Song Spotlight: Fashion Club's Confusion (a night at The Roxy)

I was covering Jay Som at The Roxy for US Rocker Music and before heading out I decided to do some research on the opening band, Los Angeles based Fashion Club (the moniker for Pascal Stevenson). I started off at the Instagram page and was like, "No, I don't think I've ever heard anything about this band." Then I did a Google search and up popped a Flood Magazine article. I clicked on the link and scanned through the write-up and the band name Moaning caught my attention. Then it all came together. I've been following Stevenson since 2010 when I saw a band called Moses Campbell playing a long gone music festival called Silver Lake Jubilee. 

Fashion Club at The Roxy

Song Spotlight: Syd Taylor's Heaven (a night at Zebulon)

Syd Taylor was the headline singer at the final 2025 School Night X KCRW at Zebulon. This was the fourth edition of School Night's return to the Los Angeles music scene after ending their multi-year run last year at Bardot. I won't lie and say that School Night was on my regular rotation, but I did attempt to make it to Bardot every so often. In fact, I wrote a couple articles for US Rocker Music about my adventures at School Night. In 2022, I wrote up an article featuring talker (you can read that article here) and another featuring King Mala (you can read that article here). 

Syd Taylor at Zebulon

Song Spotlight: Leyla Ebrahimi's i'm too pretty for this (a night at Zebulon)

Coming in from New York, Persian-American Leyla Ebrahimi took to the Zebulon stage for the final School Night X KCRW night of 2025. She took to the stage in baggy pants, hoodie, and cap . . . and an infectious level of enthusiasm. She and her band opened up the set with a Led Zeppelin-ish opening for "planet you forgot me." She gave the audience a look and a smile and they responded with cheers. She then roamed the stage, pogo dancing while singing the dream pop tune. The song has these memorable lines of shared misery, "Now I'm an 18th century graveyard you're a fucking mess like me." 

Leyla Ebrahimi at Zebulon

Song Spotlight: Lily Waters' Big Star (a night at Harvard & Stone)

I first came across Lily Waters in 2017 and put the band on my list of favorite new bands for the year. I went back to look at that list of bands. I've got to say that was one awesome year of coming across new bands. Who were some other names on that favorite's list?

Lily Waters at Harvard & Stone

Song Spotlight: Murdo Mitchell's One Glass (a night at The Goldfish)

Glasgow-based singer Murdo Mitchell dropped on by The Goldfish for a Rocknite LA showcase. It was one memorable showcase by this singer-songwriter with a Scottish accent. At the beginning of the set, when the crowd was standing back some ten feet from the stage, he looked out into the crowd and motioned with his hands that he wanted everyone to come forward, "Any chance I can ask a couple of favors? Can you take a couple steps towards me? F*ck, if you don't understand English, just follow the universal hand signal." 

Murdo Mitchell at The Goldfish

Notes from Vivace Show Alerts (Los Angeles): Dec 21st - Dec 27th

A Single Show Alert 

Sunday, Dec 21st: Mike Watt & The Secondmen at Alex's Bar. Doors at 2 p.m.
In 2024, I covered his Happy Sundays Long Beach set for US Rocker Music, which you can read here.

Photo Review: TR/ST at Substance Fest (held at The Belasco)

TR/ST  (the moniker for Robert Alfons) was the closing band for both nights at this year's two day Substance Fest held at The Belasco. You can read my review of the festival at US Rocker Music (click here). This was my first time attending Substance Fest. To be honest, a main reason why I wanted to attend the festival was due to the fact that Silent Mass was playing the festival. Also, the fact that Pink Stiletto was playing, helped as well. If you follow my blog site, you know I have a soft spot for DIY local bands. (Though both Silent Mass and Pink Stiletto live outside of Los Angeles, both used to live in the city.) Of course, one could argue that all the bands at this festival were DIY bands. Let's just say I like catching bands that play the smaller stages. Substance Fest had three stages: the main stage and the two other stages being in the balcony and basement. I've been to The Belasco a handful of times and didn't even know they had a basement area (other than knowing that they had bathrooms down there). Also, to be honest, I actually didn't know there was a balcony area. I did some fun exploring of the venue during the festival. One of these days, I would mind having an all access pass and seeing what the back stage looks like.

