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").
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| Mystic Knights at The Three Clubs |
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.
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| DanDan 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.
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| Andie Yagher at Hotel Ziggy |
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.
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| Allegra Ondine 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.
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| O.S. Coleman at Harvard & Stone |
Yagki (aka Sarah Yagki) took the stage during my first WFNM showcase of 2026 at Hotel Ziggy. The Lebanese heritage, Australian born, current Los Angeles resident (apparently ended 2025 moving to Los Angeles) had an infectious enthusiasm during her 35 minute set. She made sure people were aware that her accent was Australian and "not a bad British accent." Personally, I'd like to know why Vegemite is a thing.
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| Yagki at Hotel Ziggy |
Chase Burnett was the opening performer for Ryan Pollie's first 2026 showcase at The Fable. He's Texan born and currently living in Los Angeles. He wanted to spend a month in Oakland, but will have to stick it out in Los Angeles for awhile as someone stole his catalytic converter. Though I do believe his current home base is Los Angeles, it would seem he spends significant time away from the city, as his Instagram page indicated that he spent a month or more in Austin, Texas. Time to time, when doing these write-ups and the corresponding research, I do notice the travel that various musicians do in life (beyond just touring), and I do say it gives me that travel itch.
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| Chase Burnett at The Fable |
I believe I first caught a Sharon Silva set in 2022 when she opened up for Jenny O, which I covered at the time for Buzzbands. Prior to that; however, I was familiar with her via The Wild Reeds and that dates back to 2013. I always seem to catch her playing with some awesome singer-songwriters. In 2023, she was on the same bill with Adriana McCassim. In 2024, she played a night that included Johanna Samuels and Valley Queen. I didn't happen to catch a set in 2025, but the opportunity popped up in early 2026 to catch a set at The Fable for Ryan Pollie's biweekly showcase.
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| Sharon Silva at The Fable |
Prior to headliner Never Knows Best taking the stage at the Redwood Bar, Spiral Teeth (you can read my review of that set here) told the audience "Happy New Year's Eve Eve." It was nearly the last day of 2025 and I finally made it to the Redwood Bar for the first time that year. The Redwood Bar isn't part of my standard rotation of venues that I visit, but you'd think I would have hit up the venue more than once in 2025.
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| Never Knows Best at the Redwood Bar |
