_Concert Review: Neon Indian & Sleigh Bells

Last week I spent my pre-birthday night at the Neon Indian and Sleigh Bells concert at Starlite Room. Unfortunately I missed half of Neon Indian’s set but my friend Krizia caught me up and wrote about their set.

Neon Indian composed of Alan Palomo, Leanne Macomber, Jason Faries, and Lars Larsen are a chillwave band hailing from Denton, Texas. Performing their latest album Psychic Chasms at the The Starlite Room, I found myself intoxicated not only by the liquor but also by the harmonious melodies coming from the stage. It’s no wonder why they received rave reviews from the likes of Pitchfork, Spin, and Rolling Stone. Their demeanor and stage presence screams out Terminally Chill with each member carrying himself with sobriety and ease. (more…)

_La Roux Plays El Rey Theater in LA

It was a sold out show at LA’s intimate El Rey Theater Monday night for the rapidly rising UK electronic pop group, La Roux. We here at Vinyl and Vodka got a chance to catch them live before Elly was incubated and shows were starting to get cancelled.

The set was only about 3 short songs and an extended version of “Bulletproof.”  The group’s stage presence was exactly what you’d expect it to be… great crowd, simple stage set up, efficient transitions and a danceable playlist. The only thing that wasn’t spot on was the lead singer being sick. Poor Elly could barely speak to the sold out venue, but her voice still flawless. Don’t know where she got the energy but Elly livened up for “I’m Not Your Toy.” Dancing around stage with a pristine Mohawk and skinny legs, she definitely rocked it to the point you forgot she was actually sick.

Fans showed their true support for the group with continuous roars of encouragement for Elly as she tried to catch her breath during song breaks. For the first time ever, the group experienced fans jumping onto stage to show off some moves for the sold out venue. Elly also brought up a little girl who sang and danced along side her for the final song which we got to catch up with after the show, as well as a VERY fashionably dressed fan that I couldn’t resist taking a photo of:

It would have been great to see a full set, but the taste we got Monday night makes us sure to be standing front row the next time the group rolls through LA. Elly’s efforts sick only make me long to see/hear what she can do in immaculate health. Definitely a live show you wouldn’t want to pass up.

La Roux – “I’m Not Your Toy” (Data Remix)Stream

_Total Babe Plays 7th Street Entry – Part 1

With cold weather inching closer by the passing minute it’s nice to be able to cozy up to some warm and comfy music to sort of compensate for the cold climates. Bands like Total Babe, give off that warm sensation that is undeniably needed in the brutal winters of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

We here at Vinyl and Vodka had a chance to see them perform live in Minneapolis at a venue called the 7th Street Entry, and also sit down and have a chat with them about their experiences as musicians.

Their set was only about 5 to 6 songs, but in my opinion was the perfect amount played. They don’t give away too much by playing everything on their list and they leave just a little up to the listener’s interpretation. Their stage presence seemed spot on they came out and played their music very efficiently. They didn’t interact with the crowd as much as desired but after all, they are musicians not comedians. By watching them play, their orchestration, vocals and all around presentation was straight forward without any buffer to fill gaps of sorts. Which proves they know what they are doing, they are being musicians and are coming out there on stage to put on a show for us the listeners. They understand that and execute it extremely well. (more…)