New Music Alert: Lauren Lakis' "Fear of God"

Lauren Lakis has a music video out for her song "Fear of God." The video starts with a nun walking across the sun drenched desert ground. By the dress, you can tell the individual is a nun, but there is a very strong streak of rebellion via the short cut habit. While the nun is in pray, the devil shows up to tempt. They dance through out the night and day. There are smiles throughout the dance, but when it all ends with a moment of cigarettes, you see a sense of regret and disappointment that those moments of abandonment didn't lead to something lasting. 

She writes the following on her Instagram page about the song and video:

Nuns were an important part of my childhood; some were teachers of mine, and some were just simply present around the school and church. I’ve always felt fascinated by them - how could a woman choose to commit herself to her faith in such a permanent way? I felt pretty inferior and shameful in their presence, like my sinfulness was only illuminated by their holy aura. I’ve always loved the idea of subverting the idea of the “Bride of Christ” and decided to explore that theme in the music video. I thought, what if we found a nun in the desert, having her own “Temptation of Christ” pilgrimage, invited to dance with the devil . . . giving in to the ultimate temptation . . . only to feel disappointed afterward? 

Lyrics of the song: How the days go by when you live a life of sin.

photo take at The Hi Hat

Quarantine Online Sets: Version 75

I noticed an Instagram Stories from Lauren Lakis saying she was going to go on at 7 p.m. on a Sunday to play an Instgram Live set. She asked for song requests. I sent in a request for "Fear of God." She came on at 7 p.m. with red and blue lights flooding the screen, clashing in the center. There were Christmas lights twirled around the microphone stand. And she played sitting on the floor, her legs folded. 

Her guitar was her only backing instrument along with vocal reverb. There was a sorrowful, gothic take to her music. The electric guitar was played with somber tones. And then she hit "Fear of God" and the music shifted to a driving forcefulness. It really felt like I was watching her video with a full band sound and all the benefits of recording. Such a powerful song. After she ended the song she mentioned that whenever she plays that song her shoulders and neck tense up.

Quarantine Online Sets: Version 27

This past week of online sets was a bit more muted for me than normal. My usual online venue of choices were shut down this week: WFNM and Los Angeleno. But that didn't mean I wasn't able to catch some sets. Lauren Lakis was up on Jam in the Van. Of course, she wasn't jamming in a van. She was jamming in her living room. I love how the sunlight blasted through her living room window. It is always hard to determine the true sound of a singer when they're doing their songs solo versus with a backing band. Yet, I get the sense that Lauren is switching up her sound from one of punk-rock to one with a bit of psychedelic influence. Unfortunately, her set had technical difficulties at the end so I think the set is lost for good.

Lauren Lakis

On Wednesday, I went over to Desert Nights to catch Monogem and Ryan Levine. Desert Nights does things a little different than other online venues. Those sets are a mix of music and conversation. I've seen Monogem a couple times, but not anytime recently. It is always cool to catch back up with an artist. Ryan Levine played with emotion. And wait, did he say that Meryl Streep showed up at a set?

Monogem

Ryan Levine

Quarantine Online Sets: Version 13

Friday and Saturday had some interesting mini-festivals pop up on Facebook. Los Angeleno put on a Friday festival where everyone on the bill played about 10 minute sets. All the sets were pre-recorded. Litronix did a middle of the day set out in his backyard. He played his electric guitar with his pedals at arm length. A synth/guitar experimental set. The multi-talented Jess Joy did interpretive dancing while singing with artsy flair. One thing I noticed was that during this quarantine, she has certainly gotten some time out in the sun. Butch Bastard played on guitars and then shifted the camera so that he could play on the piano. Up on his wall was a Charles Barkley poster (Philadelphia days). Honey Child Choir played a darkened room with projected imagery flashing on the back wall while singing her opera solos. Eleni Mandell showed how working at home is for many in America. Towards the end of the set, her son came over and shifted the phone/video recorder. "Don't touch that. Don't touch that. That was my son. We got through 8 minutes." Closing out the festival and on a couple hours after Eleni Mandell was L.A. Drones. Their set was done in black outfits. One in dominatrix plastic. The other in black jeans and t-shirt.

Litronix

Jess Joy

Butch Bastard

Honey Child Choir

Eleni Mandell

L.A. Drones

Saturday was spent watching another series of brief sets on Living Room Sessions. Georgia Peach, Lauren Lakis, Christie Huff and Laura Levenhagen all played around 10- 15 minutes. I tuned in specifically for Lauren Lakis who played some tunes. Unfortunately, there seemed to be some strange pitch issues driven by her set-up. At times, it seemed like the sound system was on the verge of squeaking. It was still cool to catch her set as I do love her music. Christie Huff added some country flair. Georgia Peach had beautiful vocals the drifted through the speakers. Laura Levenhagen's vocals reminded listeners of Irish folk tunes.

Georgia Peach

Lauren Lakis

Christie Huff

Lauren Levenhagen

The Hi Hat: Nicole Kiki Jaffe, Lauren Lakis and Fox Violets

Hey, Nicole Kiki Jaffe and Lauren Lakis sharing the stage at The Hi Hat. I had to head out to catch that show. I've been telling people that I've been dealing with a bad flu / cold during the month of January. Luckily, I was at around 90% and felt like I could head out and stay out past 11 p.m. Yes, I've been going out over the last couple weeks, but I've probably skipped 5 or more shows that I really wanted to go to, but felt like I should just stay home and get my body healthy.

Nicole Kiki Jaffe was celebrating the release of her single, "The Lion's Den." She was dressed for the occasion. A friend who is a fashion designer made a special outfit for Nicole (red and western). Her father was also front and center. Her music had those in the audience singing the lyrics with her in songs such as "Stay".

