of Montreal + Janelle Monae = Sensory Overload

On Friday night at the Warfield [Oct 29, 2010] not only did I get to see of Montreal for the SIXTH TIME (yep) but I saw Janelle Monae for the first.

Between the fish-headed, gun wielding robots (pictured left) to dancers dressed as nuns, pigs, kids with skulls, a dragon, confetti and feathers, the night was totally sensory overload!

Seeing shows like this in SF however makes me wish that Sacramento could bring this kind of event to one of our venues. of Montreal has performed here once before (at Sac State actually - thanks to the amazing folks at Unique). But, I'd love to see a show like this at Memorial, hell, why not the Convention Center or on a smaller scale, Harlow's?

Don't get me wrong - some GREAT shows have been put on at most of those places. But this - this doesn't happen everyday.

Watch a LESS SFW video of "Sex Karma" + "Girl Named Hello" 

I'm telling you - if you haven't seen Janelle Monae live - do it and do it soon. I had a feeling she was going to put on a great show. I mean, I saw her perform "Tightrope" (LIVE) on Letterman before her album was released and figured - yep, I was going to be blown away.

But by her intro, the Archandroid's warning from the future, I knew this was going to be not just a concert, but a full experience that I would never forget.

She sang many of the hit tracks from her album, and somewhere in the middle of her performance she came out and performed a heartbreakingly beautiful take on Michael Jackson's favorite "Smile." The crazy San Francisco stopped jumping and pushing and screaming, and we all just stood there and took in the quality and caliber of her voice. No words could describe it.

I know of Montreal isn't everyone's cup of tea. I guess it's the spirit of this show that I wish people in Sacramento could experience not just more often but more easily. Not everyone can drive out to SF for every great show - so how about we start petitioning bigger indie bands who are known for their performance art (not just their music) to come and perform in our humble little big city?

Post messages to their Facebook walls, tweet about how great Memorial and Harlow's and the Blue Lamp are, and maybe bands like of Montreal (or do I dare hope for Flaming Lips???), or outstanding singers like Janelle Monae would be more inclined to make a pit stop on their way in or out of the bay.

It couldn't hurt.

For more pictures from this show, check our Facebook Album!

FRESH TRAX [6]

Deer Park Avenue = Sarah and Stephanie Snyder

Deer Park Avenue

Sister duo, DPA, has a diverse musical and cultural background that has influenced their sound. After living all over Europe, and performing in multiple bands, in Sacramento they go by Deer Park Avenue, the name of a street they used to walk down in Long Island.

Their power pop is commercial friendly, yes, but smart. With a sophisticated sound and a knowledge of the business, DPA has not only released an EP City Streets (available on iTunes) but are now back in the studio recording more new material. They are the number one Sacramento band on ReverbNation's charts and I think we can expect a lot more from these two in the near future!

 Over Again by deerparkavenue 

Get More Deer Park Avenue News on: Facebook | MySpace | Twitter | ReverbNation.

FRESH TRAX [5]

ALAK

What can say about this experimental indie pop band from Placerville except - "where have they been all my life?"

Lead by singer/songwriter Jocelyn Noir (her Goth alias), their sound (or perhaps her sound) is haunting, electrifying and extremely entertaining. One minute they sound like a country influenced folk band, and the next like Joy Division's feminine reflection.

Alak's EP I Don't Feel Anything and their full-length Clarinettis Qoonotations are available for "Name Your Price" on Bandcamp!

FRESH TRAX [4]

Taken at DOOMbird's album release show
at Harlow's on August 29th, 2010

DOOMbird

After the free release of their debut self-titled album, indie folk/pop band DOOMbird hasn't been performing as often. 

Luckily, I just found out they are on the bill for the Mister Metaphor Reunion Show coming up Nov. 6th at the Townhouse Lounge. Phew! And they have another show in SF with The Definite Articles on Nov. 19th. Until then, here's my favorite song by DOOMbird:

 02 Naked - DOOMbird by Paduta 


Keep Up with DOOMbird on MySpace | Facebook | DOOMbird Official.

Happy Halloween(s)!

Death Star Pumpkin found @ Bloomington Area Music

As a kid, I thought it was pretty cool having just the one Halloween, but apparently adults get to have a bunch of Halloweens that all fit their schedules.

