Events for Feb. 28-March 6, 2013

Get with THE PROGRAM

Matt Pond

THURSDAY, FEB. 28

MUSIC

Matt Pond @ Echoplex (Echo Park)
Having sold over 100,000 albums to date, Matt Pond has shed the PA from his stage moniker, partnered with a new label and focused all of the reinvigorated energy into a new album. I'm quite addicted to "Love To Get Used," the first single off the New York-based artist's latest effort, The Lives Inside the Lines in Your Hand, released earlier this month. The entire album is full of honest yet optimistic tunes that are sure to have every body in the Echoplex moving along to the music.

FILM

Wayne Federman International Film Festival @ The Cinefamily (Mid-City West)
Although you may not recognize his name, you'll surely remember Wayne Federman's face from his numerous film and TV credits, including Step Brothers, Funny People and "Curb Your Enthusiasm." Work by the actor, and former "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" writer, is celebrated in this second annual, three-day event. Each film is curated by stand-up comedians – who will also be on hand to introduce and field Q&A questions – including Sarah Silverman's choice Crimes and Misdemeanors tonight, Aziz Ansari with Back to the Future on Friday and Nick Kroll with Raising Arizona on Saturday, among others.

FRIDAY, MARCH 1

FILM

In Theaters This Week
The must-see film of the week is A Place at the Table, a documentary that focuses on hunger in America. See it, and take action here; Bryan Singer directs Nicholas Hoult, Stanley Tucci, Ewan McGregor and Bill Nighy in Jack the Giant Slayer, based on the "Jack and the Beanstalk" story; Ed Harris and David Duchovny in Phantom; A twisted family drama, Stoker stars Mia Wasikowska, Matthew Goode and Nicole Kidman; Ray Winstone, rapper Plan B, Damian Lewis and Hayley Atwell in The Sweeney. Also in theaters: 21 & Over; Genius on Hold; The Last Exorcism Part II

MUSIC

Free Energy @ Bootleg Bar (Westlake)
It's impossible to watch the quintet's video for "Girls Want Rock" and not burst out laughing. It's also hard not to break out dancing while listening to most of the songs on their recently released sophomore album, Love Sign. Wake Up Lucid and the Chances get the party started tonight at Bootleg.

Youngblood Hawke

SATURDAY, MARCH 2

CULTURE

Big 'Cap Day @ Santa Anita Park (Arcadia)
Featuring a $750,000 handicap, attendees can expect some exciting races throughout the day. Not  only that, but KROQ is hosting a performance by Youngblood Hawke, DJ sets between races, premium food trucks and a selection of 50 craft/microbrew beers. All the entertainment is free with your $5 General Admission to the track.

FILM

Willow @ The Aero (Santa Monica)
Most people know Warwick Davis as Griphook from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows or the final season of "An Idiot Abroad," but he will forever be Willow Ufgood to me. The reluctant hero must protect the infant Elora Danan from evil Queen Bavmorda with the help of Madmartigan (Val Kilmer) and Sorsha (Joanne Whalley). American Cinematheque celebrates the 25th anniversary of the fantasy adventure with a screening of the film and a discussion with screenwriter Bob Dolman, moderated by Entertainment Weekly's Geoff Boucher.

MUSIC

Katie Noonan @ Room 5 (Mid-City West)
Katie Noonan sings like an angel, an extremely soulful, jazzy angel. The Australian songstress – who has worked with Bruno Mars, Sia and Tim Finn, among others – makes her West Coast debut at Room 5 Lounge. She's touring in support of her latest album, Songbook, and has performed with world-famous orchestras, for several Prime Ministers, members of the British and Danish royal families and the Dalai Lama.

The Last Royals (Eric Ryan Anderson)

SUNDAY, MARCH 3

MUSIC

The Last Royals @ The Troubadour (West Hollywood)
The Brooklyn duo kick of a West Coast tour with the Hush Sound tonight at the Troubadour in support of their debut album, Twistification (out now via Ooh La La). If you haven't seen their video for "Crystal Vases," it's a definite must-watch. I'm sure that their live shows are just as fun, so make sure to strap on your dancing shoes before heading out to WeHo.

MONDAY, MARCH 4

MUSIC

BRAINSTORM @  The Echo (Echo Park)
The Portland, Ore. trio of Adam Baz, Patrick Phillips and Tamara Barnes join the lineup for the first night of Harriet's March residency. As you listen to their latest album, last October's Heat Waves, and their recently released new single, "She Moves," it's a little hard to believe that their big, art-pop sound is created by only three people. Can't wait to experience it all in person.

TUESDAY, MARCH 5

MUSIC

Maserati @ The Satellite (Silver Lake)
Listening to music from the Athens, Ga. foursome is the perfect way to get energized for the week ahead. Experiencing their powerful, thundering sound fill a small venue like the Satellite is even better. They released Maserati VII, their first album since drummer Jerry Fuchs' passing, to much acclaim last fall, and it definitely carries on the hard-driving, relentless rhythms they have come to be known for.

