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

Song Spotlight: Horse Rider's Horse Rider (a night at Zebulon)

Horse Rider opened up a The Witching Hours night at Zebulon. From what I can tell, they're an Austin based band that has since moved out to Los Angeles. I was impressed with how they perfectly blended their bass and guitar play to create their layered music that slowly unfolded. The lyrics (as per my interpretation) leans towards how people deal with various difficulties that life throws at a person and sometimes not for the better. For example, their song "Call" starts off with the lyrics, "When you pick up the gun. Not gonna let em talk to you that way." Is it about a school shooter or an encounter with this individual, "Im just sittin at the corner store." 

Horse Rider at Zebulon

Song Spotlight: Hannah Hughes' Stranger With My Secret (a night at Harvard & Stone)

In late September, Hannah Hughes closed out at a Swyndle Monday night showcase at Harvard & Stone. Hughes is someone I started following via Julez and the Rollerz. I first came across the band at Happy Sundays Long Beach in 2022. (I covered the festival for Buzzbands and you can read a comment I made about the band here.) I only caught a couple songs that day as I was jumping around from band to band, but they did leave an impression as I ended up catching the band 4 different times in 2023. It also so happened that 2023 was the first time I caught a solo Hannah Hughes set at Hotel Cafe. I've had the privilege of both using my photos on their Instagram pages. I should note that Hughes left the band earlier this year -- should you show up to one of their sets for the first time ever and wonder if I'm getting bands mixed up in my head.

Hannah Hughes at Harvard & Stone

Song Spotlight: Madisenxoxo's Control Freak (a night at The Goldfish)

There was a time when Portland bands were the top of the list for me to see (such as The Lower 48 that ended their run in 2018 and, of course, Y La Bamba). I once told music friends that I'd never seen a Portland band that I didn't love immediately. For some reason, I don't feel like I run across Portland bands all that often these days. Perhaps I need to be more purposeful in my search. 

Madisenxoxo at The Goldfish

Song Spotlight: Still Blank's What About Jane (a night at The Goldfish)

I love randomly heading out on nights when I don't know any of the bands. If the night is free, it is all the better, because there is low risk (just my time) to taking a chance on unknown bands / musicians. Promoters such as AM Presents Music, Ryan Pollie, Swyndle, and WFNM as well as Zebulon (venue) over the last few years have provided me with that opportunity. Recently, Rocknite over at the The Goldfish has stepped into the mix. 

Still Blank at The Goldfish

Notes from Vivace Show Alerts (Los Angeles): Nov 9th - Nov 15th

A Handful (bucketful) of Show Alerts

Sunday, Nov 9th: Lael Neale at the Lodge Room. Doors at 7 p.m.

Read my song spotlight for "Down On The Freeway" here.

Sunday, Nov 9th: Rosie Tucker at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Doors at 6 p.m.

In 2021, I covered them for Buzzbands, which you can read here.

Monday, Nov 10th: Lily Waters at Harvard & Stone. Doors at 8 p.m.

I've followed her since 2017.

Monday, Nov 10th: Marcus Buser at Club Tee Gee. Doors at 8 p.m.

Read my song spotlight for "Right Man" here.

Wednesday, Nov 12th: Donna and Blimp at The Goldfish. Doors at 8 p.m.

I just recently covered Donna for US Rocker Music, which you can read here.

In 2024, I covered Blimp for US Rocker Music, as well, which you can read here.

Wednesday, Nov 12th: Gilbert Louie Ray at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Doors at 9 p.m.

Read my recent review of his set here.

Thursday, Nov 13th: Brenda Carsey at Bar Lubitsch. Doors at 7 p.m.

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

Thursday, Nov 13th: Draag at the Lodge Room. Doors at 7 p.m.

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

Thursday, Nov 13th: Giant Waste of Man at The Goldfish. Doors at 8 p.m.

One of my favorite new bands from 2022.

Thursday, Nov 13th: Moonfuzz at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Doors at 9 p.m.

Read my song spotlight for "Hell Week" here.

