Song Spotlight: Band of Skulls' Sweet Sour

A PR person I've worked with for over a decade happened to mention to me that she could get me into the Troubadour to shoot Band of Skulls. I have to admit that I did not know who Band of Skulls was. When provided the offer, I did a look at the Troubadour calendar and noticed that the show was sold out. That indicated something to me. I was a go for sure. I was actually probably a go anyways even if I didn't notice that it was sold out, because I don't get the opportunity to shoot the Troubadour that often. 

Band of Skulls at the Troubadour

Song Spotlight: Rhiannon Lewis' Be My Enemy

Sometimes I have to be rather persistent in my Internet research when I want to write up a blog post about an artist with somewhat limited information available. I came across Rhiannon Lewis at a WFNM showcase at Hotel Ziggy and was immediately intrigued. They just had a quirky personality, "I did decide tonight to prioritize the vibe of the setlist over the logistics of the setlist. So you may see me hopping around from instrument to instrument." That hopping around consisted of switching between a couple acoustic guitars throughout the set. 

Rhiannon Lewis at Hotel Ziggy

Song Spotlight: Chemical Therapy's East Los Luv

I came across Chemical Therapy at Gold-Diggers, playing a Swyndle night event. The band started out in Charleston under the name Heyrocco. The members eventually moved out to Los Angeles and underwent a name change to Chemical Therapy. The band wasn't totally new to me (though I didn't figure that out until I started doing my band research for this post). I came across lead singer Nathan Merli briefly during another Swyndle night at Harvard & Stone when he did a cameo during a Bruvvy set. 

Chemical Therapy at Gold-Diggers

Song Spotlight: Peach Pit's Peach Pit

I don't get the opportunity to shoot the Greek Theatre all that often. When I got the opportunity to shoot Peach Pit at the venue, I obviously jumped at the opportunity. You can read my US Rocker Music review here. 

Peach Pit at the Greek Theatre

Song Spotlight: GIFT's Wish Me Away

GIFT from New York was recently on tour with Sunflower Bean and played the Lodge Room. You can read my review of the night here. I came across this band last year when their PR firm reached out to US Rocker Music about covering a set. Unfortunately, I couldn't head out to cover their set due to, you know, real life work that required some long hours. It was really unfortunate, because one of their sets was with Reb Ribbon who I had seen earlier in the year and had put them on my favorites list, which you can read here. 

GIFT at the Lodge Room

Song Spotlight: Sunflower Bean's Nothing Romantic

I will admit I was a bit late to get on the Sunflower Bean band wagon. It took a pandemic for me to finally in love with the band (though I'd heard of the band maybe a year or two prior to that). The band played an online set on the Dr. Martens' Instagram page. The song I really appreciated was "Twentytwo." You can read my brief thoughts about that online set here. 

Sunflower Bean at the Lodge Room

Song Spotlight: Everett Beau's Sweet Reverent Sunrise

Everett Beau dressed in black and sported a black tie took to the WFNM showcase stage at Hotel Ziggy. I think it is safe to say he mesmerized the crowd with his elegantly quiet singer songwriter set. I don't believe there was much talking during the set. I would say it was the proverbial situation of being able to hear a pin drop. As his short 6 song set progressed, people were drawn into the venue from the hotel lobby. 

Everett Beau at Hotel Ziggy

His music is introspective, a philosophical interpretation on life. His song "Sweet Reverent Sunrise" has the opening lyrics:

Please come take your place on the stand even if
Silver wasn't ever the plan

To me, this isn't a philosophy of everyone gets to take home a medal at the end of the day. It seems more like a belief that one should strive for gold and if you miss it, there is always the next sunrise to aim high once again. 

Everett Beau at Hotel Ziggy

His last song of the night was "Live Slow, Die Old." The sound system started giving a buzzing noise that if I understand correctly was caused by a dying guitar battery. He joked that he was being kicked off the show. Considering this is WFNM and the likelihood that you'll catch a former American Idol contestant is high, I'll just go with the idea that the show kicking him off would be American Idol. With tweaks to the sound, the buzzing noise died down and he was able to sing his latest release. 

After the set, he was off talking with various folk in the audience. I heard him talking to one older couple whom I'm guessing were staying at the hotel for vacation. I believe I overheard that the couple was from Idyllwild and he mentioned that he was from Palm Springs. I have a connection to Idyllwild that dates back to my late teens / early twenties that are fondly remembered.    

Everett Beau at Hotel Ziggy

Based on Spotify, he released an EP in 2021. He currently has 3 single releases in 2025. I'm speculating that another EP or debut album is just around the corner. 

Setlist: Not Dark Yet. Sweet Reverent Sunrise. A.M.A.M. Silent Signs. Live Slow, Die Old.

Song Spotlight: Baker Grace's Butterflies

My recent encounter with Baker Grace at a WFNM showcase night at Hotel Ziggy was my third time catching her set (all via WFNM). Interestingly, five years have passed since I first came across Grace via an online WFNM set in 2020. Time flies by rather quickly. My first live set was in 2022 at the, unfortunately, now defunct Black Rose. I will say somethings always stay the same. As a photographer, I have a Notes from Vivace Rule, which is if a musician looks directly into my camera lens I will post the photo on Instagram (with the caveat being that I've taken a decent photo of the look). She gave me the look in 2022 and then come 2025 she gave me the look again. 

Baker Grace at Hotel Ziggy

Song Spotlight: Alexandra Skora's Morning Bird

I don't know why, but when Alexandra Skora came up onto the WFNM showcase stage at Hotel Ziggy I starting thinking about Arwen of Lord of the Rings and the Targaryens of Game of Thrones. Is comparing someone to a Targaryen a good thing as the family line went down in flames (or who knows, maybe if the book series is ever completed the outcome will be different from the TV series)? There was a fantasy quality to her vocals, a story telling that flowed like a crystal clear stream. 

Alexandra Skora at Hotel Ziggy

Song Spotlight: The Palms' Push Off

Back in mid-May, I was asked if I wanted to cover Dope Lemon for US Rocker Music at The Novo. That sounded like a good idea so I said yes (you can read the review, which also includes thoughts on The Palms set, here). Life was / is busy. I did no research into the night other than trying to anticipate when I should leave home to get there on time. I got an email from the PR firm saying that I was a go and I was provided the set times for Dope Lemon and the opener. I glanced at the email and just mentally made a note that doors opened at 7 p.m. and Dope Lemon was on at 9:15 p.m. The opening band was mentioned, but I really didn't pay much attention to the name and only noticed that they were on at 8 p.m. 

The Palms at The Novo

Song Spotlight: X. ARI's Vicious

X. ARI (moniker for Daniella Waters) approaches her music performances like that of a revival church pastor out to convert souls. Her message isn't religious in nature; however, but is about mental health. She runs a non-profit called Wisdo Mania Foundation. The website says the following, "X. ARI’s life purpose is to inspire hope in others by writing her story in her music, sharing her experiences publicly, and providing resources for recovery." 

X. ARI at Bar Lubitsch

NFV Song Spotlight: Noah Vonne's I Call B.S.

Noah Vonne gave her blues and soul sound a slight shift in the direction of rock and roll for her recent WFNM showcase at Bar Lubitsch. Supporting her on stage were the omnipresent bassist for the LA scene Aubrey Harris and drummer David Cola. After playing her opener "Overthinker" she addressed the audience, "First, come up here, come up here. I know you want to." That was the nudge needed for the late night crowd to come up to the front. 

Noah Vonne at Bar Lubitsch