This year, All Hallow's Eve is on a Sunday and for us grown ups with Mon-Fri (9 to 5) type jobs that . . . doesn't quite work.

Thankfully, there are a ton of Halloween themed shows/dance parties/costume contests going on throughout the Sacramento area that you non-kids are bound to find something to do.

And to help you, I've put together a Halloween guide for you to help you make a decision!

FRIDAY

Dance Party:

Fuck Fridays and Scion are presenting a two-floor Haunted House at the Townhouse Lounge. Downstairs DJ Shaun Slaughter will be spinning electro/house/dance music and Portland dance band STRENGTH will be performing live as well. Upstairs DJ Roger will be spinning and there will also be a special performance by San Francisco's Still Flyin'! 

Tickets are still available at Bows and Arrows in Midtown but not for long. Get yours now and soon because it guarantees entrance into the party.

Indie Rock/Pop:

Goodness Gracious Me Haunthouse Party (CD Release) w/ Phantom Jets & Musical Charis -- 9 PM - 1 AM

Old Ironsides | 10th and S | $7 

SATURDAY

Dance Party!
The Nightmare on **th Street -- 10 PM - 5 AM
DJs Whores and Riff Raff, Unite, Kris Ward and many many more performing in a secret space - 2 rooms totaling 10,000 sq. feet!

(location to be revealed...)

Punk/Metal/Rock
Zombie Holocaust -- 9 PM - 2 AM
Drastic Actions, The Number Thirteen, Lessons in Failure, Black Mackerel, Psychosomatic -- Costumes Mandatory!

On the Y | 670 Fulton Ave. | Sacramento 

Octoberween -- 6:30 - 10:30 PM

Dirty Filthy Mugs, Skouts Honor, Nate of America, Point of View

Plea for Peace Center 630 E. Weber Ave. | Stockton

Mellow/Folk/Pop

It Was the Night Before Halloween . . . -- 9 - 11:30 PM

David Houston, Christopher Fairman, Earl Brooks

Luna's Cafe and Juice Bar | 1414 16th Street | Sacramento

SUNDAY

Trash Film Orgy Presents *Heavy Metal Halloween" -- 8 PM - 12 AM

Games, Costume Contests, Prizes, LIVE stage shows and a screening of "Trick or Treat" (1986).

Crest Theater | 1013 K Street | $10

Dead Rock Stars Annual Halloween Rock Show -- 8 PM - 12 AM

Local bands performing classic songs by their favorite dead rock stars: Breaking Glass, Jet Black Popes, and more!

Old Ironsides  | 10th and S | $8

Rocktoberfest - Helloween!  -- 9 PM - 12 AM

Children of the Grave, Lite Brite, Walking Spanish, Babs Johnson Gang

Townhouse Lounge | 1517 21st Street 

Whew! I'm sure there is a bunch more going on! 
Hope you find something fun and SPOOOOOKY to do this Hallo-weekend!

FRESH TRAX [3]

Storyteller

I met Storyteller back when we were both DJs at KSSU. He played tons of great electronic/techno/house music like Kraftwerk, Daft Punk, you name it - he had it and most likely, on vinyl.

I was excited to see that not only does he remix tracks but that he has some original compositions as well. And, keeping in theme of his name, Storyteller organizes all his music into books and chapters.

Listen to more of his music and download tracks at:

MySpace | SoundCloud

  Chapter 8(London) - Storyteller by Paduta

FRESH TRAX [2]

Dead Scott

I have been meaning to get around to this psychedelic indie band for a while now and after I listened to their self-recorded and released album Psychemancer I knew I had to tell you all about it.

First off, these guys are still in high school. And I know there are lots of young bands out there, especially in Sacramento, but Dead Scott has a serious sophistication of sound. Think Pink Floyd meets Ziggy Stardust in a bar and they head over to T Rex's garage to record some songs...while still in high school.

 09 Moon Beams by Sage Cummins 

I think they have some serious potential so I was bummed when I saw a post on Facebook that said they had given up trying to make money off their music. Dead Scott seems to me like a band a small indie label would love to promote. I hope they keep trying.

You can download the entire album for FREE on SoundCloud!

Like what you hear? Send them a comment on MySpace or Facebook!