Lavender Diamond Dates This Week With She & Him
(Lavender Diamond's Becky Stark, Saturday night at Los Angeles' Wiltern Theatre. Picture taken from Hazyskyline's Flickr stream)
OK, file this under an 11th hour announcement. After a pair of shows this weekend in LA and SF supporting Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward, Lavender Diamond conclude their brief run with She & Him with the following shows :
Nov. 3 (tonight) - Bimbo's 365, San Francisco
Nov. 4 - House Of Blues, Anaheim
Lavender Diamond's Becky Stark - Live In NYC, Tonight & Tomorrow
Lavender Diamond's Becky Stark sent us the following message over the weekend. In the interests of preserving her own aesthetic (ie. I'm too lazy to rewrite anything), here's her invitation to a pair of Manhattan performances, tonight and tomorrow :
the first night is this monday the 15th at the cake shop-
at 8 pm-
i'll be singing with olivia mori and with harper simon on guitar-
some new love songs to the earth ( and some old ones too but i promise you they will be pretty!)
and then on tuesday night we're playing again at joe's pub-
at 9:30 pm-
both nights also are playing the human highway and harper simon's band-
it will be a very beautiful pair of nights!
and only more and more beautiful when you come! to our show!
ok - so -
Monday, September 15
The Cake Shop
8 pm
152 Ludlow Street nyc 10002
costs eight dollars!
Tuesday, September 16
Joe's Pub
9:30 pm
425 Lafayette Street nyc 10003
costs fifteen dollars!
Lavender Diamond's Becky Stark, Supporting She & Him
Sorry for the super late notice, folks, but we only got these dates very recently. Lavender Diamond's mega-talented Becky Stark, aside from providing backing vocals to portions of the She & Him set, can be seen opening the proceedings at the following venues this week.
August 5: Chicago, Illinois - Park West
August 7: Minneapolis, Minnesota - First Avenue
August 8: Madison, Wisconsin - Barrymore
Ron Rege & Becky Stark of Lavender Diamond's Art Show
From Lavender Diamond.com : "Becky & Ron have an art show in Echo Park for the rest of the month. - we'll be having special workshops, and little performances throughout the month - stop by & say hello!"
Middle School Chorus sings Lavender Diamond!
Hello from Los Angeles!
We thought we'd mention that we're playing here at The Wiltern - tonight! supporting the Dresden Dolls. We'll be playing a couple of new songs!
Also! We've been working hard lately making a movie version of our album Imagine Our Love!
Becky will be hosting a very special celebration & preview of these "Psychedelic Healing Visons" next Tuesday, May 27 at The Silent Movie Theater in Hollywood!
Oh, did you see that video? I was hoping that when we made a record like Imagine Our Love that someday, something like this would come along! Thanks so much to the The Marlton Middle School Chorus, and their director Ms. Morganelli!
Peace!
-Ron
Nordstrom's : Totally Undaunted By The Failure Of The Mogwai Truss
Lavender Diamond's Ron Rege writes, "we knew were were going to have a song on a JC Penny commercial, but this looks like some joke on the Matablog!"
Hey, if America's department stores wanna take further tips from the nation's foremost source for music-related advertorial bulletins, we're more than up for it. In this instance, however, Nordstorm should just send the cash directly to Becky, Ron and Steve. Or at the very least, a gift certificate.
Lavender Diamond's NYC Halloween
We don't know what you're going as, but shall suggest "someone who isn't on the guest list".
Kime Buzzelli Benefit
As mentioned a few days ago, Lavender Diamond, Entrance and others are getting together to raise dough for artist pal Kime Buzzelli (there's some info on her Show Pony boutique here). Kime's recently had a tumor removed and as you might guess, the medical bills are crazy. Her health insurance isn't covering most of it, and as such, the bands mentioned above, along with Animal Magick and The Long Winters, are addressing the matter this Thursday night. If you're in the L.A. area, we hope you can make it.
