fold flog

Javelin w/ Maus Haus and 60-Watt Kid - Sunday, April 25th at Bootleg Theater

2010-04-09T14:45:00.000-07:00

“Javelin, comprised of New York City crate-rats George Langford and Tom Van Buskirk, certainly do their share of jumping around, never letting their listener get too close to an idea or a groove for very long… a curiously sly concoction of found sounds and nautically dizzying loops and breaks that reference everything from beach-psych to diet-dub, all outfitted with delightfully strange ticks, grumbles, and seagull squawks.” – Pitchfork

MAUS HAUS

“Leave it to the weirdo mecca of San Francisco to produce a smart psych rock band in Maus Haus that practices the biggest rock perversion of them all - complete lack of guitars. Hailing from the Bay Area, Maus Haus combine a paranoid insomniac vibe with playful pop lines and cleverly cinematic lyrics that make them out to be the bastard child of Kraftwerk hanging with Captain Beefheart that would obviously have a video starring Simon Le Bon and the boys. That is an admittedly nutso sentence, but it's hard to pinpoint exactly what Maus Haus is - other than totally rad.” – RCRD LBL

Three Great Shows Tonight - Bootleg, Bordello, Silverlake Lounge

2010-03-23T14:14:00.000-07:00

We are very excited about tonight's events...

At Bootleg, Titus Andronicus performs w/ Let's Wrestle (U.K.) and local favorite Slang Chickens. Advance tickets are still available ($10 adv/$12 day of show), but not for long. If advance tickets appear to be sold out, a limited amount of walk-up tix will be available.

At Bordello, Taylor Locke & The Roughs (featuring members of Rooney and The Like) is celebrating the release of their new album 'Grain and Grape.' White Arrows and Paper Zoo will open the show. Tickets are $8. Please note: there will be balloons.

At Silverlake Lounge, San Francisco's LoveLikeFire perform w/ Denmark's Kashmir. This show is very close to selling out, so purchase tix in advance if you wish to attend. Red Tide and Space Waves are also on the bill... making it a can't-miss sorta night.

First Aid Kit (Sweden) covering Fleet Foxes

2010-03-08T15:02:00.000-08:00

First Aid Kit performs at Bootleg this summer - June 1st. Advance tickets are currently on sale via InTicketing. Click here.

Black Prairie (feat. members of The Decemberists) - April 24th at Bootleg

2010-03-08T14:58:00.001-08:00

BLACK PRAIRIE
Featuring three-fifths of The Decemberists and two of Portland’s finest folk stylists, Black Prairie - whose debut was released by Sugar Hill Records, and produced by Tucker Martine (The Decemberists, Death Cab for Cutie) - embodies the rich sonic landscape of the Portland music scene while integrating the diverse backgrounds of its members. As described by dobroist Chris Funk, the band’s sound “bridges the music of Clarence White and Ennio Morricone” in a way that defies genre characterization.

Advance tickets are $12, and day-of-show tickets are $14. Click here to get tix.

Eluvium - May 5 (Cinco de Mayo) at Bootleg

2010-03-03T13:08:00.000-08:00

ELUVIUM
Born in Tennessee and raised in Louisville, KY, Matthew Cooper relocated to Portland, OR several years back and has since spent many a night holed up in his house transforming the vibrations in his brain into sweeping walls of elegant noise. With a depth ranging from fragile to glacial, he takes dense layers of guitars and pianos and builds them into an awe-inspiring fortress around himself. Resting comfortably and confidently in the spirits of Brian Eno's most accomplished ambient pieces, Eluvium is a freakishly beautiful affair. If it was ever possible for a warm gust of wind to send chills through every bone in your body, then Eluvium is that warm wind.

“Eluvium's ambient music is music first and ambient second; it leans forward, asks for consideration, and has no desire to slip into the background. As "cinematic" music goes, these pieces tend toward widescreen pictures with big budgets… sounds like something that would waft out of the ballroom in The Shining during one of Jack Nicholson's breaks away from the typewriter.” – Pitchfork

Holly Miranda - March 12 at Bootleg

2010-02-26T14:41:00.000-08:00

HOLLY MIRANDA
“She's a bona-fide singer-songwriter who can and will simply sell a song around just her voice and the sound of an acoustic guitar… Miranda's mature, world-weary inflections bring everything-- nightmares, hopes, loss-- to the fore. Her crackling vocals lend themselves to murkiness and intrigue.” – Pitchfork

Shows Just Added...

2010-02-23T13:17:00.000-08:00

We've just confirmed Holly Miranda for March 12th at Bootleg; Priestbird for May 8th at Bootleg; Uh Huh Her for March 31st at Bordello; Horse Feathers for May 19th at Bootleg; Phantogram w/ Love Grenades for March 4th at Bordello...

Also, we recently added Great Northern to the Choir of Young Believers show on March 13th at Bootleg. Advance tickets for all of these shows are available via InTicketing.com

Broken Bells' First Show Ever - at Bootleg TONIGHT (n' Sold Out!)

2010-02-19T15:02:00.000-08:00

Shins frontman James Mercer and producer-to-the-stars Danger Mouse are now a duo called Broken Bells, and they'll drop their debut album on March 9 via Columbia. At this exact moment, the duo have played exactly zero shows. But fast-acting Los Angelenos can witness the band's very first show real, real soon. Tonight, they'll make their onstage debut at L.A.'s Bootleg Theater.

If you miss that one, Mercer and Danger have three other live shows planned. At the beginning of March, they'll hit Paris and London. And on March 17, they'll play NPR Music's SXSW showcase at the Austin venue Stubb's, joining a stacked lineup that includes Spoon, Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, the Walkmen, and Visqueen. The line to get into that one is going to be nuts. All the band's tour dates are below.

Broken Bells:

02-19 Los Angeles, California - Bootleg Theater
03-01 Paris, France - Nouveau Casino
03-03 London, England - ICA
03-17 Austin, TX - Stubb's (NPR Music showcase) *

-Pitchfork

Titus Andronicus - March 23 at Bootleg

2010-02-12T12:21:00.000-08:00

TITUS ANDRONICUS
“Titus Andronicus' The Airing Of Grievances brooks no bullshit. The disc is the sound of lusty youth ripping a gaping hole in the fabric of reality: Throughout The Airing's nine sawed-off anthems, the Jersey collective comes off like a clunky, blood-knuckled Arcade Fire that just doesn't have time for all that respectable crap. Because, you know, the world is falling apart around their heads, and they only have this one shot at eating, fighting, and fucking the entire universe." - The Onion AV Club

"None of these highfalutin' shout-outs will grab your ear as powerfully as the demonic E Street Band arrangements, rife with constant builds and breakneck rhythms... they've studied their philosophy and found that life actually is pointless, so why not go down swinging?" - Pitchforkmedia

