2018 in Review: Top 15 New Bands and Random Thoughts

Top 15 Favorite 2018 New Bands (new to me, but maybe not new to you - alphabetical):

15. Egrets on Ergot. I kept seeing photos posted of this band. I finally got to catch them at The Satellite at the start of the year. The most punk band on this list. I saw them again at Echo Park Rising and had to move away from the stage due to too many body slams to my back - by a fellow photographer!

Check out their song: Mangkukulam.

Side note: most seen photographer - Alyson Camus.

Egrets on Ergots at The Satellite

14. Emma Cole. She has those deep vocals that will drive you crazy mad. And she sings with passion. You can also find her backing other songstresses. And why wouldn't they want her backing them.

Check out her song: High Times

Side note: waiting for Kate Clover to hit the stage again
.

Emma Cole at Chinatown Summer Nights

13. The Entire Universe. That lead singer and his snarl while singing is enticing. They will grab you from the start.

Check out their song: Just Don't.

Also, being prideful, go to their Instagram page and see a 12 panel photo I took of the band at Zebulon.

Side note: waiting for Lauren Rocket to hit the stage again.

The Entire Universe at the Echoplex

12. Hawk Percival and Friends. Saw her set twice. I love how her vocals just punctuate the air.

Check out her song: One.

Side note: it was so awesome seeing Family of the Year again.

Hawk Percival and Friends at Little Joy Cocktails (shot for buzzbands)

11. Jimmy Sweet. I went to Harvard & Stone really to catch Jesse Jo Stark. As I walked in, Jimmy Sweet was playing his set. I was blown off my feet, “This is just amazing.”

Check out his song: When I Do Wrong

Side note: I saw the 13 of my Top 15 Favorite 2017 New Bands/Artists in 2018. I believe two of the artists I didn’t catch are no longer living in Los Angeles so that’s a good excuse for not seeing them in 2018.

Jimmy Sweet at Harvard & Stone

10. LIA. If you're looking for a singer songwriter who keeps it simple and yet is willing to give the middle finger to ex-lovers, she's your person. Caught her set at the Bootleg and was more than a bit regretful that I could only catch a couple of her songs at Echo Park Rising

Check out her song: That Should Be Me.

Side note: I really need to make sure I see Jenny O, Mara Connor and Pu$$y Cow at least once in 2019. It is a yearly tradition. If you know those artists/band, you know that’s a really strange combination. If not, you can probably tell by the names.

LIA at the Bootleg Theater

9. Mishcatt. It was a random night at the Bootleg Theater and out walks MishCatt with her face painted in purple and singing her whole set in a zebra patterned chair. The strangeness of it all, along with the fact that she had the biggest smile throughout her set, got me hooked.

Check out her song: Another Dimension

Side note: a venue needs to give Gypsum a residency in 2019. The Echo would seem to be the most obvious one, but Bootleg Theater, The Hi Hat, The Satellite . . .

Mishcatt at the Bootleg Theater

8. The No. 44. It was Happy Sundays in Long Beach. I went to Long Beach to catch some favorite bands: Draemings, Holy Wars, The Paranoyds, Ramonda Hammer, Spare Parts for Broken Hearts. I figured the venue that The Paranoyds were playing at would be packed so I got there early and ended up seeing The No. 44. That band is wild and rowdy.

Check out their song: Better Times in Higher Places

Side note: my most liked photo this year is a photo I took of Ramonda Hammer.

The No. 44 at Iguana Kelly's

7. Numb.er. So yeah, kill me, I’ve been a fan of Laena Geronimo for years (as well as Z Berg) due to The Like. If she’s in a band that I see for the first time, well, it’s making the list.

Check out their song: Fear.

Side note: Throwing out thanks to Rumblepak who helped me get inside a venue at the very last minute.

Numb.er at The Echo

6. Pinky Pinky. I first came across them at The Echo during FOMO Week. I actually had a birthday dinner to go to, but decided to catch their set before heading out. I'm so glad I did. And there is nothing more amusing than watching their bassist moving her tongue around the inside of her cheeks.

Check out their song: Margaret

Side note: thanks to all the bands/artists who used my photos on social media.

