Caroline Weeks 8/09/09 - Spaceland, Los Angeles, CA.

(Photo by Jeff Koga)

Last Sunday, Caroline Weeks was part of the line-up at Spaceland showcasing artists on the Manimal Vinyl label. She is a former member of Bat For Lashes, and after hearing that her music was in a similar vein to that of her former band's work, I was curious to hear for myself.

Ms. Weeks played solo acoustic (not sure if this is her default live performance style, or just for this tour) and mostly songs from her debut full-length Songs For Edna. Many of the songs on the album were constructed around poems by the famed poet Edna St. Vincent Millay, which were of course well represented here. Another poet, Emily Dickinson, was featured in the composition based on her poem "Memorials XIV" To round out the set, a cover of The Cure's "The Drowning Man," of which a studio version is available on tribute album Perfect As Cats: A Tribute to the Cure.

In conclusion, I'm not really sure Caroline Week's solo work has that much in common with the Bat For Lashes material - I think reviewers like to make the comparison because it seems easier to state, and they want them to be more alike then they actually are. I will grant their music has the same sort of dreamy, eternal quality that probably invited the comparisons in the first place, but that's where the similarities end.

A note on the recording: performance levels were kind of on the low side, which (may have) caused some buzzing from the lights and/or monitors to be heard. I tried to reduce it in post-production, but it still may be audible.

1.) What Lips My Lips Have Kissed FLAC MP3
2.) Renascence FLAC MP3
3.) Wild Swans FLAC MP3
4.) The Drowning Man (The Cure cover) FLAC MP3
5.) I Shall Go Back FLAC MP3
6.) Memorials XIV. (Emily Dickinson (poem)) FLAC MP3
7.) Elegy FLAC MP3
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Ariana Delawari (formerly Lion of Panjshir) 7/30/09 - Space 15 Twenty, Hollywood, CA.

(Apologies for not updating for awhile - for the past month, I've been laid up with a cold/bronchitis, which of course affects concert going. As of now, I hope to catch up and start posting more again.)

Last Thursday, Ariana Delawari played a free concert at the courtyard of Space 15 Twenty supporting Lauren Dukoff's exhibit showcasing her new book "Family." This was a semi-acoustic sort of performance with her accompanied by a bassist and cellist. Unlike most of the shows put on here, this was a quieter one, with most of the attendees sitting on the ground listening attentively.

I first heard of Ariana Delawari when she was performing under the moniker "Lion of Panjshir back in 2007 when she opened for Bat For Lashes at Spaceland (oddly enough, a show that I ended up not getting to attend) However, last year, I did finally get to see Lion of Panjshir live purely by coincidence - she was playing on the same bill with at the now-departed Tangier's with Listing Ship, of whom I had come to see. I thought their performance was quite good and wished I had recorded it (which was probably just as well I didn't, because I ended up having gear problems), and wanted to see them again, which finally came in the opportunity of this recent show.

The setlist was a mix of older and newer tunes, with the standout song "San Francisco." It was definitely a unique performance with it's semi-acoustic format, which made it possible to hear this material with new arrangements.

Notes: There was a level adjustment at the beginning of the first song, and at a couple of points people can be heard moving seats around.

1.) We Came Home MP3
2.) San Francisco MP3
3.) ??? MP3
4.) Be Gone Taliban MP3
5.) Tree Hymn MP3
6.) Chesme Siah Daree MP3
7.) Don't Fight The Love MP3
8.) Pray To The Sun MP3
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FLAC (lossless) files available upon request.

Imogen Heap 10/26/05 - The Hotel Cafe, Hollywood, CA.

From the archives.

I first heard of Imogen Heap earlier in 2005 when she was rumored to be an opener on Tori Amo's tour that summer. Unfortunately, that ended up falling though due to monetary issues, but I still went and picked up her latest release anyway (Speak For Yourself) She ended up being added to The Hotel Cafe's first national touring show, but the Los Angeles date at the El Rey sold out before I decided whether I wanted to go or not. However, another opportunity to see her was added, as sort of an industry showcase/way to appease the fans who didn't get to attend the El Rey gig.

The story behind this show is one in of itself. The afternoon of I didn't really know what to expect or the extent of Imogen's popularity at the time, so deciding when to arrive posed a bit of a challenge. If I remember correctly, I got there around 6 or so, about an hour before doors opened, and was probably one of maybe ten people already in line. (including a couple of people who had driven down from the Bay area just for this show) Waiting in line seemed to be a pretty calm and orderly affair - until the last 20-25 minutes before the venue was supposed to start letting people in.

In that time, the line had grown exponentially since then, wrapping around the building, spilling onto the sidewalk and down the block. (I remember afterwards hearing from an acquaintance that he drove by the venue in anticipation of attending the show, and upon seeing the line gave up and kept driving) To make matters worse, before opening doors, the doorman came out and announced that only the first 10-15 people in line not on a guest list (there where two - an "industry" one and another that you had to sign up for on Imogen's website) would be getting in. Naturally, this caused some annoyance among people - although, I heard later that a little before/after she started playing, they let some more people in that stood in the back (and others simply pressed their ears up against the wall and listened to show outside)

When I got inside, it already seemed like it was going to be extremely packed quarters - most of the tables and chairs were taken away. Luckily, the people whom I stood in line with kindly let me sit at their table with them (if any of them happen to stumble onto this blog, thank you still, almost four years later ha ha) As predicted, by the time Imogen started the show, the room was overflowing, some of which can be heard on the recording.

