The Parson Red Heads – musings from boston

The Infamous Eastside L.A. 2013 Roundup, part II

On January 5, 2013

A few bands with new albums out this year: The Happy Hollows, The Airborne Toxic Event (Anna & Noah at Osheaga) and Radar Bros.

I hope you enjoyed part I of the Eastside L.A. 2013 Roundup. In part II, we pick up where we left off, with the lovely Miss Sarah Negahdari‘s side project, Pisces.

Same rules apply. If the last update was last summer and not a word since then, I’m going to call the band MIA and assumed gone or on extended hiatus, unless I hear otherwise. Confirmed as defunct: Shadow Shadow Shade and Walking Sleep.

We continue now with the rest of our roundup. Good night, and good luck. >>

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The Parson Red Heads’ “Murmurations” Out March 20; SXSW shows and beyond

By julie

On March 12, 2012

In Gigs, Indie Music, Reviews

There are few sounds more soothing than the upbeat, hopeful tunes and 3-part harmonies of The Parson Red Heads. Last I saw them, they were in the middle of a grueling tour to support their wonderful album Yearling, the band (and Evan in particular) valiantly fighting a nasty cold that was in full bloom for their Great Scott appearance. On their new EP, the 6-track Murmurations (out March 20 on Timber Carnival Records), there’s some somber thoughts and a wistful quality that adds considerable depth to a band I’ve already greatly admired.

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Eastside L.A. Roundup – Part II of II

By julie

On February 16, 2012

In Indie Music

Sarah Negahdari (photo by Zoe-Ruth Erwin), Robert Francis, The Henry Clay People

Continuing on with part II of my Eastside L.A. Bands 2012 Roundup. Again, I’m only including artists who either are doing significant touring this year, or who have a new album just out, very recently out, or are working on something. If I’ve missed anyone or something big, please let me know. I’m going to bed now. Goodnight and good luck.

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Best Shows of 2011: My Top 5 Personal Favorites

By julie

On December 31, 2011

In Indie Music, Reviews

Levon Helm, Crooked Fingers, Toyah Willcox with The Humans

Ok, so last year I had a ‘Top 10’ list. What can I say; 2011 was kind of a struggle. But I did discover a common theme for this year’s favorites: delivering a stellar performance in the face of adversity. Whether it was a legendary performer who had overcome personal struggles to come back, absolutely blazing (Toyah Wilcox, Levon Helm, and Eric Bachmann with his band Crooked Fingers); or just a rough night (lead singer Evan Way of The Parson Red Heads being really sick but soldiering on anyway, and The Drowning Men and their ‘road trip from hell’); my soaring admiration combined with musical prowess to create these special evenings.

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Alela Diane & Wild Divine with The Parson Red Heads @ Brighton Music Hall (6/15/11)

By julie

On June 23, 2011

In Indie Music, Reviews

Evan and Brette Marie Way of The Parson Red Heads

In addition to being greatly impressed with the musical prowess of Alela Diane and her band Wild Divine, I was also greatly impressed with her fans. Going out to a club to see a singer-songwriter, folk band, or similarly delicate and nuanced music can be a dicey proposition. That it was The Parson Red Heads‘ first ever Boston appearance gave me even more anxiety. I wanted it to be special. I wanted to be able to actually hear them. To my surprise and great pleasure, the crowd was quiet and attentive during the Parsons’ set, despite the fact that few had ever heard of them. They repaid the favor by treating us to a beautiful, heartfelt set of songs with strong focus on their upcoming album.

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2010: The Eastside L.A. Year In Review

By julie

On December 31, 2010

In Indie Music

A few of those great bands: The Deadly Syndrome, Radars To The Sky, The Henry Clay People, and Shadow Shadow Shade (photo by Jason O'Dell)

For those new to ‘musings’… Often referred to as the ‘Silverlake region’, the Eastside of Los Angeles seems to have a ridiculously disproportionate number of awesome bands that call the area home (or at least, that’s where they regularly play). In addition to Silverlake, this also includes the neighborhoods of Echo Park, Los Feliz, Eagle Rock, Atwater Village, Highland Park… These artists comprise many different styles and personalities, having one thing in common – they’re all really good! I happened upon these guys (and gals) after first listening to The Airborne Toxic Event on MySpace back in January 2008, and then deciding to check out their friends’ bands, friends of friends, etc. Very glad I did. Here’s a rundown of those bands that had albums (or EPs) out this year. Some are well-known and touring internationally now; others not (yet).

For those not new to ‘musings’… My last Eastside L.A. update was way back in February, and I announced all these cool things coming up. Then, well, this year happened. What can I say? I lost the plot. Here it is again.

