“Arpsnarpflarpbarpgarpnarpdarpmarp means, ‘I love you.’” If you’re an alien in Jonas Oppenheim’s debut musical Earth Sucks.

This latest stage play, from the award winning playwright, is a fun trip back to teenage love and an adventure with people from “a galaxy far, far away”.

“The story was inspired by The Carpenter’s song ‘Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft’ and David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust concert”, said Oppenheim, during an interview after Sunday night’s show.

A large cast, of over a dozen characters, are squeezed onto the cozy Art|Works theatre stage. Echo Bell, played by Emily Stern, is an all American teenage girl. She’s tired of her loser boyfriend, sick of home life and thinks everything on Earth basically sucks. With her head in the stars, she’s visited by a runaway rock band from space, the Citizens of Earth.

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As I stepped into the classy El Rey Theatre once more this week, I couldn’t help but think of how different it would be from my Balkan Beat Box experience. Upon arrival for a DeVotchKa show, I was anticipating looking at a different type of crowd. However, I found similarities more than differences. For The El Rey, the volume of concert goers never seems to dwindle. No matter what night it is, if it’s a good show, especially one so highly expected to be as DeVotchKa, the crowd will spill past the bar.

Gaining most of their mainstream popularity from scoring the film, Little Miss Sunshine, DeVotchKa had finally been able to reach the masses with their unique take on American punk and folk roots. This four piece band, however, goes far beyond what’s expected of a rock band. Exhibiting their credibility, all multi-instrumentalists flourish together as they weave in and out of Greek, Mariachi, and Slavic notes. I wondered, will Los Angeles embrace them tonight as much as world music lovers or those so called sophiticated hipsters? I was about to find out.

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Get a true taste of NoHo at the second annual All-Day, All-Arts, All-NoHo “NoHo Scene” on Sunday, October 5 from 11 am until 8 pm.  Admission to all NoHo Scene events and activities is free.

Free theater performances, catered food and wine, kids scene, marketplace, live music and a whole lot more. Get there early - the tickets go fast!

Free theater performances take place between 11 am and 6 pm.  Tickets will be available at the Ticket Booth at Theatre Circle (on Lankershim Blvd., just south of Magnolia) and will be given away starting at 11 am on a first-come, first-served basis.

Relax at the Food and Wine Garden while watching great entertainment on the Outdoor Stage (no tickets required) between 11am and 8 pm.

Visual artists will take over Lankershim Boulevard, creating an Artists Village.  Walk through a beautiful blend of art and experience how art is made - LIVE! - at the demonstration booth.

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Being given the chance to interview an innovative and amazing talent like Al Doyle is a dream for any music enthusiast.  A truly significant part of the awesome, quirky and danceable Hot Chip and a critical piece of LCD Soundsystem, Al Doyle makes great music and is a well spoken music buff.  BeatCrave had the opportunity to join in on a conference interview with other music writers nationwide on Wednesday, September 17.  Knowledgeable music writers and the, dare we say, genius of Al Doyle should have been the perfect combination for a well rounded, in-depth look at one part of the awesome Hot Chip.  Unfortunately, no, interestingly, the combination resulted in a voyeuristic experience in music snobbery, technical difficulty and a Britt’s uncanny ability to make it all worthwhile.

All good stories start, where they should, at the beginning.  Calling into a conference interview is like visiting a speak-easy on the phone: one must give a code, wait for an indeterminable amount of time and then, suddenly, a voice let’s you enter the forum while introducing Al Doyle. No one but Al Doyle can be heard unless it is your turn to ask a question and depending on how quickly one dials *1 determines when the opportunity to ask a question will be granted.

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Does tonight’s line up satisfy you? Take a look.

• diios (malos), Tom Fruend, Tenlons Fort | 12pm at 4th Street & Main - Map | All Ages | FREE
• Tokyo Police Club, The Whigs, We Barbarians | 7:00pm at The Glass House - Map | All Ages | Tickets $16 Buy now
• Deftones | 7:00pm at Ventura Theatre - Map | All Ages | Tickets $30 Buy now
• Children of Bodem | 7:30pm at The Wiltern - Map | All Ages | Tickets $28 Buy now
• The Wedding Present, Earlimart | 8:00pm at The Troubadour - Map | All Ages | Tickets $18 Buy now

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Most people know as her as the glamorous yet nonchalant frontwoman of Rilo Kiley. Even more devoted fans have supported her solo act with local The Watson Twins. Our own lady of Silverlake, Jenny Lewis, is now coming out with her second solo studio album. However, unlike the extreme studio finish of Rilo Kiley’s latest best seller Under The Blacklight, Lewis plans on going in the opposite direction. Going for as much of a live vibe as possible, her new album Acid Tongue, due September 23, is stripped down to further reveal herself. According to Billboard Magazine, Lewis has a slew of guest appearances on the album.

The album features guest spots from a number of Lewis’ friends, including Elvis Costello, who duets with her on “Carpetbagger”; the Black Crowes’ Chris Robinson; and current beau Rice. Zoeey Deschanel offers backing vocals on several tracks (”I love being Flanked by hot brunettes,” Lewis says), and Deschanel’s She & Him cohort M. Ward provides a moody guitar part on Pretty Bird.