Pinky Pinky at The Echo

5. Stonefield. I've done this lists for years. I'm pretty exclusive to keeping this list to bands/artists who are based in Los Angeles for at least most of the year. But I saw this Led Zeppelin-influenced band from Australia 3 times during their Bootleg residency and so it would just be wrong for me not to include them on this list.

Check out their song: Visions.

Side note: this is embarrassing, but I’ve been doing concert photography for years and I went to the Alex Bar for the first time ever this year. Okay, so I hate driving more than 10 miles, but still . . .

Stonefield at the Bootleg Theater

4. tILLie. I came across her at Broke LA. I do believe she was the reason why folks came out on that day. The festival hit peak attendance for her set. There is just something fun about her music.

Check out her songs: Save Yourself and Hold On

Side note: it was a dream catching machineheart against for the first time since 2016.

tILLie at Broke LA

3. Vigil of War. Royal Distortion is calling it quits. If there is a band that has a chance to carry on the Sunset Strip tradition set by Barb Wire Dolls/Royal Distortion, it is Vigil of War.

Check out her song: Stitch me Up

Side note: The Fontaines called it quits in 2018. I got to shoot their last show. I had followed them for a number of years.

Vigil of War at the Viper Room

Top 2 -- Got to Highlight My Two Favorite

2. WILD. I have a thing for happy crisp vocals. I say this band is similar to Family of the Year, but with a female vocal lead. If you're a Family of the Year, Grouplove, The Mowgli's fan, I think you'll love WILD. I did this list in alphabetical order. However, I do have two favorites and that would be WILD and the upcoming band, which is mentioned below. I love both to an equal degree so the deciding factor in who is #1 versus #2 is that I saw WILD 3 times and the upcoming band 4 times.

Check out their song: Throw Me In The Water

Side note: one of the most fun bands to photograph (and not wanting to repeat bands/artists already mentioned in this series) -- Smoke Season.

WILD at School Night

1. The Paranoyds. They are my favorite new band of 2018. I first saw them at a warehouse show based on an Instagram suggestion. Well, I was hooked. I would have seen them way more than 4 times if I could have. I'd love to see them go on tour with my last year's top favorite new band, Potty Mouth. I know there is another photographer out there that totally agrees with me.

Check out their song: Heather Doubtfire

Side note: there better be some really awesome “new” bands in 2019.

The Paranoyds at Iguana Kelly's

Random 2018 Year End Mentions

1. Fond farewell to Royal Distortion. I've followed Royal Distortion/Barb Wire Dolls since 2011. Best in Greece.

Side note: Emery Becker. Unlike many, I wasn’t close to Emery Becker, but I did always figure he’d be photographing the same shows that I did.

Royal Distortion at Whisky A Go Go

2.  Here’s a reward for walking everywhere and being the most supportive musician during Echo Park Rising: Annabelle Maginnis of MetronOhm. I shot Echo Park Rising for Buzzbands (maybe they’ll let me do it next year, as well). My goal when doing photography at Echo Park Rising for Buzzbands is to see as many bands as possible. When I’m on the east side and see Annabelle and then I go to the west side and see Annabelle and then reverse course and see Annabelle, I really have to assume she walked more than any other musician.

Side note: it was really cool to see The Vim Dicta again after so many years.

MetronOhm at Gold-Diggers

3. Most supportive Los Angeles musician. No real competition. It has to be Lauren Ruth Ward. You see someone once every 3 months that's coincidence. You run into someone 1 - 3 times a month, that's called supporting the local music scene. As she said once, we both have good taste in music.

Side note: Glendale put on a solid local music festival. I've lived in Glendale for over a decade so I figure I have a right to find that amusing.

Lauren Ruth Ward at Chinatown Summer Nights

4. Runner up for most supportive Los Angeles musician has to be Andrew from Moon Honey. Okay, so you really can't miss him when he's around, but still he’s out and about all the time. The Hi Hat to The Satellite to The Echo . . . .

Side note: keep an eye on Wild Riot. They've been putting on mini-festivals all of 2018. Do they have bigger plans for 2019 or 2020?

