NO Makes an Imprint on The Satellite
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+.NO Plays FREE Show at LA’s The Satellite
When I interviewed Bradley Carter and Sean Stentz of NO back in December, the band was still getting its bearings. The quintet had just released its debut EP, Don’t Worry, You’ll be Here Forever, and had admitted that not many people were familiar with the band—including friends and acquaintances—until right before the album release. The band had only played on legitimate show, at Silverlake’s The Satellite, and Carter spoke of hopes and dreams to tour across the country, and eventually the globe, with NO. Well, I’ve got some good news for you, Bradley; your dream may come true sooner than you expected.
In the mere month since I chatted with Carter and Stentz, they have played shows at iconic Los Angeles clubs including Troubadour, The Echoplex, and Bootleg Bar, with a March Monday residency already in the book at The Echo. NO has also been listed as a “band to watch for in 2012” in numerous U.S. and UK publications. After listening to the EP and seeing the five-piece perform, this instant recognition does not surprise me in the slightest. Not only does the indie outfit bring to the table a grandiose brand of anthematic rock similar to The oh-so-amazing National, but the musicians’ onstage chemistry and energy is unbelievable. When I saw them at Bootleg Bar it was only their second performance at a venue, but it felt like these guys had been playing music together for years. Every man knew his role, and executed it perfectly, and Carter is one hell of a front man, making his heartfelt lyrics feel even more genuine as he belts them out to an audience.
If you live in the LA area, a encourage you to come out to The Satellite on Wednesday, January 11, and see for yourself what all the fuss is about. Doors at 8:30, show starts at 9 pm. 21+. FREE.
89.9 KCRW Presents New Years Eve at The Standard Hotel in West Hollywood with:: Jenny and Johnny, Cults and DJ Marion Hodges
89.9 KCRW Presents New Years Eve at The Standard Hotel in West Hollywood with: Jenny and Johnny, Cults, and DJ Marion Hodges - Sat, December 31, 2011, Doors: 8:00 pm / Show: 9:30 pm (event ends at 1:00 am) The Standard Hotel, West Hollywood, CA $75.00 - $125.00. Start the new year with two of the sassiest and best regarded indie rock duos in one epic night - Jenny and Johnny and Cults. Free champagne toast at midnight for all. This will be the best New Year's Eve rock n' roll party in L.A. even if the world ends when it turns into 2012.
Jenny and Johnny first started working together in Los Angeles in 2005, after being introduced by Conor Oberst. Rice had traveled to Nebraska to make his first record before moving to L.A., where Lewis was beginning work with Mike Mogis on her solo debut Rabbit Fur Coat. They both ended up playing on each others recordings, and struck up a lasting creative relationship. Rice joined Lewis' band for the Rabbit Fur Coat world tour in 2006, and has played live with Lewis at every show of her solo career thus far. Jenny contributed both songwriting and singing to Johnathan's Further North in 2007, and he was quick to return the favor as one of the producers of Lewis' album Acid Tongue and again joining her on the road. During the Acid Tongue sessions, the band cut the song "Carpetbaggers" with Elvis Costello. The legendary songwriter was so inspired with the collaboration that he enlisted Lewis, Rice, their Acid Tongue crew, and the Imposters to help make one of his finest records of recent years, 2008's Momofuku.
Cults, a duo from New York City, have been described as Swedish indie pop meets 60’s girl groups, complete with retro vocals and a throwback pop sound. Formed in 2010, Cults are best known for their first single “Go Outside”.
Marion has been DJ-ing since the summer of 2007. She co-founded the DJ team Squaregirls, and was a co-creator of the still active indiepop/northern soul dance party, Hungry Beat! The loungier sister of Hungry Beat!, Sophisticated Boom Boom, takes place on the first Saturday of every month at Tony’s Saloon, Downtown Los Angeles. She frequently spins at Wurstkuche (both locations), Grand Star Jazz Club in Chinatown, and various other concert venues around town. At least eighty-five percent of her wardrobe is comprised of vintage items.
Marion Hodges can be heard every other Saturday night/Sunday morning from 3AM to 6AM on 89.9 KCRW, and kcrw.com.
89.9 KCRW Presents New Years Eve at The Standard Hotel in West Hollywood with:: Jenny and Johnny, Cults and DJ Marion Hodges
89.9 KCRW Presents New Years Eve at The Standard Hotel in West Hollywood with: Jenny and Johnny, Cults, and DJ Marion Hodges - Sat, December 31, 2011, Doors: 8:00 pm / Show: 9:30 pm (event ends at 1:00 am) The Standard Hotel, West Hollywood, CA $75.00 - $125.00. Start the new year with two of the sassiest and best regarded indie rock duos in one epic night - Jenny and Johnny and Cults. Free champagne toast at midnight for all. This will be the best New Year's Eve rock n' roll party in L.A. even if the world ends when it turns into 2012.