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Eastside L.A. Update – February 12, 2010

By julie

On February 12, 2010

In Gigs, Indie Music, Music News

A few of the bands with new albums out this year: Avi Buffalo (photo by Jeff Antebi); Castledoor; Shadow Shadow Shade (center photo by Alex Gallardo, Los Angeles Times - August 6, 2009); Local Natives (photo by Benjamin Hoste); and The Deadly Syndrome.

There’s been lots of exciting stuff going on for my favorite Eastside L.A. bands, which I first profiled in my “Silverlake Roundup” – Part One and Part Two. I’ll be including those I have some info. for; if I’m leaving anything out (or got anything wrong), please let me know. Stay tuned for a batch of new bands from – or who regularly play at clubs – in this area (which, to be technically accurate, comprises Silverlake, Los Feliz, Echo Park, Eagle Rock, Highland Park, etc.). But for now, read on…

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Spaceland @ Northern Lights: The Airborne Toxic Event, The Henry Clay People, Red Cortez, and The Parson Red Heads – Oct. 17, 2009

By julie

On October 30, 2009

In Indie Music, Reviews, Road Trips, The Airborne Toxic Event

Winner, Best Venue - Northern Lights, in a strip mall in Clifton Park, between a dollar store and a church (yes, that's right, a church in a strip mall).

I liked everything about this place, including their no-frills, kitschy sign.

I had a feeling this would be a very special show, since 1) it’s the first time they played in upstate New York; 2) Northern Lights is a very low-key venue up past Albany; and 3) The Parson Red Heads happened to be playing some NYC shows and were added to the bill. I knew this was one not to be missed.

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Show Preview: The Airborne Toxic Event, The Henry Clay People, Red Cortez ~ House Of Blues, Boston ~ Tuesday, October 13, 2009

By julie

On October 4, 2009

In Gigs, Indie Music, Show Previews, The Airborne Toxic Event

The Airborne Toxic Event, The Henry Clay People, Red Cortez
at the House Of Blues, Boston, MA
Tuesday, October 13
(doors at 7pm; All Ages show)
:: buy tickets ::

Red Cortez, The Henry Clay People (photo by Jeff Koga), The Airborne Toxic Event (photo by Autumn de Wilde)

The Airborne Toxic Event

What can I say about The Airborne Toxic Event that I haven’t already said… about a thousand times before? So I’ll just say to the uninitiated that they put on one of the most awe-inspiring performances I’ve ever seen in my many years of concert-going, and a whole lot of people agree with me. This time out, they’ve changed their set around to include not only songs which will likely appear on their second album (“Echo Park”, “A Letter to Georgia”, and “All I Ever Wanted”), but also new covers of the Drifters, Yo La Tengo, and The Magnetic Fields – plus a lovely acoustic set in the middle. A new stage design – on, I’m guessing, stages large enough to accommodate it (which will be most of them, since they’re playing larger venues now), and a new Moog as well!

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East L.A. Update (to my East L.A. Update)

By julie

On September 28, 2009

In Gigs, Indie Music

East L.A. bands visiting Boston (or thereabouts) in October. (top): The Airborne Toxic Event, The Henry Clay People, Silversun Pickups; (bottom): The Happy Hollows, Sea Wolf, Red Cortez.

This is an addendum to my recent Silverlake Band Update. Yes, I do realize that most of these upcoming events are in California and this is a Boston blog. I figured I would get everyone really, really familiar with all these names so you’ll know who I’m talking about when they do come here. Meanwhile, perhaps it’ll serve as some kind of invocation.

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screams, whispers and songs from planet earth

Tag: The Parson Red Heads Page 1 of 2

The Infamous Eastside L.A. 2013 Roundup, part II

The Parson Red Heads’ “Murmurations” Out March 20; SXSW shows and beyond

Eastside L.A. Roundup – Part II of II

Best Shows of 2011: My Top 5 Personal Favorites

Alela Diane & Wild Divine with The Parson Red Heads @ Brighton Music Hall (6/15/11)

2010: The Eastside L.A. Year In Review

Eastside L.A. Update – February 12, 2010

Spaceland @ Northern Lights: The Airborne Toxic Event, The Henry Clay People, Red Cortez, and The Parson Red Heads – Oct. 17, 2009

Show Preview: The Airborne Toxic Event, The Henry Clay People, Red Cortez ~ House Of Blues, Boston ~ Tuesday, October 13, 2009

The Airborne Toxic Event

East L.A. Update (to my East L.A. Update)