Lead singer Luke Top was awesome enough to invite me to a little coffee sesh the day prior to the show, and we sat down in Silverlake for a little tea-tme chat about all things music related, couch surfing, and how to survive the Monday- Friday mundane.

BNB:  So- Troubadour, tomorrow night!

LT:  So excited.

BNB:  I am pretty stoked to hear you live- your music kind of grabbed me instantly!  It actually took me a couple minutes to realize you were singing in Hebrew!  Is that applicable to all your songs?

LT:  Well, we have some more new songs that have more English in them- but it’s mostly in Hebrew.

BNB:  You’re originally from Israel!

LT:  Yeah!  My family is from Tel Aviv & Bat Yam!

BNB:  So you have a pretty busy European tour planned in about a month- any stops in Israel planned?!

LT:  You know, playing in Israel hasn’t materialized yet!  It’s one of our band bucket list goals though.