HOTEL CURRENT HAS ARRIVED!

It’s time to relax in Long Beach’s newest addition, while enjoying the arts of Southern California! Long Beach Style is now scheduled to open Hotel CURRENT in a new and innovative way—with a splash of the arts throughout the hotel. Hotel CURRENT will host Southern California’s latest and greatest art with featured paintings, music, and literature. Every part featured at Hotel CURRENT is meant to ‘uplift the spirit’ by celebrating the color of exploring art.

The hotel is scheduled to have it’s grand opening on September 30, 2010 where there will be a performance of the beautiful Aqualillies!

Not only will Hotel CURRENT house exploring guests, but it will also entertain with its art. The hotel is also devoted to working to uplift all visitors and their own staff by giving back through a culture of health and wellness.

Hotel CURRENT be known as refreshing and innovative in it’s design, but it will also host high amounts of eco-friendly material! Everything from bamboo flooring and linens, to carpets made out of 100% recycled plastic bottles and hemp fabrics. Better energy efficient lighting will be offered, as well as reduced polluting materials.

Hotel CURRENT would like to give a special ‘Thank You’ to hotel designer- Cachette Studios, featured artist- Steve Fawley, and fellow partners- PlainJoe Studios and Visioneering Studios for all of their hard work, amazing talents, and inspired designs.

For more information, visit www.hotelcurrent.com or contact lbrown@venquest.com. 

BAND REVIEW: EDWARD SHARPE AND THE MAGNETIC ZEROS

Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros is a band that looks like it stepped straight out of the 70s. Don't be distracted by the lead singer, Alex Ebert, and the bun in his hair or his unbuttoned shirt--the music makes up for that. Although the ten-member band is full of hippies that go on tour in a school bus, they bring something fresh to music and have tunes that sound like they're the long lost brother of The Arcade Fire. 

Although the band is fairly new/underground/fresh, they've gotten a lot of recognition after their hit single, "Home," was featured on the television series, Ugly Betty. It's a song that makes many wonder if they're on drugs because of how happy they are, or just really in love. You can hear a trumpet, accodion, and a piano in the mix, as Ebert sings along to his girlfriend, Jade Castrinos. Their romance is clear in the song and in interviews, only sparking more interest and admiration by fans.

They're currently touring California and performing in vintage venues that are attracting the state's hipsters, scenesters, and hippies--all looking to connect to the music and feel what the band feels when they sing. The authenticity of the band breaks the boundaries of social groups with songs like, "Jade" where Ebert sings about her beauty and how she's "the girl of the hour" and by bringing half the audience on the stage during their performances. They're known to not prepare their sets, which makes every type of fan more of an admirer of something real instead of worrying about their style or appearance.

Ebert was recently in the rock/pop band Ima Robot, which is quite the contrast with the blazers and short hair he used to wear. He was more trendy, sometimes wore makeup in his music videos, and emulated a singer who was inspired by David Bowie. Today, he posts inspirational quotes on his twitter and takes off his shoes when he dances. Although some might be leery of the band's "Don't drink the Kool-aid" look, the sounds of their voices and instruments break all expectations and prejudices by bringing something raw and organic to the music scene.

