August 26, 2008
Neil Halstead -- FREE INSTORE
File Under: News
Neil Halstead Free In-store Performance
Saturday, August 30th - 5:00pm
(Free for Live Music Club members)
Through his work with Mojave 3, Slowdive, and as a solo artist, Neil has secured himself not only a spot by our campfire, but also a fair amount of space on our CD shelves. With Oh! Mighty Engine Neil continues his musical evolution, where once there was a wall of sound, Neil has distilled his music down to its essence. Choosing a nylon stringed guitar and simple shakers for accompaniment, Neil is relying on his voice and his collection of highly personal songs to get his message across. He makes his point, quiet and clear. Do to expected high demand, we are opening the guest list to those who order Oh! Mighty Engine, until we open it to all who'd like to attend (at a much later date). If you want to be sure to see this world-class artist on our small stage buying it now is the only way to guarantee yourself a spot.
Here is some press about Neil's previous solo album, Sleeping on Roads:
"The same drifting mood is maintained from start to finish, all nine songs being gently eclectic acoustic musings with occasional electronic decorations."
- Mojo
"A gentle tremble of an album."
- Nude as the News
Listen to a couple of Neil's new songs, plus a couple from Sleeping on Roads on Neil's myspace page.
If you'd like a little of Neil's music to carry around on your journeys, click here for a free mp3 of "Paint a Face", from the new album.
Click here to buy Oh! Mighty Engine.
Love You Moon -- FREE INSTORE
File Under: News
Love You Moon Free In-store Performance
Wednesday, September 10th - 7:00pm
Love You Moon is the acoustic-oriented side project of Matt Embree of RX Bandits and The Sound of Animals Fighting, his influences for this project fit nicely into our favorites artists list; Bob Dylan, Nina Simone, and Elliott Smith. RX Bandits are known for rock with strong socio-political lyrics, and while Love You Moon trade the signature keys, horns, and electrics for an acoustic guitar, they keep the political thread running strong, while managing to hold on to the energy that's made RX Bandits such a compelling live band.
Love you Moon's debut release, Waxwane is due out on Sept 9th and the guest list is now open to Live Music Club folks who pre-order a copy. Any remaining spots still available on 9/07 will open up first come first served. If you want to guarantee your place at this event, pre-ordering Waxwane is the only way to pull it off. Pre-order price is $11.99 and it includes one of our free event posters. Drop by the store or give us a call (562.433.4996) to pre-order.
Matt Embree playing "Why Pop Stars Sell Silicon" acoustic and playing "Masters of War" live.
Some recent press:
"Waxwane features 10 songs that span a variety of styles and paces, ranging from Embree's patented upbeat socio-political diatribes ("Screams In A Vacuum" and "The Last Words Of Nicholas Berg"), to more unexpected Billy Joel-esque jams ("David's Birthday") and Elliott Smith-inspired poetry ("Brown Shingle Berkeley")...4/5 stars"
- Alternative Press
"Combining influences from multiple genres, including acoustic, folk, and sometimes jazz, Love You Moon has put Waxwane together beautifully, and has produced an album to rival the best releases of 2008 to date."
- Absolutepunk.net
"It takes a special kind of person to single handedly spark a thunderous clapping session in a dark room full of too cool twenty-somethings. But by the end of Love You Moon's acoustic set at Koo's Art Center in Long Beach, any worries of judgment or anxiety had been sucked out of the front doors of the paint slathered gallery to freeze in the midnight air. Huddled together in the darkness, unity and power spread like a fever in the crowd."
- OC Weekly
July 25, 2008
Delta Spirit -- FREE INSTORE
File Under: News
Delta Spirit Free In-store Performance
Tuesday, August 26th 7:00pm
(Free for Live Music Club members)
Guest list now open without purchase required
We hate to judge a band by the company they keep, but surely it’s as indicative of where they’re coming from as a box of “they sound likes”; a quick look at Delta Spirit’s myspace shows a top line made up of a lot of Fingerprints in-store alumni – Cold War Kids, Port O’Brien, Richard Swift, & Dr, Dog. Aside from a turn on our stage, and a top line friendship on Delta Spirit’s myspace page, these bands all share an all too rare ability to put a fresh face on classic influenced rock & roll. All of their music has a current, yet somehow timeless, quality. Whether full out rocking or quietly introspective, this is a list of innovative young bands making incredibly vital music and Delta Spirit is absolutely among peers.
Musically, Delta Spirit is appropriately named. They combine a spirit that recalls Britain’s Northern Soul movement with a very American, rural charismatic, roots rock sound and a spirituality that will satisfy your deepest need for real revival tent rockin’ and rollin’. Please note: there will be no snake passing at this event, it’s not that kind of thing.
Some recent press:
"Delta Spirit should be required listening." (#9 on Top 15 of 2007)
- Daytrotter
(Check out a live Delta Spirit session here.)
"A hybrid of Americana rock and Northern Soul with boundless energy." - mp3.com
Delta Spirit’s Myspace page is loaded up with more samples, check them out here.
Or, if you’re more of the visual type, you can watch a video right here.
Click to pre-buy/sample Ode to Sunshine (due 8/26)
July 24, 2008
The Airborne Toxic Event -- FREE INSTORE
File Under: News
The Airborne Toxic Event Free In-store Performance
Tuesday, August 5th - 7:00pm
** SORRY, SOLD OUT **
The Airborne Toxic Event is many things, but none more than they are an anomaly; a band that came together organically, recorded a few songs, played a few shows, built a huge audience over a couple of weeks time, then grabbed the attention of both KROQ and Indie 103.1 within the span of a couple of days - it's a story that repeats in the hearts and minds of every kid stepping off a cross country bus at the downtown Greyhound station, yet rarely ever happens beyond those Midwestern hearts and minds. Those who stay up all night making comparisons have mumbled a virtual who's who of cool bands, including Modest Mouse, Arcade Fire, The Clash, and U2. I hear a little Psychedelic Furs and the Killers, either way it's grand in scope, literary in the right places (their name comes from a Don DeLillo book), and white hot at the moment. Their self-titled debut is one of the hottest new releases of the year and they've agreed to drop in to play a very special, stripped down, street-date release party with us. It's going to be cool and it's going to fill up quickly. RSVP is free, but limited.
RSVP ASAP, or end up SOL. (562)433-4996
Please note: You must come by the store or call to RSVP for this event. We cannot take responses via email or web.
The Airborne Toxic Event comes out on August 5th. Purchases made at the in-store will receive a free custom in-store event poster that can be signed at the event.
Sample your little heart out at their myspace page.
Some recent press:
"In a just and fair world, The Airborne Toxic Event would be indie rock favorites of critics and fans the world over. Maybe, just for a moment, the world will get it right for a change."
- Popmatters
"A hip-swinging return. Jarvis would be proud of the lyrics and Johnny Marr of the guitars."
- NME
"Airborne Toxic Event were a knock out, with their LA art-pop, placing them firmly in the Arcade Fire, Franz camp with more than enough of their own 'angular view' on life to ensure the need for such comparison is short lived."
- The Fly U.K.
Click here to sample The Airborne Toxic Event
July 23, 2008
The Virgins - FREE INSTORE
File Under: News
The Virgins Free In-store Performance
Tuesday, July 29th - 7:00pm
(Free for Live Music Club members)
This one is filling up fast. We're hearing the folks at Indie 103.1 are about to go very big on this record and as soon as that happens, we're going to be full, so if you're dangling you're going to get left outside.
We are pretty happy with ourselves for scoring this little band out of New York City. You see, The Virgins sound like nothing else as much as they sound like 1978 - and you have to admit, that was a pretty great year to sound like, especially if you factor in the New York thing. Their formative years were spent sneaking into their local 80's night and boy did it stick, these guys would have been a great double bill with The Velvet Underground, Blondie, Jonathan Richman (when he was a Modern Lover), or the Talking Heads, and that doesn't even touch on their swagger and strut that recalls an early Costello. With all the love they are getting from Indie 103, this will be a big deal. The guest list is open now, but it won't be for long. Since we don't recommend googling them, we've included some pertinent info below.
Check their myspace here.
Some recent press:
"4 Stars"
- Rolling Stone Magazine
"The Virgins have had the kind of out-of-thin ether rise that causes bloggers to gush and their peers to curse."
- Spin Magazine
"We're jealous of their futures, basically."
- Vice Magazine
Here's their official site.
