First show first. Camera Obscura is a band I have known about for a few years, and who I was introduced to by my indie savvy cousin. I missed their last show that he went to in LA at the Troubador, but luckily I was able to make it out to Pomona this time. The great thing about bands playing there is how awesome the Glasshouse is. I have been there a few times before, and I have never had a negative experience. The staff is good, there is a bar in the back that has affordable drinks (none of this $7 dollar water bullshit like at the Grove. ugh), and the space is big enough so that there is a pretty good sized crowd, but small enough that the show still feels intimate. The opening band was a group of newbies from Sacramento, Agent Ribbons (www.myspace.com/agentribbons), who were hilarious and sounded great to boot. It is a group of three chicks wearing Strawberry Shortcake inspired outfits, singing songs about going the circus, and using a chello instead of a bass. Which is awesome.Camera Obscura were ah-mazing, playing all the hits, such as "Lloyd, I'm Ready to Be Heartbroken", new vinyl single (which I own) and one of my personal favorites "French Navy", and they ended the set with an amazing version of "Razzle Dazzle Rose". Very awesome show. What made the whole night even better was that before we went into the venue, we ate at the little bistro across the street, and who was seated at the table behind us? None other than the members of Camera Obscura themselves.
A few days ago I went again with said cousin and some friends to see Pichfork darling Bat For Lashes at the El Ray in Los Angeles. I really wasn't sure what to expect, seeing as how I knew her rep for being somewhat strange, but I was stoked nonetheless. The openers were a local LA band called HECVBA (pronounced HEC-UBA), and honestly, I thought I was going to have a seizure. They were terrible. The singer looked like a really old Jenny Lewis who was writhing around the stage like she was having some sort of epileptic fit. The other guy in the band looked way to into his bass and laptop as he played, and I was so very happy when they were done. Bat For Lashes opened with my favorite track"Glass", which sounds so much better live than it does on the LP. She played latest single "Daniel" twice, the first time stripped down and "acoustic" and the sencond time as the closing song to the encore with the full band behind her. I was really impressed with how cool of a demeanor she had onstage. She seemed to breally just be having fun, enjoying her time making music. One point of interest that I noticed immediately - her voice sounds pristine live. No really. It sounds studio quality. That is the mark of ture talent, someone who has the live chops to go along with studio skills.
A few days ago I went again with said cousin and some friends to see Pichfork darling Bat For Lashes at the El Ray in Los Angeles. I really wasn't sure what to expect, seeing as how I knew her rep for being somewhat strange, but I was stoked nonetheless. The openers were a local LA band called HECVBA (pronounced HEC-UBA), and honestly, I thought I was going to have a seizure. They were terrible. The singer looked like a really old Jenny Lewis who was writhing around the stage like she was having some sort of epileptic fit. The other guy in the band looked way to into his bass and laptop as he played, and I was so very happy when they were done. Bat For Lashes opened with my favorite track"Glass", which sounds so much better live than it does on the LP. She played latest single "Daniel" twice, the first time stripped down and "acoustic" and the sencond time as the closing song to the encore with the full band behind her. I was really impressed with how cool of a demeanor she had onstage. She seemed to breally just be having fun, enjoying her time making music. One point of interest that I noticed immediately - her voice sounds pristine live. No really. It sounds studio quality. That is the mark of ture talent, someone who has the live chops to go along with studio skills.It is also worth a mention that my mother came with me to both of these shows. Yeah thats right, be jealous. My mom is rad.
Two weeks, two great shows, and next week Warped Tour to looke forward too. Snaps for summer tours.
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