Thursday, December 30, 2021
I'm Up On Buzzbands: Viva! Pomona Day 1
Tuesday, December 28, 2021
Week of Music: The Goldfish, Little Joy, The Cinema Bar, Highland Park Bowl, Harvard & Stone, Bar Lubitsch
It was another week of music where I went out on multiple days. It was first to The Goldfish where I saw Dayton Swim Club, Agriculture and Thief. Dayton Swim Club is fronted by Nick Flessa. The final part of the set was particularly awesome where a horn section was brought out to jam with the band. The final two bands were hard industrial sounding. Agriculture came out dressed as monks that perhaps had evil intentions under the red lights. Thief had the floor lights flashing.
Theif |
Next up was Little Joy where I caught Vicious 3 and Body House. Both bands shook Little Joy up.
Body House |
I got asked to shoot The Hot Club of Los Angeles at The Cinema Bar. It was my first time at The Cinema Bar -- a long drive out to Culver City. I didn't regret it.
The Hot Club of Los Angeles |
Then I went out to support Wonder & Awe under the curation of Brenda Carsey over at Highland Park Bowl. It was my first time ever supporting Wonder & Awe though I've seen Brenda Carsey a number of times. Each musician got one song to sing during the night other than the featured artist, Phoebe Silva.
Phoebe Silva |
Next up was Harvard & Stone where there was a Christmas celebration with Lasers Lasers, Nocona and West of Texas. It was a Western Americana type of night. I later learned while writing this up that the lead singer of West of Texas tested positive for COVID-19. I was wearing a mask and I believe I am currently outside the window for possible infection so I guess I dodged a bullet there.
Lasers Lasers |
My final run was to Bar Lubitsch for a WFNM line-up. Cody Randall opened things up with a solo acoustic set. DYLN was dressed in red and had a couple dancers helping out with the sexy set. Ally Nicholas had her friends cheering on her pop-RnB sounds. Alex Rzyan had the vocals of the night. Neriah closed it out by making sure her set was as professional as possible. She had her own make-up artist to put on some final thoughts before the set started. And then in front of a full crowd, she put on a set that required an encore. Also, it just so happens that her mother is Brooke Burke, who won Dancing With The Stars.
Neriah |
Sunday, December 26, 2021
The Silverlake Lounge: Andy Clockwise with Jagged Baptist Club and EW Martin
Any Clockwise |
Friday, December 24, 2021
New Video Alert: Death Valley Girls' "Hold My Hand"
"Love Is Like The Ocean . . . Love Is Like Outer Space." Love is vast and deep and unlimited, that's my interpretation of Death Valley Girls' new song "Hold My Hand" that drives forward with relentless force. The song opens up with an electric organ. Throughout the drum keeps the unwavering beat. Then the guitar speeds you towards the end. On top of that garage rock sound are the 70s vocals that make you flashback to The Doors.
The video throws everything at you with images of hearts, whales, exclamation marks, bats, rainbows, the rings of Saturn and a solar eclipse. Some of those interpreted images are debatable and one might easily see something else, but that is how love is.
Shot for Buzzbands at the Lodge Room |
Wednesday, December 22, 2021
New Music Alert: Kitten's "Do U Still Love Me?"
Monday, December 20, 2021
New Music Alert: Slugs' "Super Sane"
Slugs has a new song out called "Super Sane." The vocals and music just has one wanting to run with arms outstretched. Maybe twirling in circles every so often. There is just a smoothness to this rock song that makes you reminisce.
The music video has the two members of the band cycling through the streets of Los Angeles. It is a song about a weird year. The band reads "A Brief History of Time" and "Elle" magazine. Science and fashion. T-shirts with words written across the front that say "I feel fine" to "Show me the rules" are worn. At one moment they're dressed like they're in a motorcycle gang and the next they're 80's pop stars and then denim wearing rockers. Is it a weird year or a year of exploration?
Lyrics: I've got reasons to be happy and I've got reasons to cry.
Photo taken at the Moroccan Lounge for Buzzbands |
Saturday, December 18, 2021
Quick Hit Artist Interview: Heyboy
Heyboy at Bar Lubitsch |
Interview with the artist. Enjoy:
What do you currently find inspiring (in terms of music)? I’ve always been super inspired by Brit Rock/Pop greats such as Coldplay/U2/Oasis and Elton John. Other recent acts I look to are The 1975, Holly Humberstone and Frank Ocean.
Your set was very high energy, what thrills you about performing live? Performing live is honestly my favorite thing in the world. It’s where the rubber meets the road for me. You make these records in the studio, which is awesome, but you don’t get to experience the music with people listening. Live shows are special because it’s where you get to share that experience with people who have made the songs their own. It’s euphoric.Thursday, December 16, 2021
Quick Hit Artist Interview: Haiden
Haiden at Bar Lubitsch |
Interview with the artist. Enjoy:
Is there a story behind when you decided that you wanted to start performing your music live? I always knew that playing live would help me grow my audience and more importantly would give me a chance to connect with them so I was just waiting to have enough songs to fill a set list hahaha. It’s important to me that people aren’t just stats on my phone screen, and the music I make is grounded and human.
