Monday, December 9, 2013

BATTLING NYE FOMO


We've heard it so often: people in this town rarely make plans or RSVP anymore. Why? Because there's too much awesome stuff going on at any given time, that no one can commit in advance. It would appear that everyone in southern California suffers from a medical condition jeopardizing social lives across the board: FOMO. ('Fear of Missing Out', to the layperson.) This disease has been prominent in most Los Angeles cities for years, and has recently began impacting the safety of our beloved South Bay bubble. FOMO is estimated to be most rampant during the holiday season, especially on the biggest night of the year: New Years Eve. NYE FOMO is the worst kind there is. (It's actually proven to be fatal in some subsections of Malibu.) The stress of choosing ONE PARTY, when there are SO MANY OPTIONS, can bring upon fits of anxiety that no normal human being can withstand. 

After years of research and development, Saint Rocke possesses the only known cure for NYE FOMO. The prescription? A bitchin' New Years Eve Show with The English Beat.(Dave Wakeling in all his glory: Hit. After hit. After hit.) High-energy live music and a super-fun dance party. Sound perfect? Wait. There's more. The added bonus of this particular NYE show? Each ticket includes OPEN BARThat's one price for the whole night, Charlie. No worrying about racking up a huge tab and spending January's rent money on booze. (Been there. Drank that.) Go ahead and grab a round for 10 of your closest friends. See a cutie at the bar? Send over a top-shelf, without doing the math in your head. You want VIP options, too? Hang-sies with the band? Done and done, my good friend. Because nothing beats NYE FOMO like knowing you're at the coolest show in town.

Grab NYE TIX (NOW). www.saintrocke.com.
"Join us in the fight against FOMO"

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Rocke Block

I'm not supposed to talk about this. 

But I guess I'll tell you the truth. We can be real, right?

Not long ago, I was experiencing what you might call, "writers block". Maybe I should call it 'Rocke Block'. 

I wanted to blog about Saint Rocke. Believe me, at any given moment, I usually have so much to say. I sat in front of my laptop. Typing 'blah blah blah'...hoping something unique and amazing would ensue....But, for at least 2 weeks, I thought to myself: 'I can't spend another minute writing about Saint Rocke. Every single second of my life is consumed by the show'. I was in such an intense groove with marketing and booking and events. I stopped processing the daily activities of my own life. I was always here. Bills were overdue. The sole contents of my fridge was a block of cheese and expired milk. I even paid my rent on the 18th. (Not because I'm irresponsible. I 'conveniently prioritized'). haha  Anyway, it felt like I was always looking ahead to the next big event. My life was quickly becoming less about "Who is KT and what is she doing on any given day" to "So-and-so is playing tonight. Do you need tix? Tables? Bottle? Party? Who's party? Your party? 40 people? Sat? No problem. Meet and greet? Deadline? Holiday? Private event?" 

Non. Stop. All. Day. Long. 

It's my job. It's my passion. It's my world. But hey. Sometimes...it blows. 

See? Told you I'm not supposed to write this stuff. ;)

BUT here's where it gets interesting. The other night, I was feeling so anxious, I had to get out of town. I ventured to the far-off land ofHollywood. I longed to see the bluegrass band I've been obsessed with since high school: Leftover Salmon. (Google them immediately, or we aren't friends. Seriously.) The show was incredible. (Have you ever seen a mandolin player use a slide? Me neither. Leftover blew my freaking mind.) Anywho: I returned to the post-show parking garage shenanigans: still grinning, slightly buzzed, and feeling very chatty. I started talking/smoking with some tie-dyed dudes nearby. We talked about the band, the amazing encore, the next show in San Diego...you know, the usual. 

Soon, the dynamic duo asked me where I lived.

"Hermosa Beach." 

"Cool town! We saw ALO at a RAD club in Hermosa not long ago. It was FUCKING AWESOME."

??? *** !!!!!!!    Wait...what?


My chest puffed out, and I was a proud little peacock.

I said, "That's MY club, bro."

Right then and there: it's all worth it. 

Every headache. Every meeting. Every gamble. Every early morning/ late night combo. Every last minute, on the fly, make-it-work, show must go on, drama-rama that is driving me fucking insane on a daily basis....

Every show. 

It's all fucking worth it.  

And just like that: I was inspired.


(maniacal laugh, maniacal laugh.)


KT

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

The Grammys


The Grammys are the Superbowl of Music. The Big Leagues. The Real Deal. The Whole Enchilada.

It's hard to be a part of the music industry and not have an opinion on this major event. Not only do I watch, sometimes, I cry. It's like you're seeing someone's wildest dreams come true: LIVE. on national television.

Since I am not a musician myself, I will never understand what it feels like to win music's most coveted prize. BUT I really wanted to know. 

So, I called a Grammy winner: my good friend, John Popper.

"Hey dude. I'm writing a blog about The Grammys, and I need your help. You won a Grammy, right, John?"

"Yup."

"Care to elaborate?

"Too sleepy now. I'll text ya later."

"Dammit John! I'm on a deadline! We all know you're a wordy mother-f*cker. Just tell me about it."

"Okay, okay...So  it was 1995, and the category was 'Best Rock Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group'. I was sure DMB was gonna win for 'What Would You Say' and since I played on that song, too, I was ready to run up to the stage and cause trouble. I was already out of my seat as they were announcing the winner. When I heard 'Blues Traveler', I was so shocked, I popped my knee out. I couldn't even walk! I hopped up to the stage, and didn't even remember my speech. It was pretty awkward, but awesome at the same time. Awesomely awkward."

