The Week of the Musical Families at Hotel Cafe and The Knitting Factory

Interesting week, this week, in the show department…
Wed, 13th:
Hotel Café hosted the solo projects of Mike Bloom and Pierre De Reeder (both of Rilo Kiley, Bloom also of The Elected), as well as The Hereafter headlining. I was really looking forward to hearing these guys on their own and live. Mike opened and absolutely blew me away. Who knew he had an amazing set of
pipes, I guess his harmonizing never really did him justice as an individual. Seriously, you guys, if he puts an album out I suggest you snatch it up. I brought along one of my girlfriends who has absolutely no interest in my favored music and she has been ranting in his favor ever since. Normally I might question the fact that she liked something I turned her on to, but in this case I think the bottom line is that his talent is undeniable. Not to mention he’s one of the best guitarists I’ve ever witnessed. He’s definitely going places, though I hope not far because the next Rilo album is supposed to be out by springtime.

Pierre, I just love as a person because he’s so goofy and cute and sweet, but as a review, I must tell you that he might be the example of Mr. Rogers gone indie rock. He has one amazing song called “Shame on Love” that definitely gets me clapping and singing, and a really cute song about his daughter Sophia, but the rest of the set was pretty full of “rainbows and sunshine” and Rogers-esque facial expressions, whereas Bloom’s demeanor bolstered his sex appeal by a trillion making him a hard act to follow. The circle of friends, including Baby Neddy on horns, circulating in and out of the sets and the audience including Blake Sennet, Michael Runion (most recently on tour with Jenny Lewis) and Morgan Nagler (of Whispertown2000) also added to the interactive campfire-like nature of the the night, and paralleled the solo folk shows that, as of late, have been intermittently held all around this great music town we call Los Angeles.
The Hereafter headlined the night and despite their anonymity, have strangely garnered much success. For example, at least one and maybe more of their songs have been included on the Grey’s Anatomy soundtrack, and they must have some sort of connection somewhere because Sandra Oh walked in and sat at the table across from me to catch his show… alone. Maybe she’s dating one of them? Oh wait, she’s a lesbian, nevermind. Regardless, the band is basically a young guy on guitar and piano with a beautiful voice, and two old men: a bassist who looks like he was plucked out of a jazz bar in 1955 and a wanna-be-comic drummer armed with a mic, scary combination. Overall though, they are kind of a powerhouse as far as tight musicianship and powerful vocals. Definitely worth a listen, though I’m still confused as to what they’re all about. Maybe one of you can fill me in.
When I left the show, Blake and Pierre were standing outside with some of their friends so I decided to be on my best behavior and not tell Blake my inner most thoughts on his music. Pierre on the other hand, graciously offered me his LP “Shame on Love,” when I complimented him on the song, which I happily took and even offered to pay for, but he declined. (see… he’s so nice!)

