Ok, I have something to admit.  I need to get this off my chest.  Friends…I’m in love.  And it’s not just the "I think I’m in love, yet it will only last a short 2 weeks and then I will be on to the next thing" kinda love…this is "true, unconditional, can’t live without it" kinda love.  Who is this mysterious lover you ask?  Well it is actually a group of poppy, suspender wearing, shaggy haired, glorious sounding swedes who call themselves the Shout Out Louds.  Their new cd "Howl Howl Gaff Gaff" makes me want to make sweet sweet love to this entire band! 

I was lucky enough to see the Shout Out Louds open for The Dears last night @ the El Rey in Los Angeles.  This is when I truly fell HARD for this band.  They have something for everybody.  Consisting of 4 tall,  tight black pant wearing(except for the drummer in tight white pants) adorable guys, and one super hot blonde for the all the guys to drool over.  The sweet, happy sounds that came from the stage made me dance, sing, and just be really really happy.  Almost in a Stellastarr* singing "My Coco" sorta way(for those who don’t know, this is insanely good).   The guys are really energetic, stomping their feet, singing intensely the tributes to their homeland, love, and sometimes band members birthdays.  I predict this band will be selling out their own shows very soon, but check ‘em out at smaller venues now, while you can. 

If you missed ‘em this time don’t stress, it looks like the Shout Out Louds will be back this summer touring with Kings of Leon and Secret Machines.  Mark your calenders. 

07/22/2005 Wiltern LG
Kings of Leon / Secret Machines / Shout Out Louds
Los Angeles, CA

If you haven’t heard this deliciousness yet you can stream the entire Shout Out Louds album via VH1 here.

While on the topic of sweet sounding Swedes, I remembered another group  that I wanted to mention… 

I have been listening to the Moonbabies a bunch lately.  These guys are all sunshine and rainbows.  Listen to their tunes @ myspace here .  Watch their video for this ridiculously good song "Sun AM" here.   You won’t be able to get it out of your head.   

Torr has also recently recommended the Swedish band Swoon. 

Then I started thinking, so many good bands come from Sweden, how can I find out my next favorite Swedish band.    Check out these links… 

Ultimate Swedish Band List

Rocket 95.3 The Rock Home of Stokholm               

Hello! Surprise!:  A Guide to Swedish Pop Music

Swedes Please – Who knew there was a blog just dedicated to swedish bands. I love it! 

These bands sound nothing like The Swedish Chef, but since we are talking of all great things from Sweden, how could we leave him out???  Listen to the Swedish Chef theme song here.  "Børk! Børk! Børk!" 

You can also change your dialect to "Swedish Chef" here. 

Read our site in "Swedish Chef" dialect here.  This is super funny. 

thanks to Us Kids Know

David Byrne / Arcade Fire Hollywood Bowl Tickets On Sale Now!

While the tickets for this show were scheduled to go on-sale tomorrow (5/7) at 10am PST, it appears they are already on-sale now.

Los Angeles Philharmonic : David Byrne & the Arcade Fire
Hollywood Bowl, Hollywood, CA
Sun, Jun 26, 2005 07:00 PM

Buy Tickets

I already have mine.  This show is going to be insane! 

picture via Us Kids Know

"Do I Have Your Attention?"  The Blood Arm  sang as they started their set at The Echo last friday night… "YES!"  I wanted to yell back. Instead I just sang along.  From the opening notes of the first song through out the whole show my undivided attention was focused on this band and the antics that were going on around me.  I actually felt a part of this show, a part of the energy that went on in the room.  I’ve seen The Blood Arm twice before, and they haven’t dissapointed me yet.  Each time I go, I don’t think the show could live up to the last one, yet every show there are new surprises in store. 

At a Blood Arm show the crowd seems to almost be a member of the band.  Jumping, moshing, singing, you can’t help but get caught up in this energy and excitement.  As charismatic singer Nathanial Fregoso went into "Want X 3"  I could feel my legs springing off the ground…"I want it all of the time,  I want it all of the time, I want it all of the time", he sang, and the more he said it the more we all jumped and danced and sang. 

At one point a Twister board was thrown on stage and Nathanial just wrapped himself in it and continued singing.  Fans and friends even ended up on stage passionately rocking out, before being thrown off by a no fun security guard. (read more about that here ) The crowd acting like crazy wild animals just made the show even better. 

