They’ve toured with the likes of Silverchair, The New York Dolls and Ted Nugent, Toledo/Detroit’s WE ARE THE FURY will be playing Sunday Night’s CAMERATA at CINESPACE IN HOLLYWOOD. Camerata happens every Sunday and features up and coming bands opening for instrumental Metal-Proggers The Devil’s Orchestra playing with a LIVE visual artist. Live DJ’s and an art show in the rest of the venue mean there is always something to do or see in every part of the space.

This event is FREE before 1030 pm for 21+ and something like $5 for minors.

In their day jobs, Black Gold’s Eric Ronick and Than Luu can be found tickling the ivories and beating the skins for the likes of Panic at the Disco and Rachel Yamagata (no? howsbout M.Ward)…respectively. Calling Brooklyn their official home (and who on the East Coast doesn’t anymore?), the duo’s live set brings a familiar brand of key driven indie-pop in the veins of Jack’s Mannequin or even a bit of Panic! themselves; but very much without the theatrical angle.  Ronick and Luu’s talent dominates their live band which is rounded out aptly with a guitarist and bassist providing background vocals. I just thought I’d tell you that they have other members playing with them and NOT a bunch of loops and backing tracks like I’d expected after seeing most 2 person acts use lately. Their recorded songs however sound a bit different live and tip more towards the electronic. Although I wouldn’t say Black Gold is a completely precious metal they do have a bit of shine (Yes I know Black Gold means oil, i just wanted to throw in a metal metaphor) and are worth a look. I go too far sometimes.

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It’s been a while since I freed the beast and I’ve been asked whats up a few times lately so here is a drop on some new shizzle thats been buzzing in my ear&brain lately.

Word from SXSW this year is that ex-Test Icicle contributor’s Devonte Hynes project Lightspeed Champion is set to explode. This kid is talented and right in line with all of that sloppy britindie (i’m sure this word has been used before but i havent heard it so i’m claiming it in the name of the queen.) coming out lately. He is also uber-linked to Omaha-Saddle Creek which instantly wins points in my book. (Unless you are only on the label because your brother is talented.)

By boy Brady introduced me to his friends in The Devil’s Orchestra sometime in the middle of last year. I caught a couple shows and some rehearsals and recently I saw them at Cinespace here in the ‘hood and the audience response was kinda nuts. Beyond blaming Cocaine which is a distinct possibility I think these kids are something for the metal motherfuckers to check out. It’s a little bit Rush, a little bit of the Sword/Dragonforce thing and some of that Dog Fashion Disco random circus/jazz breakdown thing. All 3 band members are pretty killer players. Warning: Instrumental.

I tried to buy She & Him tickets this week but April 29th @ the Vista in Los Feliz show was already sold out. Thankfully they booked a 2nd date. She & Him consists of 1 parts Zooey Deschanel on Vocals and some piano and 1 part My Morning Jacket slinger M.Ward on guitars and arrangements. Zooey’s voice is adorable and holds up pretty well but at times pushes a little too heavily on the Billie Holliday sound. I won’t hold it against her because the songs are pretty good in comparison to Rilo Kiley’s most recent effort. The album is a bit schizophrenic much as Coconaut Records was but M.Ward totally gives this record the cred and sophistication it needed. I caught M.Ward last year opening for Bright Eyes at the Hollywood Bowl and was floored. His show the blew old farts Yo La Tengo back to the grunge revivalist carpool they belong in. Besides, Is there anything hotter than a blue-eyed brunette?

Ok maybe one thing hotter, Kate Micucci. She is a one woman Renaissance festival. Very creative, maybe…too creative. As in, so creative it would make the world jealous to listen to all that she can do (Art, Music, Acting, Being Nice). I saw and met her in a Barbeque Joint in Chinatown during a no-audience stand up show. Besides the performers there were 2 people there, who eventually left when they finished their meal. So i guess for a little while the employees and I were the whole audience. But SHE WAS AMAZING! She played ukulele and with her diminutive yet powerful voice she sang these adorable, and funny, yet deep and endearing songs. Wait, I mentioned she played Ukulele right? Write this name down.

Priscilla Ahn: clean, pure like irish spring. I caught her show last year at a benefit for a private school for overly believed in children and she was great. She layered her sound with the aid of a Boss loop station (a la KT Tunstall) and was so lovely. She has since been signed, made an album, and will be destroying America’s hearts with the Hotel Cafe tour. I will drop another Hotel Cafe name and tell you about Jim Bianco. This guy is like Tom Waits for the DMB/Jack Johnson set. but dont mishear me, he is really like neither of them, he is the kind of music that you need to hand a copy of to fans of mom-rock to steer them over to more dangerous sounds. I saw him at the Hotel Cafe with Butch Walker, Cary Brothers and Pink guest and he blew everyone away, for real. His music will molest your ears. Butch is still beyond amazing and has a new project called 1969.

So now you have a ton of shit to download and get your spring started right. And I have to go to bed because I’ve been getting to work 15 minutes late everyday for the last 3 months and everyday try to not do so. *sigh* Futility.