Review: Pistacioland Cracks Open the Yes

It was a Pistachioland night at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Were there any actual pistachios at the venue on a Saturday night? I didn't see any, but I did see a band called Harry Katz and the Pistachios and a tie with pistachios in the design. The night was hosted by Harry Katz and this night was apparently Pistachioland III. I missed the other two iterations of this festival of fun. It was a night filled with music as well as face painting, a juggler, and DIY shops. Hopefully, I don't miss Pistachioland IV.

Harry Katz and the Pistachios at Permanent Records Roadhouse

Notes from Vivace Show Alerts (Los Angeles): Mar 2nd - Mar 8th

A Handful (Bucketful This Week) of Show Alerts

Sunday, Mar 2nd: The Blushes at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Doors at 9 p.m.
One of my favorite bands. The band played Echo Park Rising in 2024. You can read my review of the festival for US Rocker here.

Sunday, Mar 2nd: Eagle Rock Gospel Singers at Hotel Cafe. Set time at 7 p.m.
Came across this band back in 2014. 

Tuesday, Mar 4th: Bruvvy at Madame Siam.
You can read my NFV Song Spotlight here.

Tuesday, Mar 4th: Christina Apostolopoulos at Hotel Ziggy. Doors at 7 p.m.

If you look carefully, you'll see a photo I took for Buzzbands at Echo Park Rising here.

Tuesday, Mar 4th: Escape Artist Lovers and Mercedes Kilmer at Zebulon. Doors at 8 p.m.
You can read my US Rocker reviews of Escape Artist Lovers here and Mercedes Kilmer here.

Thursday, Mar 6th: Jenny O at Gold-Diggers. Doors at 7 p.m.

You can read my Buzzbands review of Jenny O here.

Saturday, Mar 8th: Dear Elise at The Smell. Doors at 8 p.m.

You can read my US Rocker review here.

Saturday, Mar 8th: Lake at 2220 Arts. Doors at 8 p.m.

Been following this band since 2009.

Saturday, Mar 8th: Menea at Harvard & Stone. Doors at 7 p.m.

Saw her recently at WFNM.

Saturday, Mar 8th: Moonfuzz and Pegzilla at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Doors at 9 p.m.

This is a punk night.

NFV Song Spotlight: Perrin York's Keep Out

 

This is Los Angeles. When you hear fabulous vocals from a singer, your first thought is that this person competed in American Idol (okay, or The Voice). That is the case when it comes to Perrin York who was a contestant in Season 18 (aired in 2020) of American Idol. 

Perrin York at Hotel Ziggy

NFV Song Spotlight: Gretchen Klempa's A Little Bit.

Gretchen Klempa split her set at Zebulon into two. Her first three songs were from a previously released album called Human Nature. The next three songs were new songs. Then she ended the set with Dogbite that her fans recognized with cheers.  

Gretchen Klempa at Zebulon

NFV Song Spotlight: Ultraviolet Communication's No Return

I will admit that I was feeling this deep desire to catch some live music. I totally understand that due to the fires that hit Los Angeles starting January 7th that venues needed to shut down due to the potential for the fires to spread (as well as thick smoke that would have made for very uncomfortable situations inside the venues for both the musicians and audience) and a show of empathy. In fact, I was ready to go out on January 8th to Hotel Ziggy to catch Kat French, but then the Sunset Fires flared up and I thought that was a really stupid idea. 

Ultraviolet Communication at Club Tee Gee

NFV Song Spotlight: Ben Reddell's Tumbleweed

I have not seen Ben Reddell perform all that often, but he is a very familiar face in the Los Angeles music scene. He is one of the movers and shakers in the Americana-Country scene as he curates the Grand Ole Echo series each year at The Echo. The 2025 series should be starting up on the last Sunday of March or the first Sunday of April. I tangentially did a Q&A related to the Grand Ole Echo last year. If interested, you can read my interview with Charlie Overbey over on US Rocker Music. He was playing Grand Ole Echo to celebrate his In Good Company record release. I unfortunately wasn't able to make the record release party as I was up in Big Bear - that sounds like an Americana thing to do, right? 

