Time for the Summer SHOWdown!

Regardless of whether you're bogged down with internships and extracurriculars or simply just enjoying the Los Angeles sun (...or lack there of. Thanks June gloom) , summer is the perfect opportunity to catch some of your favorite artists on tour! Here is a listing of some KSCR approved shows you definitely should not miss! June 15th: This summer, the Echo is hosting a series of mini music fests beginning with the WOODSIST FEST! Real Estate, Woods, Kurt Vile, Abe Vigoda, Nodzz, + many others will be performing! More info may be found here: http://bit.ly/bY4p1X. Stay tuned for a ticket giveaway from KSCR! June 18th: KSCR + Dangerbird Records presents Division Day. A FREE in-store performance at Origami Vinyl from 7-8pm. (Details: http://www.facebook.com/KSCRradio?ref=ts#!/event.php?eid=122285361137993&ref=ts). This is only the first installment of KSCR sponsored shows! June 19th: Pasadena's very own Make Music Pasadena. Another free event featuring the likes of Matt&Kim, Natalia Fourcade, Warpaint, Voxhaul Broadcast, The Antlers, Breakestra, Jessica Fichot, Monte Negro, + many more! That equates to 500 musicians, 50+ concerts, and 12 hours of music for the price of FREE.99! The event is from 11am to 11pm. Visit www.makemusicpasadena.com for more details. All of the shows listed are either free or has the possibility of being free (if you win tickets through KSCR)! Aside from that though, KSCR periodically gives away free tickets to various shows around L.A. In order to win these, you can (and should) follow KSCR on twitter (@KSCR), find us and "like" us on fbook, or listen to the various radio shows during summer programming. Some upcoming ticket giveaways include: Jamie Lidell, Brian Jonestown Massacre, Rooney, New Pornographers, Blitzen Trapper, Grupo Fantasma, Gogol Bordello, Hootenanny 2010 feat Chuck Berry and Jerry Lee Lewis, + many others! Hope to see you cool cats at any of these fine events!

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CMJ Night One: Jens and His Technicolor Top Half

As learned by last night, the key to CMJ is to commit to one venue for the evening. I trekked to the Music Hall of Williamsburg, an amazing 3-floor venue for the Brooklyn Vegan showcase. Somehow, I stood throughout 5 acts, albeit my legs were shaking, my feet were aching, and I was totally dehydrated. The Sammies were unfortunately an unpleasant start to the night. The dorky four piece from Charlotte were the typical pop-punk outfit with lead, rhythm, bass, and drums. Charming as they were, the music was utterly forgettable--predictable and repetitive--but well-rehearsed. Their best songs were near the end with some obvious southern rock 'n roll influence, but overall, I liked the karaoke band at Arlene's better (see: Jeff's blog). Shearwater was a super awesome, older fivesome playing dreamy, somber, country-inspired rock. The highlight was Thor, their drummer/clarinet player who had a sleeveless blouse, bangs, and one pigtail braid. On stage sat two keyboards, a tambourine, banjo, trumpet, three bass guitars (two electric, one standup [with and without the bow]), acoustic and electric guitar, and the aforementioned clarinet and drums. They were a pleasant surprise. Ponytail totally took me back to L.A. 'cos they remind me of so many Smell bands. Four kids playing the funnest noise pop/tropical-y punk is fronted by this little androgenous yelling kid who had some sort of ADD. The energy on stage just permeated through the crowd, and the night really began to take off. I loved seeing two Telecasters battling. Ponytail plays well-coordinated, well-practiced pop. Restless for Jens Lekman, I thought I would not survive Passion Pit, but I actually was pretty absorbed in their set. Five of the cutest boys from Cambridge, MA played (suprisingly not annoying) keyboard/synth dominated electronic pop. The lead singer looked like a skinnier, hip Booger from Revenge of the Nerds and had a voice like a (less annoying) version of the Mars Volta dude. Three keyboards alternating with bass and guitar made for dreamy but energetic, fun dance music. I have to admit, when the moment finally came, and Jens Lekman appeared like a god descending from the sky, in a pink parrot sweater, I was disappointed. I suppose I expected more singing from the "singing DJ" gig, but the set was still tons of fun. The people around me had been standing up for more than four hours at this point, but managed to dance their feet until they were numbed. Jens was set-up on the far back corner of the stage. His pale complexion was reflecting 100% of the spotlights, so that he glowed orange, pink, and green while mouthing Mariah Carey's Fantasy and doing his characteristic old man clapping. The point was hammered home that Jens likes American female pop... a lot. All in all, Brooklyn Vegan put on an excellent showcase and I may go to their other events this week. Tonight, I must choose between Tobacco and Fujiya and Miyagi at the Mercury Lounge, or the Carpark/Paw Tracks showcase (Beach House, Tickley Feather) at Le Poisson Rouge. I will blog again tomorrow, probably from this $2/20 minutes computer. Missin' you, L.A.

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How To Stay Cool This Summer in L.A.

Does anyone know what the fuck was up with that heat wave earlier this week? I have never sweat so much in my entire life. Some anonymous culprit in my apartment seems to think that "85" is an appropriate setting to stay cool. WTF, right? Oh well, I can't blame her. Energy costs ARE soaring. But if you are a regular old warm-blooded creature who enjoys 77 degrees Fahrenheit on the 'mostat and now are completely broke, I have a very limited list of ideas for you to stay cool for little/no cash. 1. Hang out at Farmlab. They have "public salons" on Fridays, which are basically free mini lectures at noon on pretty interesting shit. Farmlab also hosts other events like concerts and exhibits throughout the week. 2. Go see concerts. LosAnjealous has a fairly comprehensive list of shows (just like KSCR does on our website!), and they give away free tickets (I won a pair to Dan Deacon a couple of months back...) KSCR programming starts back up on June 1st, whence we shall also be giving away tickets... for free. 3. Go see arts. LACMA has free Friday night jazz all summer long from 6-8pm. This Monday, Memorial Day, Target is sponsoring everyone for free with fun activities and events! Otherwise, LACMA is free after 5pm. MOCA is free on Thursdays from 5-8pm, even at the Geffen Contemporary where the Lawrence Weiner exhibit will be showing until mid-July. 4. I like looking at The Los Angeles Times' The Guide, especially the editor's picks. For example, Ray Bradbury (bad ass author of Fahrenheit 451! and other literary gems) is going to be doing a free reading and signing in Torrance next Tuesday. I've seen free events at the Disney Concert Hall n stuff posted on there too. Cool! I shall keep you updated as I learn new things you can do. Listen to KSCR when we're back on the air.

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