Thursday, Nov 13th: PAGOTO and Salem's Bend at The Redwood Bar. Doors at 8 p.m.

In 2024, I covered the band for this site, which you can read here.

Made my list of favorite new bands from 2024, which you can read here.

Friday, Nov 14th: Baba Jenkins at The Smell. Doors at 8 p.m.

Read my song spotlight for "Wild" here.

Friday, Nov 14th: Bardo at The Echo. Doors at 7 p.m.

Read my recent review of his set here.

Saturday, Nov 15th: Mating Ritual at the Lodge Room. Doors at 7:30 p.m.

In 2021, I covered the band for Buzzbands, which you can read here. It is their last show ever (never say never for a reunion show, but that could be years away).

Song Spotlight: Neska Rose's Very Green (a night at Hotel Ziggy)

Neska Rose has to be one of the quirkiest singers in Los Angeles. She has to rank up there with Henry Hall. For better known names beyond the Los Angeles music scene, go with Amanda Palmer, Björk, and Laurie Anderson.  

Neska Rose at Hotel Ziggy

Review: Bardo Grooves His Way Across Zebulon

I've followed Bardo's career for a number of years via Chicano Batman. For those not in the know, Bardo Martinez is the lead vocalist for the band. Last year, I got to cover the band for US Rocker Music, which you can read here. I even went knowing I would get to cover only the first three songs before being escorted out of the venue. I could have put my gear back into my car and returned to the venue, but I have some expensive gear and I wasn't going to be one of those photographers who goes viral on social media for doing something stupid. 

Bardo at Zebulon

Song Spotlight: Sun Colony's Aerodyne (a night at Zebulon)

I cross paths with Sun Colony on occasion. I first caught the band back in late 2018. At the time, Lauren Andino from Tremours and L.A. Witch was playing guitar with the band. I do believe this was the first time I saw her on stage. Since that time, the band has gone through some line-up changes, but their shoegaze sound remains intact via founding member Derek Mabra. (In some ways, Andino has also kept that shoegaze tradition going via Tremours.)  

Sun Colony at Zebulon

Song Spotlight: Ryan Hahn & The Believers' Farmers Son (a night at Sassafras Saloon)

The week ending September 13th was a rather joyous moment in the Los Angeles music scene. On Tuesday night, KCRW x School Night relaunched at Zebulon after ending their run in December 2024. Then on Friday night at Sassafras Saloon, Small Town Friday Nights relaunched after having to end its run at the Silverlake Lounge due to an ownership change at the bar in July 2024. 

Ryan Hahn & The Believers at Sassafras Saloon

Song Spotlight: The Little Miss' A Week into New Year's Resolutions (a night at the Sassafras Saloon)

My first encounter with The Little Miss (the moniker for Hayley Johnson) was back in 2018 at the Resident. I'm not going to lie, that was one strange first time encounter. Why? It was a mash up night. The headliner was Ever So Android (renamed Boy Deluxe a few years later). They're an electronic punk band. The Little Miss, a country folk singer. I was there for Ever So Android, but enjoyed The Little Miss and continued to follow Johnson throughout the years. 

The Little Miss at Sassafras Saloon

Song Spotlight: Ron Blakely's Tired (a night at Bar Lubitsch)

Ron Blakely hit the stage with high expectations on my part during their WFNM showcase at Bar Lubitsch. First off, WFNM founder Grant Owens mentioned to me that Blakely had great vocals. Then Giselle (who opened prior to their set) pumped them up during her set. (You can read my Song Spotlight of her song "Skeleton" here.) 

Ron Blakely at Bar Lubitsch

Notes from Vivace Show Alerts (Los Angeles): Nov 2nd - Nov 8th

A Handful (bucketful) of Show Alerts

Sunday, Nov 2nd: Primitive Ring at Zebulon. Doors at 8 p.m.

In 2024, I covered the band for this blog site, which you can read here.

Monday, Nov 3rd: Dave Harrington at Club Tee Gee. Doors at 8 p.m.

