Quick Hit Artist Interview: talker

talker at the Lodge Room

Interview with the artist. Enjoy:

How would you describe your sound? Grunge-pop. Walking the line between dark indie pop like Banks, and gritty indie rock bands like Wolf Alice.

Where is your favorite spot to write music? And why the spot? A. I honestly write all over the place, but while traveling by train, or by van on tour is super special for me.

Own thoughts. I'm really excited to be putting out my debut single "Collateral Damage" on Thursday 7/19! A little terrified of letting go and putting my music into the world, but so so ready and excited.

The Satellite: The Vim Dicta, Broken Baby, Poppy Jean Crawford

It was off to The Satellite to catch The Vim Dicta. The first time I saw them was in 2013 during Chinatown Summer Nights. Strangely, based on my notes, a few days before their set I randomly caught the lead singer on television talking about the high gas prices at the time. I saw them a handful of other times with my last time catching them in 2015. Then they dropped off my map. Then flash forward to 2018 and I saw that they were on the schedule at The Satellite. I circled the date. I even cut out on a dinner with a friend to make sure I didn't miss their set. Their sound goes from fusion jazz to straight out rock. And during their set on this night, I couldn't help but love when the lead singer mugged for the camera.

The Vim Dicta

Broken Baby was holding their record release party. I first saw this band at the Redwood Bar earlier this year. I have to say that The Satellite stage gave the band far more freedom than the much smaller stage of the Redwood Bar. Lead singer, Amber, took full advantage of it. She put on a vibrantly entertaining stage show. They have a wonderful Living Colour genre sound.

Broken Baby

Poppy Jean Crawford closed out the night. She has an aggressive Mazzy Star sound. I know that Mazzy Star is used as an comparison way too much. Let's just say that she has a moody sound that takes on an aggressive tone. The individual running the lights must have felt that moody tone, because for much of the set the lights were dimmed to a low red/blue scheme.

Poppy Jean Crawford

Quick Hit Artist Interview: Sofia Wolfson

Sofia Wolfson at the Bootleg Theater

Interview with the artist. Enjoy:

How would you describe your sound? I am a singer/songwriter born and raised in LA. My folk/alternative tendencies mirror a childhood filled with Joni Mitchell, Fiona Apple, Wilco, and more.

Other than Los Angeles, where could you see yourself living/playing music and why? I’m from LA, but I live in Boston for school so I play music around there, too.

Tarfest 2018: Caught a Ghost, Freedom Fry, Smoke Season and WILD

It was off to Tarfest to catch some bands out in the open air. The last time I went to Tarfest was 2014, I believe. It was time to head back over.

Most of the bands I saw, I've seen before: Caught a Ghost, Freedom Fry and Smoke Season. So the band I was most interested in seeing was WILD. I'm a sucker for pitch perfect vocals. That perfectly applies to Lauren and Zachary, who share singing duties. As I was listening to the band, I ended up thinking Family of the Year, but with a female vocal lead. Also, I'm a sucker for cheerful sounds, which applies so much to WILD (of course, that also applies to Family of the Year.

WILD

Opening the day for me was Smoke Season. I caught this band playing at Echo Park Rising back one month ago. I also caught them playing the Troubadour earlier in the year. Their soul electronic beats are always mixed in with the energy of Gabi. I'll say that Jason, guitar, seemed to be just a touch more energized than normal, as well, during this set.

Smoke Season

Caught a Ghost brought the soul to the late afternoon. They got the crowd to help sing along with a couple songs. Interestingly, as pointed out by lead singer Jesse, the two backup singers have the same name, but spelled differently: Jazmen vs. Jasmine. What I just obsess about when it comes to Caught a Ghost: how Jesse uses his drum sticks.

Caught a Ghost

Freedom Fry closed out the night. Their music brought the festival to a poetic end as the sun set behind LACMA. They also had some of the most fun conversations of the night. The band recently spent time in France -- the lead singer, Marie, is French. There was talk about Marie was trying to teach members of the band how to say things in French. However, the band members didn't think much of it as they said no one can ever understand what the French are saying, anyways. They also amusingly admitted that they prefer Italian food that is served in the US versus in Italy.

