Quick Hit Band Interview: The Millennial Club

The Millennial Club at Wild Riot Summer Sessions

Interview with the band. Enjoy:

How would you describe your sound? RnB, jazz-influenced, pop music.

What is your favorite The Millennial Club's lyric and what about it makes it so special? "Alcohol and cigarettes is early death, but something about it calms you down." It's the most special, because it's something we all can relate to. Things in our life that kill us, things we know aren't good for us, that we do anyways because we can't help it.

 Own Q&A. How tall is Jake? Too damn tall.

Quick Hit Artist Interview: TIMBALERX

TIMBALERX at the Roosevelt Hotel

Interview with the artist. Enjoy:

What inspires you in creating your sound? What currently inspires me is lots of Sean Paul 2002 type shit. Early aka Save Ferris etc. And ‘90s movies like Wayne’s World 2. I Dream in Colors. Kanye’s YouTube videos of him raping with his mother in the kitchen. Being a brown queer inspires me because I didn’t have a voice for so many years before I was living an authentic life. Now it’s like Slipknot’s “Fuck it all! Fuck this world! Fuck everything that you stand for!” meets Juan Gabriel’s Amor Eternal.

 Own final thoughts: I love my curves as a big brown fem man . . . I’m not missing no meals.

The Hi Hat: Janelane, Jody, Lunch Lady and Mo Dotti

It was off to The Hi Hat to catch Mo Dotti, Jody, Lunch Lady and Janelane.

Mo Dotti

Jody

Here's a story about the night. The night started off with Mo Dotti. I was enjoying the start of a fine lineup of bands. Then Jody came on stage and it started to feel like deja vu. Looking around the crowd I noticed Sally from French Vanilla in the audience. This is way to familiar, I thought. I looked through one of the band's Instagram account and it hit me. A little over a year ago at The Smell; French Vanilla, Janelane, Jody and Lunch Lady played a show together. Lead singer for Mo Dotti was backing Janelane. One happy group of musicians/friends for a pre-Thanksgiving event.

Janelane

Lunch Lady

School Night: WILD and Didirri

I was scrolling through my e-mail and noticed that WILD was playing School Night. I hit RSVP. I love WILD, but Didirri was a big surprise. He opened up the night. He walked on stage with just his guitar. And then came the most down to earth set I've seen in awhile. His vocals and style just caused the crowd to listen with their full attention. Usually, when music is of the Hotel Cafe style, you can hear folks talking in the background. For his set, he held the attention of everyone.

He also told some fun stories.

One example came from his time in London. He was at a convenience store, waiting behind a 75 year-old who kept on asking the clerk where he could buy weed. Didirri, meanwhile, was just wanting to pay for an avocado. The 75 year-old wasn't getting any answers so he turned around and said, "I'll just ask this lady." Didirri replied, "I'm a dude." The 75 year old then responded back after hearing the accent, "You're from Australia? I'm from New Zealand. F-uck off."

Didirri

WILD came up next. This is my 3rd time catching this band. The first time I saw them was in September at Tarfest. So yes, I've caught a set about once a month since that time. I just love how their vocals and music just seamlessly blend together. Currently, I appear to be one of the few photographers in Los Angeles that catches this band on a regular basis. I expect that to change at some point. 

WILD

Quick Hit Artist Interview: JR Slayer

JR Slayer at The Echo

Interview with the artist. Enjoy:

What are the influences that impact your music? My life and my environment. Elliott Smith. New Order.

What thrills you about performing live? I get to be my complete self. Nothing can affect me when I am performing. I get lost and it’s the safest place to be. It's home.

Holy Wars (Gold-Diggers) and machineheart (Madame Siam)

Holy Wars was playing their final set of 2018 at Gold-Diggers. This is a venue that I'd actually never even heard about. Kat of Holy Wars mentioned to me earlier that it used to be a strip club. In fact, LA Weekly called it the best strip club in 2013. Now it appears to be a venue for DJs and bands. And based on the website, there is also a boutique hotel and recording studio in the building. From the outside, it doesn't look like much, but from the pictures on the website, a lot of work has been done to make things look classy inside.

