Chinatown Summer Nights 2019: June Edition

I've been going to Chinatown Summer Nights for years. I'm seen some great bands there like Eastern Conference Champions, Dorothy and Lauren Ruth Ward. This summer series is always on my list. The first night of this 2019 summer series occurred on a recent Saturday night. I was able to catch:
JEMS, Lijie, Mark Diamond and syd B.

The biggest surprise of the night was syd B who closed out the night for me. She just has this smooth soul sound that is very addicting. She also had two young fans that were likely related to her and just loved her. Before the set, I saw one of them going up to her and hugging her leg tight. It was so cute. Like all the artists that I saw, syd B had a hard time convincing folks to leave the beer garden and come up to the stage (though she did have folks packing the front of the beer garden). With her two young fans, they followed her request to come closer to the stage. They spent the set running to the front of the stage for a song and then running back to their parents and then running back to the stage.

syd B

Mark Diamond was also a pleasant surprise. His vocals are so pure and lyrics thoughtfully written. I do believe his girlfriend was in the audience and when he started one song, I swear I saw her say to a friend, "That song is about me." The band played at the golden hour. For the first part of their set, the sun was blinding the members of the band, but by the end the sun had slipped below the building that was next to the stage, which resulted in the golden lights of the fading sun. A wonderful backdrop for his music.

Mark Diamond

Opening up the day was JEMS. I previously caught about half their set at a Wild Riot event. Their music is a shared experience between the three members of the band. The harmony between the three is as perfect as one can get.

JEMS

Lijie hit the keys and guitar for her set. I did a little research online and saw that she co-wrote a song called "Glorious," which was sung by Adam Friedman. I noticed that the sound is very similar to a band that I love called Wild. It is an anthem for looking on the brighter side of life. And I think you'd be correct to assume that Lijie's set was filled with the same positive energy.

Lijie

Quick Hit Band Interview: JEMS

JEMS at Wild Riot Summer Sessions

Interview with the band. Enjoy:

How would you describe your sound? We are an alt/folk band inspired by the sounds of yesteryear in the canyons of LA.

How do you go about combining lyrics and sound? We write what matters to us and the sound we create together has been easily lent to telling stories of all kinds. We like it when the lyrics and music serve the emotional or aesthetic purpose together, but they don’t always have to.

Own Q&A: How did you choose the name JEMS? We came up with our band name by combining our initials. Jessica + Emily + Sarah Margaret = JEMS! We love nature and pull a lot from its naturally occurring motifs and metaphors so to have a name that also parallels something beautiful the earth makes seems fitting. And gems sparkle . . . and rock.

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