Let’s not forget the other members of the band as well.  It’s possible to lose track of them while following the antics of Nathanial jumping into the crowd.  But these guys and gal all rock.  If you happen to find yourself at a Blood Arm show, check out Zach on drums…that boy is amazing! 

The band is off in Europe opening for Maximo Park, so for all of our international readers, I know there are many, check ‘em out there.   You can read about what the band is up to in their blog,  http://thebloodarm.blogspot.com/

Listen to "Do I Have Your Attention"

All you got to do is send a text to the number 46645 with your zip code or town, and what you are looking for.

You maybe asking, youself "self, how will this improve the quality of my
musical life?"  Well let me tell you.  Have you ever been out at night and
wondering, "hey, who’s playing at Spaceland tonight?", or "what time
does the show start at The Troubadour?".  Well all you need to do is
text "Spaceland Los Angeles" and Google will text you the address and
phone number so you can call and find out.  Too easy!    Now all they
gotta do is figure out how to text us when those Arcade Fire/David
Byrne tickets go on sale so we can get good seats.  Come on Google,
you’re all over this one. I heart technology.  Read all about it, and
learn the fun tricks here. 

Monday 3/21
Doves  @ El Rey SOLD OUT
Joy Zipper/Goldie Lookin Chain @ Spaceland FREE *
Kaiser Chiefs/Maximo Park @ Troubadour SOLD OUT
Ed Harcourt  @ Hotel Cafe Tickets @ the Door *

Tuesday 3/22
Bloc Party @ Troubadour SOLD OUT
Bloc party after party @ Cinespace with Goldie Lookin Chain and Maximo Park*

Wednesday 3/23
Louis XIV @ Troubadour SOLD OUT
Kings of Convenience @ Spaceland (some tickets @ the door)*

Thursday 3/24
Stars @ Troubadour*

Friday 3/25
Stars @ Troubadour*
Decemberists @ Henry Fonda Theater*

MUSIC FOR PEOPLE WITH MULLETS….exactly.

What a shocker….Achy Breaky Heart is at the top of the list.  You can sample some fine tunes including…"Mullet Millennium", "World’s Greatest Haircut", "Mullet Anthem", "Cut the Mullet", "Mullet Boy Enumerates", "Daddy Has a Mullet" and "Hold me now".  One of these songs is not like the other.

LOVE, LEE, PONY’S, and a SUPERSTAR.  All things seen at the one year anniversary party last night at Cinespace.  Courtney Love graced all the hipsters with her presence.  She was escorted by Miss Muscle Women USA 2004, seriously.  One could only wonder if watching the all girl band Pony Up! reminded her of her early days with Hole. Not that Pony Up!‘s music is anything like Hole’s, there is just something about an all girl band that can play, it just kicks ass.  And Courtney knows it.   Pony Up! were adorable, I loved their sweet sounds enough to buy a cd from them.  Apparently Ben Lee started a record label just to put out their cd.  Speaking of Mr. Lee:

Ever since we started this website a month ago, I’ve been recognized everywhere I go, people just want to take their picture with me.   Ben just couldn’t resist taking a picture with one of The Listen’s resident bloggers. He just kept saying how much he adored THE LISTEN website.  It turned into a love fest when I couldn’t stop blabbing to him about how much I loved his new album.  Seriously though, he couldn’t have been nicer.  I probably talked to him for about 7.5 seconds, but in that time I could tell what a good soul he is.  If you haven’t bought his new one Awake is the New Sleep yet, your missing out.  It’s a feel good record that THE LISTEN recommends highly.  So WAKE UP and get it. 

The night ended with a set by Har Mar Superstar, who is always entertaining.  Last night the "track" gods were not with Mr. Superstar for the first 5 songs.  It was cool though, it just provided more improv action by Har Mar.  The track problem got fixed and everyone got down to LA’s favorite stripper. 

Next tuesday @ cinespace is the Bloc Party release show with Maximo Park and Goldie Lookin Chain.

How you feelin’?  I was feelin’ fantastic after seeing Hot Hot Heat at the Roxy on Friday night.  What a show!  Those boys have so much energy, they really know how to get the crowd going.  Everyone was singing along bouncing up and down throughout their whole set.   You know it’s a good show when you are loving the new songs you have never heard before as much as your old favorites.  Highlights were "This Town", "Bandages" and their new song "Goodnight, Goodnight"(listen to "Goodnight, Goodnight" here).  I can’t wait for their new album Elevator to be released April 5th…….  It’s gonna be HOT fresh.  If you can,  catch them when they come around to your area…cause next time they come around they will surely play a bigger venue.