Freedom Fry

The Viper Room: Lauren Lakis, ARSNK and Jane.Machine

I got a random DM from the singer of ARSNK, Thea, regarding checking out a new community called Fierce Femme Sounds. They were holding an event at the Viper Room. I decided to head off to the Sunset Strip. It is a little far from where I live in Glendale, but I figured why not considering the only reason I head to the Sunset Strip is to catch Barb Wire Dolls/Royal Distortion. It would be nice to head over to catch musicians other than those two (which in some ways is one band).

I was in a little bit of a surprise. I'm so used to the sounds of Barb Wire Dolls and Royal Distortion that I was expecting some power rock sounds. I got none of that.

Up first was Jane.Machine who brought some synth driven sounds. She was doing a solo act versus having a backing band with her, but you could get a basic feel for how her full sound is.

What I noticed: this was perhaps the funniest moment of the night. Normally, the Viper Room stage curtains close after a set is finished. After her set, the curtains remained open. Maybe the sound guy was pre-occupied. Jane.Machine literally didn't know what to do. Should she tear down her synths with everyone watching? Well, she decided to go off stage and talk with a friend until the curtains finally closed.

Jane.Machine

ARSNK followed. Her sound switched it up to poetic prose. She was dressed in white and held dead roses close through much of her set. Her set actually reminded me a lot of Wendy Bevan (another Los Angeles local artist -- though she also spends a lot of time in the UK), but perhaps a touch understated in comparison.

ARSNK

Closing out the night for me was Lauren Lakis. Now it was past midnight and I had to drive back to Glendale so I couldn't stay for her full set. However, her initial songs reminded me so much of what one would hear at Hotel Cafe. It was a nice way to end the night.

Lauren Lakis

What I noticed: so this was also an after set situation. After ARSNK ended her set, the co-founder of Fierce Femme Sounds went up on stage with Thea of ARSNK and they gave a brief talk about their new community. They also made it sound like the night was over. As soon as they were done talking, Lauren ran up to the stage to remind them that she was still going on and to let folks know that she was up next. The co-founder realized her mistake and tried to make amends, but the microphone was already cut off. So she made her way to the floor and yelled out that Lauren was still coming up.

Glendale Open Arts & Music Festival

A music festival in Glendale? Well, actually, this was the third year of the Glendale Open Arts and Music Festival. This was my first time going; however. I don't recall why I didn't attend the first two years. Probably other things got in the way, because Gavin Turek played the first year of the festival and why would I miss Gavin Turek? This year, Allah Las and Jesse Jo Stark headlined the event.

Since I live in Glendale, I actually walked to the festival. Perhaps a little long of a walk, considering I was bringing my camera equipment, but still cool to walk to catch some bands instead of always driving -- even if driving means just heading over to Highland Park or Echo Park.

Thumpasaurus opened the day for me. I originally saw this band play Broke LA 2017. On this day, they all wore white overalls. When I walked up, I noticed on the backs of the overalls, the word "Trump." Hmm, they're making a political statement. Then I noticed it said "Thump." Ha ha.

What did I notice: a little kid with a toy guitar got up on stage. One couldn't help but notice that he was paying attention to how the guitarist was playing and was attempting to mimic the movements on his toy guitar.

Thumpasaurus

Georgia Anne Muldrow came up next. I actually missed the first song or two, because she started her set early. I was dehydrated from my walk so went over to Panera Bread to get a lemonade. I walked back over only to discover that she had started her set about 10 minutes early. Part of me was thinking Spike Lee and Blackkklansman while watching her set.

Georgia Anne Muldrow

Jesse Jo Stark was the main reason I headed out to the festival. I actually love the bio that was put up on the website:

Jesse Jo Stark, the brooding singer-songwriter who was one of Guns N’ Roses opening acts last year, performs with a full-throttle voice that growls through spooky lyrics about zombies, spiders, and the terrors of love. American Songwriter magazine compares her to Mazzy Star, and even the cynics at Vice admit she’s on the rise.

"Even the cynics at Vice admit she's on the rise." I love that willingness to punch back a little at the cynics by posting what they state. They're always going to be those who don't like your music so you may as well accept it.