Katie Cervantes

Live OC Magazine

www.LIVEOCMAG.com

UPCOMING CONCERTS THAT ROCK

Brad Paisley w/ Miranda Lambert, Justin Moore

Staples Center- Los Angeles, CA

Friday, February 19

Mariah Carey w/ RydazNrtist

Gibson Amphitheatre- Universal City, CA

Tuesday, February 23

Bon Jovi w/ Dashboard Confessional

Honda Center- Anaheim, CA

Friday, February 26

Cheap Trick

Agua Caliente Casino- Palm Springs, CA

Friday, February 26

Soundtrack of Our Lives w/ Nico Vega, Once

El Rey Theatre- Los Angeles, CA

Friday, February 26

Ozomatli

House of Blues- Anaheim, CA

Friday, February 26

The B-52s

Pechanga- Temecula, CA

Saturday, February 27

Lakers Fan Jam

Los Angeles Convention Center- Los Angeles, CA

Saturday, March 20

New Found Glory w/ Saves the Day, Hellogoodbye, Fireworks

House of Blues- Anaheim, CA

Sunday, March 21

Tears for Fears w/ Wainwright

Wiltern- Los Angeles, CA

Sunday, March 21

Devendra Banhart

Wiltern- Los Angeles, CA

Wednesday, March 24

John Mayer w/ Michael Franti, Spearhead

Staples Center- Los Angeles, CA

Thursday, March 25

She & Him

El Rey Theatre- Los Angeles, CA

Thursday, March 25

Copeland w/ I Can Make a Mess Like Nobody's Business, Person L, Deas Vail

El Rey Theatre- Los Angeles, CA

Friday, March 26

Berlin

House of Blues- Anaheim, CA

Sunday, March 28

Eagles

Honda Center- Anaheim, CA

Sunday, April 25

Katie Cervantes

Live OC Magazine

www.LIVEOCMAG.com

band review: beyond conception

To survive in the music industry as an independent band is close to impossible, but somehow Beyond Connection is making it happen. They've dabbled in The Knitting Factory, The Coach House and Chain Reaction, while opening for names like Hellogoodbye, NOFX and Marcy's Playground. You might have heard a few of their songs on MTV and Nickelodeon.

With six years of being a band under their belt, they've managed to form a group that resembles Maroon 5, but one that isn't afraid of doing their own thing. Their lead singer (Justin Abrams) rocks out while playing the piano, with three other members. They sing of how this world will "make you into a man" and question deeper things like if there's "life after life."

There's a vulnerability to Beyond Conception's lyrics that make you want to listen to the ideals and how they wrestle with their own lives through their songs. Their latest album and the third for the band, "Stix & Stones" was released in September and has more of a rock and roll twang to it than their previous ones. "The Shoe Shiner" is the best song on the album with Abram's energy and passion with the rest of his posse's instruments blaring away like a modern jazz melody. He's not afraid to let his voice let loose and hits plenty of notes to impress almost anyone on the three albums. Sometimes his voice seems a bit strained, like on the song "Come Between Us," but the piano and drums make up for it and is refreshing to hear for a pop/rock/jazz band.

Beyond Conception is currently touring throughout California, but have jammed in China and have been in the studio with notable figures in the music industry, like Jack Douglas. Jim Wirt, producer to Fiona Apple, Incubus, and Jack's Mannequin calls them "...beautiful, raw, and elegant..." while Dean Deleo from Stone Temple Pilots says, "the music draws you in with it's melodies.

Although the music of Beyond Conception is self-produced and doesn't sound as professional at times, Beyond Conception could be one of the best independent bands out there. There are definitely hints that they're still trying to make it big, like they're PayPal donation button on their MySpace page or how you can find them doing self-promotion in So Cal, but in a lot of ways they're gaining more attention than signed artists. Their passion is unique and something hard to find, even in Hollywood.

For more info and tour dates, visit www.beyondconception.com.

Katie Cervantes

Live OC Magazine

www.LIVEOCMAG.com

CD Review: Snow Patrol, "Up to Now"

Whether you love Snow Patrol, or have never heard of them before, they're debuting their first compilation album, "Up to Now" of their favorite hits from two of their past records. Although it's not their greatest hits, it's the ones that make them unique and prove their talent and mark in the music industry. The album includes thirty songs, with three brand-spanking new ones.

With tones that are romantic and sad, and somewhat hopeful at times, Snow Patrol comes with their own sound, singings of broken hearts and childhood memories. Their single, "Set the Fire to the Third Bar" is currently on the trailer for Dear John and taking the movie industry by storm with their music also appearing in Spider Man 3 and Grey's Anatomy.