Ben Reddell at Club Tee Gee

Notes from Vivace Show Alerts (Los Angeles): Feb 23rd - Mar 1st

A Handful of Show Alerts

Sunday, Feb 23rd: Osnova at Gold Diggers. Doors at 7 p.m.
Osnova was one of my favorite new bands of 2024. 

Tuesday, Feb 25th: Beeson at the Moroccan Lounge. Doors at 6:30 p.m.
You can read my NFV Song Spotlight here.

Thursday, Feb 27th: Jagged Baptist Club at the Redwood Bar. Doors at 8 p.m.
I covered the band at Happy Sundays Long Beach 2024 for US Rocker, which you can read here.

Thursday, Feb 27th: The Blank Tapes at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Doors at 9 p.m.
I've been following the band since 2018. 

Thursday, Feb 28th: Brenda Carsey at Healing Force Records. Doors at 8 p.m.
I covered her at Echo Park Rising 2018 for Buzzbands. You can find a photo here.

Friday, Feb 28th: Duderella at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Doors at 6 p.m.
I covered the band at Echo Park Rising 2019 for Buzzbands, which you can read here.

Friday, Feb 28th: Bonavega at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Doors at 9 p.m.
I covered the band at Echo Park Rising 2023 for Buzzbands, which you can read here.

Friday, Feb 28th: Bruvvy at The Virgil. Music at 7 p.m.

You can read my NFV Song Spotlight here.

Saturday, Mar 1st: Harry Katz and the Pistachios at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Doors at 6 p.m.

I've been following the band since 2019.

Saturday, Mar 1st: Death Valley Girls at Scribble. Doors at 7:30 p.m.

You can read my US Rocker coverage of the band here.

NFV Song Spotlight: Cesar Maria's on ur side now

I walked into Zebulon and John Williams was being blasted over the loudspeakers. The music sparked a sense of positivity. The massive Los Angeles fires had just started that day and evening (Tuesday) and there wasn't yet an understanding of the true magnitude of the damage. Yet, it is depressing when there are fires that burn across Los Angeles and the music gave that window of good cheer (that obviously did not last when the reality of the situation hit home). 

Cesar Maria at the Zebulon

NFV Song Spotlight: Maryze's Playing Dress-Up

Strangely, the last time I was at Permanent Records Roadhouse was June of 2024. That really needed to change quickly in 2025. I happened to notice via Night Talks that there was an Altadena Wildfire relief event occurring on a Friday night at 6 p.m. What better way to spend a Friday night: donate funds to those impacted by the Eaton Canyon fire and catch a favorite band called Night Talks. 

Maryze at Permanent Records Roadhouse

NFV Song Spotlight: Mara Connor's Someone New

It has been established that I saw Mara Connor's first Los Angeles set. It was over at The Hi Hat. For those unaware of that venue, the location is now The Goldfish. In regards to firsts, I also attended The Goldfish's first live music event (there had been some dance nights previously) and covered the night for Buzzbands. You can see the photos and review here. The venue had a rough start and basically had limited music nights from 2023 - 2024. During that time, I did happen to cover Jess Joy (formerly of Moon Honey) coming back into town from New Orleans for US Rocker, which you can read here. Good news for the venue; however, starting in mid-February they started booking shows again. Hopefully, I'll get to make it over shortly. 

Mara Connor with Ben Joyner at The Fable

NFV Song Spotlight: Tino Drima's Life on the Patio

As soon as the band Tino Drima started to set up their gear on the Zebulon stage, the crowd pressed close. The night was dedicated (I'm assuming) to songs that will appear on an upcoming record. After playing an unreleased song called "Mixed Tape," the audience was told, "I've been working on a new record. It's taken many years of doing a little bit at a time." 

Tino Drima at Zebulon

Notes from Vivace Show Alerts (Los Angeles): Feb 16th - Feb 22nd

A Handful of Show Alerts

Sunday, Feb 16th: Shana Sarett at the Moroccan Lounge. Doors at 6 p.m.
A Los Angeles fires benefit show.

Sunday, Feb 16th: Essencer at Supply and Demand. Doors at 8 p.m.