I will also say I think American Songwriter only listened to one or two of her songs. Yes, there is some Mazzy Star in one or two of her songs, but I also think she's willing to blast it out like a true rock star.

Noticed: the wind was blowing a touch and some of the song sheets fell off one of the music stands. I couldn't help but notice how detailed the music sheets were. It just made me love Jesse Jo Stark all the more.

Jesse Jo Stark

Allah Las closed out the night. Fans were packed in for this band that played it cool on stage with their mellow rock jams. You know the fans were out when one of the members was celebrating a birthday and folks at the very beginning of the set were yelling out their Happy Birthday well-wishes.

I have to say I have a long history with Allah Las. I've seen them at two prior festivals from years back: Silverlake Jubilee and Eagle Rock Music Festival.

Allah Las

Quick Hit Artist Interview: Dan Sadin

Dan Sadin at the Lodge Room

Interview with the artist. Enjoy:

What's the story behind how you started out as a musician? Music has always been the only answer for me. I pretty much just played guitar in my bedroom until I got to music school in Los Angeles (aside from my high school jazz band performances). Then I started playing out with friends and started a band. From there we played around town, started to create a community. We shifted projects, I joined Frenship and started working on my own music. And now here I am!

For you and your music future, how would you define success? Having a lasting impact on people – providing a space for them to feel and connect with the music I'm playing, as well as being able to connect with one another. I want people to feel good after they've come to one of my shows. And I want to be able to continue to support myself and a family working in this way.

The Satellite: Crimson Apple and Jane N The Jungle

I wasn't even planning on going out on a recent Monday night, which was highly unusual since Monday nights are my nights out. Then I just happened to hop on Instagram and click on the search option. A photo caught my eye and I selected it. It happened to be a photo of Crimson Apple. I saw that they were playing that night at The Satellite. I also noticed that they were originally living in Hawaii. I was like, "Hey, I'm going to catch this band."

Crimson Apple is an all sister band. Interestingly, this is the second all sister band I've come across this year. The first was Stonefield, which had a Bootleg residency.

This band has pop sounds, but could actually fit perfectly well on the Sunset Strip.

Strange side note: one of their publicity photos has me thinking one of the sisters has a fascination with Arya/Game of Thrones.

Regarding personalities, I could be totally wrong, but each sister seems to bring distinctly different personalities to the band. The lead singer provides the charisma. The drummer brings the fun. The guitarist brings the dynamic extrovert movements. The bassist brings a touch of distance.

Crimson Apple

Jane N The Jungle followed. This band is from Phoenix. For some reason, I feel like more bands from Phoenix are spending time in Los Angeles. Though Crimson Apple had pop sounds coursing thought their veins, Jane N The Jungle definitely was all about rock music. From the black leather jacket to the hair style, it screamed rock. It was screaming rock. (In fact, their song "Little Blue" talks about leather jackets.)

Jane N The Jungle

Quick Hit Artist Interview: Colyer

Colyer at the Lodge Room

Interview with the artist. Enjoy:

How would you describe your sound? If you time-traveled a person with a handful of their favorite late-sixties albums to 2018 and locked them in a studio with a bunch of instruments and an iMac, that’s what I sound like.

If you weren’t pursuing music as a career or passion, what do you think you might be doing in its place? If I weren’t doing music, I might be just another white guy in marketing.

Own Q&A. A total stranger picks a fight with you in a bar. This stranger is exactly your size and weight. You have done nothing to this individual to warrant such animosity, but the stranger really wants to fight you. And to make matters weirder, this stranger wants to fight you on the moon (and somehow this is possible). You and this stranger will be transported to the surface of the moon, outfitted in ultra-thin (and very comfortable) space suits, and rigged with lightweight oxygen tanks. You will then be expected to fight for 10 three-minute rounds. You can’t use weapons, there are no rules, and you cannot quit (unless you or your opponent are knocked unconscious). Do you accept this challenge? And — if yes — what is your moon-fighting strategy? *thanks to Chuck Klosterman’s “Hypertheticals.” Answer. I would most definitely accept this challenge because how could I pass up a chance to go to the moon? My moon-fighting strategy would be purely based on poorly demonstrated martial art techniques I’ve gathered from Hollywood movies, namely “Karate Kid” and “3 Ninjas.” All said techniques would prove to be inefficient due to the fact that I don’t know what I’m doing and the lack of gravity just makes it look like I’m doing tai chi.

