January 16th, 2010

Filed under: Bryan, Kimberly, Lorn, Video Concert Reviews
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January 6th, 2010

Photo by Holy Mountain

First, I want to say this was probably the best New Years Eve I have ever had.  It was very fun, I was with my friends and got to party on stage with two of my favorite DJs.  Massive thanks to everyone at HARD and Nitrus for everything they do!

Photo by Holy Mountain

DJ Mehdi was playing when we walked into the Palladium at about 11:30pm.  With little time to situate ourselves before the countdown we quickly made our way to one of the balconies.   Mehdi brought in the new year by playing the most ridiculous rendition of Auld Lang Syne by mixing the song Township Funk by DJ Mujava.  You can hear it in the video below.

Photo by Holy Mountain

Afterward A-Trak came on stage and the party went bonkers.

Photo by Holy Mountain

A-Trak is always amazing and his first gig of 2010 was no different.  He opened up with aNYway and played the Heads Will Roll remix.  I was completely satisfied.  Then Boys Noize took over on the decks…

Photo by Holy Mountain

I’m going to be completely honest.  I was completely hammered by this point in the evening.  However, I didn’t end up leaving til the end, so that says to me the party kept on rocking.  You can probably find some good videos of Boys Noize set online.  I am just glad he played some AC/DC!

We always have a blast at HARD events and they are without a doubt populated with some really cool and friendly people who just like to have a good time.

Photo by Holy Mountain

Make sure you don’t miss out on the chance to attend HARD 13 coming up in March.

Filed under: A-Trak, Boys Noize, Bryan, Dj Mehdi, HARD Events, Kimberly, Lorn, Los Angeles, Lucy, Palladium, Video Concert Reviews
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December 20th, 2009

I’d like to call Star Wars the ultimate viral video. However, it didn’t gain its popularity through internet sharing, so it can’t be classified as such. I guess that makes Star Wars even cooler than a viral video, because it was made a classic through old-skool marketing methods, passed on from generation to generation by word-of-mouth.

I’m not a mega fan or anything, but I’ve watched my share of Star Wars at holiday parties at my cousins’ house growing up. (The boys always controlled the TV. If it was my way - The Cobsy Show, Rainbow Brite and The Wuzzles - all day, everyday) On some level, I love the story, because “Spaceballs” is one of my favorite movies of all time…of all time. I dove into the newer episodes recently because a marathon was on, and I enjoyed them.

When I heard that the new arena experience, “Star Wars in Concert,” was making Nashville’s Sommet Center it’s final stop in the US leg of the tour, I was intrigued, and thought it would be an interesting show to cover for YTC.

You’ve probably read about it somewhere. A touring symphony that plays selections of John Williams’ Star Wars compositions to a cinematic collage of clips from the series, complete with lasers and pyro as special effects. The show is passionately narrated by Anthony Daniels (C-3PO), as he summarizes the characters and story of the timeless tale.

Guy Bro-in’ down with R2

An exhibit is set up around the venue, showcasing character replicas, animation storyboards, and photo backdrops. Costumed characters walk around the crowd for meet and greets and photo ops.

The whole event is perfect for families; less cheesy than “Disney on Ice” or “Barnum and Bailey’s Circus,” it’s something that everyone can enjoy. How do I know? Instead of hearing 10-year-old screams and laughter - I heard grown men yelling from their seats.

I will say, I was expecting to see more of the ticket holders in costumes, and more ‘geekery’ in general. There’s something weird about being in a huge arena where wrestling matches and rock concerts take place, and seeing everyone sitting quietly watching a symphony perform. Especially, when they are all drinking huge cans of Budweiser (minus the kids, of course). I couldn’t decide if it was a tacky move to get up and go to the restroom before intermission. It’s amusing to see how the same environment changes with each show, physically and in the overall vibes and energy given off by each crowd. I <3 concerts.

I hope “Star Wars in Concert” continues to grow. I think this would be incredible as a Vegas Cirque Du Soleil show, and if they could make it work as a touring production - even better.

Here’s a nice summary with footage from YouTube User Britethorn:

Filed under: Chrystal, Nashville Arena, Sommet Center, Star Wars in Concert, Video Concert Reviews, What's New
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December 14th, 2009

Photo by chirpingbee on flickr

We are working on a lot of changes for YTC, so bear with us on some of these long lost shows that we are just now getting around to uploading reviews of.  Like this one…

Simply enough, Ghostland Observatory is mind blowing live.

Photo by Sandy B. of GrimyGoods.com

I have seen them about 10 times in the last 2 years and the show is always amazing.  It’s really difficult to rank the performances, because they are all really good.

The Key Club was probably the smallest venue I have seen them play, so that was a highlight of this show.  The lasers and strobe lights completely enveloped the club and people couldn’t do anything by dance.

Photo by Sandy B. of GrimyGoods.com

The guys are taking a hiatus from performing after the new year to work on new material.  Even though they already have 3 full length albums under the belt, it will be great to see some new material once they hit the road again.

There is one last chance to catch Ghostland Observatory this year listed on their MySpace

Filed under: Bryan, Ghostland Observatory, Lorn, Los Angeles, Molly, The Key Club, Video Concert Reviews
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December 14th, 2009

The Little Dragon adventure.

As is often the case, I had never actually listened to this band before going to see them live. I walked into the venue the moment Little Dragon hit the stage. The show was sold out and packed!

