by
dklee13
Categories: Concerts, Pictorials | VideosTags: Almost Acoustic Christmas, concert photos, Concert videos, Fall Out Boy, kroq, setlist, The Forum
Leave a comment
Month: December 2014
Bush | The 25th Annual KROQ Almost Acoustic Christmas | The Forum | 12/13/14 [Setlist, Photos & Video]
Rise Against | The 25th Annual KROQ Almost Acoustic Christmas | The Forum | 12/13/14 [Setlist and Photos]
Walk The Moon | The 25th Annual KROQ Almost Acoustic Christmas | The Forum | 12/13/14 [Setlist, Photos and Video]
New Politics | The 25th Annual KROQ Almost Acoustic Christmas | The Forum | 12/13/14 [Setlist, Photos and Video]
Setlist:
Photos:
VIDEOS:
MusicOfMyMind14’s 2014 Vinyl Selections
I purchased a lot of music in 2014. A ton of CDs, a couple of cassettes, and a few digital purchases. I’m also a lover of the vinyl format … but with the generally higher prices for vinyl, I’ve had to be a bit more selective with my decisions as to what new LP gets added to my racks. Some of the selections were good, some bad … but what I’ve got for you here are a handful of LPs that I purchased that I’m particularly fond of. Continue reading
Rae Sremmurd | Album Listening Party | Couture Lounge | 12/10/14
Words and Photos by Kate M.
Rae Sremmurd | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
It’s hard to explain how great these guys are . . .except for it’s easy because they’re so dope! Their infectious sound and unforgettable hooks make people feel GOOD! Flow is flawless, they party, lyrics are fun and transcend genres of audiences, and their hooks reach anthem status without the breadth of the Pop establishment, the history of the guitar riffs of Rock, or the aching of Country, which are powerful and classic hooks that I love, but Rae Sremmurd is doing it RIGHT.NOW!
Many months ago I had the chance to see Rae Sremmurd (pronounced “Ray Shrimmer”) for a meet and greet at Interscope and their charisma was ridiculous – natural charm. Later, I saw them open for Drake v. Lil’ Wayne Tour at The Hollywood Bowl. In May 2014, the artists released their track “No Flex Zone,” which became a rap anthem (and hash tag phenomenon). Later in August, they released “No Type,” the second track off their upcoming album. They released the third track from the album, “Throw Sum Mo” with Nicki Minaj and Young Thug on December 9th. If you haven’t heard any of these tracks, I’m gonna need proof you live on earth. If you have been under a music rock lately I posted links below. So ultimately, when a good friend and colleague invited me to the listening party for Rae Sremmurd’s upcoming album, Sremm Life, I said, Hellllll ya!
Rae Sremmurd drops their debut album January 6, 2015, awesomely titled, Sremm Life. They held their album listening party at Couture Lounge in Hollywood to an audience of industry cred and fans. They had the club goin’ up! They held court and captivated their audience performing from the floor among their audience and not on a stage. They performed their entire album – proof they are just getting started and don’t need to hold back. This album is so strong, I feel they’re barely breaking the surface of what these two can do and it sounds like there will be a few hit records from this upcoming album courtesy of Producer Mike-Will-Made-It.
Their musical sound is club beats and dance tracks. They have perfect flow and I challenge you to find better hooks on 808 bass right now. If you aren’t into that sound and scene you won’t be moved, buuuut, their lyrics, rhythm and magnetism counter that logical insight. Recall above when I said their sound “transcends genres of audiences?” Solange Knowles and her son famously did a choreographed dance to “No Flex Zone” at her wedding, and recently, Pat Sajak rapped “No Type” on an ESPN segment.
Rae Sremmurd is made up of brothers Swae Lee and Slim Jimmy, originally from Mississippi, now based in Atlanta. It’s not unusual to say a particular sound and vibe is popular in the moment, but they have the rare quality of innate performing talent and they taught themselves how to make beats, record and garner an audience that may speak to the contrary. They released 2 tracks before signing with Mike- Will- Made-It’s Ear Drummer Records and these 2 tracks got the attention of music heavy weights. True they are in the studio with master Producer Mike Will now, but I think Mike knows he has barely broken the surface with this hip hop duo.
Their debut album, titled Sremm Life drops January 6, 2015 – start the year off right!
SOUNDS:
VIDEO:
Chet Faker | Mack Sennett Studios | Red Bull Sound Select’s “30 Days In LA” | 11/29/14 [Review & Photos]
To Check Out Other Bands We Caught During Red Bull Sound Selects “30 Days In LA” CLICK HERE
THE ACT: Chet Faker | Facebook | Twitter
SOUNDS LIKE:
THOUGHTS:
Chet Faker. Girls love him. Guys wish they could write music like him.
