New Release Tuesday 7/16/13

July 16, 2013

MUSIC RELEASES

Beach – In Us We Trust (Short Story)
Up until this album, Bitch's birth name of indie-electro artist Karen Mould was a secret. With In Us We Trust, the songwriter, vocalist and electric violinist sheds her previous persona and embraces the new moniker of Beach, a place where she describes everything shifts: "Rocks become sand, water meets earth, birds screech, tides turn and colors collide." Mould in turn left Brooklyn, her home of 15 years, behind for Los Angeles, and the city breathes its energy into the album's 11 tracks, from thundering opener "Ibuprofen" and sultry "Love Was a River" to the bubbling title track and ukulele-filled closer "O' Packaging." Change has unquestionably done her good.

Dreamers Dose – At Least We're Happy (Vector)
It's not that surprising to find out how young the four Angelenos of the psych-rock group are after listening to their debut since each track explodes with youthful energy and seethes with angst. Produced by Alain Johannes (Queens of the Stone Age, Them Crooked Vultures), At Least We're Happy puts Dreamers Dose's influences on display – you can especially hear echoes of QOTSA on "The Calm" and garage-rock tones of Black Rebel Motorcyle Club throughout–  and firmly asserts that the band is beginning to make their own mark on the L.A. scene. Catch their performance at the Sunset Strip Music Festival Aug. 1.

Mayer Hawthorne – Where Does This Door Go (Republic)
With the release of Where Does This Door Go's first single, "Her Favorite Song," back in May, it seemed like everyone and their mama started jumping on the Mayer Hawthorne train, but I'm not complaining. It's high time the soulful singer-songwriter receives the attention he deserves. The songs that fill his third studio album are the perfect introduction to his modern take on the classic style of his native state's signature Motown sound, Curtis Mayfield and Barry White, and at the same, time they cull from his more contemporary influences like J Dilla and the atmosphere of his current home base of Los Angeles. The album's release show tomorrow at the Troubadour is sold out, so most Angelenos will unfortunately have to wait a while for another hometown performance. They will, however, have plenty of time to get acquainted with the new standout tracks like "The Only One," "Wine Glass Woman" and "Corsican Rosé."

San Cisco – self-titled (RCA)
There's been buzz surrounding the Australian quartet ever since they started making waves in 2011, and they are finally releasing their debut. The members range in age from 18 to 20, and the album reflects their collective sunny outlook on life, whether the lyrics deal with relationships, growth or just life in general. Tracks like "Fred Astaire," "Awkward" and "No Friends" are just a sampling of the fun and carefree times to be had with the Aussies. San Cisco wrap up their current U.S. tour on Aug. 13 at the Echoplex.

White Dove – The Hoss, The Candle (RSRCH + DVLP)
The L.A. trio formerly known as Monster perfectly encapsulate the feel associated with modern California rock on their new album produced by Dave Trumfio (Wilco, Grandaddy, My Morning Jacket). Echoes of psychedelia, classic rock and soft rock can all be heard in White Dove's dark-pop sound. Alex Johnstone's ethereal vocals soar over the wails of a pedal steel on tracks like "I Saw You" and "Come On In To Hell," while songs like "Cold Mountain" and "Old French Clothes" get your toes tapping. Join them for The Hoss, The Candle's release show this Thursday (July 18) at El Cid.

Also available – Ace Hood's Trials & Tribulations; AP.9's Pursuit of Perfection; The Aristrocrats' Culture Clash; BURNTmd's The Green Invasion; Candice Glover's Music Speaks; CARO's Letchworth Village; Cherry Poppin' Daddies' White Teeth, Black Thoughts; Cody Simpson's Surfers Paradise; Court Yard Hounds' Amelita; David Lynch's The Big Dream; Dead Boots' Verónica; Desert Stars' Habit Shackles; Gauntlet Hair's Stills; Hieroglyphics' The Kitchen; La Machine's Phases & Repetition remaster; Luke Rathborne's Soft; Matt Nathanson's Last of the Great Pretenders; Mayday's Believers; Patrick Sweany's Close to the Floor; Pet Shop Boys' Electric; Pony Bwoy's self-titled; Robert Randolph and the Family Band's Lickety Split; Sara Bareilles' The Blessed Unrest; Sarah Miles' One; Soft Metals' Lenses; Tallhart's We Are the Same

DVD RELEASES

Film – Brian Helgeland directs Harrison Ford and Chadwick Boseman as Jackie Robinson in 42; The documentary Bidder 70 tells the story of Tim DeChristopher, who disrupted a BLM oil and gas leasing auction in 2008 in the name of the climate justice movement; Evil Dead is the fourth installment of the franchise and was co-written and directed by Fede Alvarez

TV – Alphas: Season Two; Damages: The Complete Fifth Season; Femme Fatales: The Complete Second Season; Hell on Wheels: The Complete Second Season; Masterpiece Mystery: Endeavour Series 1; Misfits: Season Three; Orphan Black: Season One; Regular Show: Season 1 & 2

Music – Rick Springfield's An Affair of the Heart; U.P. Wilson's Live at the 100 Club London 1998

Also available – 5 Shells; Arlington Road; Bert Stern: Original Mad Man; Bullet to the Head; The End of Love; Erased; Eve of Destruction; From the Head; The Fruit Hunters; Good Life; Hecho En Mexico; Hiding in Plain Sight; Ice Road Terror; The Life After Death Project; The Prize - An Epic Quest for Oil, Money & Power; Solomon Kane; The Sweeter Side of Life; White Frog; Wild Bill

Events for April 4-10, 2013

Get with THE PROGRAM

THURSDAY, APRIL 4

MUSIC

NO @ Troubadour (West Hollywood)
The Echo Park indie rockers play their first L.A. show of 2013 tonight, and if you haven't seen them live this is definitely your can't-miss show of the week. Dancing and singing along to the fivesome's tracks, which run the gamut from to the heart-wrenching "Coming Down" to the heart-racing "There's a Glow," is the perfect way to get the week's end started off right. You don't just have to take my word for it, though. Give their video for "Big Waves" a gander for a glimpse at some of the fun the Troubadour is in store for this evening.

