Quarantine Online Sets: Version 6

In Version 5 of this blog site, I talked about the Wednesday, April 8th, sets that I caught. Well, my Wednesday kept going. WFNM was hosting a number of musicians and I happened to catch two of them: Madison Malone and Holander.

Madison Malone on WFNM

Madison Malone played with her phone right up to her face. The music had that singer-songwriter charm to it. Toward the beginning of the set, there was a mid-song disruption. Her phone charger slipped and fell onto the floor and the phone followed. Yet, the Instagram feed didn't shut down. She just had to pick up the phone and charger, set things right, and re-start her song at the chorus.

Holander with her pink hair wasn't able to do her dance routine (which I saw her do when I caught her at the Bootleg Theater), but her acoustic set still highlighted the dance qualities of her music. She also conveyed her bubbly personality over the web.

Holander

Perhaps the best set I've seen online during this time of quarantine was Thursday's Poppy Jean Crawford's set on Buzzbands. Okay, maybe tied with Strawberry Army's online set. Her set was in a nicely decorated room, which included colorful paper thin sheets that covered the walls and windows. They were thin enough to allow the late afternoon sun to provided light for the set. She played the set sitting on a rug. Though the set wasn't as psychedelic as her live sets, her set still carried the undertone of her live show.

Poppy Jean Crawford

What was also just fun was the interaction she carried on with the audience and her mom who was off to the side. She'd read the comments and then her mom would make comments. Then when she started to feel a little nervous, her mom encouraged her to smoke a cigarette. The comments section exploded when she lit up a cigarette with people asking her not to smoke.

Quarantine Online Sets: Version 5

Talker has been one of the busiest Los Angeles musicians since we went into self-isolation. She's done a number of online sets. Perhaps it is driven by the fact that her birthday was on April 8th (Wednesday) or maybe this is how she's dealing with self-isolation or maybe some other reason. Who knows, but I'm happy she's doing so. I caught a set of her's for the second time on Monday, April 6th. The Satellite must have caught on that Talker (Celeste) has been very busy as they gave her a shout out on their marquee: Support Talker Online.

Screen shot of Talker's Instagram Stories

Celeste

On Tuesday, I decided to catch Echosmith on Billboard's Facebook page. That band has been around for years, but this was my first time catching their pop tunes. One of the amusing things about catching online sets is seeing bands adjusting to this new world of online sets. In order to read the comments, lead singer Sydney left the microphone and went over to camera/video recorder. She'd start talking about the comments, but no one could hear what she was saying as the microphone couldn't pick up her voice. Someone off camera mentioned it to her and so she dragged the microphone over so that she could read the comments and folks online could hear what she was saying. Then, later in the set, someone off-screen handed her a tablet so that she could read the comments.They ended their set with the addictive "Cool Kids" song.

Echosmith

Wednesday was packed. Up first was Lake doing a 15 minute set on Facebook (via Jenn Grant, who from what I can tell is also a musician). The last time I caught this band was in 2012. They're a band from Washington state though I believe one of the members grew up in Los Angeles, if I recall correctly. I remember catching a set for the first time at The Smell way back when. It might have been 2011 or 2012, I don't recall exactly (I know the 2nd and last time I caught them was in 2012). I was just over-whelmed by how their music filled the DIY venue. I know that they played in the Los Angeles area a couple months back, but I wasn't feeling that well. If I had, I would have sent an e-mail offering my camera services. Though the video on Wednesday was of really poor quality, the music was just as great as I remembered.

Lake

Mara Connor was up next on Dash Radio. She played with a No Fun banner above her head, which is the title of her recent album release. Her folk-America tunes have captured my soul for years. She's an artist that I always try to see at least once a year for perhaps 4 years now.

Mara Connor

Then it was off to catch The Living Roomers doing a Buzzbands set. I read on Buzzbands that they're a pop-punk band. Listening to one of their songs online, I'd say that sounds about right. But for this online set, they took it down several steps via an acoustic set. Though I've never heard of The Living Roomers before, I'm eager to catch them live and see their more amped up  performance. What I loved about the set was the creativity behind the set. They played outside in what looked like a backyard. The band was spread out and in front of them were mirrors on the grass. Whomever was doing the filming of the set would occasionally film the reflections of the band members off the mirrors. It was really a cool concept.