"Up To Now" features a few singles that made the band famous, including "Chasing Cars" and "Chocolate." "Chocolate" was Grammy-nominated and one of the most hopeful and upbeat songs of the band, with unique and unusual lyrics about having a name he'd never choose and holding a lie underneath the roof of his mouth. The song sounds beautiful, but turns tragic as you realized he's lovesick for someone he's hurt.

"Just Say Yes" is an unusual track, with a different sound than the rest of the album. Again, it's romantic, but sounds like it could be played in a club and is a bit bland. It's with less instruments and more synthesizers, maybe showing the band isn't afraid to step outside of their own box and get creative, but instead it backfires.

A surprising feature of the compilation are the band's covers, including Beyonce's "Crazy in Love." They succeed in making it sound like the original, but in their own sound and style.

"Up to Now" is perfect for those looking to make a mix-tape to a lover, ex-lover, future lover, or friend. Snow Patrol allows itself to use many different instruments in most of their songs, but still seem to withhold outstretching their arms lyrically by keeping the songs restricted to romance as a melodramatic group of Irishmen.

Katie Cervantes

Live OC Magazine

www.LIVEOCMAG.com

CD Review: Joshua Radin, Simple Times

If there's one thing Joshua Radin does best, it's to make any situation romantic with his music. For a man who seems to have gotten his heart broken more than once, twice, or five times, he is still able to make anyone with a hard heart want to fall in love again.

With his latest CD, Simple Times, a few of his songs are more upbeat and joyous than albums of past. "I'd Rather Be With You" is a reminder of faithfulness and growing old with someone. It's short and sweet, something you'd imagine Radin playing on his porch with a few neighbors around, but it brings the listener back to the roots of a love song with it's simple chords and few instruments.

"You've Got Growing Up To Do" is a duet with Patty Griffin, their two voices sounding like a train chooing on the tracks. It's a song about a wedding, but the lyrics take a twist once they both say they're leaving each other. The words are poetic and refreshing, but have a melancholy tone that runs through the song and speaks of a love that suffers long.

Although Radin is most notable for his song, "Today," on his last album, We Were Here, Radin proves he can break out of his own box with this album. He has quirkier songs like "Vegetable Car" about a girl who wears Lisa Loeb glasses who he wants to ride around all day with. The song is upbeat and something you can snap your fingers to, but doesn't stray from the title of the album.

The only thing Radin seems to keep repeating is his love of singing love songs. He doesn't stray from his mushy lyrics, even if they are original and poetic. Although they may get old, most people can listen to them and relate, feeling as if he can put it more simply than they could. It's an album you can listen to when you're feeling in a certain mood, but either way you'll walk away feeling either better or worse about your love life than when you first put the songs on. Maybe some day Radin will expand his topic of discussion, but for now he's staying true to what he knows.

Katie Cervantes

Live OC Magazine

www.LIVEOCMAG.com

Band on the Rise: Paper Tongues

Lead Singer of Paper Tongues, Aswan North, might have called it destiny when he ran into Randy Jackson at a restaurant in Los Angeles. North invited Jackson to hear their music and Jackson got a "vibe" from North so he took a chance and looked them up. He immediately signed the band to A&M/Octone Records and has since been promoting them. 

Jackson says he was looking for something different and unique, and Paper Tongues had no hesitation to make it big, believing they "are going to change history." They sound like a mix between U2 and Rage Against the Machine, but have powerful lyrics with strong political messages and songs titled, "For the People" and "Rich and Poor."

Hailing from North Carolina and playing since 2007, Paper Tongues is made up of seven guys, all currently on tour with Switchfoot on The Hello Hurricane Tour. Although it's only been a year since they were signed, they're already hitting the radio with their latest single, "Ride to California" and getting their album ready to debut this summer. 

