Tele Novella 5/22/13 - Bootleg Theater, Los Angeles, CA.

(Photo: Tele Novella Facebook page)

Last month, Tele Novella made a couple of stops on their debut tour in Los Angeles - the second of which was in at the Bootleg Theater in the heart of Los Angeles. Tele Novella is the brainchild of Natalie Ribbons, of the recently and dearly departed Agent Ribbons. While were big fans of and will greatly miss Agent Ribbons, Tele Novella will neatly fill the void.

While it would be tempting to compare Tele Novella to Agent Ribbons, it would not only be the easy way out, but somewhat inaccurate. Tele Novella, by virtue of being a four-piece (vs. Agent Ribbon's usual two) has a darker sound, which conjures up images of victorian gothic horror with tinges of 60's folk/swing thrown in. So enjoy this show, which was not only their tenth live performance ever, but included such highlights as the story of the "flying (guitar) space case" and the performance of a song that was based on a poem/lyrics from a man that ran a record label in Texas in the 1960's (track 5) Setlist below:

No Excalibur
Don't Be A Stranger
Victorian Terrarium
?
? "God Bless You Linda"
?
?
Hair of the Dog
Coattail Rider

Full show download here (Mp3) or here (FLAC)

Agent Ribbons 5/26/11 - Origami Vinyl, Los Angeles, CA.

Last week, Agent Ribbons played the second Los Angeles-area stop of their current West Coast tour (the first being a few days prior at Bardot) at the Echo Park record boutique destination Origami Vinyl. It was quite an interesting show, if only for the mere fact that bands playing here perform from the shop's second floor "loft," while the audience looks up while situated on the first "floor." (guitarist-vocalist Natalie remarked that drummer Lauren was afraid of heights, and would remain behind her drum kit for the duration of the show, which she did) As we have said before, this is one of many posts we have done on Agent Ribbons, which can be found here, here, here, here, and here.

This evening's setlist was markedly different from the show at Bardot, and included a healthy mix of songs from their two full-length albums, the older "On Time Travel and Romance" and the newer "Chateau Crone." Also of interest was the opener "Shoe Shine Boy" (if I remember correctly, an earlier version of this was performed at their Bootleg Theater show last December) A great way to conclude their run of shows in California for this tour, and we look forward to seeing them the next time they come through town.

1.) Shoe Shine Boy FLAC MP3
2.) Buried With You FLAC MP3
3.) Wallpaper Of Skin FLAC MP3
4.) The Boy With the Wooden Lips FLAC MP3
5.) Grey Gardens FLAC MP3
6.) I Was Born to Sing Sad Songs FLAC MP3
7.) Don't Touch Me FLAC MP3
8.) Chelsea, Let's Go Join the Circus FLAC MP3
9.) Wood, Lead, Rubber FLAC MP3
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Agent Ribbons 5/22/11 - Bardot, Hollywood, CA.

On Sunday night, Agent Ribbons performed at Bardot along with The Good Listeners and Dead Sara. An interesting and unusual venue choice for Agent Ribbons (that unfortunately ended up not working out that well), but the scenery was lovely and the perfect backdrop for their music. Of course, we are no strangers to Agent Ribbons, having made many posts about them before.

As was stated during the show, this was a tour supporting their recent release "Chateau Crone," and half the setlist reflected that (which seemed to have gotten cut a bit short) While nothing new was played, the performances of the songs themselves were quite spirited, especially "I'm Alright" and "Wood, Lead, Rubber" - plus, "The World Is a Cigarette" and "The Boy With the Wooden Lips" made nice bookends to open the set. Fun show, and we are looking forward to the next one.

