This is a really full week. There are multiple nights where I am trying really hard to figure out how to be in two places at once… Has anyone invented an easy way to clone oneself?
Thursday, June 17th
Melody Gardot, Frederico Aubele at The Fillmore
Melody Gardot was in a horrible bicycle accident at 19 years old. She found that music helped her recover, and introduced her to a life changing career choice. Her wonderful blend of tradition, latin, and French jazz sounds is fascinating and beautiful, and nothing is better than hearing someone sings as if their life depended on it.
Bert Jansch, The Pegi Young Band at The New Parish
Athlete, Carney at The Independent
Friday, June 18th
Greg Behrendt’s Bring The Rock w/ Grant Lee Phillips, Dave Gibbs (Gigalo Aunts), Nick Thune, and Mark Maron at Cobb’s Comedy Club
The basic concept behind “Bring The Rock” is pretty simple, comedians talk about their relationship with a particular pop song, and then they cover the song. Sounds kind of silly, correct? Well, that’s sort of the point, but any good music nerd would love to sit and listen to a comic genius geek out about music. Especially with Greg Behrendt, the “male consultant” for Sex & The City and Nick Thune, warming up for his big tour with Mates Of State. There have also been plenty of hints relating to “surprise guests,” and with a city full of amazing comedians and musicians, anything can go here. (Appearing at 8 & 10 both 6/18 & 6/19)
Portugal. The Man, The Builders & The Butchers, Morning Teleportation at The Fillmore
Saturday, June 19th
An Evening With Playing For Change at Slim’s
The phrase “world music” is often used rather inappropriately. Far too often do people mean it to represent a singular culture and world view outside of their own. Playing For Change is true world music. It’s a fascinating project that was pieced together by filmmaker/record producer Mark Johnson. He traveled around to various different regions of the world effected by war, poverty, and natural disaster, and created a unique “super group” of performers he met along the way. What we ended up with is an optimistic fusion of gospel, reggae, Middle Eastern, African, blues and pop along the lines of Ozomatli or Sergeant Garcia. The band is playing Hollywood Bowl the following night, so be sure to catch them in the intimate confines of Slim’s before it’s too late!
Eagles Of Death Metal, Lyrics Born, DJ Ras MG at Mezzanine
This is one of the stranger bills ever, where we have the cerebral hip hop of Lyrics Born balanced nicely by the bonehead rock n roll of the QOTSA/Kyuss off shoot Eagles Of Death Metal. Feels like one of the most entertaining shows in town this weekend.
Young Lover, Hawney Troof, No Babies, Primary Colors at 21 Grand
Stars, Dead Child Star at The Independent
Sunday, June 20th
A Place To Bury Strangers, Light Pollution, Weekend at Rickshaw Stop
Mute Records is normally thought of as a new wave/dance label. People often forget that Neu! and Can both have recorded for Mute, and they are continuing that trend of signing inventive & dangerous acts, including New York’s A Place To Bury Strangers. This will be a wildly entertaining show where the band may night survive the show.
Iron Maiden, Dream Theater at Sleep Train Pavilion
Brian Jonestown Massacre, Federale at The Fillmore
Ever see Dig? That Anton Newcombe guy is still a great musician that is absolutely batsh*t.
Gregory Isaacs, Revival Sound System at The Independent
Kate Miller-Heidke at Cafe du Nord
Now that Lily Allen is too big a star to write good songs anymore and Kate Nash has gone punk (not complaining about that at all, though), we are left without an intelligent, feminist pop star. That’s where Kate Miller Heidke steps up to the plate. She’s the perfect all around pop musical package, and deserves to be playing the big halls, but until then you get to say you saw her when at Cafe du Nord! She is even Ben Folds approved!
The Psychedelic Furs, She Wants Revenge at The Fillmore
Wednesday, June 23rd
Dum Dum Girls, The Crocodiles at The New Parish
Carrie Rodriguez, The Chapin Sisters at Freight & Salvage