I recently covered his set for this blog site, which you can read here.  

Tuesday, Nov 4th: Kelcey Ayer at Zebulon. Doors at 6:30 p.m.

You can read my song spotlight review for "No Sleep" here.

Tuesday, Nov 4th: Sharon Silva at Gold-Diggers. Doors at 7 p.m.

In 2022, I covered Sharon Silva for Buzzbands, which you can read here. 

Tuesday, Nov 4th: Tanja at Hotel Ziggy. Doors at 7 p.m.

You can read my song spotlight review for "L.A. Boys" here. 

Thursday, Nov 6th: Alex E.T. at Alex's Bar. Doors at 8 p.m.

You can read my song spotlight review for "Calico II" here. 

Thursday, Nov 6th: Laena Myers at Zebulon. Doors at 8 p.m.

In 2021, I covered Myers' former band Feels for Buzzbands, which you can read here. 

Thursday, Nov 6th: Y La Bamba at the Lodge Room. Doors at 7 p.m.

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

Friday, Nov 7th: Lilliana Villines at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Doors at 6 p.m.

You can read my song spotlight review for "yours" here.

Friday, Nov 7th: Unpolished* at the Redwood Bar. Set time 8 p.m.

You can read my song spotlight review for "nobody knows" here. 

Friday and Saturday (Nov 7th - Nov 8th): Substance Fest at Belasco.

The festival includes a handful of bands that I've featured in the past.

Saturday, Nov 8th: Born Ruffians, and zzzahara at the Lodge Room. Doors at 3:30 p.m.

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

In 2024, I also covered zzzahara for US Rocker Music, which you read read here.

Saturday, Nov 8th: Queen of Jeans at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Doors at 6 p.m.

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

Song Spotlight: Kelcey Ayer's No Sleep (a night at The Goldfish)

Seeing Kelcey Ayer in concert always reminds me of my first few years in the Los Angeles music scene. Way back in 2009, a friend mentioned to me that I should head to the Silverlake Lounge to catch a band called Local Natives. The place was packed from stage to entrance. Somehow I was allowed inside -- I'm sure the fire marshal would have shut the place down. I squeezed my way to the front of the stage so that I could take photos of the band. It was love at first sight. And via Local Natives, I connected with bands such as Eastern Conference Champions (Mondo Cozmo) and Family of the Year. 

Kelcey Ayer at The Goldfish

Song Spotlight: Pearl Charles' Step Too Far (a night at Zebulon)

Pearl Charles recently played the relaunch of KCRW x School Night. For the relaunch, the night shifted from Bardot to Zebulon. This was my first time catching her live (I did catch an online set when venues were shut down). Considering how long she's been part of the Los Angeles music scene, I am a touch embarrassed to admit that. It is what it is. 

Pearl Charles at Zebulon 

Song Spotlight: Harry the Nightgown's lines (a night at Zebulon)

Harry the Nightgown calls their music "electronic avant-pop." I would also add that the band is a playful outfit that enjoys each other's company. This band was having too much fun on the Zebulon stage during their recent September set. As the band was about to start their set, lead singer and guitarist Sami Perez took out her phone to take photos (or videos) of her bandmates Spencer Hartling and Luke MacDonald. She was laughing all the while. My curiosity has me wondering what she was finding so amusing. 

Harry the Nightgown at Zebulon

Song Spotlight: Ty Teg's Open Sky (a night at Zebulon)

I've followed Ty Teg (the moniker for Audrey Reynolds) since 2022 when the band played The Smell. I caught the band a second time in 2023 -- once again at The Smell. In those two encounters, I've felt like I was hanging out with the cool art crowd. It helped that Reynolds is a graduate (or soon to be) of CalArts. Also, during both those nights the bands they played with had that artsy air to them. Hound played that first night in 2022. Though I believe the band has broken up as the duo headed off to college, it does appear that one of them has a solid following related to their art endeavors. The second time around, the band played with March Adstrum (someone I think highly of and you can read a blog post I wrote here) who is a CalArts graduate.  

