Review: Monday Monday at Hotel Cafe celebrate the life of John Skoog

It was a hot minute since I last went to Hotel Cafe (April 2025). Since learning that they were moving locations, I had long wanted to head out to the venue one last time. I kept taking a look at what Monday Monday at Hotel Cafe offered up. I saw an Instagram post that mentioned that long time supporter of the showcase, John Skoog, passed away in November. The post has this tidbit, "John loved music and the artists that create it. He would say that Monday Monday was his church and would often explain how he felt that it was more of a pure example of what church represents to so many people. The community, the music, the messages and the human connection resonated so much for him as it does with the rest of us." 

John Skoog Table at Hotel Cafe

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

A Handful of Show Alerts 

Sunday, May 3rd: Jawdropped at The Echo. Doors at 7 p.m.

You can read my Song Spotlight for their song "Skully" here.

Tuesday, May 5th: SIMI (Hannah Simi Hughes) at The Viper Room. Doors at 6:30 p.m.
You can read my song spotlight for her song "Stranger With My Secret" here.

Wednesday, May 6th: Lola Bonfiglio at Hotel Ziggy. Doors at 7 p.m.
I wrote a recent review of one of her sets, which you can read here.

Thursday, May 7th: The Blushes at Alex's Bar. Doors at 8 p.m.

You can read my Song Spotlight for their song "Celebrity Sex Cult Party" here.

Friday, May 8th: Baba Jenkins at Hotel Ziggy. Doors at 7 p.m.

You can read my Song Spotlight for their song "Wild" here.

Friday, May 8th: Gilbert Louie Ray at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Doors at 6 p.m.

In 2025, I wrote a review of his set, which you can read here.

Song Spotlight: Janelane's Instincts (a night at Permanent Records Roadhouse)

Janelane (fronted by Sophie Negrini) recently headlined at Permanent Records Roadhouse. It was a night to introduce a trio of recently released songs to her loving fans. That fan base includes me as I've followed the band since running across them at Echo Park Rising in 2017. She mentioned that she hadn't played a set since 2024, which shocked me. I knew I had written up two blog posts about Janelane and it all felt so recent. Time just flies by. In early 2024, I wrote up a review of her Love Letters album release party at Zebulon for US Rocker Music (you can read that article here). I actually caught three sets that year and none in 2025 (for obviously stated reason). When I noticed a couple months back that she was playing a set at Permanent Records Roadhouse, I circled the date. 

Janelane at Permanent Records Roadhouse

Song Spotlight: The Silverados' The Public Opinion (a night at The Smell)

The Silverados closed out a recent night at The Smell. It looks like this band started up around March of 2025. In just over a year, it seems like they've played every possible venue in Los Angeles. Okay, that's an over-exaggeration, but not by much. Scanning through their Instagram page, they started off at Harvard & Stone and The Offbeat. Soon thereafter they were playing Permanent Records Roadhouse and The Escondite. Mercy, they even got to play Resident DTLA before it shut down. Viper Room. Moroccan Lounge. DiPizza's. Call me impressed. I found this Instagram post from their lead singer, Patrick Silvers, that mentions 26 gigs in 7 months.  

The Silverados at The Smell

Song Spotlight: The Anti Groupies' Nice is Not an Invite (a night at The Smell)

I am embarrassed to say that my last time hanging out at The Smell was a very long time ago. My excuse is that I've been putting limits on how often I go out and so the venue fell out of my rotation. Starting in late 2025, I started to realize that I needed to head out to The Smell again. Recently I took a look at their schedule with the intension that I was going to head out to The Smell on either a Friday or Saturday night no matter what. The Anti Groupies were playing Friday night and I looked them up on Instagram. The first thing I noticed was this post, which is a Rocknite Long Beach interview with the band. If you've glanced through this blog site, you know I have a lot of respect for Rocknite's ability to find talented bands and singers. (My familiarity is Rocknite LA vs Rocknite Long Beach.) The decision was made: I was off finally off to The Smell. 

The Anti Groupies at The Smell

Song Spotlight: Taylor Sackson's Leonard (a night at Bar Lubitsch)

I first crossed paths with Taylor Sackson in 2023 at a WFNM night. Flash forward to 2026 and she was collaborating with WFNM at a recent Thursday night at Bar Lubitsch. The night was advertised as We Found New Music Presents Sackson and Friends. For me, there is a rather unique commonality between me and a couple of those on her list of friends. In 2023, I ran across both Sackson and two of her friends and all three made my list of favorite new finds of the year. Sackson made the list along with Maddi Fraser via her old band Fresh Hot Waffles (who performed after Sackson) and Gal Musette (aka Grace Freeman who was doing backup vocals during part of Sackson's set). What are the chances? I should add that I saw all three on different nights -- though Fraser was singing backup vocals when I first came across Sackson. 