Song Spotlight: Passion Mango's Boy (a night at Zebulon)

Passion Mango (the stage name for Connor Wilkinson) was the opening band for Hotel Mira's headlining show at Zebulon. Both are Canadian bands (though Hotel Mira's Charlie Kerr currently resides in Los Angeles). It was a time for the Los Angeles music scene to go out and support their northern neighbors. If interested, I wrote a review of the night over at US Rocker Music, which you can read here.  

Passion Mango at Zebulon

Song Spotlight: Nat Lefkoff's Broken Down House (a night at Zebulon)

Nat Lefkoff took the middle spot on a three band line up at Zebulon. The headliner was Hotel Mira (you can read my US Rocker Music write-up here). What I found interesting about the night was the fact that each band had a distinct fan base. The opener Passion Mango had their fans who rushed to the front of the stage as soon as the doors opened. Once their set ended, a few spots at the front of the stage opened up and Lefkoff's fans pushed forward to take those spots. 

Nat Lefkoff at Zebulon

Photo Reviews: Felly (a night at The Echo)

I recently had the pleasure to shoot Felly (the moniker for Christian Robert Felner) at The Echo. You can read my US Rocker Music review here. I have to admit that I had never heard of Felly before this night, but I'm now a fan. While hanging out waiting for his set to begin, someone approached me and asked me about my photography / reviews. He so happened to mention that he was going to school at USC. I did not know this Felly connection until doing my post-concert write-up research -- Felly graduated from USC in 2017. After learning that fact, I do wonder how many in the audience were USC students / graduates. 

Song Spotlight: Silent Mass' A Cold War City (a night at Substance Fest)

I've followed Ammo Bankoff since 2011 when I caught a band called Black Flamingo at a DIY music festival called Silver Lake Jubilee. The band also featured Kimi Recor. I had seen Recor the previous year at Silver Lake Jubilee in a band called Lilofee. Those encounters at the music festival started off my loyalty to these two musicians. Kimi Recor, perhaps, had the greater propensity to explore new music creations. Her best known bands after Black Flamingo were Draemings and Kevin, but there were others. The band Kevin was a duo with Quincy Larsen who I knew via a band called Cat Scan and now Dove Armitage. Bankoff went from Black Flamingo to fronting Brass Box. She then started up her currently band Silent Mass (originally named AMMO). Unfortunately, for the Los Angeles music scene, Recor has returned to her home country of Germany. Meanwhile, Bankoff has moved to Brooklyn. I do love recounting the Los Angeles music history. 

Silent Mass at Substance Fest (held at The Belasco)

Song Spotlight: mop's Save Yourself (a night at The Goldfish)

If I didn't work full time and could just have the time of my life out in the Los Angeles music scene, I would head out to the Rocknite LA showcase at The Goldfish far more often than I do. In early November, I took a look at their Instagram page to see who was playing that particular Wednesday night. I didn't initially recognize anyone on the bill, which isn't unusual as they have a way of uncovering bands and singers. I clicked on through each of the three bands / artist. The first Instagram link I selected was the band mop. To my surprise, it was a new band fronted by Laura Jean Anderson. I did not realize it, but at some point in the last couple years, she moved to New York. I was definitely heading out to The Goldfish -- and so did a lot of other familiar faces from the Los Angeles music scene. 

mop at The Goldfish

Notes from Vivace Show Alerts (Los Angeles): Dec 14th - Dec 20th

A Handful (Bucket Full) of Show Alerts

Sunday, Dec 14th: The Mastersons at Gold-Diggers. Doors at 7 p.m.
In 2024, the band was part of a Roots Rock tribute night at Zebulon that I covered for US Rocker Music. You can read my review here.

Sunday, Dec 14th: Powder Pink & Sweet at The Redwood Bar. Doors at 8 p.m.
In 2023, I covered the band's set for US Rocker Music, which you can read here. 

Tuesday, Dec 16th: Mara Connor at Hotel Ziggy. Doors at 7 p.m.

Read my song spotlight for "Someone New" here. 

Wednesday, Dec 17th: Cody's Program at The Goldfish. Doors at 8 p.m.

Read my recent review of his set at The Goldfish here. 

Thursday, Dec 18th: Ava Maybee at The Roxy. Doors at 7 p.m.

In 2024, I covered her for US Rocker Music, which you can read here.

Thursday, Dec 18th: Tropa Magica at Alex's Bar. Doors at 8 p.m.

In 2022, I covered the band for Buzzbands, which you can read here.