"This fivesome of suburban punks are proud nerds. But they know when to kick ass... and the sizzling, storage-locker production makes it all sound like a cage match. Which it is — between a band and a damaged world." - Rolling Stone

"It's a cliche, but Titus Andronicus has got to be one of the hardest working bands around." – Brooklynvegan

"Not since the Replacements raised a pint glass in the name of punk has a gang of hood rats so rousingly resurrected the legend of the American bar band." - Entertainment Weekly

The Watson Twins - 2/17 at Bootleg w/ Deep Sea Diver and Daisy McCrackin

2010-02-10T15:19:00.000-08:00

THE WATSON TWINS
"Their soulful harmonies are at the center of a sparkling pop sound that has a Memphis-meets-L.A. texture and hooks that work their charms on you instantly." Elle Magazine

"As sisters Chandra and Leigh's harmonies wrap around hissing cymbals and jazzy guitar, this languorous, closing-time cabaret song builds into a long slow good-night kiss to melt all your late-winter blues." – Marie Claire Magazine

“A dark yet mellow record in which the sultry vocals of Chandra and Leigh Watson stand out enough without overshadowing the retro guitar and organ parts they accompany. The sisters Watson manage to transcend eras, at times sonically resembling 1960s female pop and soul, other times Pink Floyd.” – Spinner

Delta Spirit - People C'Mon

2010-02-05T12:27:00.000-08:00

If you haven't purchased tickets for the upcoming Delta Spirit show at Bootleg, get on it. This event is close to selling out!

Get tix here.

Just Announced...

2010-02-03T15:35:00.000-08:00

We have confirmed some great shows this week...

Aqualung - April 26th at Bootleg
The Watson Twins - February 17th at Bootleg
Field Music - March 27th at Bootleg

More to come!

Red Cortez - Feb. 3 - w/ The VLA, Alex Kemp and Shane Walsh at Bootleg

2010-01-27T15:18:00.000-08:00

RED CORTEZ
"They are cut from a cloth that embraces the free-thinking spirit of 60s, via San Francisco and Woodstock. They tap into the liberating sense of possibility and scoff at any kinds of limitations imposed on the people of this country. They gravitate toward the melancholic dimension of the war – or any war – that’s being waged and chronicle it with a new song about a wife continuing to receive letters from her soldier husband though he’s already dead. She chooses to think of him still as a living person and the letters are all the indication she needs. Red Cortez tap into the souls of the folks they make up or relay to us, giving a warm display that feels like betterment." – Daytrotter

Eleni Mandell at Bootleg - "Don't Let it Happen"

2010-01-25T16:02:00.000-08:00

Timber Timbre Will Support The Low Anthem on March 25th at Bootleg

2010-01-22T14:35:00.001-08:00

Curious about Timber Timbre?

The elements are deceptively simple: a confident, but hushed voice, understated guitar, strings and keyboard flourishes, and a subtle percussive beat. Timber Timbre front man Taylor Kirk is making pop as if it was meant to sound haunted. Something grounded in a strange place where genre descriptions like blues, country, and folk intersect becoming secondary to the precision of the moods being conjured.

89.9 KCRW, When You Awake, and Rollo & Grady will present the show - March 25th at Bootleg. Advance tix are $15!

Maus Haus at Silverlake Lounge Tonight

2010-01-21T16:36:00.000-08:00

MAUS HAUS
“Leave it to the weirdo mecca of San Francisco to produce a smart psych rock band in Maus Haus that practices the biggest rock perversion of them all - complete lack of guitars. Hailing from the Bay Area, Maus Haus combine a paranoid insomniac vibe with playful pop lines and cleverly cinematic lyrics that make them out to be the bastard child of Kraftwerk hanging with Captain Beefheart that would obviously have a video starring Simon Le Bon and the boys. That is an admittedly nutso sentence, but it's hard to pinpoint exactly what Maus Haus is - other than totally rad.” – RCRD LBL

We've listened to MH's full roster of Myspace songs at least 6 times today. The band will be direct support for Chk Chk Chk (!!!) during Noise Pop in San Fran this February. Maus Haus plays tonight at Silverlake Lounge w/ Pomegranate (also from NorCal - Oakland), The Californian and Melanoid.

Bo-Peep and Black Tales tear down Bordello - Monday 3/16

2009-03-10T17:44:00.000-07:00

Bo-Peep, Tokyo’s overadorably happy 3-piece girl rock collective makes their LA debut at Bordello on this Monday, March 16. Their fast, short, and catchy tunes will have you dancing. Deerhoof, beware. Bo-Peep’s vocals & harmonies are reminiscent of the good punk rock from the 80’s, ie. Black Flag and the Dead Kennedys, with a little bit of the Ramones and Sonic Youth thrown in just for giggles.

"It's hard to imagine the extent of this 3-piece girl band's dense, intense sound piercing the world as it does". – BOUNCE Magazine, Tower Records, Japan.

Check out this fan video of a live performance from 2007.

Alaska in Winter w/ Juliette Commagere - March 26 @ Bordello

2009-03-10T17:20:00.000-07:00

Brandon Bethancourt, AKA Alaska in Winter, is a one man production who sings, plays piano, accordion, melodica, synthesizer, electro drums & programming. Think Daft Punk, Kraftwerk, Crystal Castles or Goldfrapp with male vocals. Since the inception of Alaska in Winter, Bethancourt has released a handful of music including “Holiday,” his 2nd full length album. Bethancourt's high school buddy Zach Condon of Beirut, contributes his trumpet and ukulele efforts, while Heather Trost from A Hawk & A Hacksaw plays the violin.

Alaska in Winter is joined by Juliette Commagere, New Villager and Dr. Rosen Rosen on Thursday, March 26 at Bordello. This will probably be the last chance to catch Ms. Commagere (whose jawdropping rendition of "Every Time You Say Goodbye" floored me a few weeks ago at Home) before she hits the road with The Bird and the Bee and then Ry Cooder.

Sara Lov Live at Home Fri Feb 20 - Freeee

2009-02-18T13:22:00.000-08:00

Our songstress of choice Sara Lov performs at HOME - 2500 Riverside Drive this coming Friday evening the 20th February at 10pm. This event is Free! Joining her on the night are Manuok from S.D. and Toby Burke of Horse Stories. DJ Melissa Renee Hernanadez of Lo and Behold! opens festivities at 9p and spins into the night.

Also Thanks to Kevin Bronson for pointing the way to this little gem that Sara Lov recently posted to the web.

Hot girl on Girls action.

2009-01-26T15:45:00.000-08:00

Doods dig Girls, girls dig Girls - the scraggly SF white boy (not girl) band. This is a show you do not want to miss. Girls will journey down to the Southland and play a long awaited Los Angeles show on February 26th at the Silverlake Lounge with Wounded Lion.

