Felt that this was the most appropriate video to post for today’s holiday
Author: vallygrrrl
The little bands that could
Sometimes there’s a band that you see live that are just incredible. Their music seems to have mainstream appeal, while still sounding great musically. You wonder why they haven’t garnered more attention, buzz, success… everything. Most of the time, they’ve paid their dues, and seem to be working their way up.
Here are a few bands, Los Angeles locals, that I believe are examples of this:
The Lonely Wild
The Lonely Wild clearly have a vision when it comes to their sound. The band name says it all, there’s a heavy indie rock influence (a certain loneliness), but their music also has a wild west type feel. The Lonely Wild put on such energetic live shows and anytime I get an opportunity to see them, I go. Every member of their band is on their game at live shows and they really make an effort to connect with their audience. Unfortunately, their studio work does not exude the same energy from their live shows. Their most recent album feels a bit over the top at times. But hopefully, in the near future, they will work with a skilled producer who will help them expand their sound.
Their next show in LA is on August 18 at Echo Park Rising and it’s free!
Voxhaul Broadcast
It’s very sad that Voxhaul Broadcast are no more. They were always on the cusp of becoming something bigger, but never quite made it through. With the release of their last album, they got some radio play on LA radio stations KROQ (the Locals Only show) and on KCRW. They had a Strokes-type feel, but they created such an unusual mixture of sounds with their music. They really created a soundscape that transported the listener to a different place. The first time I saw them was in a very small garage that was absolutely packed. The sound system was crap, but it was clear that the band was talented. I went on to see them many more times and they were one of the most solid rock bands I’ve ever seen.
Review: Not That Kind of Girl (proposal)- Lena Dunham
Even though this is just a book proposal (I read it through Gawker.com before it was pulled), I feel it’s necessary to post a review of it.
Overall, Lena Dunham is a unique storyteller, but her proposal is a disappointing read, even as a draft, since she is renowned for her ability as a writer. The deal she signed was for an astronomical amount of money ($3.5 million). I have read stories that are far more deserving of just being published (not to mention, gaining this level of attention) .
[I should preface this review by saying that when I was younger, I dreamed of being a writer. Writing was always an area I never struggled in, in school. Then, I did an editorial internship for a music magazine where I wrote blogs and reviews constantly. I ran out of words to use to describe music on a regular basis. It was a constant stream of writing and I began to hate it. But, I am fond of other people’s writing and absolutely love reading. ]
This proposal, of course reads like an episode of Girls (or in the vein of Tiny Furniture, both are pretty similar). It would have been nice to read something a bit different, to get some variety from her. Instead, we learn more about Dunham, how her life was shaped, experiences, adventures, etc.
Her honesty in her writing is commendable. Many people rewrite their pasts in biographies, so they look better, but it’s clear that she is not rewriting her past. She is unabashed in her depiction of herself.
However, her proposal is like having a lengthy conversation with a spoiled rich kid. She’s not a bad person, but is completely self-absorbed. This book is supposed to be chock-full of situations other girls can learn from, but I walked away from this feeling like I learned nothing. It is very hard to relate with Lena Dunham, even though on the surface, our lives are similar (white-looking women, same age, college-educated with a dorm experience, have supportive artistic parents, raised in big cities, feminists). This is not good considering I am her book’s prime demographic.
One of her major downfalls is that you cannot completely immerse yourself into her stories. As a reader, it does not feel like you can visualize her situations. There are holes. She frequently references her friends and people she knows in a way that makes you feel like an outsider. I never felt like she was including me the reader in her conversation.
Her stories definitely need to be more fleshed out and have a broader appeal. Hopefully since this is just a proposal, this will happen.
More than anything, Lena Dunham is a talented comedienne. She is able to write about herself, while being brutally truthful, and poke fun at how ridiculous her thought process is at times.
Mr. Little Jeans
Mr. Little Jeans, aka Monica Birkenes, first broke into the scene a few years back with her cover of Arcade Fire’s “The Suburbs.” A good cover should be a reworking of a song, that illuminates it in a way where you understand the song from a different perspective. She rose to the occasion and created a really beautiful piece.
But what about her original work? Although her debut album is not out yet, she appeased fans by releasing a single, “Oh Sailor.” The video for it, directed by Tim Nackashi, is absolutely breathtaking and encapsulates the feeling of the song wonderfully. Watch:
For those of you in LA, or if you’re in the SF Valley and willing to make the trek out on the 405, Mr. Little Jeans will be playing a show at the Santa Monica Pier later this summer with Santa Barbara’s own, Gardens and Villa. She’s a great performer and will not disappoint.
Sister Crayon
I have exhausted all of my social media outlets talking about this band! I went to see Bosnian Rainbows (featuring Teri Gender Bender of Le Butcherettes) on Tuesday at the First Unitarian Church in Los Angeles with Sister Crayon as the opening act. If you’re a fan of CocoRosie, you will definitely like them. Their name actually comes from a drunk letter singer Terra Lopez wrote to CocoRosie’s Bianca Casady. It’s no wonder Sister Crayon are from Sacramento, the place that has produced other talents like Chelsea Wolfe and Agent Ribbons. Terra has such an incredible voice, it’s seriously unbelievable. Her range is so diverse, at times she sounds as though she’s singing in an opera while at other times, she sounds like she’s on the verge of rapping. I immediately had goosebumps once the band started playing. Everyone in attendance knew they were in the midst of something spectacular. After each song, the crowd cheered, begging for more. I have been to hundreds of shows over the years and it’s been a while since I was this blown away by an act.
Sister Crayon’s most recent release is an EP called Cynic. You should totally give it a listen…like now…don’t delay!
A little about this blog
Hello all!
This blog will be about my adventures and cool things I come across in music, art, fashion, and film. There’s going to be a heavy focus on LA, since that’s where I’m based. I’m totally into music and frequent concerts roughly once a week, so pics from shows and reviews will be posted often. Basically, anything that peaks my interest will be here.
Happy reads!
valleygrrrl.com 