Click to sample/buy The Virgins
July 10, 2008
The Submarines -- FREE INSTORE
File Under: News
The Submarines Free In-store Performance
Friday, July 18th - 7:00pm
The Submarines are a husband & wife duo, comprised of Jack Dragonetti (who's released album under the name Jack Drag) and Blake Hazard (who is the great- granddaughter of F. Scott Fitzgerald). First, how cool are those names? I mean I'm not thinking about a name change, but damn, if I was, either would be wicked cool, as they say in Boston. But I digress... Jack and Blake make sunny pop music that is at once literate and intimate, delicate and sweet, it's got a nice groove that makes it a perfect soundtrack for a cool summer evening with friends but lyrically it's weighty enough to make for great introspective listening. A couple of touchstones, if you're looking for musical kinship, would be Dean & Britta, Rilo Kiley, and Hem. Their songs have had major TV placement, including Grey's Anatomy, a version of "Little Boxes" for Weeds, and their song "Brighter Discontent" being used as the dialogue for the last 4 minutes of the season finale of Nip/Tuck's fourth season. They are currently on tour with Aimee Mann.
This is a free event for Live Music Club members, but you'll need to call us to get on the guest list.
Some recent press:
"(The song 'You, Me and the Bourgeoisie') has the feel of an instant anthem, a personal manifesto so plainspoken and forceful ('Every day we wake up/We choose love, we choose light'), it could be characterized as defiantly positive. It is also something of a rarity in indie pop: an earnest song about happiness."
- Toronto Star
"Honeysuckle Weeks is a glorious collage of the duo's wide-ranging influences, from old-school dub to intricately layered electronica (as in the psychedelic-classical 'Submarine Symphonika') to vintage pop."
- Pop Culture Madness
You can sample tunes on their myspace page.
Click here to buy Honeysuckle Weeks
Joe Strummer Future Is Unwritten Release Party
File Under: News
Joe Strummer - Release party for the DVD of The Future is Unwritten
Wednesday, July 23rd - 7:00pm
** THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED. STAY TUNED FOR A RESCHEDULED DATE.
Joe Strummer should need no introduction, he was the lead singer and songwriter for "the only band that matters": The Clash. Joe powerfully mixed politics, passion, punk rock, and world music - and he came closer to changing the world with his music than anyone since Dylan. In a world light on heroes, Strummer was larger than life. To help draw attention to the release of Julien Temple's celebration of Joe's life, we're going to open up our stage for you to come in and do your best version of one of Joe's songs.
Continue reading "Joe Strummer Future Is Unwritten Release Party"
Shearwater -- FREE INSTORE
File Under: News
Shearwater Free In-store Performance
Wednesday, July 16th - 7:00pm
Shearwater returns with the hugely ambitious follow-up to their last album, Palo Santo, which was picked as NPR's best album of 2006. Rook meditates on man's intersection with the natural world: the hunter and the prey; the extinction of species; the world after human beings are gone. On a wider level, the vivid images of animals and landscapes act as a metaphor for human relationships, a dark fairy tale encased in a cycle of songs. Jonathan Meiburg's bold, soaring voice, occasionally falsetto, still anchors the songs, which broaden his pastoral prog-folk chaotic celestial mindbuggery into new realms. Beyond the continuing touchstones of late Talk Talk, Nico and John Cale, there are now allusions to Van Morrison, hints of Joni Mitchell. All this is set in a newly lush sonic gorgeousness of harp, strings and woodwinds atop the magnificent rhythm section of Thor Harris and Kim Burke.
Shearwater is currently opening dates for Coldplay, including July 15th and 16th at the Forum (so make sure you arrive early, if you're going to the show.)
This is a free event for Live Music Club members, but you'll need to call us to get on the guest list.
Check out a couple of their songs on their myspace page.
Here is some recent press:
"Shearwater has magnificently outdone itself. Not only is Rook destined to be named one of 2008's favorites, but it could be one of the best albums for years to come...Rook is among the most achingly beautiful things ever recorded."
- Pop Matters
"A quiet ferocity belied by gorgeous, soaring melodies"
- Entertainment Weekly
"A rich, occasionally macabre, fantasy world...ornately orchestrated mini-epics...beautiful tragedies where dead swallows serve as a metaphor for the human condition."
- Blender
"Meiburg has delivered the album of his life...an impeccable ambiance that's both spooky and glistening....While earlier albums hinted at the kind of open-air pastorals that the band was capable of, Rook delivers on all the promise."
- Prefix
"The kind of music people fall in love with."
- Under The Radar
"With Rook they have fashioned an album that is melodic, tender, outstanding but above all, captivating. One thing is for sure, this is one of the best albums of the year."
- Delusions of Adequacy
"This record is too good to be kept a secret, and whether the general public pick up on it, only time will tell... This is a record you will want to live with and savour for a very long time."
- 17 Seconds
"Shearwater continues the tradition of detailed, reflective songwriting set by classic artists like Nick Drake and Leonard Cohen and contemporary indie rock songwriters such as Bill Callahan and Will Oldham.”
- All Music Guide
Click here to sample/buy Rook
Matt Nathanson Live CD
File Under: News
Matt Nathanson -
Left & Right:
Live at Fingerprints,
Live at Park Ave
New CD Release
Hopefully you made it out to our in-store a few months ago with a solo and acoustic Matt Nathanson; it was a wonderful blend of humor and excellent song-craft. Well, happily, Matt thought enough of his stop to agree to let us release a good little chunk of it. This release is made up of songs and banter from our in-store and another he did at Park Ave. in Orlando FL. Matt picked an extra track from our in-store (mostly to chap the hide of my friends in Orlando, I think) and chose to include his riffing on Bret Michaels' "Rock of Love" and "Dog the Bounty Hunter" and his cover of Springsteen's "No Surrender" all from our little event, plus "Car Crash", "Come on Get Higher", "Gone", "Bent", "All We Are", and little extra chatter. It's a testament on how to do an in- store right; keep everyone wrapped up in your songs, until just the right moment, then drop a little science on them with some sharp observational humor. Including the chatter, it's nine tracks and it's available as a pre-order for $6.99. After it hits the shelves, on August 5th, it will move up to $7.99. Everyone who pre-orders a copy will be entered in a drawing to win an original press signed poster from our in-store, designed by Dan Madison.
July 03, 2008
Greg Laswell -- FREE INSTORE
File Under: News
Greg Laswell (with Ed Harcourt) In-store Double-Header Performance
Tuesday, July 8th - Greg (7:00pm) /
Ed (8:00pm)
Nothing like kicking July off with a bang, and this particular double-header, double return visit, night of musical celebration should be one for the books.
Greg Laswell is coming back in to kick off his new album, Three Flights From Alto Nido, and if you know this Long Beach native (or if you caught him last time he was here, or if you've seen him win at The San Diego Music Awards) you know what a score this is for us; Greg's songs are rich and resonant; filled with heartbreak, redemption, and a ridiculous knack for epic song-craft; imagine the wistfulness of Travis, the pure-pop of Beck- at his best, and a touch of the grandeur of Coldplay all filtered through Greg's California experience. Greg's songs have been featured on the television shows Grey's Anatomy, The Hills, Numb3rs, and One Tree Hill.
Some recent press about Three Flights From Alto Nido:
Laswell has become one of our pre-eminent bards of heartbreak, his songs exploring the complex and tortured emotions of loss. New disc "Three Flights From Alto Nido" moves into a more circumspect and cathartic phase. Hushed beatscapes and keening melodies set off the ruminations.
- C-Net
Greg Laswell is a brilliant new singer/songwriter who reminds us of the first time we heard artists like Coldplay and Nick Drake.
- Whole Foods (of all places, apparently, they're big fans)
You can hear some of Greg's music on his myspace page.
Click here to buy/sample Three Flights From Alto Nido
Ed Harcourt -- FREE INSTORE
File Under: News
Ed Harcourt (with Greg Laswell) In-store Double-Header Performance
Tuesday, July 8th - Greg (7:00pm) / Ed (8:00pm)
If you've been a long-time Fingerprints in-store follower, you know that Ed is not only amazing live, but he would be the perfect guy to play a film scene that calls for a turn-of-the-century Victorian hall piano man, he is literate, sophisticated, and smart/clever like few others. He exudes crushed velvet, good booze, and nice linen, while never losing site of his working class charm. Besides being an amazing musician (he's currently opening shows and playing guitar with the Gutter Twins, he's done session work with Cat Stevens) his albums show him to be not only the rightful heir to the throne of Brian Wilson and Randy Newman, but to Chet Baker and, if he ever decides to give it up, he's a serious contender for Tom Waits battered fedora.
Some press about Ed's most recent album, The Beautiful Lie:
'The Beautiful Lie' is marvellous, each track a lush, inch-perfect melodrama with Harcourt bashing out his demons at the piano.
- Mojo
'The Beautiful Lie' of the title is as eloquent a statement as the material is masterful. It's doomy, it's gothic, it's wonderfully arranged, mostly epic, occasionally sad, sometimes jaunty - and throughout infused with the passion of a storyteller whose delivery and form have finally found synchronicity. A very fine LP.
