Monday, December 30, 2024

2024 List of Favorite New Bands and Singers (new to me, but maybe not to you)

My annual list of favorite new bands and singers: new to me, but maybe not to you. The Top 20 in alphabetical order.

1: Local music festivals: Americana West Music FestEcho Park RisingHappy Sundays Long BeachNo Earbuds Fest.

To me, there’s nothing better than a DIY music scene festival. The Americana West Music Fest was all Americana and country with Los Rock Angels and Tristan Lake Leabu catching my “new to me” fancy. I only saw two or three songs of Fangbanger, but their stage show had me the moment I found myself having to squeeze through a packed Echo Park Rising venue. Though technically not part of Echo Park Rising, the Sunday lineup at Sticky Rice had Deathchant blasting the ear drums. NÜTT, I’m surprised I didn’t leave Happy Sundays Long Beach with a broken back due to all the mosh pit pounding I took. No Earbuds had the unexpected energy from Perennial and the vibes of Queen of Jeans.

Check out the following songs:

Deathchant - Black Dirt.

Deathchant at Echo Park Rising

Fangbanger - Artificial Flowers.

Fangbanger at Echo Park Rising

Los Rock Angels - Hole In My Heart (need to find it on YouTube).

Los Rock Angels at Americana West Music Fest

NÜTT - Mi Corazón (need to find it on YouTube).

NÜTT at Happy Sundays Long Beach

Perennial - Art History.

Perennial at No Earbuds Fest

Queen of Jeans - Get Lost.

Queen of Jeans at No Earbuds Fest

Tristan Lake Leabu - Blue Eyed Stranger.

Tristan Lake Leabue at Americana West Music Fest

Notes on 2024: Happy Sundays Long Beach killed it once again for their band curation.

2: The Smell. Sometimes you go to one show and you’re like “Wow, that was one amazing night of music.” That feeling hit when a trio of punk bands played The Smell on March 16th: Gottlieb, RØBBER, The Sleeperz. 

Check out the following songs:

Gottlieb - Venetian Hotels.

Gottlieb at The Smell

RØBBER - St. Helen Keller.

RØBBER at The Smell

The Sleeperz - Trust.

The Sleeperz at The Smell

Notes on 2024: Most crazy antics during a set goes to The Sleeperz at Happy Sundays Long Beach. It probably made Julia Kugel-Montoya (of The Coathangers and co-founder of the festival) feel like the old person having to tell kids to chill it out.

3: WFNM. I love the diversity of talent that comes through WFNM. Be it singer-songwriters like Beeson, Ivy James, Kat French, and Shelly Archer. Be it RnB artists like Circle the Earth and Ryck Jane. Be it pop-punk rockers like Bruvvy. Be it folk like John Paul Summers. Be it alt rockers like Nikita Lev and Tricktheriddle. Be it pop stars like Jessy Fury. Could I have added a few more band names to this post? Yeah, but I cut until I just couldn’t anymore. 

Check out the following songs:

Beeson - I Haven't Seen You Since The Summer.

Beeson at Hotel Ziggy

Bruvvy - Concealer.

Bruvvy at Bar Lubitsch

Circle the Earth - Sweetest Pain.

Circle the Earth at Hotel Ziggy

Ivy James - Unravel Myself.

Ivy James at Hotel Ziggy

Jessy Fury - Heaven.

Jessy Fury at Hotel Ziggy

John Paul Summers - Life’s Not a Movie.

John Paul Summers at Hotel Ziggy

Kat French - Casket.

Kat French at Hotel Ziggy

Nikita Lev - Elegance.

Nikita Lev at Bar Lubitsch

Ryck Jane - Ryde Or Die.

Ryck Jane at Hotel Ziggy

Shelly Archer - Lovebird.

Shelly Archer at Bar Lubitsch

Tricktheriddle - peptalks.

Tricktheriddle at Hotel Ziggy

Photos taken at either Hotel Ziggy or Bar Lubitsch.

Notes on 2024: If you haven’t been to Hotel Ziggy, you’ve got to go for just one reason and one reason alone: the drinking water. The bands and singers are awesome, but . . . best drinking water in town. I know I said this last year, but I’m saying it again.

4. Aryeè The Gem. I got an invitation to cover her set at the Fonda Theatre. In fact, it was so late of an invite that the Fonda Theatre didn’t have me on their photo list. So I got taken in through the back door and got to walk around the vast backstage of the venue. That was an adventure in and of itself. I’m glad I said yes.   

Check out the following song: To It.

Aryeè The Gem at the Fonda Theatre

Photo taken at Fonda Theatre.

Notes on 2024: Giving some thanks to US Rocker. This year I got to shoot Greek Theatre and the Shrine a couple times each and the The Kia Forum once.