Ty Teg at Zebulon

Song Spotlight: Cosmic Kitten's Hole in my Soul (an evening at Port City Tavern during Happy Sundays Fest)

Cosmic Kitten is a band I've been following since early 2020 when they played a set at Kalynn Barnum's photo gallery at The Satellite. Back then I describe their sound as slow-tempo punk that was offset by a wild performance. Maybe I'm aging or maybe it was due to the bands they played with  that distorted my opinion of their music, but I'd say they've dramatically sped up their punk tempo over the years and added some ear piercing screams. Yet, their performance is as wild as ever. 

Cosmic Kitten at Happy Sundays Fest

Review: Kate Clover Hypnotizes the Levitt Pavilion

I've followed Kate Clover's music career since 2016 when her band ExSage had a residency at the Bootleg Theater (current location of 2220 Arts). That is nearly a decade ago. I remember having conversations about catching this awesome band called ExSage for the first time and people responding with, "You never heard of Cobalt Cranes?" Jump forward a few years and I ended up covered her solo sets twice for Buzzbands. Once in 2019 when she opened up for Death Valley Girls (you can read that article here) and another time when she was headlining her own show in 2022 (you can read that article here). 

Kate Clover at Levitt Pavilion

Notes from Vivace Show Alerts (Los Angeles): Oct 26th - Nov 1st

A Handful of Show Alerts

Sunday, Oct 26th: Patriarchy and Dagger Polyester at the Lodge Room. Doors at 7 p.m.
In 2023, I covered Patriarchy for US Rocker Music, which you can see here.
In 2023, I covered the Dagger Polyster for Buzzbands, which you can read here.

Monday, Oct 27th: Shannon Lay at Zebulon. Doors at 8 p.m.

You can read my Song Spotlight for "All This Life Going Down" here.

Tuesday, Oct 28th: MACKandgold and Slugs at Good Times at Davey Wayne's. Doors at 9 p.m.

You can read my MACKandgold Song Spotlight for "Chasing Down" here.

You can read my Slugs Song Spotlight for "Super Sane" here.

Thursday, Oct 30th: Baba Jenkins at Hotel Cafe. Bands start at 7  p.m.

You can read my Song Spotlight for "Wild" here.

Thursday, Oct 30th: Self Improvement at Zebulon. Doors at 8 p.m.

You can read my Song Spotlight for "Change My Mind" here.

Saturday, Nov 1st: Mutation Fest at Non Plus Ultra. Doors at 2 p.m.

Review: All Things Blue bids farewell to Los Angeles under The Goldfish spotlight

I first crossed paths with All Things Blue in 2019 at The Hi Hat. The symmetry of life had me at The Goldfish (the former location of The Hi Hat) in late August to catch a farewell set. All Things Blue is the moniker for lead singer India Coombs. She announced earlier in the month that she was taking off to New York City after spending the last 11 years in Los Angeles. 

All Things Blue at The Goldfish

Song Spotlight: Nikki Falk's Fighter Dog (a night at The Goldfish)

Nikki Falk's indie folk tunes enchanted the Rock Nite crowd at The Goldfish. How would one tell? There were moments where she'd spend time tuning her guitar and the crowd would start conversing with their friends. She even said at one moment, "You can all talk for about 5 seconds." Then she'd start to talk about her next tune and the talking would quickly quiet down. I found it to be an interesting phenomenon as just a couple days earlier I was at another venue where the singer songwriter was drowned out by the roar of the conversations. 

Nikki Falk at The Goldfish

Her bio mentioned that she currently resides in San Diego, but hails from the 50th state, "From Lahaina, Hawai'i, Nikki Falk holds a unique indie-folk sound with heartfelt, diary-like lyricism. Inspired by the warmth of her childhood and hometown, the feeling of nostalgia (peaceful or not) carries through each song. Nikki Falk vividly captures the emotional textures of young adulthood."