The place was packed in with familiar faces such as Lauren Ruth Ward, Emma Cole, Kevin from Buzzbands to name a few. This night was actually the second time that week that I'd run into Lauren Ruth Ward. She yelled across the room to me, "We have good taste in music." Annabelle from MetronOhm and Michelle from Michelle Young and the Collection backed up Holy Wars for a couple songs. The night was a fun celebration of a part of the Los Angeles music scene that I so enjoy. Holy Wars, of course, killed it. I've said this before and I'll say it again, listening to Holy Wars is just so cathartic.

Holy Wars

Now I actually saw machineheart back in October. So I'm a little late in writing something up about the night. I saw the band a couple times in 2016. I first saw them at The Satellite. Then I later caught a truncated set at Music Tastes Good. They had these awesome pop tunes at the time. I noticed that they were playing a free show at Madame Siam and I knew I had to catch their set. Their music on this recent October night shifted more towards a rock sound.

It was actually an interesting set to watch. Madame Siam has a lengthy stage, but it is basically cut into three smaller stages due to pillars. So the way the band was set up, lead singer Stevie Scott was on one stage with the drummer while the bassist and guitarist were on the far left and right stages. Stevie actually mentioned how strange it felt to have her band mates basically playing close, but separate. I really do hope I catch them again in 2019.

machineheart

Quick Hit Band Interview: The Terns

The Terns

Interview with the band. Enjoy:

How would you describe your sound? We're a guitar driven rock band with melodic harmonies and arrangements. Our sound is reminiscent of 1960's rock, mixed with elements of more current indie/alternative rock. We try to write music that is honest and moving; music that we, ourselves, would enjoy listening to.

Are there any unique, funny, high jinks, mundane, etc tendencies that the band is known for – during sets, band practice, otherwise? We're constantly making fun ourselves. When we practice we change lyrics, make up alternative silly names to our songs, sing in operatic voices, and sometimes we'll make hilarious sped up ska versions of our songs or any covers we're doing at the time. On a more serious note, we almost always open practice with a long, improvised jam that we collectively write on the spot. It keeps things light and sparks creativity even though most of the time we don't remember what we played. It's kind of a shame because we've done some really cool stuff before, but never got them recorded.

Own Q&A: What would you say to your fans and supporters? A. We love what we do. We love the music we play, and we love to perform on stage. There is truly nothing like being on stage, performing our songs for people to enjoy. So to all those who have supported us over the years, who have come out to a show, who have paid to see us play, we are truly grateful. You keep us excited and motivated to keep this train going. Thank you!

American Barbershop: Spare Parts for Broken Hearts, Speed of Light, Ugly Sweaters

It was off to the American Barbershop to catch a trio of bands. Yes, it is an actual barbershop that turns into a venue at night. I first stepped foot inside the barbershop a few weeks back to catch Disco Shrine's video release party. This time, it was to catch live music. The place was packed with music fans. One thing I noticed that I didn't appear to have noticed the first time I went to this "venue" was the moose head above the stage that the bands played on.

This was my second time catching Ugly Sweaters. The first time was at Broke LA 2017. The band is fronted by a married couple. They're expected a son in the not so distant future. Comment of the set was, "Buy some stuff and we'll put some food in our kid's mouth." This band played with some rocking spirit that perhaps had the baby kicking.

Ugly Sweaters

Up next was Speed of Light. This band is fronted by 3 tweens/teenagers. If ever there was a band name that matched the band, this is it. This band plays at the speed of light. What is actually fun to watch is the bassist. Her eyes show such excitement. One hopes that never goes away. What was cool about their set was seeing Spare Parts for Broken Hearts helping the band out to make sure nothing went awry during the set. This band played a good portion of their set off the stage so Spare Parts for Broken Hearts made sure that wires didn't get tangled or bring down any microphone stands.

Speed of Light

Closing out the night for me was Spare Parts for Broken Hearts. Lead singer Sarah's vocals bring the power of punk. And yet there is a solid melodic sound that drifts through all that rawness. And there are just those moments that just cause you to want to jump and scream. A demand was made for an encore and it was given.

Spare Parts for Broken Hearts

What was especially fun about the night was recognizing so many faces in the audience. It was like a small community of the Echo Park/Silverlake music scene. And unlike maybe a random night out when most people are strangers to each other, I think on this particular night people knew a number of those hanging out that night. A very precious moment to have in the crazy city of Los Angeles. 

