Artist/Band Spotlight #19: GANGI!

Friends -

Gangi came into my life as I impatiently waited for Casteldoor to start their set at The Scene in Glendale. All L.A. concert goers know that bands never start on time, but this night things were running over an hour late. I was in luck though because I walked in just as this great band was about to play. Their music was intoxicating; I started dancing as if my body had been taken over by a goddess of higher enlightenment and my life's vision was starting to get hazy. There was more sound (and heart) coming out of these two guys than I had heard out of any sized band in a long time. That's it, I was addicted to the Gangi drug.

Official Gangi MySpace
Official Gangi Facebook


MEET THE BAND:
Matt Gangi - word processor (Lead vocals, guitar, synth, beat machine, percussion, foot stomping, clapping, etc.)
Lyle Nesse - translation machine (Back-up vocals, percussion, samples, beats, noises, etc.)
& Others


WHO ARE GANGI?
Let's start this off right, the band's name is Gangi: sounds like GAN-jee. According to Wikipedia "Gangi is a city in the Himalan region of India. The Indian name, Gangi, is another name for the revered Hindu goddess Durga." But that has nothing to do with what we are discussing here. Now, back to the music...

Gangi is fundamentally pop rock, but not in the "I love you" kind of way that the Jonas Brothers are pop. These guys are talented musicians and are masters at creating sound, They use all sorts of samples, beats, sound clips, styles, themes, and experimentation to compose their songs. I believe that lyrics are of the utmost importance in modern music, but Gangi's music is so good, I don't even think about the fact that I have no idea what they are talking about. I don't doubt Matt is exploring the damnation of human kind or the need for a change in worldly thought, but I couldn't confirm it.

I think there is a similarity between Gangi and The Black Keys. Not that these bands sound anything alike, but their fundamental foundation is the same. Each band relies on two men to deliver the words, sounds, emotions, and urgency that their songs exude. They both oversimplify bigger issues and include seemingly nonsense to draw people in and make them think for themselves. Now there is no denying the differences between these artists, The Black Keys stay true to their solid rock sound and Gangi plays around with psychedelic late-60s pop and retro-rock.

Gangi played the CMJ festival in 2007; was featured on the cover of September's L.A. Record; and is currently on the Large Hadron Collider Tour, crossing America with Rainbow Arabia, Hecuba, and others. Gangi records under the indie label Office of Analogue and Digital.


LISTEN UP!

Gangi, "A" Full LP - $10, purchase online through iTunes or Myspace, or in-person at a show


FOR YOUR VIEWING PLEASURE:
"Waiting on the Line" Video/Performance


"Animals" Video



WHY YOU SHOULD LOVE GANGI, TOO:
***Go see them live, you won't be able to stop dancing!
***The band is always playing live shows, so your need for Gangi won't go unfulfilled for long.
***Gangi is a perfect example of great music that you may never hear on the radio. Stop listening to formulated music and start exploring the sound of musicians who speak their mind.


UPCOMING SHOWS:
Oct 21 2008 @ 8:00P
CMJ Manimal Vinyl Showcase at CAKESHOP New York City, New York
Oct 23 2008 @ 8:00P
The Windup Space w/ Rainbow Arabia, Hecuba, and Red Headed Temper Baltimore, Maryland
Oct 24 2008 @ 8:00P
Inciting HQ w/ Rainbow Arabia and Hecuba Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Oct 26 2008 @ 8:00P
The Triple w/ Rainbow Arabia Richmond, Virginia
Oct 28 2008 @ 8:00P
The Drunken Unicorn w/ Rainbow Arabia Atlanta, Georgia
Oct 30 2008 @ 8:00P
The Mink Backroom w/ Wicked Poseur and Rainbow Arabia Houston, Texas
Oct 31 2008 @ 8:00P
Rancho Relaxo w/ Rainbow Arabia Austin, Texas
Nov 2 2008 @ 8:00P
The Process w/ Rainbow Arabia Santa Fe, New Mexico
Nov 3 2008 @ 8:00P
TBA w/ Rainbow Arabia Phoenix, Arizona
Don't worry L.A.ers, Gangi will come back home very soon!


Thanks!
Julia

PS - Are we friends on MySpace yet? Come on, let be friends!

Artist/Band Spotlight #18: RIC VEDA

Hello again old friends -

Sorry for the lag in reviews, but I have been a busy little bee! I am proud to announce that I just started a brand new job working as the US marketing director for EMI Music Publishing's legendary KPM library. It is a bit of a change working with instrumental music, but I am sure that the change of working with commercial musicians to composers will be a smooth one. I love music and feel so fortunate to be able to help promote great musicians across many genres.

