LIVE REVIEW FROM THE SILVERLAKE LOUNGE

Silverlake Lounge never disappoints and Tuesday night was no different, as two mainstays in the FS musical family, CHASING KINGS and ALL WRONG & THE PLANS CHANGE engaged the crowd with staggering performances, once again proving to us just why we’re fans to begin with.

We really can’t get enough of Chasing Kings, considering they blew up 3 Clubs for The Rumble in January and went with us to SXSW last month. Classic indie pop coupled with blues and 60’s and 70’s rock influences, demonstrate their deep respect for music of all genres. Matt Schwartz’s vocals and skills on the keys venture into Costello territory in the best way possible. With tracks like “Dark Sunglasses” and “Empathy,” their music is a pleasant and a fortifying change from the lo-fi world currently enveloping the industry.

Echoing the title of their EP and track, “The Current State of Our Future,” Chasing Kings are on the cusp of something bigger. A few new tracks worked their way into the set, and if these are any indication of what’s to come on their full length debut, those who’ve had the chance to catch this act at smaller venues will be saying “we knew them when.”

Next up was songstress, Morgan Nagler of celebrated indie quartet, WHISPERTOWN 2000. Accompanied by well known session player, Blake Mills on guitar ad Nick White on keys; Nagler wowed with an intimate set of solo songs about peaches, almonds and the like; each showcasing her rural voice. Closing with a soul wrenching solo version of Gillian Welch’s (Whispertown 2000 were the first signees to Welch’s Acony Records) “Look at Miss Ohio,” it’s easy to see that Nagler’s twang is rootsy indie folk personified. Watching Nagler was like taking a trip back to 2006 when I first caught The Whispertown 2000 (check out Livin’ In a Dream, a must listen); and it’s just as apparent as it was back then, that she is by far one of the emotive singers out there. Nagler excels in the lyrical storytelling department; personable, funny and never failing to create a level of intimacy with the audience that allows you to feel as if you’ve stumbled upon something special.


The evening closed with a group we at FS absolutely adore, All Wrong and the Plans Change. In the wake of 90’s alt resurgence, ala Hole, All Wrong and the Plans Change are a refreshing surprise in the mist of other imitators and most definitely the new faces of girl rock for 2010. Lead by the enigmatic Kassia Conway, with the spectacular Amy Wood on drums, this LA based group has been gaining steam for quite some time and we were fortunate enough to feature them on the Future Sounds 33 Compilation last summer.

Lush vocals, skillful guitar and some seriously amazing drums courtesy of Amy; All Wrong and the Plans Change are even better live. Their raucous, yet ethereal set was populated with personal favs like “Whiskey Birds, “Hey, Hey” and “Lately". All Wrong and the Plans Change’s recently released and sonically stunning, I’m Like Whatever EP is merely just a slice of what this quartet’s performances are like.
“I Get Down” is an infectious piece of alt pop rock genius, so it’s no wonder it caught the attention of uber music supervisor, Alex Pastsavas, meriting a spot on an episode of Gossip Girl last fall. Chrissie Hynde references be damned, Kassia’s voice is a serious force that transcends any Pretender’s comparisons.

Post by Veronica Pulcini