Five Straight Nights of Music (Actually Six)

It was a wild five straight nights of music -- though I do believe I made it home by 11 p.m. (or within reason) for all those nights. It started on Monday when I went to The Mint to catch Ariel Beesley and Archer Valentine. Ariel Beesley is a long time favorite who puts on a great show that includes wonderful punk pop melodies along with a stage show that mesmerizes with multiple high kicks, hair flings and general enthusiasm. Archer Valentine opened the night with sexual appeal that had the gals at the front of stage. This was my first time at The Mint since mid-2019. And well, since that mid-2019 night there had also been a long gap in between visits at that time, as well. The Mint is a bit far and out of the way from where I live when you consider all the other venues that are so much closer, but I generally always enjoy my time at this venue.

Ariel Beesley

Tuesday night was going to be a rest night, but then I noticed that Earth is a Death Star was playing at Little Joy. I've been wanting to catch this band for a couple years now. Their garage rock sound shook the floor. They weren't the only band I caught. I arrived at Little Joy just in time to catch a few songs from Boy Have Heart. His friends were there is force. One Outta Ten came up next with a party animal style that is catchy. You can tell they just love playing music.

Earth is a Death Star

Wednesday was spent at The Silverlake Lounge where Jagged Baptist Club was on their second residency night. I've seen this band 3 times in less than 2 weeks so I'm not sure how much more I can add about this band's music. Opening up for the band was Friendly Bear and Reckling. I saw Reckling for the first time when they were playing with Feels at the Resident back in late 2019. Their music is all about speed. I noticed that the lead singer recently got engaged; congrats are due to her.

Reckling

My Thursday night was featured on Buzzbands. It states that I did the reporting on the opening night of live music at The Goldfish. That's a bit generous. I provided some details, but Kevin Bronson did the write-up. Always You and Double Wish will forever be wonderfully known as the first bands to play the new venue that replaces The Hi Hat.

Always You

I decided to put the pedal to the floor and head out Friday night to catch Talk Time and Polartropica at an undisclosed location in Lincoln Heights. Was it really in Lincoln Heights? If it was, it was on the edge of Lincoln Heights on the east end. Either way, it was a night under the stars. Polartropica put on an extravagant set that she is well known for doing. Talk Time just rocked us.

Polartropica

There was a sixth night out -- Saturday night. That night is also being featured on Buzzbands.

U Start Here Benefit Show: Ariel Beesley with Somme and Foxx Bodies

Ariel Beesley headlined a benefit show for her U Start Here nonprofit, which is an "organization geared towards healing survivors of sexual assault through community." The night was at Junior High in Glendale, which is also a non-profit entity. 

Opening the night was Foxx Bodies. I previously caught this band in late 2019 at another non-profit location called Sunspace, which has now closed down due to the pandemic. The band sings the music with a beat poetry stance that has the backdrop of punk sounds.

Foxx Bodies

Next up was Somme who I also last saw in 2019. Her music has a wonderful mix of pop rock sounds. The guitar playing definitely gives it a rock sound while those vocals have pop qualities. The vocals are especially musical, hooking you in from the start.

Somme

Ariel Beesley was amped that the benefit show had sold out and it showed in her set. She twirled, kicked and sprawled on the floor as she sang her way through her set list where every song is well written and has the perfectly catchy hook. There was one amusing moment where she forgot how to start out her song, "Palm Springs." Ha ha, she only released that song back in late 2019. Anyways, she asked her guitarist who wasn't sure and then the drummer whispered something into her ear. She amusing admitted to the audience what was going on. After her set ended a few minutes before the 10 p.m. curfew that is imposed on the venue, she asked everyone to have fun dancing until closing time.

Ariel Beesley

New Music Alert: Ariel Beesley's "So Baby"

Ariel Beesley has a new song out called "So Baby." 

She writes on her Instagram page: This song was a catalyst for me finishing my debut album with a bang. Meaning a bunch of songs about loving myself instead of giving my time to straight up babies. I hope you love it and dance and just feel things. Most importantly that you matter. Because you do. So much. 