FRIDAY, APRIL 5

FILM

In Theaters This Week
Julianne Moore and Jonathan Rhys Meyers in 6 Souls; Robert Redford directs and stars in The Company You Keep with Shia LaBeouf, Stanley Tucci and Brit Marling; I can't even watch the trailer for Evil Dead, the highly anticipated remake of Sam Raimi's 1981 classic, by myself, so it's pretty much guaranteed that it's going to be a hit with horror fanatics; Danny Boyle delves into the art world with Trance, starring James McAvoy, Rosario Dawson and Vincent Cassel. Also in theaters: The Brass Teapot; Free Angela and All Political Prisoners; Jurassic Park in 3D; My Brother the Devil; The Story of Luke; Thale

SATURDAY, APRIL 6

BOOKS

Demetri Martin @ Book Soup (West Hollywood)
The stand-up comedian, actor, musician and writer is also an artist. His follow-up to the New York Times bestselling This Is a Book is a collection of hilarious drawings, poems and visual jokes called Point Your Face at This. Martin presents and signs the new book at 2 p.m.

FILM

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory @ Electric Dusk Drive-In (Downtown)
The 1971 classic, starring Gene Wilder as the eccentric titular character, is still my favorite big screen adaptation of a Roald Dahl work, and there's no better film to kick off EDDI's 2013 Family Night at the Drive-In series.

SUNDAY, APRIL 7

The Tontons (Megan Tipps)

MUSIC
 

The Tontons @ Central (Santa Monica)

The Houston quartet's frontwoman, Asli Omar, is the epitome of cool. Her commanding vocals paired with Adam Martinez's guitar set to the rumble of bassist Tom Nguyen and drummer Justin Martinez equals complete and utter sonic jubilation. Experiencing them in a venue as intimate as the Central is going to be quite the treat.

MONDAY, APRIL 8

BOOKS

Juanes @ Barnes & Noble (The Grove)
The Latin music icon and dedicated humanitarian grew up in the midst of Pablo Escobar's reign over Medellín. Even though there was a civil war raging around him, which greatly affected his life – his cousin was kidnapped and executed, a close friend was murdered by gunmen – his passion for music provided an escape and release of pent up emotions. He shares these stores in his memoir, Chasing the Sun, that was released last week, and he signs copies of the book tonight.

TUESDAY, APRIL 9

FILM

Debbie Reynolds @ The Egyptian (Hollywood)
The beloved actress just released a memoir, Unsinkable, which picks up where her first, Debbie: My Life, left off. American Cinematheque celebrates the release with a double feature of two musicals starring her – 1952's Singin' in the Rain and 1964's The Unsinkable Molly Brown – as well as a discussion with the screen legend herself. There's also a double feature of her films The Tender Trap and Mary, Mary on April 4 at the Egyptian, too.

FOOD

Free Cone Day @ Ben & Jerry's (throughout Los Angeles)
I am addicted to ice cream. It's my absolute favorite food, so Free Cone Day is always circled on my calendar. Ben and Jerry have been holding the holiday since their company's one-year anniversary in 1979, and this year they add new flavors like Candy Bar Pie and Liz Lemon Greek Frozen Yogurt to their lineup of classic flavors, which are all available for free!

MUSIC

Menage (Mary Maryanovich)

Ménage @ The Viper Room (West Hollywood)
The trio of siblings (Gabriel, Fernando and bELA Ferreira) spent their childhood living in Toronto, Canada and a small town in Portugal, infusing their musical tastes with a myriad of influences. As they moved into adulthood, spending time apart in settings such as New York and Los Angeles, they cultivated their musical passion and skills and eventually came together to form Ménage and release a self-titled debut. Experience the fruition of their labors as they celebrate the release of the video for "Promises," their third single from Ménage.

Heloise & The Savoir Faire @ The Satellite (Silver Lake)
The New Yorkers swing into Los Angeles in support of their just-released sophomore effort, Diamond Dust (via Elijah Wood's Simian Records). If you haven't been dancing around your house to the album's first single, "Vibezz," in preparation for the show, then get to it!

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10

MUSIC

San Cisco, Chaos Chaos @ Troubadour (West Hollywood)
This marks the Australian four-piece of San Cisco's first headlining tour in North America. While the release of their Awkward EP last year has steadily increased their buzz throughout the states, it's also built up the anticipation for their full-length's release later this spring. Joining them on the tour are the Saaverda sisters, Asy and Chloe, formerly of Smoosh and currently making waves as Chaos Chaos. They just unveiled an EP, S, and promise the incorporation of "the Toys R Us Big Piano, a trash drum kit and vocal processors" into their live set. Should be a thoroughly entertaining evening.