Broke LA: Day 2 Highlights

FYI: I'm also doing cross-promotion over at CaliforniaRocker.com for Broke LA Fest.

This year, Broke LA Fest shifted from warehouse locations to DTLA's Regent Theater and surrounding areas. The festival also expanded from one day to two days. This expansion just meant more time to explore the local music scene as presented by the staff of Broke LA.



Some Day 2 Highlights:

Amusing Moments with Super Fan: Sizzy Rocket

She danced her way across the stage like Lady Gaga probably would.

Lyric of the set: You say you want to meet me in the Champagne Room.

I was standing on one side of the stage, taking photos, when a super fan came rushing towards me from my blind side. When she came up to me, she shoved me away from the stage. Hmm. I decided to stay out of her way and moved to the other side of the stage. A few moments later as I was looking through the photos on my camera, another shove came via my blindside. There was just no where near the stage to stay. I moved away from the front of the stage for the rest of the set.

Sizzy Rocket

Dawson's Creek Set: Small Forward

Am I the only one who sees James Van Der Beek when looking at the lead singer?

While watching this band inside the Love Song Bar, I was brought back to when I took a vacation in Iceland. On my first day in Iceland, I ran across a music festival of singer-songwriters that was held across various bars and outdoor areas across Reykjavik. What pleasant memories rushed back while listening to Small Forward.

Small Foward

Double Duty: Blushh

This band is fronted by Shab. I've crossed paths with her a number of time throughout the years. Not as a being part of a band, but various times while she was doing photography or promoting an event. This time she had some double duty going on. Not only was she running the Love Song Bar stage, but she was also played a set on that stage.

Comment of the set said with a guitar pick in her mouth: That was not Radiohead.

Blushh

Fans fans fans: CLARA-NOVA

She brings the sophisticated to her lyrics. Who can't love the lyric: I trace the constellation.

And there are those power vocals backed by bass and synth vibrations.

Oh, and the fans. As soon as the set ended, her fans came up one by one to say how much they loved her set. Others came over, wanting her to sign their CLARA-NOVA purchases. She was barely able to tear down her music equipment to make way for the next band.

CLARA-NOVA

Hanging outside: Flavia

Comment of the set: My name's Flavia. Yeah, that's my name.

Comment of the set 2: This song is for all the exes that stayed too long.

She brought the electronica sounds to the Outdoor Stage. I previously caught her at Hotel Cafe about a year ago. I was hoping for some LED shoes, but I guess that wasn't going to happen at 3 p.m.

Flavia

It's Sunday, Time for Church? One High Five

The whole set was like watching a good old Southern Baptist pastor holding a religious revival. Or an African American church service where hands are held high. The whole set brought out the desire to hold out your hands and give praise to the band.

One High Five

Broke LA: Day 1 Highlights

FYI: I'm also doing cross-promotion over at CaliforniaRocker.com for Broke LA Fest.

This year, Broke LA Fest shifted from warehouse locations to DTLA's Regent Theater and surrounding areas. The festival also expanded from one day to two days. This expansion just meant more time to explore the local music scene as presented by the staff of Broke LA.




Some Day 1 Highlights:

Broke LA Solid Repeat: Salt Petal

I caught this band two years back at Broke LA. It was nice seeing this band again. They sport a trombone and a cow bell and the band is made up of members that come from Argentina, California, Virginia and Wisconsin. All those states and country are near bodies of water. That must be the reason why one thinks of drinking a pina colada on the beach when hearing this band.

Salt Petal

Energizer: Jen Awad

I only caught 3 songs of Jen Awad. Yet those three songs had some power energy. She gives you her in-your-face take on love and sex.

Jen Awad

Funny Comments: Dana And The Wolf

Random mid-set comment, "My dog punched me in the eye last night."

As the lead singer was attempting to get the early crowd to come closer to the stage, "Omenihu [previous musician who got the even earlier crowd to come up to the stage] has a lot of authority in his voice. I won't bite."

Dana And The Wolf

Passion: Alexander Vincent

Who brought the passion to Broke LA? That would be Alexander Vincent. He was dressed in simple, but refined black color fashion. With a drum kit and keys, he presented us with the look of a stoic talent.

