Kings of Leon announce their tourmates

So... if you check some of my previous posts, you will see that I am a bit of a superfan when it comes to the brothers Followill. My poor roommates in college had to put up with me blasting "Trani" and "On Call" and "Milk" on repeat, when everybody was into Beyonce and Fergie. Yes, they are good-looking and sure, they have an interesting story, but I just can't get enough of their sound. The blood in my veins pulses to a rock 'n' roll beat. I can't be cured.

Thus afflicted, I naturally have tickets to see them this summer at the Hollywood Bowl. I'm very excited, as I couldn't think of a better venue to see them. The point of this post, though, is to underscore the momentous event that I've just learned, which, in fact, proves that a better scenario DOES exist: KoL has just announced that throughout the month of September, The Black Keys will be opening for them. Now, allow me to elucidate the significance of this revelation: Last week I bought the Key's new single "Tighten Up". On vinyl. Yeah... I don't even own a record player. At least not yet. They are my second favorite band. Yep, just let that all sink in. Get cozy with that.

The Kings of Leon and The Black Keys will be touring together from September 3rd (Indianapolis) through September 24th (Dallas). Unfortunately the Keys won't be in California at all this summer, but no matter, I WILL be at one of these shows.

Oh, and I would be remiss if I didn't mention that today is the last day to enter the "King of the Lawn" ticket giveaway sweepstakes. Enter here.

A review of the as yet unplayable record is available here. You can add to your record collection, too: Click here. In the meantime, here's something to tickle your ears and wallop your soul:

Bring on the Euphoria

So, thanks to my handy-dandy ads to the right of my blog, I am the newest holder of concert tickets to see Kings of Leon in San Diego and L.A. in August!!!

I have purchased in the past from Ticketmaster and then realized the good seats are all on Stub Hub, but then I realized (thanks to a helpful ad on my own page) that Ticket Tango is the same deal as Stub Hub, but since it's seemingly less well known, the "cheap" tickets don't go as fast.

So - check there first for your concert needs.

Anyway, I'm excited about seeing KOL back to back.... first in SD then LA. They are FANTASTIC live.

For any KOL fans out there, here's a video from their concert at MSG on January 28th. It was so cool to be there for what felt like a homecoming of sorts. Until this latest album came out, they didn't have much of an American fan base, though certainly they had pockets of devoted followers. MSG seemed like the first time they felt some recognition on their home turf, and it was touching to hear Caleb (who is the only one who really talks during concerts, and really, doesn't say much at all) express his appreciation. I was in the pit up close, so I could tell from his expression that he was deeply moved, seeing the sold out Garden. He always seems so open and honest, and it's refreshing to hear him speak.

Anyway, they finished up with some of their big rockers, and "Trani" is one of my favorites. Hope you enjoy! Check them out if they tour near you.

Great Remix to an Already Fantastic KOL Song

Shout Out to the Swedish Chanteuse

3 Reasons I Want to be Friends with Lykke Li

1. She did a cover/duet of Kings of Leon's "Knocked Up" off their album Because of the Times that I love... it's sort of ethereal and spacey, and adds a whole layer of sonic melancholy that works well with Caleb's vocals.

2. She has a refreshing sense of style that's messy and unpolished, but manages to look chic and feminine without being fussy.

3. She's lived in so many neat places I would love to call home! Sweden, Morocco, Portugal, Nepal, India, New York... as the daughter of a painter and musician... ah, what a dream life!

Bonus Point: She also covered Lou Reed's "Walk On The Wild Side."

Why make the trek out to Indio? Not for the sights....

For the tunes! 48 days til the greatest 3-day music festival in California kicks off!

COACHELLA

Can't wait to see:

• Crystal Castles
• Felix da Housecat ...covering Nina Simone's "Sinner Man"
• M. Ward ...covering David Bowie's "Let's Dance"
• THE BLACK KEYS!!!!!!!!!!! ...covering The Kink's "Nice and Gentle"
• The Ting Tings
• We Are Scientists ...covering Boyz II Men's "End of the Road"
• Fleet Foxes
• Jenny Lewis ...covering The Everly Brothers' "Love Hurts"
• TV On the Radio ...covering David Bowie's "Heroes"
• Friendly Fires
• Lykke Li ...covering The Kings of Leon's "Knocked Up"
• Paolo Nutini
• Peter Bjorn & John
• The Cure!

Click the links to hear some cool remixes/covers!

"The Kings" are King

Some things I'm interested in right now:


Dan Flavin at LACMA. I studied this artist in my Contemporary art history class at Notre Dame and loved the simplicity of his light sculptures. The Los Angeles County Museum of Art is exhibiting a retrospective now through August, I believe. I definitely want to check this out. http://www.lacma.org/art/ExhibFlavin.aspx

Mandy Moore's new album. Though I'm not a fan of her previous work, I have heard that she collaborated with Rachael Yamagata on this album, and I'm intrigued.


The Kings of Leon, especially their new album Because of the Times. It's awesome. I can't get enough. Favorite tracks: On Call, the Runner, Knocked Up, Arizona, Black Thumbnail. The first three are so powerful and Caleb's voice is very transportive. Black Thumbnail is rough and wild. Off their previous albums I enjoy: Molly's Chambers, Wasted Time, Milk, Soft, the Bucket, King of the Rodeo, Trani, & California Waiting. Good British video interviews of Caleb Folowill are somewhere on the web. I'll try to post a link.

Kite surfing. Kites + surfing = whimsical exhilaration.

Surfing with a paddle? Saw this at the beach the other day. Looks very Polynesian. Probably trickier than they made it seem.


Moroccan Mint Green Tea. So refreshing! I love this brewed with boiling hot water and then poured over ice. A great summer sipper. http://www.stashtea.com/index.shtml (I noticed that How's Market carries just about every flavor of Stash Tea, including organic varieties, except the Moroccan Mint! I'll speak to them about this.)


The color lavender. I painted my toes lavender and I'm liking a dusty shade of violet on my eye lids. It looks good with a fresh bit of sun on your skin.

Elizabeth Gilbert. I read her book Eat, Pray, Love over Christmas break and it was stunningly beautiful. She's coming to Diesel June 10th, I believe. I'll be sure to be there.

W. Somerset Maugham. I read the Moon & Sixpence and adored the tight writing and the descriptive characterization. Saw the Painted Veil on the plane ride home last week and thoroughly enjoyed the love story. Moving performance by Ed Norton. Naomi Watts was great, as well. I've picked up the Razor's Edge and am finding it a pleasant, thought-provoking read. Brilliant writer.

Horizon plain yogurt with PomWonderful pomegranate juice spritzed in. Delicious!


Old Navy's summer palette. Lots of deep colors that are exotic rather than suburban. Bravo! I'm loving my new striped shorts and wine-colored bikini.

Green cars. That's eco-friendly, not grassy. I'm in the market for a car, and I am looking at the options available to me. Too bad they don't sell those tiny European cars here in the States... I don't really like the look of them that much, but they certainly do save on energy. I'm thinking I'd prefer shiny white paint with lots of chrome and a camel-colored interior.

Malibu Yogurt. A bit overpriced, but a fun splurge now and then with my brother and sister. I had the vanilla with strawberries and it was delish! Too bad they don't take credit cards. I am so bad about carrying cash.