Zebulon: All Things Blue, SLUGS, Slut Island

I know this night was headlined by All Things Blue, but one has to give it up for Slut Island. They stole the night as the opener. India Coombs, lead singer of All things Blue, had to admit at the start of her set that she included some really funny bands (not to forget about SLUGS) to open the night. Slut Island started the set like any other band would, starting with their first song . . . duh. After finishing it, they stopped. "There's something wrong with our sound," they said. From there they demanded that the sound guy come up and see how bad the sound was. The sound guy (I believe was a friend) went up to the stage and started to make these mimicking sounds into the microphone, playing with the pedal boards, and hitting the drum set with the sticks. "Nothings wrong," he said. The band wasn't happy with that reply so they jumped him and started to choke him. As they continued on their set, they did a song about how smart artists are. They looked out into the audience and said, "If you're not an artist, leave the venue." They then asked that folks who weren't artists should raise their hands. I raised my hand and got the response, "You have a camera." They went to another person and came up with an excuse on why he could stay. Of course, my raising my hand got me in trouble. For the last song, they asked to know who had a birthday and if that person would come up on stage. One person did have a birthday and was more than eager to jump on  stage. That was the only person; however, that had a birthday or was willing to admit it. They wanted another person on stage and started to look around for a forced volunteer. That person just so happened to be me. Maybe if I had stayed quiet about the artist question, I would have drawn their attention or maybe I would have anyways. Either way, my first impulse was to decline, but then no one else was willing to go on stage and so I also felt compelled to help them out. Anyways, on the stage I went. The two of us were asked to sit in front of the drum kit and hold hands while they played their final song. There was some butt shaking going on by the lead singer during that song. And when all was said and done, the person celebrating her birthday got to sit behind the drums while I was handed the guitar. A very comedic and memorable set.

Slut Island

What else can be said about the night other than that long write-up.

SLUGS

SLUGS gives the best side eyes in Los Angeles. If someone is at the other end of that look, one would have to think that she is either amused or bemused. The duo that makes up the core of SLUGS also backed up All Things Blue for the final song of her set. Got to say that All Things Blues definitely loves her guitar, giving it a long tight hug at one point.

All Things Blue

 

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. 

Lunar Bloom Music Festival

I got an invitation to check out the inaugural Lunar Bloom music festival a couple Saturdays ago. The festival was put on by Coconut Spaceship and was held at Oracle Tavern. I was intrigued for a few reasons and accepted the invite. First, I recognized a number of the bands / musicians that were on the schedule: Boy Deluxe, Fox Violet, Harry Katz & the Pistachios, Kat Hamilton, Kate Faust, Little Galaxies, Lucy Clearwater and Niantic. So of the 25 band / musician line-up, I had seen 8 of the bands so nearly a third. That was a positive sign. Also, I had heard of Miss Jupiter and had long wanted to catch a set. Second, I'm a real sucker for music festivals that focus on local bands. Third, this was the inaugural festival and there was intrigue in getting to go to the first festival ever put on by Coconut Spaceship. Fourth, I'd never been to Oracle Tavern and figured why not check it out.

The biggest thrill of the festival for me was catching Boy Deluxe. It was quickly moving towards two years since I last saw this band. I was so excited when they hit the stage. I had my arms raised in celebration. 

Boy Deluxe

It was super fun to end the night with Miss Jupiter. I'll be honest, I was exhausted, but it was also a thrill to catch this art based musician. As mentioned, I've wanted to catch a set for a number of years. 

Miss Jupiter

I also enjoyed catching V Torres for the first time. The band put on an awesome set and put the cowboy hat briefly on the microphone.

V Torres

As for Kat Hamilton, I came across her for the first time via an online set. It was nice to finally catch her in-person and notice that she gives some quirky looks. 

Kat Hamilton

For a November festival, the weather was perfect. It did start to cool down as the clock headed towards midnight, but it wasn't too chilly. There were a couple delays that can be expected from an initial festival run. The indoor Lunar Oasis stage fell behind by an hour. That meant the final band (which I didn't stay for, but luckily was able to catch at a venue a week later -- got to love the Los Angeles music scene) went on near 1 a.m. As for the Bloom Station stage, there was a technical problem that delayed things on that end. 

Here's a list of the 15 bands / musicians that I saw:

Greg in Good Company

Kate Faust

Future Author

Kat Hamilton

The Cabbys

Lucy Clearwater

Harry Katz & the Pistachios

Fox Violet

V Torres

Astrina

Niantic

Boy Deluxe

Little Galaxies

Small Calamities

Miss Jupiter

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

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

I'm Up On Buzzbands: Mating Ritual at Zebulon

I'm up on Buzzbands with a photo gallery and write-up of the amazingly fun Mating Ritual set at Zebulon. If you're a Lakers fan, you'll really enjoy the post.

