Update: Hiatus

Hi guys - I'm so sorry about this, but due to "real life" commitments, the blog will be on hiatus until at least the 2nd week of November. Hopefully, I can resume posting after that (do have some goodies in the back queue) Again, I apologize.

The Submarines 10/02/10 - 12th Annual Eagle Rock Music Festival (Kingsize Stage), Los Angeles, CA.

(Photo: Orrin Anderson via The Submarines Myspace)

Part 4 in a series.

Resuming our series on this year's Eagle Rock Music Festival, earlier this month The Submarines played at said event (along with the previously-posted Seasons, Manhattan Murder Mystery, and Radars to the Sky) I've been listening to The Submarines for awhile, since they released their first album, and we saw them at last year's Sunset Junction - but this is the first time we've been able to get a listenable live recording of them. Their brand of bouncy, indie pop rock has gained quite a following - songs of theirs have been featured on the television shows Weeds, Grey's Anatomy, Gossip Girl; in commercials for the Apple iPhone; and in the film Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist.

Their set at this festival was a mini-compilation showcasing the highlights from their two full-length albums Declare A New State! and Honeysuckle Weeks, along with an untitled new song. The Submarines seemed to be one of the biggest draws of the night at The Kingsize/Ship stages, judging from the extremely-enthusiastic crowd. I would like to note though, that the sound quality of this recording is a bit on the average side - due to proximity, crowd, muddiness, and low vocals at times. However, since live recordings of The Submarines seem pretty rare, it's worth a download anyway.

1.) Swimming Pool MP3
2.) Peace and Hate MP3
3.) The Thorny Thicket MP3
4.) "New Song" MP3
5.) You, Me and the Bourgeoisie MP3
6.) Xavia MP3
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FLAC (lossless) files available upon request.

Belle and Sebastian 10/05/10 - Hollywood Forever Cemetery, Hollywood ,CA.

(Photo: Belle and Sebastian Myspace)

Last week, Belle and Sebastian played at Hollywood Forever Cemetery to a sold-out crowd of approximately 2500 people (rough estimate) and at least one goose (yes, there was a very calm yet sociable goose in the audience - and no, I'm still not sure if it lives there or someone smuggled it in) who braved the cold weather and possibility of showers (it ended up not raining, thank goodness - though, during the performance frontman Stuart Murdoch expressed his concern that the audience might be cold) Granted, it might seem odd to see a concert; however, for those unfamiliar, Hollywood Forever is no ordinary cemetery - many famous and/or wealthy persons are buried there, and people often come to tour and picnic among the many ornate grave monuments. The cemetery also hosts many cultural events, other concerts, and film screenings (prior to Belle and Sebastian taking the stage, the film Trainspotting was screened onto one of the buildings next to the stage - an appropriate selection)

I first started listening to Belle and Sebastian when someone recommending getting their recently-released Books E.P. The infectious melodies grabbed me, but it wasn't until the next year when they were touring that I decided to seek out more of their music. While their two local stops at the Wiltern were sold out, it turned out they had added an in-store at the L.A. outpost of Amoeba Music, so I went to that instead - and it was at this particular show where Mr. Murdoch looked upon the at-capacity crowd and asked "Don't any of you people have to work?" (the show took place in the afternoon in the middle of the week) Oh Stuart, if you only knew.

Later that summer, I was fortunate enough to attend their biggest performance yet, at the Hollywood Bowl backed up by the Los Angeles Philharmonic. It was amazing of course, the combined forces of the venue, the band, and the Philharmonic, making for an incredible and memorable evening. Little did I know at the time, it would be quite awhile before we saw them again - until now.

The setlist for this show, which in some quarters has been described as "a fan's dream" and "spanned the length of their catalog." As speculated, and also appropriately enough, they opened with "Sukie in the Graveyard," and closed with "Get Me Away From Here, I'm Dying." Oddly enough (or perhaps not), only a very few songs from their about-to-be-released (though, it will be by the time most of you read this) new album Write About Love. We would have liked to have heard "Step Into My Office, Baby" like those got to hear at the Hollywood Palladium two nights before, or perhaps "Ease Your Feet In The Sea" (which would have been a stretch actually), but it's okay - the show was great anyway, and turned out pretty well (there might be a touch of crowd noise here and there)

1.) Intro by string section FLAC MP3
2.) Sukie in the Graveyard FLAC MP3
3.) Write About Love FLAC MP3
4.) Like Dylan in the Movies FLAC MP3
5.) "Tossing footballs in the crowd" interlude FLAC MP3
6.) I'm not Living in the Real World FLAC MP3
7.) If You're Feeling Sinister FLAC MP3
8.) Lord Anthony FLAC MP3
9.) I Didn't See It Coming FLAC MP3
10.) Funny Little Frog FLAC MP3
11.) "Happy Birthday" interlude FLAC MP3
12.) She's Losing It FLAC MP3
13.) Mayfly FLAC MP3
14.) We Rule the School FLAC MP3
15.) Dog on Wheels FLAC MP3
16.) The Boy with the Arab Strap FLAC MP3
17.) There's Too Much Love FLAC MP3
18.) The State I Am In FLAC MP3
19.) Sleep the Clock Around FLAC MP3
20.) "Encore Break" FLAC MP3
21.) E: Get Me Away From Here, I'm Dying FLAC MP3
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Radars to the Sky 10/02/10 - 12th Annual Eagle Rock Music Festival (The Ship Stage), Los Angeles, CA.

