band – #DKLPHOTOS

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:

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PHOTOS:

Chet Faker | Red Bull Sound Select "30 Days In LA"

Chet Faker & Goldlink | Red Bull Sound Select "30 Days In LA"

To Check Out Other Bands We Caught During Red Bull Sound Selects “30 Days In LA” CLICK HERE

December 16, 2014January 26, 2015 by dklee13 Categories: Concerts, Pictorials | Videos, ReviewsTags: #30DaysInLA, 30 Days In L.A., 30 Days In LA, Australia, band, Built On Glass, Chet Faker, concert, Concert Photo, Concert Photographer, Concert Photography, concert photos, concert pic, concert pics, concert review, indie, indie rock, kcrw, Live Music, Mack Sennett Studios, Nicholas Jame Murphy, Nick Murphy, NPR, photos, pics, Red Bull, Red Bull Sound Select, Review, set list, setlist, sounds like James Blake, sounds like Tom Krell, synthesizers Leave a comment

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:

James Supercave | Red Bull Sound Select "30 Days In LA"

To Check Out Other Bands We Caught During Red Bull Sound Selects “30 Days In LA” CLICK HERE

December 13, 2014January 26, 2015 by dklee13 Categories: Concerts, Pictorials | Videos, ReviewsTags: #30DaysInLA, 30 Days In L.A., 30 Days In LA, alternative rock, Andrés Villalobos, band, concert, Concert Photographer, Concert Photography, concert photos, concert pics, concert review, indie, indie rock, James Supercave, Joaquin Pastor, Patrick Logothetti, photos, pics, Red Bull, Red Bull Sound Select, Review, Richy Epolito, synthesizers Leave a comment

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:

denitia and sene. | Red Bull Sound Select "30 Days In LA"

To Check Out Other Bands We Caught During Red Bull Sound Selects “30 Days In LA” CLICK HERE

December 13, 2014January 26, 2015 by dklee13 Categories: Concerts, Pictorials | Videos, ReviewsTags: #30DaysInLA, 30 Days In L.A., 30 Days In LA, band, Brian "Sene" Marc, concert, Concert Photographer, Concert Photography, concert photos, concert pics, concert review, denitia and sene, Denitia Odigie, indie, photos, pics, R&B, Red Bull, Red Bull Sound Select, Review, synthesizers Leave a comment

Phosphorescent | Park Plaza Hotel | Red Bull Sound Select’s “30 Days In LA” | 11/23/14 [Review, Photos & Video]

To Check Out Other Bands We Caught During Red Bull Sound Selects “30 Days In LA” CLICK HERE

THE ACT: Phosphorescent | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

SOUNDS LIKE:

THOUGHTS:

Matthew Houck, a native of Athens, Georgia, is Phosphorescent. His music can be described as indie country and it has drawn favorable comparisons to Bob Dylan, with publications like the London Evening Standard declaring him “the most significant American in his field since Kurt Cobain” (source: Allmusic.com).

His last album, “Muchaco”, was released in 2013 was critically well received and perhaps a bit more experimental than his earlier output. Americana sounds incorporating electronic instrumentation doesn’t necessarily seem to a logical fit, but it works. Backed by a full band, the instrumentation didn’t obscure the singer’s voice, which can be described as “soulful folksy” and seemed to inflect a deep rooted emotional history of life spattered with hardship.

I’ve read that his songwriting, especially his lyrics, is superb. Since I was consumed with adjusting settings on my camera throughout his performance, I frankly couldn’t focus on the stories being sung. But based on what I heard, I’ve definitely earmarked his music to listen to in the future.

