PATTY GRIFFIN LIVE @ THE WILTERN

The Wiltern was packed and star-studded last night for Patty Griffin’s return to Los Angeles. In the 2 minutes I was in line at will call I saw Moby and 1 of the Dixie Chicks. Patty Griffin is one of my favorite folk artists, and her album 1000 Kisses might be the best recent folk album from start to finish. She’s got the voice of an angel, impeccable writing, and really great production. She’s also really captivating. She demands a lot of attention on stage and exudes an impressive amount of confidence. The highlight of the night was definitely when she brought her old roommate and Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant out for the encore. Her new album American kid dropped last month and features a few collabos with the aforementioned Plant.

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Patty Griffin – Making Pies (right-click to save)

Patty Griffin – Rain (right-click to save)

CAMERA OBSCURA @ THE WILTERN

Scottish band Camera Obscura came to the Wiltern on Tuesday with a very pregnant lead singer, to promote their new album Desire Lines. Their sound is very similar to fellow Scots, Belle & Sebastian, who helped produce their debut full-length over 10 years ago. Camera doesn’t really knock your socks off with their stage presence. They’re a very calm and subdued band focused on sounding good and being in sync. The only member with a lot of energy was the tambourine/trumpet player. But you couldn’t tell that from the crowd’s response. It must have been some time since the band has come to LA, because the audience was uproarious. You would have thought you were at a Black Sabbath show. They would scream and cheer anytime any of the band members performed a solo, and new the words to all of band’s singles. The Wiltern’s stage seemed a little big for the band, but they needed the size of that house for all their devoted fans. I give the crowd an A, but the live performance, thought sonically perfect, was lacking in enthusiasm.

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Camera Obscura – Do It Again (right-click to download)

Camera Obscura – Lloyd, I’m Ready To Be Heartbroken (right-click to download)

DJ SNAKE

French producer DJ Snake is apparently not new to the game. I only heard of him a few months back, but he worked on Lady Gaga’s 2010 album Born This Way and a couple weeks ago he dropped a guest mix on BBC Radio’s Diplo & Friends. He makes some nice, dirty trap that’s club ready. Closer to DJ Chuckie than A$AP Rocky. His “Bird Machine” is a standout production, and I just love the drop on “Humain” with GB favorite Stromae. 

QUADRON

Quadron quietly stepped onto the underground scene a few years ago with their electronica meets jazz sound, and it was well received. But no one was really up in arms about Quadron’s debut release. However, their new album “Avalanche” is really catching fire, and it’s mostly due to their smoking hot single “Hey Love”. The Danish duo have went from mildly obscure to indie darlings. This is definitely a track that will be appearing on my “Best of 2013” list. Great female vocals and a solid production, what more can you ask for?