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ABOUT ME
Tagline: We may live in the city but we sure do miss the country! When You Awake is our ode to country life as well as a chronicle of the current indie country/folk/rock and roll/roots scenes in LA, New York, and any place where people listen to songs that tell stories. We're looking to bring you the best in revival goodness: Music, Style, Events, Recipes, whatever strikes our fancy...keep checking back as we update daily!
Favorite Bands:
Bob Dylan and the Band, Waylon Jennings, Gram Parsons, Steve Young, Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark, Dolly Parton, Neil Young, Van Morrison, Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, Leon Russell, The Byrds, The Everly Brothers, The Flying Burrito Brothers, George Jones, Lefty Frizzell, The Allman Brothers, Loretta Lynn, Emmylou Harris, Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, The Grateful Dead, The Travelling Wilburys, The Highwaymen, Beachwood Sparks, Will Oldham, My Morning Jacket, Dwight Yoakam, Gillian Welch, Patsy Cline, Porter Wagoner, Wilco, The Bees, The Pierces, The Morning Pages, The Rolling Stones, George Harrison, Jonathan Wilson, Alana Amram, Leslie and the Badgers, Howlin' Rain, Vetiver and so on
Favorite Films:
The Last Waltz, Coal Miners Daughter, Honeysuckle Rose
5 Items I Can't Live Without:
Nudie Suits, Records, Harmonicas, Guitars, Nashville
I Want to Party With:
Honky Tonk Heroes
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
New York, NY l Aug 22, 2008 Grand Archives- South Street Seaport Aug 23, 2008 The Pierces- Joe's Pub Aug 26, 2008 Dr Dog- Bowery Ballroom Sept 25, 2008 Built to Spill perform "Perfect From Now On"- Terminal 5 Sept 26, 2008 Built to Spill perform "Perfect From Now On"- Terminal 5
Los Angeles, CA Aug 19, 2008 Glen Campbell- Troubadour Aug 22, 2008 Beachwood Sparks/The Tyde- Echoplex Aug 23, 2008 Langhorne Slim- Spaceland Aug 23, 2008 Sondre Lerche- The Troubadour Aug 25, 2008 Bon Iver- Troubadour Aug 26, 2008 Bon Iver- Troubadour Sept 13, 2008 Brian Wilson- Hollywood Bowl Sept 14, 2008 Lindsay Buckingham- Royce Hall Sept 16, 2008 Devotchka- El Rey Sept 17, 2008 Black Crowes/Howlin' Rain- Greek Theatre Sept 17, 2008 Vampire Weekend- The Wiltern Sept 19, 2008 Vampire Weekend- The Wiltern Sept 20, 2008 Liam Finn- Echoplex Sept 21, 2008 My Morning Jacket- Greek Theatre Sept 29, 2008 Calexico- Henry Fonda Oct 3, 2008 Parson Redheads- Spaceland Oct 4, 2008 Iron and Wine/ Swell Season- Greek Theatre
Next up in our Twang Series, we are featuring the songwriting talents of Tim Hardin. The Byrds, Johnny Cash, Colin Blunstone (of the Zombies), Fleetwood Mac, Donovan and more take their turn at his beautiful and often haunting songs. Missing from the tape is Rod Stewart's "Reason to Believe", because do we really ever need to hear that version again? I think not. Anyways, enjoy! And if you missed our Townes Van Zandt Covers Mixtape, check it out here.
Former When You Awake Mixtape Makers Blitzen Trapper have just announced a tour that will take them to Europe, Canada, and all over the US with the likes of Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks, Iron and Wine and the Parson Red Heads. The tour starts on August 30th and will hit Los Angeles in November. Check out one of our favorite Blitzen tunes below. I'm going on a roadtrip today and you best believe this country jam is on my mix.