Christopher Owens and Chet JR White perform pop songs that contain aggressive dramatic guitar playing with bright catchy hooks. Think Jesus & Mary Chain, MBV, and Glasvegas. Last year, their limited edition 7” entitled “Lust for Life,” sold out in just a week. The song is not a tribute to or an Iggy Pop cover, but a fun happy song that will have you singing along and dancing to after a few listens. The band has received rave reviews and accolades from SF Bay Area press (as well as our pals at Pitchfork Media and Gorilla vs Bear) and are currently working on new material for their forthcoming debut full-length.

Check out their video for “Lust For Life” here:

GIRLS - LUST FOR LIFE

Free at Home Restaurant - Viewing Party for Manu Chao on ACL

2009-01-15T17:55:00.000-08:00

Saturday, January 24th - Home Restaurant - 2500 Riverside at Fletcher in Silverlake - Free
Nacional Records presents...
Viewing Party for MANU CHAO's performance at Austin City Limits - 8pm - 2am

Episode airs at 8pm
DJ Mexican Dubwiser spins from 9p into the night
Including a special live performance from LA SANTA CEC ILIA at 11pm

“The Spanish-French singer’s U.S. performances are rare, and his American television appearances even rarer. Everyone in the room for the intimate taping seemed to recognize it was a special evening and the entire audience was on its feet well before Manu Chao took the stage. And we remained standing, dancing for the bulk of the show. The performance was an exhilarating journey as the defiantly political artist sang with raw heart that transcended any language barrier. It was also an exercise in audio whiplash as the pace of the show vacillated between easy skank and breakneck, moshable ska.” - Austin360.com

Mothers, hide your daughters!

2008-12-15T16:39:00.000-08:00

This is the least pornographic video available on Van Stone's myspace. They rape and pillage Silverlake Lounge on January 22 joined by SD's avant-jazz-punk-art-damaged Creedle.

We're Van Stone

THURSDAY, JANUARY 22 - SILVERLAKE LOUNGE - $10
VAN STONE 11:30p
CREEDLE (S.D. -feat. Devon Goldberg and Rob Crow) 10:30p
EL TEN ELEVEN 9:30p
FALSETTO TEETH 8:30p

VAN STONE
“After an ill-fated attempt to start a mercenary group in the same vein as TV's "A-Team," the Van Stone brothers (Randy and Lonnie) decided to do the next best thing: form Van Stone: the band! The brothers recruited Cliff Steinberger on lead guitar and Kurt Gibson on lead, lead guitar, threw irreverent and mostly unprintable song titles (Show Us Yer T***, 25 Dollar Blow***) on some killer '80s metal riffs, and quickly skyrocketed to self-proclaimed "3rd Best Rock Band" of Palmdale, Calif., status.” - SignOn San Diego

NYC's Amazing Baby - December 18 at Bordello

2008-12-05T17:28:00.000-08:00

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18 - BORDELLO - $10
AMAZING BABY
DJ Sam James Velde

AMAZING BABY
“These Brooklyn scenesters (and MGMT confreres) pile layers of noisy, cascading guitar onto an “aohw aohw” chorus like wayward glam refugees munching ‘shrooms.” - Spin

“We've been known to enjoy music that sounds like it either comes from outer space or the bottom of a bong, so when we were presented with New York's Amazing Baby, who sound like Bongs In Space, it didn't take long to decide that they were pretty great.” - Fader

Local Natives invade Silverlake Lounge - Every Monday in February - Free

2008-12-05T17:16:00.000-08:00

February 2, 9, 16 and 23.

Amongst the myriad of musicians that call Los Angeles home, Local Natives, a band favoring a new breed of energetic, percussion driven indie rock, have come to fruition. This clan of five gentleman craft songs reminiscent of a musical tribe, singing and dancing in harmony. Imagine if Beirut and Sufjan Stevens decided to join the eccentricity of Talking Heads and the aura of Broken Social Scene for lunch in Columbia and you’ve pinpointed what is Local Natives. In the age of auto tune and vocoders, Local Natives is one of those rare bands who is defined by their ability to deliver live. In fact, it has been more of challenge for the group to translate the vibrant and exciting nature of their performances to a recording than vice versa. But blessed with the charisma to tempt even the most despondent hipsters and shy concert goers into dance machines, Local Natives have honed their skills in both recording and performing the past few years.

Here they are doing a righteous cover of S&G's Cecilia... if that doesn't put a smile on your face, you're a vampire.

Sam Sparro gets a Grammy nod for our fave dance track - Black & Gold

2008-12-05T16:55:00.000-08:00

This one comes straight from the Told-You-So department. Mr. Sam Sparro, patterned sparkle leggings dance pop soul singer extraordinaire, has nabbed a Grammy nomination for Best Dance Recording. It seems like it was only last year that we were shaking our bodies and swaying to his ode to the Big Guy down the street at Silverlake Lounge. Oh wait, it was and a year later, the train keeps speeding on...

Warmest congrats to Sam and Jesse from the Fold family!

Italian Gypsy virtuosos OPA CUPA perform dinnertime show Sunday at Tangier!

2008-11-11T19:21:00.000-08:00

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16 - TANGIER - $10 before 8p/$7 after
OPA CUPA (Lecce, Italy) 7:00p

Opa Cupa! (read: "Opa chupa"), it's a shout of exhortation to the dance used by gypsies of South-Eastern Europe. Musicians coming from different cultures (Bosnia-Erzegovina, Albany South Italy) gather around the leader, the trumpeteer Cesare DellAnna.

This 12 piece band play a "marginal" music, blending the kaleidoscopic sounds and fascinating melodies of ancients Balkan songs with the traditional music of southern Italy.

later show from
CHARLIE WADHAMS 10:30p http://www.myspace.com/charliewadhams
MARVIN ETZIONI 9:30p http://www.myspace.com/marvinetzioni
MICHAEL MANGIA 8:30p http://www.mysapce.com/michaelmangia

Grampall Jookabox (Asthmatic Kitty) tonite 11/11 at Silverlake Lounge

2008-11-11T12:06:00.000-08:00

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11th
SILVERLAKE LOUNGE - $8
ADVANCE TIX HERE

GRAMPALL JOOKABOX 10p
DEATH TO FRESH 11p
KID MOXIE 12a
BRANDON MAYER & HIDDEN POWERS 9p
CHRIS ROBLEY 8p

PLAY THE GRAMPALL JOOKABOX HERE!!!

