Online Quarantine Sets: Version 89

Kat Hamilton hit The Satellite's Instagram Live for the always enjoyable 6 songs at 6 p.m. sets. She brought an enthusiastic personality. As the set started, I think I heard the sounds of a police helicopter flying over. Her music had a touch of country to it. One of her songs was called "Plastic Folding Chairs." Hey, got to love that song title and it does seem like a song that would align with country music. Vocals were tuneful and thoughtful until just that right moment when she blew out her vocals. Her guitar plucking highlighted her vocal talents. 

I loved how during the day's golden hour that reflections and shadows could be seen bouncing off her backup guitar. 

Of note: one of her songs made it on the TV series called "Almost Family." I never saw it, but I looked it up. It was about a daughter who finds out that her dad was a sperm donor and now she finds out she has a lot of half brothers and sisters.

 

Quick Hit Band Interview: Bandie

Bandie at The Satellite

Interview with the artist. Enjoy:

What's the story behind how the band started? I (Brian) have been drumming in my friends' bands for years, but I recently started writing my own songs, so now my friends are playing in my project too. They're the best. 

Where is your favorite spot to write music? And why the spot? I love writing music at home. I can explore, make mistakes, record demos, and sing a lot. I also love writing songs at my friends' houses and collaborating with them. Their ideas are always so great. 

Own final thoughts: Bandie is my dog's name.

Online Quarantine Sets: Version 88

Young Winona hit The Satellite's Instagram Live this past Wednesday. They opened up the set with a rocking acoustic piece. "We are 3 Kiwis and this is our song about living in LA," was their introduction to their song "LA Waste." Their last song had me wanting to dive into a mosh pit right through my computer monitor. 

Highlight: Got to say I loved the use of the steel wire drum brushes along with the use of various percussion instruments. 

Online Quarantine Sets: Version 87

The Satellite's Instagram Live is having bands on Wednesdays during the month of March. Duderella was the third band in that series. I first caught this band at Echo Park Rising 2019. Then I caught them online in 2020 via Los Angeleno when they were doing Instagram and Facebook videos. Now I got to catch them again in 2021. The set was played during a cold and chilly early evening. (Too chilly for me to go out and exercise that day.) Jackets were worn by the band, one being a yellow jacket that got some positive comments. The set had an Elton John style: eccentric and no fear in letting those vocals fly.

Moment of the set: For their song "Money," which they said was about "all the horrible things money does to this world" the lead singer took out a couple $100 bills. Taking out a lighter, the bills were set on fire. Ha ha, I'm sure they were fake bills.

Noticed: the band played the set standing.  I think like 80% of The Satellite's Instagram Live sets are done with the musicians sitting.

The set was finished with a side hug.

Quick Hit Band Interview: Twin Oaks

Twin Oaks at The Satellite

Interview with the band. Enjoy:

How would you describe your music? Though there are quite a few heavy influences that can be found in how we write, we like to draw things out from quietly plucked guitars to layered electronics to the hazy dream pop sounds and dynamically driven post-rock. 

What inspires you to write/compose your songs? We often try to write what comes to us naturally, which is often tied to personal experiences that we hope people can find some sort of connection to and maybe find their own interpretations of the songs. The musical textures often come from old lo-fi tape aesthetics and audio degradation while playing from quiet folk-style guitar stuff. Sonically, we like to draw out the feeling of open spaces whether it be wandering through an empty house, passing by a desert field, or a late night drive through downtown streets. There are loads of modern inspirations like Daughter, Frightened Rabbit, Boards of Canada, The National, & Sigur Ros . . . but also Carole King, Nina Simone, Nick Drake, & Judy Collins.

The Satellite's Instagram Live: Trap Girl

I got an invite to catch Trap Girl play live this past Wednesday night. Lucky for us on that day, the rain hit hard at night, cleared up during the day and then hit hard late at night again. So a nice window of opportunity was provided.