Getting back on track, I am very excited to present you an outstanding band that is anything but the pop-infused rock that I have focused on recently. Ric Veda is a collaboration of exceptional musicians who combine Indian hymns with a very modern approach to percussion and vocals. They use trance to draw you in to their world where they speak of love and understanding in a way that skips past your head and goes right to your heart.

Ric Veda MySpace Page
Ric Veda Official Site
CDFuse.com/RicVeda
SoundClick.com/RicVeda




(View all 17 pics from this gig at the Unknown Theatre HERE!)

MEET THE BAND:
Ric Veda: Vocals, Harmonium, 12-string Guitar, Ektar
Nishtan Motyka: 7-string Violin, Vocals
j stare: Drums, Hand Drums, Percussion (also from the band The Submarines)
Jason Paul Bennett: Bass, Percussion
...with many guest appearances


WHO IS/ARE RIC VEDA?
Ric Veda is Indian-inspired folk-rock music, brought into the present day by men who thrive on expression and believe in love. The choice of an Indian sound is not a pretentious fad, but rooted in the member's backgrounds: Ric Veda's mother was a healer and a promoter of new age meditation, and Nishtan Motyka received his name while living in an ashram.

Ric Veda started his musical experience in a dark place. Life was not being kind, and beyond the day-to-day struggle he was loosing faith in faith. He felt "spiritually fucked," resulting in music that was dark, depressing, and angry. He delved deep into Indian spirituality, meditation, and chanting. It took time, but the music changed from a vehicle of hate to a communication of connection. The new songs have not forgotten the hurt, but have moved on to embrace a better understanding of the world's gifts.

"Ric Veda's songs are a reflection of all come to pass; from the spiritual Indian devotional bhajans and the authenticity of traditional folk songs, to the honest punk attitude and acoustic breakbeats. Ric Veda combines these genres and more to create a place in music that could only exist with the love of all music (past, present and future) and all spiritual teachings (past, present and future) now available to all of us. " - Ric Veda's MySpace


LISTEN UP!
"Ric Veda Loves You"

Purchase in-store at Amoeba Records; or digitally on iTunes, digstation.com/ricveda, and cdbaby.com/ricveda
An EP is schedule to be released in the near future; check MySpace for updates.


FOR YOUR VIEWING PLEASURE:
"Love is All I Know" on Westside Sessions



"Savasana" Official Video:


"Now" LIVE version with harmonium:


"When It Goes" LIVE version with ektar:



WHY YOU SHOULD LOVE RIC VEDA, TOO:
***
***The beats are simple and straightforward, the harmonium is hauntingly welcoming, and the lyrics force you to think about who you are.
***The name 'Ric Veda' stems from the Rigveda, an ancient Indian sacred collection of Vedic Sanskrit hymns dedicated to the gods.


UPCOMING SHOWS:
Ric Veda has held many residencies including a Summer-long Monday gig at Cafe Mariposa and is currently holding a residency at The Unknown theater in Hollywood every third Saturday of each month.
September 30: Bordello - Los Angeles
November 15: The Unknown Theater - Hollywood, $5, 21+, Free Beer all night
December 20: The Unknown Theater - Hollywood, $5, 21+, Free Beer all night

Thanks!
Julia

Are we friends on MySpace yet? If not, Click Here!

Artist/Band Spotlight #17: THE ROYALTY

Friends -

I wish every time I went out to see a band they rocked, but that only happens about 36.15% of the time. The Royalty was definitely in that percentage and really lit up the Knitting Factory when I saw them a week ago. Actually, there was an incredible line up at the Dramaturgy show that night: Jake Incao Band, The Active Set, The Royalty, ((SOUNDER)), and The Young Whiskey. Thinking back, I believe the only bad thing about the whole night was the sound...but really, what can be expected from the AlterKnit Lounge??


The Royalty Official MySpace Page
The Royalty on Pure Volume



MEET THE BAND:
Nicole: Vocals
Jesus: Guitar
Val: Guitar
Will: Bass
Dan: Piano/Organ
Joel: Drums


WHO ARE THE ROYALTY?
The Royalty are friends from El Paso, Texas...where you see America on one side of the highway and Mexico on the other. The first thing that caught my eye was how they instantly converted a bare stage turned into a dance party, without hesitation. It was almost like a light switch: readyyyyy....ON!

I hear a lot of Paramore in The Royalty, minus the crazed aggression. Their songs are catchy and addictive. On the other hand, I heard this band described as a "female-fronted Alkaline Trio." Either way, they are 100% KROQ-friendly and could easily snag up fans across the country. They are hot!