Friday, December 19th: Faetooth and Iress at the Lodge Room. Doors at 7 p.m.

Faetooth was one of my favorite new bands in 2022. 

Read my song spotlight for Iress' "Shamed" here.

Friday, December 19th: UGHH at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Doors at 9 p.m.

You can read my recent UGHH review at Happy Sundays Fest here. 

Saturday, Dec 20th: Duderella at Alex's Bar. Doors at 8 p.m.

In 2019, I provided some notes about the band for Buzzbands' Echo Park Rising coverage, which you can read here. 

Saturday, Dec 20th: Holiday Cabaret (fundraiser) at Zebulon. Doors at 7 p.m.
Features various artists, but highlighting Georgia Maq (you can read my song spotlight for "You'll Be Singing My Name" here) and TwoLips (you can read my song spotlight for "MFKN Free" here) that I've featured on my blog.

Song Spotlight: Kwasi Stampley's I FK With You (a night at Hotel Ziggy) - wait for Nikki Hahn post

Singer and model Kwasi Stampley had the irresistible energy going at WFNM's showcase at Hotel Ziggy. It started from the very beginning of the set when his rock, rap, R&B fusion opening song had him switching between two guitars and hair whipping. 

Kwasi Stampley at Hotel Ziggy

Song Spotlight: Hana Giraldo's Play My Sh*t (ALEXA) (a night at Hotel Ziggy)

Before playing her set, Hana Giraldo took a seat on the couches at WFNM's showcase at Hotel Ziggy. She got to catch a few songs from Tanja (read a prior review here). Tanja did a few dance moves in the direction of Giraldo who was grooving to the dreamy pop tunes. The two appeared to have made a friendship connection with each other prior to their sets.

Hana Giraldo at Hotel Ziggy

Song Spotlight: Katie Ward's Make It Up To You (a night at Hotel Ziggy)

In a pre-Halloween set, Katie Ward brought her jazz composition and vocals to WFNM's showcase at Hotel Ziggy. This was my second time checking out one of her sets. The previous time was at Bar Lubitsch in August. Based on her Instagram account, it would seem she first made her mark in the San Diego jazz scene and has since shifted her attention to playing around Los Angeles at venues such as Gold-Diggers, Hotel Cafe, and the aforementioned venues. 

Katie Ward at Hotel Ziggy

Song Spotlight: Cissi TV's I Guess I Made It (a night at Zebulon)

Cissi TV (the moniker for multidisciplinary artist Cissi Efraimsson) used the day before Halloween to celebrate her debut EP release Mixed Signals. Zebulon was packed to support her accomplishment. Backing her up was an all-star of DIY Los Angeles musicians or as bassist Kelsey Hart (The Little Ghost of Death Valley Girls) put out, "Girl Power!" In additional to Hart, there was guitarist Staz Lindes of The Paranoyds and keyboardist Izzy Glaudini of Automatic rounded out the Efrainmsson's backing band. 

Cissi TV at Zebulon

Song Spotlight: Nikki Hahn's another 13 (a night at Hotel Ziggy)

Actress and singer Nikki Hahn opened up a pre-Halloween night at WFNM's showcase at Hotel Ziggy. The set highlighted her love of scary movies and characters. Her costume for the night was of vampire attire, which included a pearl white necklace. The bottom part of the necklace was drenched in fake blood with red beads running down her chest. Her electric guitarists (who I do believe is her father) was dressed as a lord vampire. Her other band mates were not as into the holiday spirit, but did sport some fake blood on their faces. 

Nikki Hahn at Hotel Ziggy

Song Spotlight: Devon Thompson's Wishing (a night at El Cid)

I first came across the back to basics rocker Devon Thompson at The Smell in late 2023. In 2024, she played a trio of sets at WFNM that I caught, the last one being an acoustic set. A bit too much time had passed since I last crossed paths with the self described "Angel from the Valley." When I noticed that she was playing El Cid, I circled the date. 

Devon Thompson at El Cid

Notes from Vivace Show Alerts (Los Angeles): Dec 7th - Dec 13th

A Handful (Bucket Full) of Show Alerts

Sunday, Dec 7th: Bruvvy at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Doors at 6 p.m.

I recently wrote a review of their set at Davey Wayne, which you can read here. 