The set opened up with Drew Sands of Trap Girl saying, "No double chins, I mean it, or I will leave."

And the lyrics of the 1st of 6 songs started with, "Once upon a time this woman lived and died. And no matter who you ask, she loved to fuck men up their ass."

Got to love the non-puritanical conversation and lyrics. 

Since it was a chilly night, I was wearing three layers of cloths as well as a knitted cap. My glasses kept on steaming up, but I was very comfortable.

A great six song set.

Online Quarantine Sets: Version 85

The Satellite's Instagram Live sets took a couple months break due to the explosion of COVID-19 cases in Los Angeles. But they returned this past Wednesday with a blast as Talker took to the stage. I've followed her for a couple years and love her passionate rock. She just puts it all out there. She mentioned that it was her first time playing in front of a live audience in a year (the live audience being those who were taping and photographing the set). Her last set was at the Bootleg Theater. 

One of her songs that put it all out there was "Sad Chick," which is a song about taking ownership of her depression.

What did I notice: those kicks she did at the end of her songs.

Los Angeles Music Scene: The Satellite's Instagram Page

The venue known as The Satellite has shut down. I'm not sure if it is official, but there is news on who is now leasing the building. When that info is officially out, I will do a post on it. Unfortunately, the new renters are not music oriented.

But though the physical location is gone, the venue's Instagram page will still be in use. The owner of The Satellite has transferred the ownership over to a couple individuals closely tied to the venue. I'll probably do an update when it is formally announced.

Anyways, the first hints of what will become of the Instagram page was recently announced: Club turned hub, The SatelliteLA aims to keep the music community connected with content created by the artists & musicians we love. Starting in March tune into SatelliteTV for original weekly shows. There's more to music than just music.

New Music Alert: Steady Holiday's "Living Life"

Steady Holiday has a new single called "Living Life." 

From their Instagram: Living Life might be the most straightforward and (dare I say) joyful song I’ve ever written, and it’s about tryyyying to live with that same intention. To do what comes naturally, appreciate moments as they happen, and not get in your own way. 

The music is delicious composition. It will have you wanting to dancing in an open field with arms spread out in joy. 

Photo take at The Satellite

Quarantine Online Sets: Version 65

"Six at Six" monthly series on The Satellite's Instagram Live page is one of my favorite online music events. 

November's version started on Sunday with Human Barbie. I had a couple thoughts that popped up while watching the set. My first thought was that he really made me think about story time of the  Princess Bride. Then his knit cap had me thinking about R.E.M. The music sounded like poetry. The voice was perfectly soft and the guitar sounded like there was a soft pedal being applied. During the set, he loved stretching out those arms. 

Comment of the set: You are my beautiful Barbies and I love you. 

Human Barbie

Iress played on Monday. The music had an Irish chant quality. The guitarist and bassist played on the stage while the singer sat in front of the stage. A new song was sung with an opened notebook. At times, there was an Alanis Morissette unplugged feel to the set.

Lyrics of the set: I can see the wolves crying.

Info of the set: The 1st song they sang got 15,000 plays on Monday.

Photographer: I could hear the photographer taking some rapid photos.

Brian who curates the "Six at Six" series cried twice during the set. 

 

Iress

Reckling started off Tuesday by saying, "Hi, anyone out there?" The two guitarists sat next to each other and sang perfect duets. There was this Bob Dylan feel to their acoustic set, but sped up by about 25%. They did a hand stretch before the final song. They looked at each other before starting and cracked up for just a brief second. They ended that song at the exact same moment and looked pleased.

Recklng

The honkytonk sound started if off for Moonfuzz on Wednesday. Loved how the fingers did some rapid playing on those guitar strings. During one song, you know you were really seeing a set played outdoors, because the noise of a truck roaring pass was heard. Though there was some honkytonk, for other songs their vocals had the cries of the ancients. As soon as the set ended, the singer quickly put a mask on. Thumbs up on that move. 

