reviews of live music
Two Saturdays ago I had what felt like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see Joanna Newsom live in concert. I bought a ticket somewhat late but because I only needed one, I was assigned the first available seat—I was not prepared for exactly how perfect a seat it was. The night of the show, I was conflicted. It was a friend’s birthday, and I wanted to … Continue reading A Holy Saturday Evening with Joanna Newsom
Originally appeared on Grimy Goods. Words and too-dark photos by me. The Bootleg Theater was host to a slew of incredible acts this past Friday night. For our main course, Milk & Bone show us why they were so lauded at SXSW, and to open for them were Danke and vōx, who both put on blissful bass-filled sets. I missed most of Danke at the start … Continue reading Sweet Yet Strong: Milk & Bone’s Spectacular LA Debut at the Bootleg Theater
Originally appeared on Grimy Goods. Words and grainy photos by me. Tuesday was another unforgettable night at The Echoplex, this time spent with experimental electronic artists Bayonne aka Roger Sellers and Petite Noir aka Yannick Ilunga. The show was the first date of Bayonne’s national tour and served as a preview for the incredible dropping of his debut LP, Primitives, due out this Friday, March … Continue reading The Echoplex Roared for Bayonne and Petite Noir
Wednesday night at the Bootleg was what I’d call their de facto bluegrass night featuring international rising star Marlon Williams and KaiL Baxley as his support. Bluegrass is a genre built on tradition, passing the warmth of its music down through the generations. According to the history books (and Wikipedia) this was a genre begun in the Appalachian region of the US in the 18th … Continue reading Marlon Williams and KaiL Baxley Provided a Bluegrass Fix at the Bootleg
Originally appeared on Grimy Goods. Words by me, photos by Danielle Gornbein. When I walked into the Teragram Ballroom on Saturday, I was greeted by a sole guitarist onstage, with hair completely covering her eyes and nose like a shell. She strained to whisper vocals that more resembled wails into a lonely microphone. Experimental finger-picking guitarist Circuit des Yeux is Julia Holter’s traveling opener and … Continue reading No Theatrics Necessary: Julia Holter Enchants at the Teragram Ballroom
Originally appeared on Grimy Goods. Words by me, photography by Manuel Dominguez. An echo is a sound that reverberates and returns to the original sound-maker. Like when skipping stones, if the initial force isn’t strong enough, then the result will always be a disappointment. In a way, this can be the case at the Echo Park venue, The Echo; loudness is typically a necessity. On … Continue reading Saintseneca Command Silence With Des Ark at the Echo
Originally appeared on Grimy Goods. Words by me, photos by Manuel Dominguez. How many times has Ty Segall reinvented himself? This is a man who can churn out albums like no one I’ve seen before, and every time it’s a new experience altogether. His band always varies, and with his newest album Emotional Mugger out now, he has embarked on his tour with “The Muggers.” … Continue reading Ty Segall Goes Back to the Womb Saturday Night at the Teragram Ballroom
Originally appeared on the Music Court in February. This show took place 2/21/15. Last time I saw Sego, I told you guys about it. I checked to see when they would be playing next, knowing I pretty much have my pick of east LA venues; they’re based here, so they play around the city a lot. I found their next show at the Echo, opening … Continue reading Body Language and Sego
Originally appeared on Grimy Goods. The Fader recently published an article asking, “Are Tame Impala the Last Great Rock Band?” If that writer had been at The Echo on Monday night, then they would have to agree that the answer is no- if that title belongs to anyone, it’s Jack Ladder and the Dreamlanders. The night began with United Ghosts, a loud local garage rock … Continue reading Jack Ladder Charms a Full Crowd at the Echo
Originally appeared on Grimy Goods. Words by me, photos by Danielle Gornbein. The Bootleg Theater is host to a special Wednesday night residency this month with featured artist White Sea. The shows are free and I was able to catch their penultimate performance last night. Supported by local friends The Bulls, White Sea lead singer Morgan Kibby showed us the limits of the human voice while … Continue reading Morgan Kibby sings her heart out as White Sea
Sawdust & Gin 