Lyrics of the song: Your stupid fuckin' smile that gets me every time. You know all the lines that make my body shake.

Those lyrics represent her meticulous writing style. And the music backs it up with new wave punk rock sounds that provide sonic waves that one feels can be walked upon up towards the stars.

 

photo take at the Echoplex

2020 Los Angeles Music Scene in Review

I’ve always done a year-end round up of my favorite “new to me, but maybe not new to you” lists. Well, let me go in a different direction this year end for obvious reasons. 

2020 in Review 

#20 Pink Sock / Echoplex 

Let’s start things off with Pink Sock. Anyways, a few years back, I got stuck outside The Echo without a photo pass. A quick e-mail was sent to one of the bands that was playing that night. Down came said drummer to rescue me. 

When this is all over: I’m going to see Emily Kinney in concert. Hold me to it.

Pink Sock

#19 Ariel Beesley / Echoplex 

A photo from her birthday show. Is it too early to say happy birthday for 2021? 

When this is all over: I’m buying myself a Canon EOS R5.

Ariel Beesley

#18 SHIRAGIRL / The Satellite 

This will be me (?September 2021?) when I head inside my first concert venue in over a year. 

When this is all over: yes, I am betting September 2021 - hey, it used to be Q1 2022. 

SHIRAGIRL

#17 Wax Charmer / The Satellite 

Going through my photos, this band really knows how to put on a performance. I love how the band interacts together as well as individually. 

When this is all over: will this be all over before or after Echo Park Rising 2021 is supposed to occur? 

Wax Charmer

#16 Automatic / The Glass House / shot for Buzzbandsla 

Buzzbands had their list of concerts they wanted covered for the month of January. There was a mini-music festival going on at The Glass House that was on the list. I noticed that Automatic was on the line-up. I also hadn’t been to The Glass House in years so I put my name in to cover the show. I left my “real” job at around 3:30 p.m. and just sat in traffic on the 210 Freeway. Part of me just started thinking I should send Buzzbands an e-mail and apologize that I just didn’t realize how bad traffic was and I wouldn’t be able to get to cover the night. Also, add that I was under the weather, which was totally true. But at the same time I was thinking, “I really want to see Automatic.” 

When this is all over: I’ve got to catch Jenny O, Mara Connor and Pu$$y Cow at least once. Traditions need to restart. 

Automatic

#15 Ceremony / The Glass House / shot for Buzzbandsla 

I can’t wait to see music fans in pure ecstasy again. 

When this is all over: I’ve got to shoot at The Glass House at least once.

 

Ceremony

#14 Strawberry Army / Bootleg Theater 

This band is fun to shoot. Tell me I’m wrong. 

When this is all over: How many times will I see Black Flamingo, Brassbox, Draemings and Kevin?

 

Strawberry Army

#13 Kate Clover / Bootleg Theater 

Every so often back in the day I’d run into Kate Clover hanging out at Zebulon. Those were the days. 

When this is all over: Who wants to open up a music venue? 

Kate Clover

#12 Neon Cowgirl / Club Tee Gee 

One of these days The Child should do a set. Just throwing that out there. I love the biographical lyrics of Neon Cowgirl. 

When this is all over: I do hope Livingmore asks me to photograph one of their sets. 

Neon Cowgirl

#11 Cheekface / The Satellite 

Do you know they have a song called “Glendale?” Do you know I live in Glendale? There are actually other local music scene folk who live in Glendale. I’m not sure Cheekface likes Glendale. I’m not sure I like Glendale. 

When this is all over: I’ve got to catch in-person some of those musicians/bands I saw on Home School (aka School Night) and WFNM. 

Cheekface

#10 Tillie / The Geometro Party 

That time I got invited to an underground party. Yeah, that doesn’t happen that often. 

When this is all over: I might travel beyond a 5 miles radius from where I live.

Tillie

#9 The Walks of Life / Highland Park Bowl 

One year during Echo Park Rising, I did a long walk over to Cosmic Vinyl to photograph a couple random bands for Buzzbands. I came across Sam Marine (The Walks of Life). I was impressed. 