Jenny and Johnny first started working together in Los Angeles in 2005, after being introduced by Conor Oberst. Rice had traveled to Nebraska to make his first record before moving to L.A., where Lewis was beginning work with Mike Mogis on her solo debut Rabbit Fur Coat. They both ended up playing on each others recordings, and struck up a lasting creative relationship. Rice joined Lewis' band for the Rabbit Fur Coat world tour in 2006, and has played live with Lewis at every show of her solo career thus far. Jenny contributed both songwriting and singing to Johnathan's Further North in 2007, and he was quick to return the favor as one of the producers of Lewis' album Acid Tongue and again joining her on the road. During the Acid Tongue sessions, the band cut the song "Carpetbaggers" with Elvis Costello. The legendary songwriter was so inspired with the collaboration that he enlisted Lewis, Rice, their Acid Tongue crew, and the Imposters to help make one of his finest records of recent years, 2008's Momofuku.
Cults, a duo from New York City, have been described as Swedish indie pop meets 60’s girl groups, complete with retro vocals and a throwback pop sound. Formed in 2010, Cults are best known for their first single “Go Outside”.
Marion has been DJ-ing since the summer of 2007. She co-founded the DJ team Squaregirls, and was a co-creator of the still active indiepop/northern soul dance party, Hungry Beat! The loungier sister of Hungry Beat!, Sophisticated Boom Boom, takes place on the first Saturday of every month at Tony’s Saloon, Downtown Los Angeles. She frequently spins at Wurstkuche (both locations), Grand Star Jazz Club in Chinatown, and various other concert venues around town. At least eighty-five percent of her wardrobe is comprised of vintage items.
Marion Hodges can be heard every other Saturday night/Sunday morning from 3AM to 6AM on 89.9 KCRW, and kcrw.com.
Tennis Dazzles The Satellite
Tennis sold out The Satellite in Los Angeles on Wednesday. I’ve been to the mid-sized venue plenty of times—and I’ve seen them crowded plenty of times—but never completely sold out. As soon as the trio began to play, it was clear to me why the audience was packed together like sardines. Led by spouses Patrick Riley and Alaina Moore, the Denver-based outfit’s dreamy surf pop translated beautifully from record to stage, and the band emitted an infectious energy that absorbed into its sold out crowd.
The husband/wife duo released its freshman effort, Cape Dory, in 2010 after inspiration hit during a seven-month-long sailing expedition down the Eastern Atlantic Seaboard. Like the journey from whence the music came, the live performance seemed to send its listeners to a far off world. The crowd was mesmerized.
Moore’s childlike demeanor and pep encouraged the audience to let loose. Where you would generally see a mosh pit form in the center of the floor, tonight there was a dance pit. The crowd was into the music like I had never seen at The Satellite. Every direction you turned, someone was singing along and swaying to Moore’s angelic, pixie-like voice. While the young songstress entertained the fans, Riley’s guitar playing technique was meticulous. He stood at the side of the stage, eyes fixed on his hands. He rarely faced the audience, but instead directed himself to his band mates, watching their moves as he flawlessly executed wavy, sunshine-drenched surf riffs.
With a new album, Young and Old, slated for a February release, Tennis treated its fans with a plethora of new tunes. From the sounds of it, the trio ventured in a new direction on a good portion of the record’s tracks, trading in its signature happy-go-lucky pop with rhythmic soul. Moore introduced a fourth member of the band, who relieved her from keyboard duties during a few songs, allowing her to adorably get her groove on as she belted out some soulful vocals. Meanwhile, Riley swapped his modified Telecaster for a standard and used it to play funk-infused basslines. The band played a large majority of new material, including its new single “Origins,” and the crowd was more than receptive. If Tennis’ sophomore release is anything like its debut, 2012 will be another amazing year for Moore and Riley.Moonface Entrances The Satellite
We all know Spencer Krug as the eccentric vocalist/keyboardist of Montreal’s indie rock outfit Wolf Parade, and a lot of us know him as the crooning frontman of the art rock solo-project-turned-quintet Sunset Rubdown, but how many people know him under his newest solo moniker Moonface? The answer: not many, or at least, not many in Los Angeles.
Silverlake’s The Satellite is generally pretty full when I go there, but when I walked in Wednesday night, the crowd was scarce and strewn across the small venue. I was surprised, thinking more people would be there. But it was clear that this audience was devoted, here to see Krug and only Krug, and as soon as he set foot on stage, it was like an invisible fence engaged on the floor, herding the 30 or so attendees into a small mass right in front of the stage. Standing in the middle of the floor felt like I was at a sold out show, even though ten feet away from me was empty space. The lighting, which typically rotates from red to green to blue hues, shut off completely, and Krug lit two candles on a small table near his organ, to set the mood. Everybody’s eyes locked on the Canadian musician, and he began to play.
