Quarantine Online Sets: Version 31

Six at Six on The Satellite's Instagram Live hosted by The 6*6*60s had straight six days of music. That's a lot of 6s.

Speed of Light started the sets off on Monday. Since they're siblings the whole band was together to put on their acoustic set. One has to fast forward to the end of the set where drummer Tyler decided to pat Riley on the head. She decided it was time to chase him around the stage with her guitar and then give him some playful kicks.

Speed of Light

On Tuesday, Leandra from Graves and the Bad Weather did a solo set with some scratchy hard rock vocals tuned to an acoustic set.

Graves and the Bad Weather

Nicole Kiki Jaffe took the stage on Wednesday. Perhaps her set was the closest to her true sound due to her singer-songwriter background. I swear that everyone of her six songs was hit out of the park. In fact, every song should be a hit radio song.

Nicole Kiki Jaffe

Jason from The Birth Defects went on Thursday. He mentioned up front that his songs were his own and not The Birth Defects' music. His own music had a southern blues style to it. One could see listening to this music in a smoke filled bar.

The Birth Defects

On Friday, Well Hung Heart got on the stage with the married duo part of the band. It started off with Brian (The 6*6*60s) having this strange dream that The Satellite was being turned into a restaurant. Unfortunately, that is a true statement. You could see glimpses of how their stage show is via how their body movements played off each other.

Well Hung Hearts

Closing everything out on Saturday was Mike Crain of various bands such as Dead Cross and Cunts. There was some great short conversations that took place throughout the set such as Mike saying he'd hung out at The Satellite in his early twenties, but that wasn't that long ago since he was only 23. (For those who don't know, he is not 23.) He was asked about the bands he was in and he jokingly named dropped the fact that his band The festival of the dead deer included the drummer from Slayer. There was also the moment where he highlighted that his whole set list was, "Fuck It All."

Mike Crain

Quarantine Online Sets: Version 15

Friday evening was spent catching the Brave New World Festival. The festival was curated by Alicia Blue and Nicole Kiki Jaffe. The line up featured Hannah Connolly, Chloe Fuller, NEL, Lauren Ruth Ward and Nicole Kiki Jaffe. Alicia Blue wasn't able to play the festival due to illness.

Nicole Kiki Jaffe

I had never come across Hannah Connolly, Chloe Fuller or NEL before and let's just say that I'm a fan of all three now. Along with the fact that I'm a big fan of Nicole Kiki Jaffe and Lauren Ruth Ward, I'll say that this was one online festival that shouldn't have been missed. If I heard correctly, 1,000 individuals tuned in throughout the festival.

Hannah Connolly

Hannah Connolly's music is sincerely thoughtful. The music soothes and the vocals blend in perfectly. Chloe Fuller brought a touch of country and folk with vocals that invoke imagination. NEL brought some soul to the music and a feisty attitude to the festival. Lauren Ruth Ward had the psychedelic lights going on. Nicole Kiki Jaffe had that soft touch.

Chloe Fuller

NEL

On a technology basis, it was an interesting set. They did the festival using Zoom technology that was seen via Facebook. Actually, I can't help but believe that Facebook has noticed this type of use and will attempt to replicate it so that musicians can do this using Facebook technology versus Zoom.

Lauren Ruth Ward

Cuffed Up played a couple songs via Youtube on Saturday. All four members were playing from their own homes. For a few moments, I was wondering if they were playing live. The music sounded so good. Luckily, for their neighbors, they only played a couple songs. They were jamming loud. I'm sure their neighbors were wondering what was going on. Sapphire mentioned that she was sure her playing was causing issues for her neighbor. Two songs is a really short set, but it was great catching up with this band.

Cuffed Up

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

Chinatown Summer Nights: August 2019

One of my favorite annual summer events, Chinatown Summer Nights, came to a conclusion for 2019 on a recent Saturday night in August. Interestingly, I interviewed 4 of the 5 artists that I saw on this particular night. It made for a special event.

Mara Connor opened up the day with her sweet Nashville sounds. She ranks right up there with anyone when it comes to sweet vocals. This was my first time catching her set this year. I mentioned earlier this year that I like to keep an annual tradition: catching Mara Connor, Pu$$y Cow and Jenny O at least once a year. With the year entering the 2nd half, I can now say I've seen Pu$$y Cow and Mara Connor. Let's hope Jenny O plays a show in Los Angeles by December 31st.

Mara Connor

Nicole Kiki Jaffe came up with her rock sounds that were enhanced by a cello. I was told randomly by someone that the cellist also plays with Meg Myers. As is her norm, she sang The Cranberries' Zombie. I love that song and love hearing her sing it.

Nicole Kiki Jaffe

Inspired and The Sleep was a new band for me. They have some chill pop sounds. Their sound causes one to float a couple inches above the ground. The band got the prime golden hour. Temperatures were drifting lower as the sun dipped below the horizon.

Inspired and The Sleep

Oddnesse is a band I just saw a couple weeks back in Highland Park. The band was the same, except for a different keyboardist. I did notice that. Her Bob Dylan style catches your attention and holds it.