PHOTOS:

Phosphorescent | Red Bull Sound Select "30 Days In LA"

VIDEOS:

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To Check Out Other Bands We Caught During Red Bull Sound Selects “30 Days In LA” CLICK HERE

December 12, 2014January 26, 2015 by dklee13 Categories: Concerts, Pictorials | Videos, ReviewsTags: #30DaysInLA, 30 Days In L.A., 30 Days In LA, band, concert, Concert Photographer, Concert Photography, concert photos, concert pics, concert review, concert video, indie, Matthew Houck, Phosphorescent, photos, pics, Red Bull, Red Bull Sound Select, Review Leave a comment

Little Wings | Park Plaza Hotel | Red Bull Sound Select’s “30 Days In LA” | 11/23/14 [Review, Photos & Video]

To Check Out Other Bands We Caught During Red Bull Sound Selects “30 Days In LA” CLICK HERE

THE ACT: Little Wings | Facebook

THOUGHTS:

Kyle Field is Little Wings. He’s been called a “musician’s musician” and his music has influenced a lot of popular artists (i.e. Feist’s named her film, Look At What The Light Did Now, after a Little Wings song). Continue reading →

December 11, 2014January 30, 2015 by dklee13 Categories: Concerts, Pictorials | Videos, ReviewsTags: #30DaysInLA, 30 Days In L.A., 30 Days In LA, band, concert, Concert Photographer, Concert Photography, concert photos, concert pics, concert review, concert video, indie, Kyle Field, Little Wings, photos, pics, Red Bull, Red Bull Sound Select, Review Leave a comment

Shy Girls | Park Plaza Hotel | Red Bull Sound Select’s “30 Days In LA” | 11/23/14 [Review & Photos]

To Check Out Other Bands We Caught During Red Bull Sound Selects “30 Days In LA” CLICK HERE

THE ACT: Shy Girls | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

SOUNDS LIKE:

THOUGHTS:

I’m a sucker for new R&B music. When I heard KCRW play Shy Girls’ Shy Girls’ “Voyeur’s Gaze” on Morning Becomes Eclectic in 2013, I was hooked. When I saw that they were opening for a band named Phosphorescent, I immediately bought a ticket. I had no idea about the headlining act, but that didn’t matter. It had been close to a year since I saw them perform, and I was jonesing to see them perform again.

The performance was short, but it was everything that I anticipated: smooth vocals over a tight knit band playing music with an 80s and early 90s R&B vibe.

The first two times I saw Shy Girls perform live, they didn’t play the song that hooked me in the first place, “Voyeur’s Gaze”. When I had asked them about why didn’t perform that song since it was the song that KCRW decided to spin, they indicated that the arrangement was a bit too complex for them to play live. They remedied the omission this time around and it was, to my complete satisfaction, performed as a song in the middle of their set.

Apparently, I was the only one in the audience excited to hear the tune. Instinctually, I yelped out a very audible, “Yes,” when the opening vocals and keyboard chord progression were played. I got a few giggles from some of the audience members around me, and under my breath, but audible, I felt it necessary to qualify my blurt with, “Can’t help it, it’s my favorite song of theirs.”

I soon realized that the crowd wasn’t here to listen to Shy Girls smooth R&B jams. I further deduced that headlining act’s style of music was at the opposite side of the spectrum because if the audience wasn’t feeling what Shy Girls was putting forth on stage that night … well, they were here for something else.

And it’s a bit of a shame. Shy Girls is a Red Bull Sound Select artist. I would have thought that Red Bull, the host of the concert series, could have done a better job at procuring a line-up that was more consistent. I went to the Chet Faker 30 Days In LA show later in the month, and I can easily say that Shy Girls would have KILLED IT if they were one of the opening acts for that evening’s music. In fact, switching James Supercave from the Chet Faker night, with Shy Girls would have been my choice.

The highlight of the evening was when Shy Girls’ covered Brandy’s “Sittin’ Up In My Room” (a demo recording of which is above). It was simple and sublime. It was a performance of an R&B classic that anybody with an inkling of appreciation for type of R&B music would have loved. I just wish more people could have truly appreciated it.

