Let's Go Sailing 3/02/08 - The Hotel Cafe, Hollywood, CA.

Let's Go Sailing is the indie-pop brainchild of Shana Levy, with an assorted cast of rotating band members (well, as far as I know) I first heard of them in conjunction with Bedroom Walls (now Fol Chen) a few years ago. I picked up the "Icicles" EP (which contain 3 demos that also ended up on their full-length "The Chaos Of Order," which was released in 2006 ) I eventually first saw them at a couple of their Spaceland residency (and LP release) shows in November 2006, and a few times thereafter.

This particular show was acoustic, and part of a line-up for "Rock and Run for Charity - A Benefit for People Assisting The Homeless." I have a few other Let's Go Sailing recordings, but this is definitely the one that sounds the best. Though, if their is a demand, I suppose I may put them up, we'll see.

1.) This Rope Is Long MP3
2.) Devil With The Devil MP3
3.) Icicles MP3
4.) It's As Clear MP3
5.) Better Off MP3
6.) Easy For You MP3
7.) Sideways MP3
Text File

FLAC files available upon request (by e-mail)

The Raveonettes 1/24/09 - The Music Box @ The Fonda, Hollywood, CA.

I first heard of The Raveonettes back in 2002 or '03 when I pick up their "Whip It On" EP on a whim. I remember liking it well enough; however, I suppose it wasn't enough to buy the released-shorty-thereafter full-length "Chain Gang Of Love" (that, plus I had heard someone describe it as "being too commerical" or something) I didn't really listen to them again until a few years later when (again, on a whim) I got the "50's and 60's"- influenced "Pretty In Black."

With that, I finally got to see them live in 2007 at one of the Little Radio Summercamp shows, which precluded the release of their last full-length "Lust Lust Lust." I saw them again last year also at the very hot (literally) Make Music Festival in Pasadena - although briefly, because I had a previous engagement later that evening. Those particular shows from that period are notable because Sharin Foo's sister Louise was filling in for her because Sharin was pregnant at the time. (I didn't get to record this particular show, but a source is floating around online) Also last year, they also released 4 ep's ("Remixed," "Beauty Dies," "Sometimes They Drop By," and a Christmas-themed one)

So, the Fonda show. This was the last of a mini-east and west coast tour, and the last before recording their next album. Show feature Jennifer (from Zaza and ex-The Warlocks) on bass, and Heinsenflei on drums (who is best known from the Los Angeles-based band The Pity Party). Good show, but pretty short (just under an hour), which seems like it was norm for the tour. Like the previously-posted Autolux show from the same venue, I think it sounds pretty good, though I think The Fonda should maybe look into upgrading their sound system.

1.) You Say You Lie FLAC MP3
2.) Dead Sound FLAC MP3
3.) Hallucinations FLAC MP3
4.) Here Comes Mary FLAC MP3
5.) Black Satin FLAC MP3
6.) Noisy Summer FLAC MP3
7.) Black/White FLAC MP3
8.) Love In A Trashcan FLAC mp3
9.) Attack Of The Ghost Riders FLAC MP3
10.) Lust FLAC MP3
11.) My Tornado FLAC MP3
12.) Young And Beautiful FLAC MP3
13.) Twilight FLAC MP3
14.) E: Love Can Destroy Everything* FLAC MP3
15.) E: Aly, Walk With Me FLAC MP3
Text
MD5
Fingerprint

*Sune and Sharin only

The Happy Hollows 11/06/08 - The Echo, Los Angeles, CA.

I first heard of the L.A.-based The Happy Hollows sometime last year when someone compared them to the Yeah Yeah Yeah's. Being a somewhat longtime fan of the YYY's, I had to check these guys out, which I eventually did last summer. Admittedly though, The Happy Hollows was an another band that took awhile to "grow" on me, but they have, which is good (lol) They also sometimes play under an acoustic persona, Sarah Negahdari and the Sad Solids, which is equally as great.

This show here was a special double whammy - it was the release party for their latest release of the "Imaginary" EP, and a celebration of Barack Obama's presidential election victory (yay!)

This show also featured Nick Ceglio (of "Death To Anders") on guitar on some songs.

1.) Introduction/Video Screening
MP3: http://www.mediafire.com/?yhlr0vmtmqn

2.) Shark
MP3: http://www.mediafire.com/?gjjuydkgm1z

3.) Labyrinth
MP3: http://www.mediafire.com/?ignmigmmzyi

4.) Colors
MP3: http://www.mediafire.com/?gryxyxnjzvz

5.) Monster Room
MP3: http://www.mediafire.com/?ydfyyn4e0wy

6.) Megaman
MP3: http://www.mediafire.com/?jeyyynj1gty

7.) Tambourine
MP3: http://www.mediafire.com/?tzyiye1nmug

8.) Flower Children
MP3: http://www.mediafire.com/?zkymmnazzyf

9.) My Wet Tongue
MP3: http://www.mediafire.com/?tgm4dn2wdzj

10.) Whale
MP3: http://www.mediafire.com/?z5q0ynnmmym

11.) Delorean
MP3: http://www.mediafire.com/?ymzzy4yzdtm

Text: http://www.mediafire.com/?iluzwannmzn

FLAC (lossless) files available upon request. (by e-mail)

Autolux 1/17/09 - The Music Box @ The Fonda, Hollywood, CA.