I saw Chet Faker earlier this year at The Roxy. Musically, there is no question that Nicholas James Murphy a/k/a “Chet Faker” has the musical goods. His sound (soulful, downtempo electronica) is baby-making music, plain and simple. It’s still early in his career (he’s only released one full length album, “Built On Glass” and a couple of extended plays) so it’ll be interesting to see how his sound develops going forward.
What I was more interested in observing this time around was his actual stage performance. At the Roxy, Chet Faker spent the length of the performance behind his keyboards under dim lights. On a couple of songs, additional musicians took the stage to perform as part of a backing band. This time around, with Red Bull as the sponsor of the event (and presumably a bigger budget), that his stage performance could have bit could a bit … more. The lighting at Mack Sennett Studios was definitely a step up from The Roxy’s lights, but on the large stage, it was again Chet behind his keyboards.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I love his music. I even brought my LP copy of “Built On Glass” just in case I could catch him for an autograph. But truly memorable musical performances are not only auditory; there has to be a visual component to it as well … for me, it takes both aspects to make a show complete. Chet looked so isolated on the large stage. I was really hoping that he could have hired a backing band play his arrangements, or at least a some video screens to actually see what he was doing at the keyboard consoles. I mean, you can see moving around behind his instruments, but it would have been so much more effective if there were more “action” on stage. I mean, take Flying Lotus, for example. Flying Lotus performs behind his consoles, but he’s got an elaborate laser/lighting show going on around him simultaneously.
I’m not suggesting that Chet Faker needs some intricate laser light show. I just wish I could have seen what his hands were doing. There musicality and artisanship in watching a professional maneuver a drum machine and keyboards. It would have been nice to see the action on the keys.
SETLIST (unconfirmed)
- Blush
- 1998
- I’m Into You
- Terms & Conditions
- Intro
- Ciggs & Chocolate
- On You (with Goldlink)
- No Diggity
- Drop The Game
- To Me
- Gold
- Talk Is Cheap
VIDEO:
PHOTOS:
To Check Out Other Bands We Caught During Red Bull Sound Selects “30 Days In LA” CLICK HERE
James Supercave | Mack Sennett Studios | Red Bull Sound Select’s “30 Days In LA” | 11/29/14 [Review & Photos]
To Check Out Other Bands We Caught During Red Bull Sound Selects “30 Days In LA” CLICK HERE
THE ACT: James Supercave | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
SOUNDS LIKE:
THOUGHTS:
If you are the kind of person who likes to check out new bands in concert, it would behoove you to not limit your perception of said band on just one performance. Personally, if I even slightly enjoy new band’s performance, I do my best to try and catch them again at a later date. There are a myriad of reasons to do this: (i) because a band that you are waffling on just could have had an off night, (ii) different venues offer different atmospheres which could really impact a band’s performance, or (ii) over time, said band’s performance could have gotten better or worse.
I saw James Supercave earlier this year at the Santa Monica Pier when they opened for Cults. I enjoyed their performance then, and I anticipated that their performance this night would be equally enjoyable. I was wrong. They were immeasurably better!
This time around, they had an energy and stage presence that I don’t recall from the first time I saw them perform. Joaquin Pastor, the lead singer, seemed to exude a subdued confidence that I don’t recall noticing the first time around; actively interacting with his band through the set. Maybe it was because he wasn’t wearing sunglasses this time around, and you could really see the music’s emotion in his eyes. Whatever it was, it was something that I noticed.
His bandmates, likewise, seemed to have more energy as well, and under the heavy purple lights, I found myself enjoying their onstage movements … and their music … especially when the rhythm picked up.
I was hoping to catch the guys after the show to ask them whether or not they would have agreed with me about comparing the two shows, and their own personal thoughts about their performance, but I wasn’t able to. Oh well. I suppose I’ll have to make it a point to go see them again.
PHOTOS:
To Check Out Other Bands We Caught During Red Bull Sound Selects “30 Days In LA” CLICK HERE
denitia and sene. | Mack Sennett Studios | Red Bull Sound Select’s “30 Days In LA” | 11/29/14 [Review & Photos]
To Check Out Other Bands We Caught During Red Bull Sound Selects “30 Days In LA” CLICK HERE
THE ACT: denitia and sene. | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
SOUNDS LIKE:
THOUGHTS:
Opening the 29th Red Bull Sound Select 30 Days In LA concert at Mack Sennett Studios was the R&B duo denitia and sene. Denitia Odigie and Brian “Sene” Marc use synthesizers to bring out a pulsing rhythm over which they croon and coo over. Their latest release, “the side fx. EP” was released by Red Bull Sound Select.
As an opener for for Chet Faker, their performance was a solid appetizer. Although there were a couple of moments where the vocals could have been better in tune with each other, the soothing effect that their music had over the audience definitely brought the sultry and seductive air to the venue.
PHOTOS:
To Check Out Other Bands We Caught During Red Bull Sound Selects “30 Days In LA” CLICK HERE
#DKLPHOTOS 