Alexander Vincent

Toys and Painter Garb: Soul Bandit

This was one fun set. The artist had a suitcase filled with toys that she used throughout her set. And she was dressed like a painter. One could almost feel like one was on the streets of Paris.

Soul Bandit

Two Years:  NKRIOT

Two years ago, NKRIOT came up to me at the Silverlake Lounge and suggested that I check out his set. Two years later and I saw that he was going to play Broke LA. Of course, I had to make sure I caught his set.

He was in perpetual motion over his synth. His fingers flying all over the place. During this whole time, I started to focus on his sports coat. How was he not fainting in the heat of the Love Song Bar?

NKRIOT

Wedding Dress: vōx

She wore a white wedding dress. The bright lights and wind machine that lifted the back of her veil train set for a mysterious setting. It was nice to just stand back and watch her arm movements.

Lyrics of the set: Cry me a river, you nearly drove me out of my head.

vox

.

Quick Hit Band Interview: Cheekface

Cheekface at The Hi Hat

Interview with the band:

What’s the story behind how your band started? Mandy and I kept running into each other at shows in L.A. Even though both of us have played in bands for a really long time, neither of us had been playing that much recently, which we often complained about. You know those people where every time you see them, you're always like, "we should jam sometime," and you mean it, but then you never really do? It was one of those things. But around March of 2017 we got together and wrote a song called "Crud of Life" and it felt like a direction for a project. I was dealing with my psychological world being reorganized by the presidential election, and the recurrence of unrelated depression. The Women's March had happened recently, we both went, and it felt empowering and encouraging in a new way. It felt like time to do something that wasn't too melodic, where the songs were short – sometimes even brutishly short – and the chord changes are simple, with lyrics and style that are honest but not earnest, and with an approach that is political and wry. We wrote a song called "Still Life" right after we went to a Wire show and started pulling in more post-punk and krautrock influence. Then there was a two-chord song called "House Shoes" with the only lyrics being "house shoes." Friends were really responding to that demo, so we fleshed out that approach into the song "Glendale," which is only one chord, and one repeating bassline, and has a spoken vocal with no melody, and has the repeating phrase "Glendale," with a lyric meditation on waiting and death. That one's up on Bandcamp at http://cheekface.bandcamp.com. As the bin started to fill with songs that had a clear aesthetic, the urge to make a record and play shows bubbled, so we tapped Echo who's drummed with a bunch of bands I've liked. Echo is the quintessential great drummer: always gets there on time, smells great, and doesn't play too many fills.

What are some of your favorite spots, locations, areas in Los Angeles? What make them your favorites? I end up at Fred 62's a lot. Future Music is where I get all my music stuff. I have been seen walking around the Silver Lake Reservoir. The Echo is my favorite place to see a show, and Stories is my favorite place for a cup of coffee. The ocean is great.

Own Q&A The song Glendale is not about the city of Glendale. In the song, the city of Glendale is a freaking metaphor, people. You know, like in "Hotel California" where he asks the captain for his wine, and the captain says "we haven't had that spirit here since 1969," but that doesn't make sense because wine isn't a spirit – but it actually does make sense because the whole song is a metaphor?

Quick Hit Artist Interview: Sophia Knapp

Sophia Knapp at the Bootleg Theater

Interview with the artist. Enjoy:

How would you describe your sound? My music is a windswept ride on the PCH on a day when the sun feels a little too bright even though you're wearing shades. And you're micro dosing on mushrooms. And maybe your heart has been broken so bad that you feel completely liberated, or you're excited/afraid that you're falling in love.

What’s your favorite Sophia Knapp song and what makes it the favorite? My favorite song of mine that has been released so far is 'Nothing to Lose'. No matter how many times I sing it, it retains its' mystery.

Quick Hit Band Interview: Rivers + Suns

Rivers + Suns at The Satellite

Interview with the band (via Jordan):

How would you describe your sound? You could describe our sound as rugged, folksy, honest . . . a sound that brings you back to your roots.