* * * * - The Fly
His best since 'Here Be Monsters'. Harcourt's mini-operas pack more incident into their three minutes than many bands manage in a career. A fine songwriter with the flourishes of an at times master showman.
- Q
With so much histrionic angst abound within indie and pop at the moment, it's refreshing to hear a collection of believeable songs and lyrics with a delivery that will touch even the coldest of shoulders.
- 89% - Spill
Listen to some of Ed's music at his myspace page - be sure click on his animal friends pages for even more.
Click here to buy/sample The Beautiful Lie.
June 28, 2008
The Watson Twins -- FREE INSTORE
File Under: News
The Watson Twins In-store Performance
Sunday, June 29th, 4:00pm
Identical twins Chandra and Leigh Watson are best know for their work with Rilo Kiley's Jenny Lewis on their Rabbit Fur Coat album, but that is all set to change with the release of their full-length debut album Fire Songs. The twins' music fits nicely into various scenes such as indie rock, new folk, & alt country/Americana and while comfortable in all of them, they really deserve a category all their own. They count folk, gospel, blues and country as early influences, but they've toured with Rilo Kiley and Matt Costa and they've played festivals ranging from SXSW to Bumbershoot and Bonaroo. The graceful country soul and haunting vocals that the twins brought to Fire Songs was highlighted by a world tour that touched everywhere from Holland to Japan and saw them gracing the stages of Conan O'Brien, David Letterman, Jay Leno, and Craig Kilbourn. Their song "Time of My Life" was featured on Grey's Anatomy. Their self-released ep Southern Manners showcased the twin's pristine vocal harmonies against stunning reverb dirges and melodic country on a much-coveted Morning Becomes Eclectic session as well as receiving critical acclaim from Billboard, NME, Pitchfork, and Entertainment Weekly among others. Fire Songs is out this coming Tuesday and we are super excited to host this street week release party.
Check out their myspace page to hear a couple of tunes, including their versions of The Cure's "Just Like Heaven" and Neil Young's "Powder Finger".
June 25, 2008
O.A.R. - FREE INSTORE
File Under: News
O.A.R. In-store Performance
Wednesday, June 25th, 6:00pm
This one came together late yesterday so sorry for the short notice. If you're familiar with O.A.R. you likely already know how big of a deal this is; these guys sell out Madison Square Garden and they've sold over a million copies of their albums. They spend most of their year on the road, doing their best to keep the summertime good-vibes alive. Much like Dave Matthews, O.A.R. started out playing college campuses providing a backdrop to, if not a reason for, an escape from the daily grind. O.A.R. has come to stand for authentic rock that reflects the collective triumphs and tragedies we all experience: Real people making real music that resounds deeply with their fans. This will be a special acoustic set and due to expected high demand we will be giving out wristbands to get in, plus one of our posters, with pre-order of their upcoming album All Sides, through the end of the day Monday. Any remaining wristbands will be available (without pre-order, to Live Music Club members) on a first come first served basis beginning Tuesday at 10:00am.
Check out their myspace page to hear a handful of songs from the upcoming album, which hits the floor on July 15th.
June 17, 2008
Frightened Rabbit -- FREE INSTORE
File Under: News
Frightened Rabbit In-store Performance
Sunday, June 22nd, 2:00pm
(Free for Live Music Club Members - RSVP Required)
In the world of international stereotypes theFrench are lauded for their cooking, the Italians for their amore, and the Germans for their engineering; but if there was more realism involved in these stereotypes the Gaelic folk would be celebrated for their ability to write their way through heartbreak - whether angry, longing, or wistful it seems like an unfairly high number of brokenhearted love songs to come out of Ireland and Scotland, and Frightened Rabbit continue with this fine tradition on The Midnight Organ Fight. Unlike the sappy "Silly Love Songs" drivel that comes to mind when thinking of broken hearts, in the song "Backwards Walk", Frightened Rabbit find themselves on the verge of chucking the whole thing, but at a loss as to the mechanics involved. Oh sure, "fooks" and "shites" help, but in the end the confusion that lies between the longing for, and the anger at, an ex-lover is incredibly well captured on this song, and several others on this album. The rest of the album is by turns grimy, intimate, dark, jangly, and cathartic. When it comes time for a Best of 2008 list, Frightened Rabbit will be close to the top of mine.
Sample some songs on their myspace. I recommend "Fast Blood" as a good jumping off place, but know that there are at least three other songs on The Midnight Organ Fight that are better.
Watch a radio session here and a real video here.
Click here to buy/sample The Midnight Organ Fight.
Grand Ole Party -- FREE INSTORE
File Under: News
Grand Ole Party In-store Perforance
Thursday, June 19th, 7:00pm
(Free for Live Music Club Members - RSVP Required)
We've had an incredible run of finding bands on their way up and it's looking like Grand Ole Party is poised to be the next "I can't believe I saw them at Fingerprints" band. Rolling Stone called them an "Artist to watch in '08". They blend a classic Bessie Smith influenced old-time jazz vocal, snuggled up with a fiery indie rock flair, ala Karen O. of the Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs, and all of it nicely layered into a weird early 90s alternative-ska meets current indie rock melange. It's a tough one to nail down, it's loaded with familiarity but is put together in such a fresh way that it's both new and timeless all at once. They've played SXSW, Coachella, and are scheduled for Bonnaroo. They've also recently toured with Rilo Kiley, Vampire Weekend, Rogue Wave, and Fiery Furnaces - it's hard to imagine another unsigned band with that kind of pedigree, let alone one so deserving.
Check out the video for "Look Out Young Son".
Some Recent Press:
Gundred...is sort of what might have happened
if British invasion drummer Dave Clark was a
woman and actually sang lead.
- Palm Beach Post
Grand Ole Party...have a strong, simple, raw
kind of sound...impressive and
energetic..."
- Seattlest
You can sample their music at their myspace page.
Click here to buy Humanimals.
May 10, 2008
Willy Vlautin of Richmond Fontaine -- FREE INSTORE
File Under: News
Willy Vlautin of Richmond Fontaine -- Free Reading & Signing
Thursday, May 15th, 7:00pm
Some of you may be familiar with Willy Vlautin from his work with the acclaimed band Richmond Fontaine, where he is the primary singer/
songwriter, and some of you may be familiar with Willy as the New York Times Best-Selling author of The Motel Life, well this will be an evening about coming together. Willy will be a two-hatted man for this special evening, which will include both an acoustic performance and a book reading/signing. Whether writing for the band, or writing for page, Willy has a cinematic flair for portraying what Annie would call the "hard-knock life". Not always lovable, but usually down on their luck folks are the subjects in Vlautin's stories, which have been compared to writers as varied as John Steinbeck, Raymond Chandler, and Bruce Springsteen (not what you'd call bad company).
Willy will be signing Richmond Fontaine CDs and his novels Motel Life and Northline (which comes with a CD).
May 07, 2008
Port O'Brien -- FREE INSTORE
File Under: News
Port O'Brien In-store Performance
Monday, May 12th, 7:00pm
Too often we get wrapped up about hosting big name, well-established artists, and it's understandable to a large degree as those folks are on the top of their game, but the real magic happens when we score a young band and get to truly introduce them to all of you guys. Port O'Brien are going to be a big deal and when they come back in a year or, so there will be a line down the block. Their music has a frantic energy that recalls the Cold War Kids and Arcade Fire while the undertone is closer to the acoustic roots of Fleet Foxes and Band of Horses. If that math isn't good enough for you, M. Ward called Port O'Brien his favorite new band when he was talking to the folks at Pitchfork and they've toured with bands as diverse as Vetiver, Bright Eyes, Rogue Wave, and Modest Mouse - and all of them sound like the combination would have made for one hell of a night.
He's the middle part of their bio:
Every summer, Van works on his father's commercial salmon fishing boat, the Shawnee, on Kodiak Island in Alaska. The work is exhausting and the weather could be much better, but the contrast between the serenity of the wilderness and the rigorousness of the labor seem to cause quite a bit of musical inspiration. Meanwhile, on land and around the corner, Cambria also writes music while maintaining her position as the Head Baker at Larsen Bay. Her days can be even longer, and the work even more tiresome. After both write parts and lyrics separately, they fix them together when Van comes ashore. For the first time this summer, Caleb also joined the ranks at the cannery, and their cumulative effort while up in a latitude and longitude few of us may ever see resulted in the creation of the songs that comprise the band's first studio-recorded album "ALL WE COULD DO WAS SING." Because when you're working all day in the freezing cold, what the hell else are you going to do? "Stuck on a Boat" tells of the frustration related to being so close yet so far away. Van stuck on a little fishing boat, while Cambria bakes across the bay...yet weeks go by without having a chance to go to port. "Fisherman's Son" speaks of the frustrating, yet contented thought of destiny. "Don't Take My Advice" captures the endless quest for settling, while remaining in awe of the entire world to explore. "In Vino Veritas" expresses the flurry of emotion caused by isolation, while emerged in substance.
