Static and Surrender @ Hollywood's Hotel Cafe

July 17, 2018 by Jessica Klausing

Static and Surrender are on tour throughout California in honor of their debut album release. Their energetic riffs and rhythms are on par with the alternative superstar acts such as Lifehouse and Matchbox Twenty. Jeff Campbell (lead vocals, guitar) backed by John Schuman (drums), Adam Schuman (guitar, vocals), and Lauren Stockner (bass player) – all stars in their own right – delivered a passionate performance at Hollywood’s Hotel Café.

Check out Static and Surrender’s debut album. If you get the chance to see them live, do it! Very few artists have that special knack to sound better live than in the studio. Static and Surrender is definitely one of those bands that kick it up a notch in the live shows.

Follow Static and Surrender:
Website
Facebook
Instagram
Youtube
Twitter
Spotify
Amazon
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Interview with Matthew Phillips

July 14, 2018 by Jessica Klausing

Up-and-coming singer-songwriter Matthew Phillips has been making waves through San Diego’s music scene with over 100,000 followers on Instagram and receiving endorsements from Fender Electric Guitars, Taylor Acoustic Guitars, GHS Strings, and Voss Water, just to name a few.

We got to chat with Matthew about his journey becoming a solo artist, independent artist struggles, and his mad videography skills!

INTERVIEW.

Be sure to follow Matthew Phillips:
WEBSITE
FACEBOOK
INSTAGRAM
SOUNDCLOUD
YOUTUBE

THROWBACK: M2M

July 06, 2018 by Jessica Klausing

M2M defined the bubblegum pop genre in the Y2K era.

The Norwegian pop duo comprised of childhood friends Marion Raven and Marit Larsen. Their debut album, Shades of Purple (2000) sold over 1.5 million units worldwide with the single, “Don’t Say You Love Me,” receiving critical and commercial success. Raven and Larsen wrote the lyrics and played instruments on their songs which set them apart from most pop artists.

Check out our Top 5 M2M song picks.

KNOW YOUR PROS: Heather Hudson - CEO & Owner of REVOLT WINE CO

July 03, 2018 by Jessica Klausing

Heather Hudson is our featured industry professional for July 2018!

Heather and Steve Hudson own and manage the wine label, REVOLT WINE CO, a brand that focuses solely on the connection between music and wine.

The Hudsons' brand has gained attention in the music and wine world by having partnered with many artists such as The Offspring, Atlas Genius, Pepper, Less Than Jake, Yellowcard, Cartel, and The Spill Canvas. The company also partnered with The Vans Warped Tour VIP party, was an active participant in the Wine Riot Chicago, and sponsored the Skateboard Marathon in San Diego, along with Rock Vs. Cancer event at The Gibson Showroom in Beverly Hills.

Coby Brown @ Hollywood's Hotel Cafe

June 26, 2018 by Jessica Klausing

Coby Brown performs at Hotel Cafe. Photo by Jessica Klausing.

Coby Brown treated fans to a beautiful, laid-back set in the intimate Second Stage Room at Hollywood’s Hotel Café on Thursday.

Brown is no stranger to the Hollywood music scene. He’s a composer and songwriter who’s had his work featured in numerous films and TV shows; most recently he completed the score for the biopic, “The Man Who Knew Infinity.”

Brown is an acoustic folk artist, but more importantly, he’s a keen observer able to capture the singer-songwriter genre in the personal stories the lyrics tell, and the sensitive, emotional accompaniment of his band.

Food + Travel

June 14, 2018 by Jessica Klausing

"Come On You Wanna Let Me" tiki drink photo by Jessica Klausing

"If music be the food of love, play on," - William Shakespeare, Twelfth Night.

I am excited to announce FOOD + TRAVEL to our music blog roster. Check out our reviews/recommendations of food, drink, travel, and other random musings with a musical flair.