When this is all over: How many music venues will still be around? 

The Walks of Life

#8 Broken Baby / The Satellite 

This is the last time I went to The Satellite. Perhaps this photo is just perfect. From my count 6 music venues have shut down (perhaps one or two of them might manage to re-open at other locations). For the life of me, I can’t figure out how other venues are able to hang on with no revenue over the last 9 months. 

When this is all over: I caught a couple online sets of Skullcrusher. I really want to see a live set. 

Broken Baby

#7 The Mulhollands / Viper Room 

I have two all time favorite Los Angeles music scene bands: The Mulhollands and Automatic Music Explosion. Even though these bands shut down years ago, I bet that they still rank as the bands I’ve seen the most times. This night at the Viper Room was a reunion show for The Mulhollands. I hope another one happens again someday. 

When this is all over: I’ll get my #quickhitbandinterviews going on a more consistent basis.

The Mulhollands

#6 The Shakers / Viper Room 

Lead singer Jodie has moved out of state. But it was like the band had never stopped playing live sets. Magic at the Viper Room. 

When this is all over: Take a trip and explore another city’s music scene. 

The Shakers

#5 Sofie Winterson / Zebulon 

February 25th. This was the last time I stepped inside a music venue. I purposely put a hold on my live music outings a couple weeks sooner than I had to. Zebulon was part of the Red Alert campaign on Sept 1st. I do hope they survive. 

When this is all over: Shoot some shows for Buzzbands. 

Sofie Winterson

#4 Michael Crain / “Six at Six” series on Instagram Live / curated by @the6660s

I got asked if I wanted to photograph a “Six at Six” series. Outdoors. Check. Masks. Check. I was in. 

When this is all over: Do some interviews for CaliforniaRocker. 

Michael Crain

#3 Fart Barf / Echo Park Rising / Bands in a Barbershop stage 

Echo Park Rising went virtual this year. I got to capture one set live. 

When this is all over: hangout at the front of the stage with four or five other photographers at a local music venue, not shooting for a music site or similar, just shooting because we love the band. 

Fart Barf

#2 Mars Rodriguez / “Six at Six” series on Instagram Live / curated by The 6660s 

I do believe Mars Rodriguez ties as the band / musician I’ve seen most “in-person” in 2020. How many times? Twice. I purposely made sure I got to see her a second time. Love her one person sets. I do find it a little amusing that the most times I’ve seen a band / musician in 2020 live is just twice. Usually, there are bands / musicians that I’ll see 5 or 6 times. Maybe because like Livingmore, I’m one of their go to photographers. Or a Ramonda Hammer or Spare Parts for Broken Hearts where they’re part of the Los Angeles music scene that I am most associated with. Or a Kevin that is just too cool not to see multiple times. 

When this is all over: I want to find a band before the swarm of photographers descend on the band, just want to be one of the first. 

Mars Rodriguez

#1 Joshua Payne Orchestra / Los Angeles River 

I wear a mask while exercising in this COVID-19 world and I’ve learned one thing about wearing a mask while exercising: walking up hills around my neighborhood is very difficult to do while wearing a mask. My lungs just don't get enough air. So I switched things up and started walking along the Los Angeles river, which doesn’t require as muchexertion on my part. Well, one day, I came across a musician who was in the process of packing up his gear. Then a couple weeks later, I saw him again, packing up his gear. I decided to go over and ask for his name. And that’s how I came across Joshua Payne Orchestra. 

When this is all over: I need to ask Feels for a photo pass.

Joshua Payne Orchestra

Quarantine Online Sets: Version 57

Ariel Beesley took the stage on Reckless Magazine's Better Days Festival. I've seen her do a couple individual online set since the start of quarantine. I last saw her live with a full band in early January during FOMO week. I knew she was supposed to hit the Better Days Festival at 9 p.m. on Thursday via Youtube. I tuned in at exactly 9 p.m. and she had already started her set. How much had I missed? Anyways, I watched the set until the end and then took the Youtube video back to the start of her set and watched it again. She was playing with a full band and the camera work was treating it like one was watching a real concert. It wasn't a one camera straight on take, but moved from one spot to the next. With the full band, her vocals and music composition shined in full. Almost ten months since I last saw her live and I had forgotten how totally awesome her live shows are. Ariel Beesley is a full on Los Angles music talent.    