Moon Honey at Levitt Pavilion

5. Most seen band in 2018: Livingmore at 6. If one wants to get technical it was 5.25 as I only caught a couple of their songs while running around during Echo Park Rising. Just love those vocals. Runner ups would be Ramonda Hammer/Spare Parts for Broken Hearts at 5 and Holy Wars/Royal Distortion/The Paranoyds at 4.

Side note: thanks to all the bands/artists who responded to my Q&As. Very appreciated. Hopefully, to followers, it makes this blog interesting.

Livingmore at the Echoplex

Quick Hit Band Interview: No Tides

No Tides at Alex Bar (Happy Sundays)

Interviews with the band. Enjoy:

How would you describe your sound? I guess I would describe our sound as “Garage Surf Prom Rock.” We got that from our friend William who said after our first show, “They’d kill it at prom.”

As you’re from Las Vegas, how is the Las Vegas music scene? The Las Vegas scene has something for everyone. It’s a very diverse scene, for sure. All kinds of sounds!

Quick Hit Artist Interview: Emma Cole

Emma Cole

Interview with the artist. Enjoy:

What's the story behind when you knew you wanted to become a singer? My mother says I started singing the same time I started talking, but I remember discovering my own voice in a real way around 10/11yrs old when I recorded myself singing ‘Stupid Girl’ by Garbage on our Fisher Price tape recorder.

How do you believe you have progressed over time as an artist? We as humans are constantly evolving. I embrace my evolution as a human and I welcome it in my art. I used to let outside circumstances effect the progression of my art. For example, how many live shows I was playing. I was trapped inside of my own fear. I was afraid of how I would figure out how to pay my band, how could I possibly make these shows happen? I realized that there is freedom in saying yes and figuring it out. The more I trust in the opportunities coming my way, the more I progress as a human and an artist.

Hotel Cafe: A ROVE/Baltisoul fundraiser night for homeless youth

I got asked by ROVE if I would be interested in covering their fundraiser night at Hotel Cafe. I was happy to do so. They were raising money for homeless youth. I was also asked if I was interested in doing a ticket giveaway via Instagram. This was the first time I'd done something like that. It was cool to do.

Michelle Young & The Collection

What was also cool about the night was that this was the first time I'd seen most of the bands/musicians. The only band I'd seen previously was Michelle Young & The Collection, Michelle being the one who put on the night via ROVE. Though I've seen Emma Cole, this was my first time seeing her in GMNII. A funny moment came up when the MC said something like, "They remind me of the Olsen twins." Actually, I could see how Gigi could pass as a sister of the Olsen twins. And then I've noticed MAWD on various music lineups, but this was the first time I got to see her. That was cool to finally catch someone after just noticing them on lineups.

MAWD

Mads Paige

The big surprise of the night was Velvet Starlings. You could tell they toned it down for Hotel Cafe. In fact, they didn't tone it down enough as they were asked to turn things down. From watching their set, one couldn't help but feel that at another venue (with speakers and a stage that isn't designed for singer-songwriters), lead singer Christian would be putting on one energetic show. 

Velvet Starlings

Mads Paige and New Dialogue also played the night. Mads Paige did some solid singer. Mads' father was front row for the set. New Dialogue mentioned that their songs were toned down for Hotel Cafe. "We didn't realize that tonight would be rocking."

GMNII

New Dialogue

As the night was close to Christmas, each band/musician did a Christmas song.

The Hi Hat: Bizou, Absurdist Fiction, Crook

I circled this night on the calendar when I saw that Bizou was playing. I've wanted to catch this band since they first hit the scene. The driving force was their drummer, Erin, who I follow on Instagram. When I saw them hit the stage, I realized that I actually recognized many of the band members. I was later told that the members of the band have played in various local bands such as Tennis System (Erin), Light FM (Josiah/Nicki), Smashing Pumpkins (Nicole - okay maybe not local, but she's played in other local bands that I've seen though can't recall the band names off the bat), Wax Idols (Marisa). As would be expected of a band with so much local music experience, they put on a top notch set. I only wish the lights weren't so bad for their drummer, Erin.

Bizou

Opening up was Crook, who gave a very personal set. He opened up the night so the audience was smaller when compared to the rest of the night, but those who were there made it feel very close knit. Most of the audience took a seat on the floor of The Hi Hat. As if to emphasize the fact that this was a group of close friends, there was also a text message that was sent to Crook towards the end of his set that he took the time to speed read through.

