Downtown/Union 1/04/11 - LaBrie's, Glendale, CA.

(Photo: Downtown/Union Facebook)

Earlier this month, Downtown/Union helped kick off the first night of The Monolators' Tuesday night residency at LaBrie's in Glendale. Downtown/Union features members of Seasons (previously covered here and here) and has been described as "the underdog superheroes of the Los Angeles rock world," along with being "a stripped down, driving fireball of rock, from a band with enviable chemistry and a singer with a certain bulldog charisma." Their set mostly highlighted songs from their recently-released E.P. Astral Turf (for the tale behind "Superstitions Of You," click here) Good show, and a great way to have kicked off The Monolators residency.

1.) Introduction MP3
2.) The Fight and Flight of Satellites MP3
3.) Motel California MP3
4.) Lion in my Bones MP3
5.) "New Song" MP3
6.) Superstitions Of You MP3
7.) Keep the Engine Running MP3
8.) Vanward Aye Aye MP3
9.) Lowdown Dirty Walk MP3
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FLAC (lossless) files available by request.

Jesca Hoop 1/12/11 - The Hotel Cafe, Hollywood CA.

(Photo: Jeff Koga)

Last week, Jesca Hoop made a now-rare appearance at the Hotel Cafe in Hollywood. Before moving to Manchester (U.K.), it used to be possible to see her on a fairly regular basis at places such as the Hotel Cafe - now, while they are less frequent, that only serves to make them more special. Granted, it's been awhile since we have posted about Ms. Hoop on here (we covered her entire "farewell" April 2009 residency at the same venue), so it was a bit of a momentous occasion.

Backed by a full band, the setlist leaned heavily towards her second LP Hunting My Dress (released last year in the U.S.), with a couple of songs from the first one Kismet. The audience was also treated to a preview of some new material - two songs ("The House That Jack Built" and "Born To") were performed for the first time ever; although, it's not clear whether the latter song is meant to be a homage (or have a connection to) the similarly-named Mother Goose rhyme "This Is the House Jack Built." Additionally, we also heard a newer song "Food At Your House," with Ms. Hoop's long-time friends and collaborators The Ditty Bops.

For all Jesca Hoop fans, this show is a must-have.

To download, right click and save as.

1.) Murder Of Birds FLAC MP3
2.) Whispering Light FLAC MP3
3.) Four Dreams FLAC MP3
4.) Feast of the Heart FLAC MP3
5.) Seed Of Wonder FLAC MP3
6.) The House That Jack Built FLAC MP3
7.) Born To FLAC MP3
8.) Food At Your House FLAC MP3
9.) Money FLAC MP3
10.) Angel Mom FLAC MP3
11.) Hunting My Dress FLAC MP3
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Stream the whole show here.

The Monolators 1/11/11 - LaBrie's, Glendale, CA.

Last week, The Monolators continued with their month-long Tuesday "pretzel and no-repeated songs" residency (presented by Radio Free Silverlake) at LaBrie's in Glendale. Like the first night, the second one continued to live up to it's promise - many pretzels were consumed (even pretzel cookies!) and we were treated to a completely different set of material spanning The Monolator's vast catalog.

The setlist was another mix of the old and the new - from one of their oldest "Santy Anno" (unreleased) to their newest "Ruby, I'm Changing My Number" (off the recently-released "Silver Cities/Ruby, I'm Changing My Number" Double EP) The song "Your Mother's Lover Eating Cake," which was featured in online preview for this show, has an interesting backstory that can be read about here. Due to audience demand for an encore, they pulled out their cover of Golden Smog's "Pecan Pie" - which happened to be one of the cover songs done for those who contributed a certain amount of money to The Monolator's recent Kickstarter project. Enjoy.

Another perspective of the show can be found here at Rock NYC Live and Recorded.

Recorded by Mark P.

1.) Santy Anno MP3
2.) Clang, Clang the Horseman Rang MP3
3.) Ruby, I'm Changing My Number MP3
4.) Tiny Bicycles MP3
5.) Red Lamb MP3
6.) Your Mother's Lover Eating Cake MP3
7.) I Heard Her Calling From Another Room MP3
8.) Let's Be Best Friends In Space MP3
9.) E: Pecan Pie (Golden Smog cover) (removed due to the fact it may have triggered a DCMA complaint. Please e-mail for more info)
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FLAC (lossless) files available by request.

The Monolators 1/04/11 - LaBrie's, Glendale, CA.

Last week, the previously-much-covered-on-this-blog band The Monolators kicked off their month-long Tuesday "pretzel" residency (presented by Radio Free Silverlake) at LaBrie's in Glendale. Besides the promise of pretzels, this is also a very special residency because the band has promised to "play completely different sets for all four weeks of the residency, different songs every night" (a.k.a no repeats) On a side note, it was the first time we've been to LaBrie's since it was called "The Scene" - we went to see a certain singer-songwriter that now composes music for a certain Wednesday night sitcom on ABC.