The media already loves these kids:
"A band with a knack for melody and wall-of-sound instrumentation, has been a hit with the scene kids since they debuted more than two years ago...Expect good things from this band very soon." - Ryan B. Martinez, What's Up Magazine

"The female singer is quite popular, and adorable to boot. Her voice is raw, and the melody is absolutely bitchin'. The sound reminds me of milkshakes and bobby socks, all while rocking my bobby socks off. The crowd is really into them. This is obviously supposed to be the showcase band for the evening." -Kristi Harben, Verve Magazine

"In September 2008, the band will record its first full-length album, shoot it's second music video and tour the following winter." - The Royalty's MySpace page


LISTEN UP!

The Royalty EP (2008)
Available on iTunes and Amazon


FOR YOUR VIEWING PLEASURE:
"Chinese Fire Drill" Official Music Video


The Royalty LIVE! on Jam Session, El Paso TV



WHY YOU SHOULD LOVE THE ROYALTY, TOO:
***One word: ENERGY!
***Every modest, hard-working band deserves at least one listen. Let them convert you.
***For Christ's sake, Jesus is in this band!


UPCOMING SHOWS:
The group just finished a California tour that included gigs everywhere from San Francisco to San Diego. Maybe California, and other luck states, will see them in the cold months after their finish up their debut full-length album.
Sep 3 2008 12:00P Wednesday Music Cafe @ UTEP UNION El Paso, Texas
Sep 5 2008 8:00P MINERPALOOZA '08 El Paso, Texas


Thanks!
Julia

Are we friends on MySpace yet? Let's be!!

Artist/Band Spotlight #16: ACE ENDERS...and a Million Other People

Friends -

I am new to the indie scene, but if you are not, you probably know Jersey's-own The Early November (TEN), an essential band in the indie scene a few years back. Ace Enders fronted that band until they split up early Summer 2007. Now he is running his own show, kickin' ass, and takin' names!

Ace Enders' MySpace Page
AceEnders.com



MEET THE MAN:
Arthur "Ace" Enders - Vocals/Guitar/Vox
...and a million other people


WHO IS ACE ENDERS?
The man known as "Ace," Arthur Enders, grew up in Hammonton, New Jersey and started creating music at a young age. He was well beyond his years when he put together The Early November in 1999; he was 17-years-old. TEN quickly exploded onto the indie-rock scene and in 2002 independent label Drive-Thru Records snagged up the young, hot band. The guys had their fun for several years, but after they finished up a tour with The Rocket Summer and Mêlée in March 2007, they posted a note on their web site declaring the band on "infinite hiatus."

As cliché as it is, the biggest problem for TEN was creative differences. Ace took his creative mojo and quickly started a solo project after the split. He began writing and recording I Can Make A Mess Like Nobody's Business, an acoustic rock album on which he wrote every word and played almost every note.

These days, Ace is playing for thousands of people who don't know his name, as well as thousands who have grown with him. He was eager to release a sophomore solo album, always with the intention of making it available to download for free; that is The Secret Wars.

Ace Enders records on Indie label Drive-Thru Records. He just finished up a tour with Angels and Airwaves and is currently on tour with Cute is What We Aim For, Powerspace, and Danger Radio.


LISTEN UP!
Solo Recordings:
When I Hit the Ground (to be released 9/2008)
The Secret Wars (2008)
***Download the album for FREE HERE!!!
I Can Make A Mess Like Nobody's Business (2004)

TEN Recordings:
For All of This [EP] (2002)
The Room Is Too Cold (2003)
The Mother the Mechanic the Path [3-CD Set] (2006)


FOR YOUR VIEWING PLEASURE:
"Body Like Mind" - LIVE! 6/18 - Allentown, PA



WHY YOU SHOULD LOVE ACE ENDERS, TOO:
***It is easy to pigeonhole Ace into the "Warped Tour" sound, but he does what he does very well. His songs are well-written, the lyrics are very catchy, and his voice is passionate.
***It is clear when you see Ace perform that he is no rookie. He works the crowd, understands the importance of getting fans involved, and is humble enough to promote himself as if no one has ever heard of him.
***All in all, his music is fun!