This could easily be the one that everyone is talking about by the end of the year.
Sneak preview their songs at their myspace page.
All We Could Do Was Sing will be out May 13th.
May 01, 2008
Nobody Presents: Blank Blue -- FREE INSTORE
File Under: News
Nobody Presents: Blank Blue Free In-store Performance
Tuesday, May 6th, 8:00pm
We get pretty excited whenever we have an in-store, but when it's members of the Fingerprints Family who are coming in to play for us, well it adds a whole new level to the mix - some sort of proud/wahoo factor that's tough to quantify. You see, to do these things well, we recognize that you don't necessarily want to see everything we can throw together, just the great stuff. We're the same way, so in the spirit of every other great band we've had in to play, we're proud to bring Elvin and Niki out from behind the counter to put them on the front of the stage. Tuesday will see the release of Nobody Presents: Blank Blue, Elvin and Niki's other side, the super creative side, that keeps them up into the wee hours.
Let's just get this out there; it's a concept album. But in this case "concept" like "well thought out and focused", not "concept" like "bloated and self-indulgent". The story is a surreal telling of a post-apocalyptic underwater West Coast, set after we all drop into the sea after the long talked about "big one", Elvin explains it best: "I started to think about making an album that I would want to listen to, that reflected the music that I love to put on and space out to. I loved albums where one vocalist takes you through a journey through different sounds and styles. Niki was the first person I trusted with my idea of Blank Blue and her voice matched the music perfectly. It also helped that we have worked together at a record store for 7 years so we were official record store geeks."
Check out their myspace page for some samples, then give us a call to let us know you're coming - it's going to be a good one.
Here's some recent press:
Blank Blue are still a very young group, but the songs they've completed so far possess a beatific, rococo lushness-as well as an understated funkiness.
- OC Weekly
Sounds like Os Mutantes with an 808 kick sample.
- LA Record
Delicately straddles the fence between 60s psychedelia and the Bristol sound of the 90s.
- Friction NYC
Nobody Presents Blank Blue: Western Water Music Vol. II is the official follow up to the 2003 album Pacific Drift: Western Water Music Vol. I. In the five years between albums, the 31 year old Los Angeles producer has traveled the world touring with the likes of The Mars Volta, Prefuse 73, Battles, Edan, Dntel, and Flying Lotus.
This will be a Live Music Club event, but you are welcome to call us at the shop to RSVP: 562.433.4996
Click here to sample/buy Western Water Music Vol. II
April 25, 2008
Record Store Day -- RECAP
File Under: News
Record Store Day Recap
April 19th, 2008 - All Day
Well, Record Store Day v.01 is in the can. Hopefully you were one of the many who were able to join us for this incredible day. We're gonna take a few minutes and run back through for those who were there (and hopefully it will work as inspiration for those of you who weren't able to make, to save a little room on your calendar next time we do it).
We kind of went into the day not knowing what it was going be like, but figuring it might be a good chance to bring some new/old folks into the store, and that's always a good thing; we were surprised at how much fun it all was - kind of like Christmas and your birthday, all rolled into one.
Portishead Presale
The worst part of the day was having such a killer promotion and knowing from the start that we were going to leave people disappointed because of it. We had almost 100 people waiting for the presale to start and obviously the 40 tickets we had couldn't stretch nearly far enough. Fortunately, everyone seemed fairly understanding (it was only a 1 on the "angry email scale") and the folks who got tickets were well over the moon, so congratulations to those who got tickets and apologies to those who didn't; I hope it's a killer show. If you're thinking about needing this record, while they last we still have a value added etched promo 7" single and a very large subway poster with pre-order.
Rob Halford Signing
This was the part of the day that had me the most stressed out. Rob was a key figure in my musical development, which always makes for a bit of nerves. But, since I'd never met him and I'd heard very little about how he was in person, there was a real fear that he would act like a "Metal God" (which is incidentally, the name of his record label). I'm happy to report that real "Metal Gods" don't act like it in real life. Rob was totally down to Earth and completely accommodating to the nearly 200 folks who showed to say hello (He even signed a motorized beer cooler!) Look for the four disc Fight box set coming in May and a new Judas Priest album and tour this summer.
Limbeck In-Store
This one was a piece of cake. We've known Robb and Pat as record shoppers for longer than we've known them as rock and roll stars and we've been lucky enough to have them in to play a couple of times and they are always awesome, so this was much more hanging out with friends than anything else. The performance was great and the "abbreviated" versions of "Ohio" and "Honk & Wave" were funny as hell and allowed the guys to satisfy the crowd and keep us on time.
Silversun Pickups
Many of you have talked about how great it was to see Brian of SSPU's solo show in December of '06, and while I've always agreed it was cool to see things stripped down to one voice and one guitar, after last night I have to say there is an incredible power to this band. When they are clicked in, acoustic or not, it is magical. Everyone was in great form, cracking jokes and having fun.
Coachella Giveaway
The winners in our Coachella Ticket giveaway are:
Friday - Elizabeth Renteria
Saturday - Lily Sims-Williams
Sunday - Amber Blake
Congratulations to all the winners!
We are now sold out of Coachella tickets at the store (although we do have a small handful of camping passes available if you already have your tickets but still haven't figured out where you're staying). As of this email there are still tickets available, but click on over to the Coachella site to make sure you're covered before trekking to the desert.
And while you're thinking Coachella, hop on over to the official Coachella website FAQs for a quick list of things not to forget when you head out for your one to three days of music and sun, like what to bring with you (hats, cameras, kids) and what to leave at home (drums, pets, tents).
Finale
Thanks to all the artists who made the day so special, all the artists and labels who kicked us such great freebies and exclusives (who else grabbed a copy of the Destroyer 7" or the Brushfire LP?) Umm, good stuff. We'd also like to thank Goldenvoice for the Coachella giveaway tickets, Portishead and Island/Def Jam (and Sam) for the rehearsal tickets, and most importantly, all of you who support us everyday.
March 25, 2008
Muse Film Screening
File Under: News
Muse Film Screening - Vista Theater (Silverlake)
Tuesday, April 1st, 7:00pm
We are working with KROQ and Warner Bros. Records for a special event at the historic Vista Theater, on the corner of Sunset and Hollywood Blvd, to present a full theatrical showing of Muse's new CD/DVD release H.A.A.R.P. Live From Wembly. KROQ will giving away 106 free tickets (so stay by your phone), or if you don't feel like crossing your fingers, we will be offering a limited number of free tickets with pre-order here at the store, or with purchase at the event (1 ticket per purchase). For those who haven't experienced Muse yet, they make rock and roll with a very generous dose of both Rock and Roll (and a lot of alt-rock, proggy undertones) - They are considered to be one of the top bands in the UK, with last year's Black Holes & Revelations garnering a Mercury Prize Nomination and placing in the Top 3 of NME's albums of the year list, but more important than the accolades for their records, are the cheers they've received for their live show; they've been chosen "Best Live Band" by numerous publications/award shows including NME, Q Magazine, and the Vodafone Live Music Awards. With the live DVD release, H.A.A.R.P. Live From Wembly, you'll get the opportunity to see the band at the top of their game, playing in front of an adoring homecoming crowd, all in the comfort of a gorgeous old theater, loaded with lots of other fans, and boasting a decent snack bar.
March 13, 2008
Trespassers William And Herman Dune -- FREE INSTORE
File Under: News
Trespassers William And Herman Dune Free In-store Performance
Tuesday, March 18th, 7:00pm
(Free for Music Club members - RSVP Required)
We get pretty excited about getting great musicians in to visit and play music for us, so on the rare occasion that we get lucky enough to host a double header we get just a little bit past giddy. Such is the case here; we've got a return visit from the gorgeously atmospheric Trespasser's William and the rarely-on-our-shores, sharp pop styling of French duo Herman Dune. Here's a little primer on these two fine bands:
Trespassers William
Trespassers William will be freshly back from a handful of shows at Austin's SXSW festival and will be celebrating their new EP release, The Nobel House Sessions (which so far is a tour and Fingerprints only release). The band has been in the studio recording the final songs for their fourth full-length album, which is their first full-length since 2006's Dave Fridmann produced Having. Trespassers William vocalist Anna-Lynne Williams was featured on the Chemical Brothers' record Push the Button and the band has toured with some of our favorites, including Damien Rice, Explosions in the Sky, Aimee Mann, Tristeza, Morrissey and Azure Ray. Trespassers William, who called Naples home for awhile, will be freshly back from hitting a few shows at SXSW and are celebrating the release of their new EP, before heading back to Seattle to finish up the new album.
