The Hobby Shop Music Series - Woolen + Lou Barlow and the Missingmen

The July 1st The Hobby Shop music series featured Heard of Elephants collective band Woolen and Lou Barlow + The Missingmen.

Woolen is a band I haven't heard of before that night and it was great to see them at an aurally pleasant environment as my introduction to them. They are a great indie rock band to check out.

Lou Barlow played a couple of songs solo and then asked The Missingmen to join him for the rest of his set. I just missed him at the Bootleg Theatre and discovering that he was playing at The Hobby Shop was a treat. The set had a nice mix of heavy sounds and slow-paced music.

I was spoiled by the setting that night. It's going to be difficult to experience live music at a larger venue. Sadly, The Hobby Shop music series has ended, but there are plans to revive it in August.

To hear recordings and view video of past performances, visit The Hobby Shop Studios site (http://www.thehobbyshopstudios.com) and click on "Live at The Hobby Shop."

The Hobby Shop Music Series

Jail Weddings @ The Hobby Shop

Last Thursday, Stef and I attended Mudrock's first Hobby Shop series. Mudrock owns a recording studio whose building blends in the face of the street, hidden and unmarked in Highland Park. The only indicator of the location of the studio was a piece of lined paper with a logo printed on it saying "The Hobby Shop." We walked in during The Bonebrake Syncopators, which features a lineup of extremely talented musicians playing jazz music from reminiscent of the 50s. It felt like everyone was in a Shag painting, sans the dirty martinis in their hands. They covered many songs with new arrangements including the vibraphone and Hawaiian steel guitar. One of those covers was "Dinah," a song The Toughcats also cover.

The atmosphere could not be any cooler. During their set, I thought that it sounded fantastic in there--and then I remembered I was in a real recording studio!

Being in such a delicate space, the long tear down and setup of bands' equipment is understandable. Luckily, it gave us enough time to walk down the block to get veggie burritos at Tacos El Pique, one of the best (original, not trendy) taco trucks in LA.

Tacos El Pique!

The veggie burrito was grand. Highly recommended for late night eats. They're open until midnight most nights, and later on Friday nights.

Back at The Hobby Shop, we got back in time to see Jail Weddings perform a set. The recording studio floor was able to fit this large band (about 9-10 members?) effortlessly, and even leave room for the spectators... and the cute dogs!

A DJ spins tunes out back, where the free beer and smoking area is. The backyard itself is another great feature of the space. It has a welcoming vibe, and is very inviting for those who like a touch of nature.

The Hobby Shop features two bands and a DJ each night. $10 and your email address pays for admission, beer, and a link to the mp3s of the night's performance.

Schedule: http://www.thehobbyshopstudios.com/Hobby_Shop/Live_Shows.html

The Hobby Shop
5239 York Blvd.
Highland Park, CA 90042
Every Thursday night in June
$10, doors 9pm, bands at 10pm and 11pm

The Toughcats Live

It is Friday. Stef and I will be in Maine for another week. After he records some material for the next two days, we're off to visit his sister, who I have yet to meet. Following that visit, we will take a ferry to Vinalhaven, an island that is tremendously beautiful according to everyone I have recently met here in Maine.

Joe's place is a gem. It's a treat to have him as our host.

Last night, The Toughcats performed at One Longfellow Square.

We sat up in the mezzanine to capture the aural pleasures of the first set.

...and The Toughcats ROCKED IT!