Brokechella 2015: Adventures

Brokechella turned 5 this year. What could one expect? What else, but a great day of music and art. And I was there to cover it all. 

I got to Brokechella a touch later than I anticipated. For those who know me, I’m rather cheap when it comes to parking my vehicle. So I went looking for a free parking space. There was one section not that far from Brokechella that looked wide open, but then I noticed the street signs that said no parking between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. – except for Sunday. Now why one can’t park there on a Saturday between those hours is beyond me, but whatever. I took a quick turn and found what I thought was the perfect spot. But when I got out of my car, I noticed that there were scattered patches of yellow paint on the curb.  Hmm, what are the rules with a yellow curb? In the back of my mind, I remembered parking at a white curb, which was in similar condition a few years back. I got a ticket that day. I decided I wasn't going to take a chance and that led for a hunt for parking that took forever – and eventually after driving in circles I found a parking spot about 50 meters from those two original spots. 

Note: Via my reading, yellow curb rules do apply on a Saturday (day of Brokechella), but not on a Sunday. 

I ended up missing one band I wanted to catch due to my obsession.

cARTel Outdoor Stage 

Jr.

Comment of the set: That was f*cking loud . . . start it and let’s see if it works.

Lyrics of the set: What do you expect from me? It doesn’t matter now.   

Jr. was a great way to start things off. Their Facebook page mentions aerobie rings and commercials as influences. So I guess that really means exercise and television?

Brownies & Lemonade Stage

Malcs

Comment of the set: You came here for new music. So I’m here.

Lyrics of the set: All damn day with the money.

As he rapped his way through his brief set, I became fascinated with his attire. He wore a cap with Japanese script and what I believe was the image of Mount Fuji. He also wore Stussy attire. What’s Stussy? I decided to look it up. It is a retail store. Personally, I couldn't help but think of a local band I follow called Pu$$y Cow.

 Award: Best effort to get the crowd involved.

cARTel Outdoor Stage

Death Lens

Lyrics of the set 1: I know it is not right.

Lyrics of the set 2: I am all alone in this world.

This band reminded me of two things. The Blue Star venue which is now shut down as a venue – it might still be open as a diner. Like the location of Brokechella, the Blue Star is in a hidden part of Los Angeles (though admittedly the Brokechella location is becoming less hidden every passing day. I also got the feeling that Death Lens is the male psychedelic version of Feels (previously known as Raw Geronimo).

During the set, I notice two volunteers doing a 50 meter (maybe 100 meter) dash outside the gates of the venue.  I wonder who won?

Smoke Season

Lyrics of the set: You got bees on your tongue.

I interviewed Gabrielle Wortman at Brokechella’s media day. So I was eager to catch their set. I’m happy I did. Their infusion of electro soul really got me in the photography mood.

I saw a Brokechella interview with Gabrielle where the comedian asked her about her jewelry. Well, I started to become fascinated with her tattoos and had this desire to ask her what they meant to her.

The first breeze of the afternoon hit during their set. It helped bring down the temperatures to a reasonable level. What was also cool was that it was that perfect time of day to do band photography, a couple hours before sunset.

Brownies & Lemonade Stage

Skye Townsend

Lyrics of the set: Did you play me?

Comment of the set: I’m sorry this started late. I was really nervous.

She didn't seem nervous. She had total command of the stage. She even had the awareness to tell her drummer (based on what Skye said, she’d only practiced with her bandmates once), “keep it soft there.” 

Award: Biggest surprise of the festival. Anita Baker II.

Mariami

Lyrics of the set: Open up the gates and let me in your life . . . open up the gates and let the angels sing.

Comment of the set: I’m from the Republic of Georgia.  It is a very small country in Eastern Europe.

She is the siren from the Republic of Georgia though she resides in New York City.

cARTel Indoor Stage

MRK

Lyrics of the set: Burn the money.

Comment of the set: Happy new moon. Happy Brokechella.

Like Smoke Season, I also interviewed MRK. After our interview as well as watching one of her videos, I was expecting something unique for Brokechella. And did she ever deliver it. She was dressed in red and carried a rod. Out of the end of the rod was a flower. Her duality of life. And with the flower coming out of the rod, I couldn’t help but think of the Biblical Aaron’s rod.

Shifty Rhythms Stage

Grimecraft

His bandcamp page states, “A humanoid Robot from a world beyond your monitor.”

He’s from San Francisco. It makes perfect sense.

My thoughts while hanging out in the Shifty Rhythms Stage: how long can folks bounce like they are in front of the stage before they become dehydrated? Okay, I had just gotten myself a bottle of water and drank nearly all of it in one gulp in an attempt to rehydrate myself. It didn’t really work.

cARTel Outdoor Stage

Babes

Lyrics of the set: Isn't it love.

Sarah Rayne, singer/keyboardist, for one of their songs screamed out, “Break down the gates.” She wasn't kidding. Midway through the song, she jumped off the stage and attempted to break down the metal barrier surrounding the stage.

The band had blow-up lollipops in various “flavors”: cherry, grape and strawberry. They tossed it out to the audience. I picked up one and tossed it into the audience and nearly ended up throwing one right into the face of a young woman. Luckily, she ducked.

Award: Best blow-up lollipop energy.

cARTel Indoor Stage

The Nieghbors

Lyrics of the set: Flow black river flow, think I found my home away from home.

I went to their Facebook page while writing this up to catch their music one more time. Hmm. Their music on Facebook page is so relaxing. This is the exact opposite of what I remember from the set. What I remember from the band was a big band jazz atmosphere. Everyone got their chance to solo.  Everyone in the audience gave each band member their due cheers. The Indoor Stage was packed and folks loved it.

I noticed a guy with a Babes blow-up lollipop. He put his jacket around it to make it look like a cherry skeleton. His girlfriend laughed, took ahold of the skeleton and started to dance with it.  Ha ha.

Anabot

Lyrics of the set: You will always wonder . . . so bit your tongue, this is what you prayer for.

Earlier in the day, I noticed a young woman walking around covered in metallic paint.  I couldn't help but think, “Wizard of Oz and is that good for you skin?” Well, wouldn't you know it, that person was Anabot. 

cARTel Outdoor Stage

Figs Vision

First thought: do you want to bounce to some music?

Comment of the set: If you like what you hear, take a CD and pass it back.

Lyrics of the set: It is time to say goodbye.

I want to know what is in the percussionist’s backpack. I also want to know if they like figs.

cARTel Indoor Stage

Hi Ho Silver Oh

Lyrics: my soul sleeps, my heart’s tired.

Their music is lyrical and soul searching with the occasional dissonance.


Around this time, the Brokechella staff was relaxing and no doubt dwelling on their accomplishment. A handful of them were hanging out on the couches in front of the stage.  

cARTel Outdoor Stage

OYLS

Comment of the set: My parents are here tonight. I need you to prove that I made the right decision to pursue music.

Lyrics of the set: Where do we go from here?

With midnight fast approaching, the weather was a touch chilly, but their fans pressed against the metal barrier. A projector projected OYLS against one of the Los Angeles River – as amazing as it sounds, we do have a river -- bridges.

They were having a bit of a problem getting things set up and so their set got cut short.  I think they only got through 4 songs. The police helicopter coming around shortly after midnight was the clue that it was time to wrap up the night.

Brokechella 2015 was a rocking success though I do miss photographing the bikers/skaters from last year. Can you bring them back for 2016!!!
Photo Gallery by QuickGallery.com