GRAMPALL JOOKABOX
Enter the private, brightly infantile, electrically sanctified world of Grampall Jookabox's idiot-savant folk-rock. The spectrum of influences and appropriations feeding into this album are impressively, almost schizophrenically varied. There are hints of early blues, notes of civil war ballads, and children's sidewalk-chalk rhymes, all filtered through spastically epic and innovative intuition, creating a final product not unlike the early work of Daniel Johnston. - Joyful Noise

Grampall Jookabox, the name of Indianapolis native David "Moose" Adamson's musical project, sounds like a child slurring the words “Grandpa Jukebox,” implying filial connection with an archaic musical object. Jookabox’s debut record, Scientific Cricket, samples a kind of primordial blues sound, children's sidewalk-chalk rhymes and Appalachian folk. But his latest effort finds him moving into new, unplumbed territories. Ropechain pinwheels kaleidoscopically through old-time spirituals, punk, chain-gang hymnal, deep house, and club music hip-hop, blending these disparate elements into a cohesive and unique synthesis.

“Anyone called a "ghetto-folkster" is alright by us, but this is real Marmite stuff - it's either genius or moronic, but is probably blessed with a touch of both. There's definitely something arresting about the soulful warbling of "Now don't it make you feel good when a girl ain't preggers?" over the kind of music Kings Of Leon would have made if they'd been brought up on a pirate radio instead of rock'n'roll.” - The Lipster

tWO gALLANTS' Adam Stephens performs Wednesday at Tangier

2008-11-10T17:54:00.000-08:00

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12th
TANGIER - 2138 Hillhurst - $10
ADAM STEPHENS (tWO gALLANTS) 10p
FRANK FAIRFIELD 9:15p
EVAN WAY (Parson Redheads)8:30p

ADAM STEPHENS
“Adam Stephens is best known as guitarist and vocalist for San Francisco duo Two Gallants. Stylistically rooted in the blues and folk influences of decades past, Stephens offers an independent voice seemingly unaffected by the confines propagated by musical contemporaries. For those accustomed to the rhythmically backed context in which Stephens typically performs, expect a performance more akin to Two Gallants' 2007 acoustic release "The Scenery of Farewell", complete with Stephens' intricate fingerpicking and lyrics befitting a classic novelist.” Anne Ostrowski

FRANK FAIRFIELD
“’He's like 26 years old and he sounds like Mississippi John Hurt," says Robin Pecknold (Fleet Foxes). Fairfield plays fiddle and banjo player and strums back-porch bluegrass, complete with shaky jug-band vocals reminiscent of The Foggy Mountain Boys from way back in the '40s (think O Brother, Where Art Thou?). "He's kinda crazy. He has his own radio show where he just plays these old gramophones. He just puts a mic up and plays all these field recordings from the 1900s; it's insane. He dresses like it's the early 1900s. He's born out of time, and his voice is amazing.’” - Rolling Stone

ADVANCE TIX HERE!
http://www.inticketing.com/evinfo.php?eventid=29336

Honky Tonk Happy Hour w/ SHOOTER JENNINGS on New Years Day

2008-11-07T17:26:00.000-08:00

New Years Day
January 1st, 2009
El Cid
4212 Sunset Boulevard
No Cover

HONKY TONK HAPPY HOUR
3-8pm
with SHOOTER JENNINGS,
EARL GREYHOUND, and Ghost Gamblers

Sausage, Sauerkraut, Collared greens and Rock and Roll in the afternoon...

T(I)NC at EC

2008-10-30T15:03:00.000-07:00

Thursday NOVEMBER 12, 2008 - 9pm
El Cid Flamenco Theatre
4212 Sunset Boulevard
Los Angeles

tickets $8 avail at inticketing.com

Special Guests NIGHT HORSE

Missing - Pal Prometheus: 6' green, bolts in head

2008-06-20T13:58:00.000-07:00

Here's a creepily sweet music video for Willoughby's song Frankenstein. We've got two shows coming up with these tuneful scientists and ghouls. June 29 at Tangier and July 14 at Silverlake Lounge - rosy cheeked assistants not included.

Devendra's cult of Jewelry and War

2008-06-02T12:14:00.001-07:00

Not sure exactly what it is about Devendra - maybe the Rasputin like hair/beard combo, probably the band of merry neo hippies, definitely the multi-facted talent - but I would follow him off a cliff. He might not seem a likely candidate for Cribs but here he is nonetheless. From a pastoral Laurel Canyon abode, he makes jewelry, remembers powerful influences and generally builds his legions.

Homeslice uber-group Everest on Conan

2008-05-28T16:33:00.000-07:00

Everest the band, not mountain - you've heard their various members with Sebadoh, Earlimart and Slydell among others. Well a year of hard work later and what tall drink of water should show up on an even taller drink of water's late night show?

Here they are in all their eastside Cali shaggy swaggering glory.
oh and Russ - if ever things don't work out with that Watson twin...

Approved by choosy moms and stoners alike!

2008-05-09T14:52:00.000-07:00

Maybe you've heard of Yo Gabba Gabba - the new Nickelodeon hit featuring furry monsters soft-core rapping to funky light beats. Well if you were anywhere near a Fold show in 2005-06, you might recognize our very own DJ Lance Rock ushering America's youth and jobless couch surfers into the technicolor world of such hits as "Jump Jump Jump" and "Yummy in My Tummy." If not, enjoy below.

Warning: you might want to have something crunchy and munchy near by.

Sam Sparro is hotter than you...in Europe!

2008-04-23T14:21:00.000-07:00

Our favorite lovely diamond of an electro-funk-soul singer, Sam Sparro is currently slapping his way up the UK charts with his first single "Black and Gold". The album drops next week 4.28.08 right after Sam's first performance at Coachella. Sam will be performing "Black and Gold" along with a cover of the Smiths' track "Stop Me" this Saturday with Mark Ronson. Lucky you if you caught him at a Fold show last year before he started giving Amy Winehouse career advice.

Check out this live in studio session at BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge.

Black and Gold videophied

2008-02-24T20:41:00.000-08:00

Sam Sparro's great song "Black and Gold" got the treatment it deserves in this new video.

Ladies' Month at The Fold

2008-01-16T16:22:00.000-08:00

As I was perusing The Fold calendar for the upcoming month, I was struck by how many kick-ass ladies are set to grace LA stages in the coming weeks. This is awesome in the best, most non-feminist way possible! Below is a sampling of various chicks scheduled to bring the rock and use it in the coming weeks:

If the term "girl power" had some actual edge and menace to it, rather than being so firmly entrenched in the cheese of the 90s pop realm, VON IVA would be its physical incarnation. These ladies will mow you down with their ultra-powerful, jagged electro-rock. And after that, if you can handle it, JESSIE EVANS follows it up with her crazy jazz/punk fusion. Check out both on 1/30 at Silverlake Lounge.