I wasn’t digging Little Dragon at the top of the show, and spent most of my time talking to a little lady I had run in to. Finally, some guy that was standing in front of me turned around and told me to shut up. We chatted for a bit, and then, I shut my yap.

I, then, began to take the time to actually listen to Little Dragon and was impressed by what they had to offer. Their music was melodic, and well put together. I kind of wish they would have put more work into crowd interaction, but at the same time, I’m not sure if it would have fit the show.

If you have an eclectic taste in music, you should check out Little Dragon when you get a chance. - lorn

For future tour dates and music check out
http://www.myspace.com/yourlittledragon

Filed under: El Rey, Little Dragon, Lorn, Los Angeles, Video Concert Reviews, What's New
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December 7th, 2009

Acoustic Christmas 2009, presented by Nashville’s 107.5 the River, took place at the War Memorial Auditorium on Saturday, and what a jolly old time it was! From what I heard, nobody paid for a ticket to this show. They were all station contest winners. What an awesome holiday gift for the dedicated listeners! The lineup: Elliott Yamin, Iyaz, Ke$ha, Uncle Kracker, Sean Kingston, Owl City, Boys Like Girls, and The Fray.

Photo Credit: Lazyday.com

Elliott Yamin started out the night right, and was the only act who actually performed an acoustic set. Really, what else do you need with a voice like that? It’s so precise and pure; the less instrumentation – the better. Yamin gets extra points for agreeing to do an interview with me (coming soon), and also for being the only artist to go out into the lobby to sign CDs after his performance.

Photo Credit: Russ Loyd (More Acoustic Christmas HERE)

Iyaz was up next, and had The River’s DJ Lunchbox working the “ones and twos.” That was a neat part about this show. You got to see the faces behind the voices you hear on the radio. Iyaz was good, but I didn’t get a true feel for his vocal talent until later in the show when Sean Kingston brought him out on stage. It was a little bizarre and rather ironic that he did his hit “Replay” again, but it was better the second time around. I loved when Kingston and Iyaz did “Beautiful Girls,” and broke down into acapella with Iyaz on the “Stand By Me” sample. It sounded niiiiice.

Photo Credit: Lazyday.com

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Filed under: 107.5 The River's Acoustic Christmas, Boys Like Girls, Chrystal, Elliott Yamin, Iyaz, Justin Kase, Ke$ha, Nashville, Owl City, Sean Kingston, The Fray, Uncle Kracker, Video Concert Reviews, War Memorial Auditorium, What's New
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December 6th, 2009

Prior to leaving town for the Thanksgiving holiday, I was able to catch Benjy Davis Project and Andrew Hoover play the Lightning 100 live stream broadcast at 3rd and Lindsley. I love these showcases. I have a passion for radio, and I think Lightning 100 holds a great position in the industry right now. They are able to hold strong ties with the community and the local music scene, while touching base with the mainstream, and maintaining unique quality programming.

Andrew Hoover started the show. I was very impressed by this motivated “Do-It-Yourselfer.” Hoover grew up with a talent in culinary arts, and was planning to attend college to pursue it as a career, when he decided he wanted to make music instead. With his parents’ blessing, he recorded his own albums, booked his own tour, and was able to score a record deal through social network marketing.

Hoover has a plunky percussive style of guitar playing that dramatically fattens up an acousitic performance. His songs are constructed with multiple catchy melodies that all fit together for a perfect compostion. I hear some Gavin Degraw in his voice and some Dave Matthew’s in his playing, but he’s definitely his own animal.

His new album Chances, Stances, and Romances can be found on iTunes HERE

http://www.myspace.com/sarakelleymusic

Next up, was Sara Jean Kelley. This is the second time I’ve seen Kelley without knowing that I was going to, which tells me that she’s doing a great job of getting her name out on the scene. She’s a gorgeous woman, with a beautiful voice that reminds me of Miranda Lambert. She’s far more laid back than Miranda, and her songs are timeless and soothing. The type of songs that you could picture singing as a lullaby for years to come. She mentioned writing with her mother, and I’m thinking that’s where she inherited this gift.

Benjy Davis Project closed the show. I can tell that I adore a band when I find myself video taping constantly throughout the set. Every song was better than the last. The lyrics are beautifully narrative, and Davis’s voice is similar to John Mayer. Dare I say that I like Davis more? I dare. (No disrespect to Mayer - xoxo) The instrumentation in Benjy Davis Project’s songs is a major factor in that decision. I like music with a bit of momentum and the Benjy Davis Project has more vigor behind it. Mic Capdevielle’s drumming skills are a huge asset, and the band is tight with some sick guitar solos.

The band has been around for 10 years! I have a feeling that the Benjy Davis Project originally grouped too late with a sound that was starting to fade out. I believe their chance has come around again, and sticking it out is about to pay off.

Listen to Benjy Davis Project at: http://www.myspace.com/benjydavisprojectla

Filed under: 3rd & Lindsley, Andrew Hoover, Benjy Davis Project, Chrystal, Nashville, Video Concert Reviews, What's New
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December 5th, 2009

Filed under: Amanda Blank, Bryan, Lorn, Los Angeles, Peaches, Video Concert Reviews, Wiltern Theater
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December 2nd, 2009

Filed under: Lorn, Los Angeles, Orpheum Theater, Ray Lamange, Video Concert Reviews
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November 28th, 2009

Filed under: Bryan, Club Nokia, Lorn, Los Angeles, Video Concert Reviews
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