The Smell: Potty Mouth and Total Heat

This was a night I had circled on my calendar. I love catching Potty Mouth. Their punk music hooks you in and keeps you energized. This was my fourth time seeing them. I've also listened to their music about as much as any other local band. I never tire of them.

Potty Mouth

Total Heat opened with some velvet sounds from their lead drummer/singer.

Total Heat

Bootleg Theater: Johanna Samuels with Sofia Wolfson and LIA

Sofia Wolfson opened the night with songs about love and breakups.

Quote of the night 1: This is a song about when you breakup with someone and you think you're over it until you see them do something on social media.

Quote of the night 2: This is a song about how men suck. (Of course, this was said with the backdrop of an all male backing band.)

Sofia Wolfson

LIA came on next with a sound that at times reminded me of Alanis Morissette. There was one moment that thrilled her. Before one song, she started waving her arms back and forth above her head. The audience followed along and after the song she yelled out, "F*ck yeah, crowd participation. I was kind of just kidding."

LIA

Johanna Samuels was in her second residency night. And this was actually my second time seeing her. Her set had a tender side to it. And a whole lot of giggling between songs.

Johanna Samuels

Stories Books & Cafe: Mara Connor

Mara Connor. I happen to run across Mara Connor about every 6 months or so. It is always a joy. I love her voice. I love the simplicity of her music style. On this night, it was spent at Stories Books and Cafe in Echo Park. There's an open area in the rear of the bookstore that is used for such events. We were in the tail end of a 100 degree plus heatwave. It was hot, but there were a number of familiar faces in the audience and it was fun having conversations as well as listening to a talented musician.

Zebulon: The Entire Universe with Local Hero and BOYTOY

It was time well spent at Zebulon on a recent Saturday night. First, it was free. Second, I got to catch up with Local Hero/Andy Clockwise and The Entire Universe as well as see BOYTOY for the first time.

First up was Local Hero (aka Andy Clockwise). I've followed Andy Clockwise for years. He is a high energy performer and very music focused. So music focused that he screamed a couple times at the sound guy when the sound wasn't up to snuff. By the end of the set, sweat glistened across his face.

Andy Clockwise

BOYTOY is a band from New York. Their bassist was feeling ill so the bassist from Cat Scan stepped in. This confused some folks. One person tapped me on the shoulder and asked if Cat Scan was playing the night instead of BOYTOY. They're a psychedelic band with a drummer that has too much fun and their fashion sense reminds you of how folks dressed while drinking at an Old West Saloon.

BOYTOY

Comment of the night via BOYTOY regarding Local Hero: They play their songs backwards and have sex while doing so.

I first saw The Entire Universe at the Echoplex earlier this year. It was fun catching up with this band that has disco style fashion sense alongside their 70s influenced style.

The Entire Universe

Jim Wilson and Rocco DeLuca at Zebulon

I wanted to catch Rocco DeLuca at Zebulon. I decided to show up at around 9:45 p.m. even though it was mentioned that the music would start at 9 p.m. Why? Well, the previous time I headed off to Zebulon, it was mentioned that the music would start at 9 p.m., but the first band didn't go on until 10 p.m. And would you know it, I probably missed half of Rocco DeLuca's set. What I did catch was a minimalist sound, almost passive. It was beautiful. I was kicking myself for not coming earlier.

Rocco DeLuca

Jim Wilson was the headliner. His set went through three phases. First were a couple songs in a singer-songwriter mode. Then he hit some rock notes. Then he went for soul. It was a jamming time.

What I noticed: Jim Wilson's set almost ended before it began. Rocco DeLeuca asked Jim to join him on stage for a song. After the song, Jim headed off stage and tripped while stepping off. Close call.

Jim Wilson

Zebulon: The Big Pink with Marc Baker and Black Paw

One know it will be a good night of music when The Big Pink is anchoring the night.

Opening up was Marc Baker with some suave styling looks and music. And he swung that microphone like an expert.

Marc Baker

This was my second time seeing Black Paw. The lights were low for his rock driven music.

Black Paw

The Big Pink had Zebulon packed in. I just love this band. Bright lights. Thrilling sounds.

The Big Pink

The Echo: Livingmore with Cape Weather and Nightgown

It was Livingmore's record release party and I, of course, had to be there.

Opening up was Cape Weather with some soft psychedelic tunes.

Cape Weather

Nightgown sped things up with lead singer Laurel's animated on stage presence. 

Nightgown

Then Livingmore hit the stage, looking fabulous and ready to get the crowd swooning. By the end of the set, sweat was left behind.

Livingmore