Oddnesse

VIAA closed out the night. I hadn't seen her since 2016 at the Bootleg Theater. She got the crowd dancing to her catchy sounds. In fact, two kids couldn't have had more fun. They were putting the moves on that would challenge any of the adults in the audience.

VIAA

The Satellite: Spare Parts for Broken Hearts

The Satellite hasn't had many residencies this year. In fact, as of October, they might have had just one residency, The Colour Coast. If my calculations are correct, Spare Parts for Broken Hearts was The Satellite's second residency and it was a well deserved residency. This band started out in Long Beach and have been playing around for a few years now, slowly building their fan base. On this specific Monday night, they gave the crowd an entertaining hard rock/punk set. The crowd responding by packing the front of the stage like they were anticipating Green Day to show up. The crowd was packed with who's who of Los Angeles musicians: Ever So Android, Graves and The Bad Weather, Holy Wars, Lauren Ruth Ward, LP, Satellite Citi, The Vim Dicta. There were probably a few more that I didn't notice or don't personal know.

Spare Parts for Broken Hearts

Opening up was singer-songwriter Nicole Kiki Jaffe. I say singer-songwriter, but her sound has an undercurrent of rock. The photographers were out for her set. I think there were 7 or so of us hanging out at the front of the stage. We weren't the only ones hanging out. The Satellite was filled up nicely first her 9 p.m. set.

Nicole Kiki Jaffe

Ramonda Hammer closed out the night. As per their Instagram account, they were there to melt faces. It just so happened that throughout the set, there was a big circle face projected on the white screen at the back of the stage. From my notes, this is my fifth time seeing Ramonda Hammer in 2018. I never get tired of catching their set. Though I will admit it is dangerous hanging near their bassist. He swings his bass all over the place and very close to the front of the stage. I started to get concerned that he might accidentally swing his bass right into my camera lens. 

Ramonda Hammer

Quick Hit Artist Interview: Nicole Kiki Jaffe

Nicole Kiki Jaffe playing Chinatown

Interview with the artist:

How would you describe your sound? Grunge folk meets indie rock with a nice serving of heartbreak.

Do you find greater enjoyment writing a great song or performing a great song? Why the choice?That’s a tough one. Sometimes you can just tell that a song is great, but other times you need to perform it to know how great it is. At the end of the day, I do love being on a stage though.

Three Straight Days of Music: Led by The Sweetheart Deal and Kitten

I recently had a conversation with a musician who is in a couple bands that I follow. She follows me on Instagram and asked how often I go out to catch bands as she notices that I'm always posting photos. I told her, "I used to say once a week, but I think it is more like twice a week now."

There are always exceptions to the rule. How about three straight days of music. Admittedly, that's a lot, but on this specific occasion it was worth it.

I was scanning The Hotel Cafe website and noticed that a band called The Sweetheart Deal was playing a set. In parentheses, it mentioned that Emily Kinney was in the band. Emily Kinney from The Walking Dead. I was like, "I want to go." Now this wasn't the first time I'd seen Emily Kinney sing. I actually saw her way back in 2013, also at The Hotel Cafe. Also, in the band with Emily Kinney is Paul McDonald. Paul McDonald is an American Idol alum. I hadn't seen him before, but interestingly I've come across a number of American Idol alums over the years. Just over the last couple years I've seen Zealyn (Angie Miller), Machineheart (Stevie Scott) and VIAA.

Anyways, I decided to see if they might need a photographer. I sent over an e-mail and got a response back. Paul responded back they sure could use a photographer and that they'd put in on the guest list. Got to say I was happy. Their set was a sweet 7 songs. One thing I couldn't help but notice via the photos I took and also from the social media comments that there sure is this lovely look of love that one can see in their eyes.

The Sweetheart Deal

That was a Thursday night (2/15). Way before that, I was scanning The Smell's website and noticed that Kitten was playing a FREE show at The Smell on Friday night (2/16). I'm pretty sure I was one of the first persons to RSVP to that set. Like with Emily Kinney, I have a history with Kitten. I first saw her in 2012 at the Bootleg Theater. I then got to catch a show in 2016.

I got to The Smell at around 8:30 p.m. By that time, there was a long line waiting to get in. When we started to head in at around 9:30 p.m. the line was twice as long. During the wait, Chloe (of Kitten) came out a couple times, running up and down the line with her phone recording the night. I think the first time she came out, not everyone recognized her. And then when folks noticed who was running, loud cheers went out from the crowd. From what I read, there were sound check problems that resulted in the delayed entry into the venue. It also took awhile to get into the venue as a handful of individuals tried to get inside without an RSVP. Though -- I guess it is too late for the fire marshal to do anything about it -- I did notice that they were eventually let in via the backdoor. I have to think that Chloe took care of them.

Opening up was La Bouquet. I've seen this band a couple times: during their Bootleg residency and at Broke LA. I've got to say, they appear to me to have kicked it up a notch. They came out rocking a thirty minute set. For some reason, I recall them being a bit more mellow.

