Fol Chen @ The Echo - 8/30/2010

The gang of 6 finished off their residency last night at The Echo to a very packed house of cheering and appreciative fans. It was heartwarming to see them being so well received, but it was much deserved. Congrats Team FC!!!

VIDEO: Shout Out Louds cover Band of Horses "There is a ghost"

I'm not a big BoH fan myself, and to be honest, I'm not the biggest SoL fan either. Having said that, I really like this song. It's also paired up with an interesting video set an industrial park.

via: Stereogum

Weekend Record Finds

There is an amazing record sale that goes on near my home in Eagle Rock. It's more of a yard sale at a house around the corner, except he only sells records. Very conveniently labeled boxes after boxes of amazing records all for very cheap. The most I spent was $12 on the Beatles White Album, which wasn't bad in my opinion. I have yet to go by on a Sunday where I have loads of cashmoney to spend, but it'll happen soon.

here's what I got:

VIDEO: The Drums "Down by the water" & Arcade Fire cover

Stereogum premiered the video for The Drums' song "Down by the water". The band give a bit of insight into the inspiration behind the video:

VIDEO: Robyn covers Bjork's "Hyperballad"

Robyn performing a cover of Bjork's "Hyperballad" in Stockholm where Bjork was a recipient of this year's Polar Music Prize (composer Ennio Morricone also won).

via: stereogum

LISTEN: Kanye West "Monster" featuring Justin Vernon, Jay-Z, Rick Ross & Nicki Minaj

VIDEO: Arcade Fire "We used to wait"

Stereogum has Arcade Fire's latest video for "We Used to Wait" which uses Google Maps to personalize the HTML5 video's imagery.

LISTEN: LCD Soundsystem live on World Cafe

In studio performance from LCD Soundsystem on NPR's World Cafe. Go here to listen.

via: NPR Music

FREE DOWNLOAD: Van Morrison Goes Twang

The nice folks at WhenYouAwake are offering a free download of Van Morrison covers as part of their Twang Series.

LISTEN: New Sufjan Stevens

Midnight Moon Session

VIDEO: Tallest Man on Earth "Where do my bluebird fly"

Tallest Man on Earth performing "Where do my bluebird fly" live on Seattle radiostation KEXP,

VIDEO: All things Jack White

VIDEO: Atlas Sound "Shelia"

Atlas Sound performing "Shelia" from his Logos album live at The Natural History Museum in Los Angeles 01-08-10

VIDEO: Dead Man's Bones

Intersting performance by Dead Man's Bones. i particularly like the choir



via Pitchfork.tv

CARINA ROUND + GARY BASEMAN limited edition prints

NEW: Givers "UP UP UP"

Givers performing "UP UP UP" live at Festival International de Louisiana

Givers Festival International de Louisiane from CtheDs on Vimeo.


I first heard Givers on Stereogum's Band To Watch recently. They are a band from Lafayette, LA and after opening for Dirty Projectors last year they've been asked to open up for DP on their next tour through the South and East coast. They will be playing two dates in the Los Angeles area in October with Ra Ra Riot (just one more reason why I'm looking forward to the fall this year).

For more dates go to the band's myspace.

via: Stereogum

VIDEO: Perfume Genius "Mr. Peterson"

This record has been seeing a lot of rotations on my record player



Mike Hadreas, AKA Perfume Genius performing "Mr. Peterson" from his album Learning. The album is out via Matador.

via: Pitchfork.tv

VIDEO: Toro y moi's "Low Shoulder"

toro y moi's video for "Low Shoulder" (carpark)



via: Pitchfork.tv

LISTEN: Amanda Palmer covers Radiohead's "Idioteque" y mas!

JOIN!! The Soundstrike in the boycott of Arizona

Immigration reform is an issue that has been feeling closer and closer to home with what's been happening in Arizona and other states trying to follow in their rascist footsteps such as Colorado, Nebraska and even places like Costa Mesa here in Southern California. I'm a first generation born here from immigrated parents who came to the States from Mexico. People like my parents and others who immigrated like them, have given themselves opportunities that they couldn't fathom before coming here and creating brand new lives in the U.S. I have aunts, uncles, cousins and all types of relatives that have all taken advantage of the opportunities available to them here. To me, what SB 1070 represents is a rascist law that has been created by a group of people who wish people like my aunts and uncles, or even my parents, all seeking the possiblity of a better life for themselves, would never have had that chance to begin with. This is why The Sound Strike is important.