Paper Tongue's music is positive and refreshing, but has a force that declares their music is here to stay in the music world. On the band's website North says, "I wouldn't want to start a revolution. I believe things only change from the inside out. I don't feel that we can change much unless we join hands with people who have already been bleeding." 

The say their purpose as a band is to bring healing to people, to bad politics, and to a society that needs change. For a country seeking change, Paper Tongues is the perfect dose of music to revive the arts in a way where music and action can merge. 

For more information, visit www.papertongues.com

Katie Cervantes 

Live OC Magazine

www.LIVEOCMAG.com

Singing in the New Year

Elvis Christmas

Elvis Presley's (Christmas) spirit lives on in this album with 23 songs, all explore each part of the season. He puts a lot of passion and punch in "Santa Claus is Back In Town" and embraces the tempo of the fifties with "Santa Bring My Baby Back (To Me)." There's more romance and mistletoe to this album, but still has classics like, "O Come, All Ye Faithful." This is more of an album everyone will be able to enjoy.

Brad Paisley Christmas

This album is full-on country with plenty of twang and yee-has. Brad Paisley doesn't let you forget he's a country singer since it definitely feels more country than Christmas. He makes it interesting by playing original songs like "Kung Pao Buckaroo Holiday" and "364 Days to Go." Many of these tunes are slow enough to dance to, but some still have the style of Brad Paisley where you can wear your cowboy boots and dance while you decorate the tree.

Christmas In the Heart, Bob Dylan

Said to have "a voice made of sandpaper," Bob Dylan takes himself back to the old-school tunes with "Here Comes Santa Claus" and "Winter Wonderland" with an album that sounds as if it's right out of a fifties Western film. There's times when Dylan's voice is noticeably struggling to keep up, but you can hear him enjoying himself with each chord and forgetting about his age.

The Taylor Swift Holiday Collection

With classics like "Santa Baby" and "Silent Night," Taylor Swift has fun showing off her talent instead of trying to make a hit. She makes the album her own by putting a country and pop twist to each of the six songs with banjos in the background and a Southern twang to her voice.

Joy to the World, Faith Hill

Faith Hill went full force in this Christmas album, having plenty of bells and trumpets. "Joy to the World" sounds as if there's a full-on orchestra by her side as she shows off her singing. "What Child Is This?" embraces the more serious tone of Christmas, almost something that's a little chilling, but "Holly Jolly Christmas" goes back to the jolly part that you can sing along to.

Christmas with Weezer

Weezer does a great job sticking to the holiday tunes, but just replacing them with electrical guitars and bass. It definitely sounds like Weezer, but isn't too much rock to where you can't get into the Christmas mood. They even sing "O Come All Ye Faithful" and "Hark the Herald Angels Sing." They stay true to each song they cover, but still add their own personal touch of Weezer.

Oh, Blue Christmas, A Fine Frenzy

There are few albums out there as creative as A Fine Frenzy's. She sings Elvis Presley's "Blue Christmas," which sounds like she's right in the heart of his voice, and delicately sings and plays "Winter Wonderland." Her fragile and soft voice are enough to imagine snow is really falling in Southern California as you listen. A few songs even sound like wind is blowing as she plays the piano, which adds a bit of mystery to the lyrics.

Katie Cervantes

Live OC Magazine

www.LIVEOCMAG.com

Christmas Events in Southern California

Los Angeles County Holiday Celebration Dec. 24

www.lacountyarts.org

After 50 years of hosting the Holiday celebration, this year's event will be at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion of the Music Center in Los Angeles. It's a free six-hour concert with over 40 music groups, and is funded by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. It's all day on Christmas Eve, beginning at 3 PM to 9 PM. Parking is free in the Music Center parking structure.

A Christmas Carol Dec. 19-26

www.scr.org

Be entertained by one of the most popular Christmas plays by Charles Dickens. Performed on the Segerstrom Stage at the South Coast Repretory, this is the 30th season of it's production. This is a great way to relive the story of Ebenezer Scrooge finding joy in the holiday season.