New Lavender Diamond US Dates
(photograph culled from Metro Blogging LA, used sans permission)
Lavender Diamond are taking part in the American Shorts Reading Series ;
DAVE EGGERS AND VALENTINO ACHAK DENG IN CONVERSATION
AN EVENING OF WORDS AND MUSIC:
Live from The New Hazlett Theater on Monday, October 29 American Shorts Reading Series will present an evening of words, music, and art in two distinct parts. ONE TICKET FOR BOTH EVENTS!
Part One: Words
IN CONVERSATION WITH DAVE EGGERS & VALENTINO ACHAK DENG
2007 Heinz Award recipient, Dave Eggers (co-founder of 826 Valencia and author of Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius and What is the What), and Valentino Achak Deng, (the Sudanese refugee novelized in What is the What) in conversation.
In addition to conversation, Eggers will present a slide program reflecting his latest trip to Sudan. There will be an opportunity for the audience to engage both Deng and Eggers in a Q & A session, followed by a book signing in the lobby.
Part Two: Music
LAVENDER DIAMOND, STEVEN FOXBURY AND UNICORN MOUNTAIN
Musical guests Lavender Diamond (LA-based-pop-rock-psychedelic-super-stars featuring lyrics and styling of Becky Stark) and local hero, singer-songwriter Steven Foxbury, (who just released a full-length album on Mammoth Records featuring collaborations with Paul Doucette formally of matchbox twenty, and Moon Zappa).
Unicorn Mountain, the Pittsburgh-based comic, writing, art, music collaborative, will be on hand to share their latest projects and talk about their work.
Tickets are $15; $10 for students and are available by calling 412.622.8866. Doors open at 7, reading begins at 7:30. One ticket is good for both events
Following the above throwdown, Lavender Diamond return to the slightly less swanky climes of the East Coast's rock clubs for the following shows, along with an October 18 benefit for friend/artist Kime Buzzelli.
Oct 18 - Los Angeles @ Echo, with Entrance, Long Winters and more, $10 donation
Oct 30-Phily @ Johnny Brenda's
Oct 31-NYC @ Knitting Factory
Nov 1-Washington DC @ The Black Cat
Lavender Diamond - An Official Report
(Becky Stark, live at San Diego's M-Theory Records, pic taken from Javan's Flickr collection, used sans permission)
Hello world of all you gentle people!
As i write to you I am in the fair city of Seattle! Home of all the best new revolutions and i'd like to report that there's another good one coming. Although, I have to say, it's kind of mean to say that some revolutions are better than others- in fact- it might be downright false so I'll just say- here's to all the revolutions- each and every one of them- except i guess that some revolutions are sort of terrible- well - maybe we can have a discussion about the nature of revolutions and which ones are the "best"! i mean, when i say "best" what i really mean is that those are the ones that make me excited! and also - i will say briefly- although seriously we could talk forever about this- that the revolutions i like best are the ones that create new feelings and experiences of equality- freedom- celebration-- inifinite possibilites- respect for all people-- respect for the earth-- open communication--- and kindness! ok- i'm rambling a little bit! this is supposed to be an official report !
but so-
actually- speaking of revolution i have two good ideas for new revolutions-
ok - call me corny( you won't be the first) but i think it would be great to have a friendship revolution. ok i will briefly describe the friendship revolution:
it's simple- the friendship revolution is a new way of being where everyone is friendly to each other. it's simple but just think of it! it's makes me excited! say for instance, that you heard ( not necessarily from me) that there was a revolution of friendliness afoot! that people all over the world were indiscriminately expressing love and friendliness to each other! wouldn't you be psyched and want to join in on the fun? wouldn't you want to feel the weight lifted off your heart as you were given free license to love? well- here at lavender diamond we'd like to announce that anyone who wants one will be issued an official license to express love and appreciation. we'll send it to you in the mail, or the email- or you can download it from our website. (um.. i'll have to work on that) that way- anytime you are feeling sad or disconnected, you can remember that you are part of the revolution and you have license to be friendly, express love, see the beauty in the world, etc., etc., ok so pretend you didn't hear it from me but it's true that kindness and gentleness are spreading like wildfire! can't be contained! the population's gone wild! friendliness for no reason! people loving each other! inexplicable! uncontrollable! the winds of change blowing the raging blaze of kindness!
