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.

The Mots Nouveaux at The Hotel Cafe

The Mots Nouveaux. Time passes. The last time I saw this band was at Brokechella -- 2014. Yes, it was Brokechella at the time, not Broke LA. So yeah, almost four years later I got to see them again. Well, at least, if my records are correct. Why so long since the last time I saw them especially when I used to see them 3 or 4 times a year? Half the band moved to New York City. They did play a set at Hotel Cafe in 2016, but I wasn't able to attend for some random reason or another. So recently on Super Bowl Sunday, the half of the band that is living in New York City came back to Los Angeles for a few days. They set up a night at Hotel Cafe. Of course, I was a little concerned that I'd miss their set once again. I mean, what if the Super Bowl went into OT like last year? The Super Bowl did not go into over-time though it very well could have if Tom Brady had just a touch of magical powers like he had in 2017.

Aaron Beaumont

It was such a pleasure to see the band again. Emma Fitzpatrick doing the 1920's style vocals. Aaron Beaumont hitting the keys like he was playing a prohibition speakeasy. And then they had Rob Benedict of Supernatural fame on guitar for a song or two.

Emma Fitzpatrick

I have to say, I wasn't the only one who was happy to see The Mots Nouveaux playing again. After their set, a lineup of friends went over to talk to the band members.

Rob Benedict

Quick Hit Band Interview: The Smoking Flowers

The Smoking Flowers at The Hotel Cafe

Q&A time with the band. Enjoy:

How would you describe your sound? We would say that our sound is a melting pot of our life musical influences. Thus when you experience The Smoking Flowers live you might feel we are all over the place genre-wise. A little bit punk, a little bit country, a little bit rock, a little bit bluesy, a little bit folky. Put that and our two voices in a musical salad bowl and mix it with our 20 year history of living together and playing together and you get a sound which only that scenario can produce.

How do you believe the band has progressed over time? TSF started off as a side project from our separate rock bands and we decided to do something totally different... a “folk” record. We quickly realized we had something special together. Over the evolution of the 6 years performing together, the folk quickly morphed back into what we really loved the most… rock n roll. Originally we played with a full band, but when we went on the road we decided it would be best to tour as a two piece. After that experience with Kim on drums, we couldn’t look back.

Quick Hit Band Interview: Cashew & Cleary

Cashew & Cleary at The Hotel Cafe

Q&A time with the band. Enjoy:

How would you describe your sound? Psych rock, garage rock, folk rock . . . any of those seem to work.

How did the band gel together as a group? We got together as a cover band then decided to write our own originals.

What are some other interesting facts about the band? Norman Woods and Dyami Klein is our rhythm section. Norman is a pro skater and Dyami transcribes music for Mel Bay books.

The Smoking Flowers at The Hotel Cafe

I got an invite to catch The Smoking Flowers at The Hotel Cafe. This band hails from Nashville and revolves around married couple Kim and Scott Collins.

Side topic: I'm pretty sure I've never seen this before at any venue . . . while The Smoking Flowers was setting up, a random individual got up on stage. I figured the person was part of the band. This individual lifted up the keyboard cover and started to play. Nothing loud. It looked to me like the person was just fiddling around before getting reading for the set. But no, a staff member of Hotel Cafe had a quick discussion with the person and off the person went. No big confrontation, but hysterical.

The Smoking Flowers set brought the Nashville sound to The Hotel Cafe with some rocking good sounds. This band had me thinking of another two piece band, Crushed Out. Perhaps the main driver of this comparison is the fact that Kim Collins and Moselle Spiller of Crushed Out steal the show during their sets. Kim Collins went from drums to accordion to tambourine to an awesome solo all within a span of 45 minutes. And all this while proudly wearing some red high heels.

As for Scott: sometimes I was thinking, you've got to do more than just play the guitar. Help carry the load, bring out a trombone. Nah, he carried the load with some awesome guitar play filled with energetic riffs.

It was an extraordinary fun night out.