Monday, Dec 8th: Dave Harrington at Zebulon. Doors at 7 p.m.
I recently wrote up a review of his set at Zebulon, which you can read here.

Tuesday, Dec 9th: Alex E.T. at Scribble. Doors at 7 p.m.

Read my song spotlight for "Calico II" here. 

Wednesday, Dec 10th: Adriana McCassim at Gold-Diggers. Doors at 7 p.m.

I listed her as one of my favorite new artists of 2023.

Wednesday, Dec 10th: Lower Merion at The Goldfish. Doors at 8 p.m.

Read my song spotlight for "Wolf Shirt (How I Picture Dallas)" here.

Wednesday, Dec 10th: Night Talks at the Fonda Theatre. Doors at 7 p.m.

Read my song spotlight for "Running on a Cloud" here. 

Wednesday, Dec 10th: Rachel Goodrich at Healing Force Records. Doors at 8 p.m.

You can read my song spotlight for "Why Do We Fall in Love?" here. 

Thursday, Dec 11th: Buckets at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Doors at 9 p.m.

Read my song spotlight for "Judy" here.

Thursday, Dec 11th: Meels at the Fonda Theatre. Doors at 7:30 p.m.

Read my song spotlight for "Falcon and the Loon" here. 

Thursday, Dec 11th: Jett Kwong at Zebulon. Doors at 8 p.m.

In 2022, I wrote up a review of her set for US Rocker Music, which you can read here.

Thursday, Dec 11th: Pu$$y-Cow at The Kibitz Room. Doors at 10 p.m.

You can read my song spotlight of Pu$$y-Cow's "Taco-Chariot" here.

Friday, Dec 12th: Harry Katz and the Pistachios at the Bigfoot Lodge. Doors at 8 p.m.

I recently wrote up a review of their Permanent Records Roadhouse set, which you can read here. 

Friday, Dec 12th: Julez and the Rollerz at Alex's Bar. Doors at 8 p.m.

Read my song spotlight for "Call Me Up" here.

Friday, Dec 12th: Pearl Charles at Zebulon. Doors at 7 p.m.

Read my song spotlight for "Step Too Far" here. 

Saturday, Dec 13th: Crisis Actor at The Redwood Bar. Set time at 10:20 p.m.

I recently wrote up a review of their Old Towne Pub set, which you can read here. 

Saturday, Dec 13th: Punk Crush and Teens in Trouble at Oblivion. Doors at 7 p.m.

Lead singer of Punk Crush is also in Suzie True. In 2024, I covered the Suzie True for US Rocker Music, which you can read here. 

In 2024, I covered the band for US Rocker Music when they played the No Earbuds Fest, which you can read which you can read here.

Song Spotlight: Meernaa's Framed In A Different State (a night at Zebulon)

Meernaa (the moniker for Carly Bond) opened up the night for Shannon Lay's final October residency night at Zebulon. Outside on the patio, the venue was prepped for Halloween. A giant skeleton loomed high above the crowd. This was a subject of conversation when someone in the audience asked a question about what Bond sees when she looks into someone's eyes, "And you'll see it too, flames. You go see that skeleton outside. Bag of bones. And there's flames." 

Meernaa at Zebulon

Review: a campy Christmas Eve story as told by girlish figure's Please Her For Pleasure

On occasion, I get pinged by bands that are new to me, giving me a heads up about an upcoming gig. This happened recently when girlish figure (moniker for Analise Nelson) sent me an Instagram IM mentioning that they were having a video release party for "Please Her For Pleasure" at The Goldfish. I was given a synopsis of the music video, "a heavily 80s inspired pop jam with a video that will tell a dark, but campy story about queer love and transformation. We follow a Nun (girlish figure) whose Christmas Eve mass gets turned upside down when a mysterious woman (Catherine McCafferty) inspires them to leave the church and the habit behind. They’re sneered at by the sexually repressed priest (Sam Pancake) and chased down by Animal Control, but what their attackers don’t know is that the gay club they’ve fled to is frequented by gay werewolves...and tonight is a full moon."

girlish figure at The Goldfish

Song Spotlight: Talk2Strangers' Fawn (a night at The Goldfish)

When online sets were the rage in 2020, I caught Talk2Strangers via Los Angeleno (from what I can tell, the website still posts articles on an intermittent basis). It was an artsy set in the vain of other Los Angeles notables like Bloody Death Skull and Jess Joy (since moved back to her home state of Louisiana). You can see that performance here. 