Moonfuzz

Flames of Durga is a band that I've seen live only once at a Wild Riot event, but they definitely made an impression on me that day. On this particular Thursday, I could help but notice that one of the twins was dressed in 70s style while the other was dressed in punk rocker style. I noticed that their earrings matched their tops: red (70s) and black (punk). They also drank LiveWire cocktails. 

The twins brought a classic rocker style to the stage that was definitely not acoustic. In the comments, Usuallymikey said, "Gonna be a noise complaint in the old Silverlake tonight!!"

There set actually started off at 6:15 p.m. A 15 minute delay from the 6 p.m. start time. Seems like during rehearsal a guitar string broke. To end the set, they went faux wild by raising the bass high and gently slamming the guitar. 

Flames of Durga

Closing out the series was Brenda Carsey on Friday. She didn't bring her keyboard for the set. Instead, she played the guitar. No matter what, as Brian said during the set, she has an amazing voice. Nothing like Brenda Carsey sing her tunes. That is a reason why I've seen Brenda Carsey three times live.

Brenda Carsey

Quarantine Online Sets: Version 60

The Satellite held their October "Six at Six" presented by The 6660s monthly series. 

I already did a specific post on Mars Rodriguez, which I got to attend in person to do some photography. For the rest of the series, I watched online.

Chase Petra opened up that part of the series for me. I just recently came across this band during Echo Park Rising that was held online in September. The band played as a two piece, their drummer wasn't able to attend. The band actually started their set late due to traffic jams as they were coming in from Orange County, which was impacted by a fire. Their acoustic set just highlighted how great the vocals are. The band knows how to carry a tune. 

Humorous moment: "Hunter usually brings the skeleton of a song." Then the two members of the band pointed to the Halloween skeleton that was situated in front of them. 

Chase Petra

Mediocore was the second band up. I always forget that Cindy Clark has those screaming vocals. I first came across her in Earthsleep, her prior band. In that band, her vocals screeched to the point of what I have to assume strains her vocal chords. Why I would forget that fact, I don't know. Her new band, Mediocore has a garage, experimental rock feel that brings in some unusual chord structures. 

Humorous moments: during one song, the electricity went out for a split second, causing the stage lights to blink and the pedal board to scramble. Then at the end of the sent, the amp picked up a local radio station.

Mediocore

Cartalk had those folk rock vibes going on. The guitar was played down to bass level. There was a request to lower the guitar volume, but I got to say even then the music still blasted in great fashion.

Had to notice: Jail Weddings joined the Livestream. And so did Jessie Deluxe - I haven't seen this one person dynamo in way too long. 

Cartalk

Tony Knox of Crisis Actor was the only band from the series that I had never seen. The set reminded me of 80s Bon Jovi doing an acoustic rock set. He tapped his shoe to the beat of his music.  

What did I notice: the sun glasses.

And fact: the drummer of the band is learning how to be a trucker.

Tony Knox

Egg Drop Soup took their punk sounds into the world of the unplugged. This was the first time I've seen the band since getting a new drummer. Their minimalist punk set also highlighted some Halloween fun: scarecrow, Kurt Cobain, and a pterodactyl. Like Brian, who was hosted the event, I also thought the pterodactyl was an alligator.   

Lyric of the set: If I'm not supposed to dream like this, pinch me now.

Egg Drop Soup

Quarantine Online Sets: Version 58

Okay, so this wasn't a quarantine online set for me. I got to see Mars Rodriguez perform live. But for those who missed the set and would like to catch it online, you can see it on The Satellite's Instagram page. I first came across Mars back in 2019 when I got a random invite to catch a set at Hotel Café. She is a one person powerhouse and so listening to her at the Hotel Cafe or in The Satellite's backyard were very similar experiences -- though her The Satellite set was restricted to just a guitar. With a couple stars under her eyes and a great big smile, she rocked through her 6 song set with songs such as "Despertar" and "Black Summer." What made for the perfect setting for me is how the set started out under the waning sunlight and by the time the set ended it was night. If you happen to decide to catch the online set, that clicking sound you hear is my camera.

