country – Echo Park Now

GRAND OLE ECHO Kickoff
with
I SEE HAWKS IN LA
WHEELHOUSE
MARS ARIZONA

The Echo
Sunday, April 11th
5pm – 9pm
All ages
Free

BBQ for sale

“Southern California is a land of strange, dangerous and beautiful contrasts. A mountain lion prowls outside the tract home bedroom of a teenage girl while she talks, oblivious to its existence, on her cell phone. A rattlesnake slithers across an empty shopping mall parking lot on a hot summer night while the employees count up the days profit and turn out the lights. While paparazzi chase the latest talent free celebrity, a talented, literate bunch of soulful musicians create honest and wise roots music for the ages. I See Hawks are indeed one of California’s unique treasures.” – Dave Alvin

Wheelhouse

Wheelhouse is Brian Whelan calling in every favor in his back pocket. A solo debut ten years in the making, Whelan has combined LA’s rich Americana history with the younger, snottier indie-rock of the city’s present day. As a member of the Broken West, Whelan explored the new(ish) frontiers of the independent music world, and while backing up Mike Stinson, Randy Weeks and Tony Gilkyson learned the ancient art of honky-tonking. Whelan loves the rock ‘n’ roll of Buddy Holly the way most of us love our mothers – don’t miss the chance to catch him live and in person. Band features Broken West leader Ross Flournoy and former Everest members Rob Douglas and Derrek Brown. – The Grand Ole Echo

Mars Arizona

No, you can’t get there from here. You can stare at the map all you want and you won’t find it. Mars Arizona has a population of two, and is best apprehended with the ears.High Desert is the fourth album from Mars Arizona, the name Nicole Storto and Paul Knowles use when they’re fashioning their brew of country, rock, and roll. As a matter of practice they’re joined by some talented helpers including drummers Billy Block (Frank Black) and Ken Coomer (Uncle Tupelo and Wilco), fiddler Ollie O’Shea (Hank Williams III) and lap steel guitarist Paul Laques (I See Hawks In L.A.), and a host of others. – The Grand Ole Echo

This will be a weekly event with a changing line up! Here is a sneak peak at weeks to come.

April 18: Tony Gilkyson, Dime Box Band, Casey Neill & The Norway Rats!

April 25th: Headliner TBA, Wire Pony, The 1921A

May 2nd: Old Californio, Paul Chesne Band, The Believers

May 9th: Dave Gleason & the Golden Cadillacs, (Mid TBA), The Coals (formerly US Mail)

May 16th: Headline TBA, 50 Cent Haircut, William Lee & the Modern Primitives

May 23rd: Groovy Rednecks, The Cheatin’ Kind, open TBA

May 30th: Dead Rock West, David Serby & Ed Tree, Vicki Hill

It’s a bit of a hike up Echo Park Avenue to get to Echo Country Outpost, but it’s certainly worth the trip. The interior design and the wares they’ve got for sale set it apart from the other boutiques and thrift stores in the neighborhood. While browsing their selection of moccasins, zarapes and giant pinecones, I felt less like I was in a second-hand shop in Los Angeles and more like I was visiting a roadside gift shop off of the 395.

The store has been open since November 2009 and is owned by Erica, Brendan and Chris. According to Erica, the store is a kind of extension of their home. Many of the goods for sale are antiques and handmade objects that they collected while traveling through the desert: antique wool point blankets, all-natural fir and cedar incense, vintage literature and a really fun assortment of goods that evoke the spirit of the American southwest.

As well as a store, they also strive to be “a new neighborhood gathering place.” They’ve already started hosting events including poker every Friday night (open to everyone)! So strap on yer chaps, git on yer mount and ride on over to 1930 Echo Park Ave. They’re open from noon to 8, Tuesday through Sunday.

Click below to see more pictures!

Tag Archive for: country

The Grand Ole Echo Country Music and BBQ Kickoff

Take a Trip Into the Desert at the Echo Country Outpost