Do you have a message or objective behind your music? As of now, I feel like I just have a lot of stories to tell and a perspective on those stories that I haven’t heard fully represented by other artists. I can’t imagine anyone else singing my songs because of how directly they tie into how I see the world and my place in it. At the end of the day though, I think I just wanna feel related to so that I know, and the fans know, that we aren’t alone in feeling this way.Final thoughts: I think the most unique thing about me is how rooted my personal life is in a logical and analytical state of mind. I’m not a super emotional person so music is the way I let that out. I studied aerospace engineering in school and I think that informed my narrative voice a bit. My lyrics have to be concise, efficient, and really honest otherwise I’m not convinced by the story I’m tryna tell.
Tuesday, December 14, 2021
Zebulon: Gretchen Lieberum
I'm always up to just randomly going out to catch a new band or artist. Gretchen Lieberum fit the bill earlier this month. She's a jazz singer who was celebrating the release of her new album "This May Only Be a Dream." It is a album filled with jazz standards. Her set list had her singing the new release from start to back though she left off the last two songs -- which I found interesting. She also sang a song called "Key Largo," which is not on the album.
My standard outings in the Los Angeles music scene ranges from Americana / folk to pop to punk to the occasional metal, but how was it seeing a jazz performer? One thing I noticed was the very careful manner in which the music was sung. For the song "Lonely Sea," her daughter came up to join in a duo. They spent the song watching each other and making sure their singing aligned as perfectly as possible. For the final song which featured another guest on piano, the pianist carefully counted out the beat before starting the song. Precision in the improvisation of jazz.
The backing band had a horn section, guitarist, drummer and keyboardist.
It was a great night at Zebulon with chairs set out in front of the stage, but that was hardly enough as there were plenty of folks standing behind those chairs.
Sunday, December 12, 2021
Quick Hit Artist Interview: Kilo Tango
Kilo Tango at Little Joy |
Interview with the artist. Enjoy:
When did you make the decision to start performing music? I made the decision to start performing music when I dropped out of college. I had a strong desire to write and play music and no interest in school. I felt like my true calling was in music so that’s when I really started to go for it.
What band/artist (past or present) would you most like to open for and why the choice? Mazzy Star. They are one of my all-time favorites and they heavily influenced me in their sound and lyrics. Hope's vocals are soft and vulnerable yet so captivating. It made me more confident in my voice in that I felt mine was similar to hers. Their songs were just so easy for me to relate to and they have that feeling of nostalgia and melancholy that I adore.Friday, December 10, 2021
Quick Hit Band Interview: Buckets
Buckets at Big Top DIY Fest |
Interview with the band. Enjoy:
What’s the story behind how your band started? A combination of Tinder, Craigslist, drunken house parties led us to one another. Props to dating apps for helping to form punk bands.What are some of your favorite spots, locations, areas in Los Angeles? What make them your favorites? Most of us live and spend a majority of our time on the Northeast side of the city. Some of our favorite places over here are spots like All Star Lanes (Eagle Rock), Elysian Park, Club Tee Gee (Atwater Village), Little Joy (Echo Park), and Bootleg Theatre (Historic Filipinotown, RIP). We’ve all been going to these places since we moved to LA and they just feel like home, no matter what.
Wednesday, December 8, 2021
Wild Riot: The Tracks with Kid Congo Powers and The Pink Monkey Birds / Ritchie White Orchestra
Ritchie White Orchestra |
The Tracks |
Kid Congo & The Pink Monkey Birds |
Monday, December 6, 2021
Saturday, December 4, 2021
Descanso Gardens: Enchanted Forest of Light
Thursday, December 2, 2021
I'm Up On Buzzbands: Trousdale at The Echo
Tuesday, November 30, 2021
Zebulon: All Things Blue, SLUGS, Slut Island
Slut Island |
Sunday, November 28, 2021
Eagle Rock Presbyterian Church: Gracie Gray, Ryan Pollie and The Berries
While hanging out at Zebulon one night, I got an invitation to check out some bands at the Eagle Rock Presbyterian Church. Gracie Gray was on the bill so I was definitely there. She did not disappoint. And when she finished her favorite cover "Over the Rainbow" the crowd was in awe as they often are.
Gracie Gray |
Ryan Pollie is hosting the shows at the Presbyterian church. There are a total of four. This particular night was the second of the series. His set included the use of the F-word. There was a look up to the heavens, asking for an apology. I saw him previously at Junior High doing a solo set just as venues were opening up. This set was with a full band, including a horn player on crutches. It was a real blast.
Ryan Pollie |
Opening up the night was The Berries. It was a solo set with a singer-songwriter bent.
The Berries |
There is some nice effort that is put into this series. Across the front of the podium, there was a sign that read out "Rock N Roll Church" put together with construction paper. Inside the words were white Christmas lights. It made for some cool photos when I took out my 20MM lens. I suspect the church is used to the sounds of rock music. Along the main podium were two other smaller podiums. One podium had a drum kit. The other was used by the other musicians.
