The Finches 1/25/07 - Safari Sam's, Hollywood, CA.

(Photo by Jeff Koga)

From the archives.

Awhile back, The Finches opened (along with Winter Flowers) for Lavender Diamond (fronted by Becky Stark, who is currently a part of The Living Sisters) at the now-departed and often-troubled Hollywood venue Safari Sam's. This Finches show was an older duo incarnation of the band with Aaron Morgan(who's founder/main member is Carolyn Pennypacker Riggs). The Finches have undergone changes in their member line-up since then (and even briefly changed their name to PALMS), so this performance serves as an earlier example of the band.

We first heard of The Finches a few months prior in October at the 2006 Eagle Rock Music Festival. They were on the bill before perennial blog favorite Jesca Hoop (if so inclined, that performance can be downloaded here), so we happened to catch them and quite enjoyed their American folk pop-style music. Fortunately enough, we were able to catch them at this Safari Sam's show a few months later, which was also a good performance. We hope to eventually see them again in the near future.

1.) Introduction MP3
2.) Human Like A House MP3
3.) Nightswimming, AR MP3
4.) The House Under The Hill MP3
5.) Step Outside MP3
6.) Oh L.A. MP3
7.) Daniel's Song MP3
8.) Leviation's Home MP3
9.) Last Favor MP3
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FLAC (lossless) files available upon request.

Update: The Happy Hollows 7/08/10

Just a quick note to remind everyone that The Happy Hollows post from last July's "Also I Like To Rock" show has been updated with FLAC files of the performance. Cheers.

Update: Imperial Teen 7/22/06

Update: FLAC files of the Imperial Teen 7/22/06 performance have been uploaded here.

Imperial Teen 7/22/06 - The Knitting Factory, West Hollywood, CA.

(Photo: Imperial Teen Myspace)

From the archives.

Awhile back, Imperial Teen headlined at the now-closed location of the Knitting Factory in West Hollywood. This show was not only a rare opportunity to see Imperial Teen play live (they haven't been performing much in recent years) - it was also a chance to (at the time) see them preview new material (that all ended up on their last release, 2007's The Hair The TV The Baby & The Band. Imperial Teen, who has been described as having a "pop aesthetic of crunchy guitar riffs and classic boy/girl harmonies," has been around for quite some time and has quite a catalog of music to their credit (much of which was showcased within this performance)

I first heard of Imperial Teen back in 2002, when I saw a review of their latest release On. I made a mental note to check it out; however, it wasn't until browsing around in a box of cd's at my local Wherehouse Music going-out-of-business sale and seeing that album reminded me to take a listen to their music. So, I bought the album, promptly fell in love with their music, and sought after the rest of their music.

When this popped up, I of course had to go. It was quite an occasion - many fans of the band showed up for this "reunion" show of sorts (they hadn't played live for quite a while proceeding it) Along with the new songs, many old favorites from previous releases (including Seasick and What Is Not To Love) were performed as well. On the technical side, there may have some minor feedback present during the show, along with some echo/reverb in the room, but don't let that stop you from downloading and listening.

1.) Introduction FLAC MP3
2.) Ivanka FLAC MP3
3.) Our Time FLAC MP3
4.) You're One FLAC MP3
5.) One Two FLAC MP3
6.) 21st Century FLAC MP3
7.) Baby FLAC MP3
8.) Yoo Hoo FLAC MP3
9.) Room With A View FLAC MP3
10.) Sugar FLAC MP3
11.) Lipstick FLAC MP3
12.) Imperial Teen FLAC MP3
13.) Water Boy FLAC MP3
14.) E: Sweet Potato FLAC MP3
15.) E: Million $ Man FLAC MP3
16.) E: Everyone Wants To Know FLAC MP3
17.) E: Butch FLAC MP3
FLAC Fingerprint
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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.