Nikki Falk at The Goldfish

Her song nostalgia ranged from a Santa Barbara bar called Elsie's Tavern to relationship breakups to being born on New Year's Eve. And songs about thinking that "love is stupid and dumb and then you realize it isn't stupid and dumb." Each song was a treated as a treasure by Falk. As she was introducing her music, one could see her eyes light up and a smile cross her lips. Enthusiasm is infectious and perhaps this is one reason why the crowd was so quick to silence their conversations. 

Nikki Falk at The Goldfish

Her latest release at the time of her September set was "Fighter Dog." She introduced the song by saying, "It's about . . . . being spiritually manipulated, which is a really weird niche experience. It's basically being put down in the name of God so you can't really argue with it." 

Nikki Falk at The Goldfish

Like the rest of the set, the song was played with just Falk and her guitar on stage. She played the guitar at a slight angle towards her body. Her quiet vocals were the only sound in the venue except for a couple coughs from yours truly -- I was standing to close to that fog machine -- and the occasional sounds of the bartender making a drink.   

To you, I'm still around
Running, chasing yourself
When you look down on
Another woman that loves you,
You'll only hear my sound

Song Spotlight: Izora's BRING ME DOWN (a night at Bar Lubitsch)

Izora (the moniker for Shreya Jaswal) has Hollywood star power that was in the spotlight during a September WFNM showcase at Bar Lubitsch. Her band took the stage while she stood out in the audience. A voice over introduced the set, "Welcome to the experience. This is Izora." The band then went orchestral rock. The end result of that introduction was that her guitarist busted a string as Izora took to the stage to sing the opening song "SPIN YOU IN CIRCLES". 

Izora at Bar Lubitsch

Song Spotlight: Mallory Warman's Part Time Man (a night at Hotel Ziggy)

Country music took over the WFNM showcase at Hotel Ziggy back in August. It was admittedly a brief, but memorable, takeover as the night was a diversity of genres that also include big time vocals, pop tunes, and the blues. The country artist of the night was Mallory Warman. 

Mallory Warman at Hotel Ziggy

Review: Tales of Horror take Lyrical form at Murder Ballads & Dark Songs event

I crossed paths with Daiana Feuer (aka Bloody Death Skull) in 2013 at a since closed venue called Pehrspace. I should note that Pehrspace as a booking entity still does live shows at 2220 Arts. This past Saturday at around noon, I got an Instagram message about an event she was throwing called "Murder Ballads & Dark Songs" later that day. The night was being presented by both Stepping Stone Presents (the booking entity of Liz Garo who handled scheduling for the Echo and Echoplex and is the co-owner of Stories Books and Cafe -- the hang out spot for the DIYers in Echo Park) and Feuer. 

2220 Arts

Review: UGHH Proves Sundays are for Jumping (an evening at Happy Sundays Fest)

UGHH is the definition of high energy punk band. They're also a band with a soft spot for kids. This past Happy Sundays Fest at the Port City Tavern stage was the third time I've seen the band play live. Interestingly, even though this band plays quite frequently in the Los Angeles area, I've only seen the band play Happy Sundays events. The first time I saw them was back in 2022 when they played a pre-festival concert at DiPIazza's. I then caught them in 2023 during the festival and once again at this year's festival. 

UGHH at Happy Sundays Fest

Notes from Vivace Show Alerts (Los Angeles): Oct 19th - Oct 24th

A Handful of Show Alerts 

Monday, Oct 20th: Shannon Lay and Emily Rose and the Rounders at Zebulon. Doors at 8 p.m.

You can read my Song Spotlight for Shannon Lay's "All This Life Going Down" here.

You can read my Song Spotlight for Emily Rose and the Rounders' "Too Much Too" here.

Tuesday, Oct 21st: MACKandgold at Good Times at Davey Wayne's. Doors at 9 p.m.

You can read my Song Spotlight for "Chasing Down" here.

Tuesday, Oct 21st: The Sea Monks at Hotel Ziggy. Doors at 7 p.m.

You can read my recent review of their Frogtown Brewery set here.

Tuesday, Oct 21st: Tyler Ballgame and Ryan Pollie at The Fable. Doors at 8:30 p.m.

