NFV Song Spotlight: John Errol's Unbelievable

Heading to Zebulon for a Super Bowl after party has become my three year tradition: a time to see singers again for who-knows-how-many-times-this-particular-night makes it. In 2023, Ryan Pollie played the after party. I first came across Ryan Pollie in 2017 via a band called Los Angeles Police Department. In 2024, it was Sally Spitz. I first came across Sally Spitz in 2016 via a band called French Vanilla. Come 2025, it was Mercedes Kilmer playing the after party. I first came across her in 2023. Now this blog post isn't focused on Mercedes Kilmer. If interested, you can read my recent review of her set at El Cid with Gold Star here.

John Errol at Zebulon

Notes from Vivace Show Alerts (Los Angeles): Mar 30th - Apr 5th

A Handful of Show Alerts

Sunday, Mar 30th: Emily Rose & the Rounders, Eugene Edwards, Los Rock Angeles, and Tone Slingers at The Regent Theater. Doors at 3:30 p.m.
This is a fundraiser for those impacted by the fires. I've covered all these bands to some degree or other.

Sunday, Mar 30th: Mirror of Venue at Genghis Cohen. Doors at 7 p.m.

One of my favorite new bands of 2023.

Wednesday, Apr 2nd: Lower Merion (a Ryan Pollie project) at The Goldfish. Doors at 7:30 p.m.

I covered a 2022 Ryan Pollie set for Buzzbands, which you can read here.

Thursday, Apr 3rd: Disco Shrine and Revenge Wife at El Cid. Doors at 10 p.m.

Been following these two for years.

Friday, Apr 4th: Milly at Zebulon. Doors at 7 p.m.

I covered the band in 2024 for US Rocker. You can read my post here.

Friday, Apr 4th: talker at The Echo. Doors at 7 p.m.

One of my long time favorites.

Saturday, Apr 5th: Adriana McCassim at Gold-Diggers. Doors at 7 p.m.

One of my favorite new artists of 2023.

Saturday, Apr 5th: Sarah Julia at Scribble. Doors at 8 p.m.

One of my favorite new bands of 2023.

Saturday, Apr 5th: The Morning Yells at the Cinema Bar. Doors at 9 p.m.

The band is calling it a day. I fell in love with their song "Hummingbird" when I first saw them. You can catch the Youtube video here.

NFV Song Spotlight: Devon Williams' Futility

It was off to Permanent Records Roadhouse to see a Shannon Lay set for the first time since 2021. Of course, I made sure I saw the full line-up. The headliner was someone named Devon Williams. I figured this was the first time I'd ever seen Devon Williams perform live on stage. As I was getting ready to write up this blog post, I decided on a whim to see if that was true or not. Since I'm writing about this whim, the answer is that I obviously saw a prior set. One has to dial back the clock all the way to Dec 27th, 2010 when I hung out at The Smell. Back then (unless my camera time stamps were seriously off), The Smell had bands going on past the midnight hour. 

Devon Williams at Permanent Records Roadhouse

NFV Song Spotlight: Shannon Lay's All This Life Going Down

I've been following Shannon Lay since 2011 when she was in a band fronted by Laena Myers called Raw Geronimo (name later changed to Feels). She started to do solo gigs and I saw my first set at the Bootleg Theater (since closed) in 2017. I wrote the following about it:

"Shannon Lay from Feels started the night off. It reminded me of my first night during my New Zealand vacation. I was walking around and came across this music venue where folks were in a circle, singing. Her set was such a unique difference from Feels."

Shannon Lay at Permanent Records Roadhouse

NFV Song Spotlight: Lo Moon's Waiting A Lifetime

I'll be honest, I have not seen Lo Moon all that often. I first saw the band in 2016 at The Echo and didn't run across them again until their Zebulon residency in 2023. With that acknowledgement, I can't say that I'm a super fan, but I am a fan. 

Even though that is a long stretch of time, that first performance stuck with me. I wrote this brief little comment about the band at the time: 

"First up was LO MOON. They're dark and moody with pulsating drums and guitars. And then there was the hair toss and cracked smile when things went perfectly with a song."

Lo Moon at The Roxy

NFV Song Spotlight: Shi La Rosa's Want It All

I first came across Shi La Rosa via her band Drugs Cosmetics. It was 2022 and it was a WFNM night at the Black Rose. Almost three years in the past. Time flies. I was still shooting shows with my Canon 5D Mark IV. I've since upgraded to a Canon R5. And the Black Rose shined bright and then shut down. We had a very hot hot summer in 2022 and would you know it, the air conditioning went out. They had portable power fans blasting air through the venue for the summer, but that didn't really help matters. I felt super old on those particularly hot summer nights. I usually have no problem standing around throughout a music night, but on those nights I would find myself needing to sit during the middle of a set. Anyways, the venue shut down shortly afterwards. I was told that the Black Rose would have needed to shell out six figures to fix the air conditioning and they just didn't have that type of money.