Tuesday, Feb 18th: Sally Spitz at Hotel Ziggy. Doors at 7 p.m.

I've been following Spitz since the French Vanilla days.

Wednesday, Feb 19th: The Mastersons at Gold-Diggers. Doors at 8 p.m.

I wrote about their Western Edge event at Zebulon here for US Rocker.

Thursday, Feb 20th: Adriana McCassim at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Doors at 6 p.m.

One of my favorite new 2023 artists that I came across for the first time.

Thursday Feb 20th: Paper Citizen at The Escondite. Doors either 8 p.m. or 9 p.m.

I caught a Paper Citizen set back in 2022 and did a review and photo gallery for Buzzbands that you can see here.

Friday, Feb 21st: Taylor Sackson at the Big Foot Lodge. Doors at 8 p.m.

One of my favorite new 2023 artists that I came across for the first time.

NFV Song Spotlight: Bitter Half's FY IMY

Bitter Half includes two former members of a band I used to follow: Stephanie de Santos and Jenny Sparkles. That's how I got my introduction to the two of them and I followed them in their new adventure, finally catching a set at Harvard & Stone in September 2024. The new band veers into punk pop territory with Santos and Sparkles trading lead vocals. 

Bitter Half at Harvard & Stone

NFV Song Spotlight: Fleece Kawasaki's Sea of Regret

I first came across Fleece Kawasaki (the project of New York City born, but currently residing in Los Angeles artist Kiazi Halpern) in 2022 at Club Tee Gee. He was opening up for Jenny O. Jenny O is a favorite of mine so that was a great way to get introduced to a singer. 

Fleece Kawasaki at Harvard & Stone

NFV Song Spotlight: noworriesLMK's Trying for u

It was the first Friday night of the new year and I decided to head off to Zebulon. My first music night of 2025. The decision to go out came down to the fact that I didn't know any of the two bands on the bill. In fact, I learned that the band closing out the night (Respira Raus) was playing their first set ever and I don't believe they even have a social media presence. If you've followed my music adventures throughout the years, you know I love heading out to catch new music. How else am I able to come up with my annual list of favorite new bands and artists?

Was it a good decision or just a blah decision? The first band up, noworriesLMK, charmed me so it was an excellent decision. 

noworriesLMK at Zebulon

Review: Zebulon reverberates with Tremours' Album Release Party set

Tremours celebrated the release of their debut album Fragments at Zebulon last Wednesday night. I first came across the band in early 2022 when they opened up for L.A. Witch at the Lodge Room. I got to cover the night for Buzzbands, which you can read here. I learned later in the night that Tremours' vocalist and guitarist Lauren Andino had joined L.A. Witch on guitar.

TREMOURS at Zebulon

Notes from Vivace Show Alerts (Los Angeles): Feb 9th - Feb 15th

A Handful (Bucketful This Week) of Show Alerts

Sunday, Feb 9th: Mercedes Kilmer at Zebulon. Doors at 8 p.m.
Zebulon always has the Super Bowl after party. You can read about my review of her set with Gold Star here.

Monday, Feb 10th: Velvet Penny at Club Tee Gee. Doors at 8 p.m.

You can read a brief note (here) I wrote about the band (with photo) while covering Echo Park Rising 2023 for Buzzbands. 

Tuesday, Feb 11th: Mara Connor at The Fable. Doors at 6 p.m.

You can read my Buzzbands review of her 2019 set here.

Wednesday, Feb 12th: Escape-ism Album Release Party at Gold-Diggers. Doors at 7 p.m.

Caught the band at Zebulon recently. I have an article that I'm still working on regarding that night.

Thursday, Feb 13th: Nightjacket at Harvard & Stone. Doors at 7:30 p.m.

You can read my Buzzbands review of their 2023 set here.

Thursday, Feb 13th: The Witching Hours presents For The Love Of Music Benefit Show at Non Plus Ultra. Mo Dotti headlines. Doors at 6:30 p.m. 

You can read my recent review of The Witching Hours night here.

Friday, Feb 14th: Slugs at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Doors at 9 p.m.