1.) The World is a Cigarette FLAC MP3
2.) The Boy With the Wooden Lips FLAC MP3
3.) I Was Born to Sing Sad Songs FLAC MP3
4.) Grey Gardens FLAC MP3
5.) I'm Alright FLAC MP3
6.) Bird In The Mirror FLAC MP3
7.) Birds and Bees FLAC MP3
8.) Wood, Lead, Rubber MP3 MP3
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Recording LA's Best of 2010

I didn't do this last year, but since it seems to be all the rage to do year-end best of/"top" (insert number here) lists, it made sense to try to do one. Since this was a bit of a lean year for Recording LA, this list is more of a "best of" the year, vs. a top 10+ list.

1.) Castledoor 2/22/10 - Spaceland, Los Angeles, CA. Admittedly, I jumped on the Castledoor bandwagon very, very late - just before this show as a matter of fact. It was a very strong, yet melancholy performance, pretty much due to the fact it was their last as a band. Obviously a must listen due to the circumstances of this show.

2.) The Happy Hollows 7/08/10 - Hammer Museum, Los Angeles, CA. Had seen The Happy Hollows for quite some time before this show, and combined with the venue (Hammer Museum courtyard) and the energy of the crowd, this show made for a pretty powerful performance.

3.) The Monolators 7/19/10 - Spaceland, Los Angeles, CA. While they were missing a band member, this particular Monolators show packed a very unique punch - it seemed to flow together just perfectly.

4.) 12th Annual Eagle Rock Music Festival 10/02/10 - (in and around Colorado Blvd.) Los Angeles, CA. (Seasons, Manhattan Murder Mystery, Radars To The Sky, The Submarines, Walking Sleep)This year's line-up for the Eagle Rock Music Festival was a particularly well-curated one, especially on the Kingsize and Ship stages. All the bands turned in great performances as well.

5.) Belle and Sebastian 10/05/10 - Hollywood Forever Cemetery, Hollywood, CA. Perhaps it's a bit biased to say that by default any Belle and Sebastian show would be on a year-end "best of" list, but this was one amazing show. Combining a "setlist that was any fan's dream" in an intimate and unique venue creates one incredible show.

6.) Agent Ribbons 3/09/10 - Puka Bar, Long Beach, CA. and 12/20/10 - Bootleg Theater, Los Angeles, CA. Agent Ribbons also put on some of the best shows we've seen this year as well (they are one of our favorite bands of late) and back-to-back make for a couple of good performances.

That's all, see you next year.

Agent Ribbons 3/5/07 - Biko Garage, Isla Vista, CA.

(Photo: Kristin Cofer via Agent Ribbon's Myspace)


Awhile back, Agent Ribbons played a show at Biko Garage in Isle Vista (outside of Santa Barbara)with a few other bands. We didn't actually have anything to do with recording this show - I just found it awhile back on the community audio part of the Internet Archive. Naturally, since we have posted quite a bit about Agent Ribbons (and as recently as last week, ha ha), I thought this would be good to highlight here.

This is an interesting show for a number of reasons - one being, it appears to be the only one that exists that is more than a couple of years old. Two, while it mostly features material from their first LP On Time Travel and Romance, a few rare/unreleased songs were performed. A great blast from the past, and an essential listen for any Agent Ribbons fan.

Recorded by: Hoshwa

To download, right-click and save as.

1.) Setup MP3
2.) Soound Check Song MP3
3.) Intro MP3
4.) Worth Waiting For MP3
5.) Birds and the Bees MP3
6.) Chelsea (a.k.a. Chelsea, Let's Go Join The Circus)MP3
7.) Are You Lonely Take 1 MP3
8.) Are You Lonely MP3
9.) The Wolf MP3
10.) Obituary MP3
11.) Don't Touch Me MP3
12.) Call Me Margaret MP3
13.) Fucked Up MP3

Stream here

Agent Ribbons 12/20/10 - Bootleg Theater, Los Angeles, CA.

(Photo: Agent Ribbons Myspace)

On Monday evening, Agent Ribbons headlined in the midnight slot at the Bootleg Theater in Los Angeles - which happened to be the only Southern California stop on their current tour in this fine state. This was interesting show because for one, this is the first time we've seen them since they released their second full-length album Chateau Crone, and also the first show since they started playing as a two-piece again (violinist Naomi left the band in October). We of course have proved to be big fans of Agent Ribbons in past, having posted shows of theirs in the past.