You should click the play button on their MySpace page.
Mojo Magazine said of Different Stars, "(It) is the essence of honey and molasses, of E-bowed guitar glissandos and country twang...it's all exquisitely drowsy..." while NME simply settled on "Mesmerizing".
Herman Dune
We've been hearing about Herman Dune for a couple of years now, and yet it took our friends at Everloving Records to sign them to get us off our butts and spend some time with their music - first impression: very nice, less quirky, Jonathan Richman inspired, near perfect pop. Second impression (and a quick trip to wikipedia): Herman Dune are enigmatic, quirky, prolific, they've played as the backing band for both Kimya Dawson (Moldy Peaches/Juno) and Julie Doiron (Eric's Trip/Solo), they're French, they acknowledge the Jonathan Richman thing, but prefer comparisons like Daniel Johnston, Lou Barlow, The Mountain Goats, Cat Power and The Silver Jews, and if you need a box to put them in, try Anti-Folk.
Check out their music on their myspace page (especially "I Wish I That I Could See You Soon", which Rolling Stone called one of the "best songs of 2007" and which makes at least of us at the store get goosebumps.
This event is open to Live Music Club members. Call the store for info (or to RSVP if you're already a member) at 562.433.4996, or click here to join.
March 04, 2008
Jeffrey Lewis -- FREE INSTORE
File Under: News
Jeffrey Lewis Free In-store Performance
Thursday, March 6th, 7:00pm
(call for guest list)
Greenwich Village is a historic Rock and Roll landscape, especially Rock and Roll with a Folk soul; think Dylan, Baez, Peter, Paul & Mary, Donavon, and too many others to mention, but you should be getting the idea. Well, somewhere between the heyday and the half-price historical tours, a lot of the artists working in the Village found not only amplification, but punk rock and an anti-music biz DIY esthetic, and the anti-folk scene was born... still acoustic, still literate, yet much less idealistic and literary - but loaded with passion, politics, and perspiration. Of those bringing this new sound from the Village to the streets, Jeffrey Lewis and the Moldy Peaches, who Mr. Lewis has and worked and toured with, are the best known. Jeffrey's newest CD is titled 12 Crass Songs, and rather than write a dozen really rude tunes, Jeffrey dug into his record collection and came up with the kings of 80s anarcho/peace punk bands, which he then filtered through his system and claimed as his own. The songs are still political and still intense, but with a new view and a few updates, they are undeniably Greenwich Village not Leeds.
Jeffrey is playing March 4th & 5th with the Mountain Goats at the Troubadour and right after his fingerprints in-store with Mount Eerie at "Irvine U" (I'm guessing it's somewhere on the campus?)
Here's some recent press about 12 Crass Songs:
"Jeffrey Lewis' talents appear without end... (on 12 Crass Songs he) magically makes the anarcho-rockers' anti-establishment savagery his own, by wrapping their barbed sentiments in his trademark mottled tea-towel warmth, autumnal aura and breathless, barren drawl"
- NME
"(Jeffrey Lewis) offers this quite brilliant reconfiguration of music long since erroneously dismissed as no-mark primitivism. Lewis' jaunty bijour chamber-pop arrangements demonstrate the Crass essentially dealt in folk songs"
- Mojo
"Jeffrey Lewis is possibly the only musician on the planet to devote a whole album to the oeuvre of... Crass. It's no mean feat to transform such abrasive harangues into lush, tuneful folk... without diffusing their righteous anger"
- The Guardian
"What could be sacrilege is actually a small epiphany: the gorgeous instrumentation weaving acoustic guitar, gentle piano - proves a deft counterpoint to the lyrical rage. The Man probably said it would never work but The Man was wrong"
- Uncut
Check out a couple of songs here (I recommend "Big A Little a")
Click here to sample/buy 12 Crass Songs
February 26, 2008
Pigeon John -- FREE INSTORE
File Under: News
Pigeon John Free In-store Performance
Thursday, Feb. 28th, 7:00 PM
We don't do a lot of Hip-hop in-stores mostly because there just aren't that many Hip Hop artists who offer to play, that we would consider. Up until the phone rang asking if we'd like to have Pigeon John for a live set we've been at a loss as to where to start. For those new to Pigeon John here's a bit of background, he's an LA based MC, he was part of both Brainwashed Project and the famed LA Symphony Crew who've been putting out music consistently since the late 90's. Pigeon broke off from the crew and has been doing the solo thing for the last couple of years. He's a positive and vibrant wordsmith with a great sense of humor, he is almost as well respected for his live show as he is for his rhymes, and he came out of the same scene as the Pharcyde and Freestyle Fellowship and he's been favorably compared to De La Soul and Jurassic 5. He's got three full- length albums and an EP available (including his most recent on Quannum), and the plan is to record our in-store for release before his next album, which is due late in 2008.
This is different than our usual fare, but could very likely be one of the high-points of our year.
If you would like to join us for this private event, please call to be added to the guest list (562) 433-4996.
Check out PJ live on Indie 103.1
Here is his myspace page so you can get a little earful.
February 10, 2008
Tom Brosseau - FREE INSTORE
File Under: News
Tom Brosseau In-store Performance
(Live Music Club Members Only)
Sunday, February 24th, 4:00pm
What could be a better way to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon than a little live music and some good companionship? We've been fortunate enough to have Tom Brosseau stop in to play for us on a couple of occasions (including an opening slot the last time Sparklehorse came through), and we're happy to see that he's enjoyed his time with us enough to make us a part of his plans this time around as well. For the uninitiated, Tom makes stunningly beautiful folk music that has such an old-time quality to it, that it almost comes the full way around to "timeless" - High and lonesome to be sure, but with a humanity that surpasses the other descriptives. Mojo Magazine said of Tom "...there's real depth to the lyrics, and they're sung in a voice so confident in its smooth, Ricky Nelson-esque purity that it barely needs accompaniment..." For the last several years there has been a bit of a Folk Revival (or an Anti/freak Folk Revival, maybe) with artists like Devandra, Joanna Newsom, and some of the Berkeley Guitarists we've had in to play, getting some national attention; and it would be easy to lump Tom in with these others who make current music with long roots, but Tom seems to have alternately gone farther and stayed closer than any who might be called his contemporaries. Please join us for this afternoon performance. This event is only open to Live Music Club members, but you can still join (and attend) by clicking the link above.
Totally earthbound and at the same time sorta out there in the ether.
- NPR's All Things Considered
Check out Tom's myspace site for some samples.
Click here to buy/sample Tom's latest, Cavalier.
February 05, 2008
Felice Brothers -- FREE INSTORE/FREE LUNCH
File Under: News
Felice Brothers In-store Performance
& Free Lunch
(Live Music Club Members Only)
Tuesday, Feb. 12, Noon
There is a small town in the Catskill Mountains where the nights are filled with music, and it's a family affair; mothers, brothers, and cousins all making a joyful racket; Jail, guns, and drugs are always a possibility, but so are love, laughter, and salvation - and the outcome is unknown until it's been sung.
Every once in a while a band comes along and stops you in your tracks, if you're lucky it happens often, if it only happens once in a while, hopefully it's powerful when it does; The most recent band to provide just such a "stop you walking" moment for me is The Felice Brothers. A true band of brothers (and a blood brother) these boys make music that Uncut Magazine called "Brilliant.... Evoking Dylan and the Band holed up in Big Pink.... The new heroes of Americana." They damn near nailed it with that, but it leaves out the incredible broken, back porch quality otheir music, a music that sounds like it's the best thing to come out of the time before electricity. Beautiful, broken, a bit bawdy, and sure to bring a smile, these boys are not to be missed.
Here is some other press:
Right now my favorite drinking buddy is The Felice Brothers. It's music best described by my friend: It's three in the morning, sleepy drunk, secretly holding the hand of the one you love.
- Laura Barton/The Guardian
The Felice Brothers write epic songs with lofty titles and they wield a massive accordion. All that is reason enough to give them a day in court.
- Vice Magazine
Recalls young Springsteen, Guy Clark and Townes Van Zandt.
- Time Out NY
Check out a couple of their songs on their myspace page (make sure to hear "Frankie's Gun"). And please give this video for "Roll On Arte" a couple of your minutes:
The Felice Brothers are currently touring with The Drive-by Truckers and The North Mississippi All-Stars, including local dates at The HOB (Anaheim) and The Avalon (Hollywood).
This Free Lunch event will include music and pizza, and is only open to Live Music Club members (click the link at left to join). Please call us to get on the guest list (grab a drink on your way in).