You can read my Buzzbands review of their 2019 set here.

Friday, Feb 14th: Zzzahara at The Roxy. Doors at 8 p.m.

You can read a brief note (here) I wrote about the band at Happy Sundays Long Beach.

Saturday, Feb 15th: Emily Rose and the Rounders at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Doors at 9 p.m.

You can read my NFV Song Spotlight of "Too Much Too" review here.

Saturday, Feb 15th: Rain on Fridays at The Roxy. Doors at 7 p.m.

You can read my US Rocker review of their 2014 set here.

 

NFV Song Spotlight: RIAH's Prom

RIAH (the project of Mariah McManus Goss) drew the crowd at Bar Lubitsch for a WFNM. That is not an exaggeration. Just a few minutes prior to her set, a group of people walked into the venue and then another and another. (For those who don't know about Bar Lubitsch, the bar is split into two rooms. The back room is the venue. The front room is the bar.) Too much info: I was heading to the bathroom after another singer on the bill had finished his set and all these people started entering the venue. After getting done with my business, I went back inside the venue and the place was packed and I needed to squeeze my way back to the front so that I could take my photos and video. Grant Owens of WFNM was literally giddy with the size of the crowd. It was definitely one of the larger crowds at a Bar Lubitsch WFNM night. 

RIAH at Bar Lubitsch

NFV Song Spotlight: Emily Rose & the Rounders' Too Much Too

I first came across Emily Rose & the Rounders back in January 2020. At the time, the band was playing under a different name. Like many a Los Angeles band for me at the time, this first encounter occurred at the Bootleg Theater (a venue that unfortunately closed down shortly after the pandemic; more due to partnership disputes than the pandemic shutdown). This night ranked as one of the top music nights of the year for me. Even if 2020 hadn't ended up being a truncated year, it would still have stood out as one of the top nights for me. Why? The night also included performances by Kate Clover and Strawberry Army. Everyone who loves the Los Angeles music scene should know who Kate Clover is. As for Strawberry Army, the band has ended their run, but they burned bright during their time, playing along side bands such as The Paranoyds. 

Emily Rose & the Rounders at Boyle Heights Bar

NFV Song Spotlight: Blue Wisteria's Members Only

I ran across Blue Wisteria back in April 2022. They were playing at the Silverlake Lounge (not the current owners, but the prior owners). I did an interview with the band at the time. Here are some snippets from that interview: 

Blue Wisteria at Club Tee Gee

NFV Song Spotlight: Ray Williams' Fantasy

I came across Ray Williams at a Swyndle night at Harvard & Stone. If you love your country folk music being presented with pristine vocals, Williams is your person. I was captivated from the start. There is something special when listening to the minimalism of a person on stage with just an acoustic guitar -- if they have solid vocals. 

Ray Williams at Harvard & Stone

Notes from Vivace Show Alerts (Los Angeles): Feb 2nd - Feb 8th

A Handful (Bucketful This Week) of Show Alerts 

Sunday, Feb 2nd: Pu$$y-Cow and The Letter Openers at The Escondite. Bands start at 6 p.m.
I covered The Letter Openers for US Rocker, which you can read about here. I've probably followed these two local Los Angeles bands longer than any other active band out there. Just a bit longer than The Dollyrots.

Monday, Feb 3rd: LINNEA at Club Tee Gee. Doors at 6 p.m.

Read my NFV Song Spotlight of "Tough Luck" here.

Monday, Feb 3rd: Max Davey at Hotel Cafe. Bands start at 8 p.m.

This is at Monday Monday at Hotel Cafe so it'll be a short set. I saw a brief 1.5 song set (arrived late) at a WFNM night this past Thursday. I was impressed. 

Monday, Feb 3rd: Soft Palms at Harvard & Stone. Doors at 8 p.m.

Read my NFV Song Spotlight of "Rainbows" here.

Tuesday, Feb 4th: Lo Moon at the The Roxy. Doors at 7 p.m.

See some photos and my review that I did for Buzzbands here.

Wednesday, Feb 5th: Tremours has an album release at Zebulon. Joined by Lauren Lakis and Izzy Outerspace. Doors at 8 p.m.