VIDEOS: The Instagram videos that I uploaded somehow got corrupted. 😦

PHOTOS:

Shy Girls | Red Bull Sound Select "30 Days In LA"

To Check Out Other Bands We Caught During Red Bull Sound Selects “30 Days In LA” CLICK HERE

December 10, 2014January 26, 2015 by dklee13 Categories: Concerts, Pictorials | Videos, ReviewsTags: #30DaysInLA, 30 Days In L.A., 30 Days In LA, band, bootleg bar, bootleg theater, concert, Concert Photographer, Concert Photography, concert photos, concert pics, concert review, dan vidmar, indie, photos, pics, R and B, R&B, Red Bull, Red Bull Sound Select, Review, second heartbeat, seductive music, sexy music, shy girls, Slow Jams, soul, soul music, voyeur's gaze Leave a comment

Metronomy | The Fonda Theatre | 6/17/14 [PHOTOS & VIDEO]

When it comes to buying music, I’m old school. I like to sift through racks of CDs or vinyl records to discover music. As a vinyl collector/lover, I often find myself spending hours at local record stores looking for new albums to add to my collection.

One Saturday, I was over at Origami Vinyl to purchase concert tickets to see The War On Drugs. As per usual, I got sidetracked and started looking at some of the records that were on display.

Then, as if it were pulled from the scene in “High Fidelity” where John Cusack’s character plays the Beta Band single “Dry The Rain”, some music started playing out of the store speakers that caught my attention.Neil Schield, the owner of the echo park record store, was manning the register when I asked what album it was. He told me it was the Beta … Metronomy, and that he was spinning their latest album, “Love Letters”. I left the store two of Metronomy’s albums, and I’ll have to say that “Love Letters” is on my list of favorite albums of 2014 (so far). I had to get a ticket for their show at the Fonda when I found out about it.

Yup. It kinda happened just like that.

When the English band (Anna Prior, Gabriel Stebbing, Joseph Mount and Oscar Cash) too the stage, the audience erupted with an enthusiastic cheer. The men, dressed in their matching white suits, and the female drummer, in a similar white matching ensemble, jumped into a set of breezy synth pop that had the sold-out crowd dancing where space permitted.

Their music was extremely polished and on point. The mix at the Fonda was excellent, and the great sound of the venue definitely enhanced the band’s live performance. The played with joy and vigor, and it was clearly self evident with the steady smiles on their faces. They noted that this was their last performance on this particular tour and emphasized how much they were pleased to be playing the last gig of their current tour in Los Angeles.

I roamed the venue during their set to get an idea of whether their energy transferred up into the balcony. It did. Even in the balcony, fans were dancing the the isles. Even I couldn’t resist shaking my booting when I wasn’t trying to find a shot.

Metronomy is back in the United States for more touring in September and are back in Los Angeles October 21st at the Regent Theatre. I suggest you follow them on Facebook to know when they are back in your neck of the woods.

Edit this setlist | More Metronomy setlists

Getting a photo pass only allows photographers to take pictures during the first 3 songs of each set. I wish I had more time to take more pictures of Metronomy. Their stage set up allowed for great lighting at certain moments. I wish I had noticed the lighting patterns earlier. Oh well. Enjoy the pictures!

July 12, 2014July 12, 2014 by dklee13 Categories: ConcertsTags: alternative rock, an award-winning, Anna Prior, band, Beta Band, concert, Concert Photo, Concert Photographer, Concert Photography, concert photos, concert pic, concert review, concert video, Concert videos, Dry The Rain, echo park record store, England, english, favorite albums of 2014, Fonda Theater, Fonda Theatre, Gabriel Stebbing, High Fidelity, indie rock, John Cusack, Joseph Mount, Love Letters, Metronomy, Neil Schield, October 21st, Origami Vinyl, Oscar Cash, Regent Theatre, set list, setlist, the fonda theatre Leave a comment

Cloud Control | The Fonda Theatre | 6/17/14 [PHOTOS]