January 30, 2008
Nellie McKay -- FREE INSTORE
File Under: News
Nellie McKay In-store Performance
Thursday, Jan. 31st, 7:00pm
Nellie McKay should be a familiar name to anyone who has KCRW pre-set on the radio; her blend of charmingly quirky and uptown sophisticate is nothing less than refreshing. Drawing from a palette that runs from jazz to rap and disco to funk, her sharp lyrics and eclectic style elevate her far beyond the first- glance Fiona Apple and Tori Amos comparisons. This Shortlist Music Award nominee was a guest on Prairie Home Companion on January 26th and will be playing Largo on February 1st and 8th, but you can see her here for free. In the interest of fair play, I have to say that Nellie will not be bringing David Letterman, a grand piano, or an orchestra with her, but even without all the Hollywood it will be incredibly cool, maybe even cooler as we won’t have to worry about commercial breaks or Dave flipping his wig.
Mojo Magazine said of her debut album, "This has wit in spades, an irrepressible love of language and genuine originality." And they pretty much nailed it.
You can hear a sampling of Nellie's music at her website. You might also want to check out the great Nellie article on Pitchfork from last Friday.
Since Nellie's current album, Obligatory Villagers, has been out a bit (and it is doing quite well, I might add) Live Music Club members need only call us at the store to have your name added to our guest list, for this private event. (Click here to join our Live Music Club and be added to our weekly emailer list.)
Click here to buy/sample Obligatory Villagers.
January 04, 2008
Matt Costa -- PRIVATE INSTORE ** SORRY, SOLD OUT **
File Under: News
Matt Costa Private Instore Performance
January 22nd, Record Release Party 10:00am - 6:00pm
PRIVATE Matt Costa in-store to follow
** SOLD OUT **
This event is for email subscribers only - if you were looking for a reason to join our email list, now is definitely the time [click here to join]. January 22nd finds our small town hero Matt Costa releasing his second full-length album Unfamiliar Faces, and we're going to kick it off properly with a house-party. This will be a "closed to the public" event, with wristbands available to anyone in our Live Music Appreciation Society (that would be you, if you're on the email list) who pre-buys Matt's new album before January 21st (after the 21st, if there were any left, they would have been distributed on a first come, first served basis - but we all know how these things work out....) We will be closing at 6:00pm on this night, with Matt performing a live set beginning right about 7:00pm for all who managed to get a wristband. If you are unfamiliar with Matt you are missing out, he is a fantastic songwriter, a great live performer, and a good friend. Check out his Wikipedia page for an intro, then pop over to his mySpace page to sample some of his new music. The pre-sale began on January 2nd for walk-ups and for phone-ins, and isn't recommended for internet shoppers. One wristband per CD purchased, limit of 2 per person. Please note these are not transferable (unless it's like an emergency and we find you to be both familiar and convincing).
Click to buy/sample Matt's Unfamiliar Faces.
December 22, 2007
Radiohead Deluxe
File Under: News
Radiohead
In Rainbows
EXTREMELY LIMITED
DELUXE EDITION
** Sorry, we are now sold out of the Deluxe version ** (Click for the regular CD version of In Rainbows). We have a very limited number of the deluxe, two-disc, two lp packages, which are now out of print, and going for up to $300 on ebay. We will have the regular version soon (street date is the first.) We are very excited about this release because it is a fantastic album. If you'd like to give a copy as a gift, the best thing is to pre-order it and have your recipient pick it up when it comes out.
In other Radiohead news, we also have a widget that lets you put Radiohead videos, news, tour dates, and more on sites like Facebook and MySpace. Check it out.
November 20, 2007
Damien Rice Live At Fingerprints ...Warts & All CD
File Under: News
Damien Rice
Live At Fingerprints ...Warts & All CD
(From our little stage to your speakers)
It would be pretty tough to be more excited about just about anything than we are about Damien Rice deciding to release an album of tunes recorded right here on our really not quite so humble of a stage (any more, anyway.) Those of you who were lucky enough to catch this once in a lifetime performance probably don't need to read any further. For those who have only heard about it, as far as we can tell, it was Damien's first ever in-store performance, and is one of only two live recordings he's ever allowed to be released.
Here is the track listing for ...Warts and All:
1. Cannonball
2. Coconut Skins
3. Intro
4. Grey Room
5. Volcano
6. Intro
7. Rootless Tree
8. I Remember
You can watch pretty great fan videos here and here.
Click to buy Live At Fingerprints ...Warts & All
November 05, 2007
Matt Nathanson -- FREE INSTORE
File Under: News
Matt Nathanson In-store Performance
Wednesday, Nov. 7th, 7:00pm
* SORRY, SOLD OUT *
Matt is a phenomenon...a quiet phenomenon, but a phenomenon none the less. And being that this phenomenon is dropping by to perform on our little stage, be sure to call us immediately if you want to attend and we'll put you on the guest list. Matt managed to beat us to the announcement on this one and we were, in less than 24 hours, at almost 50% capacity (today we're very nearly sold out). This is a Jack Johnson level of excitement. Matt's music is emotional, loaded with songs that explore the heavy things: life, death, relationships - I guess that's kind of the usual stuff for songwriters (who don't just write about beers and girls) but Matt brings a pretty fresh look and feel to these topics (check out the "Car Crash" link below) and beside the food-for thought aspect of his songs, you get the genuine feeling that he's a decent guy.
Here's a bit from his bio:
Nathanson lived his life as the very model of the modern independent artist, journeying from town to town, logging literally hundreds of thousands of miles, all the while captivating audiences with his confessional songs and spontaneous, uncensored stage banter. This hard work has garnered Nathanson a remarkably devoted following -- folks willing to cross many a state line to spend a couple of hours communing with Matt and his band (and to spread the gospel through an intricate network dedicated to trading recordings of the live shows). Matt has toured as the opening act for Tori Amos, John Mayer, Guster, and O.A.R. but is currently on a sold-out headline tour (He sold out the Troubadour in one day!)
Matt says of the new album "I think of [Some Mad Hope] as an album in the classic sense and not just a collection of songs. There's definitely a theme there, a tracing of the ups and downs of a relationship. It gets dark in places, but it ends on a note that's hopeful -- it's not cut-and-dried, but it points to the future in a way that I see as positive."
Some Press:
Nathanson brings his confessional songs to life with a rare power.
- RollingStone.com
A sweetness and sincerity to his singer-songwriting that's endearing.
- Time Out NY
Peep some video here:
Matt Nathanson - "All We Are" (Live in his living room)
Matt Nathanson talking about the new album.
And a "real video" of "Car Crash".
Click to sample/buy Some Mad Hope.
October 23, 2007
Bob Dylan Celebration--Open Mic & Costume Party
File Under: News
Bob Dylan Celebration (Open Mic & Costume Party)
Tuesday, October 30th, 7:00pm
To Celebrate the release of Bob Dylan The Other Side Of The Mirror - Live At The Newport Folk Festival 1963-1965 and the release of the soundtrack to Todd Haynes new Dylan biopic, I'm Not There, we will be having our first ever hoot-night. We are accepting entries to perform at this special evening of Dylan music, with the following guidelines:
We are looking for performers to recreate, straight-forward or interpretively (but definitely lovingly), their favorite Dylan song (acoustic or electric). Performances need to be either solo or duo, and while we aren't limiting the instrumentation, we need to be able to have fairly quick set changes, so one-man-bands need to be mobile-one-man-bands. Also, in keeping with the theme of the I'm Not There film, which stars Cate Blanchet, Christian Bales, Richard Gere, Heath Ledger, and Marcus Carl Franklin all taking turns as Dylan at different times in his life, and which seems to reinforce that Bob is Everyman, Everyman is Bob, we are also having a pre-Halloween Costume Contest as part of the festivities. So raid your closet for some Bob swag, tune up your guitar, and join us for what is sure to be a ridiculous event.
We are hoping to keep this rolling smoothly, so if you are planning to perform please let us know so we can work out a diverse line-up that doesn't have 10 versions of "Rainy Day Women 12 & 35" back to back (yeah, we know, everybody must get stoned, so please dig a little deeper into the catalogue and we'll save that for a finale). If you need some ideas you could do much worse than grabbing a one of the new deluxe Greatest Hits packages.
SonyBMG has donated a full catalog of Dylan CDs that we will be splitting between the talent and the costume winners, plus we're gonna kick in a few things we have lying around, including some gift certificates and other cool Dylan prizes.
October 04, 2007
Win Tickets to LA Weekly's DETOUR Concert This Weekend!
File Under: News
Win A Pair of Tickets to DETOUR
Saturday, October 6, Noon - Midnight
SORRY, THE CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED. Tickets are still available for the show through Ticketmaster (as of the time of this post) or at the box office at the show. Click the Detour website for more info.
