Song Spotlight: Orion Sisters' What We Had (a night at Hotel Ziggy)

Orion Sisters are a trio of sisters (Bethany, Lindsay, and Natalie Baker). The singer-songwriter trio all have guitar duties, which made for a tight onstage fit during their WFNM showcase at Hotel Ziggy. Who is the leader of the pack? It appears that Natalie takes on primary lead vocal duties though Bethany often did lead-in duties. Interestingly, the two of them speak Mandarin (you can watch an Instagram reel here). Based on the fact that Lindsay doesn't speak Mandarin, I'm guessing she's the eldest (assuming the opportunity to learn the language came up after she aged out of making it easy to learn a foreign language). 

Orion Sisters at Hotel Ziggy

Song Spotlight: Terminal A's American Friend (a night at Zebulon)

Terminal A opened up the night at Zebulon to usher in the celebration of Self Improvement's album release party for Syndrome (you can read that post here). The band consists of Colin Peterson on vocals and Lee Busch on guitar. Peterson spent half the set jumping into the audience, disappearing from sight underneath the low lights of the venue and then randomly popping back up on stage. At times, he could be seen crawling across the floor as the audience made room for him. It helped that he used a wireless microphone. While Peterson was out in the crowd, Busch took his stance in the middle of the stage, legs spread in an aggressive manner that allowed him to rock forward as he pounced on his strings. 

Terminal A at Zebulon

Song Spotlight: Marcus Buser's Right Man (a night at The Goldfish)

In a certain way, I was introduced to Marcus Buser via Chelsea Rose. I've seen Buser twice and perhaps each encounter would have happened anyways. The first time was last year at Club Tee Gee when Surprise Baby was on the bill, as well. There's a high probably I would have checked out his set at the time. How does Chelsea Rose fit into this? I've followed her career for a number of years starting with Summer Twins, which that encounter dates back to 2012. When it comes to the singer-songwriter genre, we seem to have similar tastes and so we cross paths every so often. Often times, Buser is with her so I'm just making the assumption that they're dating. So yeah, I first crossed paths with him in early 2024, but I feel like I've seen him around the Los Angeles music scene for years. 

Marcus Buser at The Goldfish

Song Spotlight: Adrian Bourgeois' Nothing Can Hurt Me (a night at Harvard & Stone)

Adrian Bourgeois took the opening slot at Harvard & Stone during a Swyndle night. Here's how I ended up catching his set. For those who've read my blog, you know I'm on this commitment to reduce how many nights a week I go out to catch live music as compared to last year. A big reason for this is because I'm focusing more on this blog site. I already had my week planned out and then I happened to notice that Wymn was playing a set on this particular Swyndle night. I hadn't seen them play for a few years so I was thinking I would do a quick drop by -- target 9:15 p.m. I got curious and decided to briefly check out the Instagram pages of everyone playing this particular night. When I clicked on Adrian Bourgeois' Instagram page, I noticed that he follows me on Instagram. From what I could tell from scanning my archives, I'd never seen him perform. What did I conclude? He's kind enough to follow me on Instagram, I should check out his music.

Adrian Bourgeois at Harvard & Stone

Song Spotlight: Austin Manuel's Twenty Hundred Miles Away

Austin Manuel via his AM Presents Music is back at Club Tee Gee booking shows. Previously, he booked Sundays and Mondays. At the moment, he's only booking Mondays. Who knows, maybe he'll start booking Sundays at some point though he is busy running Healing Force Records. Back in 2023 when he was booking Club Tee Gee, I came across some new artists (to me) that quickly became favorites: Adriana McCassim, Sarah Julia (from the Netherlands), and Gold Star (a band I should have run across way before 2023). 

Austin Manuel at Club Tee Gee

Review: I finally returned to Old Towne Pub

Even before the pandemic, Old Towne Pub was never part of my venue rotation, but I did occasionally head over there. The last time I was there was in Nov 2019 when a band called Peg Leg Love asked if I'd check out their set. When I made up my list of favorite "new to me, but maybe not to you" 2024 list, I added that a 2025 music goal was to head over to Old Towne Pub (if you are interested, you can see that 2024 list here). 

I finally got to checkmark that 2025 goal off the goals list in early August -- yeah, it took longer to fulfill that goal than I thought it would. I happened to notice that Crisis Actor was playing and that it was also an early Sunday show (that helped with the decision making). I believe I got home before 9 p.m.

Psychoactive at Old Towne Pub

Notes from Vivace Show Alerts (Los Angeles): Sep 28th - Oct 4th

A Handful of Show Alerts

Sunday, Sep 28th: Blue Wistaria at Harvard & Stone. Doors at 8 p.m.
The band appears to have gone a slight name change from WistEria to WistAria. Read my Song Spotlight for "Members Only" here.

Wednesday, Oct 1st: Laveda at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Doors at 9 p.m.

In 2023, I covered the band for US Rocker Music. You can read my review here.

Thursday, Oct 2nd: Gottlieb at The Smell. Doors at 8:30 p.m.

They made my list of favorite new 2024 bands.  You can see that list here. 

Friday, Oct 3rd: Host Family at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Doors at 6 p.m.

Read my Song Spotlight for "Dromedary" here.

Friday, Oct 3rd: Sophia James at the Moroccan Lounge. Doors at 6:30 p.m.

She made my list of favorite new 2022 bands / artists.

Saturday, Oct 4th: Lily Waters at The Smell. Doors at 8:30 p.m.

I've followed her since 2017.

Song Spotlight: WYMN's Catching Flies (a night at Harvard & Stone)

In April 2022, I got invited to catch WYMN at El Cid. They played with an interestingly named band called Ghetto Garden. At some point, Ghetto Garden changed their name to TELAH! (the explanation point being part of their band name). I caught up with TELAH! at Echo Park Rising 2024 and I remember thinking the band members looked familiar. 

WYMN at Harvard & Stone

Song Spotlight: Suzy Clue's Uneasy (a night at The Echo)

Suzy Clue came up onto The Echo stage sporting a metal fashion statement. Someone in the crowd greeted her with a, "We love your music." This might have taken her back just a touch as she paused and then responded with, "I love you." I say that it took her back a touch, because even though she dialed the sexuality up to a 10 in her performance, I thought she had a rather modest opinion of herself as a singer. As an example, during the early part of the set, she asked everyone, "Does anyone remember my name?"  

Suzy Clue at The Echo

Song Spotlight: Rozwell Kid's Kangaroo Pocket (a night at El Cid)

Rozwell Kid did double duty at El Cid on a recent August night. Not only were they Colleen Green's opening band, but they were also her backing band. You can read my review of her set here. I was unfamiliar with Rozwell Kid, but there were people in the crowd who were singing along throughout the band's set. Though Colleen Green was the headliner, I would think that Rozwell Kid also helped fill up the venue. 

Rozwell Kid at El Cid