I recently covered Tyler Ballgame's set at the Greek Theatre for US Rocker Music, which you can read here. 

In 2022, I covered Ryan Pollie for Buzzbands, which you can read here. 

Wednesday, Oct 22nd: Kyra Fields and Ashley Elle at Hotel Ziggy. Doors at 7 p.m.
You can read my recent review of Kyra Fields' Hotel Ziggy set here.

You can read my Song Spotlight for Ashley Elle's "Save Us" here. 

Thursday, Oct 23rd: Adriana McCassim at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Doors at 6 p.m.

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

Thursday, Oct 23: Cody's Program, Donna, and My Veronica at Non Plus Ultra. Doors at 8 p.m.

You can read my recent review of Cody's Program's The Goldfish set here.

I recently covered Donna for US Rocker Music, which you can read here. 

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

Thursday, Oct 23rd: Harry Katz and the Pistachios at Gold-Diggers. Doors at 7 p.m.

You can read my recent review of their Permanent Records Roadhouse set here. 

Friday, Oct 24th: TwoLips at The Goldfish. Doors at 8 p.m.

You can read my Song Spotlight for "MFKN Free" here.

Review: Tijuana Panthers Exceed High Expectations as Echo Park Rising Headliners

Tijuana Panthers were the headliners of Echo Park Rising and based on the response from the audience, they exceeded expectations at the Echoplex. Considering the fact that the band has been around since 2005, one would think that there would be a more Generation X / Millennial vibe to the crowd, but the venue was mostly filled with those in their twenties. The band enjoyed the adoration and at one point they told the audience, "You guys are wild." 

Tijuana Panthers at the Echoplex

Song Spotlight: Belle and Chain's Don't You Worry Babe (an afternoon at Port City during Happy Sundays Fest)

One fun thing about having back to back DIY festivals in Echo Park Rising and Happy Sundays Fest is that certain bands play both festivals. So in the case of Julez and the Rollerz, I skipped their set at Echo Park Rising to catch Iress, because I knew I'd get to see their set at Happy Sundays Fest. In terms of Belle and Chain, I knew they were playing Echo Park Rising (partially because I put together an Echo Park Rising schedule on my blog and I was one of the festival's official photographers), but just couldn't be at multiple places at the same time. I also saw that they were playing the Port City stage at Happy Sundays. There were two reasons why I put them on my list of bands to catch in this second bite of the apple. First, I liked the band name. Second,  Derrick Lee did catch their Echo Park Rising set and gave them the thumbs up.

Belle and Chain at Happy Sundays Fest

Song Spotlight: Jenny Newman's PDA (a night at Bar Lubitsch)

Jenny Newman put her heart out there for her WFNM showcase at Bar Lubitsch, playing all the songs from her 2024 EP Love Languages. Per her Spotify bio, she worked with Adam Castilla and Taylor Hecox. Both have a long history in the Los Angeles music scene. Castilla is in the band The Colourist while Hecox was in King Shelter. I'm not sure if The Colourist are still active. It does look like King Shelter ended their run last year.  

Jenny Newman at Bar Lubitsch

She also has the following:

"Raised in Connecticut, she found solace in songwriting amidst health challenges and a complicated home life. Inspired by the gospel choirs she grew up around, Newman picked up the guitar in high school, forming a band that fueled her passion for music."  

 

Jenny Newman at Bar Lubitsch

When one has an EP titled Love Languages, one might assume that someone has it all worked out in the relationship department, but her title track indicates it isn't all that easy, "Relationships don’t come easy. All because of shit that's happened to me." The song "Man & His Money" explores one of those relationships about the deception that money may indicate a certain refinement. The song has a pop melodic sound, but the lyrics are far more sinister and honestly a little scary. A more positive spin on relationships is "Danish Boy" about someone she was in love with at 18. 