(Photo: Callie Giovanna via Radars to the Sky myspace)

Part 3 in a series.

Last Saturday, Radars to the Sky (along with previously-posted Seasons and Manhattan Murder Mystery) played as part of the line-up for this year's 12th annual Eagle Rock Music Festival. We are familiar with the band, having posted their set from last year's "Undercovered" show (and catching a couple of their performances around town in the past) - this is the first time we gotten a set with them playing their own material. Radars to the Sky are a band that "play a gritty brand of power-pop as fuzzy as it is catchy...balancing out lead singer Andrew Spitser's impassioned efforts is the sweeter sound of his wife Kate, whose cooing vocals give a much-needed cool-down to the band's heated sound."

This short set featured songs from their recently-released (and first) full length album Supra/Infra, along with a couple from their two older E.P.'s Big Bang and Debut. An excellent little set that left us wanting more. On that note however, Radars to the Sky do have the Monday night residency at Spaceland this month (as of this writing, remaining dates are the 11th, 18th, and 25th) - so, if you reside in the Los Angeles or surrounding area, I highly recommend checking them out.

1.) Long Walk Home MP3
2.) Mirror MP3
3.) Prufrock MP3
4.) As The Nurses Scurry MP3
5.) You Take It To Heart MP3
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FLAC (lossless) files available by request.

Manhattan Murder Mystery 10/02/10 - 12th Annual Eagle Rock Music Festival (The Ship Stage), Los Angeles, CA.

(Photo: Manhattan Murder Mystery myspace)

Part 2 in a series.

Last Saturday (along with the previously-posted Seasons), Manhattan Murder Mystery played as part of this year's line-up at the 12th annual Eagle Rock Music Festival. We aren't exactly strangers to the music of Manhattan Murder Mystery (having heard a couple of their songs covered at previous "Undercovered" shows) or their front-man Matthew Teardrop (who was part of the band collaboration "When Captain Geech Met Teardrop" at last year's incarnation of this festival) - however, this is the first time we gotten a recording of one of their performances. Manhattan Murder Mystery has been a fixture on the Silverlake/Echo Park/Highland Park music scene for quite some time, with other writers saying that "every Manhattan Murder Mystery show is like a battle royal...A wonderful, scummy battle royal" (Radio Free Silverlake), "This band can really rock the hell out of a venue, but the songwriting is strong and creative and never takes second place." (Feed Your Head), and "[they] rile up crowds with an intense combination of fast, tinny drums, banjos, bongos and power-chord pop anthems that respectfully regurgitate the Pixies and the Cult [and]craft an onstage intensity through the course of their live show that’s undeniably solid, not to mention totally infectious, rowdy and engaging." (LA Weekly)

The set for this performance was a compilation of some of their more well-known songs such as "Parking Lot" (which included Mr. Teardrop's trademark stage diving and "running off" just before the song ended) Also featured was the song "Owen Hart," which was presented as "a hyper-angular guitar jangle and lyrics from the perspective of deceased wrestler Owen Hart." A fun show and great introduction to those who may be unfamiliar with their music.

1.) Smoky Mountain MP3
2.) Ambulance MP3
3.) Your Mother's Neck MP3
4.) Owen Hart MP3
5.) Parking Lot MP3
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FLAC (lossless) files available by request.

Seasons 10/02/10 - 12th Annual Eagle Rock Music Festival (Kingsize Stage), Los Angeles, CA.

(Photo: Seasons myspace)

Part 1 in a series.

This past Saturday afternoon, Seasons kicked off the musical festivities on the Kingsize stage at the 12th annual Eagle Rock Music Festival. Awhile back, we posted a cover set of theirs from this year's "Undercovered" show - this time, we have them performing their own material. The festival itself this year featured many great performances from a wonderfully curated list of mostly-local talent, and festival attendance peaked at approximately 70,000+ during the late afternoon/evening. This short but sweet set mostly featured material from their latest E.P. Winter, and was a great way to start off this year's festival.

1.) Always MP3
2.) Of Our Discontent MP3
3.) Real Dreams MP3
4.) Light, Lost MP3
5.) "Untitled" MP3
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FLAC (lossless) files available by request.