Big Top DIY Fest

With many Los Angeles music venues still filling out their schedules after the ending of COVID-19 lockdowns, local bands are finding other ways to perform live around the city. One such way happened on July 3rd in a Highland Park backyard. Based on what I heard from the stage, it appears that Bloom Closet Records had asked the owners of the home if they could put on a music event in the backyard once the pandemic had eased. The owners said yes and the result was that 300 or so people got to enjoy a DIY music festival. 

The sets started off at 6:30 p.m., which was a perfect time as the summer heat was quickly dissipating into a pleasant evening and night.

The bands I came to see were Suzie True with anxiety filled end of relationship songs and Cheekface with their adoring fans. Suzie True was the last band to play before the sun set while Cheekface played until the festival organizers felt that the next door neighbors might be on the verge of calling the cops -- 10:30 p.m.

Suzie True

Cheekface

Opening up was Max Look who kicked it up on stage with dramatic spins of the body and guitar. June Swoon emphasized that one shouldn't date or marry someone named Jared. (The first thing that came to mind was, "Did she also mean Jared Leto?") 

Max Look

June Swoon

Buckets and GUPPY get the award for going with the true theme of the festival: Big Top. Both wore face paintings to emphasize that clowns can play music. Buckets read a letter on stage while GUPPY's bass player showed his stretching abilities.

Buckets

The festival was attending my many notables of the Los Angeles music scene such as Potty Mouth and Ramonda Hammer. 

GUPPY

New Album Alert: Suzie True's "Saddest Girl at The Party"

Suzie True has a new album out called "Saddest Girl at The Party." I first caught this band at The Smell in 2019 and I was very impressed and put them on my annual (2020 getting skipped) My Favorite "New" Bands/Artists of 2019 list. Got to say, one never knows what awesome bands you'll catch at a DIY space.

The above video is for their song "Not Fair," which is on the album. The video shows them enjoying life on tour. It starts with them doing some exercising to get fit for the tour. Then has them driving up the coast of California and into Washington State where I'm going to guess that most of the video was shot. There is a brief shot of their name up on the billboard of Firefly Lounge (which Google tells me is in Washington St). The video just shows the fun nature of this pop punk band.

Photo take at the Echoplex

Echoplex: Ariel Beesley with Suzie True and Pink Sock

It was Ariel Beesley's 28th birthday party at the Echoplex. I was sick and coughing, but I didn't want to miss this night. She literally kicked her way through her birthday. She did 4 or 5 high kicks. Some of those kicks ending with her foot higher than her head. There was a little help in terms of keeping her balance with the microphone stand, but I'm still not sure how she didn't lose her balance with at least one of those kicks.

Ariel Beesley

Early in the set, the audience spontaneously sang Happy Birthday. And towards the end of the set, Pink Sock brought out a cake for her, which sent her into tears. It was a tender night that was highlighted by her brilliant music the talks about heart break. She mentioned that she always looks for a man who will love her like she should be loved. She said she came to a realization that her friends in the audience provided her with that love.

Opening up the night was Suzie True. I had just seen them 3 weeks earlier at a small DIY venue called Sun Space. I also first caught them at The Smell. It was a revelation to catch this punk pop band on the much larger stage of the Echoplex. I did notice at the other two venues how this band liked to put on a show, but on a larger stage they were able to do so much more. Like with Ariel Beesley there were high kicks. They also were able to do much more jumping and stage movements without ending up against the edge of the stage.

Suzie True

Pink Sock came on after Suzie True. I remember catching this band for the first time at Echo Park Rising 2018. I was shooting for Buzzbands and was rushing from venue to venue. I was in the middle of heading to another venue, but noticed all these people jumping out of Ubers and such and running into Little Joy. I figured that must be a good sign so I went in to catch the band. Flash forward to 2020, and I finally caught the smooth jazz sounds of this band for the second time. To close out their set, Ariel Beesley jumped on stage and danced from the first note to the last note.

Pink Sock

5 Nights: Sun Space to The Echo to The Satellite to Harvard & Stone to The Hi Hat

Something that I rarely do occurred recently. I went out five straight nights to catch various bands. There was a band or singer at each night that I wanted to catch so none of this was random. And some of this was also driven by traditions that I hold dear.

First night out was Saturday where I headed out to a venue I'd never gone to called Sun Space. It is a small venue that probably has a maximum capacity set at 35 - 40 people. It is a non-profit and has a Pehrspace vibe -- though much smaller. The location has two small rooms. The back room is dedicated to art while the front room is dedicated to live art (via their Instagram they hold comedy and music nights).

I went there specifically to catch Suzie True. I caught this band earlier in the year at The Smell and had wanted to catch them a second time ever since then. I love how their music speeds along, but the vocals have a melodic tone to it. Also playing was Lindsay B who closed out the night and Foxx Bodies who played prior to Suzie True. Opening the night was Girl Hazel. I only caught a couple songs, but am definitely interesting in hearing a full set after just that brief introduction.