CECI BASTIDA was one of the first women to make serious inroads into the Latin rock scene. At the age of 15, she joined Tijuana NO as a lead vocalist, keyboardist and songwriter and became one of the first women to rise in the ranks of Latin rock. Tijuana NO was one of Mexico's most important bands of the 1990s. Enough said. Ceci Bastida plays at Bordello on 2/7.

In keeping with the current pro-femme vibe, the spectacular ENTRANCE BAND are playing a series of three shows at Silverlake Lounge in February. Paz Lenchantin is their bass player. For those not in the know, Paz first melted faces as a member of A Perfect Circle, and then slayed in Zwan. The Entrance Band play February 7th, 14th and 21st. As if you need further incentive to attend, WARPAINT pitch in with their utterly captivating post-rock ethearility on the 14th. Jeez is right.

THEE EMERGENCY have just announced a show at Silverlake Lounge on March 4th. By all accounts, this band's adrenaline-infused, Detroit-blues rock pummeling of a live show is quite the sight to behold.

Finally, New Zealand folk-electro/new-wave-pop genius BACHELORETTE playing a total of three shows in March: 3/5 at Bordello, 3/6 at Silverlake Lounge, and 3/7 at El Cid. Be sure to check her quirky, dream-like pop gems on her first foray to these shores...

Show availability for dudes is, what can i say, "limited" right now. Just kidding. Go check out our full calendar to see what's going on.

Shark Aid this Sunday 1/13 at Tangier

2008-01-10T16:53:00.000-08:00

A Benefit for Aaron Finley - $10 donation
OLD TOY TRAINS 7p
PINK MOCHI 8p
PATRICK PARK 9p
CHARLIE WADHAMS 10p
BLACK BEAR 11p

In 2006, there were 61 shark attacks in the entire world. Some say being attacked may be lucky because of the rarity of shark attacks. I'm going out on a limb here and guessing that LA musician/sound engineer Aaron Finley wouldn't agree with that, though. Aaron got munched on on October 29th near Wailea Beach, in Maui. The good news is that Aaron came out of it alive, and still has all his limbs. The bad news is that he now has some pretty substantial medical costs that he cannot charge to his attacker. We're talking tens of thousands of $$$$$ here. And that, my friends, is where you come in. Pink Mochi, Patrick Park and Charlie Wadhams are all joining forces to raise money for the "Friends of Aaron Finley Fund.”

As if you need further incentive to contribute to this good cause, here's an account of what happened in Aaron's own words:
"I was thinking it's so nice to be out here in the ocean relaxing," said Finley, "Then... I felt something hit my leg really hard and then turned and saw this big gray thing swimming away and realized I'd just been bit," Finley, 32, said from his hospital bed in Wailuku, where a 6-inch, half-moon-shaped gash on his left calf served as a reminder of the encounter. "It felt like a wave knocked me into a rock."

Enough said. See you on sunday!

The Entrance Band to blow minds, speakers in February

2008-01-10T15:39:00.000-08:00

The spectacular Entrance Band will be performing a series of three shows at Silverlake Lounge in February! Although in this case, it won't be so much a show as a public mind-altering session on a mass scale. LA Weekly explains why February 7th, 14th and 21st should be ritualistically engraved into your calendar right now:

“[Entrance] are thoroughly guns-blazing, balls-out rock n' roll. How such a full-throttle wailing voice can come out of such a slim young man is a mystery, but the ferocity with which Guy Blakeslee ripped into songs managed to get me head-banging unconsciously — I didn't realize what I was doing until I hit the guy behind me.This group is now going to be the beacon of hope I firmly point to whenever I hear a naysayer mention there's nothing really impressive these days.”

The beacon of good taste known as LA Record will be co-presenting these shows. In their infinite wisdom, they already featured The Entrance Band on their cover a while back. You can read the excellent interview in its entirety here.

To recap, the dates are February 7th, 14th and 21st. These shows will likely sell out, so best get on that immediately. Advance tickets are available at InTicketing.

Deadly Syndrome about to become famous, viral-style

2007-12-13T14:23:00.000-08:00

The new Zune ad campaign has paired edgy visual artists, including againstallodds and Digital Kitchen with hip soundtracks. And to good effect, I might add. The Youtube video for 'Intergalactic Swap Meet' featuring The Deadly Syndrome has so far been viewed almost FIFTEEN THOUSAND TIMES in one week. Jeez is right. Clicky clicky below:

Amazing! Microsoft is trying to convince us they are no longer the exclusive domain of nerds in cardigans! And, with the emphasis of Zune's campaign being on interactivity and sharing, this video is right on track with the - hopefully - imminent goodwill and positive vibes of the holidays. Awww.

The Deadly Syndrome are also performing at the Christmas Sweater Festival on 12/14 at Crash Mansion, alongside Eskimohunter, The Happy Hollows, The Mae-Shi, and The Pity Party. You know what to do. Don't screw this up.

Attn: No-Quoters

2007-12-12T16:05:00.000-08:00

"No-quoter:" person who repeatedly responds to emails without including the original message in their reply.

We here at The Fold have recently noticed a huge increase in no-quoting tendencies, and now the time has come that we must say something. Consider this a friendly heads-up that will make all of our lives easier, increase the speed and efficiency of show-booking, and minimize the potential for miscommunication! It'll be so great! We like to be solution-oriented over here.

What we're saying is- if we ask you a specific question, and three days later you reply with "That sounds awesome!"/"No way, man!"/"Cool, keep me posted!"... Basically, we'll have no idea what you're referring to. So, you know, help US help YOU. Thanks. The Fold loves you! So, so much!

Bachelorette comes to LA

2007-12-06T16:18:00.000-08:00

If New Zealand wasn't one of the least accessible places on the planet, and if their musical output in the last couple of years hadn't been hijacked by unfortunate Datsuns clones, we might have heard of Annabel Alpers and her project Bachelorette sooner. But we didn't, so now we're making up for lost time with excessive displays of over-the-top affection. Check out this neat video (by Louise Clifton) for Bachelorette's song "Complex History Of A Dying Star":

See? Bachelorette rules. There's more music on her Myspace Page. Bachelorette graces Los Angeles in 2008 on March 5th at Bordello, March 6th at Silverlake Lounge, and March 7th at El Cid.

And speaking of cool girls in cool bands in cool videos, here's a new nugget of pop goodness from The Bird And The Bee:

Christmas Sweater Festival! Woo!

2007-12-06T11:43:00.000-08:00

Listen up champ. We know you're about to be inundated with a near-unmanageable stream of stupid Christmas "parties" in the coming weeks. You will feel somehow obligated to attend at least some of them, in spite of the coma-inducing tedium most of them will involve. So, since we're all about catering to YOUR needs, we're providing you with a kick-ass event that you'll actually be stoked to attend. It's OK, you can thank us later.