Opening for Metronomy at The Fonda Theatre was an award-winning indie alternative rock band from Australia: Cloud Control. This Aussie quartet consisting of Alister Wright, Heidi Lenffer, Ulrigh Lenffer and Jeremy Kelshaw, released their first album, “Bliss Release” to great regional praise. So much critical adoration, in fact, their debut was nominated for two ARIA awards in 2010 for Best Rock Album and Breakthrough Artist, and was the winner of the 6th annual Australian Music Prize, among other accolades. They released their sophomore album, “Cloud Control”, on September 17, 2013, and had been supporting its release with international tours.

As this was my introduction to their music, I went in with open ears and came out a fan. Their performance was solid and their music was rather good. I could definitely understand why they are popular in Australia. Their music definitely has a psychedelic vibe, but it’s more Tame Impala than The Dandy Warhols. Their set had both upbeat dance numbers and mellow “chill-out” cuts, and I found that it was a great setlist. So great, that I even purchased a copy of the their newest album on wax (and got it signed!) after the show.

I always find it interesting when bands have great support in their home countries, but take a while to break out in other territories. I spoke briefly with Heidi (the keyboardist and vocalist) and asked her what her thoughts were about that point. She exclaimed that that’s exactly what they were aiming to impact during this last round international tour dates. She explained that she hoped that touring with Metronomy and sneaking in festival and other performance dates earned them new ears and fans.

I hope it worked for them. Hey, at least it worked for me. Follow them on Twitter (@Cloud_Control) or Facebook (CloudController) and make sure you catch them when they are in your neck of the woods.

The setlist for their performance is below:

Dojo Rising
The Smoke
Moon Rabbit
Promises
Gold Canary
Nothing In The Water
Scar

I wasn’t able to find any video clips of their performance online, so enjoy a playlist from their Souncloud account below.

The lighting for their set was rather dim, so I had to set my ISO higher than normal. Still think I took a couple decent pics though.

July 12, 2014July 12, 2014 by dklee13 Categories: ConcertsTags: 6th annual, @Cloud_Control, Alister Wright, alternative rock, an award-winning, ARIA awards, Aussie, Australia, Australian Music Prize, band, Best Rock Album, Bliss Release, Breakthrough Artist, Cloud Control, CloudController, concert, Concert Photo, Concert Photographer, Concert Photography, concert photos, concert pic, concert review, Dojo Rising, Facebook, Fonda Theater, Fonda Theatre, free stream, free stream cloud control, Gold Canary, Heidi Lenffer, indie rock, Jeremy Kelshaw, Moon Rabbit, Nothing In The Water, Opening for Metronomy, Promises, psychedelic vibe, quartet, Scar, set list, setlist, sophomore album, soundcloud, stream cloud control, stream music, streaming music, the fonda theatre, The Smoke, twitter, Ulrigh Lenffer, winner Leave a comment

The 28th Annual JazzReggae Festival | UCLA | May 25th & 26th [PHOTOS]

Every Memorial Day weekend for the past 28 years, UCLA has hosted a music festival called the JazzReggae Festival. Originally, the first day was devoted to Jazz and the second day was devoted Reggae. Though the first day has morphed to a “Jam” day, the festival has always been able to pull in outstanding talent for the price of admission. If you are ever in Los Angeles during the Memorial Day weekend, and looking to enjoy a music festival at an extremely reasonable price, I suggest that you check out the lineup to see if any artists you like are on the bill.

Armed with a photo pass for the event, I was able to take pictures of the artists listed below. Click on the link to check them out!