You can see some photos that I took of the band for Buzzbands here when they opened up for LA Witch. You can read my Lauren Lakis review for US Rocker here.

Thursday, Feb 6th: Shi la Rosa at Bar Lubitsch.. Doors at 7 p.m.

Solo project for the always fun lead singer of Drugs Cosmetic.

Thursday, Feb 6th: Zealyn and Trousdale at Hotel Cafe. Bands start at 6:30 p.m.

This is night two of The Hotel Cafe Presents: A Benefit for Los Angeles. 

Friday, Feb 7th: Shannon Lay at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Doors at 6 p.m.

I've followed Shannon Lay for years, which includes when she played in Feels. 

Saturday, Feb 8th: Osnova and Powder Pink & Sweet at The Smell. Doors at 8 p.m.

Osnova was one of my favorite new bands of 2024. You can read my US Rocker review of a set performed by Powder Pink & Sweet at Permanent Records Roadhouse here.

Saturday, Feb 8th: Speed of Light and Devon Thompson at The Den Studios LA. Doors at 8 p.m.

Got introduced to Speed of Light via The 6*6*60s. Got introduced to Devon Thompson via The Smell.

Saturday, Feb 8th: Taleen Kali has a covers album release show at The Love Song Bar. Doors at 7p.m.

You can read my Buzzbands review of a prior set here.

NFV Song Spotlight: Dutch East Indians' All Times High

I first came across the Dutch East Indians in November 2024 at Zebulon. They were playing with a band called Autogramm. I wrote an NFV Song Spotlight on one of Autogramm's songs, which you can click on this link for the write-up. Now I'm writing up a NFV Song Spotlight on Dutch East Indians. 

Dutch East Indians at Harvard & Stone

NFV Song Spotlight: Pink Stiletto's Agent AF

My plan on Sunday night (Dec 29th) was to go see Soft Palms at Club Tee Gee. Then I noticed that Zebulon was having an early 6 p.m. opening. Hmm, maybe I could club venue hop? I know that the first band at Club Tee Gee generally goes on stage between 8:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. I also know that Zebulon usually has bands going on stage either at 7:45 p.m. or 8:45 p.m. If that was the case, it wasn't exactly worth club venue hopping, because I might have to leave before the first band at Zebulon finished their set. I wasn't certain if Zebulon was just opening their doors earlier than normal or if that meant bands were going on stage earlier than normal, as well. I noticed an Instagram Stories that highlighted the set times at Zebulon and they were indeed having bands starting their sets earlier than normal. That was that, I figured why not start my night off early, as well, by first heading to Zebulon and then jumping to Club Tee Gee. 

Pink Stiletto at Zebulon

NFV Song Spotlight: Soft Palms' Rainbows

Soft Palms is a duo that brings together the wife and husband team of Julia Kugel-Montoya and Scott Montoya. The partners also are the founders of one of my favorite music festivals, Happy Sundays Long Beach. That festival is often my only annual trip to Long Beach to catch the music scene in that city. I have on rare occasions gone to Alex's Bar or DiPiazza's to catch a favorite band. 

Soft Palms at Club Tee Gee

NFV Song Spotlight: AZRA's if It wasn't for you

It was the last WFNM of 2024. I, of course, circled this Bar Lubitsch on my music calendar. I also knew before heading out that I would be highlighting AZRA for my NFV Song Spotlight series. The day before, I was on Youtube and figured I would do a search for her music. I came to her page and decided to click on "if It wasn't for you" because I liked the cover image of AZRA looking lost in her forlorn thoughts. The song hooked me with the power anthem, "If it wasn't for you. And all you put me through. The miscommunication spiral." The video has her dancing through the streets of Boston along with power kicks into the camera when she sings "you." You've got to watch until the end, because the videographer and her start laughing. A slam of a door that was meant as an emphasis did not occur, because the door was one of those safety theater doors that can open quickly, but closes slowly. 