Here's the deal: the show takes place on 12/14, at Crash Mansion, 1024 S. Grand Avenue, Downtown LA. There are five bands, rad giveaways, and NO HEADLINERS. Each band will play two 15-minute sets throughout the night, like so:

9:00p The Deadly Syndrome
9:20p The Mae-Shi
9:40p Happy Hollows
10:00p The Pity Party
10:20p Eskimohunter
10:40p Eskimohunter
11:00p The Pity Party
11:20p Happy Hollows
11:40p The Mae-Shi
12:00a The Deadly Syndrome

As if you need further convincing, we'll be donating all proceeds to Doctors Without Borders. And that, my friends, is why the $5 cover is a MINIMUM donation. Should you be feeling more generous, higher-priced tickets are also available for purchase. Click here to buy advance tickets.

WHY? at Tangier 1/15

2007-12-05T15:06:00.001-08:00

The spectacular WHY? are premiering new material at Tangier on January 15th! No way is right! If you're unfamiliar with them, then lookey lookey below for some information. Be sure to also go check out their Myspace page to see what's in store at this show.

WHY? is... a folk-pop, indie-hop, sometimes-mustachioed, psych-rock trio that operates out of the Oakland Bay Area under the bold banner of the anticon collective. At the band’s helm is Yoni, who—with his candytime-dissonant, singsong-suicide style—has recorded under the name “WHY?” for the best part of six years. After meeting fellow anticon tribesman Adam “doseone” Drucker in art school and subsequently dropping out, Yoni developed his signature sound over several projects: the lo-fi thought-rap of Greenthink, the critically lauded dreamscape crunch of cLOUDDEAD, and the hushed bedroom aesthetic of Reaching Quiet.

Why?’s latest blast of darkly tinted pop finds the Bay-based trio further realizing their distinct sound—smart, shimmering, sweetly soured—while expanding that ever-crooking subsurface smile we saw bare its teeth on 2005’s critically acclaimed Elephant Eyelash LP.

Please note that this is an EARLY SHOW- Why? will play at 8.30p. Click here to buy advance tickets for the show, eager beaver!

Eastern Conference Champs a late addition to tonight's VAMPIRE WEEKEND show

2007-07-17T10:34:00.000-07:00

"Hey isn't the Silverlake Lounge over that way past the reservoir?"

Tonight, July 17th - Silverlake Lounge - $8
Vampire Weekend 10:30p
Faker 9:30p
French Semester 8:30p

Eastern Conference Champions (pictured!) go on 11:30p

Tickets available at http://www.virtuous.com

Metric - Between the Bars (by Elliott Smith)

2007-06-20T22:18:00.000-07:00

Castledoor are Thursday night residents all of June at the Silverlake Lounge

2007-05-31T18:01:00.000-07:00

We are devoted to Castledoor for their talent, hard work, rowing skills and tuxedos.

Come check Castledoor out at the Lounge this June Thursdays.

Check out this new video for the song Zaika here....

Congratulations, my friends

2007-05-14T12:59:00.000-07:00

I'd like to offer sincere thanks and congrats to Nous Non Plus, whose songs successfully perked up my Monday morning like nobody's business. Oh wait, sorry- Monday afternoon already. Jeez. Anybody else in need of some additional up-beat quirkiness right now? This is like the zingiest, tastiest cup of coffee you've ever had, and it comes with crunchy multi-coloured guitar sprinkles on top, super-sugary-sweet vocal froth, peppermint-flavoured keyboard syrup, and an additional shot of high-energy drum espresso. Dance, bitches!

Nous Non Plus play at Safari Sam's on May 25th. If you're concerned the mega-dose of pop might prove a little hard to stomach in one go, don't freak out. The Pity Party are also playing, and the power of their angular rock will balance out the sugar rush perfectly.

If you require further arm-twisting, might I suggest you go here for additional persuasion? Or maybe even here?

We dig Great Northern

2007-04-02T14:02:00.001-07:00

And if you don't yet, listen to this, and you will.

Xu Xu Fang Residency- Thursdays in April at Silverlake Lounge

2007-03-16T13:30:00.000-07:00

Layered, dreamy, complex music absolutely worth checking out. I'm giddy about this one, but please don't ask why they always have horses in their promo shots. I don't get it either, but that's okay.

Song set from Sonic Boom (Spacemen 3, Spectrum, E.A.R) - April 9th at Safari Sam's

2007-03-16T11:51:00.000-07:00

I missed his last show, but fate and Safari Sam have apparently given me a second chance to catch Pete Kember (who dubbs himself Sonic Boom), a former member of the legendary psyche-rock outfit Spacemen 3, and Experimental Audio Research (aka E.A.R.)

Next month, Kember will be playing a song set at Safari Sam's, and I was just told that "instead of doing the experimental electronic bits, he's going to do song-based stuff, most likely old and new Spectrum, Spacemen 3, and other stuff." So says Andy, vocalist for the ethereal San Franscico psychedelic shoegazers LSD And The Search For God, who open the show along with the swelling pop-electronica of L.A.'s own Eskimohunter.

Very cool.

The Fold's 10th Anniversary Show- OMG!

2007-03-09T15:41:00.000-08:00

You may recognize the above photo as Lifter, and its bassist as one Mr. Jeffrey Sebelia, fashion maven and victor of Project Runway. It's from the Fold's first show on April 17, 1997, nearly a full decade ago, and we've just asked Scott Sterling to approximate how many shows he's orchestrated since then. At this moment in time, he's mumbling an incoherent stream of numbers like Rainman.

He's still multiplying.

Hold on.

I'm just sitting here waiting.

Okay, finally he uttered: "Let's say 18, 24,....3,000, maybe? I guess." Then he added: "That's a fairly conservative estimate," before returning to his mud-thick coffee.

So the point is: it's been a busy ten years at the Fold. And it's time to let loose with a little anniversary show Tuesday, April 17th at the Silverlake Lounge...

Eastern Conference Champions' Big Bummer

2007-02-28T12:52:00.000-08:00

A cloud of empathetic sadness hangs low upon hearing that the Eastern Conference Champions' gear was stolen out of their van, parked overnight on a sleepy side street in Mid Wilshire.

Apparently, after wrapping up the final set in the Silverlake Lounge residency on Monday, they were staying across town near Sycamore, between 4th and 6th Streets, and awoke the next morning to find the windows smashed, gear gone, and van pretty much stripped.

We're truly, truly bummed for the band, and hope the thieves are stricken down with unspeakably horrible karma.

The Softlightes Give Bitchin' Advice

2007-02-27T14:33:00.000-08:00

I heard the Softlightes on Indie a few weeks ago and fell pretty hard for "Town Called Blue", a melancholic pop track filled with dusty drum brushes, sad echoey vocals and this ridiculously catchy little keyboard riff.