The setlist for this show was an interesting one - a few of the songs ("Spandex Hitman" "Take It Outside" and "In My Dreams" - more info about this song here) were some of their earliest from their extensive catalog. The rest of the songs served as a partial "best of," with "Rejection Set Me Free" featuring ex-member Tom Bogon. Fun show and we are looking forward to seeing what the rest of the month brings from them.

1.) Introduction MP3
2.) Spandex Hitman MP3
3.) I Was A Captain In The Army MP3
4.) 14 Degrees MP3
5.) Take It Outside MP3
6.) In My Dreams MP3
7.) Rejection Set Me Free MP3
8.) Strawberry Roan MP3
9.) Eagle Fighting Zebra MP3
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FLAC (lossless) files available by request.

White Arrows 12/29/10 - The Satellite, Los Angeles, CA.

(Photo: White Arrows Facebook)

Last month, White Arrows (along with SISU) opened for Giant Drag at The Satellite in Los Angeles. 2010 was very kind to the White Arrows, who landed a Monday residency in August at the venue formerly known as Spaceland after "playing one-offs at the aforementioned, relatively diminutive venue." (LaBrie's was the venue) Their music has been described as "uptempo power pop [and] psychedelic rock," and "indie pop meets electro meets rock meets major hip shaking." Most of their setlist consisted of songs from their self-titled EP, which is currently a free download, along with a cover of Bruce Springteen's "I'm On Fire."

They are also trying to raise money for a music video via Kickstarter, so check it out and try to help them if you can, thanks.

1.) Needless Needles MP3
2.) ??? MP3
3.) ??? MP3
4.) City Boy MP3
5.) I'm On Fire* (Bruce Springsteen) MP3
6.) Coming or Going MP3
7.) The Voyeur MP3
8.) Woods MP3
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FLAC (lossless) files available (by request)

Update: Imogen Heap 10/26/05 and "Coming Soon"

Hello everyone. I was recently notified that track 2 (FLAC) of the 10/26/05 Imogen Heap recording at the Hotel Cafe had a broken link - this has been fixed.

Also, coming up this week on Recording LA - White Arrows (opener from the Giant Drag show almost two weeks ago), The Monolators (the first night of their month-long Tuesday night residency at LaBrie's), and Downtown/Union (opening for The Monolators).

SISU 12/29/10 - The Satellite, Los Angeles, CA.

(Photo: SISU myspace)

Last week, SISU opened for Giant Drag at The Satellite (formerly known as Spaceland) in Los Angeles. SISU is "a quartet featuring Sandra Vu and Ryan Wood from the (currently idle) band Midnight Movies...which deals in ethereal, experimental soundscapes." (Ms. Vu is also a member of Dum Dum Girls) They have a couple of releases: Demon Tapes (EP - available as a free download) and Sharp Teeth (Single - available on vinyl or digitally) Good show, and we are curious to see what they may be up to next.

(Recorded by Mark P.)

1.) Little Scar MP3
2.) Harpoons MP3
3.) Sinking Feeling MP3
4.) Shotgun MP3
5.) Sharp Teeth MP3
6.) Return MP3
7.) If You Don't Cry MP3
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FLAC (lossless) files available by request.

Giant Drag 12/29/10 - The Satellite, Los Angeles, CA.

(Photo: The Scenestar)

Last week, Giant Drag helped close out 2010 by headlining The Satellite (formerly Spaceland) in Los Angeles. Shows by Giant Drag have been few and far between in recent years, so this was a welcome opportunity to see them. We are no strangers to Giant Drag, having done a "mega"-post on them back in May 2009.

The setlist included a nice mix of the old and new from their debut LP Hearts and Unicorns and last year's (long-delayed release) Swan Song EP It's interesting to note that 2009's "Don't Come Around" has morphed into "Won't Come Around," and presumably will be on their next album (along with new song "Garbage Hearts") Good show from Giant Drag, and we hope to see more from them in 2011.

If anyone can identify the last track, drop me a line, thanks.

(Recorded by Mark P)

1.) Kevin Is Gay FLAC MP3
2.) Tired yet FLAC MP3
3.) YFLMD FLAC MP3
4.) High Friends In Places FLAC MP3
5.) My Dick Sux FLAC MP3
6.) White Baby FLAC MP3
7.) Won't Come Around FLAC MP3
8.) Garbage Hearts FLAC MP3
9.) Swan Song FLAC MP3
10.) Cordial Invitation FLAC MP3
11.) Pretty Little Neighbor FLAC MP3
12.) Stuff To Live For FLAC MP3
13.) I Want to Fuck a Guy (and I'm a guy) (cover - artist unknown. Thanks David!) FLAC MP3
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