AZRA at Bar Lubitsch

Notes from Vivace Show Alerts (Los Angeles): Jan 26th - Feb 1st

A Handful of Show Alerts 

Tuesday, Jan 28th: Desperate Hauswives at Moroccan Lounge. Doors at 7 p.m.
The band is made up of talker and Fiona Grey. It is Fiona Grey's birthday party. 

Wednesday, Jan 29th: The Blushes at The Redwood Bar. Doors at 8 p.m.

One of my favorite bands. The band played Echo Park Rising in 2024. You can read my review of the festival for US Rocker here.

Thursday, Jan 30th: Blu Jay and The Lovebombs at Bar Lubitsch. Doors at 7 p.m.

Friday, Jan 31st: Boy Deluxe at The Roxy. Doors at 7 p.m.

You can read my post on their song "Bait" here.

Cancelled. Friday, Jan 31st: Harry the Nightgown at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Doors at 9 p.m.

Lead singer Sami Perez is also in bands SadGirl (that I covered for US Rocker - here) and Cherry Glazerr (also covered for US Rocker - here).

Friday, Jan 31st: Groop at Zebulon. Doors at 7 p.m.

One of the side bands for Groop is Primitive Ring. I wrote about it on my blog here.

NFV Song Spotlight: The Darbies' Every Bitter Sun

I do love residencies. I've been going to residencies for well over a decade. It is one of my favorite things to do when it comes to the Los Angeles music scene. I happened to notice that The Darbies were doing a three Tuesday night residency at Harvard & Stone for the month of December. I believe I didn't figure this out until their second Tuesday (Dec 10th). I ended up going elsewhere that night. I did want to catch their set, but I decided to head to The Fable to catch a wonderful singer-songwriter set by LINNEA. I have to mention, because that is such a significant contrast to what I experienced the following Tuesday when I got to catch the Darbies final residency night. 

The Darbies at Harvard & Stone

NFV Song Spotlight: Kennedy Williams' Better Days

Kennedy Williams was up first on a WFNM night at Hotel Ziggy. I primarily went to this specific WFNM to catch Night Talks and Beck Pete. I had no idea what to expect when Williams took to the stage. As with many musicians who are up first at WFNM, she did a solo set. It was just her, a multi-color sweater, and a guitar. 

Kennedy Williams at Hotel Ziggy

NFV Song Spotlight: unpolished*' nobody knows

I've known about Bar 10 at the Corbin Bowl for a very long time now, but I've always considered it to be way too far away. I live in Glendale and Glendale to Tarzana is 18 miles. The farthest venue from Glendale that is on my rotation is Hotel Ziggy, which is 10 miles away. So that venue fits into my claim to various people that I hate traveling more than 10 miles to a venue. Heck, I only make it to the Sunset Strip once or twice a year, primarily because I hate the long drive. 

unpolished* at Bar 10

Notes from Vivace Show Alerts (Los Angeles): Jan 19th - Jan 25th

A Handful of Show Alerts 

Sunday, Jan 19th: Spare Parts for Broken Hearts at Alex's Bar. Doors at 2 p.m.
I covered the band back in 2022 for Buzzbands.

Cancelled. Monday, Jan 20th: Blu Jay and The Lovebombs at Harvard & Stone. Doors at 8 p.m.

Thursday, Jan 23rd: Tropa Magica at Alex's Bar. Doors at 8 p.m.
I covered the band back in 2022 for Buzzbands.

Friday, Jan 24th: Gottlieb at The Smell. Doors at 9 p.m.

The band was one of my favorite "new to me, but maybe not to you" bands of 2024.

Friday, Jan 24th: Night Talks at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Doors at 6 p.m.

You can read my NFV Show Spotlight of their song "Running on a Cloud" here.

Friday, Jan 24th: Nutt at The Redwood Bar. Doors at 8 p.m.
The band was one of my favorite "new to me, but maybe not to you" bands of 2024.

Saturday, Jan 25th: unpolished* at Bar 10. Doors at 7 p.m.

You can read my NFV Show Spotlight of their song "nobody knows" here.