UPCOMING SHOWS:
Aug 4 2008 7:00P Club Sound w/Cute Is What We Aim For Salt Lake City, Utah
Aug 5 2008 7:00P The Marquis Theatre w/Cute Is What We Aim For Denver, Colorado
Aug 6 2008 7:00P Beaumont Club w/Cute Is What We Aim For Kansas City, Missouri
Aug 7 2008 6:00P The Loft Madison, Wisconsin
Aug 8 2008 5:30P Station 4 w/Cute Is What We Aim For St. Paul, Minnesota
Aug 9 2008 7:00P The Eagles Club w/ Cute is What We Aim For Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Aug 10 2008 6:00P Metro w/Cute Is What We Aim For Chicago, Illinois
Aug 12 2008 7:00P Creepy Crawl w/Cute Is What We Aim For Saint Louis, Missouri
Aug 13 2008 7:00P Madison Theatre w/Cute Is What We Aim For Covington, Kentucky
Aug 14 2008 7:00P Frankies Toledo, Ohio
Aug 15 2008 7:00P Grog Shop w/Cute Is What We Aim For Cleveland Heights, Ohio
Aug 16 2008 7:00P Magic Stick w/Cute Is What We Aim For Detroit, Michigan
Aug 17 2008 7:00P The Basement w/Cute Is What We Aim For Columbus, Ohio


Thanks!
Julia

PS - Are we friends on MySpace? We should be! Let's be Friends!

Artist/Band Spotlight #15: MY BRIGHTEST DIAMOND

Friends -

Sometimes, on very special occasions, you get a whole lot more than you paid for. I was out with a few friends on a Tuesday night and we decided to stop by the Hotel Cafe, knowing that they never book bad music. Our stars must have been inline that night, because we walked into My Brightest Diamond playing their sophomore album A Thousand Shark's Teeth. I was so blown away, I e-mailed everyone I could think of while I was still standing in the crowd.

MBD Official MySpace Page
MyBrightestDiamond.com


..

MEET THE (WOMEN BEHIND THE) BAND:
Shara Worden: Vocals, lyricist, many instruments
A variety of other musicians, depending on show or album


WHO IS MY BRIGHTEST DIAMOND?
My Brightest Diamond is the project of an incredible woman named Shara Worden; she is the captain of this musical ship. Shara is based out of Brooklyn, New York, but has lived in many corners of the United States. "Picking up an opera degree at the University of North Texas, Shara immersed herself in the songs of Purcell and Debussy. After college, she moved to New York City to simultaneously continue her opera studies and pursue her songwriting ambitions, releasing two albums with her band Awry." - asthmatickitty.com

After Awry, Shara ventured out on her own and started My Brightest Diamond. Although the music and lyrics are always the same, much changes about MBD; no one can predict the number of musicians on stage, the instruments used, and Shara's costume for the night. There is theatre and storytelling in each vowel. She reminds me a lot of a stronger, louder Tori Amos or a female Damien Rice.

One of my favorite songs played at the Hotel Cafe was "Apples." This song felt like it was sung as a memoir of a carnival side show act before his life came to this. This person is remembering the summers with his Grandfather spent in an apple orchard and the innocence of a simpler time.

All of MBD's recorded music has been released on independent Asthmatic Kitty Records.


LISTEN UP!
A Thousand Shark's Teeth (June 17, 2008)
***Stream A Thousand Shark's Teeth here!
Tear It Down [Remixes] (March 6, 2007)
Bring Me The Workhorse (August 2006)


FOR YOUR VIEWING PLEASURE:
"Golden Star" LIVE!


"Dragonfly" Official Video



WHY YOU SHOULD LOVE MY BRIGHTEST DIAMOND, TOO:
***You have never heard or experienced as much musical force as from this five-foot powerhouse!
***Much like the songs on Missy Higgins's "Sound of White" album, MBD's songs tell emotional and intense stories that make your imagination run wild.
***Music + charity + merchandise = a perfect combination. Shara created a t-shirt for the Yellow Bird Project, an organization that gets musicians to sell tees and donate the profit to charity. Check out here design here!


UPCOMING SHOWS:
Aug 8 2008 4:00P Haldern Festival, Rees


Thanks!
Julia

PS - Are we friends on MySpace yet? No? Click HERE!

Artist/Band Spotlight #14: "I heard these guys are good..."

Friends -

This week I thought I would switch things up a bit and list off some of the great bands that have come to my attention recently. I haven't seen any of these bands perform live yet, so I can't justify a full review, but I want to get the music out there so we can start to love them together.

As always, if there is a great band below the radar that you are passionate about, please let me know!


