Song Spotlight: Noël Tsoukalas' Pull the Plug (a night at Hotel Ziggy)

Noël Tsoukalas no doubt wishes she had advanced further in American Idol's Season 21 (2023), but her time there left a positive lasting impression none the less. As her WFNM showcase set came to a conclusion at Hotel Ziggy, she told the audience her fond memory when she sang her song "The Girl In Your Story" during the competition, "I was scared out of my pants. Literally about to pee myself. Shaking, having to play piano. I thought I was done for . . . I remember looking Lionel Richie in the eyes. And you know what he told me? 'Girl, you got to keep writing music to the day you die.'" She took that to heart. In 2025, she graduated with a music degree from  Point Loma Nazarene University and released her debut album I Still Hear You. 

Noël Tsoukalas at Hotel Ziggy

Song Spotlight: Olivia Soli's thanks to you (a night at Hotel Ziggy)

It was an American Idol night at the WFNM showcase at Hotel Ziggy. The night included Lola Bonfiglio (Season 23 -- 2025) and Noël Tsoukalas (Season 21 - 2023). A third former contestant of the music competition was Olivia Soli who was also in Season 21 and made it to the Top 20 -- and is the focus of this particular blog post.

Olivia Soli at Hotel Ziggy

Review: Lola Bonfiglio Pays Homage to Family Legacy at Hotel Ziggy

Sometimes you head out and the unexpected occurs. There was that time back in 2022 when I went out to cover Night Talks at The Troubadour. Cherie Currie of the Runaways showed up to sing "Cherry Bomb." Currie's cameo appearance was due to the fact that her son Jake Hays was opening up the night. You can read my Buzzbands article here.  

Lola Bonfiglio at Hotel Ziggy

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