Jenny Newman at Bar Lubitsch

Her backing band included two members of Bives who were the next band up on this particular WFNM night as well as Kaylee Lashbrook on bass and Mari Venus on keys. They particularly rocked it out on "PDA." The volume was turned up and the aggression came out The Runaways style with an outright demand of the physical touch love language:

Kiss me
Touch me
Show all of your friends
How much you love me

Setlist: Do You Think I'm Shy?, Love Languages, Danish Boy, Mother's Porcelain, Man & His Money, Guardian Angel, PDA, You Oughta Know (Alanis Morissette cover), Tuxedo Kitty.

Song Spotlight: Lilliana Villines' yours (a night at Zebulon)

I've followed Lilliana Villines since late 2021 when I caught a set at the Silverlake Lounge. I happened to notice that she was playing a Rocknite at Zebulon in August. I decided I would check it out. It was the first time I would see her as the headliner. The previous times, she was opening for others. 

Lilliana Villines at Zebulon

Song Spotlight: Hex Code's Walk Into It (an afternoon at The Bamboo Club during Happy Sundays Fest)

One thing I've noticed is that Happy Sundays Fest is very loyal to bands that have played their festival in the past. UGHH mentioned that this year marked their 4th year at the festival. Julez and the Rollerz mentioned that it was their second time playing the festival. Interestingly enough, I first came across both bands during their Happy Sundays sets (to be honest, UGHH was at a pre-Happy Sundays Fest event). This also means that if you miss a band at the festival there is a possibility of catching them at a future edition of the festival. That is what happened this year when Hex Code took The Bamboo Club stage on Saturday. They had also played the festival last year. I happened to miss that set as I was toggling between Self Improvement and Zzzahara. And similar to UGHH and Julez and the Rollerz, this was my first time catching them live. 

Hex Code at Happy Sundays Fest

Song Spotlight: Ivy James' Exorcist (a night at Hotel Ziggy)

Over a year and a half ago I caught Ivy James at a WFNM showcase at Hotel Ziggy. I was enthralled with her singer-songwriter tunes about teenage breakups. I added her to my list of favorite new bands and singers for 2024 (you can scan through that list here). I believe that set was mainly focused on her tunes that would later be released via the EP Ghost of  You. 

Ivy James at Hotel Ziggy

Notes from Vivace Show Alerts (Los Angeles): Oct 12th - Oct 18th

A Handful of Show Alerts

Sunday, Oct 12th: Alex E.T. at Zebulon. Doors at 6:30 p.m.
You can read my Song Spotlight "Calico II" here.

Sunday, Oct 12th: The Blushes at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Doors at 6 p.m.

You can read my Song Spotlight "Celebrity Sex Cult Party" here.

Monday, Oct 13th: Rose Droll at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Doors at 6 p.m.

You can read my Song Spotlight "With Strangers" here.

Monday, Oct 13th: Shannon Lay at Zebulon. Doors at 8:00 p.m.

You can read my Song Spotlight "All This Life Going Down" here.

Tuesday, Oct 14th: American Mile at Hotel Ziggy. Doors at 7 p.m.

Earlier this year, I interviewed the band for US Rocker Music. You can read that interview here.

Tuesday, Oct 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.

Wednesday, Oct 15th: Georgia Maq at Zebulon. Doors at 8:00 p.m.

You can read my Song Spotlight "You'll Be Singing My Name" here.

Wednesday, Oct 15th: The Blushes at Alex's Bar. Doors at 8:30 p.m.

The band is busy this week.

Thursday, Oct 16th: Slugs at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Doors at 6 p.m.

You can read my Song Spotlight "Super Sane" here.

Song Spotlight: Dream Phases' Turn Away (a night at The Goldfish)

In Sonic Dreams Presents recently had a showcase at The Goldfish that featured a band that I have followed for years, Dream Phases. Likely of interest to only me and maybe the band, I caught the band for the first time in 2017 at The Hi Hat. The Goldfish occupies the spot that used to be The Hi Hat (pre-pandemic venue). The reason I ran across Dream Phases that date in 2017 was because Livingmore was playing that night -- a much beloved band of mine. 