Shi La Rosa at Bar Lubitsch

Notes from Vivace Show Alerts (Los Angeles): Mar 23rd - Mar 29th

A Handful of Show Alerts

Sunday, Mar 23rd: Bitter Half and Maryze at Club Tee Gee. Doors at 8 p.m.
You can read my Bitter Half Song Spotlight "FY IMY" here and my Maryze Song Spotlight "Playing Dress-Up" here.

Tuesday, Mar 25th: Self Improvement at Zebulon. Doors at 8 p.m.

I covered the band at Happy Sundays Long Beach 2024 for US Rocker, which you can read here.

Wednesday, Mar 26th: Suzie True and Teens in Trouble at Genghis Cohen. Doors at 7 p.m.

I've followed Suzie True for years. I covered their 2024 set for US Rocker Music when they opened up for VIAL.You can read that article here. I also covered Teens in Trouble in 2024 for US Rocker Music when they played the No Earbuds Fest, which you can read here.

Thursday, Mar 27th: Chelsea Rose at The Goldfish. Doors at 8 p.m.

I've been following Chelsea Rose since the Summer Twins days.

Friday, Mar 28th: Agender at Zebulon. Doors at 7 p.m.

I haven't written about this band yet, but I've seen sets in both 2023 and 2024.

Friday, Mar 28th: Jagged Baptist Club at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Doors at 9 p.m.

I covered the band at Happy Sundays Long Beach 2024 for US Rocker, which you can read here.

Saturday, Mar 29th: Anna St. Louis at Zebulon. Doors at 7 p.m.

Saw her back in 2019 opening for Shannon Lay at, of course, Zebulon. 

Saturday, Mar 29th: Soft Palms at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Doors at 9 p.m.
You can read my Soft Palms Song Spotlight "Rainbows" here.

NFV Song Spotlight: Pegzilla's Giver

I first crossed paths with Olivia Lee Saperstein of Pegzilla in 2018 when her band, at the time, Egg Drop Soup played The Echo during Slugs residency. That was a fun residency. Slugs had a team sports theme going for the night. I also might have caught Egg Drop Soup's last show ever (or close to their last show ever) at last year's Happy Sundays Long Beach. Lead singer and bassist Samantha Wastervelt announced around that time that it was off to New York City. Of course, never say never when it comes to Los Angeles bands. There is always the possibility that they'll have a reunion show. 

Pegzilla at Permanent Records Roadhouse

Review: Hot Load's Zebulon Night Has This Reviewer / Photographer Experiencing Flashbacks

I love the music residency. Pre-2020, I used to rotate between the Bootleg Theater, The Hi Hat, Silverlake Lounge, The Echo, and The Satellite on Monday nights. It was my must go out music night of the week. Unfortunately, music residencies aren't as ubiquitous as they used to be, but one can still find them going on around town. 

Hot Load at Zebulon

NFV Song Spotlight: The Letter Openers' Camerford, Where Ya Been?

I came across The Letter Openers via a music collective called Kiss or Kill that was a force to be reckoned with in the 2000s and was my introduction to the Los Angeles music scene. 

Based on one of my Instagram Q&As, the band broke up around 2009:

"We actually broke up for about a decade.  A couple years ago, Martin Ransbury and I [Mac Dunlop] reconnected and started jamming on some of my new songs.  We weren't planning to reform The Letter Openers, but that's what the new music sounded like.  So, we decided to revive the name, brought Matt Peter back into the fold, and drafted Jon Rygiewicz in, to play drums.  We started playing out a year ago, and have been gigging and recording ever since.  As far as what keeps us coming back for more . . . I think we really enjoying playing together, have a decent amount of overlap taste-wise, and we still get along pretty well."

The Letter Openers at The Escondite

NFV Song Spotlight: Pu$$y-Cow's Taco-Chariot

Pu$$y-Cow is one of the first bands I ever came across in the Los Angeles music scene. The band was part of a collective of bands that came under the umbrella of Kiss or Kill. When did I first come across the band? That's hard to pinpoint. My first photos of the band are from January 2007 when they played with The Dollyrots. I'm pretty sure that this was the night when Luis Cabezas (of The Dollyrots) went leaping pass me from the stage. I'm sure that I came across the band before that date because late 2006 was when I started to do band photography (with a really cheap point and shoot) and so there were a lot of nights hanging out at Kiss or Kill that I never photographed. Let's just say that I've followed this band since circa 2006. 

Pu$$y-Cow at The Escondite

Notes from Vivace Show Alerts (Los Angeles): Mar 16th - Mar 22nd

A Handful of Show Alerts

Sunday, Mar 16th: noworriesLMK at Scribble. Doors at 8 p.m.

