Sunday 03.07.10: EARTHWORM ENSEMBLE @ echo (Early show – Kid’s show)

Earthworm Ensemble || Listen

Earthworm Ensemble, a new group which includes members of the acclaimed Los Angeles alt-Americana band I See Hawks in L.A., will release its first family friendly CD by the same name on February 16, 2010. Rocking guitars, fiddles, steel guitar, accordion, psychedelic bass and drum grooves, and rich vocal harmonies, make Earthworm Ensemble the new standout in family music.

Featuring a diverse range of musical styles, including country, folk, Americana, rock and New Orleans funk, Earthworm Ensemble includes 11 original songs that will bear repeated listening by kids of all ages. These songs offer an imaginative, child’s eye view of nature and the universe, with light and humorous touches throughout. “Bang a Drum” is a deceptively simple percussive piece that will get kids up off the couch and banging along to the beat. A healthy, DIY message is humorously delivered in the father-to-son song “Pizza Moon,” and we can come along for the ride on old-timey songs like “The Traveling Train” and “Walking Boy.”

The authentic and fresh sound of Earthworm Ensemble comes from a who’s who of California folk/country artists. I See Hawks in L.A. artists Paul Lacques, Shawn Nourse and Paul Marshall are joined by host of talented friends and family. The artists have variously played in bands with Emmylou Harris, Dwight Yoakam, Sly Stone, the Strawberry Alarm Clock and John Denver. The wistful voices of the Chapin Sisters (including two of Tom Chapin’s daughters) add a sweet and soulful element to three of the tracks, including the resonant lullaby “Good Night Little Spaceship.” The CD also features Discovery Science Channel host and country rapper Zachariah and TexMex/bluegrass vocalist Christina Ortega.

2pm / $5 / All Ages

Sunday 02.14.10: The Center for Nonviolent Education and Parenting presents FAMILY DANCE PARTY & FUNDRAISER @ echoplex (early show – enter on sunset)

@ Echoplex
enter through Sunset Entrance
1822 Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90026

2pm / all ages

Sunday 02.28.10: THE MACAROONS / STORYTIMEFUNLAND @ Echo (Early Show)

The Macaroons || Listen || Watch

The second incarnation of The Leevees (All Things Considered’s “best holiday record of the decade!”), the Macaroons feature musicians Dave Schneider (the Zambonis, the world’s only all-hockey rock band), Shawn Fogel (Golden Bloom, The Zambonis), Dan Saks (DeLeon, a Sephardic indie rock band also on JDub Records) and Michael Azerrad.

The record, comprised of 17 power-pop tracks for the petite set, is perfect for parents looking for an alternative to the boring lullabies of their youth. The Macaroons’ new sound signals a return to the sincerely silly, exemplified by Jerry Garcia’s folksy Not For Kids Only or the freshness of Jonathan Richman. Still, the Macaroons handle Jewish cultural traditions with a particularly kind and nostalgic humor that is as evocative for kids as it is for parents. Take “Elijah,” a sweet and wistful ode to the invisible prophet who makes his nighttime rounds during Passover, in which the kid-narrator vows to “leave the bathroom light on just for him.”

with:
StoryTimeFunLand

12pm / $8, family 4-pak $30.00 / all ages

Sunday 02.14.10: KiDROCKERS with DENGUE FEVER / BUDDY @ echo (day show)

Dengue Fever || Watch
Buddy || Listen

KiDROCKERS is a concert series that began in January 2007. These All Ages shows are designed to bring families together to experience some of the most engaging and vital artists in indie music and comedy. Artists perform original (not specifically made for children) songs in a manner that is both authentic and kid-friendly. Past artists include Tad Kubler (and members of the Hold Steady), Matthew and Ira of Nada Surf, Ra Ra Riot, Langhorne Slim, The Jealous Girlfriends, Harlem Shakes, Rogue Wave, The Subjects, Looker, Bishop Allen, The Spinto Band, Locksley, Phonograph, Palomar, Pela, Los Campesinos!, Chris Baron and LEVY.

Hosted by Matt Dwyer

Ages 3-13 recommended. Adults must be accompanied by a kid and vice versa.