Quarantine Online Sets: Version 12

On Sunday, Ariel Beesley did an Instagram Live interview on Ladygunn. I tuned in late, but did get on early enough to catch her sing a couple of her songs. She played a song on her keys and another on her ukulele. She had a huge smile and was full of cheer. It was nice to see on a Sunday.

Ariel Beesley

Wednesday was dedicated to WFNM. Disco Shrine opened the night with some dance moves. It got the blood flowing for the night. I've known Disco Shrine for years and she's always been so awesome with helping me out with various requests throughout the years. 19 and You dialed in from Australia. They did an acoustic version of their song Runnin'. Three members of the band our currently in Australia while the fourth is in the United States. Patrick Martin then did a set from, I believe he mentioned, Wisconsin. He left Los Angeles to write some tunes and then coronavirus broke out across the United States. I'm not going to lie, but the surprise was róisin marie. The set started off with Instagram Live focused on a darkened, slightly reddish room. I think it got Grant Owen (of WFNM) a little confused as he was wondering where she was. Without even a word, she walked into the frame and started her soulful-techno music. I have no clue where she comes from, but I do want to catch a live set. Tulliah ended my night on WFNM's Instagram Live. She's an 18 year in Australia. She has vocals that stayed in perfect pitch. Just wonderful.

Disco Shrine

19 and You

Patrick Martin

róisin marie

Tulliah

Thursday started off with Fiona Grey. She was doing an interview with Lauren Ruth Ward, but closed out the interview singing a couple of her songs. She sang a favorite of mine, "Saviour." And then she closed it out with the song "Kerosene." A couple hours later it was off to catch Livingmore on Jam in the Van. They didn't play in the official van, but did hang out in their own SUV on a very hot day in Los Angeles. Three of the four members jammed in the hot SUV. They made it clear that the three of them lived together. The fourth member wasn't there in order to practice social distancing. For the last couple songs, they actually had to close a couple of the doors, because a neighbor was hanging around and I guess they felt he was being a bit on the strange side. It must have gotten hot in the SUV for the last few songs. For the last couple years, Livingmore is one of the bands that I've seen multiple times. This year, oh well, I got to catch them doing an online set.

Fiona Grey

Livingmore

Quarantine Online Sets: Version 3

On Saturday, I caught part of Lauren Ruth Ward's talk with Holy Wars. Then I switched over to catch Ariel Beesley on Instagram. She played outside her home on a ukulele. Occasionally, she rushed off to get her dog. She also talked about her songwriting process and stories behind the songs. She even sang a very raw song that isn't ready for prime time. It was very personal type moment that you won't usually get in a concert setting.

A couple hours later, I went over to Pancakes and Whiskey to catch Lauren Ruth Ward. It is always a pleasure to catch a Lauren Ruth Ward set be it in person, online -- or even just running into her when she's out supporting the Los Angeles music scene. I hung around to HNRY FLWR who was playing from New York -- Temple of the Void.

Lauren Ruth Ward

HNRY FLWR

Echoplex: Ariel Beesley with Suzie True and Pink Sock

It was Ariel Beesley's 28th birthday party at the Echoplex. I was sick and coughing, but I didn't want to miss this night. She literally kicked her way through her birthday. She did 4 or 5 high kicks. Some of those kicks ending with her foot higher than her head. There was a little help in terms of keeping her balance with the microphone stand, but I'm still not sure how she didn't lose her balance with at least one of those kicks.

Ariel Beesley

Early in the set, the audience spontaneously sang Happy Birthday. And towards the end of the set, Pink Sock brought out a cake for her, which sent her into tears. It was a tender night that was highlighted by her brilliant music the talks about heart break. She mentioned that she always looks for a man who will love her like she should be loved. She said she came to a realization that her friends in the audience provided her with that love.