After (sorry) a ridiculously bad opening act, Imogen hit the stage and delivered a fantastic performance. Setlist was very heavy on Speak For Yourself material, but that was to be expected, considering the album had been recently released stateside. In homage to her previous side project Frou Frou, she performed their two biggest hits "Let Go" and "Breathe In." Her first album I Megaphone was not forgotten though - the two songs "Come Here Boy" and "Sleep" represented it. Plus, we were treated to a rare performance of the B-side "Blanket." All in a all, a wonderful show.

1.) "Intro" FLAC MP3
2.) Just For Now FLAC MP3
3.) Headlock FLAC MP3
4.) Let Go FLAC MP3
5.) Clear The Area FLAC MP3
6.) The Walk FLAC MP3
7.) Blanket FLAC MP3
8.) Hide and Seek FLAC MP3
9.) Come Here Boy FLAC MP3
10.) Loose Ends FLAC MP3
11.) Goodnight & Go FLAC MP3
12.) Sleep FLAC MP3
13.) E: Breathe In FLAC MP3
14.) E: The Moment I Said It FLAC MP3
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Tristan Prettyman 4/01/09 - The Hotel Cafe, Hollywood, CA.

(Photo by Jeff Koga)

Last April, Tristan Prettyman played a month-long residency at The Hotel Cafe. On the first night of the month, she happened to share the evening with another person with an April residency, Jesca Hoop. I had known about Tristan Prettyman for some time, and not having seen a show of her's in a few years, I found this be a convenient line-up.

I first heard of Tristan Prettyman sometime back in 2003 through Jason Mraz, who I followed extensively at the time. It wasn't until early 2004 that I got a chance to see her live, as an opener at the Sunset Strip House of Blues. I also saw her again later that year in San Diego at the second (now-shuttered) incarnation of Java's Joe's Pub. In 2005, I caught a couple more performances of hers. One was in January, opening for Jason Mraz at the Ventura Theatre (which would be the last time I ever saw one of his shows) The next one was at The Hotel Cafe, which served as a L.A.-area release party for her full-length debut t w e n t y t h r e e. So, yes, obviously a long time has passed since that last show and this one from earlier this year.

The setlist was short, but good. Tristan had recently released her second full-length Hello...x and mostly performed songs from that - which I didn't really recognize because I've only heard one song off the new album. The only one I did recognize was "Love, Love, Love," but of course that's because it's an older tune, and from the first album.

To download, right-click and save as.

1.)Echo FLAC MP3
2.)Hello FLAC MP3
3.)Just In Case FLAC MP3
4.)Hummingbirds FLAC MP3
5.)In Bloom FLAC MP3
6.)Blindfold FLAC MP3
7.)Love, Love, Love FLAC MP3
8.)War Out Of Peace FLAC MP3

Stream the whole show here.

Quarterly Roundup: April - June 2009

Yep, it's that time of the year again - the quarterly roundup, where I list the shows that you may have missed the first time they were posted, and discuss our recording activity during this time period.

Admittedly, I would have liked to have gotten posted more new shows than I actually did - and May was exceptionally light (due to educational commitments) June was also lighter than I would have like, though not for lack of trying - two shows didn't turn out very well recording wise (though, parts of one may be featured in an idea for an upcoming posts I'm toying around with) and one, although wouldn't have been complete, failed to save when one of my batteries died (lesson learned: just because you may think you have enough power left, doesn't mean you actually do)

April was pretty much dominated by the Jesca Hoop "Farewell to Los Angeles" residency (though, not sure how much of a parting that was - she's doing 3 shows in town later this month) and two same-night performances by The Ditty Bops, along with a nice little set by Avi Buffalo at USC. While there was only one new show in May, at least it was a good one - the Giant Drag reunion performance at The Troubadour. June featured two good little shows - an exclusive acoustic Bat For Lashes in-store and a strong Agent Ribbons opening set (for one of the night's of Castledoor's June residency)

In the archives department, I tried to cull from a variety of performances - in April, we posted about Earlimart (a recent Live Music Archive inductee) and Sara Bareilles (a previously unreleased recording featuring a rare recording of "Can't Change My Heart"). In June, shows by singer-songwriters Sara Lov, Laura Weinbach, and Liam Carey were featured, along with a set by new-ish band LANDy (the musical project of actor Adam Goldberg)

April 2009:

Sara Bareilles 5/19/06 - The Hotel Cafe, Hollywood, CA.
Earlimart 10/04/08 - 10th Annual Eagle Rock Music Festival, Los Angeles, CA.
Jesca Hoop 4/01/09 - The Hotel Cafe, Hollywood, CA.
Jesca Hoop 4/09/09 - The Hotel Cafe, Hollywood, CA.
Avi Buffalo 3/29/09 - University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA.
Jesca Hoop 4/16/09 - The Hotel Cafe, Hollywood, CA.

May 2009

Jesca Hoop 4/29/09 - The Hotel Cafe, Hollywood, CA.
The Ditty Bops 4/26/09 - McCabe's Guitar Shop, Santa Monica, CA. (late show)
The Ditty Bops 4/26/09 - McCabe's Guitar Shop, Santa Monica, CA. (early show)
Giant Drag 5/16/09 - Troubadour, West Hollywood, CA.

June 2009

Sara Lov 3/26/07 - The Hotel Cafe, Hollywood, CA.
Liam Carey and Laura Weinbach 6/30/07 - The Hotel Cafe, Hollywood, CA.
Bat For Lashes 6/14/09 - Lucky Brand 3rd Street, Santa Monica, CA.
Agent Ribbons 6/15/09 - Spaceland, Los Angeles, CA.
LANDy 10/04/08 - 10th Annual Eagle Rock Music Festival, Los Angeles, CA.