TA Live! Ticket Alternative Blog

Postponed: Rattler at Rock and Roll Hotel

Mother Nature Hates RATTLER. For the SECOND TIME, the show @RocknRollHotel has been POSTPONED! More details to come. Please stay tuned.

Amanda Blank cancellation at Rock and Roll Hotel

Rock & Roll Hotel and Amanda Blank would like to apologize for the cancellation on Saturday January 30, 2010. Amanda Blank was extremely ill and unfortunately was unable to perform. The date will be rescheduled so please stay tuned to updates.

Check Out: W Magazine's Interview with Mayer Hawthorne; Playing Rock and Roll Hotel in D.C. and The Loft in Atlanta

We're really digging the smooth, hip, soulful-yet-indie sounds of Mayer Hawthorne. And now he's going on tour, stopping in Washington, D.C. and Atlanta, Ga. on March 10 and 13, respectively. We've got a great interview from W Magazine for you to check out:

Despite being a self-proclaimed vinyl junkie and technology geek, musician Mayer Hawthorne is far from your average nerd. Signed to top hip-hop record label Stones Throw Records, with a critically acclaimed album and a sold out international tour under his belt, Hawthorne, 30, is well on his way to becoming a veritable soul sensation.

Read more HERE.

Tickets for both shows are on sale now at Ticket Alternative.

Check Out: Fol Chen Cover Pink Floyd, Prince; Playing Rock and Roll Hotel in Washington D.C. April 14 with Liars

The ever-intriguing Fol Chen have been busy with their own music, it's true, but in between they've managed to find the time to record two covers for MOJO and Spin. The two magazines put out Pink Floyd and Prince tribute CDs (respectively), for which Fol Chen recorded Pink Floyd's "In The Flesh" and Prince's "The Beautiful Ones," which we have for download (click on the song to get each one).

The band are embarking on a tour with Liars, which stops at Washington, D.C.'s Rock and Roll Hotel on April 14. Tickets are on sale now at Ticket Alternative.

Cymbals Eat Guitars, Freelance Whales and Bear In Heaven to Play Rock and Roll Hotel in Washington, D.C. and The EARL in Atlanta, GA

The Cymbals Eat Guitars spring tour just got a little bit more exciting. The band is now being joined by Freelance Whales as well as Bear in Heaven, making for a terrific "Best in Indie Music 2010" lineup.

Cymbals Eat Guitars have been drumming up the attention lately, with a "Best New Brooklyn Band" accolade from Village Voice and a fab Daytrotter session.

Village Voice said, "Cymbals Eat Guitars, originally a Weezer cover band when they formed in their native Staten Island, have dramatically shifted their stride since relocating to Brooklyn. Their sonic soup still contains a bit of their idols' nebbish self-effacement, but it melds deftly into psych-pop and post-punk, abetted live by singer/guitarist Joseph D'Agostino's twitching, jarring solos and bloodletting dives into his alarmed bandmates' paths."

You can get tickets for both the shows at Ticket Alternative.

Win Tickets for The Slackers, Greg Laswell and More at Rock and Roll Hotel and DC9

We have some great tickets to give away for upcoming shows at Rock and Roll Hotel and DC9. Email us at win@ticketalternative.com with the band name in the subject for your chance to win, or buy tickets at Ticket Alternative.

People Under The Stairs play Rock and Roll Hotel January 24. Email win@ticketalternative.com for your chance to win, or buy tickets at Ticket Alternative.

Smooth ska group The Slackers play Rock and Roll Hotel on January 28. Email win@ticketalternative.com for your chance to win tickets or buy them at Ticket Alternative.

Retribution Gospel Choir come to D.C. for a show at Rock and Roll Hotel on February 4. Email win@ticketalternative.com for your chance to win or buy tickets at Ticket Alternative.

Greg Laswell plays two shows at DC9, one on February 6 and another on February 13. Email win@ticketalternative.com with either date in the email for your chance to win, or buy tickets at Ticket Alternative.

Finally, Madball play Rock and Roll Hotel on February 11. Email win@ticketalternative.com for your chance to win tickets or buy them at Ticket Alternative.

Check Out: Franz Nicolay Announces He's Leaving The Hold Steady; Playing Solo Show @ DC9, February 20

Franz Nicolay, who is embarking on a solo tour that has already been announced, wrote a message on his website about leaving The Hold Steady yesterday:

1/20/10

You should know: I've left The Hold Steady. I told the band I'd be leaving in early September, played my last show with them in Minneapolis around Thanksgiving, and dotted the t's and crossed the i's this week. Five years seemed like a nice round number. Thanks to everyone who was a part of the experience, especially the Unified Scene, who are nice folks. I'll see you all soon in any case.