Talk2Strangers at The Goldfish

Song Spotlight: American Mile's Photograph Of You (a night at Hotel Ziggy)

I got introduced to American Mile by Sideways Media (Nicole Poulos) back in May. I've worked with Poulos for nearly a decade (give or take a year or two either way). She was asking if I could make their American Dream album release party in June, but that just wasn't going to work out for me (real life work issues). I did suggest doing a Q&A with the band for US Rocker Music. 

American Mile at Hotel Ziggy

Below is a response to one of the questions:

Question: Your sophomore album American Dream, just came out. How would you like the album to impact those who listen to it?

Answer" I would like the album to inspire people, make people groove and dance, give people hope and faith in life. I want the album to let people know, to never give up, to keep going. I also hope it inspires people to write more songs and pick up more instruments too.

American Mile at Hotel Ziggy

You can read the full Q&A here. 

Fast forward to August and Echo Park Rising. I noticed that they were playing with  The Doohickeys at The Den Studios. The venue was way too off the beaten path for me so I once against had to skip out on their live show. 

During my research of the band in June, I did learn that they play 200 shows a year so another opportunity was sure to pop up. Jumping a couple months to October, and I noticed that they were playing the WFNM showcase at Hotel Ziggy. I could make that one. The date was circled. 

American Mile at Hotel Ziggy

Was it worth the wait? Actually, I wish I had come across them far sooner in life. Their set was a blast. When people were hanging out in the hotel lobby to start off the set, guitarist Joe Perez left the stage and corralled people into the venue area. And if people weren't immediately convinced to leave the lobby area, they soon were via their Southern rock tunes. People were immediately inspired to dance. The band kept it entertaining and high energy throughout. A couple times lead singer Eugene Rice used a talk box, which gave their music a modulated sound.

Their final song of the night "Shake That Thing" is by far their most popular Spotify song. Drummer Colton Miller went Whiplash on the song. At one point, Perez, Rice, and bassist Dezmond Saunders all went out into the crowd. Perez stepped up on a round table. Saunders swung his bass in all directions. Rice slide-danced his way across the floor. "Stay Young," was the band's farewell advice to the audience. The response from one individual was, "That was insane."

American Mile at Hotel Ziggy

The song spotlight goes to "Photograph Of You." It comes off their American Dream album. It is a song about a couple breaking up and later realizing that they truly are in love with each other. 

Last twenty in the tank

Truck is set to cruise

I drive along with a photograph of you

Song Spotlight: TELAH!'s Winner (a night at The Goldfish)

I first came across Telah! when they played Echo Park Rising's Sunday after party (that's what I called it) at Sticky Rice in 2024. I don't believe I was there for all the bands that performed that Sunday, but they were the first band playing when I arrived. Their world music tunes stuck with me. This past October 2025, I got to catch up with them once again at The Goldfish (the sister location for Sticky Rice). Based on scanning their Instagram, I believe this was also their first set since Echo Park Rising. Though this was only the second time I've ever seen a set, this band has always remained top of mind. This is, admittedly, partially driven by the fact that I cross paths with their leader Dani who works at The Goldfish and also worked Echo Park Rising 2025 at the Sticky Rice stage. 

TELAH! at The Goldfish

Song Spotlight: Maryjo's Don't Call Me (a night at Hotel Ziggy)

Maryjo brought her stunning vocals back to the WFNM showcase at Hotel Ziggy -- she said that this October set was her 6th time at the venue. She mentioned to the audience before her performance that she was going to be singing her saddest songs. There was more than just singing. There was much laugher, because there were some off the cuff sexual entendre one liners (as well as some more direct ones) -- she did threaten to hunt down people if they posted the comments online, but I'll take the chance as they were amusing. 

Maryjo at Hotel Ziggy

Notes from Vivace Show Alerts (Los Angeles): Nov 30th - Dec 6th

A Handful of Show Alerts 

Sunday, Nov 30th: Soft Palms and UGHH at The Lyric Hyperion. Doors at 8 p.m.

You can read my Soft Palms song spotlight for "Rainbows" here.

You can read my UGHH review at Happy Sundays Fest here. 

Sunday, Nov 30th: The What Four at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Doors at 6 p.m.

I recently wrote a review of their set at Frogtown Brewery, which you can read here.