The setlist for this show contained many familiar songs from both of their full-length albums. A couple of interesting surprises were hearing "Bird In The Mirror" live for the first time (off of the 2009 EP Your Love Is The Smallest Doll)and the new "Dirty Pattycake Song"(best guess at the title for now) Also of note in connection to this show was guitarist/vocalist Natalie's guitar having been stolen in San Francisco at another show a few days prior to this one, which she discussed during the performance. This was a fun show as usual, and we look forward to seeing them again in the future.

1.) The World is a Cigarette FLAC MP3
2.) Boy with the Wooden Lips FLAC MP3
3.) I Was Born to Sing Sad Songs FLAC MP3
4.) Grey Gardens FLAC MP3
5.) I'm Alright FLAC MP3
6.) Bird In The Mirror FLAC MP3
7.) "Dirty Pattycake Song" FLAC MP3
8.) Birds and Bees FLAC MP3
9.) Don't Touch Me FLAC MP3
10.) Wood, Lead, Rubber FLAC MP3
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Update: FLAC's uploaded for Agent Ribbons 11/07/09 and 3/09/10

Just a quick update/reminder - FLAC files have been uploaded for the following Agent Ribbon's shows:

11/07/09: American Legion Hall Post 206, Highland Park, CA.

3/09/10: Puka Bar, Long Beach, CA.

Agent Ribbons 3/09/10 - Puka Bar, Long Beach, CA.

( Photo: Jesse Vasquez via Agent Ribbon's Myspace )

Last week, Agent Ribbons played at Puka Bar in Long Beach. This show was a different one for a couple of reasons: one, this was a stop on what was the final west coast tour before "singer/songwriter/guitarist Natalie Gordon is going to [start] calling Austin, Texas home." and two, the first Agent Ribbons show we've caught with semi-recent band member addition Naomi Cherie, who plays violin/tambourine (which, for this show, was replaced with maracas because the latter "was left in Austin") Of course, we are no strangers to Agent Ribbons, having previously posted shows of theirs, and even cover versions of one of their songs.

Setlist was fairly standard, with songs from their debut album On Time Travel and Romance, and songs that will presumably be on their upcoming release Chateau Crone. An added bonus was the debut of a new song, "I Was Born To Sing Sad Songs." Great show and sound all around.

1.) The World Is A Cigarette (Natalie and Lauren only) FLAC MP3
2.) Birds and Bees FLAC MP3
3.) I'm Alright FLAC MP3
4.) Grey Gardens FLAC MP3
5.) I Was Born To Sing Sad Songs FLAC MP3
6.) Don't Touch Me FLAC MP3
7.) Wallpaper Of Skin FLAC MP3
8.) Chelsea, Let's Go Join The Circus FLAC MP3
9.) Wood Lead Rubber FLAC MP3
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The Karabal Nightlife 2/13/10 - Echo Curio, Los Angeles, CA.

(Photo: Betsy Knauss via The Karabal Nightlife Facebook)

Last weekend, The Karabal Nightlife performed at the Echo Curio as part of a line-up that included Foxtail's Brigade and Devotionals. This night was a first for the band, who proclaimed that "this was their first acoustic show." We at Recording LA are no strangers to The Karabal Nightlife, having posted their Halloween covers set as T-Rex at The Echo last year.

As mentioned previously, this was The Karabal Nightlife's first acoustic show. The setlist seems to have been composed of newer material. Of interest was a cover of a(and perennial Recording LA favorites) Agent Ribbons song "Call Me Margaret." A good show and interesting new way of looking at their music.