Quick Hit Artist Interview: Leggy Peggy

Leggy Peggy at The Hi Hat

Interview with the artist. Enjoy:

Is there a story behind when you knew you wanted to become a musician? I grew up singing my whole life, but what made me peruse learning how to play guitar was when I was hit by a car on my bicycle when I was 21 years old. I suffered from numerous injuries. A broken jaw, 7 shifted disks in my spine and a broken left hand in 3 places. It was while recovering that I made a list of all the things I wanted to learn to do using my hands, if by chance I had lost all ability to use them. First thing on that list was to learn how to play guitar. And I just simply was enamored. Now the rest is history!

What’s your favorite gig/set/tour memory? I have a few, but I would have to say any show when family and friends surprise me and fill a room with love is just the greatest. Also, any show that I have had outside truly moves me. Once I played a house festival in Auburn, CA on a stage that was built between two giant red wood trees. It was over 5 feet high and I think about that gig often.

Own Q&A. I’ll ask myself where I get my inspiration for most of my songs? I am moved to write based on real life moments. Whether it be from a specific incident in which a loved one has passed away, love gone right or wrong, my family, believing in yourself or the messed-up world due to the messed-up government in America and throughout the world.

 I was taught how to play guitar initially from a good friend I met in Venice Beach, CA. Caesar “Cheech” as everyone called him. He was from Peru and his English was amazing. But I’d find him asking what some words meant. I used to write very specific to what the song was about then I found myself using words with double meanings.

 I like my songs to have an open interpretation to apply to many different situations in life. What a song I’ve written may mean to me may have a totally different meaning to someone listening, living in a different place but being able to apply a sentence to something on their mind.

Those are the kind of songs I like to listen to, so I do my best to make each song applicable to many situations.

 As life is what you make of it.

The Hi Hat: Letters to Cleo with American Hi-Fi

I usually head out to The Hi Hat for local bands. This was perhaps the first time I went to The Hi Hat to see a touring band. Actually, that might not be a totally true statement. Letters to Cleo is from Boston; however, as I noticed via a comment from the band on someone's Instagram account: 3 of the 5 band members live in Los Angeles. So at this point, are they a Los Angeles band?

Letters to Cleo formed in the 1990s. From there (per Wikipedia), they've gone on various lengths of hiatuses. Even through these breaks in time, they kept their fan base intact. The Hi Hat was packed with fans. And if one had no clue who Letters to Cleo are, you could get a good idea of their sound via the various t-shifts that were worn: Ramones, Pixies and even a local band, Spare Parts for Broken Hearts.

Letters to Cleo

Their alternative rock sounds had the crowd thrilled from the start and throughout their 14 song set along with an extra 2 encores. The songs ranged across the albums: "Demon Rock," "Fast Way," "Find You Dead," "I'm a Fool," "Jennifer," "Pizza Cutter,""Veda Very Shining," "Jennifer," "Pizza Cutter."

Letters to Cleo

And, of course, for an encore they played a song that "they only played once during a practice session," which was "Cruel to Be Kind."

Moment of the set: Kay, lead singer, mentioned that she was feeling a bit uncomfortable as she was playing the set with short hair. The crowd was having none of it. The music for them was the most important part of the night -- not hairstyles.

Letters to Cleo

American Hi-Fi opened the night with some Boston punk. Lead singer Stacy just knows how to pump the crowd up. Fans had their fists in the air. Stacy actually did double duty for the night. He also played drums for Letters to Cleo. He is also one of the 3 band members of Letter to Cleo who lives in Los Angeles. He admitted that he had mixed feelings during the World Series: Red Sox or Dodgers. In the end, he cheered for the Dodgers. Of course, considering Letters to Cleo and American Hi-Fi are playing in Boston on November 16th, I'm not sure that was something to admit.

American Hi-Fi

Video by Bloody Death Skull: Bats

I've followed Bloody Death Skull for a number of years now. Here is a video of their song "Bats" that highlights their quirky sounding music and style.

