Kevin Bronson on April 6th, 2011

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If not because of their music – a winning combination of back-porch Americana and classic pop – then Kenneth Pattengale and Joey Ryan have become one of Los Angeles’ most dynamic duos on pure charisma. The twosome has become a Hotel Cafe favorite with its poignant blend of musical storytelling built from the simplest of elements: two voices and two acoustic guitars. This week, Pattengale and Ryan take the next step – they’re adopting a band name, the Milk Carton Kids, and releasing a live album “Retrospect.” They’re selling physical copies of the album at the show, but giving away the digital version, and warm-and-fuzzies don’t come any cheaper. In keeping with “Retrospect’s” living-room vibe, the Kids are celebrating the release by playing two seated shows at their Cahuenga Boulevard haunt on Sunday, a prelude to a 40-date tour with Joe Purdy.

||| Download: “Laredo” or get all 14 tracks on “Retrospect.”

||| Live: The Milk Carton Kids play shows at 7 and 9 p.m. on Sunday at the Hotel Cafe.