Song Spotlight: Annie Hardy's Man Downn (a night at Stories Books & Cafe)

It was a Friday night. I had put in for a photo request that did not get approved. I decided to take a glance at Showlist on Instagram and noticed that Annie Hardy was playing at Stories Books & Cafe. It was almost like it was meant to be. 

I've been aware of Annie Hardy since I encountered her band Giant Drag at the Indie West Fest in 2011. By that point, the band was well established in the Los Angeles music scene, having formed in 2003. It took a few years -- jump all the way to 2019 -- before I crossed paths with Hardy once again. She was on the same music bill as Queen Kwong (a favorite of mine). During that set at The Redwood Bar, I knew she looked familiar and then she mentioned the band Giant Drag and it started to click. I saw her one last time in 2019 at Stories Books & Cafe. 

Annie Hardy at Stories Books & Cafe

Song Spotlight: Rhiannon Lewis' Be My Enemy (a night at Hotel Ziggy)

Sometimes I have to be rather persistent in my Internet research when I want to write up a blog post about an artist with somewhat limited information available. I came across Rhiannon Lewis at a WFNM showcase at Hotel Ziggy and was immediately intrigued. They just had a quirky personality, "I did decide tonight to prioritize the vibe of the setlist over the logistics of the setlist. So you may see me hopping around from instrument to instrument." That hopping around consisted of switching between a couple acoustic guitars throughout the set. 

Rhiannon Lewis at Hotel Ziggy

Notes from Vivace Show Alerts (Los Angeles): Aug 10th - Aug 16th

A Handful (Bucketful) of Show Alerts

Sunday, Aug 10th: Guantanamo Baywatch at Zebulon. Doors at 8 p.m.

In 2023, I covered their Happy Sundays Long Beach for Buzzbands, which you can read here.

Sunday, Aug 10th: Matt Axton at The Echo. Doors at 5 p.m.

Read my Song Spotlight of "Golden Times" here.

Sunday, Aug 10th: Memo PST at Gold-Diggers. Doors at 10:30 p.m.

Read my Song Spotlight of "I Used To Be A Pretty Boy" here.

Monday, Aug 11th: Rah Rah Rabbit at Harvard & Stone. Doors at 8 p.m.
In 2024, I covered their Americana West Fest for US Rocker Music, which you can read here.

Monday, Aug 11th: Rocco DeLuca at Zebulon. Doors at 8 p.m.

Read my review of his recent Zebulon set here.

Tuesday, Aug 12th: Audrey Lisette at Hotel Ziggy. Doors at 7 p.m.

Read my Song Spotlight of "Take Back the Memories" here.

Thursday, Aug 15th: Bruvvy at Gold-Diggers. Doors at 7 p.m.

Read my review of their recent Davey Wayne set here. 

Friday, Aug 15th: Mo Dotti at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Doors at 9 p.m.

Read my Song Spotlight of "dead to me" here. 

Friday, Aug 15th: The Paranoyds at the Lodge Room. Set time at 8 p.m.
In 2022, I covered their set for Buzzbands, which you can read here.

Saturday, Aug 16th: Echo Park Rising Festival. All day.

Too many good bands to mention here. 

Song Spotlight: Robert DeLong's Fool Me Once (a night at El Cid)

I came across Robert DeLong by chance in 2011. There was an event called Art Cycle LA that year. It was a combination of both biking and art. I personally don't own a bike, but I went anyways to participate in the art portion of the event. I happened to come across DeLong and I remember that he had his fans out. Jump to 2017 and he stole the show at the Sunstock Solar Festival. I wrote the following about the party atmosphere around his set, "The festival organizers brought out the balloons and a balloon party went on throughout the set. Some of the balloons would end up in the photo pit and various photographers would toss the balloons back into the eager crowd."

Robert DeLong at El Cid

Song Spotlight: Erin Ross' Wilderness (a night at Hotel Ziggy)

Erin Ross was feeling the sun and the breeze during her WFNM's showcase at Hotel Ziggy. She opened up her set with Michael Bublé's "Feeling Good" which gave everyone an introduction to her multi-octave vocal talent. She let it ripe during the "feeling good" hook moments. She then shifted to her own music. She started it off with the 2024 single release "I Don't Feel The Cold," a love song describing her best friend's marriage. 

Erin Ross at Hotel Ziggy

Song Spotlight: Self Improvement's Change My Mind (a night at Zebulon)

Self Improvement threw a party for their second album release Syndrome and people showed up in mass to support the band. Zebulon, the location of this party, was packed from the front of the stage to the exits. The band members took about a minute on stage to gather themselves, a brief conversation occurred between guitarist Reuben Kaiban and lead vocalist Jett Witchalls. Witchalls did the traditional "Check! Check!" of the microphone. Then they launched into their self titled song "Self Improvement" with alternative college radio station flair. The first song they played off their new album was "Scam" that was like the band was marching towards Hades as screaming banshees. 

Self Improvement at Zebulon

Song Spotlight: The Palms' Push Off (a night at The Novo)

Back in mid-May, I was asked if I wanted to cover Dope Lemon for US Rocker Music at The Novo. That sounded like a good idea so I said yes (you can read the review, which also includes thoughts on The Palms set, here). Life was / is busy. I did no research into the night other than trying to anticipate when I should leave home to get there on time. I got an email from the PR firm saying that I was a go and I was provided the set times for Dope Lemon and the opener. I glanced at the email and just mentally made a note that doors opened at 7 p.m. and Dope Lemon was on at 9:15 p.m. The opening band was mentioned, but I really didn't pay much attention to the name and only noticed that they were on at 8 p.m. 

The Palms at The Novo

Song Spotlight: X. ARI's Vicious (a night Bar Lubitsch)

X. ARI (moniker for Daniella Waters) approaches her music performances like that of a revival church pastor out to convert souls. Her message isn't religious in nature; however, but is about mental health. She runs a non-profit called Wisdo Mania Foundation. The website says the following, "X. ARI’s life purpose is to inspire hope in others by writing her story in her music, sharing her experiences publicly, and providing resources for recovery." 

X. ARI at Bar Lubitsch

Review: Colleen Green's emotional return to Los Angeles

Colleen Green's I Want to Grow Up 10th Anniversary tour finally stopped in Los Angeles, specifically at El Cid. It was a packed house to welcome her back as a few years ago she returned to Lowell, Massachusetts. Of a side interest to me, the DJ played fellow Massachusetts band Potty Mouth's "Smash Hit" prior to her set. That band also moved out to Los Angeles after forming in Massachusetts. I believe I saw one of their first Los Angeles shows (as a Los Angeles based band) back in 2017. I have to think that Colleen Green placed that song specifically on the list.

Colleen Green at El Cid

Notes from Vivace Show Alerts (Los Angeles): Aug 3rd - Aug 9th

A Handful of Show Alerts

Tuesday, Aug 5th: Tino Drima at Zebulon. Doors at 8 p.m.
You can read my song spotlight "Life on the Patio" here.

Wednesday, Aug 6th: Fatal Jamz at Gold-Diggers. Doors at 7 p.m.

I covered the band back in 2023 for Buzzbands. You can read my review with photos here.

Wednesday, Aug 6th: Giant Waste of Man at El Cid. Doors at 8 p.m.

I listed them as one of my favorite new bands of 2022.

Saturday, Aug 9th: Adriana McCassim at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Doors at 6 p.m.

I listed her as one of my favorite new artists of 2023.