Taylor Sackson at Bar Lubitsch

Song Spotlight: Maddi Fraser's Phone Calls (a night at Bar Lubitsch)

I ran across Maddi Fraser in 2023 via the band Fresh Hot Waffles. I loved the band's harmonies so much that I listed them as one of my favorite new finds of the year. The band appears to have ended their run in 2024 (or maybe just taking an extended break). Fraser continues to sing across Los Angeles and I got to catch her recent set at Bar Lubitsch, which was hosted by both WFNM and Taylor Sackson. Interestingly enough, I also crossed paths with Taylor Sackson for the first time in 2023 and she made my list of favorite new finds of the year -- saw both Fresh Hot Waffles and Taylor Sackson at a WFNM night. Fraser took part in Season 16 (2019) of The Voice. Sackson took part in Season 19 (2021) of American Idol.  

Maddi Fraser at Bar Lubitsch

Song Spotlight: Ali Angel's Disco (a night at Bar Lubitsch)

With the backing of a pedal steel guitar, Los Angeles-born Ali Angel's set at Bar Lubitsch took on a country tone. Her denim skirt and boots gave the impression that she would be totally at ease on a Texas cattle ranch helped set the mood. The set was part of a WFNM and Taylor Sackson collaboration on a recent Thursday night.

Ali Angel at Bar Lubitsch

Notes from Vivace Show Alerts (Los Angeles): Apr 26th - May 2nd

A Handful (Over-Load) of Show Alerts 

Sunday, Apr 26th: Annabelle Freedman at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Doors at 9 p.m.
Been following them since the days of MetronOhm (circa 2017).

Sunday, Apr 26th: Pop Hysteria at Oblivion. Doors at 7 p.m.

In 2024, I caught the band at Happy Sundays Long Beach. See a photo I took for US Rocker Music here.

Monday, Apr 27th: Maejoy at Hotel Cafe (main stage). Set time at 7 p.m.

You can read my Song Spotlight for her "Blueberry Lemonade" here. 

Tuesday, Apr 28th: Brenda Carsey at Hotel Cafe (second stage). Set time at 8 p.m.

In 2018, I covered her at Echo Park Rising for Buzzbands, you can see a photo of the set here.

Tuesday, Apr 28th: Dagger Polyester at Zebulon. Doors at 8 p.m.
In 2023, I covered the band for Buzzbands, which you can read here.

Wednesday, Apr 29th: Horse Rider at Oblivion. Doors at 7 p.m.

One of my favorite new finds of 2025. You can see that list here.

Wednesday, Apr 29th: Nightjacket at El Cid. Doors at 7 p.m.

You can read my Song Spotlight for the band's "My Only Heart" here.

Thursday, Apr 30th: Anna Thoresen at Bar Lubitsch. Doors at 7 p.m.

Read my Song Spotlight for her "Dear Soulmate" here.

Thursday, Apr 30th: Emily Rose & the Rounders at Zebulon. Doors at 8 p.m.

You can read my Song Spotlight for their "Too Much Too" here.

Thursday, Apr 30th: Mo Dotti at Oblivion. Doors at 7 p.m.

I recently wrote a review of a set, which you can read here.

Thursday, Apr 30th: Sierra Levesque at Harvelle's Santa Monica. Doors at 8 p.m.

You Can read my Song Spotlight for her "U Are My Drug" here.

Friday, May 1st: Andy Clockwise at Hotel Cafe (main stage). Set time at 10 p.m.

In 2021, I wrote a review of a set, which you can read here.

Friday, May 1st: Bruvvy at Gold-Diggers. Doors at 7 p.m.

In 2016, I wrote a review of a set, which you can read here. 

Friday, May 1st: Fiona Grey at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Doors at 6 p.m.

In 2018, I wrote a short review of a set, which you can read here. 

Saturday, May 2nd: Gottlieb at Oblivion. Doors at 7 p.m.

In 2025, I reviewed a set for US Rocker Music, which you can read about here.

Saturday, May 2nd: Scout Gillett at Non Plus Ultra. Doors at 7 p.m.

You can read my Song Spotlight for her "Too Fast To Last" here.

Song Spotlight: Eli Pafumi's If Miles Could Talk (a night at Bar Lubitsch)

WFNM and Taylor Sackson put on a joint showcase at Bar Lubitsch on a recent Thursday night. Up first for the night was crooner Eli Pafumi. The band gave a jazz-lite performance that stood out among the remaining performers that explored the Americana-folk-country genres. 

Eli Pafumi at Bar Lubitsch