I’m In a Los Angeles Cathedral

After seeing The Lone Bellow at the Bluegrass Situation Festival last October, it was exciting to attend another one of their shows, this time as they opened for The National at The Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, California on July 28, 2016. It was a little disheartening to see so many seats still open at a sold out show as the band took the stage, but early start times at the Greek compounded with L.A. traffic seem to make this a regular occurrence at this venue. Nevertheless, the band played as if every seat was full. The Greek also has

The Song Where I Listen

On Wednesday, July 20, 2016, I saw Béla Fleck and Chris Thile performing at the Theatre at Ace Hotel in downtown Los Angeles. I love this beautiful venue and wish I could spend some time roaming the theater and photographing parts of the decor (check out the link to their web site to see what I mean if you haven’t been there). Upon entering the stage, the two gentleman careened straight into the lightning quick number “Riddles in the Dark” from Chris’s album, Not All Who Wander Are Lost. (Yes, a young Chris was inspired by The Hobbit.) On its conclusion,

I Bleed You and I Know You Know I Do

I was thrilled that Beta Play booked another L.A. show just a couple weeks after their previous one at The Troubadour. They played on The Hotel Cafe main stage in the middle time slot on Tuesday, June 28, 2016.  They were once again playing with new drummer Joshua Daubin and so the set list was the same as at The Troubadour to cover all the songs he has already learned. No matter, it was a fantastic and energetic set list, including their best and newest songs: “The Way We Play,” recently released as a single on iTunes “Innocent,” from Only Human

Stop the World

Time for the monthly Jon Brion concert report! I certainly was not going to miss this one after last month’s incredible show. Back at Largo at the Coronet on Friday, June 24, 2016, I walked in the theatre to see all of the looping equipment set up. Back-to-back looping concerts, are you freaking kidding me?  After having a rough day myself and still reeling from the repercussions of all the unbelievable things going on in our world, I was ready for this sanctuary — to be transported from all that by whatever Jon had in store. There was no opener

There’s Something Exciting Outside of Me

On Wednesday, June 15, 2016, I was at The Troubadour to catch one of my favorite Southern California bands, Beta Play, opening for Rita Wilson. The last time I saw them was back in October 2015 at their EP release show in Santa Barbara, California. Beta Play band members are: Tom Cantillon on vocals and guitar, Mike Cantillon on keyboard, guitar, and backing vocals, and Mike Dyer on bass and backing vocals. Recently, drummer Matt Palermo sadly left the band to pursue other interests and to spend some time in India. Joshua Daubin, from Nashville, expertly filled in on drums