1pm- 2:30pm / $9 in advance $12 at the door / All Ages

Saturday 12.05.09: KiDROCKERS presents THE 88 / FLYING TOURBILLON ORCHESTRA @ echo (day show)

with:
The 88 || Listen || Watch
Flying Tourbillon Orchestra || Listen

KiDROCKERS is a concert series that began in January 2007. These All Ages shows are designed to bring families together to experience some of the most engaging and vital artists in indie music and comedy. Artists perform original (not specifically made for children) songs in a manner that is both authentic and kid-friendly. Past artists include Tad Kubler (and members of the Hold Steady), Matthew and Ira of Nada Surf, Ra Ra Riot, Langhorne Slim, The Jealous Girlfriends, Harlem Shakes, Rogue Wave, The Subjects, Looker, Bishop Allen, The Spinto Band, Locksley, Phonograph, Palomar, Pela, Los Campesinos!, Chris Baron and LEVY.

Hosted by Matt Dwyer

Ages 3-13 recommended. Adults must be accompanied by a kid and vice versa.

1pm- 2:30pm / $9 in advance $12 at the door / All Ages

Sunday 10.04.09: KIDROCKERS presents THE DAMSELLES / QUAZAR AND THE BAMBOOZLED @ echo (day show)

The Damselles || Watch
Quazar & The Bamboozled

KiDROCKERS is a concert series that began in January 2007. These All Ages shows are designed to bring families together to experience some of the most engaging and vital artists in indie music and comedy. Artists perform original (not specifically made for children) songs in a manner that is both authentic and kid-friendly. Past artists include Tad Kubler (and members of the Hold Steady), Matthew and Ira of Nada Surf, Ra Ra Riot, Langhorne Slim, The Jealous Girlfriends, Harlem Shakes, Rogue Wave, The Subjects, Looker, Bishop Allen, The Spinto Band, Locksley, Phonograph, Palomar, Pela, Los Campesinos!, Chris Baron and LEVY.

Hosted by Seth Herzog & Matt Dwyer

Ages 3-13 recommended. Adults must be accompanied by a kid and vice versa.

1pm- 2:30pm / $9 in advance $12 at the door / All Ages

Sunday 06.28.09: KIDROCKERS present LOCAL NATIVES / SAINT MOTEL @ echo (day show)

with:
Local Natives || Listen
Saint Motel

KiDROCKERS is a concert series that began in January 2007. These All Ages shows are designed to bring families together to experience some of the most engaging and vital artists in indie music and comedy. Artists perform original (not specifically made for children) songs in a manner that is both authentic and kid-friendly. Past artists include Tad Kubler (and members of the Hold Steady), Matthew and Ira of Nada Surf, Ra Ra Riot, Langhorne Slim, The Jealous Girlfriends, Harlem Shakes, Rogue Wave, The Subjects, Looker, Bishop Allen, The Spinto Band, Locksley, Phonograph, Palomar, Pela, Los Campesinos!, Chris Baron and LEVY.

Hosted by Seth Herzog & Matt Dwyer

Ages 3-13 recommended. Adults must be accompanied by a kid and vice versa.

1pm- 2:30pm / $9 in advance $12 at the door / All Ages

Saturday 06.27.09: TELEKINESIS / THE BOAT PEOPLE / ONE TRICK PONY @ echoplex

Telekinesis || Watch

I didn’t listen to the Telekinesis record when it first arrived at my house. Then I heard the song “Coast of Carolina” on a radio show and waited around to see who was responsible for this infectious little beast. When I realized that it was Telekinesis, I pulled the CD out of its resting place and haven’t stopped listening to it since; it accompanies me in my car, as I write at my desk and on airplanes. At first, I treated the album like I do a lot of other pop records: as a showcase for one standout song. Consequently, I continued to listen to “Coast of Carolina” as if it were the wunderkind and every other song merely runners-up in some imagined talent show. I approached the rest of the album with skepticism and reserve. And, though I never grew tired of “Coast of Carolina” (and still haven’t!), eventually I wanted to know the rest of the story.

And that’s how it came to be that Telekinesis’ self-titled album is my current favorite. My summer sun long before the light and long days actually get here.