La Bouquet

Then it was time for Kitten. Chloe's backup band started to warm up the crowd and the crowd responded by chanting, "Kitten! Kitten! Kitten!." Out she came giving the crowd a high energy set from start to end. She even jumped off the bass drum a couple times.

What's something I couldn't help but notice? She was barefoot through out the set and as she was jumping around I thought, "Is she going to end up with any splinters?"

What's something else I couldn't help but notice? Her bassist was covering the stage like it was her own living room. Stage right one moment. Stage left the next. Front and center another time. So not only was Chloe putting on a show, but her band was putting everything into it, as well.

What's another final thing I couldn't help but notice? Okay, so I was approached by a number of folks while I was in line. They all asked a variation of the following, "Is this the line for Kitten? Are they letting folks in now?" I was polite, but in the back of my mind I was thinking, "Why would we all be outside in line if they were letting folks in now?" I guess I'm just a grouch. If they'd asked "Is this the ticket line" I'd be less judgmental.

Kitten

To close out the three straight days of music (2/17), the Chinese Year of the Dog was being celebrating in Chinatown. Did I have any similar music history with the bands that played in Chinatown as I did with the other two nights? Not as much though I did go specifically to see Nicole Kiki Jaffe. Why? Well, in January, The Echo changed their photographer policy. I went on the second night of Lauren Ruth Ward's residency and was told I couldn't bring in my camera. While I worked out a photo pass, she hit the stage and I only caught glimpses of her set. I was impressed enough to want to see a full set. So when I saw her listed as one of the bands/musicians playing in Chinatown, I set my schedule up to make sure I caught her set.

Up first was Sleep State. A four piece band that played some hook inducing pop sounds. They had a friend filming their set. I couldn't help but over-hear her tell someone, "They're called Sleep State as in the best possible sleep level you can reach."

Sleep Stage

Up next was Zhao who hit the beats on his synthesizer. His comment of the set, "I'd like to thank Buzzbands for having me play. It is actually really validating."

Zhao

Nicole Kiki Jaffe then came on stage with her singer-songwriter vocals. One has to say she took the Chinese New Year seriously. Before the set, she learned to say "Happy New Year" in both Cantonese and Mandarin.

Nicole Kiki Jaffe

Over-all, what was most amusing to see: during Sleep State's set, the garbage trucks were out cleaning up after the parade that had gone on before the event.

And so that ended my three straight days of music. Was there anything on 2/18 to catch? I'm sure there was, but I refused to look things up. No matter how much I love live music, four days straight would have killed me.

Lauren Ruth Ward at The Echo

It was off to The Echo to catch Lauren Ruth Ward's January residency. When I arrived, I was told that there was a new camera policy. The policy is that the band needs to get a photo pass for you. I was disappointed. I took off, heading back to my car. I figured I could just come another Monday night – I didn’t feel comfortable leaving my camera in my car all night long. Then it dawned on me. Laura Ruth Ward introduced herself to me a few weeks back. Why don’t I just ask her? So I put my camera into the car and ran back to The Echo. The door guy let me straight in versus standing in line again. I then hung out waiting for Lauren Ruth Ward to make an appearance. When she did, I approached and asked about getting a photo pass from her. She was so kind and went to the desk to help me out. Off I went to get my camera and back I came into The Echo.

Lauren Ruth Ward's set, of course, was awesome. Her very first message was to the photographers that went something like this, “The Echo has a new first two song photo limit. I’m going to try and bring it for you all.” Oh yeah, she brought it with her free flowing stage presence. At one moment she flew like an eagle. Another moment, she balanced on one leg, leaning out above the stage floor. One couldn’t help but notice her band mate Liv trying to reach out to tab her on the foot to see if she could throw Lauren just a touch off balance.

Lauren Ruth Ward

Most amusing moment of the set started straight off on the first song: Lauren went up to Liv and put the microphone up to her. Dead silence for about 5 seconds. Ha ha. Liv was having none of it even though we all know – those of us in the know – that Liv does solo sets and is an awesome singer.

What can I say: I’ve gotten to hold her hand twice. First time up came at Chinatown Summer Nights when she reached out to hold my hand. And then it happened at The Echo when she once again reached out to hold my hand. Not a high-five, an actual hand hold.

Anyways, the set ended with her off the stage and into the crowd. A crowd that was very appreciative.

Awesome band support: Lauren mentioned as she got on stage that she was sorry that the set was starting a little late, but that she had been out on The Echo patio, listening to the band that was playing out there.

Lauren Ruth Ward

Opening for Lauren Ruth Ward were Nicole Kiki Jaffe and The Years. I unfortunately couldn't fully appreciate Nicole Kiki Jaffe's set. I spent most of her set working on a photo pass and running off to grab my camera. I definitely want to catch a full set as from what I heard was amazing. The Years rocked it out for 30 minutes. After their set, a photographer next to me was in awe.

The Years