Dream Phases at The Goldfish

Song Spotlight: Alex E.T.'s Calico II (a night at The Goldfish)

I have this habit of heading out on a Sunday night to catch live music. I feel it is a good way to start off the week before the drudgery of a work week. So it was on a recent night out to the The Goldfish venue that was the host of an In Sonic Dreams showcase. Opening up the night was Alex E.T. (the moniker for Alexandra Elaine Tapié -- is she a fan of the movie E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial?). I was familiar with her as she's played a couple showcases over the years (Swyndle and Buzzbands) that I follow, but I personally never had a chance to catch a set. 

Alex E.T. at The Goldfish

Song Spotlight: Paycheque's Next In Line (a night at Zebulon)

Before heading off to Zebulon to check out Paycheque I decided to take a listen to their music. The band only has three songs up on Spotify and I found all of them intriguing. Especially their song "Next In Line" that has the undercurrent of the Pet Shop Boys' vocals. 

Paycheque at Zebulon

Song Spotlight: Tanja's L.A. Boys (a night at Hotel Ziggy)

Can the sad girl find love in Los Angeles? Tanja (the shortened name for Tanja Jeramaz) put that out in the open at the WFNM showcase at Hotel Ziggy. Perhaps a perfect encapsulation of her search for love is "North Hollywood" where she takes a chance by asking out a guy who has the same name as her brother. There is the misinterpretation of commitment and a long wait followed by tears. The answer to the question is no at the moment, but one can only hope that the future turns brighter. 

Tanja at Hotel Ziggy

Song Spotlight: Baby Fischgrund's If You Still Called (a night at The Goldfish)

Rocknite at The Goldfish really does remind me of how the Los Angeles music scene used to be back a decade ago when music fans showed up for the full line-up of bands. (Caveat being that people generally headed to the doors, me included, before the midnight band hit the stage. I have this assumption that music fans likely have jobs that require them to be in bed before midnight. Or am I just projecting?) My experience at The Goldfish is that the place is always packed for the first band up, which on this particular August night was Baby Fischgrund. (Rocknite does not have midnight bands so it would be an interesting test of my assumption if they ever went with that model.)

Baby Fischgrund at The Goldfish

Song Spotlight: Baba Jenkins' Wild (a night at Hotel Ziggy)

Baba Jenkins played the final slot at the WFNM showcase at Hotel Ziggy. I've mentioned before, when it comes to the last band / singer at Hotel Ziggy, I'll try to stick around for a song or two before taking off to go home and bed. It took about 15 seconds or so before I decided I was just going to be hitting the bed latter than usual. I was that captivated. 

Baba Jenkins at Hotel Ziggy

Notes from Vivace Show Alerts (Los Angeles): Oct 5th - Oct 11th

A Handful of Show Alerts

Monday, Oct 6th: Bully at The Roxy. Doors at 7 p.m.

In 2021, I covered the band for Buzzbands, which you can read here. 

Thursday, Oct 9th: unpolished* at Bar Lubitsch. Doors at 7 p.m.
You can read my Song Spotlight review for "nobody knows" here. 

Thursday, Oct 9th: Dengue Fever at Alex's Bar. Doors at 8 p.m.

In 2017, I covered the band when they played Music Tastes Good festival in Long Beach, which you can read here.

Thursday, Oct 9th: Jordan Gruver at Nico's. Doors at 8 p.m.

Made my 2024 list of "favorite new to me, but maybe not to you" list. You can read that list here.

Thursday, Oct 9th: Will Brahm at Scribble, Doors at 8 p.m.

You can read my recent Club Tee Gee set review here. 

Friday, Oct 10th: Escape Artist Lovers at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Doors at 9 p.m.

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

Saturday, Oct 11th: Broken Baby at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Doors at 9 p.m.

In 2023, I covered the band for Buzzbands when they played the Happy Sundays Festival, which you can read here. 

Saturday, Oct 11th: RJ Bloke at Frogtown Brewery. Set time at 6 p.m.

You can read about my review of his set at the Bigtop Bandstand earlier this year here.