Huntington Beach Smooth Jazz Series Dec. 31

www.bbjazz.com

Hosted by BB Jazz, a non-profit organization, this Smooth Jazz Series is at the Hyatt Regency in Huntington Beach with tickets ranging from $135-$175. Artists like Nick Colionne, Maysa, Chante Moore and Kim Waters perform while guests are able to dine and dance to their favorite holiday tunes.

Gabriel Iglesias Christmas Comedy Dec. 25

www.thejonlovitzcomedyclub.com

Gabriel Iglesias will perform stand-up comedy on Friday, Christmas Day. At $30 a ticket, he'll be at the Jon Lovitz Comedy Club in Universal City at 8:30 PM. Iglesias was a runner up onLast Comic Standing and is known for his animation, while appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live,The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and Good Morning America.

The Nutcracker Ballet Dec. 19-24

www.gwctheatre.com

Held at Golden West College in the Mainstage Theatre, this ballet is perfect for the family to celebrate Christmas. It honors the classic, full-length ballet and is presented by the Ballet Repertory Theatre. General admission is $16, with $14 for children under 12. 

Cruise of Lights Dec. 19-23

www.cruiseoflights.org

The Cruise of Lights is a narrated boat tour that looks at elaborately decorated homes and boats that sit on the Huntington Harbor. The cruise is 45 minutes long and tickets must be ordered online. Tickets are $9 for children and $15 for adults. 

101st Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade Dec. 19-20

www.christmasboatparade.com

With over a million viewers, the Boat Parade celebrates Christmas with this year's theme of "The Joys of Christmas Toys." Watch multi-million dollar yachts, small boats, and even canoes strut their stuff on the water for fourteen miles, starting off at Bay Island at 6:30 PM until 9 PM. 

Ice Skating at the Pike Dec. 19-31

www.raindbowharborholidays.com

Forget that you're in Southern California this season and hit the ice. This outdoor ice skating rink in Los Angeles is just $12 for an hour and a half session, and sits on the waterfront of Rainbow Harbor next to the Aquarium of the Pacific. They also host nights like Family Night and Pajama Night Skating. 

Stroll the Christmas Lights of Naples Dec.19-28

www.naplesca.org

Thousands of lights are displayed in Naples, Los Angeles along the windows of boutiques and homes. This community is known for going above and beyond, sometimes even called "gaudy", attracting many visitors each year who just want to enjoy over-the-top decorations.

Grinchmas Winter Wonderland Dec. 19-31

www.universalstudioshollywood.com

Universal Studios puts on 13 Days of Grinchmas each year, having real snow to play in and a whole area of the park devoted to Christmas. Grinchmas is decorated like Whoville, from Dr. Suess's How the Grinch Stole Christmas. There's also celebrities who attend and read the classic story each of the 13 days. The best part is that if you buy just a day pass, you get the whole year free (a great Christmas gift).  