SHOW ALERT!! TONIGHT: GZA @ The Echoplex

GZA
with:
Freddie Gibbs
Kendrick Lamar

The Echoplex
1822 w. sunset blvd.
echo park, ca 90026
Doors @ 8:30

IMMIGRATION REFORM! shepard fairey x sticker robot

VIDEO: MGMT's "Congratulations"

Here's the latest video from the crazy kids that call themselves MGMT. As expected, the video is a bit weird

Pop Magazine + Takashi Murakami + Britney Spears?!?!

photos by: Todd Cole

NEW MUSIC: Beach House release iTunes Sessions EP

Beach House has released a new EP on iTunes. The 6 song EP includes reworked and stripped down versions of songs from their Teen Dream album as well as "Gila" from Devotions and a new track "White Moon"

VIDEO: Vetiver & Fruit Bats "I must be in a good place now"

Pitchfork.tv has a new video of Vetiver & Fruit Bats performing a cover of Bobby Charles' "I must be in a good place now" which has been my favorite track off their Thing of the Past album.


via Pitchfork.com

VIDEO: Baths "Lovely Bloodflow"

Baths new video for the song "Lovely Bloodflow" off his debut album Cerulean.


Lovely Bloodflow from BATHS on Vimeo.

REVIEW: Viscera plays Fol Chen @ The Echo

Obviously, I'm going to be bias when it comes to the Fol Chen krew so it's pointless for me to review their shows. Luckily, last night at the Echo, the red jumpsuit clad gang of 4, and sometimes 5 (and previously 6 *sad face*), were nowhere to be seen. At least not on stage, that is. Instead they hired Viscera, a band I knew nothing about aside from the fact they are a metal band, and they were there to play their entire set!

VIDEO: Thom Yorke performs new Radiohead song

Greenplastic reports that Thom Yorke performed "Give up the ghost" at Big Chill festival in the UK, a song he has played several times already live. What makes this time worth mentioning is that he confirmed it to be a new Radiohead song. Apparently they are currently working on a new album and I can't wait until they come back to perform in LA.

 Thom Yorke "Give Up the Ghost"


via Greenplastic

VIDEO: Bjork's "The Comet Song"

Recently, Bjork did a song for the animated Finnish children's film Moomins and the Comet Chase in which she sings about a comet that might wipe out the Moomin world.
Although Moomin and the Comet Chase is out already in Finland, Bjork's song hits iTunes tomorrow August 24 with all proceeds of its sales going to UNICEF Pakistan childrens charities.
Watch Bjork's "The Comet Song" here

VIDEO: Seasons "Light,Lost" teaser & show announcement

Seasons will be premiering their music video for the song "Light,Lost" off their Winter EP at Spaceland on September 8. Also playing with Seasons will be Modern Time Machines, Hexham Heads, and The Meeting Places.

If you live in/around Los Angeles, chances are you've seem them playing alongside local acts such as Henry Clay People, Bodies of Water, or a band that has Chen in the name. I've had the pleasure of playing with them on several occasions and they are damn fun everytime! Though it took me a bit to figure out who the main members were considering they have a gadgillion people on stage. Maybe it's half a gadgillion, I don't know, I lose count.

Here's the teaser for "Light, Lost":


LIGHT, LOST teaser from Christopher j Ewing on Vimeo.