The Living Roomers

Coronavirus Diary: April 9th 2020

One thing I've been doing during this period of self-isolation is going out for a walk during the lunch hour. I've probably been doing one or two miles during these walks. I've actually run into people I know during these walks. Once, I ran into a young family that I know. We said hello from 6 feet away from each other. Than I ran into Kat from Holy Wars. That wasn't unexpected as we live about half a mile away from each other. Keeping about an 8 foot distance, we chatted about some random topics such as the local grocery stores that we visit as both of us are hesitant to go to Trader Joe's and Vons that are near our neighborhood. One thing about our neighborhood in Glendale is the fact that there are a number of locally run Armenian and Mexican mom and pop grocery stores. A lot of times when I'm in these stores, there are only 2 to 4 other shoppers around. Sure, the selection isn't the same as it would be at Trader Joe's or Vons, but I am willing to adjust my diet. I've bought a lot of dry goods such as lentils. I've told friends that once this is over, I will never eat lentils again. I figure it might be another 3 or 4 weeks before I head back to a Trader Joe's. My theory: the less people there are around, the less likely you cross paths with someone who has COVID-19.

I usually walk in my specific neighborhood of houses/apartments, but I decided to venture out recently onto Glendale Blvd to see what the city of Glendale was looking like. I'm usually at work so I don't know how busy this boulevard is during the work week, but there was a nice flow of vehicles. There really weren't a number of cars waiting at the stoplights; however, so maybe there really wasn't that much traffic. I can't help but wonder, "Where are these people going to or coming from? Are they going to work at the local Vons or Trader Joe's? Are they going grocery shopping? Are they breaking self-isolation and heading to see a friend?"

What do people think about eating out versus cooking your own food? I've been cooking my own food for a very long time. The last time I actually went to get food at a restaurant was in late February. I was talking to some friends and was saying how I felt a touch guilty for not supporting some of the small restaurants, food trucks and food stalls that I visit. One of those food stall, which is now operating out of their kitchen versus Highland Park, is Cena Vegan. Based on their Instagram photo, it looks like they are taking the virus seriously and are attempting to protect the cooks and those ordering from them. Also, I am seeing photos/videos of restaurants providing food to the local hospitals. If doctors and nurses are eating food provided by restaurants, why am I so concerned? Maybe I am being too paranoid and will start to patronize my local food spots. Of course, Los Angeles is saying the next 2 weeks are key so maybe I'll wait for 2 weeks to past (technically, I suppose, the next 1.5 weeks).

On the television front: I saw the movie The Commuter staring Liam Neeson. Oh mercy, what a mess. It started off well. I figured it would be about some deep state conspiracy or sci-fi intrigue, but then it ended being some rather boring outcome.

Coronavirus Diary: April 7th 2020

Unlike many people in America, I'm lucky to have a job. And luckier still, I am able to do that job from home. In fact, I'm in week 4 of working from home. If my company every put me on furlough or laid me off, I suppose I wouldn't be surprised, but that might not happen as we're still doing business. From that perspective and the fact that I feel healthy (knock on wood), I really don't have much to complain about in life.

One thing I've realized during this period of quarantine; however, is how much of my pre-COVID-19 night life revolved around music photography. I will admit that my time out and about during 2020 was limited. I got the flu (let's assume it was the flu and that I wasn't one of the first individuals to come down with COVID-19) in mid-January that hit me hard for 5 days or so and it took about 3 or 4 weeks to feel really up to speed. I still went out, but missed a number of shows that I wanted to catch as I didn't want to relapse. Then towards the middle of February, I started to pick it up again. Then music came to a screeching halt. I came down with a mild sore throat and cough at the start of March that got me worried about getting the flu again and so I put a stop on going on. The sore throat and cough never went beyond that, but by the time it passed the world had changed and the chance of catching bands ended.

I was talking to a friend recently over the phone and mentioned how I was busy during the day (work), but my nights felt way too open in this new world. I was/am spending way too much time watching television or surfing the web. Then I started to describe how my nights were in the past. I probably averaged going out 2 times a week to catch bands/singers. The following nights after going to shows would also be busy as I'd spend time going through my photos and sending out e-mails to conduct my Q&A interviews that I post on Instagram and then later end up posting on this blog site. Then other nights would be spent collecting responses as well as doing things on this blog site. I personally at times felt like I was spending way too much of my life doing this, but then it is a fun hobby and I enjoyed it. So now, there is this big amount of free time that I need to fill.

