Music
Kaitlyn Anderson Live at the Troubadour
By Mona Loring
AWhen people hear "Troubadour," visions of musical greats are bound to cross their minds. As a staple in Hollywood history, artists like Elton John, James Taylor, Carly Simon, Coldplay, and The Red Hot Chili Peppers have all graced the Troubadour's stage over the past 50 years. This could seem intimidating to a new artist in the heavily competitive Los Angeles music scene - but for Kaitlyn Anderson, she took the challenge, and dominated it. As a budding artist, Anderson owned the stage and sung her heart out at her show.
Anderson proved she could easily fill the headliners spot, drawing a bigger crowd than the artist to follow her, and leaving the crowd of fans begging for more, even after her encore. So what is it that makes Kaitlyn Anderson so likeable? Perhaps it is her undisputable charm, and engaging attitude, or her catchy, powerful songs. Not to mention, she writes her own music. The lyrics are very relatable as each song reflects on a breakup you assume Anderson painfully went through in the past. Anderson played a perfect show, mixing her original music with just the right cover songs that had the audience singing right along with her.
Anderson played the first single off her anticipated EP "A New Word for Over" (due out May 9, 2008) which is titled, "Unhappy." She followed up with catchy EP tracks titled, "So Much Better," "Pressure," "Walk Away," and "Paralyze Me." She was most impressive while singing her ballad "Walk Away," at times channeling the queen of power pop rock Kelly Clarkson, and the showstopper for the night from her original music was when she sang "Paralyze Me," which not only showcased her powerful vocals, but the musical talents of her band. This song is the closest that Anderson seems to get to the "hard rock genre," however, it shows that Anderson and her band have it in them to cross various genres of music, and that is what makes a talented musician.
The best part about Anderson's show is how she seemed to pay tribute to legendary bands that had played before her in her cover choices. No Doubt played their record release show in 1995 at the Troubadour for their smash hit release "Tragic Kingdom," and Anderson covered their popular song "I'm Just a Girl." She then went on to cover the song "Crush Crush Crush" by one of today's hottest bands, Paramore. Although the song is not as popular as some of the other options she may have had, and is fairly new, her pop rock-driven interpretation was equally as good, if not better, than the remarkable Hayley Williams version. The last cover she did was for her encore. She brilliantly chose "Sweet Child of Mine," originally recorded and performed by Guns N Roses, who played their debut show on the Troubadour stage in 1985. Not only did Anderson sound superb while singing this classic, it gave her lead guitarist the chance to shine, with ripping guitar solos that had the audience cheering. Gwen Stefani, Hayley Williams, and Axl Rose, all would have been proud by this pop rock Sweetheart's covers.
Anderson gave her audience their money's worth with her catchy songs, stellar covers, and charming personality. Not to mention, her band was phenomenal and complimented her vocals.
Just Passing Through: Mike Park
By Scott Dudelson
Asian Man Records (Alkaline Trio, Let's Go Bowling) founder/musician Mike Park is a true renaissance man. In addition to founding one of the premier DIY punk rock labels, Park is one of the most socially conscious and active musicians in the business. He prides himself on working with artists that support the idea of peace and unity, and is putting his money where his mouth is, by donating a portion of every sale from his new record, North Hangook Falling (SubCity), to his own non-profit, Plea for Peace (www.pleaforpeace.com). Last year, Park embarked on a successful 'Plea for Peace' tour with Cursive, and recently completed the 'Bike for Peace' tour which aimed to raise $250,000 to build a new community center near his Northern California home. You can find out more about Park at: www.mikeparkmusic.com, while Plea for Peace can be found at: www.pleaforpeace.com
VS: How did the idea for 'Bike for Peace' evolve? How close are you to raising your goal of $250,000?
Park: About a year or so a go my neighbor who at the time was in high school came by looking for donations. He was doing a bike a thon to raise money for the school's music program. That's when the light bulb went off. What a good way to raise money and ride my bike. As far as the $250,000 goes. Not even close. We sent out over 200 grant proposals and I have a stack of letters on my desk saying "Thanks, but we can't help you at this time". OH well. The beat goes on.
VS: Tell us a little about your organization 'Plea for Peace'?
Park: So far, we've only been active in raising money for other charities, but for the last year we've been focused on our youth center. We want to start locally and have an outlet for the under 21 age group to have a place to create art, play music, and be in a safe environment.
VS: Any new releases upcoming on your Asian Man Records?
Park: Lots of new stuff coming out. Re-releasing the Riverdales early records, a new Ben Weasel solo album, and some crazy Japanese punk. Great stuff.
VS: How did the craziness of world events affect the creative process of this latest album?
Park: I don't know if it did? Perhaps indirectly. I'd like to think most people have some sense of reality and to understand that things are fucked up should effect their actions in one way or another.
VS: What is next on the horizon for you?
Park: To play music, work on the youth center, and enjoy life.
VS: Any plans for another 'Plea for Peace' tour?
Park: Of course. But it's something that I take very serious. Not to make it an annual event just for the sake of doing it. We need to create a reason behind our actions.
VS: What were the advantages of releasing a record on Sub City as opposed to releasing it on your own label?
Park: There's no jealousy from my bands when I have nothing to do with my own music. They can't say "How come your record is getting such a big push and not ours. " Though I could make a ton more money on my own label, it's not worth the added stress. This way I can invest more time on other ventures.
Rocky Mountain Indie Rock
By Mona Loring
Fiancé's music is somewhat of a marriage of opposites. Their theme seems to wrap around characters in despair while their music has an addictively catchy sound. When listening, you can almost sense the grey area where the indie rock wants to cross over to the pop genre, but sits back and decides it likes exactly where it stands… somewhere in the middle.
When recording an EP, many bands may have ambition in their minds as something to aspire to- however, Denver, Colorado's Fiancé, has successfully achieved recording an album that far surpasses ambitions. Their sophomore EP, "Please, Ambitious, Please" brilliantly showcases their backgrounds and influences in British pop, indie rock, and classical composition.
This new album exposes a great musical range for Fiancé. With its eclectic mix of upbeat piano-driven melodies, and songs that seem to creep over melancholy notes, the music keeps you hanging on every harmony. Although it is difficult for a band to try and have an EP of five tracks with different types of sounds, these differences are ultimately a plus for them. The EP remains cohesive as each song ties together with the main theme of characters in despair and sad stories. The lyrics are a poetic glimpse of indie rock at its finest.
"Please, Ambitious, Please" opens with the perfectly upbeat song "Super-Soft Knife" saying, "cause you've got a knife a super-soft knife in the middle of your back from Tuesday's fight - guess your daddy was right all the boys are nice when they want you." This song is by far the hit on the EP, and their catchiest. In "Pretty Model's Hands" the soft guitar leads into a gloomy and pensive tune, saying "pretty model cries all day she's got such a pretty life but she still things that she's just a plain Jane." The EP picks up speed again in "I Don't Want You Anymore" which travels along the same path of heartache, destruction and loneliness. The all-too-honest chorus states "whoa I don't love you, whoa I don't need you, whoa and I don't want you anymore."
The foursome's blend of exceptional and ambitious musical performances and earnest, emotional, passionate lyrics leave listeners wanting more and wondering what this band will do next. This album is refreshing in the sea of hundreds of generic indie rock albums in the music industry today, and puts Fiancé on the map for in 2008.