Review: DIY Artist Mars Rodriguez Shines at The Whisky a Go Go

I first came across Mars Rodriguez (the moniker for Maria Alejandra Rodriguez Serrano) in 2019 when I got an out of the blue invitation to catch her set at Hotel Cafe. You can read my US Rocker Music interview that I conducted after the set here. I got to catch another Hotel Cafe set in early 2020 (prior to all the venues shutting down). The final time I caught one of her sets was in 2022, which resulted in an interesting adventure on my part in my attempt to get home for the night. 

Mars Rodriguez at The Whisky a Go Go

Notes from Vivace Show Alerts (Los Angeles): Feb 8th - Feb 14th

A Handful of Show Alerts

Thursday, Feb 12th: Giselle at Bar Lubitsch. Doors at 7 p.m.

You can read my song spotlight for "Skeletons" here.

Friday, Feb 13th: Nail Polish at Non Plus Ultra. Doors at 8 p.m.

You can read my song spotlight for "Haunted Spells" here. 

Two Movies seen on TCM: Fort Apache (1948) and The Naked Spur (1953)

I've been hooked on TCM for years now. I just always remember being a fan of Humphrey Bogart, Cary Grant, Errol Flynn, Audrey Hepburn, Katharine Hepburn, James (Jimmy) Steward, John Wayne, and many many more. Around a decade ago, I used to do some reviews of movies I saw on TCM. I figured I'd start it up again. If you're interested, click on through.

Song Spotlight: Johnny Majestic's Weep All Over (a night at The Three Club)

In January, I walked into The Three Clubs for the first time in likely over a decade. The venue does hold a special place in my heart, because it is where I first saw Rocket (the band fronted by Lauren Rocket). Over the years, I'd drive by it or walk pass it (while walking towards Sassafras Saloon) and always wondered what bands were playing inside the venue. An opportunity to return presented itself via the band Mystic Knights (you can read my US Rocker article here) and I was eager to attend. I showed up in time to catch most of Johnny Majestic's set. 

Johnny Majestic at The Three Club

Song Spotlight: Mystic Knights' Count (a night at The Three Clubs)

Mystic Knights came to my attention last year in June when I was invited to cover Band of Skulls at The Troubadour. The Mystic Knights were the opening band (you can read that US Rocker post here). The band name may not sound familiar to many, but lead singer Chris Cester's better known band Jet is likely a known quantity (hits include "Are You Gonna Be My Girl" and "Cold Hard Bitch").

Mystic Knights at The Three Clubs

Song Spotlight: DanDan's Next Year (a night at Hotel Ziggy)

DanDan (moniker for Daniel Leese) is a recent USC Thornton graduate with a degree in Jazz Vocal Performance. He recently opened up the night at a WFNM showcase at Hotel Ziggy. I was immediately struck by the potential symbolism in the set. It started with what he wore for the night: a white robe that reminded me of a Medieval monk. Perhaps that impression was implanted due to his first song of the night that was called "Savior's Song." On his Soundcloud account he mentions that the song is about a "fear-mongering troubadour on a busy street corner . . . the evil intentions of the troubadour become frighteningly clear." I'm speculating that his dressing up in white is him trying to avoid being put until the evil spell of the troubadour. 

DanDan at Hotel Ziggy

Song Spotlight: Andie Yagher's twenty something (a night at Hotel Ziggy)

I noticed that the WFNM showcase featured Andie Yagher three or so times last year. After seeing her name pop up on the schedule a few times, I wanted to catch a set, but it just never worked out for me. One time I was shooting the Greek Theatre. Another time, it was squeezed into a rather busy week. One other time, a favorite local band of mine, Ramonda Hammer, was playing. Luckily for me, she popped up on the January 13th WFNM schedule at Hotel Ziggy. 

Andie Yagher at Hotel Ziggy

Notes from Vivace Show Alerts (Los Angeles): Feb 1st - Feb 7th

A Handful (Bucketful) of Show Alerts

Sunday, Feb 1st: Valley Queen at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Doors at 6 p.m.

Read my Song Spotlight for "Ride" here.

Monday, Feb 2nd: Salem's Bend at The Redwood Bar. Doors at 9 p.m.

The band was one of my favorite new finds of 2024, you can read that list here.

Wednesday, Feb 4th: Devon Ross and Jawdropped at Zebulon. Doors at 8 p.m.
Read my Devon Ross Song Spotlight for "All the Things" here.
Read my Jawdropped Song Spotlight for "Skully" here.

Wednesday, Feb 4th: Cuffed Up at El Cid. Doors at 7 p.m.

In 2022, I did a review of their set for US Rocker Music, which you can read here.

Wednesday, Feb 4th: Izzy Outerspace at Gold-Diggers. Doors at 7 p.m.

In 2025, I did a review of her set, which you can read here.

Wednesday, Feb 4th: Mars Rodriguez at Whisky a Go Go. Doors at 6 p.m.

In 2019, I did a US Rocker Music Interview with her, which you can read here.

Wednesday, Feb 4th: Neska Rose at Hotel Ziggy. Doors at 7 p.m.

Read my Song Spotlight for "Very Green" here.

Wednesday, Feb 4th: Young Lovers at The Goldfish. Doors at 8 p.m.

In 2024, I did a review of their set, which you can read here. 

Thursday, Feb 5th: Self Improvement at Oblivion. Doors at 7 p.m.

Read my Song Spotlight for "Change My Mind" here.

Thursday, Feb 5th: Shannon Lay at Healing Force of the Universe. Doors at 8 p.m.

Read my Song Spotlight for "All This Life Going Down" here.

Friday, Feb 6th: Pu$$y-Cow at The Escondite. Doors at 9 p.m.

In 2025, I did a review of their 20th Anniversary Party, which you can read here.

Saturday, Feb 7th: Crisis Actor at Non Plus Ultra. Doors at 8 p.m.

In 2025, I did a review of their set, which you can read here.

Song Spotlight: Allegra Ondine's Museum of Houses (a night at Harvard & Stone)

Allegra Ondine's soprano vocals that take on operatic qualities hit the Harvard & Stone stage during a Swyndle LA showcase. I ran across Ondine previously back in 2023. I first ran across her in July when she was a back-up vocalist for Gaia Calista. Then in August, I happened to catch a Paradise Lovers set, which is a duo with Maybellene Ryder. In regards to Ryder, I happened to mention her in a US Rocker Music when she was playing violin for Oh, Rose (you can read that article here). Paradise Lovers is an interesting pairing. Ondine has classical vocals while Ryder has alternative pop / folk vocals. 

Allegra Ondine at Harvard & Stone

Song Spotlight: O.S. Coleman's Natural Way (a night at Harvard & Stone)

O.S. Coleman (initials for Odin Scott) opened up the night at the Swyndle LA showcase at Harvard & Stone. It was a set filled with bluegrass and gospel tunes with Coleman switching between the banjo and violin while his bandmate Troy Dillinger (known for playing with Harry Katz and the Pistachios) took up accordion duties. 

O.S. Coleman at Harvard & Stone