02-28 Boulder, CO – The Fox Theatre *
03-02 Minneapolis, MN – Ascot Room *
03-03 Chicago, IL – Bottom Lounge *
03-05 Detroit, MI – St. Andrews Hall *
03-07 Boston, MA – Axis *
03-09 New York, NY – The Bowery Ballroom *
03-10 Philadelphia, PA – Theatre of Living Arts *
03-11 Washington, DC – 9:30 Club *
03-15 Dallas, TX – Trees *

* with Louis XIV

Louis The XIV  opened the show. Their debut album "Best Little Secrets Are Kept" will be out March 22.  They played some good for your soul rock and roll for the crowd.  The definite highlight was "Finding Out True Love Is Blind".  My favorite part of their set was actually at the merch booth.  I know people are asking themselves:  Does Louis The XIV sell thongs?  Well ponder no longer….the answer to that below: 

This is my new friend Eugene….love how that thong matched his shirt.  Too perfect. 

Here is a cure for those Saturday morning hangovers..come on I know you…you totally rip it up on friday nights…I mean really go crazy….crazy like stand on the bar singing "The Final Countdown" while you have your friends re-enact the scene from "Arrested Development" crazy…. yeah ok so since you might not be feeling 100% on saturday morning sit back relax and take a listen to one of my favorite radios shows.  It’s called Passport Approved and airs Saturdays 10am-Noon on Indie 103.1 here in LA.  And for you out of towners don’t fret you can listen at their website www.indie1031.fm .  It’s two hours of imports, B-sides & rarities from all over the world….. Really, I mean I would love to travel and go find all these bands myself, but alas I am poor.  So these guys do the work for you.  Thanks guys! 

Speaking of Indie 103.1…Is our favorite radio station in trouble???  Please say it ain’t so!!!  Franklin Avenue and Tale of Two Cities   says it is.  We really hope it isn’t.  If anyone knows anything we can do to keep this awesome station going, let us know! 

***UPDATE***According to a source very close to Indie…they are doing just fine.  Everyone can take a big sigh of relief…Thanks MIKE!

AND

Speaking of Radio Stations in trouble.  Looks like my hometown station Y100 Philly’s "Alternative Rock" station was taken off the air yesterday.  They are replacing the alternative rock station with a Gospel station.  Are you kidding me?  So sad! It’s been around for 13 years.  You can read about it here, or you can go to Y100Rocks.com and sign the petition.

"No, it wasn’t a stunt, at 11:50 p.m., as the last chords of Pearl Jam "Alive" faded away, Radio One ditched the Modern Rock format on WPLY (Y100)/ Philadelphia and moved it’s Rhythmic CHR WPHI (The Beat) from 103.9 to Y100′s 100.3 signal. The 103.9 signal immediately began running a loop of five different promos directing listeners to 100.3 TheBeat. It’s believed "Praise 103.9", a Gospel station, will debut on the old Beat frequency." (via http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=69087)

ProductShopNYC also chimes in about the loss of Y100.  Sorry to everyone back in ILLadelphia, and the staff at Y100.  Why does this remind me of a Frasier episode? 

AWAY WITH THE PIXIE STICKS…

Sunday night… our favorite listener Jamie hosted a Pixies viewing party for Austin City Limits.  The folks who decided to brave the torrential down pour in LA were treated to yummy Thai treats at Toi. Thanks to ACL for providing these cool coozies for everyone! 

Some lucky viewers also won t-shirts. 

The Pixies and spring rolls…. perfect together!

JENNY LEWIS IS EVERYWHERE AND WE LOVE IT!

Jenny Lewis of Rilo Kiley and the Postal Service has great taste in music.  She guests on 2 of The Listen’s favorite featured albums this month.  She sings with  M.Ward on the song Big Boat off of "Transistor Radio".  Plus she provides backing vocals on the opening track titled Whatever It Is, on Ben Lee’s album "Awake Is The New Sleep".  If your a fan of Jenny Lewis definitely check out these albums.  They rock.  Also if you haven’t heard any of Rilo Kiley’s new album "More Adventurous"  Click here. 

Speaking of M. Ward.  Pitchfork gave the new album an 8.2!  Read the great review here.

Arcade Fire show was on fire!