Ema and the Ghosts 3/03/12 - Home Room, Los Angeles, CA.

(Photo: Recording LA)

Last Saturday, Ema and the Ghosts performed as part of the line-up for the closing reception of PLUSH at Home Room in Los Angeles. Part gallery, part mini-concert hall, it was our first time in this space (but hopefully not our last) We are no strangers to Ema and the Ghosts (and fellow full-band version, Ema and Her Lady Parts), but it has been quite awhile since we saw Ema's solo effort, and it did not disappoint.

However, this was a bittersweet occasion - Ema herself announced that she was retiring the "Ema and Her Ghosts" name and the musical material associated with it (as part of an effort to "move on" and also presumable focus on her aforementioned full band efforts) The set end up being a list of "greatest hits," and while there were a few hiccups, it was all in all a good performance. Setlist below:

"Introduction"
Rabbit Hole
Alligator
Ermine and Mink
Dandelions
Whirly Kid
Behemoth
Flohzirkus

Full show download here (mp3) (Link updated 7/17)
FLAC files available by request.

Ema and the Ghosts - Alligator (live, 3-03-12) by recordingla

Ema and Her Lady Parts 6/14/11 - The Redwood Bar & Grill, Los Angeles, CA.

(Photo by la-underground, via Ema and Her Lady Parts Facebook)

Last Tuesday, Ema and Her Lady Parts opened for the second night of C-horse's Tuesday night June residency at the pirate-themed The Redwood Bar & Grill in downtown Los Angeles. Ema and Her Lady Parts is the full-band effort of Ema Tunermann, also known (when performing solo) as Ema and the Ghosts. The band itself could be called a supergroup of some of L.A.'s best on the local scene, including Mary Chartkoff (from , etc.) on drums, Lindsay Mancha (C-horse, Shirley Rolls) on bass, and Pauline Lay (of pehrspace fame) on violin.

Some of the songs may sound familiar, as they were performed by "Ema and the Ghosts." Of note is the Phil Spector-penned cover "To Know Him Is To Love Him". The band has been recording as of late with Luke Ehret of Boxviolet at the helm, so hopefully we will hear the results of that collaboration sometime in the near future. In the meantime, enjoy this show.

1.) Untitled MP3
2.) Salvation MP3
3.) Seafoam MP3
4.) Pony MP3
5.) Heavenly Bodies MP3
6.) To Know Him Is To Love Him (Phil Spector) MP3
7.) Pie MP3
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FLAC (lossless) files available by request.

Nicole Kidman 8/14/10 - Pehrspace, Los Angeles, CA.

(Picture: Nicole Kidman myspace)

(Disclaimer: This post is not affiliated with the Australian actress or any other persons named "Nicole Kidman"*)

The weekend before last, Nicole Kidman played at Ema and the Ghost's birthday show, which also included Black Nile and Your Mom/Your Dad (aka The Monolators). Nicole Kidman is the moniker of Jon Barba, who has been described as a musician that "makes gritty, confessional electro-pop that sounds like he spent the last five years in his mom’s basement hunched over a keyboard, wallowing in laments of unrequited love." The 704 had a take on his music that I can concur with as well : "With his preset beats and his simple yet adept keyboard playing, he sang some of the most bluntly, nakedly confessional songs you'll ever hear, all in a high voice that sounded like it was a breath or two away from giving up and going home. From what I could tell, his songs were about exactly what they sounded like they were about--he opts for cutting truth over airy abstraction--but he'd occasionally hit on a phrase of such shattered perfection that you could only call it poetry." Like the artist said in his live performance, his "music isn't for everyone," but it's definitely worth a listen.

*The disclaimer is half-serious/half tongue-in-cheek. In today's world, one must try to keep all their bases covered.

1.) Introduction MP3
2.) Thirst For God MP3
3.) I've Got A Girlfriend MP3
4.) Southpaw MP3
5.) Chipmunk Cheeks MP3
6.) Let's Move To Tennessee MP3
7.) Snaggletooth MP3
8.) Astral Breeze MP3
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FLAC (lossless) files available by request.

Your Mom/Your Dad (& The Monolators) 8/14/10 - Pehrspace, Los Angeles, CA.

(Photo: Your Mom/Your Dad Myspace)

Last Saturday, Your Mom/Your Dad played on part of the bill (which also included Black Nile and Nicole Kidman) for Ema and the Ghost's birthday show at Pehrspace. Your Mom/Your Dad is the newest project of The Monolators, which they describe as "us with new songs, mostly written by Mary, on casiotone keyboard, drum machine, bass, and electric autoharp." It's a departure from the traditional Monolators sound, but an interesting one.

This set was a split one, with a few songs performed as Your Mom/Your Dad and a few performed as The Monolators. The later was a smattering of tunes from their back catalog, including "Eagle Fighting Zebra" (which was recently covered by Seasons) Apologies for not having the titles to most of the Your Mom/Your Dad songs (edit: thanks to Eli for supplying the names of the new songs!) - the band is relatively new, and I believe this was only their second public live show.