ok- that is the first revolution-
and the second one-
well- maybe i'll leave the second one for next time that's probably enough for now-
but oh! hey! our record came out! hooray! one million thanks to matador and also to rough trade records, our other home! we are really proud of this record- i think it sounds just like us! we put all our love into it- we hope you enjoy listening to it and it makes you feel good and gives you strength!
last week we went on a little tour of the west coast and played in record stores! it was really fun! blake from matador came with us. no one told us that he is a mystical spiritual healer! in a nutshell - blake healed is all! we had a blast! two especially funny things happened:
1) ron fell off the stage at sonic boom records in seattle! it would have been tragic if he had hurt himself but he landed on someone's desk on their files and his feet only were left on the stage. it was hilarious! the stage is very small, by the way- and steve warned him- but ron is a very passionate drummer! this maybe wasn't as bad as when i slipped on a drum stick and fell down onstage in berlin- ok fell down is not the right description- i flew into the air after flailing my arms around trying to catch my balance and then my legs went up vertical to ground and i landed flat on my back like a cartoon prat fall- oh my god- ! good thing we are all safe.
2) when we played at music millenium in portland i was a few minutes late and the rest of the best was already there and as i walked in they were playing the record and i got confused and i thought they had started without me- except that my voice was playing over the stereo. i guess this is testament to the fact that a) the record sounds just like us! and b) i am a tiny bit crazy.
oh god, there is so much more to report! i really have to start writing in more often! our dear beloved guitarist jeff rosenberg had to leave our band. we are so sad. but we've found someone to play with us and his name is devon williams. we call him devon williams the great. i'll have to tell the full story later about how we found him but i'll tell you now that it was mysterious! in any event, devon was with us last week for the instore tour and we made a little video in the van. it's ridiculous. if anyone wants to see it- um .. let me know. it's a psychedelic experimental comedy. we are going to make lots of comedy videos on our tour!
oh! and we had a great time at both amoeba records stores in sf and la. there's nothing like amoeba records! i guess we'll have to make more records so that we can play more in-stores! or - um- play at other record stores. oh! and also we had a wonderful time at m-theory records in san diego! san diego is like a little paradise. the people were listening so close! we ate at a place called jimmy carter's restaurant - with no apparent relationship to jimmy carter at all except for the name. it was weird! then we saw the silver daggers play at a punk house downtown. oh my god! the silver daggers are incredible! everyone should listen to their new record! in general my report about the instore tour is that the world is a beautiful place! seriously, every place we went it was exquisite. and i'm not exaggerating! ok it is spring and i was told that we were experiencing particularly beautiful days, but still my report, based on our recent experience, is that the world is a beautiful place.
ok- oh! and i'm doing some solo shows with my friend miranda july! in seattle, portland and nyc. the one in new york is with miranda and david byrne! i'm so excited. the theme of the night is belonging and i'm going to see if everyone will sing a song together - the audience and everyone! singing together with a lot of people feels amazing! it's true!
ok- well- now i'm off to see the wizard- just kidding - off to to a concert tonight with miranda! she's going to read from her new book which is beautiful! everyone should read it. it's called "no one belongs here more than you." i love her so much ! and i love you, too- whoever you are-
peace all you wild people!
love, becky
A Place For Friends(tm), Just Got A Whole Lot Friendlier
In what must seem like Lavender Diamond Day on the Internet, LD's MySpace profile is previewing "Imagine Our Love". The stream comes down on Saturday morning, so skate on over, have a listen and add 'em as a friend, you just might get called upon as an extra for a future video.
