Song Spotlight: Girlstupid's The Beans (a Megan Winsor night at Bar Lubitsch)

I first came across Megan Winsor in 2023 at a WFNM night so I was familiar with her sound when I recently showed up at Bar Lubitsch for a WFNM showcase. I was expecting to hear a singer-songwriter set. I was in for a surprise from the now Nashville based artist's set. There was a set within a set performance where she brought up her band mates from Girlstupid. The trio performed three songs. It was a pleasant surprise, because I was aware of the band and had wanted to catch a set back in 2025, but had a conflict. The trio is rounded out with Diana Thale (in 2025, I wrote a Song Spotlight article) and the artist that goes by Yugs. 

Girlstupid at Bar Lubitsch

Song Spotlight: Nymphlord's Paper or Plastic (a night at The Airliner Bar)

Nymphlord (moniker for Tia Rabinovitz) closed out a Make Out Music showcase at The Airliner Bar. Including Nymphlord, this night was a both a flash-back, anticipated, and unexpected night. I circled the date, because I'll show you magic was on the bill. I saw them earlier in the year and became an immediate fan. The flashback happened when I talked to Gigi after the set. You'll have to click on that link to read the story. The unexpected happened when Nymphlord hit the stage. This was my first time seeing the band and I didn't do any research on the band prior to heading out. I made an assumption based on the band's name on what I might expect to hear. I honestly was expecting a sound similar either Patriarchy or Lord Friday the 13th. I was in for a surprise as the sound was, using her own description,  "angsty, ethereal, dissonant and hopeful."  In some ways, it was a flash back moment, as well, as the music reminded me of Happy Hollows (circa 2009). 

Nymphlord at The Airliner Bar

Song Spotlight: Hardcastle's Mundane (a night at Bar Lubitsch)

My introduction to the alternative rock band Hardcastle was back in 2022 at a WFNM showcase. Time passed and I happened to notice that the band was playing Bar Lubitsch for another WFNM showcase. Somethings change and somethings do not change. Like what doesn't change is seeing the band at a WFNM showcase. While writing up this blog post, I decided to return to those 2022 days and checked out my photos of the Graham Laderman fronted band. I scrolled through my photos and then decided to go looking for my videos of the band. I didn't find a single video. Then it dawned on me that their set was prior to my decision to start taking videos of band performances. I did one additional check. I decided to see if I took a photo of their 2022 setlist. That, I did find. Here's a comparison of the two setlists:

Hardcastle at Bar Lubitsch

Song Spotlight: Gigi's PAC (a night at The Airliner Bar)

Blast from the past. My primary reason for heading out to the Make Out Music showcase at The Airliner Bar was to catch I'll show you magic, a band I recently wrote about in a Song Spotlight article. The first band up for the night was Gigi. The band has an eclectic sound that just might remind you of the beatnik music that accompanied Audrey Hepburn in Funny Face. 

Gigi at The Airliner Bar

Song Spotlight: Macy Todd's someone to you (a night at The Airliner Bar)

I do love Americana-country music, but I specifically went out to School Night (a collaboration between Make Out Music and KCRW at The Airliner Bar) to catch one of my favorite Los Angeles based rock bands, Bruvvy. I did a quick listen to the other two artists and noticed that they were both country singer-songwriters. I thought that was rather amusing and even mentioned it to Bruvvy's lead singer Liz Varum. One has to put trust into the brain trust behind School Night and their genre mixing, because Macy Todd is making my 2026 annual list of favorite new finds.

Macy Todd at The Airliner Bar

Notes from Vivace Show Alerts (Los Angeles): Jul 26th - Aug 1st

A Handful (Bucketful) of Show Alerts

Sunday, Jul 26th: Buckets and Janelane at Oblivion. Doors at 7 p.m.

I recently wrote a review of Bucket's album release party at Permanent Records Roadhouse.

I wrote a Song Spotlight for Janelane's song "Instincts" back in May.

Sunday, Jul 26th: The Doohickeys at The Echo. Doors at 5:30 p.m.
I wrote a Song Spotlight of their song "This Town Sucks" back in 2024.

