Song Spotlight: Alexandra Skora's Morning Bird (a night at Hotel Ziggy)

I don't know why, but when Alexandra Skora came up onto the WFNM showcase stage at Hotel Ziggy I starting thinking about Arwen of Lord of the Rings and the Targaryens of Game of Thrones. Is comparing someone to a Targaryen a good thing as the family line went down in flames (or who knows, maybe if the book series is ever completed the outcome will be different from the TV series)? There was a fantasy quality to her vocals, a story telling that flowed like a crystal clear stream. 

Alexandra Skora at Hotel Ziggy

Potential Russian Law would Outlaw Internet Searches for Pussy Riot

Back in January, I got to catch Nadya Tolokonnikova of Pussy Riot and wrote about it for US Rocker Music, which you can read about here. She does like to be a thorn in Russian President Putin's side as one of the highlights of the performance was Act 3's "Putin's Ashes." 

Nadya Tolokonnikova at the Honor Fraser Gallery

Notes from Vivace Show Alerts (Los Angeles): July 20th - July 26th

A Handful of Show Alerts

Sunday, Jul 20th: Leslie Stevens plays Grand Ole Echo (The Echo). Doors at 5 p.m.

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

Sunday, Jul 20th: Iress at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Doors at 6 p.m.

I covered one of their 2024 sets for US Rocker Music, which you can read here.

Wednesday, Jul 23rd: Milly at Zebulon. Doors at 8 p.m.

I covered one of their 2024 sets for US Rocker Music, which you can read here.

Thursday, Jul 24th: Swimming Bell at The Goldfish. Doors at 8 p.m.

You can read my song spotlight of "95 at Night" here.

Friday, Jul 25th: Foxx Bodies at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Doors at 6 p.m.

I covered one of their 2023 sets for US Rocker Music, which you can read here. 

Saturday, Jul 26th: Pu$$y-Cow and Silver Needle at The Escondite. Set times start at 8:15 p.m.

You can read my song spotlight of Pu$$y-Cow's "Taco-Chariot" here. They're celebrating 20 years together as a bad.

As for Silver Needle, I followed this band for years. They kick off the rust every couple years or so catch them now or you'll need to wait a few.

Two Movies Seen on TCM: Rosemary's Baby (1968) and The Straight Story (1999)

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: Starling's Bottlebrush Tree (a night at Zebulon)

Starling took to the Zebulon stage with their mystically ethereal sound that emphasized lead singer's Kasha Souter Willett gothic and vulnerable persona. Bassist Grace Rolek could be seen swaying along with her bass. The venue kept the lights low (which isn't at all unusual for Zebulon) as if to emphasize a David Lynch Blue Velvet visual experience for the audience. 

Starling at Zebulon

Song Spotlight: Madison Cunningham's All I've Ever Known (a night at The Fable)

I first ran across Madison Cunningham at the Bootleg Theater (did not re-open after the shutdown if anyone is wondering where that venue is in Los Angeles). It was a venue that I first came across many a band or singer-songwriter. It was 2018 and this is what I wrote after the set:

"Opening up the night was Madison Cunningham. It kind of felt like a showcase for her. As soon as I walked into the Bootleg, the place was packed. It was around 8:45 p.m. so not like I was showing up late. Her set had a wonderful tone to it and one couldn't help but notice her amusing facial expressions that she gave her band mates."

Madison Cunningham at The Fable

Song Spotlight: Matty Gottesman's Not Scared (Of Being Along) (a night at Hotel Ziggy)

I had just recently spent a weekend at USC for the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books. Of course, it was time to support UCLA. That occurred when I crossed paths with a Matty Gottesman, an UCLA student, via WFNM's showcase at Hotel Ziggy. He and his four piece backing band are all UCLA students (or maybe by the time this posts some will have graduated). I'm also guessing that their photographer was a UCLA student -- every so often I run into UCLA photographers at various venues who are shooting for UCLA Radio. 

Matty Gottesman at Hotel Ziggy

Song Spotlight: Host Family's Dromedary (a night at Zebulon)

Pretty But Wicked put together a solid line-up at Zebulon on a Tuesday night with Host Family as the anchor. The band was celebrating the release of their EP Extended Play. I will admit that the reason I went out to Zebulon was to catch Mo Dotti for the first time in 2025; however, the whole bill was fantastic. Seko opened up the night. The band was joined at different points during the set by Host Family band members Spencer Stange and Zac Hernandez. 

Host Family at Zebulon

Song Spotlight: Devon Ross' All the Things (a night at Zebulon)

I first came across Devon Ross in December 2023 at the Zebulon. I was an immediate fan. She was scheduled to once again play Zebulon in January 2025, but the night got cancelled due to the massive January fires in Los Angeles. I knew that the night would get rescheduled eventually so I kept an eye out. Finally, it was announced that there would be a Monday night set in May to help celebrate her single release "All the Things." Date was circled and I was there when it arrived. Of interest is that Longplayer was part of the bill for both that December 2023 set and this May 2025 set. 

Devon Ross at Zebulon

Notes from Vivace Show Alerts (Los Angeles): Jul 13th - Jul 19th

A Handful (Bucket Full) of Show Alerts

Sunday, Jul 13th: Rosy Nolan and Tone Slingers at The Echo (Grand Ole Echo). Doors at 5 p.m.
I shot both for Buzzbands. You can see my 2023 coverages of Rosy Nolan at Americana West Fest here and Tone Slingers (photo only) at Echo Park Rising here .