Crook

Also playing was Absurdist Fiction.

Absurdist Fiction

I'm up on California Rocker: Interview with Crook

I'm up on CaliforniaRocker with an interview with Crook.

Here's a sneak peak of the interview:

Do you find greater enjoyment writing a great song or performing a great song? Why the choice? Performance is always on my mind when writing. I'm trying to think of the visual character of each song constantly. This is more visible when I am performing with my whole band than when I am solo/locked in to the keyboard. I want the songs I write to have a visceral, lasting effect on the listener and often that requires a bit of physical finesse.

Quick Hit Artist Interview: Jessi Williams and Coyote

Jessi Williams and Coyote at The Hi Hat

Interview with the artist. Enjoy:

How would you describe your sound? We've woven in aspects of 60&70s and "Laurel Canyon" folk rock, traditional country and bluegrass.

What inspires you to write/compose your songs? Writing has become more of a compulsion. I don't wait for "the muse to hit", I need to write as part of my daily mental health maintenance. Almost anything in my life can trigger a lyrical inspiration and kick the gears in my brain into action. If I don't have a guitar in my hands, I don't feel like I'm being productive, so composition pretty much stems from trial and error.

Quick Hit Band Interview: Very Nice Massage

Very Nice Massage at the Bootleg Theater

Interview with the band. Enjoy:

What are some of the influences that help create the band's sound? Marvin Gaye and Black Devil Disco Club, we love it!

You mentioned you're from New York. What did you think of the Los Angeles music scene? Did you happen to head out to Echo Park Rising? We actually played Echo Park Rising as members of Cones. We didn’t have a chance to see anything else but it seemed cool.

Quick Hit Band Interview: Iconique

Iconique at Chinatown Summer Nights

Interview with the band. Enjoy:

When it comes to music, what currently inspires you? Honestly, ever since I saw the Whitney Houston documentary that's currently in theaters, I have been obsessively listening to her. I've been a lifelong fan, but I have such a renewed appreciation for her artistry, particularly as a live vocalist.

What is one of the band’s high or low moments and what makes it memorable? The only low point we've had as a band is this one gig we had a while back where I was rushed in applying my makeup beforehand so my winged eyeliner wasn't perfectly symmetrical. An indescribable sense of shame.

Quick Hit Artist Interview: Rocco Deluca

Rocco Deluca at Zebulon

Interview with the artist. Enjoy:

I believe the first time I saw you was in 2009 at Spaceland. How has your music changed over the years? It seems to me that this music that I play is always sifting for a more direct and simple approach. As I get older, I am more able to quickly articulate my sentiments through music. I've been enjoying playing my baritone lap steel guitar that my friend Pavel Maslowiec built for me. The instrument allows for me to be dynamic with very little, and I'm enjoying the experimentation that I've been afforded in recent years. An example of this experimentation can be found on “Goodbye To Language” with Lanois. I am always searching for the pure tone, and that is ever-changing.

How has the Los Angeles music scene changed over the years – from your perspective? The nice element to the LA music scene is that it is wide open: meaning all things can be tried. It has always felt like anything could happen in Los Angeles on any given night. This music scene must be discovered. One has to search for something new and authentic in LA. When you are confronted with so much information it is hard sometimes to see past these bright lights, but possible. The only significant change I see, is that more people are moving here from around the world, I'm seeing more variety than ever before.

Quick Hit Artist Interview: Gabriel Delicious

Gabriel Delicious at The Hi Hat

Interview with the artist. Enjoy:

How would you describe your sound? Delicious could always have more guitars and more lyrics in my opinion, haha. The songs are all stories tied together with lush guitarmonies. I try to tuck a little humor in there whenever I can. We get a lot of comparisons to Lou Reed and Thin Lizzy

Do you find greater enjoyment writing a great song or performing a great song? Why the choice? Song writing for me can take forever. Essentially, I’m hoping to write or throw sass at situations that I can truthfully repeat for a while. Performing is where I get the real satisfaction. You have no idea that these songs are about you. I’m living a dream up there.

