That Just Happened.

Pete Townsend (The Who), Ben Gibbard (Death Cab For Cutie, The Postal Service), “E” (The Eels), She & Him (Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward), and Jakob Dylan (The Wallflowers).

Wow.

Jakob Dylan and Pete Townsend performing “One Headlight” – November 7th, 2008 at The Troubadour

Built To Spill

Built To Spill recently played two sold out performances at the Troubadour on September 10th and 11th. Rather than playing a medley of hits, they chose to focus on their 1997 Warner Bros. debut album “Perfect From Now On”. Though Built To Spill formed in 1992, “Perfect From Now On” was their first album to accomplish critical success.  Their present day influence is clearly visible in the form of fellow pacific northwesterners Death Cab For Cutie and Modest Mouse. Built To Spill is set to begin work on their next album which will probably show up in late 2009ish, although the release date is far from certain at this point.

I treat my newly discovered bands like a fresh pair of tennis shoes. At first it can be hard to decide what I like about them, and inevitably I wear them out. But the ultimate test is whether or not I go looking for them again. For some reason I trust Built To Spill like my old pair of Asics. I don’t wear them that often, but I always have them on stand by.

Unfortunately, I missed Built To Spill in their prime. As common as that scenario is for me, it is even more common for my favorite bands to be on hiatus. Luckily Built To Spill still “brings it” as much as they probably used to. Their live performance and stage etiquette says it all…but they don’t say much. They managed to move through “Perfect From Now On” almost as if it was being played non-stop (except for short tuning breaks and a “thank you” after each song). Their performances feel honest. Rather than presenting a flashy live rock band image, they appear as a band playing in a bedroom. Each member was in their own moment, allowing themselves to feel every inch of what they were creating, as they invited the audience to be a part of the experience.

While I was not scheduled to work either night, I did voluntarily do lights for both performances. I have started to treat my lighting concepts as more of a medium to express my personal feelings from each song. In that aspect, I become part of my own nightly experience, thus creating a loop of creativity in my own mind.

I want to thank everyone in my life whos existence motivates me to capture what constantly seems impossible. You have helped me uncover something in myself that I can not begin to explain. Thank you.

Built To Spill – “Randy Describes Eternity” September 10th, 2008 at The Troubadour

Conor Oberst Video

Conor Oberst played at The Troubadour about a month ago. Though I felt like the show lacked a certain amount of energy, I enjoyed working with someone as highly influential as Coner Oberst. Regardless of how you feel about his music or style, I think he should be recognized as an important figure for the future of music. There is something to be said about a band that can hold the top two spots on the Billboard’s Hot 100 Singles chart (Bright Eyes, 2004) while being signed to an indie label. I also respect any group of bands that can revitalize a music scene and make it “the place to be” for aspiring musicians, such as what Bright Eyes, Cursive, and the Faint were able to do in Omaha. Art influenced by art is something special.

Conor Oberst – “I Don’t Want To Die” August 5th, 2008 at The Troubadour

Upcoming Show: Mogwai 9/9/08 at The Wiltern

Mogwai has a show at The Wiltern on September 9th. Their album “Mr. Beast” is one of my favorite albums in my itunes collection. They are among the best I have heard at creating dynamic guitar based instrumental tracks that feature both complexity and emotion. Some of their songs have lyrics, though I do not see them as a selling point. Their music can easily be the center of your attention, or it can hang out in the background while you do your homework (read: instant message).

For tickets: ($22.50)

Ticketmaster, ahoy!

For your viewing pleasure:

Mogwai – “Travel Is Dangerous” Music Video

Rx Bandits Video

I found a neat video of Rx Bandits’ second night at the troub on August 28th. Both nights were filled with jam sessions and drum solos. This video shows one of the drum breaks from a side view at the bottom of the headliner dressing room’s steps. I had the pleasure of running lights for both shows, which was my first sold out light show experience.

Rx Bandits- “Drum Break” August 28th, 2008 at The Troubadour

A Few Cool Things With Say Anything

There are a few cool things going on with members of Say Anything…

Coby Linder, drummer from Say Anything, will be offering drum lessons in Los Angeles for a few months while the band prepares to write their next album. For more information check out their myspace blog: <<<**Blog**>>>

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This is kind of old news, but there was a blog posted a while ago on Say Anything’s myspace about max writing songs for people…for money…read about it….now:

In an effort to minimize the gap between music listeners and performers, take up time on warped tour, and find some solution for the fact that anyone can download any of his gosh-darn albums for free, Max came up with a predictably crazy idea in a haze of sleeping medication. Max has decided to open the door for a limited time to Say Anything fans to submit ONE to TWO paragraphs about an issue they are having, a serious problem they are going through, or even something they just felt should be written about. Max will take two to three days to deliver an acoustic, full length actual Say Anything song based on your experiences and what you submitted! Each song is 100 percent written by Max for YOU, the buyer. No two songs will be the same. It will also be named after you. Songs can also be written for special situations like anniversaries, engagements or the death of your dog.