Katie Cervantes

Live OC Magazine

www.LIVEOCMAG.com

Must See Concerts of the Season

A Fine Frenzy

El Rey Theatre- Los Angeles, CA

Tuesday, Nov. 17

Atticus Metal Tour

Glass House- Pomona, CA

Wednesday, Nov.18

Chris Brown with New Boyz

Avalon Hollywood- Hollywood, CA

Wednesday, Nov. 18

A Fine Frenzy

House of Blues- Anaheim, CA

Wednesday, Nov. 18

Onerepublic

Troubadour- West Hollywood, CA

Wednesday, Nov. 18

Snoop Dogg

Grove of Anaheim- Anaheim, CA

Wednesday, Nov. 18

The Fray

Galen Center- Los Angeles, CA

Thursday, Nov. 19

Deftones

Avalon Hollywood- Hollywood, CA

Friday, Nov. 20

Ray Lamontagne

Orpheum Theatre- Los Angeles, CA

Friday, Nov. 20


The Misfits

Galaxy Concert Theatre- Santa Ana, CA
Friday, Nov. 20

Hollywood Undead & Atreyu

Wiltern Theatre- Los Angeles, CA

Saturday, Nov. 21

The Misfits

Keys Club- West Hollywood, CA

Saturday, Nov. 21

Say Anything

Troubadour- West Hollywood, CA

Sunday, Nov. 22

Papa Roach & Jet

Club Nokia- Los Angeles, CA

Monday, Nov. 23

Thrice

Avalon Hollywood- Hollywood, CA

Monday, Nov. 23

Switchfoot

House of Blues- Anaheim, CA

Friday, Nov. 27

Rockaliforniafest

Los Angeles Sports Arena- Los Angeles, CA

Sunday, Nov. 29

DJ Quik 

Key Club- West Hollywood, CA

Sunday, Nov. 29

Dashboard Confessional

Troubadour- West Hollywood, CA

Monday, Nov. 30

Less than Jake

House of Blues Hollywood- Hollywood, CA

Friday, Dec. 4

KIIS FM's Jingle Ball w/ Taylor Swift 

Nokia Theatre LA Live- Los Angeles, CA

Saturday, Dec. 5

A Rockapella Holiday

Smothers Theatre- Malibu, CA

Sunday, Dec. 6

Morrissey 

Gibson Amphitheatre at Universal City Walk- Universal City, CA

Thursday, Dec. 10

Metallica

Honda Center- Anaheim, CA

Thursday, Dec. 10

Katie Cervantes

Live OC Magazine

www.LIVEOCMAG.com

Review- Black Eyed Peas, “Meet Me Halfway” Music VideoWhen I first heard the song, “Meet Me Halfway” on KIIS FM I thought it sounded like a 90’s song that would come on in a club on a Thursday night. Don’t get me wrong, it’s catchy, but most songs already are and I don’t want to like a song just because it has a good beat—anyone can do that. I thought maybe the band was someone unknown and only semi-popular; maybe someone at KIIS FM had found it in an old folder on their computer and put it on air.

After I continued to hear the song on the radio and it began to play in my head I finally looked it up online and realized that the Black Eyed Peas sang it. I was kind of surprised considering their latest song, “I Gotta Feeling,” sounds so different and every time I hear I feel in a better mood. I like a lot of The Black Eyed Peas songs, I don’t own any of them, but I’ll sit through the popular ones and enjoy it.

I think my problem with “Meet Me Halfway” is that it has mediocre lyrics and when Will.i.am raps he sounds like he’s tired or too lazy to get all of his words out. The music video isn’t much better—Fergie lies in a garden the whole time just looking sexy as Will.i.am is on Jupiter riding an elephant. This goes on for three minutes until both Fergie and the other guy in the group, Apl.de.ap, jump into a floating cube and pyramid (don’t ask me what that’s all about) and are finally reconnected. The futuristic Romeo and Juliet story ends with the two of them becoming shooting stars across the night’s sky. Somewhere in this music video is one of the other guys in the Black Eyed Peas group and the only thing he does is act like an astronaut who tries to get close to the sun--maybe they felt bad if they left him out of the video.

It takes a lot of money to make a song, so it makes me wonder if so much money is being spent, then why are the lyrics so bland and boring? After all, Will.i.am raps, 'Cuz girl, I want you right now. I travel uptown, I travel downtown. Wanna have you around, like every single day. If even more money was spent on the music video then how did the director, Ben Mor, convince everyone that this outer space idea was so amazing? Maybe it’s because that’s what the public wants. Maybe we’re not setting our standards high enough. Maybe the Black Eyed Peas know what makes us happy and so they’re lowering their artistic abilities to make us content and to sell more records. After hearing this song and watching the video, I sure hope that’s the reason.

Katie Cervantes

Live OC Magazine

www.LIVEOCMAG.com