Some nice things people have said about Seasons:
“Their sound is full and showy, building up to great heights then lilting low into soft, cuddly breakdowns.” – LA Weekly

“Seasons makes lovingly off-kilter neo-psychedelia full of palpable energy and exposed nerves, startlingly pretty one moment and earplug-worthy cacophonous the next.” – Buzzbands.la

HELP! Monolators need your help to release their new record

The Monolators are a group of local DIY rockers and they need your help to release their new double EP "Silver Cities". The record is recorded and mixed but they are short of funds to complete mastering and pressing it. With hopes of releasing the new EP in November they are asking you to pre-order your copy today here. They've sweetened the deal to include hand silk-screened covers and t-shirts based on how generous you choose to be. I've met these fine people on several occasions and you couldn't find nicer people. so please, People Be Lovely, and support a good cause.

LISTEN: Philip Selway's 'Familial'

As my friends and those close to me know, Radiohead is a big deal in my world. In fact, my first tattoo when I was 17 or 18 was the crying minotaur from their Kid A/Amnesiac artwork. Luckily, for me and my tattoo's sake, they didn't turn into the next U2 (my 1st favorite band at age 4) and I haven't regretted it since, or worse yet, had to remove it. Besides, lasers are much more enjoyable in sci-fi movies anyways.

Like most Radiohead fans I was very surprised to hear about Phil's solo project. It's not everyday you hear about drummers branching out into the solo world (no offense Don Henley). Then the youtube videos came out and you got to hear some of his new material. Turns out the man who I often refer to as a human beat machine was making some very non-beat machine like music. In fact, it was quite the opposite. He was singing and playing guitar. It was quiet and it was acoustic. He doesn't even play drums on it!  It is definitely not Radiohead and that's why I love it that much more.

VIDEO: Jeff Tweedy covers Neil Young with Avi Buffalo

I remember having a conversation with Avi's mom and grandmother during one of their residency nights at The Echo last year about whether or not this talented young man would be able to make a living off "this stuff". The "stuff" in question was playing music. Along with that, his mom's other main conern was that her son graduate come June. I couldn't help but laugh. The only honest answer I could give her was "when I grow young I want to be Avi Buffalo". He was 17 years old, he had a residency at The Echo, and he was about to be (if not already was) signed to Sub-Pop. I don't know much about the 'music industry', but from what I've gathered, this was definitely a precursor to what was about to come their way. As well as something for mom and grandma to be extremely proud of.

LDT Tee x J3Concepts - Think Positive Set

The third and final piece to J3Concepts and LTD Tee collaboration is here. The Think Positive set comes with a Think Positive t-shirt, 8″ x 10″ art print, certificate of authenticity, LTD Tee sticker pack, and a custom LTD Tee box. They will only be available for pre-order until August 29th for $27, but Format readers can use coupon code “formatmag” for 15% off. Get yours here!

SHOW ALERT!! TONIGHT: Fol Chen @ The Echo

If there's one thing you can expect from Fol Chen, is that you can expect the unexpected (cliche, i know, but it's true). This was the case last week when they had 10 strangers who responded to a craigslist ad for a new singer come up and do a live audition (review from LA Weekly of last monday's show) on stage. Each person got to sing one song from their set and add his or her own twist to it. I had to leave mid-set, but heard that it was quite interesting and something of a night to remember.

Well, Fol Chen continue their Monday night residency at The Echo this week with another special performance in store. This time they've recruited metal band Viscera to play their entire set. This I cant miss!

Opening this week:
Jessica 6 (of Hercules and Love Affair)
Crocodiles
Woom (closing the night.)


Also worth mentioning is that, for the rest of August, amazon.com is selling Part II: The New December for $5!!!

FREE DOWNLOAD: Sole's Nuclear Winter REMIX (FRAUD FIX appearance)

What's wrong with free music? That's right! Nothing! Click the link below for a FREE DOWNLOAD of Sole's "Spring Offensive Vol.1" Remix album featuring a track by my good friend, and very talented, Fraud Fix. Listen to his remix of "My President" as well as a bunch of other talented folk.

http://fraudfix.blogspot.com/2010/08/free-download-fraud-fix-appearance-on.html

a formal introduction

letsMAKEfriends is the new forum i've selected to share the things in life that interest me most. From fashion to art to cooking and most importantly-music. hopefully someone will find this page useful and maybe find a new and/or old band, musician, or artist that might have gone under their radar before. I might even drop some food knowledge up in this.