L.A. has got me on my knees

The slow weeks leading up to the summer I had planned have finally come to an end. Next Wednesday Mao and I will being seeing Angus and Julia Stone at the Hollywood Forever Masonic Lodge. Both Tuesday and Wednesday's shows are sold out, but they've just added a third show at The Stronghold in Venice (if you follow the link and become confused by the sight of a website for custom jeans, suspenders, fancy hats, and shiny shoes, don't fret, it's the right place - it doubles as both!), so if you plans of trying to catch them while they are in town, buy quickly.

Mao was also kind enough to alert me to the news that Freelance Whales will be opening for Tokyo Police Club on August 12 at the El Rey Theatre (tickets are already on sale). Seeing as I missed them when they opened for the Shout Out Louds, I'm thrilled that I get to see them after all. They really are one of my favorite bands.

This was also a great week for new music. I picked up the new Black Keys album, "Brothers", and the new one by Band of Horses, "Infinite Arms." I've had TBK on loop for the last couple of days, so I haven't had much time to give BoH a proper listen, but from what I've heard, they're clearly just as good as ever. And just the thought of seeing TBK at the Palladium in September gets me all tingly. Goddamn they are incredible and soulful and sexy.

You know who else has some serious soul: Marcus Foster. Q Magazine made available a new EP version of "Shadows of the City" as their Track of the Day and it's brilliant. It's moody and haunting and lays out a really cool beat. You can listen to it here. It was my favorite track of his to begin with and now he's gone and added a full band and "ghost choir" and managed to make it sound new again. I've said it before and I'll say it again: it's beyond me why this man isn't a bigger name in music. If this is a hint of what we can expect from his forthcoming EP and general evolution as a musician, I can't see him staying one of my favorite secrets for much longer.

If you're following summer festival news, the Austin City Limits Music Festival lineup has been announced! I can't even...I was beside myself when I saw all the bands lined up to play. There might have even been a bit of flailing. It looks to be one hell of a weekend and until the thing sells out, I'm holding onto hope that I somehow make it to this one. A girl can dream, right?

Speaking of festivals, SPIN has compiled a Bonnaroo Mixtape 2010 that is free for download. Get it while you can! It's a pretty standard mix of some of the more well known bands playing, but it's free and a taste of what's to come and you'll never see me turning down free music.

somewhere someone's listening to the sound of a record spinning

This is going to be a quick and dirty music rec dump of rather random proportions.

Freelance Whales has a new video for "Generator ^ Second Floor." I've yet to view it because I can't for the life of me get my damn flash player to function correctly on my work PC, but I'm sure it's fantastic and should be viewed by all. Fingers are crossed I don't run into the same flash player issues on my home PC or Adobe and I are going to have words. (ETA: Adobe Flash Player and I are on good terms again and I finally got to watch the video. It's delightfully odd and conceptual - exactly what I'd expect from my favorite little hipsterish band. I've fallen in love with them time and time again after viewing vids of them performing on subway platforms in Brooklyn, so to not see them in their natural habitat felt slightly strange, but it is what it is. I'd take bands live and pretense free over a shiny video any day of the week, be it Freelance Whales or anyone else.)

Speaking of Freelance Whales, they are opening for Shout Out Louds at a pair of shows at the El Rey Theatre on May 20 & 21. Friday's show is already sold out and I'm now trying to nail down tickets for the Thursday show. If you're a fan and haven't already secured your entrance to one or both of the shows, you might want to do that now.

Stereogum (my absolute fave corner of the internet right now) premiered The Hold Steady's "Barely Breathing," which I really dig. Give it a listen.

Two new music finds of this week (or really, the last two days, but one is actually more like a month but I'm only just now listening to the album):

First up, The Daylights -

Rogue Machine (Don't Say That You Want Me) from The Daylights on Vimeo.

I've only just found them, but I really like what I've heard so far and I'm a sucker for a good music video that is all performance with the only gimmick being moody rock 'n' roll lighting. I also like that fact that electric guitars are involved. Seems like an odd thing to be happy about, but with all the folk I've been listening to lately, I'd begun to miss their sound and driving force. But I digress. The Daylights are playing the Troubadour on May 15 and I may or may not be contemplating wrangling someone into going to the show with me. Friends of mine, that was a not so subtle *hinthintnudgenudge* if you couldn't tell.

And the rec I stand behind tenfold: Sarah Jaffe -

A friend of mine recommended Sarah at least a month ago and with the influx of new music I've been shuffling through these last few weeks she somehow slipped through the cracks and it wasn't until two days ago that I gave her album, "Suburban Nature," a proper listen and I'm in love. I've had a little time to look at youtube vids and mini write-ups on a couple not so terribly reputable music sites and honestly, there's not a whole lot out there on her, which is surprising. But I don't think that will be the case for too much longer.

Folk's presence in the music scene continues to build with each day and every new and road weary musician/band that is finally finding steady ground to stand on and I think she'll soon find her footing. Sarah's music has been described as sweet, but I'm not sure I'd say that's true or does it any kind of justice. She's folk, yes, and she certainly knows her way around a melody, but it doesn't read as sweet. There aren't rainbows and puppies and cupcakes here. What there is is a certain weight, even dare I say, edge to the tracks. I'm also in the midst of fangirling over her lyrics. So if you stumble upon one of those reviews that claim Sarah Jaffe is some meek little songstress, don't be turned away or fooled. This Texan is more than meets the eye.

My time management skills have been nonexistent the last two weeks. There's this little thing called a full time job I have that has been monopolizing my time and unfortunately, no matter how much I wish it, the time I do spend online doing my favorite things (like finding new and promising bands/musicians) doesn't pay the bills. Right about now, though, I'm beginning to think that I chose the wrong major and spent five years of my life pursuing a career that no longer holds the interest or excitement it did when I didn't know any better.

It seems I've suffering from "if you only knew then what you know now" syndrome. It's incurable and might be catching, so if you are content with your current lot in life and can't handle a healthy dose of snark, you might want to keep your distance. Misery loves company, right?

Lucky for me, and those I interface with on a daily basis, I have my music. Lots and lots of music to quell the inner storm, the perpetual existential crisis that continues to swell with each passing year, though not for a lack of trying.

My days of relatively ignorant bliss are behind me and I move forward embracing what I know, and what I don't know but wish to learn, all the while creating a running soundtrack to help get me through the days and if I'm lucky, bring a shred of perspective to keep me grounded.

So now it does truly begin. I'm currently working on a rant/review of one of my favorite new musicians that I'm having a bit of time wrapping my head around, but am determined to make happen as time permits.

In the meantime, and in lieu of a real recommendation, here's what been on heavy rotation for the last few weeks: Freelance Whales and Mumford & Sons. These days, give me a band with a bango or accordion or glockenspiel (or if you're really going for broke, a double bass) and I'm there. But more than the slightly quirky mix of instruments and respectively, a sound that is both familiar and refreshingly new, you've got a lot of heart...and soul. Two things is short order in the world at large, let alone in the music scene. So give them both a listen; you just might find something you didn't even know you were looking for.