Ray Concepcion y Cafe Con Leche @ some bar on 1st avenue, March 22nd, 2009

I don't usually go for Latin bands, but I was walking home up 1st avenue and heard some amazing Puerto Rican music drifting from a random bar, and decided to stop in for Ray Concepcion y Cafe Con Leche's set. To be honest their bass player, Louie Arona, is who really drew me in. He had this way of not playing the root notes, and yet still weaving together some really beautiful and musical lines, all while keeping the form and rhythm. Nice job.

Woods w/ Let's Wrestle, Ca-USE Co-MOTION @ Monster Island, March 12th, 2009

I love Woods. They're one of my favorite bands out there right now. Last time I saw them, about a year ago, they were kind of sloppy, but they've really focused and refined their sound, and now it's like this perfect mix of sweet and melancholy indie psych. I like how they sing through those lo-fi vintage microphones, which slightly distort their voices in a pleasant way. I didn't recognize many of the songs (but they did play 'don't pass on me,' one of my favs =). They were selling a new LP, which hasn't dropped yet, so I'm def looking forward to hearing that!





Let's Wrestle plays some really catchy up-tempo indie-garage (i really like how their myspace address is 'letsfuckingwrestle' =). They came all the way from England to play this show. They were ridiculously tight, which is always a pleasure. The Cribs comparisons are justified in terms of their sound, but Let's Wrestle aren't pricks (jk cribs, you know i <3 u). Just try to not dance along to "I Won't Lie To You." That song rules. See them while you can...

Ca-USE Co-MOTION closed this show, and they really "brought it," probably inspired by the solid performances before them. Ferocious. There was a big dance party up front, but I stopped taking photos at this point to go socialize.

Shai w/ Brittain Ashford, Dave Bechle @ Lisa's Loft, March 7th, 2009

Dave Bechle opened the evening with some lovely singer-songwriter report in the vain of Johnny Cash and Townes Van Zandt. Dave has a nice voice, and sounded great singing a couple of feet away from the microphone, which was amped with reverb. I also like his 50s-style slicked back haircut. Now here's a man who pays attention to the details in things.

"Nothing says 'party' like a mountain dulcimer," says Brittain Ashford, who also plays a mean electric auto-harp, which is pretty much my favorite instrument of all time. Her songs followed the trend of sweet-n-sad folk, and those americana instruments really kept the vibe nice and rural. I liked her cover of "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun." Never heard it like that before!

Shai, was the only "band" of the night, but it was still pretty minimalist, just keyboard, guitar, and some light yet precise drumming. It took a minute to get used to his reverb drenched vocals and modest singing style. But after a couple of songs, the room was hooked. I really liked the one that went, "I've been dreaming, dreaming, dreaming, of the ocean, ocean, ocean..." Where can I get it? He's also quite a salesmen and sold all of his CD's of "Home Recordings 2007", including one to me. Some songs on it are really nice, especially the ones with a full band. What a lovely evening! =)

Handsome Furs @ Mercury Lounge, March 6th 2009

Handsome Furs are kinda awesome. They've got that emo-electro-rock-i'm-from-canada-and-my-other-band-is-wolf-parade mojo. But I still like hearing a real drummer better than a beat machine when I'm at a live show. Just saying. Also, I kinda felt like a tool holding up that video camera for like 5 minutes straight, but it was well worth it. Looking good!

The Weakends w/ The Beets @ Monster Island Basement, March 4th 2009

The Weakends are a psych-punk band from France. Their sound is right at home with the likes of The Black Lips and The Duchess and The Duke, but with foreign charm and european angst! They're currently on tour in the states, and put on a great show. Go see them! You won't regret it...



The Beets were good too, a little sloppy, but maybe purposely so? They definitely have some nice noisy sing-along jams. Their drummer doesn't use any cymbals and plays standing up, which is fun, but on some songs I miss the crash and ride. I wonder if they got their band name from the animated TV show Doug?