Their debut album is on iTunes, and bears the sage title: "Say No! To Being Cool Say Yes! To Being Happy". Best. Title. Ever.

They just announced a show at Tangier March 9th with El Ten Eleven and Papillon, but one can obtain a little Softlightes fix with their first video, which is so meticulously stop-motion-animated that Michel Gondry is likely planning their assassinations out of pure hotblooded jealousy.

Arthur Nicole Smith RIP

2007-02-26T22:10:00.000-08:00

End of last week we received an email from editor/co-founder Jay Babcock stating that Arthur, the magazine he and Laris Kreslins ran for five years, had ceased publication effective immediately.

Sad. Seemed like an untimely death. And it turns out there may now be some people fighting over Arthur's corpse.

On Sunday February 25th co-founder Laris Kreslins issued the following statement:

"Dear Arthur Friends,

As of Friday, Feb. 23rd, Arthur Magazine is on indefinite hiatus. We at Lime Publishing, the current publisher, had been working toward transitioning operations to a new publisher since the start of the year. A breakdown this past week in negotiations for the future of the magazine led to an unfortunate and perplexing announcement that "Arthur is Dead."

This poorly-timed message was sent out, against explicit wishes of Lime Publishing, to the public before the staff, advertisers or contributors were notified. It was disheartening to receive distressed phone calls from dedicated people in the Arthur community, who devoted their time and creative energy on the magazine....

Sincerely,
Laris Kreslins
Lime Publishing
laris@arthurmag.com"

Whereas a note from Jay Babcock explains:

"Laris Kreslins insisted that I buy him out of his 50% share in Arthur [I own the other 50%] if I wanted to continue the mag since he didn't want to do it anymore [he took a full-time job elsewhere at beginning of 2007], and I couldn't raise the cash and get someone to sign the deal that Laris wanted signed. So, mag is dead. Anyways Laris has now barred me from the Arthur website/blog/mailing lists that I've maintained for the last four years, so please help me spread the word of this party to appropriate parties ... so we can party! Please come on down if you're around! Thanks -- Jay Babcock, editor/co-owner/co-founder, Arthur Magazine) AWAKE, A WAKE! Come celebrate the happy, all-too-brief life of Arthur Magazine with free giveaways and a reading featuring Molly Frances, Oliver Hall, and Peter Relic. Thursday, March 1, 7:30pm Family Bookstore, 436 N. Fairfax Avenue (across the street from Canter's Deli), Los Angeles, 90036. We look forward to seeing you there -- dressing in black not a requirement!"

Whether or not Arthur continues and if so in what form is undetermined. As for the Arthur wake on Thursday, unfortunately we can't make it and will have to send flowers instead, cause we'll be at Bob Seger at The Forum.

Syd Barrett Night- April 19th

2007-02-22T15:37:00.000-08:00

It's almost two months away, but worth noting. At the Bordello downtown, a night of compositions of legendary Pink Floyd founder Syd Barrett is in the works, featuring "20 or so of Los Angeles' finest and most fearless performers."

So far on the bill: Mezzanine Owls, Pity Party, Midnight Movies, Eleni Mandell, Irving, Priscilla Ahn, Good Listeners, Gwendolyn, Biirdie, Nora Keyes, Moon Upstairs, Big Search, Marjorie Faire, Thundersnail (Amps for Christ), Bedroom Walls, and many more...in fact the final line up is still brewing, so stay tuned.

Chatter about some other performers being lined up is giving me heart palpitations, but I'll get my tongue cut out if I tattle.

Castledoor's Big Buzz

2007-02-22T15:20:00.000-08:00

Affable and down-to-earth seven piece act Castledoor played the Silverlake last night, and I hear that before their folky-pop set, a sound check revealed a phantom low humming sound. Frontman Nate Cole wagged his finger to the stage behind him and announced unknowingly: "Yeah there's a big buzz up here..." earning titters from the crowd.

The sound problem was fixed, but there's a buzz alright...

I admit to YouTubing and Myspace stalking them, and giddily looking forward to the co-residency they're set to rawk with Buffalo Roam in March. Check out this show from earlier in the year: the audio's not top notch, but how can you argue with a tambourine and some Indian outfits?

Silversun Pickups do Leno

2007-02-16T14:40:00.000-08:00

This Monday Feb. 19th, the Silversun Pickups will be playing in town- on Jay Leno. Tune in, or if you're really in the mood for a live show, I imagine you could line up at the NBC studios with some Wichita tourists for a few hours. Actually, I have no idea how that works.

They're slated to be on with Simon Cowell, Ryan Seacrest and Randy Jackson....but conspicuously no Paula Abdul. Maybe they'll catch up with Paula and MC Scat Cat (below) for some bar hopping afterwards though.

IN WAVES Residency...Ready your pencils.

2007-02-16T14:10:00.000-08:00

Okay, so this is worthy of jotting down: In Waves, the dreamy, layered dark pop trio has the Fold's Tuesday residency for February, but they're hopping between the Silverlake and El Cid. So for the remaining few dates, take some notes on where to catch them- it's worth it. They're groovy.

Silverlake Lounge Tuesday, Feb 20th
El Cid, Tuesday, Feb 27th

Wires on Fire own April

2007-02-14T13:57:00.000-08:00

When I saw Wires on Fire open for the Cold War Kids almost a year ago, I was shocked to when these four peachy youngins melted my face off with screeching rock. They'll be playing the Silverlake Lounge residency in April, which happens to have not four, but five Mondays.

April 23rd, they share a bill with the LA based jagged rock trio Qui, who has David Yow, of Scratch Acid and the Jesus Lizard, on vocals. Have a gander at this Pitchfork article for the deets.

I'm In Love -- with your Lasagna

2007-02-14T12:43:00.000-08:00

It's Valentine's Day, and love/unrequited obsession is in the air. My object of constant, drooly preoccupation these days is a little nook named Elf - a new Echo Park eatery on Sunset near Alvarado.

Leave me alone- I can totally be in love with a restaurant.

Founded and staffed by the members of ethereal psychedelic band Viva K, Elf Cafe features organic vegetarian food and a cozy mellow setting. The open kitchen is tiny and immaculate, and gives a view of the meticulous preparations of phyllo dough tarts, pressed whole wheat sandwiches, and some sort of vegetarian Greek lasagna that has established itself as a craving on par with crack cocaine for me. With a ground garbanzo filling, rich white sauce and a hint of nutmeg, this effing pastitso lasagna was seriously the best part about my week.

They'll even uncork a bottle of wine for you if you bring it, and they won't laugh when its budget merlot from 7-11. Trust me.