Friday, November 26, 2021
Lunar Bloom Music Festival
Wednesday, November 24, 2021
I'm Up on US Rocker Music: Letters to Cleo at the Troubadour
Letters to Cleo |
Monday, November 22, 2021
The Silverlake Lounge: The Little Miss with Cassandra Violet and Sven Fleming
Checking out The Little Miss and her The Silverlake Lounge set represented my second straight night of record release parties. On Monday, I went to Honey Child's release party. And then on Tuesday, it was off to The Little Miss to catch her "Best Self" release party. Hayley Johnson's set was filled with folk sounds layered in with random humorous takes on life. How much money did you spend on Amazon buying useless things that you thought would help improve your life? Did you consider moving to Idaho to save money? There was more than just an album release party. It was also her birthday. Both her parents were their to celebrate with a cake and candles. Also, her dad joined in on guitar for a song. It was mentioned that he had bought her a guitar for her 21st birthday and that she initially had no real use for it, because she didn't even know how to play guitar. Then a couple years passed and all is history.
The Little Miss |
Cassandra Violet started out her set with the most perfect whistling. Sven Fleming opened up the night with some longing tunes. Interesting note for the night is that his drummer then went on to play guitar for The Little Miss.
Cassandra Violet |
Sven Fleming |
Saturday, November 20, 2021
Zebulon: Honey Child with Crook and Dove Armitage
Honey Child was celebrating the release of their "Starving Hearts" album. Claire McKeown fronts the band. I've followed her career since 2011 when I was covering the New Los Angeles Folk Festival and came across this band called Dirt Bird. I was just mesmerized by her operatic vocals. I also came across her in a band called Afternoons where she did the backing vocals. I came across that band in 2014. I then came across Honey Child back around 2016.
With a 6 member choir and Claire McKeown wearing a black wig, the choir soothed the audience with tenderly sung tunes. There were two music stands on the stage, which I always love seeing. To me, it just indicates a music composition training. A variety of musical instruments were used during various parts of the set: flute, guitars, mini-piano and I believe a French horn (maybe I've got my horn instruments messed up there).
Honey Child |
Opening up the night was Crook. Now the band Crook is pulsating and ear popping. But when Daniel Crook does his solo sets, the music is soft and emotion. It can bring a tear to the eyes. Dove Armitage closed out the night. I don't know how many people in the audience were aware of who Dove Armitage is. Crook opened with his emotional take on life. Honey Child had the opera influence. And then Dove Armitage came out with her death goth look and bondage style. I loved it. I've followed Quincy for a number of years via Cat Scan and then Kevin. To me, it was a nice surprise end to the night, shake things up and send you home.
Dove Armitage |
Crook |
Thursday, November 18, 2021
I'm Up On Buzzbands: Mating Ritual at Zebulon
Tuesday, November 16, 2021
I'm Up on Buzzbands: Rosie Tucker at The Echo
Sunday, November 14, 2021
New Music Alert: Spelles' "Machete"
I first came across Spelles in 2017 at Echo Park Rising. I remember how lead singer Kathryn used her arms to tell her story.
Friday, November 12, 2021
New Music Alert: Lucy & La Mer's "Better Than I Was Before"
A favorite of mine, Lucy & La Mer has a new song out called "Better Than I Was Before." The opening lyrics key you in to the theme of the song, "I could've made it work. But tell me what's the worth. When your foot's in the door." And the title of the song gives you a strong indication of the outcome. A song about a relationship that doesn't go in the direction one would have thought; however, you realize that you're better off moving on.
The song has the band's pop-folk smoothness that provides that glimmer of joy through the disappointments of a break-up and the eventually realization of self-improvement. Watch the video and you get to catch Lucy doing some jump roping and boxing.
Photo taken at The Echo |
Wednesday, November 10, 2021
Bar Lubitsch: King Mala, Halo Kitsch, Carter Benjamin, YVR, Timmy Skelly
I first came across King Mala via an online WFNM set back in November 2020. I was just blown away by her Amy Weinstein vocals and her snappy beats. When I noticed the fact that she was playing live at Bar Lubitsch for a WFNM night, I was definitely heading over. I was not disappointed. She had the goth look going strong that added intrigue to her deep vocals.
King Mala |
Halo Kitsch |
Halo Kitsch closed out the night. She mentioned that she came across Grant Owens a couple years back and had worked hard on her music since that meeting and was now getting the opportunity to play WFNM. Her friends were pressed up against the stage to show their support. I was thanked when I took a knee to take photos, because I was blocking the view of one or two individuals. Another friend danced the whole set. They were all there to celebrate with her. Her enthusiasm was very catchy.
Carter Benjamin |
YVR |
Opening up the night was Carter Benjamin. He gave a shot out to his wife who was home with their child. YVR is a staple for WFNM. The two piece band always puts on the pop beats. Timmy Skelly had a full band in place. So big a band that two members of the band had to play next to the couches. It makes one believe that big band jazz is going to make a comeback.
Timmy Skelly |