May 25th, 2014:

May 26th, 2014

June 12, 2014 by dklee13 Categories: ConcertsTags: 213, 420, acid jazz, alternative soul, band, billie jean, black eagles, Black Uhuru, bob marley, california gurls, Caribbean music, Christopher A. Smith, Coachella 2014, concert, Concert Photo, Concert Photography, concert photos, concert pic, concert pics, concert review, Concert Vid, concert video, cover, denroy morgan, Derrick Duckie Simpson, Derrick Gong Simpspon, disco, Drop It Like It's Hot, Earl Sweatshir, Electronica, Emergency on Planet Earth, Feel Good, Frank Ocean, funk, funk music, GAP band, Gin & Juice, Gin and juice, Grammy Awards, gramps morgan, gramps morgan concert, gramps morgan photo, Here Comes The King, hip hop, hip hop soul, hollywood, I need a dollar, I'm a Stoner, Irie, jamaica, jamiroquai, jazz, Kevin Lyttle, kevin lyttle concert, kevin lyttle photos, Ky-Mani Marley, Kymani Marley, late ’90s neo-soul, left field hip hop, Live Music, live review, Lodi Dodi, Matt Martians, Memorial Day, Memorial Day Weekend, Michael Rose, music festival, neo soul, Odd Future, OFWGKTA, Outstanding, P.I.M.P., Patrick Paige, Purple Naked Ladies, R&B, rap, Rasta, reggae, Reggae Legend, Reggae Legends, reggae music, reincarnated, robbie shakespeare, Sandra "Puma" Jones, setlist, sly dunbar, Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare, snoop, snoop dogg, snoop doggy dogg, So Fly, soca, soca artist, soca music, solo reggae singer, Soul Calypso, Syd the Kyd, Tay Walker, The Internet, the man, Trinidad and Tobago, trip hop, Tyler The Creator, UCLA, UCLA Jazz Reggae Festival, Vincentian, wake me up, We’re Too Young To Die, Weed, west coast hip hop, west coast rap, Who is Black Uhuru, who is gramps morgan, zouk Leave a comment

Snoop Dogg | UCLA Jazz Reggae Fest | 5/25/14

Working for Snoop, I’ve gone to my fare share of his concerts. One would think that after going to more shows than I can count on my fingers and toes, I’d be bored or indifferent to watching him perform. This is far from the truth.

Snoop’s passion for his art always impresses me. His live show, which features a live band, is always entertaining and is simply superior to those acts who rap over series of pre-recorded beats. Though this performance may have been lacking in some familiar faces (R.I.P. Uncle June Bugg), it was filled with all of his hits spanning his over two decades of hit-making.

Though it was Jazz Day, and not Reggae Day, he opened his set with one of my favorite tracks off his reggae album “Reincarnated”, “Here Comes The King”. He paid tribute to Nate Dogg with his performance of the 213 songs “So Fly”. He performed his verses from 50 Cent duet of “P.I.M.P.” He performed “Lodi Dodi,” “Gin & Juice,”Drop It Like It’s Hot,” “Who Am I (What’s My Name)” and on and on and on. He even dropped his verse from Katy Perry’s single, “California Gurls” in the middle of his set.

Snoop, dressed in a custom made, all-black, UCLA jersey with the number 19, stitched on, played to the crowd and used his charming stage-manner to his have the crowd vibing off of him throughout the entire set. It was either that, or the copious amounts of weed that was being lit up while he was performing. As an aside, UCLA has a campus-wide no-cigarrette smoking policy. In fact, I was forced to toss my cigarettes into a trash can before entering the festival grounds, and even noticed security actively enforcing the policy all throughout the day. But weed smoking? Naw. That’s all good. LOL.

When Snoop closed his set with “Young, Wild & Free,” he had the entire crowd singing along. He finally took his sunglasses off to address the crowd to keep singing along. When the music ended, and he hustled off stage to head off to his DJ gig in Las Vegas that evening, the crowd was still buzzing, perhaps still high from the weed that was smoked during the set, but more likely high from the hit filled set that they had just listened too.

I couldn’t find a complete setlist for Snoop’s performance at this event online, so if anybody happens to know what it was, please post it in the comments so that I can add it into this post. Thanks!