5. Autogramm. I happened to notice that this band was playing a show at the Redwood Bar. I couldn’t make it. Then I noticed that the very next day they were playing at Zebulon. It kind of felt like it was meant to be so I went to the Zebulon. They describe their music as synth-driven power-pop punk.

Check out the following song: Born Losers.

Autogramm at Zebulon

Photo taken at Zebulon.

Notes on 2024: Best sets that I saw in 2024. NÜTT and Niis at Happy Sundays Long Beach. All three of the Bruvvy sets.

6. Blimp. I went to Permanent Records Roadhouse to catch MILLY and ended up coming away with a new favorite band that has a clash of punk and electronic.

Check out the following song: Misery.

Blimp at Permanent Records Roadhouse

Photo take at Permanent Records Roadhouse.

Presented by Sid the Cat..

Notes on 2024: I really do need to hang out in the Pasadena music scene. Old Towne Pub and Healing Force of the Universe. I admit that I said the same thing about Old Towne Pub last year, but in 2025 it will happen. 

7. Born Ruffians. This indie rock band has been around for awhile, but hey, they’re from Canada and this was the first time I caught a set. Their set was at the Regent and it was a hot minute since I last shot at the venue. 

Check out the following song: Needle.

Born Ruffians at the Regent Theater

Photo taken at Regent Theater.

Notes on 2024: I really should be listing Earlimart as one of my favorite new bands of the year, but this Los Angeles based band has been around for over 20 years - unlike Born Ruffians that reside in Canada and so I have an excuse there. 

8. Essenger. I walked into Harvard & Stone and he was in the middle of his synth set. The crowd was packed close to the stage and it didn’t take long to understand why. I was there to catch Jesika Von Rabbit and became an Essenger fan. 

Check out the following song: After Dark.

Essenger at Harvard & Stone

Photo taken at Harvard & Stone.

Notes on 2024: I went out way too much this year doing photography. I’m going to need to cut that back in 2025 – fortunately or unfortunately.

9. Houston In The Blind. Another set where I walked into Harvard & Stone just a few minutes too late to catch a full set. I went there to catch Bruvvy (if you haven’t noticed from this countdown by now, I often find new favorite bands by heading out to catch favorites). Houston In The Blind has a totally different vibe than Bruvvy, but that doesn’t mean I wasn’t left enamored by what I heard.

Check out the following song: On A Wire.

Houston In The Blind at Harvard & Stone

Photo taken at Harvard & Stone.

Presented by Swyndle.

Notes on 2024: I was at the Fonda catching Zheani. Someone approached me (after one of the opening acts) and said, “You’re more of an observer. You’re not really into the music.” The person probably saw me on my smartphone and came to that conclusion. I’m not going to deny that I took a peak at ESPN to see some scores, but he also didn’t realize that I was taking notes for my write-up.

10. Jordan Gruver. By luck I randomly decided to head to Club Tee Gee and ended up catching her record release party. A singer-songwriter with an ear for music composition. 

Check out the following song: Without Loving You.

Jordan Gruver at Club Tee Gee

Photo taken at Club Tee Gee.

Notes on 2024: Most seen bands in 2024. Escape Artist Lovers stands out at five. Then there is a long list of bands / singers I've seen three times: Boy Deluxe, Bruvvy, Halo Kitsch, Janelane, Jordan Gruver,  Pagoto, Soft Palms, Valley Queen, Young Lovers. Last year I saw a number of bands four times so I’m thinking that indicates that I diversified a bit more this year considering that three is the targeted number.

11. Madeleine Mayi. The Witching Hours and Safe Travels Presents has been running an Alphabet Soup series throughout 2024. Madeleine Mayi was the highlight of the series for me who can dance with abandon and sing with haunting tones.

Check out the following song: forget that i’m a woman.

Madeleine Mayi at Resident

Photo taken at Resident. 

Notes on 2024: My favorite 2023 local music venue was Zebulon. For 2024, spreading the love to another venue, I'll go with Hotel Ziggy. 

12. MyVeronica. I had seen the band name MyVeronica floating around the LA music scene so I decided to catch a set at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Sonic bliss.

Check out the following song: Carousel.

MyVeronica at Permanent Records Roadhouse

Photo take at Permanent Records Roadhouse.

Notes on 2024: Who is hoping that Echo Park Rising is at least 3 days in 2025? That is what I also hoped for last year, as well. Sticky Rice did a test run this year in having a 2 day outdoor stage, which was well attended on Sunday.

13. Nothingfeelsgoodanymore. Yes, that’s all one word. Their Instagram page says they’re a melodic emoviolence band. I say they’re screamers in a good way. At the moment, it doesn’t appear that they have any music released.