Bootleg Theater: Family of the Year, Cillie Barnes and Zach Tabori

When Cillie Barnes said she was having a special guest joining her first residency night at the Bootleg Theater, part of me was thinking it would be Family of the Year as she used to be in the band. And it was!

Their Americana sound is like honey to me. I believe four of the ten songs of their set list came from their current album "Goodbye Sunshine, Hello Nightime." Folks might just find themselves wanting to jump in joy during various songs from that album. Of course, they ended their set with a couple classics from their music library. "Hero" was demanded and sung. They also played a song that I actually am not sure I've ever heard "Psyche or Like Scope." It was one of their first song and showed a totally different side to Family of the Year. It had a dance style to it that seems so different from their current style. It was a fun song that made one realize also how the band has evolved from versus when they first started out.

Family of the Year

Opening up the night was Zach Tabori who was in total contrast to Family of the Year and Cillie Barnes. He was the total showman -- his band, as well. His band had one member in a bathrobe. The drummer had an over-the-top style and Zach was dressed in a party suit. It was blast of music to start off the night.

Zach Tabori

Closing out the night and starting her residency was Cillie Barnes. What was enjoyable for those who have been addicted to the Los Angeles music scene for a number of years was her final song where Z Berg (The Like) and Joseph (Family of the Year) shared the stage with Cillie Barnes. Los Angeles music royalty were sharing the stage.

Cillie Barnes

Interesting note: all members of the band for Cillie Barnes was dressed in white. Even Joseph changed shirts to join in the theme. I believe he found the shirt lying around the Bootleg somewhere.

Quick Hit Band Interview: HUNTR

HUNTR at The Satellite

Interview with the band. Enjoy:

What’s the story behind how the band started out? Bere: I started music as a solo artist and decided after a little hiatus I wanted to push my sound a little further left. I knew the only way to do that was by bringing on musicians. I found Nick on Youtube, and Boris on BandMix.

What band/artist would you most like to open for and why the choice? Run the Jewels, Kid Cudi, Tyler the Creator, all of them sonically lean alternative, but fuse genres really while remaining very much hip-hop.

Own thoughts. People often ask us how we classify ourselves musically. Honestly, we don’t because that’s not what art is, but for conversations sake, we’re okay with “alternative hip-hop group.” We’re not a rap-rock band, huge difference. Also, we’re really rad live, if you haven’t seen us, come check us or book us. Let’s have some fun!

Moroccan Lounge: Brenda Carsey with KiSMit, Liv Slingerland and Livingmore

It was off to the Moroccan Lounge to take photos of one of my favorite Los Angeles bands: Livingmore. Though I had to make sure I showed up early to catch KiSMiT. When I was asked if I wanted to do some photography, I checked out KiSMiT (I'd already heard and seen Liv Slingerland
and Brenda Carsey). They have a song out called 'Every Shade of You' that brings back the romantic sounds of the 80s. From what I can tell, this duo/couple met on a cruise ship where both were working as musicians. One knew immediately that the other was meant for them while it took the other a little bit more time to figure that out. This is a duo to keep an eye out for.

KiSMiT

Liv Slingerland had perhaps the comment of the night: It is strange to write songs about people who were once in your life, but aren't in your life anymore, but they're still there in this song.

Liv Slingerland

It was Brenda Carsey celebrating her fifth year in Los Angeles with her band called Brenda Carsey and The Awe. This was actually my first time seeing her first set. I happened to catch a couple of her songs while running around taking photos for Buzzbands at Echo Park Rising. Backing her on vocals was Nicole Kiki Jaffe, who I've seen prior. Also, was Leila Milki. I'll have to catch one of her own sets. 