What motivates you to write your music? Songwriting is truly magical. I am able to tap into the darkest and brightest corners of my mind and combine it with the vibration of my instruments . . . guitar, vocals. Songwriting has become the safest place for me to be 100% raw and honest with my sometimes very unpretty story. I want the audience to feel as if they’re reading my diary when they hear my songs. I am inspired when it comes to my songwriting by the true beauty of being able to share my stories with perfect strangers . . .

Quick Hit Band Interview: Turtles on Speed

Turtles on Speed at Harvard & Stone

Interview with the band (via Dash):

How would you describe your sound? We’ve been told by others that we sound like an alternative Beach Boys, Weezer, the Ramones, and Superchunk. But who knows really . . .

Other than Los Angeles, where could you see yourself living/playing music and why? I could see TOS living and playing in a place like Austin or something - in past experience it’s a killer place for rock shows. And it’s hot, and turtles love heat.

2018 Broke LA Fest Preview: Additional Interviews

Broke LA 2018 is just around the corner, Saturday (4/21) and Sunday (4/22). Three weeks back I did a post based on the first wave of band/artist announcements where I re-posted interviews that I had done previously with four of the bands playing the festival. Additional waves of announcements have hit and there are additional bands/artists that I've interviewed.

Here's are three additional interviews along with the date of the interview:

Flavia - August 2017

How would you describe your sound? My sound explores dark pop and futuristic R&B in an electronic fusion.

How do you go about combining lyrics with sound? A melody provokes an emotion which inspires the lyrics.

Flavia

Q&A time with the Taleen Kali - January 2018

How would you describe your sound? Cosmic femme punk noise rock.

Other than playing in front of a packed crowd, what thrills you about performing live? Getting to share my soul.

Taleen Kali

Q&A time with the The New Pacific - September 2017

How would you describe your sound? We're sonically a super heavy pop rock band. We love really heavy music and great melodies in pop music. On our phone, you'd just as soon find an Acacia Strain song as you would a Carly Rae Jepsen song. It ends up as an almost Thrice-ish heavy handed rock sound. Hopefully the best of both worlds.

What’s the story behind how your band started? We started jamming 2 years ago and just started out as 4 dudes jamming for fun and it just kind of took off into this bigger thing and we started playing shows and doing a bit of touring. Now we're focused on bringing a message of awareness and action in a world that needs heaping doses of both. Times are crazy right now, we're here to take an aggressive look in the mirror and do something about it.

The New Pacific

Quick Hit Band Interview: Red Channel

Red Channel at a warehouse show

Interview with the band:

How would you describe your sound? Series of vibrations.

Where is your favorite spot to write music? And why the spot? At home, because we don’t have to go anywhere.

Own Q&A: Are we being chased by demons? Yes.

Quick Hit Band Interview: October's Child

October's Child at the Bootleg Theater

Interview with the band:

How would you describe your sound? We call our genre "Saudade," which is a Portuguese word that describes the aching nostalgia for another place or time that doesn't exist, a world you can't access but know you belong to.

For the band and its future, how would you define success? Success would be to achieve our highest selves through the creation of our music, channeling an energy and truth greater than our own feeble human minds can comprehend. Raw emotion over technical perfection. Turning sadness into beauty, pain into healing. If you listen to October's Child and feel present, meditative, and spiritually elevated . . . if your anxiety is somewhat soothed . . . if you connect with the lyrics and project your own meaning onto the songs and feel less alone . . . we've succeeded. Also, playing shows around the world in gorgeous old theaters with cinematic visuals and dancing lights and thousands of people in attendance who know and love our songs by heart. That would be cool, too.

Own comments: We (Jordan and Britt) are both October babies, which is where the band name comes from. "October's Child" is derived from a century-old poem written as copy for a Tiffany's jewelry campaign.

Quick Hit Artist Interview: Sun Sic

Sun Sic at The Hi Hat

Interview with the artist:

How would you describe your sound? Sun Sic is a newly founded Ghost Pop project by Boaz Roberts. It is the sensitive pop cousin of pessimistic June Gloom. In the two new singles "Coward" and "Pink," Roberts couples his background in experimental jazz and San Diegan surf-culture into a wobbly bookend of sun-tans, red eyes, and iced summer daiquiris.