You can read my song spotlight of their song "Trying for u" here.

Wednesday, Mar 19th: Giselle at Hotel Ziggy. Doors at 7 p.m.

Caught her prior set at Hotel Ziggy. Loved it.

Thursday, Mar 20th: Shannon Lay at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Doors at 9 p.m.

I've followed Shannon Lay for years, which includes when she played in Feels. 

Friday, Mar 21st: Gracie Gray at Highland Park Ebell. Doors at 7 p.m.

You can read my US Rocker review of her 2022 set here.

Friday, Mar 21st: Hinds at The Echo. Doors at 7 p.m.

You can read my US Rocker review of their 2024 set here.

Friday, Mar 21st: Meels at the Bigfoot Lodge. Doors at 8 p.m.

Saw a set at Bar Lubitsch this past Thursday night. Was really impressed. 

Saturday, Mar 22nd: Bruvvy and unpolished* at Daddy Diamonds Hollywood. Doors at 7 p.m.

You can read my Bruvvy song spotlight of "Concealer" here and my unpolished* song spotlight of "nobody knows" here.

Saturday, Mar 22nd: Primer at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Doors at 9 p.m.

You can read my US Rocker review of her 2024 set here.

Saturday, Mar 22nd: The Sleeperz at The Redwood Bar. Doors at 5 p.m.

The band made my 2024 list of favorite new bands. You can see the list here.

Review: SWEAT hits the mosh gym at Zebulon

How does one describe the band SWEAT? Screaming that would wake the dead. Grunts that caused fans to rush the stage and trampoline off into the crowd. Speed metal that was relentless. The Zebulon hosted this band on a Monday night. If you had a bad first day of the workweek, this was the night for you. Those passive aggressive feelings towards your boss or co-worker (who pissed you off in the first hour of the work day after having a wonderful weekend)? One could easily turn those feelings into acceptable non-passive aggression. 

SWEAT at Zebulon

NFV Song Spotlight: Escape-ism's Charge of the Love Brigade

I finally got to catch Escape-ism. I apparently had an opportunity to catch a set back in March 2024 during Escape Artist Lovers residency at Zebulon. I really don't know why I missed their set as I did attend that night. Maybe they were the first band playing and I just showed up late due to work. Or maybe they were the last band of the night and I had to get to work early and so had a hard get to bed time. There were additional chances throughout 2024 to catch the band, but it never worked out.

Escape-ism at Zebulon

NFV Song Spotlight: Me.Kai's Daylight

Me.Kai website describes her music as "a soulful vocal singer/songwriter . . . . genre-blending style encapsulates love for indie soul, heavy bass, and electro-pop." Not listed is that her vocals are smokey smooth. That's what struck me about her set during a WFNM night at Bar Lubitsch. 

Me.Kai at Bar Lubitsch

Review: Escape Artist Lovers headline Altadena Musicians Fundraiser

The Los Angeles fires that started on January 7th, 2025 will have long lasting impacts on the Altadena and Pacific Palisades communities. The local Los Angeles music community has galvanized together in a way that I don't believe I've ever seen. All to provide some glimmer of hope to those who lost so much. Zebulon shuttered for a few days to collect donations. Venues such as Permanent Records Roadhouse has held several events where door proceeds were donated to various causes. I covered a large dance party at The Bellwether (you can read about it here) that raised $70,000. 

Last week, the sense of community continued at Zebulon where Gift Horse Project put together a fundraising effort for Altadena Musicians, which is a nonprofit to help musicians who lost their gear in the fire. The nonprofit is headed by Brandon Jay, himself impacted by the fires. The website for the project has the following: 

Brandon Jay of Altadena Musicians at Zebulon

Notes from Vivace Show Alerts (Los Angeles): Mar 9th - Mar 15th

A Handful (Bucketful This Week) of Show Alerts

Sunday, Mar 9th: Valley Porno People at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Doors at 9 p.m.
I'm not sure this band is on social media. Either way, they made my list of favorite 2024 bands, which you can read here.

Cancelled. Tuesday, Mar 11th: Delanova at Zebulon. Doors at 8 p.m.

I haven't written about Delanova, but I caught a couple sets in 2023.

Tuesday, Mar 11th: Mikayla McLean at Hotel Ziggy. Doors at 7 p.m.

You can read my Song Spotlight here.

Wednesday, Mar 12th: Emily Rose & the Rounders at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Doors at 9 p.m.

You can read my Song Spotlight review here.

Wednesday, Mar 12th: Powder Pink & Sweet at The Smell. Doors at 8 p.m.

I covered their set for US Rocker, which you can read here.

Wednesday, Mar 12th: TwoLips at Gold-Diggers. Doors at 7 p.m.

You can read my Song Spotlight review here.

Thursday, Mar 13th: Fartbarf and The Mormons at Alex's Bar. Doors at 8 p.m.