Thurs, 14th:
Last night was a bit wacky. Baby Neddy had been telling me about his show at the Knitting Factory with his band TOCA (one of his many musical projects). This was to be a hip-hop show featuring Busdriver, Existero, and Ellay Khule. To my delight, right next door at Alterknit Lounge was playing a Michael Runion, Whispertown2000, Brother Reade and Franklin for Short.
Franklin for Short are friends of Michael’s from the Valley, and I missed them, so not much to report here. Michael went on next, and though I’m not familiar with his solo efforts, his musicianship is pretty stellar. I found most of my entertainment came from his perfect mix of wit and candor, though. He is truly a master of being funny without trying to be, while maybe actually trying to be. See, that’s why he’s so good… you just can’t tell. One really cute moment was when he peered into the audience looking for “the caveman” (aka Mike Bloom), to join in on guitar. Upon realizing he wasn’t out there, he remarked “Sweet, he’s a dick. I love that I go to his show last night and he can’t even show up to mine. He said he was coming.” (so cute, almost like a kid who’s older brother doesn’t make it to the game.) A few moments later, the caveman strolls in through the front door with the crowd yelling in the middle of Michael’s song “caveman’s here,” causing him to stop the song, get caveman on stage, and play a new song. Someone’s cell phone rang early on and Michael also stopped his song to say “are you gonna get that?” to which the person answered their phone, and Michael proceeded with “tell them you ruined my song.” While I am fairly certain he was joking, the rest of the audience, almost simultaneously, reached for their phones to make sure they were off.
After Michael, in walked Jake Bellows of Neva Denova, another compadre of their makeshift musical family (most recently Neva Denova toured with The Elected), and Morgan demanded that he play the four songs she had already picked out.
Ahh… Whispertown time. I have some major updates here, and retract any misgivings I’ve previously had about these guys. Some highlights:
1. Vanessa Corbala (harmonies, some drums in the style of Meg White banging a stick, and tambourine) is a walking sex pot. Seriously guys, you will go nuts for this girl. Hands down, top 3 most gorgeous people I’ve ever seen. Her personality exudes from the second you look at her, her voice is striking in its soprano ease, and her beauty is other-worldly. She also seems to be currently taken with the phrase “(inset subject here) is soooo coool” which she sings from time to time at random moments. She is the only person who could entice you to want to pick up on such a lame phrase. Oh, and her outfit was Vogue-worthy.
2. In person, Morgan has an amazing voice. It’s completely eccentric and off the wall, but amazing nonetheless. She is a true folk/soul artist.
3. My two favorite songs of theirs, Through a Hole and Restless, were the two songs they stopped halfway through due to forgetting the words. Even weirder, all week long I’ve had this recurring dream that I was at a show and was asked to come up and sing (the artist always unknown), and sure enough Morgan asked whoever knew the words to the last song to come up and sing. The lucky spot went to the gawky teen-aged fan who’d been singing and snapping pictures all night long, I was excited for her.
The great thing about this show was that throughout everyone’s set, all of the musicians were joining the stage when they felt like it, either singing along or playing tambourines, etc. It was a complete communal effort. The last act was Brother Reade, but I had to head nextdoor for the hip-hop show, also missing the Whispertown dance party which I was really bummed about.
Upon setting foot into the Knitting Factory, I honestly felt like I was in Save the Last Dance at “Steps.” I was so out of place it was truly hilarious. I (and my two friends Sara and Alison) had no option but to whip out our secret hip hop moves, and guess what? We made some friends! We even got our drinks paid for at the bar by this guy who claims he’s in Pirates of the Carribean 3. I forgot his name, but apparently he got Johnny Depp to say “It’s hard out here for a pimp.” Anyhoo… I have to give Baby Neddy (Danny Levin) some props for his phenomenal skill on horns. This guy baffles me, playing with the indie scenesters like Rilo and the Elected, and then shifting gears to his own hip-hop projects, and filling in on a million other projects. Obviously his own projects probably get him more excited, so this
might explain the contagious energy he and his “horny” section produced onstage. I still don’t know much about TOCA, but they have about 15 or so members. Amidst every instrument known to man, throbbing melodies, harmonies, and catchy tunes, lies rap and hip-hop sound. I’ve never seen anything like this complete melting pot of all genres. I definitely suggest you check them out, really ground-breaking.
I don’t pretend to know anything about rap music, I’m just throwing that out right here and now, but Busdriva is the fastest rapper I’ve ever heard. He actually got me throwing my hands in the air and dancing to the point my newly purchased boots did a number on my poor feet and caused me to leave shortly thereafter. On my way out, as TOCA took the stage again, I spotted Busdriva by the door. Only because I find hilarity in placing myself in situations I know not of, I obviously had to go talk to him. I really think he thinks I’m crazy… trust me, if you heard “excuse me, bus-drive-UH” come from my mouth, followed by my praising of his rap stylings, you’d think so too. Oh well, all’s well that end’s well.

To recap, definitely check out: Mike Bloom, TOCA… and I suggest if given the opportunity you catch a LIVE Whispertown2000 show.

In a completely unrelated story: I was shopping at Anthropologie yesterday when, all of a sudden, a loud BOOM sounded the store, the result of a basket of ornaments knocked to the ground. The culprit? Shannen Doherty. When asked by the salesgirl if she was okay, she responded “Okay? Yes. Humiliated? That’s another story.” Kinda funny.