Elf, 2135 Sunset Blvd, (closed Mondays and Tuesdays)

Deserving of a High Five

2007-02-14T11:45:00.000-08:00

Last Wednesday, I popped by the Silverlake Lounge late, just in time to catch the riveting action of the last band wrapping their cords. Mulling about for a while, I noticed a new face at the door: a tiny chick from Finland named Yenny. Or Yennie. Or Yeni, or something.

Turns out it's spelled Jenni, and not only does she man the clipboard at Fold shows, but she's also an esteemed bassist, laying down some funky rhythms for Eskimohunter, Har Mar Superstar, Junior Senior and, yep-- even Melanie C., former Spice Girl.

She's fully adorable, super nice, and apparently hella rocks too. She gets our high five of the week.

Brothels & Ukuleles: the perfect union?

2007-02-07T13:36:00.000-08:00

I love tiny little instruments, and there's nothing like a quality whorehouse. Thursday, pixie uke-leer Janet Klein is playing with her Parlour Boys at The Bordello, which just re-opened downtown. You may have been to the spot in its former life when it was Little Pedro's, a dark little joint with a taxidermied polar bear suspended from from the ceiling by bike chains.

A few months ago, they closed and gutted the place, and its current incarnation is modeled after a lush, velvet-surfaced brothel, complete with a bed tucked in a wall nook.

Janet Klein will be performing vintage tunes on her little ukulele. But from what I understand, there will be no real hookers.

Miss Janet Klein

Buffalo Roam put vid for "Yup, Yes, Yeah" online

2007-02-06T12:17:00.001-08:00

Click here to view

Eastern Conference Champions take the ring tonight

2007-02-05T15:52:00.000-08:00

There's just something about a champion that makes you want to w00t! in victory. The nebulously dubbed, indie rock trio Eastern Conference Champions storm the Silverlake Lounge tonight, putting Mondays in a headlock for the month of February. Rumor has it that Castledoor, who open tonight but share a co-residency next month with Buffalo Roam, are pretty bitchin' too. Maybe Monday doesn't suck so much after all.

Castledoor are Co-residents with BUFFALO ROAM in March at Silverlake Lounge

2007-02-03T14:48:00.001-08:00

check castledoor's video here

Softlightes - Heart Made of Sound

2007-02-01T20:41:00.000-08:00

Softlightes CD Release is being held February 9th at The Fold in Tangier

Pity Party Wraps Up Residency, Happy Hollows Make Me Love Them

2007-02-01T14:45:00.000-08:00

I dutifully attended the last show of the Pity Party's monthlong residency, because plainly: I loff them. Bizarre and electro-minimalist, they sound like the synth-y love baby of Devo and Metric. Also, I enjoy watching Maurice Robert's headband wilt slowly down his face until it falls over his eyes and he yanks it off in a flustered huff.

What I was not expecting Monday was to fall headlong in lust for the Happy Hallows, whose singer/guitarist Sarah Negahdari (dressed in white knee socks, short shorts and a billowing Edwardian blouse) screamed and shook epileptically. She thrashed her moppy bob about in fits and spasms, and every time, it fell back exactly in place, a wonder to behold. Her vocals range from melodically poppy to bursts of hooting to red faced screaming, and their track "Vietnam" featured on the Pity Party's complementary sampler, is now on continuous repeat on my Ipod. New girl crush: confirmed.

Vintagey Riffs and Celebrity Lurkers

2007-02-01T13:07:00.000-08:00

Earl Greyhound played the Silverlake Lounge last night, and operatives tell me that it was an agoraphobe's nightmare. A line snaked out the door, and inside was thick with humans waiting for some serious rock to occur.

I caught them Tuesday night at El Cid, and the very first thing that struck me was the sight of percussive legend Ricc Sheridan's bass drum. (And his canyon of an ass crack as he bent over setting up.)

The sparkle green Ludwig kick is larger than my kitchen table, rumoured to be 97 inches in circumference, and a girl standing next to me took cellphone snapshots of Sheridan sitting down, as she giddily shreiked: "Oh my god, that thing is as tall as his boobs!" All muscle and afro (and rocking indoor sunglasses) Sheridan pounded with a ferocity that bordered on vengeful. It was violently, rhythmically gorgeous. (Aforementioned cell phone shot from the show.)

Kamara Thomas on bass fell to her knees a few times, and howled echoey back-up vocals. Tall and lankly Matt Whyte took the lead, with some serious guitar solo work.

As for last night's Silverlake Lounge show, it was peppered with Eastside luminaries: Autolux's Greg Edwards, Sia, Sharon from the Raveonettes and Giant Drag's Annie Hardy were all in attendance. Nine Black Alps, in town recording with Dave Sardy, also took in the show.

And we JUST heard that Giovanni Ribisi was caught sneaking through in the back door. We was neither booted out, nor hounded for autographs. Everyone behaved.

Giovanni gets down.

Aftermath of a Sonic Boom

2007-02-01T12:16:00.000-08:00

Sure-- it was over a week ago, but good things warrant heralding, even after the fact.

Sonic Boom who consists soley of Pete Kember of Spaceman 3- played a psychedelic, experimental set at Silverlake Lounge on January 30th, and folks are still yammering about The Awesome that ensued.

Like a switchboard operator, he mastered over a bay of analog circuitry, stabbing cables in and out to create signals which were fed directly into the PA systems. No microphones. No computers. Pure spacey, throbbing noise.

175 people stood in stunned silence watching, and I'm so pissed I wasnt one of them. Hindsight is a bitch.

We knew it all along??

2007-01-30T02:21:00.001-08:00

Who'd a thunk these local losers would knock Beyonce out of the number one spot on MTV...

Earl Greyhound to Rawk LA, Two Days Straight

2007-01-29T15:09:00.000-08:00

A back-to-back hailstorm of rawk is about to befall Los Angeles in the form of Brooklyn-based trio, Earl Greyhound. Riding on a buzzcloud and embarking on a monthlong tour, they stop into El Cid on Tuesday and Silverlake Lounge on Wednesday with riffs that would make T. Rex proud (and an afro that could shame Wolfmother.)

Balmy Los Angeles should be a welcome break for the three: we just heard that 50 miles outside of Bismarck, North-Freakin'-Dakota their tour van hit a patch of ice, and somersaulted over three times. The van was totalled, but apparently the band was unscathed. Marooned in Bismarck for 3 days, they found another van and drove straight through to San Francisco to catch up with the tour, cancelling the Seattle and Portland gigs. Afros, airbags, and good luck were on their side.

North Dakota: Land of the ...Ice.

The Fold Site Goes Under the Knife

2007-01-29T12:55:00.000-08:00

Watch for changes soon to the FoldSilverlake.com site... It's currently breathing in the heavy fumes of sedation, ready for a bit of an overhaul. This is, after all, Los Angeles.

Polo we need you.

2007-01-29T12:31:00.000-08:00

Tamale Guy is not coming tonight.