Ah, Autolux. Admittedly, it took some time for me to "click" with this band. More than a couple of years, actually.

I first saw Autolux when they opened for Queens Of The Stone Age/Nine Inch Nails in October 2005. at the Hollywood Bowl. I didn't really give them much of a chance at the time, possibly to due to the heady distraction of QOTSA/NIN and seeing them from front row garden box seats (thanks to good luck on ticketbastard the night before) I ended up seeing them twice again before the year was up, this time opening for QOTSA at The Wiltern on their "infamous" back-to-back pre-Christmas headlining shows. Again, they didn't make much of an impression on me, but I did record them nevertheless (only one came out good)

Awhile later, I did eventually aquire their one and only full length release Future Perfect, and it remained in random rotation for some time before I started to give it more attention. I can't say for sure why and when their music started "clicking", but it was enough for me to specifically seek them out at the MakeMusic Festival in Pasadena last year. There, I finally started seeing how good this band really was (well, it helped that it was a free show, even though it ended up being hotter than hell out there. there is a nice recording of it floating around)

So, we come to this full-length, proper show of theirs at the Fonda recently. It was a good mixture of old and new songs, with a nice cover of The Velvet Underground's "After Hours" thrown in. (and yes, I'm one of those people wondering "where's the second album already?") I think it may even be good enough for a "best of the year" list - well, okay, it may be a little early for that. Wooden Shijps opened for them - not really my cup of tea, I was bored during their set, oh well.

1.) In The Way
FLAC: http://www.mediafire.com/?lyzt5v4xn0z
MP3: http://www.mediafire.com/?zndlywljdyn

2.) Audience No. 2
FLAC: http://www.mediafire.com/?zogmwezy2qf
MP3: http://www.mediafire.com/?xqizytkmomy

3.) Supertoys
FLAC: http://www.mediafire.com/?0knfo2gi2lm
MP3: http://www.mediafire.com/?dznmyy01ttr

4.) Capital Kind Of Strain
FLAC: http://www.mediafire.com/?mfelowtmz3d
MP3: http://www.mediafire.com/?0jmudzun1ya

5.) Here Comes Everybody
FLAC: http://www.mediafire.com/?dmdjd0jorzd
MP3: http://www.mediafire.com/?zwwxnjrym5m

6.) Headless
FLAC: http://www.mediafire.com/?2dmzmdmznti
MP3: http://www.mediafire.com/?nnmitrjzm53 (fixed, should be working now)

7.) Turnstile Blues
FLAC: http://www.mediafire.com/?tjmiyjgyyzx
MP3: http://www.mediafire.com/?yjffmjxxku1

8.) The Science Of Imaginary Solutions
FLAC: http://www.mediafire.com/?adjhnzwdltm
MP3: http://www.mediafire.com/?kmgmyjj0jun

9.) Blanket
FLAC: http://www.mediafire.com/?mnimzzgooyn
MP3: http://www.mediafire.com/?zt2uf2rzmnn

10.) Subzero Fun
FLAC: http://www.mediafire.com/?omqdjzwjctt
MP3: http://www.mediafire.com/?zlkmrfy3fy0

11.) Finder's Fee
FLAC: http://www.mediafire.com/?dywduyzhqjn
MP3: http://www.mediafire.com/?h0m1jyedn4q

12.) SYRH
FLAC: http://www.mediafire.com/?qy34d3zijyj
MP3: http://www.mediafire.com/?zyz2amrmzzz

13.) E: After Hours (The Velvet Underground)
FLAC: http://www.mediafire.com/?d4hjn0yydnm
MP3: http://www.mediafire.com/?m2oojh5zmr2

14.) E: Plantlife
FLAC: http://www.mediafire.com/?lhz0yzdy2ko
MP3: http://www.mediafire.com/?yiyzqu0jyme

15.) E: Reappearing
FLAC: http://www.mediafire.com/?m3mfomjzenz
MP3: http://www.mediafire.com/?gwhyg20hwgd

Text: http://www.mediafire.com/?myrmm40yj2m
MD5: http://www.mediafire.com/?ndtmwync0mz
Fingerprints: http://www.mediafire.com/?dm3k51jionj

The Rosebuds 6/16/07 - Spaceland, Los Angeles, CA.

(Photo by akmal.naim)

Let's start off with one from the archives (and my favorite new band of that year) - The Rosebuds 6/16/07 at Spaceland on their tour for "Night Of The Furies."