Here is a sample of some of our reviews so far:

-Summertime is here! Why not cool off with a delicious tiki drink and some Beach Boys playing in the background? We stopped by Hollywood's Harvard and Stone to check out their seasonal tiki drink menu. READ MORE.

-For a limited time - Hollywood's Ever Bar is serving up 2018 Oscars inspired cocktails. We tried the "Get Out" based off of Jordan Peele's Best Original Screenplay Winner of 2018. READ MORE.

-Fellow Star Wars nerds! Warp speed on over to Hollywood's Scum and Villainy Cantina for some Sci-Fi themed drinks and fun galore! We tried out the famous "Wretched Blue Milk." READ MORE.

-Happy National Wine Day! Join us as we crack open a bottle of Red Decadence Chocolate Wine and listen to steampunk artist, Jordan Reyne. READ MORE.

-We LOVE brunch in LA! We visited WKNDR in Los Feliz to try their famous Japanese Air Pancakes. READ MORE.

Monks Of Doom @ LA's Cafe NELA

May 21, 2018 by Jessica Klausing

Monks Of Doom are back on tour. Yes, you read this correctly.

The surrealist progressive rockers are back in support of their newest album, The Bronte Pin. This album is the first of new material released in 25 years. The long wait, though highly frustrating, was indeed worth it. Victor Krummenacher (vocals, bass, and guitar), David Immerglück (vocals, guitar, bass, and mandolin), Greg Lisher (guitar), and Chris Pederson (drums, percussion) pulled listeners into a post-rock world of cryptic hysteria and psychedelic instrumentals at LA’s Café NELA.

Check out our REVIEW.

Victor Krummenacher took some time to chat with us about the new MOD album. Check out our INTERVIEW.

Interview with Falling Doves' Chris Leyva

May 15, 2018 by Jessica Klausing

Falling Doves. From left: Mike Dorsey and Chris Leyva. Photo by Kelli Hayden.

The Falling Doves never play it safe.

Chris Leyva (guitars, vocals) and Mike Dorsey (lead guitarist) create an unpredictable mix of garage rock with jazz, metal, Latin, and pop infusions. Known for their deep lyrical confessionals and aggressive playing, this band is not afraid to combine the classics with the new.

Falling Doves' Chris Leyva chats with us about his musical influences, international touring, and the new upcoming Falling Doves album.

Check out our INTERVIEW.

Falling Doves Social Media:

Szlachetka @ Hollywood's Hotel Cafe

May 13, 2018 by Jessica Klausing

Szlachetka performs "Heart Of My Hometown" at Hollywood's Hotel Cafe. Photo by Jessica Klausing.

Szlachetka (pronounced SLA-HET-KA) is out on tour in support of his new album release, Heart Of My Hometown. Rolling Stone Magazine praised the album citing Szlachetka as a ‘New Country Artist to Know.’ That was evident as many Angelinos packed into the Second Stage venue at Hollywood’s Hotel Café on Wednesday night. The music was Americana roots rock superb, the storytelling honed the heartland spirit, and with the added chemistry of Szlachetka’s full band— it was transcendence into musical nirvana.

Check out our CONCERT REVIEW.

Szlachetka social media:

Official Website
Twitter
Instagram
Facebook

Snow Patrol @ LA's Fonda Theatre

May 03, 2018 by Jessica Klausing

Gary Lightbody and Minnie Driver at the Fonda Theatre. Photo by U2Soul/Flickr.

Snow Patrol performed a legendary set at Los Angeles' Fonda Theatre over the weekend.

Check out Courtney Lavender's REVIEW.

The mark of a great singer is measured less by vocal quality, and more by believability. Do you believe what you are singing? Do others believe you when you sing it? Though he may have tripped up technically at points, I never once doubted what Gary Lightbody was communicating, nor did anyone in the rapt audience. "Heal Me" was dedicated to someone who saved his life. I've been standing in the fire for way too long, he sang, and I could feel the flames.