Monday, Jul 27th: Maybellene Ryder and Scout Gillett at Oblivion. Doors at 7 p.m.

In 2024, I happened to catch Maybellene Ryder playing the violin for Oh, Rose.

I wrote a Song Spotlight for Scout Gillett's song "Too Fast To Last" back in February.

Wednesday, Jul 29th: AZRA at the Moroccan Lounge. Doors at 6:30 p.m.

I wrote a Song Spotlight for her song "if It wasn't for you" back in 2025.

Wednesday, Jul 29th: Joey Nebulous at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Doors at 6 p.m.
I wrote a Song Spotlight for their song "You're Straight" back in April.

Wednesday, Jul 29th: Mr. Dinkles at The Smell. Doors at 8 p.m.
I wrote a Song Spotlight for their song "Eat Chips and Talk Shit" back in May.

Wednesday, Jul 29th: Ned Casual at The Escondite. Doors at 8 p.m.
I wrote a Song Spotlight for his song "Gentrification Blues" back in 2025.

Thursday, Jul 30th: Me.Kai at The Hotel Cafe. Doors at 8 p.m.

I wrote a Song Spotlight for her song "Daylight" back in 2025.

Friday, Jul 31st: Dildox at The Roxy. Doors at 7 p.m.

In 2025, I covered the band at Happy Sundays Long Beach for US Rocker Music.

Friday, Jul 31st: Fartbarf at Alex's Bar. Doors at 8 p.m.

In 2013, I wrote a review of the band when they played El Cid.

Friday, Jul 31st: Peg Leg Love at The Redwood Bar. Doors at 8 p.m.

In 2019, I wrote a review of band for their set at Old Towne Pub.

Saturday, Aug 1st: Drauve at Oblivion. Doors at 7 p.m.

I wrote a Song Spotlight for the their song "Wool" back in June.

Saturday, Aug 1st: Geneva Jacuzzi at Zebulon. Doors at 7 p.m.
In 2025, the band played Substance Fest, which I covered for US Rocker Music.

Saturday, Aug 1st: Slowpoke at Old Town Pub. Doors at 8 p.m.

I wrote a Song Spotlight for their song "Tiki Dream" back in 2025.

Song Spotlight: American Sigh's No Resolution (a night at The Fable)

American Sigh (moniker for Theo Matz) recently closed out a night of music at The Fable (a Ryan Pollie and Make Out Music collaboration). The band's Spotify bio describes the music as such, "Their songs wrap meditations on a world in flux in a beguiling blend of up-tempo indie folk, second-wave emo guitar squall, and articulate, chiming melody."

American Sigh at The Fable

Song Spotlight: The ACA's Dos Capital (a night at Zebulon)

The ACA opened up the night at Zebulon. It was the final residency night for Primitive Ring (you can read a 2024 review I wrote of the band here) and The ACA was a heart pumping way to start off the night. By the end of the set, the crowd was chanting "ACA! ACA! ACA!" If you're wondering what exactly is the meaning behind their band name, the song title of the final song is "The Affordable Care Act."

The ACA at Zebulon

Song Spotlight: Jake Manzi's The Trouble (a night at The Airliner Bar)

Jake Manzi dropped by The Airliner Bar on a recent Rocknite showcase night. He's an Americana musician from Western Massachusetts who now lives in Los Angeles and he recently released a new album titled Getting Somewhere. His official record release party was scheduled for the following week at The Kibitz Room, but it did feel like this was a sneak preview set as he played the first six tracks from the album. I think one can also call a practice run on his part as he had a full backing band of 5 musicians that included keyboards, steel guitar, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, bass, and drums. 

Jake Manzi at The Airliner Bar

Song Spotlight: Gaptooth's Funhouse (a night at The Fable)

When I noticed that Gaptooth (moniker for Margaret Haesler) was playing a Ryan Pollie and Make Out Music collaboration night at The Fable, I was eager to catch the set. Though this was my first time seeing her, the moniker did ring a bell as she had shared a bill with Adriana McCassim earlier in the year and I had mentioned the night on my Show Alert post for that week.   

