Hotel Cafe: Monday Monday at Hotel Cafe

Hotel Cafe had a packed line-up for the Monday Monday at Hotel Cafe series. The musicians played three or four song sets. The line-up was: Jenni Alpert, Daniel Blake, McKail Seely, Adanna Duru, Aryk Crowder, Jessica Childress, Eli Pafumi, Juliette Irons and Joel Eckels.

Jenni Alpert

Daniel Blake

Jennie Alpert told her story about growing up in foster care and her search for her biological father. She did find him and he backed her up on guitar for a song. I would love to hear more about her search for her father, because she also mentioned that he was homeless. 

Adanna Duru

McKail Seely

McKail Seely is a familiar individual to me as she sings in the band Luci. Her bandmate Ashley joined her for one song. And, of course, there had to be some funny interaction. McKail said, "Ashley is such a good writer." Ashley responded, "She's so nice." In return, McKail said, "I know."

Jessica Childress

Aryk Crowder

Aryk Crowder mentioned that he had just signed with a indie record label.

Jessica Childress sang a song about a nasty breakup and had the audience cheering loudly at the end of her set.

Juliette Irons

Eli Pafumi

Juliette Irons totally changed up the singer-songwriter vibe. She went on stage with a drummer and an electric violinist. She brought some dance vibes to the audience. Most everyone was seated, but I'm sure that if it was standing room that everyone would have vibed with her. 

Joel Eckels

Joel Eckels closed out the night. He's the one who puts on these weekly events at Hotel Cafe.

Quarantine Online Sets: Version 71

Wonder & Awe Productions hit Facebook / Zoom on a recent Monday night. Wonder & Awe Productions is put on by Brenda Carsey. The performers go through rounds versus sets. 

Starting off the rounds was McKail Seely who was celebrating her 27th birthday. Her set had a country leaning and one of her songs was about a breakup that occurred just as she starting quarantine. Her comment of the night had to be, "My ego just had an orgasm."

Kid Lightning followed. His guitar playing really inspired me. I was thinking, "Wow, that guitar playing sounds thrilling." His vocals layered a folk-country sound. Lyrics of the set, "This is the era of the taker. Our architecture is just built that way." He has a real way with words. 

This was my third time catching Chase Petra. I've only seen this band online. Kind of interesting fact. They were all wearing masks and dedicated one of their songs to the capitalist overlords. Their use of masks as well as their distance from the microphone gave their music a muffled sound. 

Ending each round was Brenda Carsey. Her first song had a big, old school, showtune sound to it. Another tune was like the music from The Rocky Horror Picture Show or watching Dracula rise from the grave. Her vocals can soar like very few and her keyboard playing had the camera shaking.