On a related note, The Monolators have recently announced a fundraising event for their soon-to-be released split double E.P. Silver Cities - they are trying to raise $1600 in 30 days to help fund the vinyl mastering and pressing of the said E.P. There are a few levels of what you get for your pledge (starting at $5 for MP3's of the album to $150 for "the pillow pledge") This project is being run through Kickstarter, and more info can be found here.

Your Mom/Your Dad

1.) Introduction MP3
2.) What's Your Name MP3
3.) Hitch Hiker Song MP3
4.) French Song MP3
5.) High School Crush MP3

The Monolators

6.) Monolators intro MP3
7.) 14 Degrees MP3
8.) I Was a Captain In the Army MP3
9.) Feed Us A Live Insect MP3
10.) Eagle Fighting Zebra MP3
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FLAC (lossless) files available by request.

Ema and the Ghosts 8/14/10 - Pehrspace, Los Angeles, CA.

(Photo: LA-Underground via Ema and the Ghost's myspace)

Last Saturday, Ema and the Ghosts headlined at Pehrspace, a gallery/performance space near downtown Los Angeles. This show was a unique one, in that it was a party celebrating Ema's 21st birthday, and had a line-up that included Black Nile (formally The Karabal Nightlife), Nicole Kidman (who was also celebrating a birthday), and Your Mom/Your Dad (new side project from The Monolators.) We haven't seen Ema and the Ghosts for quite awhile, but in the interim she has released online a couple of E.P.s - Ema and the Ghosts and Boy In The Milkbox.

The setlist included a few new(?) songs, along with older tunes such as "Alligator", "Dandelions", and "Behemoth." We also got to hear a cover of Leonard Cohen's "Memories." Overall, very good show.

1.) Introduction MP3
2.) Ice Cream MP3
3.) ??? MP3
4.) ??? MP3
5.) Alligator MP3
6.) Dandelions MP3
7.) ??? MP3
8.) Memories (Leonard Cohen) MP3
9.) Behemoth MP3
Text File

FLAC (loseless) files available by request.

Cobra Lilies 4/19/10 - Silverlake Lounge, Los Angeles, CA.

( Photo: Cobra Lilies Myspace )

On Monday night, Cobra Lilies played a show that was part of So Many Wizards' month-long residency at Silverlake Lounge. Cobra Lilies is a band that started out as a side project of The Monolators but in time has grown into ( according to their myspace ) "a Weird Folk singing and dancing supergroup formed from the ranks of some of Los Angeles’ most celebrated underground rock and folk bands" that includes members of Divisadero, Cat Hair Ensemble, Smells Like Flan, Ema And The Ghosts, and Shiloe. Last year, they released their debut EP In the Key Of Bicycle Bell (those songs were included in tonight's setlist) and are in the midst of currently recording new material.

Recorded by "markp."

Thanks to Ema for the setlist.

1.) Introduction MP3
2.) Wild Love MP3
3.) Diamond Mine MP3
4.) Blame It On The Boy MP3
5.) The Rock and Roll Song MP3
6.) Cop Car MP3
7.) Tiny Dot In The Deep Blue Sea MP3
8.) She Grows Wings At Night MP3
9.) There's Always Love MP3
10.) "Soundcheck" MP3
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FLAC (lossless) files available by request.

Castledoor 2/22/10 - Spaceland, Los Angeles, CA.

(Photo: Jeff Koga)

On Monday night, Castledoor played what they announced the day before would "be the last show for [the band] as we know it" at Spaceland. The band had been in existence for five years, and had seemed to be on the rise with releases of 2 EP's (Follow The Dove and 'Til We Sink) and a full-length album last year (Shouting at Mountains)and having such infamous fans such as Joe Jonas singing praises of their work (the video of "Dumpster Diving") Tonight's show was the final chapter in a band that lead singer Nate Cole remarked on stage (a bit tongue-in-cheek?) was a "cross between Radiohead and the Jonas Brothers."

I first heard of Castledoor about three years ago, when they were playing on the same bill as previously-posted Ema and the Ghosts (also first time hearing about/seeing her) at Mr T's Bowl. At the time, they were playing live what LA-Underground coined "an absolutely brilliant cover of "Cry Me A River", and I was terribly intrigued (being a "secret" Justin Timberlake fan and all) to hear it. So, I saw them, but must admit I wasn't overly impressed, so I didn't go out of my way to see them again. (and now I'm sorry I didn't get them at their past Echo and Spaceland residencies)

However, seeing this show on Spaceland's upcoming calender, I decided maybe it was time to give them another shot. What I didn't know was that this would end up being the last time to do so. Playing to a packed and bursting at the seams house, the band emotionally took the stage and played a set that mostly sampled from all their releases (and, as Buzzband's Kevin Bronson tweeted "[lead singer]Nate ends 'Tambourine' with a few bars of [Sinead O'Connor's] 'Nothing Compares 2 U'") A bit melancholy, but poignant performance. It will be interesting to see what all these musicians will be up to in the future.