In the meantime: My story collection Complicated Gardening Techniques is out next month, "Guignol & Mischief Brew Fighty Dirty" is out now, as is my EP "St. Sebastian of the Short Stage; and I'm producing a record from Brooklyn's The Debutante Hour. EDIT: And a Valentine's Day 7" release of the Comedian Harmonists-inspired acapella project "World/Inferno Presents: Vox Inferne."

Franz Nicolay plays DC9 February 20. Tickets are on sale at Ticket Alternative.

SOLD OUT: Freelance Whales @ Black Cat, January 21

Hope you all managed to get your tickets for tonight's Freelance Whales show at Black Cat in Washington, D.C., because it's sold out! But tickets are still available for We Are Scientists, who are playing the venue's main stage the same night. Get your tickets at Ticket Alternative.

Check Out: A Sunny Day In Glasgow's Live Concert Video from Pitchfork; Playing DC9, March 29

The lovely, teensy-bit-twee A Sunny Day In Glasgow (note: not actually from Glasgow; their home is in Philadelphia) have got that '90s college rock sound going on, but never fear, it's not too nostalgic. This is a band that is still moving forward. Check out a special presentation from Pitchfork, above, to see and hear for yourself.

You can see the band in person on their upcoming tour, which stops at DC9 in Washington, D.C. on March 28. Tickets are now on sale at Ticket Alternative.

Check Out: Polysics Video for "Young OH! OH!" - Playing Rock and Roll Hotel in Washington, D.C., February 16

Polysics - Young OH! OH!

POLYSICS | MySpace Music Videos

This fantastic Japanese band has managed to combine two of my favorite things - crazy garage rock and food! OK, so the whole video isn't full of food, but it's entertaining enough to be an instant fave over here.

Polysics are playing Rock and Roll Hotel in Washington, D.C. on February 16. Tickets are on sale now at Ticket Alternative.

Black Lips Playing Black Cat in Washington, D.C. March 19, Tickets on Sale January 15.

We Have Signal: The Black Lips from We Have Signal on Vimeo.

Atlanta's nutty Black Lips are about to go on a looooong tour, and they'll be stopping by Black Cat in Washington, D.C. on March 19. Check out the very special episode of "We Have Signal" from Alabama Public Television above, which follows the band through a mad-as-usual show and gets them talking about their experiences in India. Get your tickets at Ticket Alternative when they go on sale January 15 at noon.

Leila's Three Picks of the Week - Fyfe Dangerfield, The Fiery Furnaces, Sondre Lerche

It's the first Three Picks of the Week ... of the year. Hurrah! And to celebrate, here's a delightful trio of videos to put you in a chipper mood, ready to take on 2010.

The Guillemots are already a name that brightens my mood, and now Fyfe Dangerfield (another amazing name) is embarking on a solo career. This beautiful bit of orchestral pop sweeps and swoons with a shining light just like the best of British pop music does. And from the sound of the other songs from the album, the whole thing is going to put an entire country in a better mood. Could this floppy-haired young man be the next Robbie Williams for the Brits?

With an odd mix of bebop jazz and hip psychedlic indie rock. The Fiery Furnaces melt away the icy moods of any listener. They're also playing Little Rock's Revolution Music Room January 26. Tickets are on sale at Ticket Alternative.

Sondre Lerche isn't only a Norwegain dreamboat, but he also lights up a room with his nuggets of indie pop sunshine. He'll be touring the U.S. in the next few months, stopping at The EARL in Atlanta on February 11 and Rock and Roll Hotel in D.C. on March 5. Tickets for both shows are on sale at Ticket Alternative.

Check Out: Tortoise's Video for "Prepare Your Coffin," Playing The EARL in Atlanta and Black Cat in D.C. This February

Tortoise - Prepare Your Coffin from Thrill Jockey Records on Vimeo.

Seminal post-rock band Tortoise is about to go on tour, and we thought to get you in the mood for their shows we'd post a video for "Prepare Your Coffin," from their last album, Beacons of Ancestorship, released June last year. They'll be stopping at The EARL on February 14 (tickets) and Black Cat February 16 (tickets).

The Clientele Coming to Black Cat in D.C. and The EARL in Atlanta

England's pastoral, indie folk band The Clientele are coming to Black Cat in Washington, D.C. February 23 (tickets) and The EARL in Atlanta on February 25 (tickets). While we don't have an official video for The Clientele's latest record Bonfires on the Heath, we do have a video of the song and lovely album cover of the title track for you to enjoy (above). There's also a great track, "Harvest Time," previewed on Stereogum. While you're having a listen to the hazy, folky tracks, check out the interview with the Clientele's Alasdair MacLean over on Pitchfork.