New Release Tuesday - 2/5/13

FEB. 5, 2013

MUSIC RELEASES

Jim James – Regions of Light and Sound of God (ATO)
The My Morning Jacket frontman possesses one of the most interesting voices in rock today. A vulnerable whisper transforms into a plaintive wail, a falsetto that reaches unfathomable heights or even a Kermit the Frog-like nasally moan in the blink of an eye. James' inimitable vocals shine on every track of his solo debut, Regions of Light and Sound of God, from the hip swaying "I Didn't Know Til Now" and tender "A New Life," to the searing "Actress" and hauntingly beautiful "State of the Art (A.E.I.O.U.)." And he shines even brighter on stage. See him sit in with the Roots on "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" tonight or live at the Fonda on May 11.

Frightened Rabbit – Pedestrian Verse (Canvasback/Atlantic)
Some of Scotland's most significant exports: single malt whisky, Sean Connery and Frightened Rabbit. As the band has steadily built a worldwide fan base, they've continued to evolve and cultivate their sound, pushing limits even further with producer Leo Abrahams (Brian Eno, David Byrne, Grace Jones) at the helm of their fourth studio album – and first major label full length. Pedestrian Verse is anything but pedestrian. The quintet swings through Los Angeles on March 13 at the Fonda.

Matt Pond – The Lives Inside The Lines In Your Hand (BMG)
With the removal of the 'PA' from the end of his name, Matt Pond ventures out with his first official 'solo' release. However, he still displays the same straightforward honesty that lures listeners to his songs, such as the upbeat "Love to Get Used" and ultra infectious "Starlet." He performs at the Echo on Feb. 28.

The Bronx – The Bronx (IV) (White Drugs/ATO)
Although I love Mariachi El Bronx, I've sorely missed new music from the Angelenos' original punk project, the Bronx, over the past five years. The fivesome just played two sold-out shows over the weekend in celebration of the release of their long-awaited fourth self-titled album, so I know I'm not alone in welcoming their return. While The Bronx (IV) delivers the hard-driving, body flailing punk anthems the band is known for, such as "The Unholy Hand" and "Youth Wasted," it also boasts tracks that allow you to catch your breath and are just begging to be sung along to, like "Torches" and "Life Less Ordinary."

Thao & The Get Down Stay Down – We the Common (Ribbon)
Thao Nguyen took a year off from touring and recording to immerse herself in family and community life in San Francisco. When she was ready to put her amazing vocal chords back to work on her latest album with the Get Down Stay Down, she also teamed with Joanna Newsom for a duet, "Kindness Be Conceived." They're doing a free in-store tonight at Fingerprints in Long Beach, and a set at the Troubadour on April 8.

Also available – Ballaké Sissoko's At Peace; Björk's Bastards; Chris Stamey's Lovesick Blues; Coheed and Cambria's The Aftermath: Descension; Companion's self-titled; Darkstar's News from Nowhere; Dog Bite's Velvet Changes; Edo G's Intelligence & Ignorance; Eels' Wonderful, Glorious; Feeding People's Island Universe; Frank N Dank's 48 Hours; Grouper's The Man Who Died on His Boat; Harry Connick, Jr.'s Smokey Mary; Hayden's Us Alone; The Hisses' Anhedonia; Holly Williams' The Highway; J Dilla's Music from the Lost Scrolls Vol. 1; Joe Budden's No Love Lost; Josh Groban's All That Echoes; Misfits' Dea.D. Alive!; Pacal Pinon's Twosomeness; Red's Release the Panic; Richard Thompson's Electric; Ron Sexsmith's Forever Endeavour; Silverstein's This Is How the Wind Shifts; Tim McGraw's Two Lanes of Freedom; Unknown Mortal Orchestra's //; Young Galaxy's Ultramarine

DVD RELEASES

Film – Directed by Robert Zemeckis, Flight tells the tale of a heroic, yet all too human, airline pilot played by Denzel Washington; Tyler Perry, action star, versus a villainous Matthew Fox in Alex Cross; Rashida Jones and Andy Samberg are the titular high-school sweethearts who come to a crossroads in Celeste and Jesse Forever; Deadfall stars Eric Bana, Olivia Wilde, Charlie Hunnam, Sissy Spacek and Kris Kristofferson; Kevin James and Salma Hayek in Here Comes the Boom

TV – Cougar Town: The Complete Third Season; House of Cards Trilogy: The Original UK Series Remastered; Southland: The Complete Second, Third and Fourth Seasons; National Geographic's Wild Alaska

Music – Mumford & Sons: The Road to Red Rocks

Also available – A Late Quartet; Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel; In Our Nature; Little White Lies; My Worst Nightmare; Side By Side; Somewhere Between; So Undercover; Toys in Attic; Tyler Perry's Madea Gets a Job: The Play