[Night Out] OMG CMJ 2014 Day Five: Soko @ United Palace Theater Theater

Soko @ United Palace Theater 10/25/14 (with our boy Matt on guitar!)

Saturday night Kibbe and I trekked up to the United Palace Theatre to cover Soko (who opened for Foster the People.)  Honestly, I'm glad we didn't try to stick around after Soko because I'm not really a fan of Foster the People. I was still interested in covering Soko nonetheless, especially since one of our friends Matt was going to be playing his gothic heart out on guitar and keyboards to make it worth the commute. For those not in the know, Matt is half of the Los Angeles band VOWS (formerly WAZU). The other half, his gorgeous partner with the hauntingly velvet voice, Rizz, was there supporting him in the wings. So win win, we get to cover an artist that was new to us, and catch up with super talented and genuine humans we know (and love) as Matt and Rizz. 

May I dare say United Palace Theater doesn't have the friendliest security staff and some of them obviously haven't been to photo pit hospitality class 101 but, that's a story for another day. I held my own under their fascist "photo pit" rules and managed to get some fun shots.

Soko entertained us with upbeat rhythms intertwined with hyper banter about her suicide attempts and reminders that "she would be old tomorrow" because it's her birthday. She playfully slipped out of articles of clothing on stage because "it was hot" and then made mention that the crowd from the night before was a "better audience".  I'll agree that the crowd was not as present as they could have been but, I don't know, maybe they just weren't in the mood or their adult sippy cups of overpriced beer ran dry.

Soko's spirited set ended and I swiftly maneuvered up the aisle (in my awesome hot pink Dr Marten boots) to meet up with Kibbe in the lobby. She was talking to some random people and I approached them with my not so happy Sprout pout (which is a rare occurrence, mind you).

Deciding it was time to make like a tree and leave, we headed round back to meet up with Rizz to briefly exchange hugs, catch up on life, and then say our goodbyes.  We were saddened to hear that the big move to Los Angeles hadn't been as fruitful for our friends as they had hoped, which is unfortunate given how talented these two are. It really got to me while Kibbe was on the verge of tears after we parted ways with Rizz. 

We left the venue with a mixed bag of emotions and a laundry list of nuances such as: the not so friendly security people, lack of photo pit hospitality, and a fan base with a pretense so thick that it penetrated the theater's every molecule.

The cab ride back to Kibbtopia provided a forum for the "WTF" convo and I believe an epiphany which inspired the manifestation of a brand new SKoA mission statement (coming soon).I'm going to call this revelation "the big picture". It's not easily noticed sometimes but, it's definitely there if you're willing to really see. This particular 'SKoA Night Out' presented an opportunity for Kibbe and I to truly get a glimpse of the big picture. A scenario that involves our love of music, truly talented artists, and their connection to the music industry.  This combination has become the catalyst to our commitment in changing the way music is revered, celebrated and showcased. We love music and we need it to love us back again. 

We'll be making a big announcement in the next few days sharing our new mission and vision for SKoA. For now, click here to head over to our Gallery to check out more photos from the show.

[Watch] SoKo - "We Might Be Dead By Tomorrow" (NSFW Video)

A beautiful new video from SoKo has hit the net and it's a good'un. It tells the simple tale of two people hopelessly in love. It may be soppy but it's heart warming to see and will put a smile on your face. It's a little NSFW though so you have been warned that there will be nipples on show! It's for a track called "We Might Be Dead By Tomorrow" which features on her album I Thought I Was An Alien.

[Watch] SoKo - "I've Been Alone Too Long"

We've been waiting for a full release from SoKo for what seems like a lifetime. I'm exaggerating, obviously, but when an artist comes across as brazenly honest and at times heartbreaking it's kind of natural to pine for that thing. SoKo is one of those things and as TwentyFourBit have pointed out there's this beautiful rendition of her performing "I've Been Alone Too Long". 

[Watch] SoKo - "First Love Never Die"

Last year we got to see a video from SoKo created with the legendary Spike Jonze but that was way back in November, today comes an adorable song and video for a track titled "First Love Never Die". The vintage looking footage sees two children playing around in the sandy surroundings accompanying the song more than adequately. It was shot last August on a Ranch in Nevada!

The long awaited debut album I Thought I Was An Alien, is set to hit stores on the 20th of February.

[Watch] SoKo - "I Thought I Was an Alien" (Official Video)

Following up her video from the summer "No More Home, No More Love", Stéphanie Sokolinski aka SoKo is still preparing to release her full length debut, I Thought I Was an Alien for a February 2012 release. Today comes a cut from the LP though and it's a candid affair in LA's Echo park shot through an iPhone with a little help from Spike Jonze. Props to TwentyFourBit for the heads up on this and Nowness for the video support.

[Watch] SoKo - "No More Home, No More Love" (Video)

Stéphanie Sokolinski aka SoKo is readying for the release of her full-length debut following a four year silence since her Not Sokute EP. The album was originally set for release in 2009 but got pushed back again and again but now in October it'll hit stores the world over. It may be a long way off but she's uploaded a new video for us all to enjoy for the new track, "No More Home, No More Love". The video sees SoKo moving out of her home in Echo Park, CA, on April 30th earlier this year. As a video it sits alongside the song nicely as a visual. Thanks to our friends at TwentyFourBit for the heads up on this video and the album. 

[Listen] The Go! Team - "I'm Not Satisfied"

The Go! Team's latest video for their track "T.O.R.N.A.D.O." was released just last week and now we have another new track from the group in the form of a 60s cover, "I'm Not Satisfied" originally by Betty and Karen. The track comes as a B-Side to "Buy Nothing Day" (which is taken from Rolling Blackouts and can be pre-order that track over here.) which features vox by Bethany of Best Coast and comes in orange vinyl, sexy. But this B-Side features some lovely vox work from the lovely Soko. Rolling Blackouts is set for release on January 30th but take a listen to "I'm Not Satisfied" below and get excited for even more new material.

The Go! Team - "I'm Not Satisfied" by Some Kind of Awesome