The Beachwood Sparks staged a triumphant return to Los Angeles on Friday night after a 5 year hiatus. Back in 2002, I had the distinct pleasure of seeing them at The Knitting Factory in Hollywood, so this time around I went with even greater anticipation. The crowd matched my enthusiasm and was ecstatic to have their warm, harmony laden psychedelic country tunes back again.
The return of Beachwood Sparks couldn't have come at a better time. In the age of crazy drum loops and beats and traditional rock bands acquiring often harsh electro elements (I worked in this scene for two years so I'm not putting it down), it's really refreshing to have some good ol' fashioned folk songs. Especially with the economy in shambles and the uncertainty surrounding the elections and tense international relations, I know it's what I personally need to hear...perhaps now more than ever. And with so many other bands coming out right now, like the Fleet Foxes for instance, that owe so much to the Sparks, I think it's really time for folks to stand up and pay their respects to these modern country rock pioneers.
Buffalo Springfield - For What It's Worth / Mr Soul
A bizarre but classic clip of Buffalo Springfield on "Hollywood Palace" in 1967 performing the intro to Stephen Stills "For What It's Worth" before launching into Neil Young's "Mr Soul." Their original bass player Bruce Palmer had just been deported to Canada for possession of marijuana- so rumor has it that it was actually their road manager (who couldn't play the bass) that was miming the track and sitting with his back to the audience.
If you bother to read reviews for music online, perhaps you've noticed that Dr. Dog's latest album, Fate, is drawing alot of ...um, well... comparisons. The AV Club dismissed it as a mash-up of the Beatles and the Band. iTunes claimed a cross between the Beatles and the Beach Boys. Pitchfork said... well, let's just say someone is a crabby apple. Say what you will about Dr. Dog, but critics LOVE to ponder how they arrived at their sound.
Dr Dog- Hang On (from Fate)
It is an easy game to play, largely because this album is immediately comfortable and does, in fact, have an unmistakably reminiscent sound. I, however, am going to resist the temptation to draw comparisons and instead relate a concept a friend of mine named the Catapult: many good bands start by reminding us of a previous genre, band, or a particular time period. The better of these bands develop this sound over time and pull it into something entirely new and great. The rest beat the dead horse until they disappear. In theory, the Catapult should explain the rise of The White Stripes versus, say, the (sad) demise of Wolfmother.
HA HA woman. I love this video because it looks like they are playing in some random school auditorium practicing for their headlining spot at the Prom.
Well folks, I am pleased to announce that we have not one, but TWO ticket giveaways this week. On Tuesday, we offered away a pair of tix to the Beachwood Sparks secret reunion show. Next up, we have 1 pair of Langhorne Slim tix up for grabs. The show is tomorrow night at Spaceland(Friday, August 22nd) and is 21 and over. To win, e-mail whenyouawakela @ gmail.com (subject: Langhorne Slim). Include your first and last name in the email. One winner will be picked randomly and contacted.
I love Neil Diamond. I really do. Yes, he can be super cheesy and saccharine at times but he also has written some truly amazing songs. And if he has Waylon Jennings stamp of approval, shouldn't he have yours? Check out Neil's own version of this tune after the jump.
Big party tonight at the Little Joy! I will be taking to the turntables for the first time on Los Angeles soil alongside resident (3rd Wednesday of the month) Country Night DJs Mr. Daniel Chamberlin (see top friends) and Peter Alberts. Come dance and drink some whiskey with us! Love, Jody
p.s. Sadly, my DJ name isn't really Coolwerk...but perhaps it should be? To find out your DJ name, click here.
We have 1 pair of Beachwood Sparks Tix up for grabs (for their secret reunion show)! Also playing are today's fantastic Mixtape Makers the Tyde along with the Movies, Mia Doi Todd and more. The show is this Friday night at the Echoplex (August 22nd) and is 18 and over. To win, e-mail whenyouawakela @ gmail.com (subject: Beachwood Sparks). Include your first and last name in the email. One winner will be picked randomly and contacted.