NFV Song Spotlight: Tashaki Miyaki's City

I've noticed that Tashaki Miyaki has a rather passionate following amount photographers who have shot the scene for a number of years. Though I am perhaps not as passionate as my other photographers, I do have a long history with the band. I saw the band way back in 2012 when they opened up for Family of the Year. In my notes from the night, the reason I went was for Family of the Year (I am a big Family of the Year fan), but also because I noticed a band called Tashaki Miyaki was playing and I found the band name intriguing. A couple years later, I saw the band at Make Music Pasadena. Looking through my records, it looks like the last time I saw them was at their Echo residency in 2017 when they played with L.A. Witch and Z Berg. That was a line-up. 

Tashaki Miyaki at Zebulon

NFV Song Spotlight: LINNEA's Tough Luck

I'll occasionally head out to The Fable to catch a Ryan Pollie hosted Tuesday night. Sometimes I go out to The Fable because I know a band that he booked such as Janelane. Other times I'll go there even though I don't know a single person or band on the bill. That was the case when I went out on a recent December night. First up was LINNEA (Linnea Delaney Johansen). It took about 5 seconds, let's say, to come to the conclusion that I made the right decision to head out on this particular Tuesday night.

LINNEA at The Fable

NFV Song Spotlight: Lovercolor's Hearts on Fire

Lovecolor came on through Los Angeles in support of their (at the time) soon to be released debut album "LOVECOLOR." The Hotel Cafe was the place to be to catch the set. The band played seven of the nine songs off the album as well as two of lead singer Vanessa Silberman's own previous releases.

Lovecolor at The Hotel Cafe

Notes from Vivace Show Alerts (Los Angeles): Jan 12th - Jan 18th

A Handful of Show Alerts 

Cancelled. Monday: Jan 13th: Hannah Hughes at Harvard & Stone. Doors at 8 p.m.
Hannah Hughes is also in the band Julez and the Rollerz. I covered their Is This Where The party Is? EP release party at Non Plus Ultra for US Rocker Music.

Cancelled. Tuesday: Jan 14th: Devon Ross at Zebulon. Doors at 8 p.m.

You can my review of one of her sets here.

Cancelled. Tuesday Jan 14th: Kat French at Hotel Ziggy. Doors at 7 p.m.
You can read my NFV Song Spotlight of "Casket" here.

Wednesday Jan 5th: Eugene Edwards at Harvard & Stone. Doors at 8 p.m.

You can read my review of a Western Edge Tribute night at Zebulon that I wrote for US Rocker Music here which included Eugene Edwards.

Saturday Jan 18th: Bruvvy at The Viper Room. Doors at 4:30 p.m.

One of my favorite "new to me, but maybe not to you" 2024 bands. You can see the full list here.

Saturday Jan 18th: Kills Birds at the Moroccan Lounge. Doors at 9:30 p.m.

You can read my NFV Song Spotlight of their song "Glisten" here.

Saturday Jan 18th: Mating Ritual at Gold-Diggers. Doors at 7 p.m.
If interested, you can read my review of their Songs for the Morning and Evening Times album release party at Zebulon for Buzzbands.

Postponed. Saturday Jan 18th: Tolliver and TwoLips at The Echo. Doors at 7 p.m.

Interestingly, I covered both bands for Buzzbands at Echo Park Rising across the years. You can read my brief mention of Tolliver as well as photos of both in my 2023 Echo Park Rising coverage. If you want to flashback to 2019, you can read the short quote that TwoLips provided me. 

NFV Song Spotlight: Eleven Green's Fixed Tool

When random encounters happen, you've got to mention it. The setup is that I caught Eleven Green on the Tuesday night prior to Thanksgiving. The band was playing a WFNM night at Hotel Ziggy. Fast forward to Black Friday. I was at Best Buy picking up an external hard drive to store all the photos and videos I take of the Los Angeles music scene. After being handed the external hard drive, I did a beeline towards the exit. Walking right past me was the lead singer, Nare Nikoyan. I didn't know her name at the time of this random encounter so I yell out, "Eleven Green." She turns and I told her that I saw her Wednesday night. She looked slightly confused, perhaps because I got the days messed up. I saw the band on Tuesday night. My excuse is that I went to Hotel Ziggy on both Tuesday and Wednesday night. I added, "Hotel Ziggy. I was one of the photographers." 