Although Krug’s other projects have prog rock tendencies, they have been masked by mainstream indie rock accessibility. As Moonface, the pianist is able to reach deep into his creative brain and extract anything and everything he likes, with no one else to impress but himself. This being said, the result has been two collections of strung out electronic tracks in the form of the 2010 EP, Dreamland EP: Marimba and Shit-Drums, and recently released debut LP, Organ Music Not Vibraphone Like I’d Hoped, showcasing just that—marimbas, organs, and a bunch of effect pedals.
For his live performances, the Canada native recruited percussionist Mike Bigelow, and even though the majority of the duo’s music was produced synthetically, there was an ironic organic feeling to its live portrayal. As Bigelow struck the marimba and Krug pounded at his organ, it sounded tribal, primal, giving it a human touch. And even though Krug has played in front of thousands of people in the past, he hid behind his recently grown out locks, eyes closed during each tune, and admitting to the crowd, “I’m nervous,” in between songs.
The set list consisted of a variety from Moonface’s EP and LP, with a new song (perhaps from the album that Krug is currently recording in Finland) that he admittedly ripped off from Real Life’s 1983 hit, “Send Me and Angel,” which also happened to be the track’s title. The electric drones of this track, and all the others, translated beautifully live, making Moonface something better heard in person than on record.
Krug and Bigelow are halfway done with their U.S. tour. Below is a complete list of dates.
TOUR DATES:
10/07/11 Milwaukee, WI- Cactus Club
10/08/11 Madison, WI- Univ. of Wisconsin- The Sett
10/09/11 Minneapolis, MN- 7th St. Entry
10/11/11 Saskatoon, SK- Amigo's
10/12/11 Calgary, AB- Republik
10/14/11 Vancouver, BC- Waldorf
10/15/11 Seattle, WA- The Crocodile
10/16/11 Portland, OR- Doug Fir Lounge
10/18/11 San Francisco, CA- The Independent
10/19/11 Los Angeles, CA- The Satellite
10/20/11 San Diego, CA- Casbah
10/21/11 Tucson, AZ- Club Congress
10/23/11 Denver, CO- Larimer Lounge
10/25/11 St. Louis, MO- The Firebird
10/26/11 Chicago, IL- Lincoln Hall
10/29/11 Washington DC- Rock 'N' Roll Hotel
10/30/11 New York, NY- Bowery Ballroom
Gardens & Villa Play LA’s Satellite Saturday, October 15
To all my fellow Los Angelinos, as you may or may not know, the avant-pop outfit Gardens & Villa will be playing at The Satellite THIS Saturday, October 15th. The Santa Barbara-based quintet makes music similar in mood to its locale—chill, relaxed, and stone-y—making the band’s self-titled July debut on Secretly Canadian a perfect fit for beach bonfires and bike rides. Heading back to California from a two-month long tour, Friday’s show will be a welcome homecoming for the outfit, as well as a nice farewell to summer.
See The Features Rock The Satellite This Friday!
Ok, so you've read the album review, read the interview, have seen the above picture numerous times, and by now are totally like, "THESE DUDES ARE AWESOME, I MUST IMMEDIATELY IMMERSE MY BODY IN THEIR OCEAN OF SOUND" (yes, all caps entirely necessary). Well, as you've probably already read, they will be in Los Angeles this Friday night to play their new album, Wilderness, (out yesterday) for all to hear. Get ready for a show so full of energy and charisma you'll think you've grown another overstimulated heart.
Who: The Features
Where: The Satellite, Los Angeles, CA
When: Friday, July 29th at 8:30pm
Cost: $10
Age Restrictions: 21+
Buy Tickets
Facebook Event Page
So, dear reader (growing in excitement and conviction)...you quench that thirsty body of yours...and you dive, yes you DIVE like you've never DOVE(?) before into that deliciously tumultuous sonic ocean! YEAH!
Anyways, you should totally go.
P.S. Here's an awesome old song for your enjoyment.
BestNewBands.com's Concert Picks for the Week of 6/27/11
Picked By: Jesse Diener-Bennett
Who: Laurie Anderson
Where: Castle Clinton, NYC
When: Thursday, June 30th at 7pm
Cost: FREE!
Age Restrictions: All Ages
BestNewBands.com's Concert Picks for the Week of 5/16/11
Picked By: Daniel Kohn
Who: Yael Naim
Where: The Hotel Café, Los Angeles, CA
When: Monday, May 16th at 8pm
Cost: $20
Age Restritions: 21+