There is even a nine-minute song which she and Jonathan Rice wrote together as a homage to Barbra Steisand. Lewis explains,

I happen to be a Barbra Strisand fan, and Barbra Striesand fancies a medley, so we discussed stringing the three songs together.

It may have taken her a decade to get a fan base with as much anticipation as she has for herself, but having her own unique style and rhythm is what got her here.

Photo from undertheradarmag.com

Geez, remind me next week to sacrifice a chicken to the Concert Gods because this weeks’ on sale list is, umm, lacking. Frankly, let’s just get to it because the quicker we are done, the quicker we can all get to tracking down a live chicken over the internet (target.com maybe?).

-For you country fans out there, this weekend will prove very fruitful for you. Not only is Merle Haggard coming to Anaheim for a show at the Grove on December 4th (on sale Saturday at noon for $40-$65) but you also get the dynamic duo of Alan Jackson and Trace Adkins (soon to be star of that “An American Carol” movie that I saw a preview of last night and looks, ummm, well, the Zuckers have lost a step) playing the Citizen’s Bank Arena in Ontario on November 23rd. Raise up your hats and give a big yee-haw when tickets go on sale Friday at 10 a.m.

-A pair of female lead singers are stepping out on their own for some upcoming solo shows. Rilo Kiley songstress Jenny Lewis will play the Orpheum Theater in Downtown LA on October 30 while Dresden Dolls leader Amanda Palmer will headline the Henry Fonda Theater on December 16th. Tickets for both shows go on sale Saturday at 10am and each ticket will be in the $30ish range.

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It’s Thursday, all right. Just look at this line up.

• Carcass | 6:00pm at House of Blues Sunset Strip - Map | 18+ | Tickets $49.50 Buy now
• Delerium | 7:00pm at House of Blues Anaheim - Map | All Ages | Tickets $20 Buy now
• Yellowman | 7:00pm at Ventura Theatre - Map | All Ages | Tickets $25 Buy now
  
• Casxio, Satisfaction | 7:00pm at Temple Bar - Map | 21+ | Tickets $5
• Mandi Perkins | 7:30pm at The Troubadour - Map | Ages not specified | Tickets $12 Buy now

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So in an attempt to both lower my blood pressure and make the world a happier, sunnier place, I’ve decided to forgo my usual “music industry is evil/ Sarah Palin/ Economy” rant and instead give you some deep breathing exercises to lead off my Music News post.

Ready?

Here we go:
Deep breath through your mouth.
Breathe in through your nose.
Hold it…
Think about fluffy bunnies and wacky platypus’
Hold it…
Breathe out.
Feel better? Good, let’s start with the music news.

METALLICA ROCKS! (THE CHARTS)

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The list of artists playing tonight is legendary. Try and catch one of these shows if you can! Here is your music for tonight:

• The Black Crowes Plus G. Love and Special Sauce, Howlin’ Rain | 6:30 at the Greek Theatre - Map | Ages Not Specified | Tickets $30 - 65 Buy Now 
• Digable Planets | 7:00 pm at the House of Blues Anaheim - Map  | All Ages | Tickets $20 Buy Now 
• Foals | 7:00 pm at The Glass House - Map | All Ages | Tickets $12 Buy Now 
• Musiq Soulchild | 7:15 pm at the Wilshire Theatre Beverly Hills - Map | All Ages | Tickets $40 - 55 Buy Now  [ Read The Full Story -> ]

LA.CityZine brings you the plush, melodic rock sounds of Long Beach band, Repeater, as part of our Know Your LA Bands series. Although Long Beach may be well known for a scene bursting of ska and punk bands from the 90’s, two former members of The Main Frame have decided to join forces with others and focus on the other genres that helped pave the way of the 80’s and 90’s. Today, Repeater infuses the elements of new wave and post-punk rock and breathes smooth shoegaze into their sound. With rich chords, meticulous guitar riffs and artful drumming, this band manages to carefully slide dark lush tones under a juxtaposition of rough rock vocals and pop choruses.

Repeater plays home sweet home at The Prospector, this Saturday, September 20th. Alongside bands, Romance and Sleepmask, they take the stage at 10:00pm. Be sure to catch a great show. However, if your schedule happens to be that unfortunate, they’re also playing LA on September 21st at Mountain Bar and September 24th at Club Moscow. You have no excuse now! Until then, check out this interview with the band as well as their video to “Killing Without Question” below!

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The boys of Tokyo Police Club, Dave, Graham, Greg, and Josh, are four good friends living the dream. They grew up dreaming of being rock stars and now with a little nudge they’re soring high. They grew up playing air guitar, lip syncing to songs in front of the mirror, and practicing interviews before bed. Then one day they actually decided trying to play music… and to everyone’s relief, they were awesome.

Their album, A Lesson in Crime, stayed on the Canadian College Charts longer than any other album released in 2006, their video for “Cheer it On” won a MuchMusic Video Award in 2007 (resulting in a very awkward acceptance speech) and they’ve been rocking shows all over. If you ever listen to Indie 103.1, you should know these guys well. I think someone over there has a crush on them. These guys are having a blast and so much fun to watch. They’re a hop, skip, and a jump away from being huge.

See them know so you can say “I knew them when.”

Luckily for you, we’re going to get you for free! We have two pairs of tickets to give-away  to two lucky people for the show at The Music Box and the Fonda (Map) on the 18th.  All you have to do to be entered in a random drawing to win is…

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