Own Q&A. What would you recommend for dinner? I would recommend anything with shrimp. You can’t go wrong from there. Stay away from too much dairy if you can

I'm up on Buzzbands: The Satellite with Magic Bronson, Bone Acre and more

I'm up on Buzzbands with photos of:

Bone Acre
Easy Friend
Magic Bronson
Time Traverlers

Magic Bronson

It was a solid night of music. Bone Acre just killed it with her pounding rock sound.

Bone Acre

Click on the link for the full photo album.

Quick Hit Band Interview: Sumeau

Sumeau at The Satellite

Interview with the band. Enjoy:

What are some of the influences that help create Sumeau's sound? Nancy Sinatra & Lee Hazelwood. Echo chambers and reverb pedals. The '90s.

How do you believe the band has progressed over time? When we first started playing live, it was just Chris Sousa, Kat Primeau, and a Boss RC-30 loop pedal. We gained 7 new band members and a dance crew since then, forming our happy little cult family. We've recently added an improvised song to our set (Monday night, the song suggestion was "Electricity"). It's a dream come true!

Own final thoughts. We pray to pizza every day, thanking the lord pizza for our bountiful luck in finding great band members and blessing us with pizza meals.

Quick Hit Artist Interview: Krys Wright

Krys Wright at Chinatown Summer Nights

Interview with the artist. Enjoy:

How would you describe your sound? I would describe my sound as electro-soul. I grew up listening to a lot of soul, neo soul, and jazz so those elements will forever color my sound and overall style but I do love the mashup of traditional R&B/Neo-Soul with some House.

What are some of your favorite spots, locations, areas in Los Angeles? What make them your favorites? Home is my favorite place. There, I'm surrounded with good energy that I've curated for myself allowing me to be my most creative self. Other than that, I feel like that changes pretty frequently. The Self-Realization Lake is pretty cool.

Up on CaliforniaRocker: Interview with Letters to Cleo

Letters to Cleo at The Hi Hat

I'm up on California Rocker with a Letters to Cleo interview.

The following is part of the interview. Please head on over to California Rocker for the rest of the interview:

Is there a specific decision the band has made (good or bad) that it feels other bands/artists can learn from? I think the best decision in the long term was to stick with the team we had. If you see us in 2018, the show was managed, booked, and mixed by the same people who did the job in 1994. Same goes for our lawyer. Obviously, not everyone is available for every show, but our team is like a family. We were all there for all the ups and downs and everyone still believes in the music and one another 100%. That doesn't mean that you shouldn't make changes if people are letting you down, but you don't need to go with every fancy manager or agent that comes along blowing smoke up your ass when you've never been in the trenches with them.

Whisky a Go Go: Royal Distortion

I learned recently that Royal Distortion is breaking up. IQueen and Pyn Doll are heading back to Greece. To me, and maybe to others, Royal Distortions is a reinvention of Barb Wire Dolls. I first came across Barb Wire Dolls in 2011. Based on discussions with the band via Instagram, I learned that specific show was their second ever in America. I fell in love with that band and have followed them ever since. After other bands I followed broke up like The Mulhollands and The Shakers, the only reason I went to the Sunset Strip was because of Barb Wire Dolls/Royal Distortion.

Royal Distortion

With their announcement, Royal Distortion mentioned that they would be playing five final shows at the Whisky a Go Go. I knew I needed to go to one of those final shows. This particular night was my night to head over. IQueen just has so much charisma on stage. One is just drawn into their set. And with a go-go dancer, it gives their set that extra vibe. It was a moment of nostalgia for me. I hope them the best back in Greece.

Jackson Taylor and the Sinners

Opening the night was Jackson Taylor and the Sinners. They were actually on a separate bill. Seeing the Royal Distortions was free, but catching Jackson Taylor and the Sinners cost some money. The door guy was cool and let me inside to catch their country rock.

Desert of Talking Shadows

Opening specific for Royal Distortion was Desert of Talking Shadows and Registered Offender. Desert of Talking Shadows put on a rock show. Registered Offender went with the flamboyant rock sound. Gabe Maska (bassist for Royal Distortion) also played bass for Registered Offender.

Registered Offender