Eleven Green at Hotel Ziggy

NFV Song Spotlight: Dove Armitage's Glass In Me

I've seen Dove Armitage (Quincy Larsen) twice this year. Interestingly enough, she was opening on nights that I was covering for US Rocker Music. In October, she was opening up for Sunflower Bean at Zebulon. In December, she was playing The Fonda Theatre in support for Zaho de Sagazan. To clarify, the year 2024 is not the first time I've come across Dove Armitage or, for that matter, Larsen. 

Dove Armitage at The Fonda Theatre

NFV Song Spotlight: Beck Pete's Scared of Everything

 

I first came across Beck Pete at El Cid in 2019. It wasn't a full set. El Cid double booked the day and so the bands playing in the afternoon were all restricted to 20 minutes or less. In fact, the last band of the night played maybe less than 10 minutes. 

Beck Pete at Hotel Ziggy

NFV Song Spotlight: Night Talks' Running On A Cloud

Like many a band, my first introduction to Night Talks happened at a venue now since closed called the Bootleg Theater. It was July 2016. I then caught the band a month later at Chinatown Summer Nights. That was a fun weekend of music. Echo Park Rising and Chinatown Summer Nights were both on that same weekend so I spent Friday night at Echo Park Rising, Saturday night at Chinatown Summer Nights, and Sunday night back at Echo Park Rising. 

Night Talks at Hotel Ziggy

Notes from Vivace Show Alerts (Los Angeles): Jan 5th - Jan 11th

A Handful of Show Alerts 

Sunday Jan 5th: Ben Reddell at Club Tee. Doors at 8 p.m.
You can read about the artist on US Rocker Music when he played Americana West Fest 2024.

Monday Jan 6th: Maybellene Ryder and Allegra Ondine at Harvard & Stone. Doors at 8 p.m.
The two are playing individual sets on Monday, but I did catch their band Paradise Lovers back in August 2023. I also happened to catch Ryder playing violin for a band called Oh, Rose at the Shrine. I wrote a review of that night on US Rocker Music, which you can read here.

Wednesday Jan 8th: Kat French at Hotel Ziggy. Doors at 7 p.m.
You can read my NFV Song Spotlight of "Casket" here.

Cancelled: Thursday Jan 9th: Paper Citizen at The Escondite. Doors either 8 p.m. or 9 p.m.

I caught a Paper Citizen set back in 2022 and did a review and photo gallery for Buzzbands that you can see here.

Cancelled: Friday Jan 10th: Emily Rose & the Rounders at Zebulon. Doors at 7 p.m.

You can read about the band on US Rocker Music when they played Americana West Fest 2024.

Cancelled: Saturday Jan 11th: Osnova at Gold-Diggers. Doors at 7 p.m.

The band was one of my favorite "new to me, but maybe not to you" bands of 2024.

Cancelled: Saturday Jan 11th: Gottlieb at The Haven. Doors at 5:30 p.m.

The band was one of my favorite "new to me, but maybe not to you" bands of 2024.

NFV Song Spotlight: Mikayla McLean's Run!

Who has to rank as one of the bands / singers most happy about being invited to play the WFNM stage? Mikayla McLean who recently played Hotel Ziggy has to make that list. She said towards the end of the set while thanking WFNM, "[thanks for] letting me jump onboard last minute. I've been scheming and trying to get on stage." Someone dropped out at the last minute and she jumped onboard and put on a wonderful set. 

Mikayla McLean at Hotel Ziggy

Rocco DeLuca Blends Genres for His Birthday Set at Zebulon

A couple days after Christmas, Rocco DeLuca played a set at Zebulon. It was to celebrate his birthday. He was joined on stage by Liberate Elemental Forces, which is an Indian raga collective. Zebulon had what I call their "Hotel Cafe" setup going. Seats and round tables were setup near the stage with standing room behind. The night initially started with an instrumental opening with DeLuca playing his steel guitar and two friends on stage with one playing guitar and the other playing an upright bass.

Rocco DeLuca at Zebulon