How do you believe you have progressed over time as an artist? I've studied music in classical, band, and jazz settings for the greater part of my life. Music is an ever changing field and a never ending endeavor. I'm pleased to have worked in a wide array of settings and am even more pleased that music, and specifically the guitar, always feels new to me. Staying eager and curious is the key. Curiosity, along with hard work, and the reminders of why you got into music in the first place will lead toward a life of continual study and surprise. That's what I'm interested in.

Own Q&A. I'm always curious as to what sorts of music people make when no one is listening or watching. What would Taylor Swift actually write excluding her audience? I think about this a lot - not specifically T Swift, but many artists that release records I sometimes wonder and think to myself is this actually what you really wanted to release and is this really actually your intention.

Weathers, Smoke Season and Groves at the Troubadour

I got an invitation by Smoke Season to do some photography at the Troubadour. It is always fun to photograph Smoke Season. Gabrielle Wortman, lead singer, really throws herself into her sets. And this time was no different. In fact, she took a couple leaps into the air from various locations. I'm not sure I've ever seen her do that and was a bit disappointed I wasn't better prepared for that potential. Their electronic-inspired sound had the crowd pressed up close to the stage.

Smoke Season

Weathers was the headliner. This was my first time seeing them. Their sound has some nice hooks to it. I love how the drummer slammed those drums with his full body. And the lead singer's vocals are pure emotion. Since this was my first time seeing them, it was interesting watching the audience that was there for them. Folks at the front knew the words for a number of the songs. After their set, folks hung around hoping for an encore. And one young woman jumped on stage to grab a setlist. She was chased off by security. Oh well, good attempt.

Weathers

Groves opened the night. I've seen them twice in the past. Once at The Hi Hat. And another time at the Resident. I'm not going to lie, their music is hitting new highs. They, as a group, had a far more cohesive sound than I remember from my past two times seeing them. They're definitely learning how to play off each other.

Groves

Stonefield's Bootleg Theater Residency with Uni and Grave Flowers and the Bongo Band

Sometimes I'm just not in the know. I have to admit that this was the case this past Monday night. I figured there would be a decent size crowd at the Bootleg Theater, but I wasn't expecting to be part of 10+ photographers. Honestly, on residency nights at the Bootleg Theater, I'm usually just one of two photographers.

The photographers weren't there just to see Stonefield. They were there early to catch a band called Uni, from New York City. Uni had played The Lodge Room alongside Starcrawler a couple days prior. That must have driven some buzz, because I couldn't even get my favorite photography spot, stage right. Two photographers went straight for the spot. There were so many photographers, I turned to one photographer and said, "I've never seen so many photographers here before." She laughed and said folks were here to see Uni. She then said something that I didn't hear, but then I did hear, "Just make sure you know where the exits are."

Can one say that Uni is slow metal? Is that even a genre? Their music had this metal sound, but at the same time it was relaxed. Even the band members seems relaxed on stage. Their stage show was very entertaining, but on the other hand, it was with such a relaxed feel that one could think they were working in slow motion -- or maybe just a drug induced haze. Oh, that comment by the photographer . . . towards the end of the set, the lead singer took out a bottle of hairspray (or something similar) and a lighter. Yeah, a fire starter.

What I learned later: Band member Charlotte Kemp Muhl is a model.

Uni

Grave Flowers and the Bongo Band came on after that fire show. Three band member sitting on chairs, playing in a meditation manner. It looked like a bunch of guys playing around a camp fire. Yep, they were the band jamming in the middle of the night and we in the audience were their friends listening to their tunes, surrounded by the sounds of crickets and fireflies.

Grave Flowers and the Bongo Band

Stonefield is the residency band. They just so happen to be from Australia. The photographers didn't leave after Uni. They stuck around for Stonefield, as well. I couldn't help but wonder if this is how many photographers are going to be around each night of their residency. If so, there will be far fewer photographers hanging out at other venues throughout the week. This band has a '70s vibe. They're four sisters who jam it in a psychedelic manner. In some ways, I also couldn't help but think of local bands such as Warpaint and Pinky Pinky. Why? There just seems to be presentation similarities. The guitarist for Stonefield has a stance that just reminded me of Warpaint's Theresa. And like Pinky Pinky, the guitarist carries much of the vocal load.