Lavender Diamond Vid: "Open Your Heart"
The folks over at AOL's Spinner.com have taken brief reprieve from breaking important news on Courtney Love's firesale, to premierize Lavender Diamond's brand-spanking new video for "Open Your Heart". As promised, the revolution will involve roller skates.
Presenting...The Lavender Diamond Player
For your streaming pleasure, the portions of Lavender Diamond's forthcoming 'Imagine Our Love' (CD/LP, May Eigth), right here.
Lavender Diamond - Enhancing Your Shopping Experience
To commemorate the May 8 release of 'Imagine Our Love' (CD/LP), Lavender Diamond will be performing in the following retail establishments :
Monday, May 7th, 11pm
Sonic Boom Capitol Hill
514 15th Ave. East
Seattle, WA
Tuesday, May 8th, 7pm
Music Millennium
801 N.W. 23RD
Portland, OR
Thursday, May 10th, 7pm
Amoeba Music
1855 Haight St.
San Francisco, CA
Friday, May 11th, 7pm
Amoeba Music
6400 Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA
Saturday, May 12th, 3pm
M-Theory Music,
2234 30th St
San Diego, CA 92104
Lavender Diamond - New U.S. Dates
(there's a bunch more that will be confirmed shortly --- note all the crazy gaps, etc.)
March
7-NY NY @ Joe's Pub
May
19-SF CA @ The Independent
21-Portland OR @ Doug Fir Lounge
22-Seattle, WA @ Triple Door
27-Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle
30-Toronto, ON @ Lee's Palace
31-Montreal, QUE @ La Sala Rossa
June 1-Boston, MA @ Museum of Fine Arts
3-New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom
5-Philadelphia, PA @ First Unitarian Church Sanctuary
12-Austin, TX @ The Parish
13-Denton, TX @ Haleys
16-Los Angeles, CA @ Troubador
Lavender Diamond - Inna World Premiere Style
Lavender Diamond - "Open Your Heart" (stream), from the forthcoming CD/LP 'Imagine Our Love' (in stores, May 8, 2007)
(NOTE : We've taken down the MP3 of "Open Your Heart" and now opted for a quicktime stream of the song at the request of Lavender Diamond's UK label, Rough Trade. We apologize for any inconvenience...and we're looking forward to charging you real money for the physical goods!)
Lavender Diamond & Matador
Short of declaring we'll take the entire week off, nothing could please us more than announcing Matador's signing of Lavender Diamond for North America, Mexico, Australia and New Zealand.
Primarily a vehicle for the astonishing vocals and buoyant worldview of Becky Stark, the Los Angeles-based Lavender Diamond's take on the dying art of the perfect pop song is as elemental as it is ambitious --- though their forthcoming Matador full-length, Imagine Our Love (due the eighth of May), is more of the latter.
Joined by the crack ensemble of drummer Ron Rege Jr. (an accomplished cartoonist whose work has adorned Lavender Diamond sleeves and posters), guitarist Jeff Rosenberg and pianist Steve Gregoropolous (formerly of The Wild Stares, Wild Stares Chamber Orchestra), Lavender Diamond have stunned audiences across the U.S. with equal portions of deft musicianship, disarming humor, bucketloads of charisma, and most of all...Ms. Stark's mindblowing voice.
Through their self-released 'The Cavalry Of Light' EP, headlining shows and performances in support of Beck, the Decemberists and other heavyweights, Lavender Diamond have received a ridiculous amount of attention in a very short span. Some of that attention has included the near-obsessive interest of various Matador owners and staffers, who firmly believe that working with this group is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
(The same could be said, of course, of being pushing out of a speeding car, but we suspect this will be a far more exciting experience.)
Matador's reissue of 'The Cavalry Of Light' will hit shops on January 30. In Europe, Lavender Diamond's new recordings will be available via Rough Trade.
We'll have some new U.S. dates to announce shortly. Prior to that, Lavender Diamond are supporting the Decemberists on their February European tour.
"You Broke My Heart" (mp3 from 'The Cavalry Of Light")
Lavender Diamond at MySpace
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