Monday, Dec 1st: Brenda Carsey at Hotel Cafe. Doors at 8 p.m.

In 2018, I covered her at Echo Park Rising for Buzzbands, you can see a photo of the set here.

Wednesday, Dec 3rd: Alice Sandahl at Gold-Diggers. Doors at 7 p.m.

You can read my song spotlight for "Walk It Off" here. 

Wednesday, Dec 3rd: Baba Jenkins at Hotel Ziggy. Doors at 7 p.m.
You can read my song spotlight for "Wild" here.

Wednesday, Dec 3rd: Devon Thompson at El Cid. Doors at 7 p.m.

Got introduced to Devon Thompson via The Smell.

Wednesday, Dec 3rd: Rachel Goodrich at Healing Force Records. Doors at 8 p.m.

You can read my song spotlight for "Why Do We Fall in Love?" here. 

Thursday, Dec 4th: Pegzilla at The Goldfish. Doors at 8 p.m.

You can read my song spotlight for "Giver" here.

Friday, Dec 5th: Cosmic Kitten and Mike Watt at the Redwood Bar. Doors at 8 p.m.

You can read my Cosmic Kitten spotlight for "Hole in my Soul"  here. 

In 2024, I covered Mike Watt for US Rocker Music when he played Happy Sundays Long Beach, which you can read here. 

Saturday, Dec 6th: Crisis Actor and Jagged Baptist Club at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Doors at 9 p.m.

I recently wrote a Crisis Actor review of their Old Towne Pub set, which you can read here. 

You can read my Jagged Baptist Club song spotlight for "Temptation Death House" here. 

Photo Reviews: The Dandy Warhols (a night at The Bellwether)

A few weeks back, I got to shoot The Dandy Warhols at The Bellwether for US Rocker Music. You can read the article here. 

I figured I'd discuss a couple photos that I took. I'm happy with the shots. I got to the venue perhaps 15 minutes later than I anticipated due to the fact that I accidentally walked pass the side street that I needed to turn on and so I had to loop back. When I finally got inside the venue, there were really no good places to stand next to the stage. Would there have been if I got there 15 minutes earlier? Who knows. The venue recently took out their photo pit area that was in front of the stage. I'm not saying that if I had found a spot next to the stage that I would have stayed there the whole night. I'm just saying I didn't get a chance to shoot right up front. 

Review: Movie Club has the Soundtrack to Your Favorite Movies

Movie Club reached out to me in August 2023 to see if I was interested in coming to their residency at Harvard & Stone. I wasn't able to catch their immediate night as I had plans to catch a couple bands at Zebulon. The following week, I got sick. They pinged me a couple months later about a set they were playing at Gold-Diggers. Not only did I get to catch their set for the first time ever, but I also got to cross paths again with Wargirl (a band I hadn't seen since 2017, but left an impression at the time). What's the point of this background? Every so often bands reach out to me and I have to decline. But hey, keep asking, because I do my best to eventually make it out to a set (as long as the set is played in my definition of the core Los Angeles music scene or better explained as within a 10 mile radius of Glendale -- ha ha).

Movie Club at Permanent Records Roadhouse

Song Spotlight: Rituals of Mine's Devoted (a night at Zebulon)

I came across Rituals of Mine back in 2019 when they opened for Y La Bamba. I covered the night for Buzzbands. You can read that article here. I had specifically wanted to cover that set, because I ran across Y La Bamba in 2017 at the Music Tastes Good festival in Long Beach and really enjoyed their set. 

Rituals of Mine at Zebulon

Song Spotlight: Zara's Breathe Child (a night at Hotel Ziggy)

Zara (aka Zara Sargsyan) took the Hotel Ziggy's WFNM showcase stage for the second time this past October. The first time was back in November 2024. I was lucky enough to catch both sets. The recent Berklee College graduate had fellow alumni Angelo Della Valle playing backing guitar. Zara also played the guitar while singing. The duo guitars made for nifty jazz-pop interplay with intricate fingerpicking one her part. Her vocals had those Basia vibes from the 1980s-1990s. This was all perfectly highlighted from the top with the opening song "Stolen Joy."       

Zara at Hotel Ziggy

Song Spotlight: Holy Wars' Metamorphosis (a night at Pico Union Project)

As I mentioned in my Ramonda Hammer write up (you can read that here), I had a rather thrilling back to back nights in the Los Angeles music scene. Thursday night it was Ramonda Hammer at The Goldfish and then Friday night (11/21) it was off to see Holy Wars at Pico Union Project. Those two bands are two of my favorite bands in Los Angeles and it had been a rather long time since I last saw either band on stage. 