Quarantine Online Sets: Version 41

The Satellite was putting on their "6 songs at 6 p.m. for 6 nights" series on their Livestream, curated by The 6*6*60s.

Cathy from The Great Sadness opened the series up on Monday. She brought her desert rock and a guitar that dated back all the way to 1905 (I believe that is what I heard). 

The Great Sadness

Electric Children was up on Tuesday. The three strong band made an entrance. The online stream started with an empty stage and the members made an entrance. I loved it. They played some haunting sounding rock music. 

Electric Children

Taleen Kali on Wednesday was dressed in all black and with black sunglasses. She was looking super cool during a hot late August afternoon.

Taleen Kali

Thursday had half of Jagged Baptist Club playing an energetic vocal driven rock set.

Jagged Baptist Club

Polartropica on Friday provided an end of the work week pool party.

Polartropica

Closing out the series was two members from the bands Qui and Cunts. They did a set of cover songs.

Qui and Cunts

Quick Hit Band Interview: Punk Crush

Punk Crush at The Satellite

Interview with the band. Enjoy:

What's the story behind how your band started? We bought a questionable drum set on Craigslist and I drove to Long Beach and almost hit multiple people on the way. One thing led to another and here we are!

What’s the favorite part of your Punk Crush set? We like the part where we scream at each other, and also at the audience, with fiendish glee.

Final thoughts: for future inquirers, we are not looking for a bassist.

Quick Hit Band Interview: Wacko

Wacko at The Satellite

Interview with the band. Enjoy:

What's the story behind how the band started? We found Luc pretty much on the streets in Santa Monica and Zaine and Alan met when Zaine was on tour in Virginia. Alan grew up there and Zaine eventually convinced him to move to California to make art. Gartex is huge in the underground techno world and we met her at the club and it was pretty much real recognize real and all of a sudden we had a band.

Are there any unique, funny, high jinks, mundane, etc tendencies that the band is known for – during sets, band practice, otherwise? No tendencies maybe just impulses. Beer buttchugs have occurred within our circle a number of times Idk if that counts. Besides that all the ritualistic occultist stuff is done behind closed doors and nobody knows about that stuff

Own final thoughts: We're awfully certain kindness overcomes. We are crazy k okay. Wise and cerebral kids overthrow. We appreciate casual kisses often;)

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

Massacre Week for the Los Angeles Music Scene

The coronavirus pandemic hit the Los Angeles music scene hard during the week of July 12th - 18th. Music venues announced that they were closing left and right. The parade of closures started first with Saint Rocke. The owners are putting the location up for sale. I suppose if the right investors bought the property, there is the possibility it might remain a music venue. Who knows, maybe if they can't sell the property and coronavirus becomes a non-issue in say 2021 perhaps they'll just go ahead and re-open. I will admit that I don't think if I've ever been to this venue. It is possible I went there once way back when, but definitely not twice. Yet, hearing the news was more than concerning.

Then there was a Friday massacre. The Satellite and The House of Machines called it quits. The Satellite will switch over to a full-time bar and restaurant. Now at some point they could turn back into a music venue, but how likely will that be as they've torn down the stage and are investing money. Here is part of what they wrote on Instagram:

We are currently removing the stage and redesigning the club to be more of a place to get good quality drinks and food. We will be re-opening the kitchen and doing a complete redesign. Due to the lack of funds, this will not happen quickly. 

We will be opening in the parking lot for food and drinks as soon as we have the kitchen re-opened or the government lets us hire a food truck.

Doing all that takes money. This isn't something that one can go ahead and just switch everything back to a music venue as doing that would also cost money.

This was a big hit for me as I've been going to The Satellite for well north of a decade. All those wonderful memories. In fact, one of the greatest local music line-ups that I've ever seen happened at The Satellite in 2012 when Haim, Cold War Kids and Milo Greene played on a Monday night.