Opening up the night was Suzie True. I had just seen them 3 weeks earlier at a small DIY venue called Sun Space. I also first caught them at The Smell. It was a revelation to catch this punk pop band on the much larger stage of the Echoplex. I did notice at the other two venues how this band liked to put on a show, but on a larger stage they were able to do so much more. Like with Ariel Beesley there were high kicks. They also were able to do much more jumping and stage movements without ending up against the edge of the stage.

Suzie True

Pink Sock came on after Suzie True. I remember catching this band for the first time at Echo Park Rising 2018. I was shooting for Buzzbands and was rushing from venue to venue. I was in the middle of heading to another venue, but noticed all these people jumping out of Ubers and such and running into Little Joy. I figured that must be a good sign so I went in to catch the band. Flash forward to 2020, and I finally caught the smooth jazz sounds of this band for the second time. To close out their set, Ariel Beesley jumped on stage and danced from the first note to the last note.

Pink Sock

The House of Machines: Ariel Beesley with COQUÍ

What a fun night at The House of Machines. Why? Ariel Beesley was singing her catchy tunes. She spent much of the time prior to her set, coming up to folks and giving hugs and saying hello. Such a vivacious personality. And also indicated that the audience was filled with her friends. When her set started, her friends crowded the stage and were singing the words to a number of her songs. A couple of them danced with abandon throughout. Ariel also decided to take the hands of a couple friends during one song and started to dance with them for a few moments.

Ariel's lyrics and music just blend seamlessly together. She also puts on an excellent stage show. Hair flings. Body moves that showed her ability to balance on one foot. And showing up great flexibility. 

Ariel Beesley

Opening up was COQUÍ who put on the dance moves, as well. He skated across the stage with ease.

Coqui

The Satellite: Ariel Beesley with Moderns and Xuan (Softer Sex Productions)

It was a night of some great music and fun moments. Ariel Beesley highlighted the night with her re-invented 80's pop centered hooks. And though I'm not a fan of smoking cigarettes, I just can't get enough of her song "Slower Than Usual." It should be noted that she has great comfort on stage. One moment that highlights this is when she was in the middle of one of her songs. There was a short vocal break and she looked into the audience and said, "I'm so happy seeing you all dance out there." Then she started back with her vocals without missing a beat.

Moment of the set was actually when she nearly tripped and she responded, "I'm so clumsy, I almost tripped on myself."

And the comment of her set was her heartfelt appreciation, "It's so fun seeing so many people singing along. It makes my heart hurt." 

Ariel Beesley

Xuan opened up the night, playing half her set with angel wings. And most of her set was spent dancing and jumping around the stage. Even with all that energy, there was a light touch to her music. This dynamic made for a very fun set. She must have noticed that we were loving her set, because she said in response to the audience, "I can't cry, because I have fake lashes on, but it's happening."

Comment of the set was when she mentioned that she had CDs for sale. "Do laptops still have CD players?" She turned to her drummer who said he had one. "Your's does? Throw it away."

Xuan

Moderns played right after Xuan. They're a techno band with a lead singer, Rosie, who is unable to restrain her cheerfulness. I had fun watching her trying to be serious during a couple songs. By the end of those songs she had given up and had a big smile on her face.

And by the way, I happened to notice that Rosie has a rather interesting Instagram site where she posts her trolling of scammers and creeps that come her way. Take a look. It is some interesting

Moderns

A big thanks to Softer Sex Productions for putting together a great line-up.

Quick Hit Artist Interview: Ariel Beesley

Ariel Beesley at Wild Riot Summer Sessions

Interview with the artist. Enjoy:

How would you describe your sound? I’m most inspired by 80s new wave bands, such as Blondie, New Order, and The Cure. So I’d say my sound pulls from those inspirations, but in a modern light.

Is there a specific decision you have made (good or bad) that you feel other bands/artists can learn from? Just be yourself. Don’t sacrifice your true self to get anywhere, you’ll end up exactly where you want to be if you just stay true to yourself.