Kate Brady, honeychain and EZ Tiger at The Frog Spot

The Frog Spot opened up for the summer season. The Frog Spot, for those who don't know, is an open space that overlooks the Los Angeles River. In fact, if one wishes, s/he can walk down the steep concrete embankment and have a look at the river. The event was a mixture of the young and old of the LA music scene. Let's restate that: the young and middle aged. Kate Brady represented the young with her singer songwriter set. The middle aged: honeychain and EZ Tiger provided punk flavors to the outdoors. A nice outdoor venue where families came to hang out and enjoy a nice pre-summer, later afternoon.

Barrows with Psychic Jiu Jitsu and mothdrops at The Echo

Last Monday was a fun night at The Echo. Psychic Jiu Jitsu had the comment of the night when before their set they announced, "Just don't f*cking laugh at us." Their set was post punk mellow. Mothdrops had me thinking The Killers and then they ended their set with a song that started a small mosh pit. What did I notice? The lead singer loved that floor. He decided to take three brief naps on it. Ha ha. Also, couldn't help but notice the dicks drawn on their set lists. "Superbad", anyone? Barrows is the May residency band. They continued the post punk sounds. Got to say, loved the bug eyes the drummer gave during at least one moment of the set. See photo slide for evidence.

Omar Velasco and Jenny O at The Hi Hat

It was, as based on my research, my annual Jenny O set since 2011. She started out her set in what sort of looked like a bathrobe. Okay, maybe a long sleeve shawl. I just love her soft spoken singing style. Her vocals just floated out there and filled the room. What did I notice: her set list was written so beautifully. Towards the middle of her set, while she was tuning her guitar, she joked about how she joined an improvisation group to try and improve her ability to chat in between her songs. She quipped that it hadn't worked. Who cares, she had the audience under her spell.

Omar Velasco is doing the May residency at The Hi Hat. Last year, he did a residency at the Bootleg Theater. It was cool getting to catch him again. He brought a Spanish-influenced singer-songwriter set to the stage. What I noticed: he put a handful of tambourines at the front of the stage. Towards the middle of his set he invited people to pick one up. Of course, there was a condition, "As long as you have rhythm, you're welcome to pick one up."

Calvin Love with Alyeska, Fatal Jamz and Shannon Lay at the Bootleg Theater

It was off to the Bootleg Theater to catch their residency night featuring Calvin Love. Shannon Lay from Feels started the night off. It reminded me of my first night during my New Zealand vacation. I was walking around and came across this music venue where folks were in a circle, singing. Her set was such a unique difference from Feels.

Fatal Jamz reminded me of watching Rocky Horror Picture Show. Yes, a lounge singer singing while the "acting" is going on.

Calvin Love is the residency artist for May. I say it was like watching Chandler Bing (Friends) going crooner versus the humor guy among his friends.

Alyeska had the quote of the night, "Feel sympathy towards me. I've had hardly any sleep over the last two days." She's out their proving that Gen Z is ready to take their place in the Los Angeles music scene. Also, couldn't help but notice how excited she got when she saw someone in the audience wearing a Dinosaur Jr t-shirt.

Sister Mantos, Aye Nako and Potty Mouth at The Hi Hat

It was a variety of sounds at The Hi Hat a couple Mondays ago. Sister Mantos hit the stage with their Latin rock sounds. There was a cow bell and stylish dance twirls. There was also a song that the band plays at quinceaneras. What did I notice: I nearly got knocked over the head by falling cymbals. In fact, a fellow photographer had to save my skull. All good.

Aye Nako came in from Brooklyn, NY. They're good friends with Potty Mouth. This band trades off their lead vocals. Memories were shared between Aye Nako and Potty Mouth: one being where they were on the the bill together, but Potty Mouth had to leave before their set, because Abby had her high school classes the next day. What did I notice: they were all rocking the short shorts.

Potty Mouth is the reason why I showed up for this night. I'd seen them earlier in the year and was eager to catch them again. They gave us their rocking best.

Potty Mouth's comment of the set:

Ally: I almost twisted my ankle again. I'm getting old at 29.

Abby: You mean you were doing a cool dance move.

The Diamond Light with Well Hung Heart and Robbery Inc at The Satellite

The first residency night for The Diamond Light started off with a blast. Well Hung Heart just rocked it. And their fashion statement went like this: glamour vs. black dress vs. jeans. To end their set, they went with a rap sound with the lead singer jumping off the stage and showing some moves on the floor. The lead guitarist came on down and they ended their set with the lead singer jumping on his back.

Robbery Inc brought their rock sound up next with some smooth keys and bended knees.

The Diamond Light brought a country rock sound to the stage of The Satellite. The lead singer wore an outfit straight from a 1950s Western movie. The crowd loved it all.