Holy Wars at Pico Union Project

Song Spotlight: Ramonda Hammer's Eyelash (a night at The Goldfish)

It was a thrilling back to back nights for me in the Los Angels music scene. I got to reconnect with two favorite bands that included an introduction to their new music. On Thursday (Nov 20th), I went to The Goldfish to catch Ramonda Hammer and then on Friday I saw Holy Wars. These are two of my favorite Los Angeles based bands, but it had been awhile since I last saw either one of them. 

Ramonda Hammer at The Goldfish

Notes from Vivace Show Alerts (Los Angeles): Nov 23rd - Nov 29th

A Handful (less than) of Show Alerts 

Sunday, Nov 23rd: Fashion Club at The Roxy. Doors at 7 p.m.
Lead singer Pascal Stevenson is in the band Moaning and for long time Los Angeles music fans, used to be in Moses Campbell.

  

Wednesday, Nov 26th: Mikayla McLean and Ron Blakely at Hotel Ziggy. Doors at 7 p.m.

Read my Song Spotlight for Mikayla McLean's "Run!" here.

Read my Song Spotlight for Ron Blakely's "Tired" here.

Saturday, Nov 29th: My Veronica at Oblivion. Doors at 7 p.m.

I listed My Veronica as one of my favorite new bands of 2024. You can read that post here.

Song Spotlight: Nico May's Give 'Em Hell (a night at Hotel Ziggy)

What got me heading out to the WFNM showcase at Hotel Ziggy on a late September evening? It was Nico May. I took a listen to all the bands and singers for the night and as soon as I heard "Lover, Who Hurt You?" on Spotify, I knew I was heading out. His vocals and music had influences from Benson Boone and Morgan Wallen with a touch of Shaboozey. During his set he mentioned that he is a fan of Zach Bryan so I'll include that country artist, as well.  

Nico May at Hotel Ziggy

Song Spotlight: John Vincent III's City Rain (a night at the Greek Theatre)

I don't get to shoot the Greek Theatre as often as I'd like. This particular night with headliner The Head And The Heart represented my second time (and final time) getting to shoot at the venue this 2025 season. You can read my US Rocker Music review here. I live in Glendale and so it is only a four mile drive. Since I hate paying for parking, I'll drive into Los Feliz and park in an area that I know generally has plenty of free parking and do the long walk up to the theatre. One of the best moments of any night at the Greek Theatre is when the last song has been performed and everyone is heading home. That's when I'm part of perhaps 200 people who are just as cheap as I am and are walking down the Hollywood Hills and into Los Feliz. Not only is the whole walk representative of my own cheapness, but it also gives me a cardio workout (the walk up, not so much the walk down).   

John Vincent III at the Greek Theatre

Song Spotlight: The Chameleons' Feels Like The End Of The World (a night at the Belasco)

For a band that formed in 1981 and has taken some rather lengthy breaks (per Wikipedia, two breaks that lasted over a decade each), The Chameleons have had a rather active 2025. They spent July touring with the Psychedelic Furs across the United States. Their first full length album in 24 years, Artic Moon, was released in September. Then they did a 11 stop headline tour across the west coast of the United States during parts of September and October. When this posts on my personal blog, they'll be in the middle of European tour.  

The Chameleons at the Belasco

Song Spotlight: donna's burn, Pt. 2 (a night at Permanent Records Roadhouse)

Donna opened up for my favorite New York City band Laveda on Oct 1st at Permanent Records Roadhouse. I covered the night for US Rocker Music. You can read the article here. For some strange reason the band name sounded very familiar to me even though I knew I'd never seen them before. My first thought was that I must have come across the band name during Echo Park Rising. That wasn't the case. I finally figured it out. They played on a July bill with Hysteria at Zebulon. I'm a fan of Hysteria so why didn't I go to that set? I was sick during that timeframe and ended up not going out at all for a full week. It took two and half months before catching donna live. In the Los Angeles music scene, there is always a second, third, fourth chance to catch a band. That is what makes the scene so vibrant. 