I'm Up on Buzzbands: Rosie Tucker at The Echo

This actually happened a little over a month ago, but I have a photo gallery and write-up on Buzzbands for Rosie Tucker's set at The Echo. The night was in support of her "Sucker Supreme" album. I know, maybe ridiculous to post about this a month later, but I'm a Rosie Tucker fan and I just forgot to do my usual promotion for my Buzzbands posts.

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. 

In their song "Machete," the lyrics take the lead, "Spilling rivers of blood where light used to be . . . Seven years swimming in the belly of the beast." Against those lyrics, background vocals chant while Kathryn preaches in the desert like Jonah no doubt did after being spit out by the whale. Unlike Jonah who spent a few days in the belly of the beast, Spelles is dealing with seven years of drought. During those seven years, one must definitely steel themselves to deal with that length of adversity. Is there hope even when you steel yourself? Seven years is a long time, but seven years does end.

photo taken at Gold-Diggers

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

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

The Echo: Shannon Lay, Grady Strange, Austin Leonard Jones, Pet Dress

The last time I saw Shannon Lay was nearly two years ago when she was doing her 2019 December residency at Zebulon. I went twice during that residency. Fast forward two years; I knew I loved her music, but I just didn't realize how much until she hit the stage at 11 p.m. this past Monday night. There is a contemplativeness to her Irish folk style that just mesmerizes. I stood there just waiting for each note to  carry me away. 

Shannon Lay

This was the first residency night for Grady Strange. It was a fun night of cooperation between bands and even the DJ. Backing Grady Strange was Mackenzie Howe of the band Pet Dress. Pet Dress played the night in the second slot and Grady Strange backed that band up. Opening up the night was Austin Leonard Jones who had Nick Flessa joining in for a couple songs. Nick Flessa was also the DJ for the night. They threw a trio's worth of Americana folk rock. Austin Leonard Jones mentioned the fact that he's a kindergarten teacher. I'm not sure if he was serious or joking. Pet Dress perhaps had the loudest fan base. Grady Strange will be hitting the stage for the all of November with some amazing hair flings. 

Grady Strange

Pet Dress

Austin Leonard Jones

Quick Hit Artist Interview: Slip

Slip at the Lodge Room (shot for Buzzbands)

Interview with the artist. Enjoy:

What is currently inspiring you in terms of music? I feel like this answer changes every so often for me, but there have been some live shows that have been really inspiring to me this year. Idles at the Wiltern was my favorite show in a while. Khruangbin at Desert Daze was like a masterclass at instrumental proficiency. Thom Yorke at the Greek was magical - Radiohead and Thom have been prevailing influences for me for a while, if it wasn't overtly obvious already. Aside from that I've been spinning Prince's S/T record almost daily for the past month.

What is one of your high or low moments and what makes it stand out? I think I need some more highs and lows as I've only played a handful of shows as slip up until now. Hopefully more highs than lows, although you can't have one without the other, I suppose. Get back to me in like a year or two on this one ;)

Own final thoughts: I produced, mixed, and to a certain degree wrote my debut album 'the cost' in track order. A lot of artists will typically write a bunch of songs and then piece it together after - I pieced it together as I went along, knowing that from the day I wrote and recorded track 1 ("the patient," which I wrote and demo'd in two days in my friend's garage). I feel like that went a long way in terms of how the album feels cohesive and has a narrative structure.

New Music Alert: Speed of Light's "Nose Dive"

Speed of Light is out with their final song of a trilogy of songs that they recorded in front of friends prior to the COVID-19 pandemic -- that fact is something the band wants to emphasize.

"Nose Dive" has me thinking Aerosmith's Steven Tyler vocals layered across punk rock sounds. Those in the audience are fully satisfied with the song as they dance with enthusiasm throughout. And if you watch the full video above, you get a roller coaster twisting turn right towards the drummer.

Photo taken at Bands in a Barbershop

New Music Alert: La Bouquet's "10 Things You Hate About Me"

 

I've seen La Bouquet a handful of times. The last time was in 2018 when they opened up for Kitten at The Smell. For that show, they came out rocking, which sort of confused me as I had always thought of them as a more mellow rock group. A recent release of theirs is "10 Things You Hate About Me" (which has to be a play on the movie "10 Things I Hate About You," which is based off of William Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew") that goes back to those more mellow sets that I was used to hearing from this band. I love how the music shifts the rhythm focus from the drums to guitar to full band.  

It is a song about breakup, a relationship that started when the two were 16. The song mentions 1990. I suspect 1990 represents the date of birth and perhaps this relationship ended in the distant past, but one has to believe that it was a rather lengthy relationship. As can be derived from the song title, it really wasn't La Bouquet who wanted to the end the relationship. Yet, end it did with perhaps the 10 reasons of hate never really mentioned by the other party.

Photo taken at the Bootleg Theater