Brenday Carsey and The Awe

Livingmore closed out the night. This band has quickly become one of my favorite bands. Lead singer, Alex, has those vocals down. I was thinking about it: when you see her live or listen to her voice on Youtube, you get the same sound. This just tells me that she has stellar vocals that aren't manipulated via a sound guy. 

Livingmore

Three Days of Music: Chinatown Summer Nights, Happy Sundays Long Beach, The Echo

It was a jammed packed three days of straight awesome music.

It all started on a Saturday in Chinatown for the final Chinatown Summer Nights of 2018.

Emma Cole with Lauren Ruth Ward

Opening up was Emma Cole who had some wonderful cameos, which included Lauren Ruth Ward. Jane Holiday followed up. When I looked at the schedule, I had no clue who he was. Then when he went up on stage, I recognized him. He used to go simply by Jane when I caught his set at The Hi Hat in early 2018. mini bear was up next. That band will get you dancing. Jasper Bones had the crowd packed in and swooning to his vocals. CLARA-NOVA gave us some French inspired pop while I got fascinated with her drum stick.

Then on Sunday I took a long trip down to Long Beach. I don't go to Long Beach all that often. The inspiration for heading off on this day was that a number of bands that I follow were playing a music festival called Happy Sunday: Spare Parts for Broken Hearts, Ramonda Hammer, The Paranoyds, Holy Wars, Draemings, and Death Valley Girls.

Those weren't the only bands I saw though. I also caught DCHAV, No Tides, The No. 44 and The Shrine.

Best memory was when The No. 44 ended their set at Iguana Kelleys. The Paranoyds were up next and weren't anywhere to be seen. One of the individuals running things went to the microphone, "If The Paranoyds are around, you can set up now." The stage remained void of The Paranoyds. Next, the person went up to someone in the audience and I could hear him ask, "Do you see The Paranoyds anywhere? Do you know what they look like?" Well, shortly after that, they walked in, set up, and basically started on time.

The Paranoyds

Another memory has to deal with Death Valley Girls. It was either the first or second song and the lead singer broke a string on her guitar. The look on her face was priceless. The bassist on this night just happened to be the bassist for Cat Scan.

I also happened to take a walk down to the Long Beach Playhouse to see a photo exhibit of Emery Becker's photography. He was a Los Angeles photographer who died in a highway accident earlier this year. It was a very moving tribute to his work. The photos were amazing.

To close out the three day stint, it was off to The Echo to catch the final Slugs residency night. The night had, in order, Egg Drop Soup, Rumblepak, Nicky Blitz, Slugs, and Turtles on Speed. I was eager to catch Egg Drop Soup as a photographer I know did a photo shoot for them. They were a fun band. I had previously interviewed Rumblepak and Turtles on Speed. Nicky Blitz got hot while wearing his a sport's jacket. It was a fun final night to catch Slugs. They were doing a team sports night. Jerseys were in and Lauren Ruth Ward did some on stage cheerleading.

Slugs

Interestingly, the three nights was a nice way to catch full sets of bands that I wasn't able to catch during Echo Park Rising. That includes Emma Cole, mini bear, Spare Parts for Broken Hearts and The Paranoyds. I won't mention Ramonda Hammer as I essentially caught 95% of their Echo Park Rising set.

Quick Hit Band Interview: Cape Weather

Cape Weather at The Echo

Interview with the band (via Natalie). Enjoy:

What's the story behind how you band started? Eric and I became friends in college and have played music together on and off for years. I'd been previously focusing on solo projects, and the last solo record I made was a challenging experience for me. On more than one occasion, I called Eric from the studio to vent, and one day he suggested we write some songs together. The whole band thing blossomed naturally after that.

What’s your favorite band song and what makes it the favorite? I love all the band songs in one way or another, and the favorite seems to change, but I've really been enjoying 'Never Say' recently. The idea of feeling awkward and anxious at a party is something I can really relate to, so it was fun to put that down on paper in a more lighthearted way.

Up on CaliforniaRocker.com: Holy Wars

One of my interviews is up on California Rocker. You may have read parts of the interview with Holy Wars here on this blog or on Facebook/Instagram. But there are a few added details that are totally new. Please check it out!

Holy Wars at Harvard & Stone