Nothingfeelsgoodanymore at Zebulon

Photo taken at Zebulon.

Notes on 2024: Which musician do I wish I had seen more often this year: Lauren Lakis. There were conflicts that kept popping up when she played Los Angeles. I did get to catch one set so I didn’t strike out.

14. Osnova. Got to always give love to a shoegaze band. I have a soft spot for the genre. It gives flashback memories to a prior time in the Los Angeles music scene. 

Check out the following song: Octavian.

Osnova at Moroccan Lounge

Photo taken at Moroccan Lounge.

Notes on 2024: I was on a mini 90s alternative rock binge this year.  Buffalo Tom, Bush, Candlebox, Dada, members of the Melvins.

15. Red Ribbon. When a band member is Bobb Bruno of Best Coast, you’ve got to pay attention. Pop folk tunes to enjoy.

Check out the following song: Renegade.

Red Ribbon at The Smell

Photo taken at The Smell.

Notes on 2024: My 2023 resolution was to go to one new vegan restaurant a month. I only got to 6. That’s rather bad. You’d think that would be an easy one to achieve. I carried over the resolution to 2024 and success!

16. Rolling NowhereBring on the blues. 

Check out the following song: Keep On Walkin’. 

Rolling Nowhere at Club Tee Gee

Photo taken at Club Tee Gee.

Notes on 2024: Interesting situation about summer weather. In 2023, it was hot hot hot for both Echo Park Rising and Happy Sundays Long Beach. In 2024, the weather was perfect. I hope 2025 brings some perfect festival weather for these two events.

17. Salem's Bend. Walked in to catch Moonily, got blasted out the door by Salem’s Bend.

Check out the following song: Spaceduster. 

Salem's Bend at Permanent Records Roadhouse

Photo take at Permanent Records Roadhouse.

Notes on 2024: What movies do I think should get nominated for Best Picture? I’m being rather stingy here: Conclave, Dune: Part Two, Wicked. This may potentially get edited if I see any movies that open wide in January 2025.

18. Valley Porno People. I’m not sure this post punk band has an Instagram page. I will say this, check out any band that has March Adstrum as a member. Someone knows how to team up with good band members. 

Check out the following song: The River.

Valley Porno People at Zebulon

Photo taken at Zebulon.

Notes on 2024: My choice for winning the Oscar for best picture of the year: Wicked. 

19. Victoria Bigelow. I got a request to do a Q&A with her. I started to do my standard Internet research to come up with some decent questions. The more research and listening I did, the more I fell in love with the music.

Check out the following song: Low.

Victoria Bigelow at Zebulon

Photo taken at Zebulon.

Notes on 2024: This Black Friday, I was very tempted to buy the Canon R5 Mark II. I re-watched Youtube videos. I weighed the pros and cons. Then I started thinking about the fact that I just bought my Canon R5 two years ago during Black Friday 2022 and decided I’ll just wait another year or more.

20. Wayne Redfern. Jazz isn’t dead. 

Check out the following song: Without Saying.

Wayne Redfern at Club Tee Gee

Photo taken at Club Tee Gee.

Notes on 2024: Is the Los Angeles music scene back to where it was pre-pandemic? During the pandemic, I told people that for every month that the local music scene was shut down, it would take 2 months to bounce back. That means 2024 is the year that things would get back to normal. (Note the emphasis on the local music scene, not big time touring bands.) My answer to my question: I’m not sure. I had a lot of fun photographing bands in 2024. And I am noticing a lot of effort being made by various people to get the scene back to where it was. Is it back to where it was in the mid-2010s when lines formed outside Spaceland and The Echo to see local bands play? No, but the music scene wasn’t at those levels in 2019/2020. I honestly need to diversify the venues I rotate through to get a better picture of things and that should be my New Year's resolution for 2025.

Addendum: 

I always put this list together in November so there’s going to be some December bands / musicians to mention. 

I saw AZRA at Bar Lubitsch during the last WFNM night of 2024. You’ll be dancing and sweating the whole time. I need to see a Bruvvy / AZRA night. LINNEA has some wicked guitar tunes to go along with lyrics that highlight how adult life sucks sometimes. Her set was at The Fable during a Ryan Pollie night. The Darbies did a Harvard & Stone residency that teleported that venue over to the Sunset Strip for those nights.

Check out the following songs:

AZRA  - if It wasn’t for you.

AZRA at Bar Lubitsch

LINNEA - Tough Luck.

LINNEA at The Fable

The Darbies - Every Bitter Sun.

The Darbies at Harvard & Stone

Notes on 2025: another “new to me, but maybe not to you” list starts in 11 months.

No comments:

Post a Comment