Gustaf at The Satellite (my last time at the venue)

Soon after learning about The Satellite, someone sent me an Instagram IM about The House of Machines. I don't have the same history with The House of Machines as I do with The Satellite. I've only been going to this venue for the last year or so. Yet I would often find myself heading down there just to catch a band.

Their Instagram post said:

To our THoM family and beloved L.A. community – it’s with great sadness that we announce the closure of our store in the Arts District. The ongoing uncertainty in California caused by Covid-19 has left us with little choice.

And honestly, I expect that The Hi Hat will eventually announce that they're closing down. The owner just needs to find a buyer for his property.

Taleen Kali at The House of Machines (my last time at the venue)

Quick Hit Artist Interview: Kapali Long

Kapali Løng at The Satellite

Interview with the artist. Enjoy:


How would you describe your sound? My sound would be Americana Folk music with influences from Country, Soul, Blues & Hip Hop. Being from Hawaii, we grow up in a mixed environment so everything was always Genre Fluid like the Culture. 

How do you go about combining lyrics and music? I believe a good song can transcend genres! As for the music & lyrics, they were made for each other, you know when you know. The right words were made for the correct melody and the music is to help tell the story of the lyrics. I hear melodies when I read letters & words so it helps me find the right music. It all comes to me at once like a train. Sometimes I sit on lyrics forever until the melody or chord pattern hits me. Knowing when you’re done with a song is the real test. 

Quarantine Online Sets: Version 24

Friday night was spent catching some music starting out at 6 p.m. On The Satellite's Instagram page, Suzi Moon from Turbulent Hearts jammed through a six song set with on fire yellow hair. Her set list was written on her hand. She ignored the acoustic rules and had an amp. Basically, she brought her punk attitudes to The Satellite's feed. What I loved were the Q&As between songs. For example, how long does it take you to write your songs? 

 

Suzi Moon

After the set ended, there was a 1.5 hour break before heading over to Los Angeleno's Facebook page at 8 p.m. For an hour, I got to catch short sets by Ben Vaughn, Less Bells, Flames of Durga, Starlight Cleaning Co. and The Blank Tapes. 

Ben Vaughn opened it up with an interesting choice in color palette. He played and wore colors in the tan and brown color segment. I say he came across as someone with a dry sense of humor.

Ben Vaughn

Less Bells provided an interesting combination of instruments: synths and an electric cello that created Gothic sounds that drifted from the high ceilings of an ancient European church.

Less Bells

Flames of Durga had the full band rocking punk style from the high desert. I have to say the video quality of their set was most excellent. It was like I was right up there in the front row.

Flames of Durga

Starlight Cleaning Co. provided some folk tunes from their living room. An upright piano could be seen in the background.

Starlight Cleaning Co.

The Blank Tapes closed out the hour with Americana rock with a 70s beach sound.

The Blank Tapes

Quick Hit Band Interview: Talk Time

Talk Time at The Satellite

Interview with the band (with Mike). Enjoy:

What's the story behind how your band started? It started by accident! Edson (singer, guitarist) accidentally emailed Mike (guitarist) with something he was working on thinking it was a different Mike. They had played a bit before when Mike stood in on a couple gigs for Edson's previous band, and at the time both of them were still sort of reeling from the break up of their last projects. From there Mike shared something he was working on which ended up being the proof of concept for 𝑇𝐴𝐿𝐾 𝑇𝐼𝑀𝐸 and the first single, Year of Self. We were then fortunate enough to round out the group with players, Andrew, John, and Derek to finish an EP with Producer Matt Bishop and forge a path forward as a cohesive ensemble.

Is there a story behind one of your songs that you’d like to share? One of the centerpieces of the EP, "True North" is about finding perspective and keeping love as a compass in this terrifying, ambiguous, but beautiful life.