Donna at Permanent Records Roadhouse

Song Spotlight: Laveda's Cellphone (a night at Permanent Records Roadhouse)

I first came across Laveda in 2022 at Permanent Records Roadhouse. They were playing along side a couple favorite bands of mine: Janelane and Mo Dotti. I went out that night specifically to catch Janelane and Mo Dotti, because it isn't that often where both bands are paired up. I remember being surprised at how many people were at the venue, not to see my two favorite bands (not that they didn't have their fan base), but were there specifically to see Laveda. 

Laveda at Permanent Records Roadhouse

Song Spotlight: Adam Wilson and KIA's Together (a night at Hotel Ziggy)

Prior to heading off to the late September WFNM showcase at Hotel Ziggy, I listened to the music of the various performers for the night. That included opener Adam Wilson. I went to his Instagram page and clicked on his links. There was a Youtube video to his song "Together." The song is a duet with Kia (KIA) Knoester, a WFNM alumni who I had happened to catch a year prior at Bar Lubitsch. I was thinking it would be awesome if that song was on the setlist. But I wasn't holding out much hope. When I arrived, I noticed her in the crowd and my hopes rose ever so slightly, but I was keeping a pessimistic viewpoint -- why get my hopes up too high. 

Adam Wilson at Hotel Ziggy

Notes from Vivace Show Alerts (Los Angeles): November 16th - November 22nd

A Handful of Show Alerts

Sunday, Nov 16th: Bardo at Alex's Bar. Doors at 8 p.m.

Read my recent review of his set here.

Monday, Nov 17th: Alex E.T. at Club Tee Gee. Doors at 8 p.m.

Read my song spotlight for "Calico II" here. 

Tuesday, Nov 18th: Baby Fischgrund at The Fable. Doors at 8 p.m.

Read my song spotlight for "If You Still Called" here.

Wednesday, Nov 19th: Johanna Samuels at Zebulon. Doors at 8 p.m.

In 2023, I covered her for Buzzbands, which you can read here.

Thursday, Nov 20th: Horse Rider at Oblivion. Doors at 7 p.m.

Read my song spotlight for "Horse Rider" here.

Thursday, Nov 20th: Ramonda Hammer at The Goldfish. Doors at 7 p.m.

In 2019, I covered the band for Buzzbands, which you can read here. 

Friday, Nov 21st: Cosmic Kitten at The Redwood Bar. Set time at 11:15 p.m.

Read my song spotlight for "Hole in my Soul" here.

Friday, Nov 21st: Holy Wars at Pico Union Project. Doors at 7 p.m.

In 2019, I covered the band for Buzzbands, which you can read here.

Friday, Nov 21st: Matt Axton with Nocona and Rah Rah Rabbit at the Big Foot Lodge.

Read my song spotlight for Matt Axton's "Golden Times" here.

In 2024, I covered Nocona for US Rocker Music, which you can read here.

In 2024, I covered Rah Rah Rabbit for US Rocker Music, which you can read here.

Saturday, Nov 22nd: Buckets at Gold-Diggers. Doors at 7 p.m.

Read my song spotlight for "Judy" here.

Song Spotlight: Sunder's I Guess I'll See You in the Movies (a night at Midnight Hour Records)

I was recently invited to cover Dum Dum Records's four year anniversary party at Midnight Hour Records. You can read my article here on US Rocker Music. I was familiar with two of the three bands on the bill. The headliner was Taleen Kali. In 2023, I covered the band's Flower of Life release party for Buzzbands (read that article here) and the inaugural Dum Dum Fest for US Rocker Music (read that article here). Gottlieb was the other band I knew about and they made my 2024 list of favorite new bands (you can read that list here). What about that third band that was unknown to me? The name of that band was Sunder. 

Sunder at Midnight Hour Records

Song Spotlight: Taleen Kali's Crossed (a night at Midnight Hour Records)

I first came across Taleen Kali (the eponymous for lead singer Taleen Kali) in 2017 at The Hi Hat (the current location of The Goldifsh). It was a blending of genres night. On one end you had Lucy & La Mer and MetronOhm (Annabelle Freedman) providing singer-songwriter tunes and on the punk side you had Wasi and Taleen Kali. Since that point in time, I've followed the band throughout the years with 2023 being the highlight as I covered the band's Flower of Life release party for Buzzbands (read that article here) and the inaugural Dum Dum Fest for US Rocker Music (read that article here). 

Taleen Kali at Midnight Hour Records