I haven't written about either of these bands, but I've seen both of these band through the years. Bands built around personas. 

Thursday, Mar 13th: Hailey Wild at Bar Lubitsch. Doors at 7 p.m.

You can read my Song Spotlight review here.

Thursday, Mar 13th: Mercedes Kilmer at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Doors at 9 p.m.

You can read my US Rocker review here.

Friday, Mar 14th: Buckets at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Doors at 9 p.m.

You can read my US Rocker review here.

Saturday, Mar 15th: Fidlar, Death Hymn Number 9, and Bushfire at Alex's Bar. Doors at 8 p.m.

I saw both Fidlar and Death Hymn Number 9 way back in 2012 (here). I covered Bushfire for Buzzbands when they played Happy Sundays Long Beach 2023. You can read about it here.

Saturday, Mar 15th: unpolished* at Supply and Demand. Doors at 7 p.m.

You can read my Song Spotlight review here.

NFV Song Spotlight: Blu Jay and The lovebombs' Money Power Sex Fame.

I first came across Jade Duncan who releases music under Blu Jay and The lovebombs in December 2023 at a WFNM night at Hotel Ziggy. The band did a June 2024 residency at Harvard & Stone and I was able to catch the last night of the residency. I noticed that the band was supposed to play a Monday night at Harvard & Stone in January, but for some reason the band ended up not playing that night. Like it is in the Los Angeles music scene, you always get another chance. I noticed that the band was playing a WFNM night at Bar Lubitsch a few days later and so I circled the night on my calendar. 

Blu Jay and The lovebombs at Bar Lubitsch

Review: Crush's variety show entertains the crowd at Zebulon

I first came across Crush in 2022 at Zebulon. It was an interesting situation that resulted in that first encounter. A band called Clark And The Himselfs had a September residency at The Echo. There was a dispute that I won't get into as I obviously don't know the details. The end result was that the residency ending sooner than anticipated. Zebulon was kind enough to pick up the remaining part of the residency. Also playing that night was a personal favorite Laena of Feels and The Like fame. 

Crush at Zebulon

NFV Song Spotlight: Nightjacket's My Only Heart

I first came across Nightjacket in June 2020 via an online performance of "Lonely Archer" via Los Angeleno. You can see that Instagram video here. I fell in love with The Cranberries sound. "Lonely archer, take your aim. Might get lucky tonight. Shoot your arrows, and let ‘em rain. Yeah I might fall in love tonight." I got to catch the band live in 2021 and put them on my list of favorite 2021 new to me, but maybe not to you.

Nightjacket at Harvard & Stone

Review: Pistacioland Cracks Open the Yes

It was a Pistachioland night at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Were there any actual pistachios at the venue on a Saturday night? I didn't see any, but I did see a band called Harry Katz and the Pistachios and a tie with pistachios in the design. The night was hosted by Harry Katz and this night was apparently Pistachioland III. I missed the other two iterations of this festival of fun. It was a night filled with music as well as face painting, a juggler, and DIY shops. Hopefully, I don't miss Pistachioland IV.

Harry Katz and the Pistachios at Permanent Records Roadhouse

Notes from Vivace Show Alerts (Los Angeles): Mar 2nd - Mar 8th

A Handful (Bucketful This Week) of Show Alerts

Sunday, Mar 2nd: The Blushes at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Doors at 9 p.m.
One of my favorite bands. The band played Echo Park Rising in 2024. You can read my review of the festival for US Rocker here.

Sunday, Mar 2nd: Eagle Rock Gospel Singers at Hotel Cafe. Set time at 7 p.m.
Came across this band back in 2014. 

Tuesday, Mar 4th: Bruvvy at Madame Siam.
You can read my NFV Song Spotlight here.

Tuesday, Mar 4th: Christina Apostolopoulos at Hotel Ziggy. Doors at 7 p.m.

If you look carefully, you'll see a photo I took for Buzzbands at Echo Park Rising here.

Tuesday, Mar 4th: Escape Artist Lovers and Mercedes Kilmer at Zebulon. Doors at 8 p.m.
You can read my US Rocker reviews of Escape Artist Lovers here and Mercedes Kilmer here.

Thursday, Mar 6th: Jenny O at Gold-Diggers. Doors at 7 p.m.

You can read my Buzzbands review of Jenny O here.

Saturday, Mar 8th: Dear Elise at The Smell. Doors at 8 p.m.

You can read my US Rocker review here.

Saturday, Mar 8th: Lake at 2220 Arts. Doors at 8 p.m.

Been following this band since 2009.

Saturday, Mar 8th: Menea at Harvard & Stone. Doors at 7 p.m.

Saw her recently at WFNM.

Saturday, Mar 8th: Moonfuzz and Pegzilla at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Doors at 9 p.m.

This is a punk night.