1.) Intro/Soundcheck FLAC MP3
2.) Fifth Tamborine -> Nothing Compares 2 U (Sinead O'Connor cover) FLAC MP3
3.) The Birds and the Fleas FLAC MP3
4.) Skipping Stepping Stones FLAC MP3
5.) Magnetic Forces FLAC MP3
6.) Hidden Treasure FLAC MP3
7.) Dumpster Diving FLAC MP3
8.) Flashlight FLAC MP3
9.) Burn the Maps FLAC MP3
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Ema and the Ghosts 8/21/09 - Pehrspace, Los Angeles, CA.

Last month, Ema and the Ghosts played as part-up the line-up for "Hella Hipster Hoedown #4" at Pehrspace. I had wanted to attend one of these ever since they started up, but hadn't gotten to do so until now. Although I only stayed for Ema's set (had to get up early the next morning) it was definitely an interesting time. The stage area was surrounded with bales of hay, and mason jars lit with tea lights.

The last time Ema and the Ghosts was featured on the blog was back in March at Where Gallery. This set was a little different, most notably there was a cover of Roky Erickson's "Clear Night For Love"

I have to note that the first couple of songs are missing - the first one because she started playing, and I was caught off guard because I hadn't started recording yet. The second one isn't included because it isn't complete and there was some static issues (because I was moving the mics around)

1.) Alligator* MP3
2.) Behemoth MP3
3.) Clear Night For Love (Roky Erickson cover)^ MP3
4.) "Untitled" MP3
5.) Ice Cream* MP3
6.) Whirly Kid MP3

*with Jesse Knight
^with audience members on vocals

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

Ema and the Ghosts 3/20/09 - Where Gallery, Los Angeles, CA.

(Photo by Jeff Koga)

I first heard of Ema and the Ghosts on an artist list affiliated with a Dresden Doll's group called The Dirty Business Brigade back in 2007. It's weird, it sometimes seems like some roads to musicians lead through The Dresden Dolls - they're just that prevalent. Ha.

Anyway, I first saw Ema at Mr. T's Bowl in April of that year (only time I've ever been there, really need to go back) I later saw here a couple more times in '07, at Canoga Park venue The Verity Room and The Echo. This was the first show of hers I caught since then, and things have changed somewhat since then.

The set consisted of a lot of older material, but there was quite a difference in hearing these songs ("Ermine and Mink," "Alligator") in 2009 vs. 2007. I can't say exactly what, but it definitely was stronger. A new cover has been thrown in the mix (The Kinks "Victoria") and a couple of new songs ("Ice Cream"), one of which is so new it doesn't have a title yet - supposedly, it was only the 2nd live performance. (it was also played on the banjo - also a newer addition I think)

I must also note that the photo in this post wasn't taken this night - how it's related is that buttons were made with the image and given out at this show.

Like The Movies set from earlier in the night, this one came out pretty good as well, though there were a couple of technical issues during the show, which I tried to minimize as much as possible. Shouldn't be an problem though.

1.) Victoria (The Kinks cover) FLAC MP3
2.) Ermine and Mink FLAC MP3
3.) Alligator FLAC MP3
4.) Ice Cream FLAC MP3
5.) Whirly Kid FLAC MP3
6.) "New Song" FLAC MP3
7.) Behemoth FLAC MP3
Text File
MD5
Fingerprint

The Monolators 3/06/09 - Where Gallery, Los Angeles, CA.

(Photo by Jeff Koga)

A lot has been said and written about Monolators. I first heard and saw them in April 2007 while at Mr. T's Bowl to see Ema and the Ghosts, also for the first time. This is the perfect example of how interconnected the local music scene is, because Ema is part of The Monolators side project band and has covered one of The Monolator's songs "Prom Queen."

I also saw them again on one of the stages at the annual Eagle Rock Music Festival in 2007, although quite by accident. It was a really good set, and I'm kicking myself for not recording it (since I didn't plan on seeing them) So, as a perfect example of my somewhat recent sporatic show attendance in recent years, I didn't see them again until this show.

This was a very unique show for The Monolators, because it was an acoustic one, and this was their first time doing so. Nested in front corner of the gallery, they played a short set of re-arranged material plucked from their catalog. It was an interesting show, and hopefully they'll do another one in the future.

A note on the quality of the recording - I have to admit this was a challenging environment to record in, and this is reflected on here. There is some background chatter (especially in the last couple of songs) Don't let that stop you - it's still certainly worth the download.

Finally, this Friday is the last night for "Exposure: A Photography Show," a show featuring the work of 3 L.A.-based music photographers. Since a billion other blogs have been writing about the exhibit, I will only say that it's most certainly worth going after appreciating their work for all this time, and for the great musical line-up. See you there.



1.) Rejection Set Me Free MP3
2.) Hearts Going Steady MP3
3.) Tiny Bicycles MP3
4.) 14 Degrees MP3
5.) CA 3A 569 MP3
6.) Oh No, Everything Has Changed MP3
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FLAC (loseless) files available upon request (by e-mail)