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

Song Spotlight: Joey Nebulous' You're Straight (a night at The Fable)

Joey Nebulous (fronted by Joseph Farago) took to the Ryan Pollie showcase stage at The Fable and there was something vaguely familiar about the night. It was like Rocknite had transported itself to The Fable (the band had played that showcase on Mar 11th). In the audience were baby fischgrund (you can read a Rocknite write-up here) and Marcus Buser (you can read another Rocknite write-up here). Even Ryan Pollie (once again you can read another Rocknite write-up here about his side project Lower Merion) is an alum of Rocknite. Others from the Los Angeles music scene were also represent via Sharon Silva and Shannon Lay. I'm sure there were additional artists I've seen that were also hanging out to catch Joey Nebulous -- I apologize for not mentioning you all in this above list.  

Joey Nebulous at The Fable

Song Spotlight: Ricky Berger's My Insides (a night at The Fable)

It was Ryan Pollie showcase night at The Fable. A very unique set was performed by Ricky Berger. As the set progressed, some in the bar started to edge closer to the stage area (I would exactly call it a stage stage) with a look of fascination. How could they not find the set fascinating. She started off the set playing the flute. Then it was on to the guitar. The keyboard was next - she played the keyboards with such classical skill that she later got a call out by the final performer of the night. What other instrument could she possible use during the performance? She added a xylophone for a song. She performed the final song of the night, "I Want a Cowboy," with a guitar capo. During the song, she shifted the capo down a notch. After she accomplished this task flawlessly, the crowd erupted with cheers. 

Ricky Berger at The Fable

Song Spotlight: Telescreens' Baby I Know You Well (a night at the Regent Theater)

Telescreens's PR firm reached out to US Rocker Music about covering the band at the Regent Theater. I had never heard of the band before. I did notice that they were opening for Quarters. Since the days when there were residencies in Los Angeles, I've always had a soft spot for catching the opening band. I decided to say yes without thinking about it (other than making sure I had no work issues interfering with making it to the venue). You can read my US Rocker Music review of the night here.  

Telescreens at the Regent Theater

Song Spotlight: talker's Gold Rush (a night at the Moroccan Lounge)

I first came across talker (moniker for Celeste Tauchar) in 2018 at a WFNM night. Zealyn (my favorite American Idol) was the reason I went to this particular night at Madame Siam, but I came away with another artist that I've continued to follow through the years. I loved her so much that I put her on my favorite new bands /artist list of 2019. You can see that list here. That's not I typo. Yes, I first saw talker in 2018, but I put her on my 2019 list. I admitted to making a big error when I wrote, "First, what was I thinking in 2018? I left talker off my 2018 list. How dumb. She rocks from the first song to the final song." I've got to say, looking through that 2019 list, I'm rather impressed with my selections. Yes, patting myself on the back. 

talker at The Moroccan Lounge