Quarantine Online Sets: Version 65

"Six at Six" monthly series on The Satellite's Instagram Live page is one of my favorite online music events. 

November's version started on Sunday with Human Barbie. I had a couple thoughts that popped up while watching the set. My first thought was that he really made me think about story time of the  Princess Bride. Then his knit cap had me thinking about R.E.M. The music sounded like poetry. The voice was perfectly soft and the guitar sounded like there was a soft pedal being applied. During the set, he loved stretching out those arms. 

Comment of the set: You are my beautiful Barbies and I love you. 

Human Barbie

Iress played on Monday. The music had an Irish chant quality. The guitarist and bassist played on the stage while the singer sat in front of the stage. A new song was sung with an opened notebook. At times, there was an Alanis Morissette unplugged feel to the set.

Lyrics of the set: I can see the wolves crying.

Info of the set: The 1st song they sang got 15,000 plays on Monday.

Photographer: I could hear the photographer taking some rapid photos.

Brian who curates the "Six at Six" series cried twice during the set. 

 

Iress

Reckling started off Tuesday by saying, "Hi, anyone out there?" The two guitarists sat next to each other and sang perfect duets. There was this Bob Dylan feel to their acoustic set, but sped up by about 25%. They did a hand stretch before the final song. They looked at each other before starting and cracked up for just a brief second. They ended that song at the exact same moment and looked pleased.

Recklng

The honkytonk sound started if off for Moonfuzz on Wednesday. Loved how the fingers did some rapid playing on those guitar strings. During one song, you know you were really seeing a set played outdoors, because the noise of a truck roaring pass was heard. Though there was some honkytonk, for other songs their vocals had the cries of the ancients. As soon as the set ended, the singer quickly put a mask on. Thumbs up on that move. 

Moonfuzz

Flames of Durga is a band that I've seen live only once at a Wild Riot event, but they definitely made an impression on me that day. On this particular Thursday, I could help but notice that one of the twins was dressed in 70s style while the other was dressed in punk rocker style. I noticed that their earrings matched their tops: red (70s) and black (punk). They also drank LiveWire cocktails. 

The twins brought a classic rocker style to the stage that was definitely not acoustic. In the comments, Usuallymikey said, "Gonna be a noise complaint in the old Silverlake tonight!!"

There set actually started off at 6:15 p.m. A 15 minute delay from the 6 p.m. start time. Seems like during rehearsal a guitar string broke. To end the set, they went faux wild by raising the bass high and gently slamming the guitar. 

Flames of Durga

Closing out the series was Brenda Carsey on Friday. She didn't bring her keyboard for the set. Instead, she played the guitar. No matter what, as Brian said during the set, she has an amazing voice. Nothing like Brenda Carsey sing her tunes. That is a reason why I've seen Brenda Carsey three times live.

Brenda Carsey

Quarantine Online Sets: Version 24

Friday night was spent catching some music starting out at 6 p.m. On The Satellite's Instagram page, Suzi Moon from Turbulent Hearts jammed through a six song set with on fire yellow hair. Her set list was written on her hand. She ignored the acoustic rules and had an amp. Basically, she brought her punk attitudes to The Satellite's feed. What I loved were the Q&As between songs. For example, how long does it take you to write your songs? 

 

Suzi Moon

After the set ended, there was a 1.5 hour break before heading over to Los Angeleno's Facebook page at 8 p.m. For an hour, I got to catch short sets by Ben Vaughn, Less Bells, Flames of Durga, Starlight Cleaning Co. and The Blank Tapes. 

Ben Vaughn opened it up with an interesting choice in color palette. He played and wore colors in the tan and brown color segment. I say he came across as someone with a dry sense of humor.

Ben Vaughn

Less Bells provided an interesting combination of instruments: synths and an electric cello that created Gothic sounds that drifted from the high ceilings of an ancient European church.

Less Bells

Flames of Durga had the full band rocking punk style from the high desert. I have to say the video quality of their set was most excellent. It was like I was right up there in the front row.

Flames of Durga

Starlight Cleaning Co. provided some folk tunes from their living room. An upright piano could be seen in the background.

Starlight Cleaning Co.

The Blank Tapes closed out the hour with Americana rock with a 70s beach sound.

The Blank Tapes

Quick Hit Band Interview: Flames of Durga

Flames of Durga at Wild Riot Summer Sessions

Interview with the band. Enjoy:

What's the story behind how your band started? As twin sisters, and best friends, we wrote songs together growing up as a means to express ourselves in this crazy human experience. We always wanted to start a band then were faced with death when surviving a brutal car crash. It was a wake-up call and catalyst for starting "Flames Of Durga" and a big reminder of how temporary life is.

For the band and its future, how would you define success? As far as success is concerned it's based on our happiness and fulfillment, BUT touring the world is a big one for us and we cannot wait! The smaller successes include the DIY tours we've done that's given us a thicker skin, more perspective and unforgettable epic times. Our first tour was 14 shows in 15 days up the west coast which kicked our asses and yet we couldn't get enough. We really thrive on the road. Last, but not least, we gauge our success on our band's constant evolution. We never wanna stop growing.

Own thoughts: What inspires our songwriting is the way we see and experience the world. That being said we love to call out ignorance and corruption of society in a way that helps spread awareness and empowerment.

Wild Riot Summer Sessions One

The Wild Riot Summer Sessions was an outdoor event along Sunset Blvd in Echo Park. It was a hot one, weather-wise. Like so hot I am surprised there weren't some heat exhaustion problems -- though I did see some folks packing themselves in ice. Yet, under the oppressive heat, there was some awesome music.

Playing as I arrived at the Wild Riot Summer Sessions was JEMS. They are a female music trio that plays with a backing band. They have that sweet sounding western sound that reminds you of other Los Angeles based bands such as Dear Lemon Trees and The Wild Reeds.

JEMS

Ariel Beesley changed things up with her pop sounds. She came up on stage with a red hair bow as well as red lips and fingers nails. This model/singer brings a fun personality to her set. And there was a ball of energy that wasn't wilted by the summer heat. Put all that together and it got the audience into her set.

Ariel Beesley

Martin Dovali changed things up again with his rap jams. He took full advantage of the area that was provided him, leaping from one side of the area to the next. He also got some audience participation when he got three individuals to joint him in some dance moves as well as getting the crowd to shout back at him. He also gave me the middle finger.

Martin Dovali

Sikemor is a fronted by three siblings. They bring dreamy pop sounds with vocals that work so wonderfully together. One takes lead vocals and then another comes in and adds to the symphonic sound.

Sikemor

Graves and the Bad Weather brought the good old rock music to the Summer Sessions. No fashion statement other than jeans and t-shirts (or no t-shirts). The music was loud and the vocals were vicious. And one child was scared crazy by the band. Ha ha. A family was hanging out with their daughter. The guitarist did a little gig for the girl who then freaked out and ran away. She ran, funny enough, right to a total stranger. The parents were laughing.

Graves and the Bad Weather

Flames of Durga closed out the night for me. I've been wanting to catch this band for close to a year. I missed their Wild Riot set during Echo Park Rising. The band is fronted by twin sisters who have a sound that fits perfectly on the Sunset Strip. They brought the screaming vocals and acrobatic moves.

Flames of Durga