"Wow! I didn't know you played on that song too. Geez, showoff."

"I know. I know."

"One question: which was cooler: winning a Grammy or losing your virginity?"

He hung up on me. I guess he really was tired :)

Wow! What a story! I've seen DMB like 15 times, but I can't imagine even meeting Dave or being featured on his most famous song. But beating him for a Grammy?? Surreal. What's cool about John's story is that he not only performed that song, he wrote it. And he pulled from his real life experiences. A lot of artists today are amazing performers, but the list of song writers is usually a long one. I think his song hit home to so many people because it's real. You can feel his pain in every lyric. Genius. Score one for the Grammy committee of 1995. They were on point.

I can't wait to watch what happens this year. Who's heart will be shattered and who'll come out on top. I checked out the nominees and there are some really tough decisions to be made. How do you choose between "Call Me Maybe" and "We Are Young" for the best song??? Both are such breakout hits. It's a doozy!

We are rolling out the red carpet at Saint Rocke, and making a huge deal about it. Gift bags, contests, prizes, bottomless champagne...It's like P Diddy's afterparty: minus the yacht.

See you this Sun. Doors 6PM. Suit up. 

Monday, January 21, 2013

Tribute Band vs Cover Band

Every time we book a tribute band, some people roll their eyes. "A cover band? They're not the real deal. No OG...blah blah blah." They are indignant, almost. 

But there's a big difference between a cover band and a tribute band. The tribute band dials in the little details to reenact legendary performances. The look, the stage moves, the banter between songs...It's all part of the show. Anyone can play a song written by someone else or performed by another artist. They can take it and make it their own style. Put their band's spin on it. But a tribute band pays homage to their favorite performers by perfecting their character. If it can pass the test of the most scrutinizing fans, they are legit.

There are some tribute bands that are so committed to their role, it's as close to the real thing as humanly possible. Thus was the case of Queen Nation, Saturday night.

The performance was pretty epic. Choreographed routines, high energy set. Hit, after hit, after glorious hit. The singer strutted around like he was Freddie Mercury reincarnated. He also played keys and hit those high notes like a pro. I was talking to to a die-hard Queen fan after the show, and he said he was super impressed...in fact, he was damn near tears. I couldn't blame him. The entire club lit up during Bohemian Rhapsody. The encore of "We will Rocke You" was well planned. Not only was every fan clapping, but the entire Saint Rocke staff were all in unison and completely lost in the moment. It was something magical.

So the next time you see a tribute band on our marquee, know this: we only bring the cream of the crop. The best around. The bands that will impress you, and probably make you cry.

Check out these amazing tributes in the near future. Grab tix now. You don't want to miss.

Elite Elvis Tribute Sunday Jan 27
Forty Oz to Freedom Thurs Jan 31
Fan Halen Fri Feb 8
Cash'd Out Feb 22
DSB (Don't Stop Believin) March 22
Which Ones Pink March 23
Who's Bad March 29
Vitalogy April 27

See you at the show.

KT

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Reflection

“Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it”

Thank you, Mr. Bueller, you hit the nail on the head. 

As another year turns over and change is in the air, it made me realize just how fast time does fly. It seems like only yesterday, I was selling tickets to Chris Robinson Brotherhood NYE, and getting excited for the upcoming lineup here at The Rocke. 

Then I blinked, and 2012 was over. We were toasting TBS and awkwardly kissing total strangers. I was another year older, ten years wiser, and still extremely good-looking. 

I decided to reflect a bit on the most memorable shows of the year. And why my job totally fucking rules. 

So without further delay, I present to you: 

KT's Top Ten Shows of 2012

10. Steve Kimock 7/25/12
9. J Boog  11/23/12
8. Katchafire 6/20/12
7. Donovon Frankenreiter 6/13/12
6. Ozomotli  9/1/12
5. ROME 11/3/12
4. Particle 10/5/12
3. Chadwick Stokes 2/28/12
2. Reverend Horton Heat 8/15/12
1. Fishbone 8/24/12

Honorable mention

1. Howlin Rain
2. Greensky Bluegrass
3. The White Buffalo
4. Infamous Stringdusters
5. Aggrolites

Most interesting artist:

1. Metalachi   
2. Clownvis Presley   
3. Mickey Avalon   

One of the reasons I love what I do, is because I love live music to the very core. It's my heart and soul. Seeing artists I've been a fan of for years and years, perform in this intimate club, right in front of my face...well, there's just nothing better. At every single one of these shows, I was completely enamored by the performance. I was still talking about the show weeks later, and left thinking to myself, "I am the luckiest kid in the world." 

The other reason I love what I do, is because of YOU. The music fans. When I get phone calls about an upcoming show, and you ramble on about how "you follow the artist from city to city", or "have been a fan since you were ten"...That stuff makes my day. It never gets old. I love seeing the faces of people when they're front row, getting their socks rocked off. It's the absolute best.

Music fans are the life blood of this company, and the sole reason I get to do this everyday.

So, I just want to take this time to give one GIANT shout out to every single person who went to a show at Saint Rocke in 2012: 

I love you guys so much. I mean it, from the bottom of my heart. THANK YOU

Cheers to a kick ass 2013!!

We'll see you at the next show.

KT

XOXOXO