So yeah, I've been watching some online concerts (as can be seen via my Instagram posts: @notesfromvivace if you're randomly coming across this). But actually most of the sets I've seen have been watched while taking breaks from work as many of the sets are between noon and 6 p.m. As mentioned above, I have been watching too much television. One show; however, that I really loved and did a big binge watch of was "War of the Worlds" on Epix. Season 1 of the show just finished and was 8 episodes. Instead of taking an American point of view, the show focuses on France and the UK. I found it really edge of your seat watching and perhaps too relevant in this day and age. In the second episode, we learn that billions of the world population has died due to the space invaders. I personally find the story line intriguing. I get this sense of dread as these invaders hunt down human survivors and then there is also hope as two scientists do research from two different angles. And the soundtrack provides a level of slow-burn fear.

I've also started reading a book called "The Feather Thief," which is about an individual who stole bird feathers from a museum. I'm only about 20% of the way through the book. It isn't as intriguing per say as "War of the Worlds," but there is some interesting history about birds in the book. 

Anyways, I did accomplish one major thing during my time: I finally submitted my taxes. I always have a dread of doing my taxes as I'm always fearful that I've made an error. But I decided to finally just hit submit and if I get audited, I get audited. Hopefully, I made no mistakes.

Quarantine Online Sets: Version 4

I caught a couple online sets on Tuesday, March 30th.

Shannon Lay was up first playing in front of a decorative Western/Native American themed blanket. I might have said this before, but her vocals make me flash back to when I first heard Enya's song "Orinoco Flow." I remember hearing that song being blasted and thought it was one of the most wonderful moments I'd had. What makes Enya's songs so wonderful is how she meticulously blends sounds together. Yet, I swear, Shannon Lay can do that all live with just a guitar and her voice.

Shannon Lay

Strawberry Army came up next for Reckless Magazine's music series. This is a band that usually goes punk-pop, but for this set they went acoustic. Playing from their home and with their dad backing them, it was a wonderful experience. Their joy playing was highlighted as usual with arms raised, the occasional hair flip and playing hide and seek with the camera. Yet, what really had me was the acoustic side of their songs. Can I dare say I enjoyed these versions better?

Strawberry Army

On Wednesday, March 31st, I caught Heather Cole. The first time I saw her sing was when she was doing back-up vocals for Michelle Young about a year ago at The Hi Hat. I've wanted to catch her since, but never got around to it. Then came this coronavirus quarantine and I noticed that she was doing some songs with her sister. Great singer-songwriter vocals. 

Heather Cole

Quick Hit Band Interview: Oozelles

Oozelles at The Satellite (photo taken for Buzzbands)

Interview with the band (with Dante White Aliano). Enjoy:

How would I describe our sound? Reluctantly. There are no existing genres I'm comfortable with and I'm tired of making up cute sounding genres for my bands. We like to leave it open to whatever influences come up and right now our sound seems to be going in a darker direction, which could change without any notice. Most of us listen to an eclectic blend 60s and 70s music from Asia, Africa and the Caribbean which we got into after wearing out our punk, death rock, garage, post punk, proto punk and 60s soul records. We also love the weirder, less characteristic "filler" efforts of more well-known artists. The answer will usually depend on who I'm talking to. I'm not going to tell my grandfather or a cop that we sound like Mahmoud Ahmed meets the Scientists or Dur Dur Band meets Scratch Acid.

What’s the favorite part of your set? My favorite part of the set is usually when we're playing new songs, but our song Refill The Swamp is consistently enjoyable for me.

Final thoughts: Most of us have either played together in multiple projects and/or been friends for a very long time. Even though there are 6 of us, we write nearly everything together and it almost never feels like too many cooks. It's the most collaborative band I've ever been in. We record every practice in my recording studio and every practice at least one new idea will come to us from some unknown source. I feel extremely lucky to be a part of it.

Quarantine Online Sets: Version 3

On Saturday, I caught part of Lauren Ruth Ward's talk with Holy Wars. Then I switched over to catch Ariel Beesley on Instagram. She played outside her home on a ukulele. Occasionally, she rushed off to get her dog. She also talked about her songwriting process and stories behind the songs. She even sang a very raw song that isn't ready for prime time. It was very personal type moment that you won't usually get in a concert setting.

A couple hours later, I went over to Pancakes and Whiskey to catch Lauren Ruth Ward. It is always a pleasure to catch a Lauren Ruth Ward set be it in person, online -- or even just running into her when she's out supporting the Los Angeles music scene. I hung around to HNRY FLWR who was playing from New York -- Temple of the Void.

Lauren Ruth Ward

HNRY FLWR