1.) Introduction MP3
2.) Mare Nostrum MP3
3.) Diamond Wall MP3
4.) I Need A Girl MP3
5.) Call Me Margaret (Agent Ribbons cover) MP3
6.) Knives Of Our Keeper MP3
7.) Heartbeat Below MP3
8.) Notes... MP3
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FLAC (loseless) files available upon request (by e-mail)

Agent Ribbons 11/07/09 - American Legion Hall Post 206 Highland Park, Los Angeles, CA.

Earlier this month, Agent Ribbons performed at the American Legion Hall Post 206 in Highland Park as part of their recently-wrapped U.S. tour. We of course are no strangers to the Sacramento-based Agent Ribbons, having posted about them back in June. They were part of a night that was a well-curated line-up that included Los Angeles's Kissing Cousins, Birds & Batteries (San Francisco), and Rademacher (Fresno and Los Angeles) (and one that almost seems to span almost most of the state of California, heh)

Like back in June, Agent Ribbons played as a duo (they added a violinist awhile back, but she wasn't present for this show), and the setlist included many of the same old and newer songs played. What was different though was the addition of a "very brand new song" "I'm Alright," and a live version of "That's Not Edgar's Heart," which was from the 7-inch vinyl release "Agent Ribbons and the Star-Crossed Doppleganger". All in all, a very good show.

1.) The World Is A Cigarette FLAC MP3
2.) Boy With The Wooden Lips FLAC MP3
3.) Grey Gardens FLAC MP3
4.) Birds and Bees FLAC MP3
5.) I'm Alright FLAC MP3
6.) That's Not Edgar's Heart FLAC MP3
7.) Your Hands My Hands FLAC MP3
8.) Chelsea, Let's Go Join The Circus FLAC MP3
9.) Wood Lead Rubber FLAC MP3
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Agent Ribbons 6/15/09 - Spaceland, Los Angeles, CA.

Last Monday, Agent Ribbons opened for Castledoor on the third night of their the latter's June residency. Fresh off a national tour opening for Camera Obscura, they were a last-minute addition to that night's line-up, and played a great, if short set. Having waited a long time to actually see one of their performances, it was worth it.

I first heard of Agent Ribbons awhile ago, while stumbling upon a listing for them someplace. Thinking that the name sounded interesting (honestly, this is how I have started listening to many a band), I looked them up. After became especially curious after reading that one of their influences was The Ditty Bops (of whom I've seen and recorded the most), I knew should check out their music. I picked up their debut album On Time Travel and Romance, and the gorgeous 7-inch pressing The Star Crossed Doppelganger, I was curious to see a live show.

However, this proved to be a bit problematic. Agent Ribbons hail from Sacramento, and didn't seem to do shows in Los Angeles that often (though, this appears to have changed a bit as of late) I tried to see them sometime early last year when they announced they were doing a last-minute show near the downtown area - and when I got down there, I couldn't find the location. Later that year, I tried to attend a show again at the Hyperion Tavern in Silverlake - and they ended up going on late, and I had to leave early. Finally, this Spaceland show came up, and being at a very convenient time, I went. (Originally, I was going to go to the Camera Obscura show they opened for at The Fonda, but ended up not being too crazy about C.O.'s latest release)

As stated previously, this was a short set but a good one. The duo pretty much evenly between material from their first album and newer songs. Speaking of, it was mentioned that had added a violinist to their group recently, but she was not playing with them that night - so, in effect the audience was treated to a "classic" sort of Agent Ribbons show. All in all, the performance reminded me a lot of a cross between the aforementioned The Ditty Bops, and The White Stripes.

This recording came out extraordinary good, so it is highly recommended and well worth the download.

1.) The World Is A Cigarette FLAC MP3
2.) Birds and Bees FLAC MP3
3.) Grey Gardens FLAC MP3
4.) Boy with the Wooden Lips FLAC MP3
5.) Your Hands My Hands FLAC MP3
6.) Obituary FLAC MP3
7.) Wallpaper of Skin FLAC MP3
8.) Chelsea, Let's Go Join The Circus FLAC MP3
9.) Wood Lead Rubber FLAC MP3
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