Gaptooth at The Fable

Song Spotlight: Zig Zags' Why I Carry A Knife (a night at Zebulon)

The self described heavy metal, punk rock band Zig Zags shook the foundations of the Zebulon throughout their 13 song set - that being from the stage to the floor to the back step benches. As the band said, "Not bad for a Tuesday night." It was a free night, but they didn't treat it as one. They obliterated the more than willing crowd with a 45 minute set.

Zig Zags at Zebulon

Review: Stars Align for Tender Misfit at Oblivion (with Jesse Detor)

Tender Misfit (the moniker for Ariel Beesley) recently concluded her first headliner tour that took her across California to celebrate the release of her Stargirl album. I got to catch her at the Los Angeles Oblivion stop. It was my first time catching a set since seeing her twice in 2024 -- a close to two year gap. During that time frame, she was busy writing up new songs. I did a setlist check and the only song that was similar between 2026 and the previous time I crossed paths with her was "Dirt."

Tender Misfit at Oblivion

Notes from Vivace Show Alerts (Los Angeles): Jul 19th - Jul 25th

A Handful (bucketful) of Show Alerts 

Sunday, Jul 19th: Julez and the Rollerz at The Fable. Doors at 7 p.m.

I wrote a Song Spotlight for their song "Call Me Up" back in 2025.

Sunday, Jul 19th: Mr. Dinkles at Alex's Bar. Doors at 8 p.m.
I wrote a Song Spotlight for their song "Eat Chips and Talk Shit" back in May.

Sunday, Jul 19th: The Mastersons at Gold-Diggers. Doors at 7 p.m.
In 2024, the band was part of a Roots Rock tribute night at Zebulon that I covered for US Rocker Music.

Sunday, Jul 19th: Colleen Green and DA Stern at Zebulon. Doors at 8 p.m.

In 2025, I wrote a review of Colleen Green's set at El Cid. 

I wrote a Song Spotlight for his song "I Never Said I Was The One" earlier this year.

Sunday, Jul 19th: Guantanamo Baywatch at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Two sets with doors at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.

In 2023, I covered the band for Buzzbands.

Monday, Jul 20th: Tashaki Miyaki at Oblivion. Doors at 7 p.m.

I wrote a Song Spotlight for their song "City" in 2025.

Tuesday, Jul 21st: Simi at Harvard & Stone. Doors at 8 p.m.

I wrote a Song Spotlight for her song "Stranger With My Secret" in 2025. 

Thursday, Jul 23rd: Alex Andre at The Woodbridge. Doors at 7:30 p.m.

In 2021, I covered the band for Buzzbands.

Thursday, Jul 23rd: Bruvvy at The Airliner. Doors at 7 p.m.

In 2025, I wrote a review of their set at  Good Times at Davey Wayne's.

Thursday, Jul 23rd: Ricky Berger at Scribbles. Doors at 7:30 p.m.

I wrote a Song Spotlight for her song "My Insides" earlier this year.

Thursday, Jul 23rd: The Paranoyds and Suzie True at Oblivion. Doors at 7 p.m.

In 2022, I covered The Paranoyds for Buzzbands. 

In 2024, I covered Suzie True for US Rocker Music.

Friday, July 24th: Ron Blakely at Hotel Ziggy. Doors at 7 p.m.

I wrote a Song Spotlight for their song "Tired" in 2025. 

Saturday, Jul 25th: Brookelen at The Woodbridge. Doors at 7:30 p.m.

I wrote a Song Spotlight for her song "moon" just last month.

Saturday, Jul 25th: Dutch East Indians at Alex's Bar. Doors at 2 p.m.

I wrote a Song Spotlight for the band's "All Time High" in 2025.

Saturday, Jul 25th: Mirrorball at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Doors at 6 p.m.

I wrote a Song Spotlight for their song "Red Hot Dust" earlier this year.

Saturday, Jul 25th: Sunder at Oblivion. Doors at 7 p.m.

In 2025, the band made my list of favorite new finds.