Telekinesis is really the work of one man, at least on record, and that man is Michael Lerner. One thing I like about him is that, in addition to being a great singer and songwriter, he’s a good enough drummer — quite a fantastic one, really — to know that you can’t just give that job up to anyone. So he drums and sings on stage, throwing off both the audience’s balance and one’s ideas of symmetry and pop, not unlike his songs themselves.

Lerner sings about water, place, time and ephemera, which are all sneaky and slippery topics. So while the impressionistic approach to lyrical content provides fleeting, oblique images, the catchy music is grounding and indelible. If Telekinesis were a dance, it would be the pogo: with the leap into the air — that hint of uncertainty, of possibility, of letting go — being the words, and the driving, perfectly crafted melody (as sturdy as anything) being the feel of your feet as they touch the ground. Sometimes it’s nice to have a band provide both the lift-off and the landing. – NPR

with:
The Boat People
One Trick Pony || Listen

@ Echoplex
enter at
1154 Glendale Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90026

7pm / $10 / All Ages

Sunday 05.31.09: KIDROCKERS presents LANGHORNE SLIM / ONE TRICK PONY @ echo (day show)

with:
Langhorne Slim
One Trick Pony || Listen

KiDROCKERS is a concert series that began in January 2007. These All Ages shows are designed to bring families together to experience some of the most engaging and vital artists in indie music and comedy. Artists perform original (not specifically made for children) songs in a manner that is both authentic and kid-friendly. Past artists include Tad Kubler (and members of the Hold Steady), Matthew and Ira of Nada Surf, Ra Ra Riot, Langhorne Slim, The Jealous Girlfriends, Harlem Shakes, Rogue Wave, The Subjects, Looker, Bishop Allen, The Spinto Band, Locksley, Phonograph, Palomar, Pela, Los Campesinos!, Chris Baron and LEVY.

Hosted by Seth Herzog & Matt Dwyer

Save Money when you order tickets by mobile phone
text slim to 467467

Ages 3-13 recommended. Adults must be accompanied by a kid and vice versa.

1pm- 2:30pm / $9 in advance $12 at the door / All Ages

Saturday 06.06.09: RALPH’S WORLD / LISA LOEB @ echoplex (morning show)

Ralph’s World

A tap-dancing elephant, a cowgirl pig, a rock ‘n’ roll finger band and a new girl in math class named Polly Hedron (“a non-Euclidean lass”) are fanciful performers in “The Rhyming Circus,” the latest album from Ralph Covert and his Ralph’s World band, a family music star attraction.

It’s the first all-new Ralph’s World album on the Disney Sound label, and the band is celebrating with a concert for kids at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Echoplex in L.A.

The album’s humorous through line, Covert says, was inspired by the title track — at one point it rhymes “fish,” “squish” and “Lillian Gish.”

“I sat down and wrote that song and giggled the whole way through.”

The bespectacled rocker who gained an adult following during his years as frontman for Chicago indie-rock band the Bad Examples, shifted gears with his first children’s CD in 2001.

Adults are still part of Covert’s audience, not least because Ralph’s World songs are traditionally infused with inside musical jokes and tributes to the band’s heroes.

Johnny Cash meets preschool, for instance, in “Folsom Daycare Blues.” “Finger Is the Singer” includes a hint of Ziggy Stardust and a dash of the Beach Boys. Covert’s “Polka Dot Shirt” pays homage to Prince’s “Raspberry Beret” and to 1970s Irish hard-rock band Thin Lizzy. – LA Times

with Special Guest:
Lisa Loeb || Listen

@ Echoplex
enter at
1154 Glendale Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90026

Save Money when you order tickets by mobile phone
text world to 467467

10:30am / $15.00 advance, $17.00 day of show, $50.00 advance for family of four / All Ages

Wednesday 04.22.09: Echo, Manimal Vinyl & No Culture present HECUBA / RAINBOW ARABIA / LUCKY DRAGONS @ echo

With:
Hecuba (Featuring LA Fog) || Listen
Rainbow Arabia || Listen
Lucky Dragons || Listen

Followed by NO CULTURE DJS

8:30pm / $8 / 18+