LUDO (St. Louis, Missouri)

Ludo's Official MySpace Page
LudoRock.com
"Love Me Dead" official video


I was driving through Hollywood listening to Love Line on KROQ and heard Ludo's single "Love Me Dead." I fell in love with the song the same way I couldn't stop listening to Cute Is What We Aim For's "Curse of Curves." This is a 100% pure fun pop-rock band like Panic at the Disco and Bowling for Soup. Ludo has been a band for eights years now, but they are just picking up speed. The guys are on Warped Tour all Summer, so no matter where you call home, you can probably catch these guys sometime soon. Their latest album, "You're Awful, I Love You" was released on Island Def Jam Records.


BRYAN SCARY AND THE SHREDDING TEARS (Brooklyn, NY)

Bryan Scary's Official MySpace Page
BryanScary.com
"Purple Rocket" LIVE! at the "Flight of the Knife" CD release party, Halloween 2006


Bryan Scary is many things, and many sounds, at one. His music can be described as "semi-psychedelic art pop," which I think fits well because I know Andy Warhol would have been a fan. The band's biggest influences are the Beatles, the Kinks, Queen, and XTC; all of which blend beautifully in each song. I also hear a lot of Silverchair's latest sound in BSATST's latest album "Flight of the Knife," available on indie label Black and Greene Records. I can't think of many other modern bands that groove like this one, but if you are into theatrical pop-rock (The Matches) and idolize Freddie Mercury, you are sure to love Bryan Scary!


THE FORMAT (Phoenix, AZ)

The Format's Official MySpace Page
TheFormat.com
"Dog Problems" official video


The Format, from Peoria, AZ, started as a two-man band with vocalist Nate Ruess and multi-instrumentalist Sam Means, but has grown into a full band over the last half-decade. I love that this band has a very mellow, indie rock feel with lyrics that catch your attention as they float by. The songs are melodically simple but deep in their comprehension and analysis of modern relationships. Some of The Format's Top Friends on MySpace are Steel Train and The Honorary Title. These guys have struggled with Elektra/Atlantic Records and finding their way, but they kept on and eventually took back the reigns; the band's latest album "Dog Problems" was released July 2006 on their own Vanity Label.



Great Shows This Week in L.A.
July 7: Under the Influence of Giants (Monday residency) w/ Bridges and Mico Stai @ Spaceland, Silver Lake (FREE)
July 7: Princeton (Monday residency), Dirty Mittens, Le Switch, and Young Animals @ Silver Lake Lounge, Silver Lake (FREE)
July 8 - Gene Simmons is signing his new book, "Ladies of the Night: A Historical and Personal Perspective of the Oldest Profession in the World" @ Borders, 1360 Westwood Blvd., Westwood (7:00P p.m., FREE)
July 9: Natasha Bedingfield w/ The Veronicas and Kate Voegele @ House of Blues, Sunset Strip
July 10: Tilly and the Wall w/ Castledoor @ the EchoPlex (below the Echo), Echo Park
July 10: Glare Of Rockets, The Holy Rolling Empire, The Monthlies, The Forward, and The Young Whiskey @ The AlterKnit (Knitting Factory), Hollywood
July 11: Flobots @ House of Blues, Anaheim
July 12: OneRepublic @ Pacific Ampitheatre, Costa Mesa
July 12: The Who w/ Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters, and The Flaming Lips @ The Hollywood Bowl
July 13: Live w/ Collective Soul and Blues Traveler @ Greek Theatre


Thanks!
Julia

PS - Check out all of my Monday reviews and be my friend on my MySpace page!!!

The Weather Underground "Bird in the Hand" EP Review - L.A. Record, June 2008

I am very proud to display my first published review in this month's L.A. Record!

The Weather Underground's EP "A Bird in the Hand"



This third EP for the Weather Underground is a collection of short stories, each told by a different character. First: “Fight Song for the Desalojos,” a mariachi-esque song born from a recent trip to Guatemala that sounds like a great street festival and uses about every type of percussion and wind instrument to propel the party. The EP was written around the second track, “Trainwreck,” a strong, straight-forward rock anthem that pleads passion to the masses, with a feel like the Shys “Call in the Calvary” or many of the Walkmen’s up-tempo songs. The title track is a slower, more reflective piece that tells a personal story of learning to move on when your life is turned upside down, and the record closes with a somber, more gospel-inspired “All Ye People.” The band evidently believes that things happen in threes, so Bird in the Hand is the third and final EP for a while, though they are looking toward to releasing a full-length album late this year. There’s obvious inspiration here from artists such as Spoon, Delta Spirit, Tom Waits, Otis Redding and any old soul music they can get their hands on, and the spirits of each float comfortably throughout this record. — Julia Swanwick



View it online: official L.A. Record web site.
The Weather Underground's Official MySpace Page