That's right, we've partnered with Goldenvoice to give a lucky Fingerprints customer a pair of tickets to attend this amazing show in Downtown LA this weekend, including Bloc Party, Moving Units, The Ravonettes, Shout Out Louds, Justice, Satellite Party, and Fingerprints in-store alum The Aggrolites. Check out the crazy long line-up at left, or click on over to their website or myspace page for more details.
Drop by the store to enter. One winner will be drawn randomly from the store entries. Winner will be drawn and contacted at approximately 2:30pm Friday, October 5. If we cannot reach you by phone at that time, tickets will be forfeited and a new winner will be drawn.
September 27, 2007
Stephen Kellogg and a Sixer -- FREE INSTORE
File Under: News
Stephen Kellogg
and a Sixer
In-store Performance
Tuesday, October 2nd, 7:00pm
** Free Guest List --
Call for info **
Alright, aside from being fans of great songwriting and great playing (qualities that SK6ers have in abundance) we here at the Finger are pretty big fans of artists who inject a healthy dose of what the French call joy in life (but somehow make too hard to spell); Stephen Kellogg and the boys dropped in on us in November of 2005 and they still hold the top slot on our list of most fun in-stores we've ever had. This video (Stephen's version of the history of Pop music) just about sums up what I'm talking about. Since we only ask people in to play that we really like, it's pretty common for us to urge you to not miss an in-store, let me say, you really need to not miss this one - it will be great.
A little info on the new record: Glassjaw Boxer was produced by Mike Daly of Whiskeytown, with a little help from Dave Bryson of Counting Crows, and guest appearances by Caitlin Cary (who played in Whiskeytown, but is best known as a solo artist) and Marc Roberge (who sings with O.A.R.) and besides the requisite amount of electric and acoustic guitars, it features accordions, trumpets, and lap steel in a heady blend of American rock and roll gone terrifically right.
Some recent press:
Stephen Kellogg and his cohorts are in a tradition of polished, street-level rockers who shape the poetics of everyday life as lived by 'regular folks' into anthemic dimensions.
- No Depression Magazine
Guster meets Ryan Adams. Spirited and hilarious, heartfelt and sincere. Stephen Kellogg & The Sixers live show cannot be put into words; a mesmerizing experience for all ages.
- Sonic
Kellogg's Music is semi-grittty, melodic alt-country. Think early Wilco, Whiskeytown, or Tom Petty. Relaxed; yet passionate.
- Boston Globe
SK6ERS will also be playing October 3rd at the Knitting Factory in Hollywood (full band performance). Hear and see for yourself here: Hear & See
Click here to sample/buy Glassjaw Boxer.
September 19, 2007
Rogue Wave -- FREE INSTORE
File Under: News
Rogue Wave In-store Performance
Friday, September 21st, 7:00pm
** Wristband Event **
All right, after several days of back and forth-ing, we've straightened out all the kinks in our Rogue Wave in-store, and the wristband distribution is on now. We understand this has been a pain in the neck, so please feel free to call us or order through the website to get your CD/wristband set up. All who order will receive a free event poster and a wristband to see this private showcase, in addition to your copy of the especially fine new album. This in-store will be a one of a kind evening of Rogue Wave music, with Zach Rogue being joined, one at a time, by a round robin of other band members. They're working out some special arrangements just for this show, and it is sounding like it will be a night not soon forgotten. You are guaranteed spot with a purchase of Asleep At Heaven's Gate on CD or LP while the wristbands last.
For those unfamiliar with Rogue Wave, here's a little background: Formed in San Francisco, Rogue Wave was one of the next wave of bands signed to Sub Pop, following The Postal Service, The Shins, and Iron & Wine and musically it was a great fit; ringing guitars, Hammond B-3s, lap steel guitar, and strings are all part of the palette behind well-crafted pop songs that would fit nicely on a mix-tape including Elliott Smith, Band of Horses, Matt Pond pa, and Red House Painters.
Click some streaming music at their website. I'd recommend "Debaser", "Eyes", and "Descended Like Vultures", but you could probably cover your eyes and do pretty damn okay, just stay away from that pre-order button on their site, it won't get you into our show ;)
Here are a few press quotes about their last album, Descended Like Vultures:
...Rogue Wave update '60s British pop for blog-era tastes....
- Entertainment Weekly / Grade: A-
...the dreampop candyfloss strengthens the melodies and deepens the pathos of their singer's worldly-wise songwriting...It's sweet and vivid...
- Mojo
Click here to buy/sample Asleep At Heaven's Gate.
September 11, 2007
Pinback -- FREE INSTORE
File Under: News
Pinback In-store Performance
Friday, September 14th, 7:00pm
** Wristband Event ** SOLD OUT
We've been big fans of Rob Crow and company since album number one, and we're expecting the greatness to continue - these guys are the definitive real deal. If you're a fan of artists like Death Cab, Yo La Tengo, The Dismemberment Plan, or American Analog Set, or of course Rob's solo work or his/Zach's other projects (Thingy, Heavy Vegetable, Three Mile Pilot), you won't want to miss a second of this one. These guys are simply amazing live.
You can listen to "From Nothing To Nowhere", the first track from the forthcoming album, as well as some classic cuts at Pinback's MySpace page.
And hey, while you're in a clicking mood, check your skilz at the band's new video game. Even if you suck at it, at least you get to listen to Pinback while you play.
Buy/Sample Autumn Of The Seraphs
September 07, 2007
Film School -- FREE INSTORE
File Under: News
Film School Instore Performance
Tuesday, September 11th, 7:00 PM
**Wristband Event **
We are excited to announce that Film School will do a special street-date instore to celebrate the release of their new CD Hideout. We've been fans of their richly textured, sometimes spacey, sometimes noisy guitar rock since their Alwaysnever ep in 2003. We haven't had a chance to hear their new one yet, but word on the street is that it's even more textured and driving than their earlier releases. Hideout was written mostly in Greg's Los Angeles apartment, recorded in LA and SF, and mixed by the fantastic Phil Ek (BTS, Band of Horses, Shins, Malkmus). I read somewhere the words "plaintive longing" to describe the feeling of the band's music, and that's probably better than anything I'll come up with today. They've opened for The National and the Rogers Sisters, and we're thrilled that they've chosen our little stage to celebrate the release of their new CD. Come in or call to get a wristband to reserve your space at this event.
"Wonderfully off-kilter pop songs"
- NME
"Hideout isn't out until Sept. 11, but it's already creating a buzz from those who've heard its buzzing guitars and reverb-heavy dynamics. Its the kind of album that dares you to roll up your car windows, crank it and be swallowed whole."
- Kevin Bronson, LA Times
You can check out some of their new tracks on their MySpace page.
Click to pre-buy/sample Hideout (streeting on the 11th).
August 19, 2007
Minus the Bear -- FREE INSTORE
File Under: News
Minus the Bear In-store Performance
Friday, August 24th, 7:00pm ** Wristband Event **
Minus the Bear have made quite an impact on the math/indie scene, with technical wizardry and a keen sense of humor, they neatly encompass a blend of an art-rock Fugazi style mixed with the goofiness of your first keg party. It's a very rare treat that they've decided to do a few in-stores to set things up for their Fall tour, which is scheduled to last for something like two years, and with the early buzz they're getting, it might still leave folks hungry for more. Word is out and we're expecting a capacity crowd, so if you're holding out to decide, it's getting to be that time. Get your wristband with pre-order of Planet of Ice.
Some recent press:
"Minus The Bear's brightly appealing indie-pop may be dispensed with remarkable technical prowess -- complete with precise guitar work and complex time changes -- but it also benefits from the band's sweetly personal lyrics and flair for writing power-pop hooks...Planet of Ice maintains an organic quality that allows the songs' innate catchiness to shine through" - NPR WORLD CAFE
"Take a musical journey with this new song from Minus the Bear's upcoming album, Planet of Ice. The track begins with a hint of ambient electronica, then jumps into choppy Gang of Four territory. When lead singer Jake Snider enters, you may imagine you are listening to...Roger Waters!... and there's more than a touch of the Floyd lurking in the Bear's honey pot. Listen to the repeated guitar figures while synthesizers squeal in the background. True to the Bear tradition, the song's strange title is left unexplained." ["Dr. L'Ling" track review] - LA Times
Click here to buy/sample Planet of Ice
August 15, 2007
Aggrolites -- FREE INSTORE
File Under: News
Aggrolites In-store Performance
Wednesday, August 15th, 7:00pm
This will be a very special acoustic performance by LA’s reigning reggae kings. Unlike other pretenders to the style of ska and reggae, the Aggrolites reach further into the past than Sublime and Bob Marley’s Legend album; imagine California reggae that’s familiar with Studio One, Prince Buster, and The Skatalites. Soulful, rhythmic, and full of attitude the Aggrolites create groove-heavy Los Angeles inspired dirty reggae. They’ve enjoyed some attention from Indie 103.1, had the honor of playing the release party for the Joe Strummer film The Future Is Unwritten, including their versions of "White Man from Hammersmith Palais" and "Know Your Rights." And the Aggrolites have also played as the backing band on Rancid main-man Tim Armstrong’s solo album, A Poet’s Life. Now you can hear them playing a stripped down set right here on our little stage. This is a free wristband event, call or visit to be added to the guest list.