I discovered The Rosebuds in a rather curious way, through the Bedroom Walls page on last.fm. I started with their most recent (at the time) release "Night Of The Furies" and quickly fell in love with their unique brand of indie pop. After that, I went on a mission to gather all the material of theirs I could find, and when they toured that year hit up both the L.A. and Pomona (to be posted at a later date) shows.

This show was the stronger of the two I think, and probably a typical Saturday night at Spaceland (big crowd, some people being brought on stage to dance/sing, etc.)

1.) Silja Line (On Settling For A Normal Life)
(FLAC) http://www.mediafire.com/?agedgtm35ke
(MP3) http://www.mediafire.com/?mynun4dt2ne

2.) My Punishment For Fighting
(FLAC) http://www.mediafire.com/?yozj2tzqmjh
(MP3) http://www.mediafire.com/?jyin2u5c4mm

3.) Cemetary Lawns
(FLAC) http://www.mediafire.com/?b11qkedjjqm
(MP3) http://www.mediafire.com/?gjkymz1tomt

4.) Hold Hands and Fight
(FLAC) http://www.mediafire.com/?gydzcn0jzye
(MP3) http://www.mediafire.com/?ukexeijvmmq

5.) Back To Boston
(FLAC) http://www.mediafire.com/?r2tbmgde2v4
(MP3) http://www.mediafire.com/?t5nzxzhznyw

6.) I'd Feel Better
(FLAC) http://www.mediafire.com/?yxzvtidmvcz
(MP3) http://www.mediafire.com/?zzmywnw4myz

7.) Get Up Get Out
(FLAC) http://www.mediafire.com/?zzmywnw4myz
(MP3) http://www.mediafire.com/?crkkzyimonz

8.) Silence By The Lakeside
(FLAC) http://www.mediafire.com/?zodvuyfmhmm
(MP3) http://www.mediafire.com/?tm2wxazddow

9.) Hold On to this Coat
(FLAC) http://www.mediafire.com/?nwaigwgjyg1
(MP3) http://www.mediafire.com/?jzo5ynee22z

10.) Leaves Do Fall
(FLAC) http://www.mediafire.com/?mjh3jd3xyj5
(MP3) http://www.mediafire.com/?lgmm0kzqm21

11.) Blue Bird
(FLAC) http://www.mediafire.com/?n2vzyxnemmd
(MP3) http://www.mediafire.com/?neizt4yzyhz

12.) When The Lights Went Dim
(FLAC) http://www.mediafire.com/?okgfq23mymn
(MP3) http://www.mediafire.com/?ecxmuolzmym

13.) Boxcar
(FLAC) http://www.mediafire.com/?dzzm3ufmyry
(MP3) http://www.mediafire.com/?t3zmzfigmzn

14.) Night Of the Furies
(FLAC) http://www.mediafire.com/?njunrmmxdym
(MP3) http://www.mediafire.com/?bjjazby4yzi

15.) E: I Better Run
(FLAC) http://www.mediafire.com/?endqztojxog
(MP3) http://www.mediafire.com/?qawo4hkk3zg

16.) E: Shake Our Tree
(FLAC) http://www.mediafire.com/?dzmydmjnnmm
(MP3) http://www.mediafire.com/?qzm21emlvjz

17.) E: Kicks In The Schoolyard
(FLAC) http://www.mediafire.com/?kyltooztmnw
(MP3) http://www.mediafire.com/?wnuhjj4jmuy

Text File: http://www.mediafire.com/?gi0ze4gynid
MD5: http://www.mediafire.com/?txqz5qtymjt
Fingerprint: http://www.mediafire.com/?3zh5hzudlg4

Introduction

Hi, and welcome to Recording LA. I created this blog to share my past and present experiences recording live music (audio) primarily in the Los Angeles area, and to share said recordings. The blog may seem a little sparse right now, but hopefully it will grow into a bigger resource as time goes on.

I first started recording concerts a few years ago, after noticing that some really good shows I was attending were seemingly going unarchived. I started out very slowly with some "beginner" recording equipment, and went on from there (though, admittedly it took me longer to grasp the basics of transferring and converting recordings than I would have liked) I now operate two sets of recording "rigs" (ones that are "cheaper" and "more expensive") I have curated a couple of large collections on the Live Music Archive, and have shared countless others through bit torrent and other places. It's always nice to hear the appreciation people have for live recordings of their favorite artists.

However, this hobby of mine has had it's downsides. Recording is not particularly easy do at most venues in the L.A. area, unless you go through a bunch of "red tape." Most simply outright don't allow it, and have seemingly adopted more stringent policies about this over the years (and has started to apply to most photography and videotaping as well) Needless to say, it's very frustrating, and if it were a perfect world, all venues would be open to all sorts of audio/video recording and photography. However, since it's not, one has to adapt (and no, for privacy concerns, I will not go into detail on this) Believe me, it's annoying to have to post as an anonymous persona, but again, privacy concerns.

Anyway, sit back, listen, and enjoy.