Shows of the Year from Our Promoters

'Tis the season... to put together "Best of the Year" lists. So we thought we'd get into the spirit in our own way, with a few of our favorite promoters, booking agents and talent buyers telling us what their favorite show of the year at their venue was, brought to you by Ticket Alternative, of course!

Thee Oh Sees, Wizzard Sleeve, TV Ghost @ The EARL, October 14 - Damon Hare, assistant talent buyer for The EARL, Atlanta, GA

"This was one show in particular that I was already excited to see. The bill may not have made sense to everyone but it did to me. TV Ghost being on tour with Wizzard Sleeve and also being label mates with Thee Oh Sees. The label being the legendary In The Red Records.

 

TV Ghost started the evening with an abrasive blend of DNA, Suicide, and Birthday Party. They played surprisingly tight for a band that was inevitably going to fall apart however never doing so. They left the crowd (95% not knowing of their existence) in awe. Wizzard Sleeve then took the stage with their mix of damaged, goth tinged, and heavily Chrome inspired death rock. The drummer doing double duty with maintaining the backbone of the performance while also playing many of the synth leads. They never ever disappoint.

To end the evening Thee Oh Sees didn't take to the stage. They instead took to the floor with their own PA and just exploded on to the crowd with their high energy and uber catchy garage pop. It's their staple and not many can compare. Definitely one of the most exciting live bands in the United States. There were definitely members of the crowd saddened with the band performing on the floor but majority still got it. No matter what you took away from the show you know you'll never forget the evening. That is something very few live acts can pull off these days."

*****

The Drones @ The EARL, April 5 - Patrick Hill, talent buyer for The EARL, Atlanta, GA

"For many reasons, most of them obvious, Sunday is our least favorite night of the week to host a show.  In this case, both the band and I had been at a mutual friend's wedding in Charleston, SC the night prior and I don't think either party was particularly looking forward to the 5 hour drive that led to the early load in and sound check (the band arrived on time despite my poor attempts at explaining to these Australians the concept of Sunday blue laws- take that, Broadcast!). 

Somehow, The Drones made it all worthwhile. Loud guitars and hangovers have never meshed so well.  Howling vocals and a lack of sleep. Low end and tired eyes. Rejoice, sweet rock n' roll!"

*****

K'Naan @ Vinyl, March 4 - Brandon Mize, Rival Entertainment, Atlanta, GA

“One of my favorite performances of 2009 was K’Naan, a brand-new Hip Hop/Folk artist, on March 4 at Vinyl. We were only familiar with this artist from some initial Internet research prior to booking the show, so we were not expecting much out of the night. Little did we know that the show would not only sell out, but he would blow us and everyone in the room away with his talent. His current CD Troubadour became a mainstay on my iPod throughout the summer and still is to this day.”

*****

Phoenix @ Rock and Roll Hotel, June 21 - Steve Lambert, Talent Buyer and Booking Manager for Rock & Roll Hotel, Washington, DC

"The buzz had been growing and growing in anticipation of the band's new record. By the time we confirmed them, I knew from the immediate ticket sales and local chatter they could easily do a room three times the size if not more. Lucky enough for their fans, Rock & Roll Hotel would probably be the last chance to see them in such an intimate venue. Performing on Saturday Night Live two months prior, PHOENIX played Rock & Roll Hotel on Sunday June 21 to a sold out, euphoric crowd who sang and danced to old hits and the new record. They took the room and made it seem like they were playing to millions or to the fans that were right in front of that night. Amazing. Memorable.Legendary?"

*****

Dan Nolan, Co-Owner of Smith's Olde Bar, Atlanta, GA

"It's always hard to pick just one show that was my favorite. If I had to pick, I would say that B.o.B in October. Having Whynatte come in and celebrate their 1st Anniversary was special, and having such a rising star come play the venue is always a lot of fun.

James Hunter in February was another great show. Having such a legend come in and tear the place down is as much fun as you can have without being destructive. 

Bob Schneider plays here often, but the show we had in October was a great one. He had just released a new album, and was back rockin' our stage. We can't wait to have him back.

From a music fans point of view, I am most proud to have had Band Of Skulls played Smith's. We got them right after Lollapalooza, and right before they blew up. I'm so happy that we got to have them play our room."

*****

Von Iva and Semi Precious Weapons @ Drunken Unicorn, January 28 - Gavin Frederick, Booking Agent for Drunken Unicorn

"NYC's Semi Precious Weapons started it with a raucous glam rock performance with their singer producing a performance that would have given David Bowie serious competition during David's prime while SF's Von Iva ended the show with their great blend of Tina Turner, dance and punk jams."