Link to Store

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Here is video from Say Anything at The Avalon earlier this year. It was a great show and I wish they would stop by The Troubadour at some point.

Say Anything- “About Falling” at The Avalon 3/13/08

Video of Bon Iver at The Troubadour

I found a video of Bon Iver playing “Skinny Love” live at the Troubadour earlier this week. I wish there was video from some of their other songs so that I could give an example of their peaks and valleys of energy, but this is the only one for now.

Anthony Green

Anthony Green recently played a show at The Troubadour on August 20th. I have taken this opportunity to write a review focusing on his music and my impressions of his performance. Included below is a video clip of Anthony Green singing “She Loves Me So” from his newly released solo album titled “Avalon”. Members from the band “Good Old War” (ex. Days Away) serve as his direct support and backing band on the record and for live performances. Anthony Green is the frontman of Philadelphia based band “Circa Survive”, and former member of “Saosin”. He also is part of “The Sound of Animals Fighting”, a collaborative effort led by Rich Balling that features members of Rx Bandits, Circa Survive, Chiodos, Days Away/Good Old War, Finch and The Autumns.

With one of the most recognizable voices in rock music today, Anthony Green’s energy and extremely human presence is capable of filling rooms larger than that of the 500 person capacity at Doug Weston’s Troubadour. Luckily enough, sold out nights at the troub offer the kind of equal energy that can create something spectacular. The result of his latest Los Angeles performance was an expected musical explosion complete with beautiful vocals and soft hooks that kept the audience dreaming for more.

The easiest way for a performer to create a positive environment for their music each night is to start sound check with the correct attitude. Introducing yourself with a smile to the house engineers instantly puts a few people on your side. These same people will later decide how much rhythm guitar they want to give you in your monitors, as well as how hard your guest engineer will be allowed to drive the sound system. Anthony Green had one of the best introductions I have seen, and it set the bar for his performance.

Green started his full assault of the senses part way through the set of Good Old War, offering vocal collaborations much like he did on Good Old War’s recorded version of “Weak Man”. I had no trouble getting his vocal to cut through the mix. I did not have to make many changes to the EQ, other than my standard cuts. It was refreshing to hear his vocal start off strong. I have heard a few people say that he isn’t good live, but i quickly recognized that wouldn’t be the case.

The show had strong momentum throughout, starting off with Person L (New Project of Kenny Vasoli from The Starting Line). By the time Anthony Green came on stage for his set, there was a massive boulder of energy that only Indiana Jones fans could begin to comprehend. His set was very smooth. I was planning to list some memorable songs from his performance, but I just realized that I remember each one. I recommend listening to his album “Avalon” twice, just in case you don’t groove with it the first time. (That happens to me all the time.)

Working with Anthony Green was a teenage dream come true. I remember when Circa Survive’s debut album “Juturna” was released. I have listened to it so many times in over three years since its release. Each song feels like home. Anthony did decide to play a few Circa Survive songs, one of which I believe was “Semi Constructive Criticism” from the album “On Letting Go”. Following his encore performance of “Meet Me in Montauk”, Anthony proudly shouted “Circa Survive 2009!!!” before exiting the stage, acoustic guitar in hand.

Anthony Green – “She Loves Me So”. August 20th, 2008. The Troubadour (9081 Santa Monica Blvd.)

Bon Iver 8/25 at The Troubadour

Bon Iver played an intimate set tonight that lasted about an hour. I was not planning to make a post until I had my first full review ready, but I have decided to make an exception. Despite my complete lack of knowledge about Bon Iver, I was able to enjoy a show that I could have very easily not decided to see. I had the night off, but I went anyway.

At times live music can be boring, bad, painful, so not cool, and lame. But when its good, it can be SO good. Bon Iver hit a nice balance of soul and chill to add to a humbling sold out performance. I was really impressed with the vocal harmonies and dreamy guitar parts. and the intense built ups. Apparently the songwriter Justin Vernon recorded most of the album while spending four months in a remote cabin in Wisconsin. I have a lot of respect for him as a songwriter and arranger. Bon Iver will be playing again tomorrow night 8/26 at The Troubadour. It is sold out, but im sure some people will be trying to sell tickets outside. Im going to keep Bon Iver on my radar for a while…

Bon Iver- “Skinny Love”

About This Blog

Hello world. I wanted to write a short paragraph about what this blog is and what specific areas I plan to cover. This description has become the “about this blog” section, and it can also be found below. I plan to follow up with an “about the author” section, as well as my first post to kick off my commentary. Look for posts starting later this week.

“About This Blog”:

A brand new blog for the Los Angeles based music fan, musician, and sound engineer alike. A weekly in depth look into what is happening at live music clubs around the city, as well as focus articles based on nightly personal experiences in live sound. I may also write about an artist that I have had the pleasure of working with.