Some recent press:
“...Uncanny instincts and expert Jamaican grooves....that's how on the money they are." - Ben Wener, OC Register
"Reggae Hit L.A. is a dazzling album from start to finish. The Aggrolites have carved out their niche in the music community and planted their flag in a hybrid territory made up of some of the most soulful music around, and in doing so have crafted the perfect summer album." - Punknews.com
Listen to the Aggrolites.
Click here to buy/sample Reggae Hit L.A.
August 07, 2007
Peter Case -- FREE INSTORE
File Under: News
Peter Case
In-store Performance
Tuesday, August 7th, 7:00 pm
Peter Case will be dropping by to sing the hell out of some songs off of his latest release, Let Us Now Praise Sleepy John, which just happened to hit the shelves this morning. This will be Peter's second time playing for us, and if this trip is anything like the last, we are in store for an amazing evening of music. Peter is the prototype LA roots-rock guy, starting his days with the power-pop band The Plimsouls and moving into a solo career that has moved from hard folk (think Roger McGuinn, John Prine, and Jackson Browne) to songs by, and songs influenced by, blues heroes like Mississippi John Hurt and Sleepy John Estes (the namesake of the new album).
With Let Us Now Praise Sleepy John, Case finds a comfortable spot in between his pop past and his more recent blues interests; loaded with keen social and political observation, Case's lone voice, guitar, and harmonica lend these new songs a tangible air of authenticity wrapped around his impressive ability to write a beautifully crafted song. Case says of the new album, "It's the sound of freedom, possibility, companionship, adventure, sex, romance, anti-authoritarianism, life against death, positive social action, satire of the powerful, humor through trouble and despair, with no need for boxes of metal beats, or for filling in the blanks with by-rote-rock- arrangements, your-message-here, walls-of-deadening-sound... This is the album that my fans have been asking me to make for a long time and the record I've wanted to make for longer than that. I've always wanted to make a true solo record in the traditionof the ones I love, from Jimmie Rodgers and Robert Johnson to Woody Guthrie's Dust Bowl Ballads and Dylan's first four albums, on through Bert Jansch's and Nick Drake's solo recordings, (and) Sleepy John Estes's Broke and Hungry has been an inspiration to me ever since I started playing." This will be Peter
Case solo and amazing, please try to join us.
Here's a taste of "Just Hangin' On" from the new album.
The video isn't fantastic on this one, but Peter's impromptu playing while strolling after hours on Pico is pretty cool.
You can also check out Peter performing at the Mississippi John Hurt Tribute last March.
"It's very much in the spirit of Guthrie, with Case lashing out vehemently at injustice -- the "Million Dollar Bail" that sprung Phil Spector (who isn't named but is clearly the subject of the song), corporate treachery, the plight of the homeless. He also describes the allure and demands of the vagabond life, with a focus and a ragged-voiced authenticity that makes you feel every bump in the road." - LA Times
July 30, 2007
Fionn Regan -- FREE INSTORE
File Under: News
Fionn Regan
In-store Performance
Monday, August 6th, 7:00pm
Several years ago, while traveling in Ireland, I was digging through the bargain bin in a Tower Records (after missing out on a Frames in-store - damn) anyway, I came across a song ep by local Dublin lad Fionn Regan and I'm happy to say, the high-point of all the music I bought while there was Fionn's demo and it was a total killer; so when I heard that Fionn not only had a US deal, but that he was going to tour, my path became clear: In-store, introduce Fionn to our friends, then watch as he becomes a big star. Anyway, the UK press is burying Fionn under the weighty mantle of Dylan and Nick Drake comparisons, and I can't say I don't see it, but Fionn stands very well on his own. He's recently been nominated for a Mercury Prize, he's been getting great press, and now he's playing our little stage - I see great things in his future. If he asks if anyone has a request, please call out "Underwood Typewriter"; it has a percussion track that sounds glitchy and a little like something Radiohead would do until you realize it's actually the completely organic sound of an actual typewriter. It should be a class study in songwriting, it's that good.
Check out the video for "Be Good Or Be Gone" - while they last we have a handful of it on DVD with purchase of The End of History. While you're clicking, also check out the video for the highly recommended track "Put a Penny in the Slot".
Click to sample/buy The End of History.
John Vanderslice -- FREE INSTORE
File Under: News
John Vanderslice In-store Performance
Friday, August 3rd, 7:00pm
John has long been highly regarded for creating near-perfect pop masterpieces, literate, groovy, and perfectly produced. Over the past several years he's been experimenting with textures and adding a few unexpected time signatures; nothing jarring, the perfection and the pop are still very much in evidence, but there is an Elephant Six glaze to the whole thing. This new trippiness is a perfect companion to John's extremely literate, character sketch-oriented songs. Highly recommended for fans of Spoon, Death Cab For Cutie, Neutral Milk Hotel and XTC.
Check out the videos for "Exodus Damage" and "Trance Manual", both from the album Pixel Revolt.
Click right here to sample/buy John's latest release Emerald City.
July 29, 2007
Culver City Dub Collective -- FREE INSTORE
File Under: News
Culver City Dub Collective In-store Performance
Tuesday, July 31st, 7:00pm
** Wristband Event **
Culver City Dub Collective is an anomalous blend of hippy esthetic and Kingston house party. Made up of a slightly fluid, seriously all-star group, CCDC's second album, Dos, finds them building a kickin' framework of Jamaican roots reggae, Afro-Cuban rhythms and West Coast bossa beats, then inviting a few friends to join the party; this time out RSVPs showed up from Piers Faccini, Ben Harper, Money Mark, Studio One vocalist Winston Jarret, Jay Malinowski (of Bedouin Soundclash) and Jack Johnson (who keeps drummer/band-leader Adam Topol busy as a regular member of his band). It's almost a who's who of artist's who've played here, getting their groove on and we couldn't be happier to be able to host this record release party. Call or stop in and we'll get you set up with a wristband to see the show.
Here is a funny little video from their photo shoot and a warm-up session for their tour with Piers Faccini.
Click here to buy Dos (streeting 7/31)
July 23, 2007
Tegan & Sara -- FREE INSTORE
File Under: News
Tegan & Sara In-Store Performance
Wed., July 25th, 8:00pm
** Wristband Event - Sold Out **
Here's a little advance notice, our favorite Canadian sisters are coming back. T&S have a new album finished and it hits the shelves on Tuesday the 24th. To kick things off in proper style the girls are doing a very quiet, very small (and also very sold-out) tour. If you haven't yet made arrangements to see the girls in a bigger room, this is your chance to secure yourself a spot in what is sure to be the smallest room they play this year. Wristbands were available for free with pre-order of T&S's new album The Con, but unfortunately we're at capacity and there are no more wristbands available. Our apologies to anyone wishing to attend who did not already pre-order the album. It's certain to be an awesome event.
Click here to buy The Con.
April 11, 2007
The Hold Steady -- Live at Fingerprints CD
File Under: News
The Hold Steady
Live at Fingerprints Limited Edition CD
Five live, acoustic tracks recorded right here on our little stage in
the corner. This is a one-time deal and when they are gone they are
gone. Click below for more info. All on-line and in-store purchases on
this release, made during the month of April, will be entered to win a
poster from the in-store signed by the full band. Oh, did we mention
this little bit of history is only $4.98?
The Hold Steady - Live at Fingerprints Limited Edition CD
December 12, 2006
Joseph Arthur Live at Fingerprints Exclusive CD
File Under: News
Joseph Arthur Exclusive Live CD
FREE WITH PURCHASE
Get a free copy of Joseph Arthur's exclusive Live at Fingerprints CD with purchase of his latest release, Nuclear Daydream (if you already have this one, you can buy one of his older ones). The live CD is a full 50 minute set made up of mostly new material, some so new it's unreleased, with a little lesson on percussion instruments and the general feel of a band having a great time. Some of the songs include "Black Lexus," "Slide Away," "Precious One," "Good Life," alongside the new songs, and some classics like "Tattoo." It was an incredible day and we are super happy to be able to offer this free bonus when you buy Nuclear Daydream.