Nicole Kiki Jaffe

Lauren Lakis closed out the night with her rock tunes. She flipped her hair and gave a smile to the audience throughout the set. There is just this level of enthusiasm in her sets. It really gets the audience into the set.

Lauren Lakis

Opening the night for me was Fox Violet. I got to catch around half of this rocker's set.

Fox Violet

Hotel Cafe: Ladypalooza

I noticed a last minute request from Lauren Lakis, asking if there were any photographers available for a late night gig of hers. I hadn't gotten a chance to catch her yet in 2019 yet and there is just something addicting about those dark moody sounds. With that, I volunteered to shoot the set. I'm glad I did, because I got to catch a couple other amazing musicians.

Up first, was Ariana Tibi. I wrote a blog post recently where I mentioned that I've wanted to catch Georgi Kay for awhile and was finally able to catch a set at The Hi Hat. Well, for Ariana Tibi, we seem to have similar music tastes, because I've seen her around various Los Angeles music venues. I just never knew she was a musician. Her set was filled with wonderful folk sounds.

She also had her band, Luci, join her for a couple songs. That's led to a little tidbit of a story behind their song, "White Horse." The song is about saying no thanks to knights in shining armor. It was mentioned that when they were writing the song in Ariana's apartment, a plumber was working in the apartment, fixing various issues. Of course, needing help on maintenance isn't the point of the song.

Ariana Tibi

Only on Tuesdays lead singer Autumn is the person running Ladypalooza. Autumn was sporting dyed blue hair and arm tattoos while wearing a flower patterned dress. I honestly wasn't sure what to expect from her set. Punk rock? Maybe an edgier version of Katy Perry? I was surprised by some storybook melody tunes. That doesn't mean that the band can't blast it out on some songs with Autumn powering out solid vocals.

Only on Tuesdays

Lauren Lakis closed out the night for me with an 11:30 p.m. set. Her band had some fun with the MC. When introducing Lauren, the MC totally messed up the pronunciation of Lauren's last name. For a moment, I was wondering if perhaps I was saying her last name wrong. Apparently, Lauren had quietly corrected the MC, because after the set the MC came up on stage and gave the correct pronunciation. Of course, she tossed the band members under the bus for playing a trick on her.

Lauren Lakis

Quick Hit Artist Interview: Lauren Lakis

Lauren Lakis at The Viper Room

Interview with the artist. Enjoy:

What's the story behind when you knew you wanted to become a singer? I first wanted to be a musician when I was 15 and discovered riot grrrl bands from the 90s (especially Hole, Babes in Toyland, Sleater Kinney, etc) but never had the confidence to really pursue it until years later. I started singing in my first band about 5 years ago, and started to feel more capable of writing my own songs as time went on. After surviving a terrible break-up and my mom going through a traumatic car accident, something shifted within me and I decided to get out of my own way and finally write my first solo album, which I just released this summer.

Do you find greater enjoyment writing a great song or performing a great song? Why the choice? They are such different experiences, it's hard to choose! Writing a song is spiritual - the process feels like I'm channeling it, like the song is coming through me as if I'm a conduit. It's very personal, and finding those pockets of inspiration are exhilarating. On the flip side, connecting with an audience and my band mates while we perform is sort of the whole point of music making - to share in this human experience through art. I don't think I can choose because both elements are important.

Own unique band comment. My band mate, Becca (keys/bass), and I are both from the same neighborhood in Baltimore . . . but we never knew each other then. We met when we were both servers at Cafe Gratitude here in LA. Small world!

The Viper Room: Lauren Lakis, ARSNK and Jane.Machine

I got a random DM from the singer of ARSNK, Thea, regarding checking out a new community called Fierce Femme Sounds. They were holding an event at the Viper Room. I decided to head off to the Sunset Strip. It is a little far from where I live in Glendale, but I figured why not considering the only reason I head to the Sunset Strip is to catch Barb Wire Dolls/Royal Distortion. It would be nice to head over to catch musicians other than those two (which in some ways is one band).

I was in a little bit of a surprise. I'm so used to the sounds of Barb Wire Dolls and Royal Distortion that I was expecting some power rock sounds. I got none of that.

Up first was Jane.Machine who brought some synth driven sounds. She was doing a solo act versus having a backing band with her, but you could get a basic feel for how her full sound is.

What I noticed: this was perhaps the funniest moment of the night. Normally, the Viper Room stage curtains close after a set is finished. After her set, the curtains remained open. Maybe the sound guy was pre-occupied. Jane.Machine literally didn't know what to do. Should she tear down her synths with everyone watching? Well, she decided to go off stage and talk with a friend until the curtains finally closed.

Jane.Machine

ARSNK followed. Her sound switched it up to poetic prose. She was dressed in white and held dead roses close through much of her set. Her set actually reminded me a lot of Wendy Bevan (another Los Angeles local artist -- though she also spends a lot of time in the UK), but perhaps a touch understated in comparison.

ARSNK

Closing out the night for me was Lauren Lakis. Now it was past midnight and I had to drive back to Glendale so I couldn't stay for her full set. However, her initial songs reminded me so much of what one would hear at Hotel Cafe. It was a nice way to end the night.

Lauren Lakis

What I noticed: so this was also an after set situation. After ARSNK ended her set, the co-founder of Fierce Femme Sounds went up on stage with Thea of ARSNK and they gave a brief talk about their new community. They also made it sound like the night was over. As soon as they were done talking, Lauren ran up to the stage to remind them that she was still going on and to let folks know that she was up next. The co-founder realized her mistake and tried to make amends, but the microphone was already cut off. So she made her way to the floor and yelled out that Lauren was still coming up.