Suzie True

On Sunday, it was off to The Echo to catch Kevin. I saw Kevin for the first time in August at Echo Park Rising and have been rather addicted to this band since that point. Quincy and Kimi have way too much fun playing off each other. It is just great seeing them having so much fun on stage. The night actually belonged to French Vanilla who was ending their tour. This was my first time catching them this year. I just love how their punk rock sounds include a saxophone. Opening the night was Mary and Heaven Pegasus. They switched off with each other during a 30 minute set. When one was playing, the other would rush off stage and change into a different wardrobe. It was rather amusing.

Kevin

Monday was spent at The Satellite to catch Livingmore and Oriah. Oriah opened up with some rocking sounds. Livingmore is obviously a band I spent a number of nights catching throughout 2019. And I should say that includes 2018, as well. I've mentioned to lead singer Alex that sometimes they go more country and other times they hit the rock tunes. I think this time they hit a perfect mix between the two. Closing out their residency was King Leg.

Livingmore

Another residency was ending Tuesday at Harvard & Stone. The Little Miss was playing her last set there. I previously saw her way back in October 2018 at the Resident. I did happen to see her as the MC at a recent Stories Books & Cafe. Her MCing was so funny, I decided I needed to catch her live as soon as possible, which was helped along by the fact that she was doing a residency at Harvard & Stone. I have to say I was a little tired out as this was my fourth night out, but I just did a quick hit and run and skipped out on the other two acts. I believe I was in bed by 11:30 p.m.

The Little Miss

My final night out was Wednesday at The Hi Hat. At this point, I was really exhausted, but I had to catch Zealyn. I hadn't caught Zealyn since last year's WFNM holiday party. This particular Wednesday night was also a WFNM holiday party. I just love Zealyn's vocals and leg kicks. Opening was Fyohna, LeyeT and Spectre Jones. I previously caught Spectre Jones at The House of Machines. That band has the best vocal sounds. Unbelievable. LeveT had those youthful energy and pop vocals. Fvohna was electronic synths. Fvohna had one of those accidents that everyone hates to see. Her Mac laptop took a 3 foot drop from the stand to the floor. I swear there has got to be an easy way that would prevent that stuff from happening. I probably see it happen 2 or 3 times a year.

Zealyn

Most amusing moment throughout those five nights happened at The Hi Hat when a person in the audience set up a chair at the front of the stage and sat there throughout most of the four acts. Ah, The Hi Hat is not Hotel Cafe.

I don't know the next time I'll ever do something as crazy like that. Five straight nights puts a strain on the body. But I will say, I enjoyed all five nights.

Quick Hit Band Interview: Suzie True

Suzie True at The Smell

Interview with the band. Enjoy:

How would you describe your sound? We would describe our sound as “thrash pop for sensitive crybabies”

If you weren’t pursuing music as a career or passion, what do you think you might be doing in its place?

Sarah: Professional surfer.
Gee: Absolutely nothing else, this is it.
Lexi: I’d open a sanctuary for elderly chihuahuas.

Weekend Adventures: The Smell, Permanent Records, Casey's Irish Pub

It was a fun Friday and Saturday to catch bands. I was also tempted to go out Sunday afternoon, but decided I needed to just relax.

Suzie True

Nightgown

Friday night started out with an invite by Dum Dum Zine to catch their event at The Smell. I jumped at the opportunity as I recognized most of the bands and they're all solid: Nightgown, Slugs, Spare Parts for Broken Hearts and Taleen Kali. The one band I didn't recognize was Suzie True. Their set had a youthful joy to it. There were songs about randomly sleeping with co-workers at a coffee house that isn't a great place to work.

Slugs

Taleen Kali

Dum Dum Zine knew how to get the Echo Park music crowd to show up to The Smell. The way is to bring Echo Park bands to The Smell. The most memorable of the bands were Slugs. They had an acoustic set with some fun banter. They didn't have a drummer for the night. Instead, they had a computerized system that they called Xander. Xander didn't always work upon request and the band had a lot of fun poking fun at the troubles Xander was causing them. When they kept saying Xander, I had to think: Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Spare Parts for Broken Hearts

One important note is that Kaleen Kali is the founder of Dum Dum Zine.

Bogan Villa

Jane Church

Saturday early evening was spent at Permanent Records. I'm pretty sure I haven't seen any bands there since the time the location was Origami Vinyl. It was Dream Phases record release. Bogan Villa and Jane Church opened. It was a psychedelic early evening of music. There was free beer for those who came. Some folks slipped in to grab a beer and then slipped out. Eventually, the store manager hid the beer and handed it out to those he knew were there to catch Dream Phases.

Dream Phases

I closed out the night by heading to Casey's Irish Pub to catch Pu$$y Cow and Maniac with some solid punk. One thing I noticed: Casey's had a brake for the bass drum. It was just a cut 2x4. What I noticed was that nails were sticking out of the wood by perhaps 1/4 inch. I pointed it out, but I guess I was the only one concerned that a musician might accidentally step on it. I'm pretty sure that someday a musician is going to make the mistake of stepping on one of those nails. Both bands have similar fans so there were a number of friends of the bands hanging out in the audience. And there was a lot of mosh pit dancing. And well, a lot of paper streamers that got caught in the ceiling fans.

Pu$$y Cow

Maniac