Quick Hit Artist Interview: Rosie Tucker

Rosie Tucker at the Bootleg Theater

Interview with the artist. Enjoy:

You play in a couple bands, if not more. So outside of music, what are some of your other interests? Outside of music my interests currently include assemblage art, time wasting, and Paulo Freire. Do with that what you will :).

The Smell: The Mad Walls, Automatic and Marcos Vaca

I don't know if this is much of a band blog as it is an story about the Los Angeles Dodgers. I have to admit that I'm not the biggest baseball fan, but I do keep an eye on baseball. With the Dodgers in the World Series, I spent moments here and there watching the games. It was Game 3 of the World Series, a Friday night. There was also something else going on that night, I wanted to head out to The Smell to catch Marcos Vaca, Automatic and The Mad Walls. I don't go to The Smell that often, but I do try to head out to that venue every so often.

I got home after work and started to watch the game. As the bottom of the 9th inning was starting, I decided to drive over to The Smell. As I was parking my car, the 9th had either ended or was about to end. As I was walking to The Smell, I passed by a small little store front where folks were sitting inside and on seats that were set up outside, watching the game on a couple televisions that were set up inside.

Marcos Vaca

When Marcos Vaca hit the stage with his solo set, the game was entering extra innings. Interesting note was that he was doing a double billing that night. As soon as his set ended, he was headed off to another venue for a tribute night.

I continued to check my phone for game updates as Automatic and The Mad Walls played their sets. Automatic reminded me of either a sped up Pinky Pinky or a sped down The Paranoyds. Basically, since I love both Pinky Pinky and The Paranoyds, I'm saying that I'm keeping an eye on Automatic. The band also joked about how they were the only band to dress up for the pre-Halloween night.

Automatic

The Mad Walls played their set without their bassist. They mentioned that she was off on tour with Death Valley Girls. That their bassist was off playing with Death Valley Girls was a nice tidbit of information. With the liquid show that was being put on (lights were used for all three bands), there was a nice psychedelic feel to their set. Their lead singer really knows how to put on a show. And their drummer had a fun way of playing the a fictional violin with his sticks.

The Mad Walls

As The Mad Walls finished their set, the World Series was still going. I walked past that same storefront and I don't believe anyone had left. I got to my car and wondered if I'd get home before the game came to an end. I decided to press my luck and got a burrito at one of my favorite taco trucks. There wasn't even a line at the truck -- probably because everyone was at home watching the game. I got home and watching the final moments of the game, eating my burrito. Not a bad night at all.

Quick Hit Band Interview: JEMS

JEMS at Wild Riot Summer Sessions

Interview with the band. Enjoy:

How would you describe your sound? We are an alt/folk band inspired by the sounds of yesteryear in the canyons of LA.

How do you go about combining lyrics and sound? We write what matters to us and the sound we create together has been easily lent to telling stories of all kinds. We like it when the lyrics and music serve the emotional or aesthetic purpose together, but they don’t always have to.

Own Q&A: How did you choose the name JEMS? We came up with our band name by combining our initials. Jessica + Emily + Sarah Margaret = JEMS! We love nature and pull a lot from its naturally occurring motifs and metaphors so to have a name that also parallels something beautiful the earth makes seems fitting. And gems sparkle . . . and rock.

Quick Hit Artist Interview: Edgard

Edgard at the Silverlake Lounge

Interview with the artist. Enjoy:

How would you describe your sound? I believe my sound represents truthfully who I am. I blend all my major influences of blues, rock and prog into my own fusion. Improvisation is my greatest joy. When I'm playing, I deliver myself in the moment. I grew up with deep roots in blues and rock, having Jimi Hendrix as my biggest influence. Sincerely, music to me is a spiritual experience and that feeling comes out in my sound.

I read you grew up in Brazil. Do you have any interesting thoughts on the Brazilian music scene? Yes, I'm originally from Rio de Janeiro! We currently have some amazing independent production companies like Abraxas making cool events and festivals with new creative bands. Also, blues has become more and more deeply appreciated in Brazil. If live music is your thing, you should definitely explore and look into São Paulo's night life.

Own Q&A: Who are your major influences at the moment? Nowadays who inspire me the most are Derek Trucks, Eric Gales, Eric Johnson and Mark Lettieri, just to name a few.