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Showing posts with label acoustic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label acoustic. Show all posts

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Augustana at the Troubadour




Show: Augustana
Venue: Troubadour- Los Angeles, CA
Date: 2/2/13
Show #5

Earlier this month I went to see the acoustic Augustana (which at this point just means Dan and David) show at the Troubadour, and like every other time I've seen Dan, he was just incredible. If you're not familiar with Augustana, they had a big song in 2005 called "Boston".


Lauren Shera


Opening for them was a singer/songwriter named Lauren Shera. This girl was such a breath of fresh air. Her voice was so soft and beautiful with that old soul feel. She's one of those artists that when you watch them perform, you can't help but notice the joy being up on that stage brings them. So if you enjoy laid back, slightly depressing songs with thoughtful lyrics sung by an angelic old soul of a voice, you'll love Lauren Shera.

She did a great cover of the Black Keys song "Little Black Submarine"

I also recorded her song "Once I was a bird", which you can actually download for free right now on Noisetrade.com!

Next up was Augustana. This was my third time seeing Dan/Augustana, and every time I do, I can't help but be baffled by the fact that more people don't know and appreciate the enormous talent that is Dan Layus. In my opinion he's one of the most underrated artists around today. When Dan performs, he goes into another world, and he brings you with him. Ok that might be the cheesiest thing I've ever written, but it's true. You get completely lost in the show and forget about anything happening around you. You can always hear a pin drop at an Augustana show because everyone is so invested in what's happening on the stage. If you ever get a chance to see him live, do yourself a favor and get your ass to that show, you will not regret it.

He did a new song called "Youth is Wasted on the Young" which was great! I really hope the next album is all acoustic, he sounds so much better without a band behind him.


"Alive" is probably my favorite Augustana song. It's one of the most beautiful songs you'll ever hear and if it doesn't tug at your heart strings just a little, you're not human.


"Fire"
 


"Borrowed Time"



Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Pebaluna at Hotel Cafe




Show: Pebaluna
Venue: Hotel Cafe- Los Angeles, CA
Date: 1/25/13
Show #4

Ok, delayed post, sorry! Better late than never right?

Well last month I went to go see Pebaluna play the last night of their residency at Hotel Cafe. I mentioned them in an earlier post when I saw them open up for Andrew McMahon at the Viper Room a few weeks prior, which was my first introduction to these guys. I loved them so much I decided I needed to see them again, and I'm so glad I did!

Pebaluna is a blend of folky blues with a stripped down Motown feel. When I saw them open for Andrew it was just the the 2 main singers of the group Lauren and Matt doing an acoustic set, which was just amazing. Little did I know that I would see a completely different show at Hotel Cafe when they performed with their full band. It felt like an old fashioned jam session where you can't help but aggressively bob your head to the beat with your eyes closed. Don't lie, you know what I'm talking about!


I personally I fell in love with them for their acoustic stuff, so although the Hotel Cafe show was great, I would have preferred to have seen them do more acoustic songs. They have a series of videos on their YouTube Channel that showcases just how amazing they sound stripped down. Here's one of my favorites:


Here's also a few videos I recorded from the show that night:

"No I Can't"

"Waking Nightmares"

Their album "Carny Life" is out now, be sure to check it out! Also, if you go to their site now, you can download their acoustic sessions album for free! There's a song on there called Penguin Island that I'm kind of obsessed with. It talks about wanting to own a penguin, building bitchin boats and training parrots to open beers. Yes, it's pretty fantastic.




Sunday, June 24, 2012

Dan Layus at Hotel Cafe


Show: Dan Layus (of Augustana)
Venue: Hotel Cafe- Los Angeles, CA
Date: 4/4/12
Show #21

There's something about simple shows, in small intimate venues that just blow major productions out of the water. Sometimes all you need is a guitar and some kick ass lyrics. That was the case when I saw Dan Layus of Augustana perform a solo set at Hotel Cafe.

If you're not familiar with Augustana, you probably are and don't know it. This was their big hit in 2005:


Armed with just a guitar and light piano accompaniment, Dan Layus proceeded to captivate the attention of everyone in the room that night. Usually at that venue there's always an annoying group of hipsters standing in the back chatting away, but that wasn't the case at this show.

He of course played the big hits such as Boston, and Fire, but he also debuted a few brand new songs that did not disappoint. I recorded a few:

Love in the Air
Need a Little Sunshine