Yeah, Mondays in April at the Bootleg Theater is going to be the big ticket item.

Stonefield

Quick Hit Band Interview: Pacific Radio

Pacific Radio at Silverlake Lounge

Interview with the band:

How would you describe your sound? The sound we're going for is Party. The more we see people moving around, dancing and gyrating and such in front of us, the more we know we're doing something right.

Is there a specific decision the band has made (good or bad) that it feels other bands/artists can learn from? We're finding that the further we go from our home base, the more we grow as a unit. We played a show in Mexico City a few weeks ago and the people appreciated how far we'd come to play for them. It's good for a band to get on the road.

What's your favorite song to play off the album y'all just released, 'Pretty but Killing Me'? ‘Camaro’ is a saucy, swanky little number that has the grit and determination we all need and thrive from as a band at that point in the set, it feels good all over. But 'Weekend' is a close second because it jumps off the stage right from the start and takes us all for a wild ride.

Royal Distortion and friends at The Viper Room

It was off to the Viper Room for the first time in years. For the past few years, my time on the Sunset Strip has been confined to the Whisky a Go Go. How did I end up going to The Viper Room? Well, Royal Distortion was playing a Wednesday night residency there throughout the month of March. And well, Royal Distortion is fronted by members of a favorite band of mine called Barb Wire Dolls.

There were five bands playing on this final night of the residency. Earthsleep, Double Cobra, Jason Achilles Mezilis, Royal Distortion and Vigil of War.

It all started off with Earthsleep hitting the stage at 7:30 p.m. (The Sunset Strip venues love their early start times.) Lead singer Cindy knows how to scream it out. What did I notice? At one point, she put on some skeleton dance moves. What did I notice going through my photos after the night? One photo I captured had Cindy licking her hand. If anyone knows the band, they know that Cindy goes by Girlwolf. It all connects.

Earthsleep

Double Cobra came up next with a high energy sound that one would expect from a Sunset Strip band. I initially wasn't sure what the band's name was. When they were announced, I swear I heard Double Cover. Then I thought I heard Double Poker. Comment of the set, "Narcissism is at an all-time high . . . said the lead singer." For this being the band's third set ever, they put on a solid show.

Double Cobra

Jason Achilles Mezilis was up there by himself and his drummer. I swear he was the busiest musician playing in Los Angeles that night. He had loops going on all over the place. He'd play a few bars on his keyboard. Then he'd rush over to his guitar. Then he might jump over to the bass. Half my time during the set was spent thinking, "Is he going to make it to his next instrument in time to keep up the sound?" Noticed: Half his body from his feet to his face were covered in Tron-like drawings.

Jason Achilles Mezilis

Then it was time for Royal Distortion, the new Barb Wire Dolls project. Dare I say that Royal Distortion is a new mature sound for the members of the band. IQueen still puts on an amazing front woman show. What would a band fronted by IQueen be without her high energy? But let's also say the sound is pure energy bliss. What I found amusing about myself? I keep wanting to call the band Blond Ambition. I have no clue how I go from Royal Distortion to Blond Ambition.

Royal Distortion

Closing out the night was dressed in black Vigil of War. Their set was less than the standard 30 minutes and it left me wanting more. When I think Sunset Strip, this is the type of band I'm thinking about: heavy on the mascara to present a bit of the dramatic death look, but then just a touch of a smile that pops up when the music is going perfect -- just to let you know not to take the look too seriously. I can't wait to catch this band again.

Vigil of War

Quick Hit Band Interview: Spirit In The Room

Spirit In The Room at The Satellite

Interview with the band. Enjoy:

How would you describe your sound? I’d describe our sound as moody, manic, and sometimes romantic.

What is one of the band’s high or low moments and what makes it memorable? Opening for Deftones was a high point because I love their music. No low points. No regrets :)

Own Q&A: Is there anything I’d like to do as far as press? It would definitely be one of the ‘What’s In My Bag’ segments that Amoeba does. Learning about and sharing music with people is my all-time favorite thing to do.