Sunday, Jul 13th: MACKandgold at Gold-Diggers. Doors at 7 p.m.
You can see my Buzzbands' MACKandgold coverage at the 2023 Echo Park Rising here .

Tuesday, Jul 15th: Hysteria at Zebulon. Doors at 8 p.m.

Read my "Reason to Pray" song spotlight here.

Wednesday, Jul 16th: Hysteria at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Doors at 9 p.m.

Second set of the week.

Wednesday, Jul 16th: Jenny O at Zebulon. Doors at 8 p.m.
You can read my 2022 Buzzbands review of Jenny O here.

Wednesday, Jul 16th: Optometry (band includes March Adstrum) at the Lodge Room. Doors at 8 p.m.

Read my March Adstrum "Relics from Phantoms" song spotlight here.

Wednesday, Jul 16th: Sister Gemini at The Goldfish. Doors at 8 p.m.

Read my "Elvira" song spotlight here.

Thursday, Jul 17th: Devon Ross at Zebulon. Doors at 8 p.m.
You can my review of one of her sets here.

Friday, Jul 18th: Easylove at Non Plus Ultra. Doors at 8 p.m.
Used to be part of Summer Twins, a one time favorite band of mine.

Friday, Jul 18th: Mac Hanson at The Goldfish. Doors at 8 p.m.
Read my "Alfa Romeo" song spotlight here.

Friday, Jul 18th: Soft Palms at Gold-Diggers. Doors at 7 p.m. 

Read my "Rainbows" song spotlight here.

Saturday, Jul 19th: Hysteria at Non Plus Ultra. Doors at 8 p.m.

Third set of the week.

Saturday, Jul 19th: Tashaki Miyaki at Zebulon. Doors at 7 p.m.

Read my "City" song spotlight here.

Two Movies Seen on TCM: Four Feathers (1939) and Home from the Hill (1960)

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: Rachel Goodrich's Why Do We Fall In Love? (a night at The Fable)

I noticed that Rachel Goodrich was playing Ryan Pollie's showcase at The Fable. There was a tough decision to make. That tough decision wasn't rather or not I was going to The Fable on a Tuesday night. No, the tough decision was what future night was getting cut out of my schedule. I'll repeat what I've written before, 2025 is dedicated to going out less often than I did in 2024. In 2024, I would not have made an adjustment to my schedule, but this being 2025 it means that unexpected surprises result in scratching a future planned music night. To say it this way: I really wanted to catch up with Goodrich again. 

Rachel Goodrich at The Fable

Song Spotlight: Mo Dotti's dead to me (a night at Zebulon)

Mo Dotti played perhaps their best set ever (of those I've seen) during Pretty But Wicked's recent night at the Zebulon. It was, as they describe on their website, noise pop (or others call shoe gaze) heaven. The band was opening for Host Family. Let's flash forward to the end of the set and their song "for anyone and you." Lead singer Gina Negrini went reaching for the tambourines. That got her band questioning her as she was supposed to play guitar. She responded saying that it would take too long to tune the guitar and she didn't want to impose on Host Family's time. I thought that was such a thoughtful gesture. That didn't stop the band from playing those guitar riffs that give the song such notable power. It also did not go unnoticed that Negrini took off her glasses for the song. 

Mo Dotti at Zebulon

Song Spotlight: Sierra Levesque's U Are My Drug (a night at Hotel Ziggy)

Sierra Levesque hit the WFNM stage at Hotel Ziggy with a firecracker personality. She hails from Canada, but now lives in Santa Monica. She introducing herself with, "I'm mostly rock music so I'm going turn it up just a little bit for you guys." Then she kicked off the set with "Don't Make Me Repeat Myself." It had me thinking Heart 1985. 

Sierra Levesque at Hotel Ziggy

Song Spotlight: Mac Hanson's Alfa Romeo (a night at Gold-Diggers)

Mac Hanson used to play under the moniker Joshua & The Holy Rollers. I caught a set back in 2018 at The Hi Hat (current location of The Goldfish). It was a high energy set. I later caught a portion of a set while running and gunning at the 2019 Echo Park Rising. Fast forward to June 2025 and I was looking for something to do on a Sunday night. I happened to notice that Swyndle was doing a free night at Gold-Diggers. First off, I realized that I hadn't gone to Gold-Diggers yet in 2025 and the year was basically half way over. (Once I got to the venue, someone that I run across every so often at various venues mentioned that she hadn't see me at Gold-Diggers in a very long time. Totally true.) Also, I noticed that Mac Hanson was doing a Single Release party. I'm always good for an album, EP, or single release party. 

Mac Hanson at Gold-Diggers

Review: Romance is in the air for Blake Stokes and Liza (a night at Hotel Ziggy)

Okay, a good romance is always nice to see on the movie or television screen. It is a unique moment when you see it played out at a music venue that. That occurred at Hotel Ziggy during a WFNM night when significant others Blake Stokes and Liza (Aliza Kate Barlow) played back to back sets. 

Blake Stokes at Hotel Ziggy

Notes from Vivace Show Alerts (Los Angeles): July 6th - July 12th

A Handful of Show Alerts

Sunday, Jul 6th: Ben Reddell at The Echo. Doors at 5 p.m.
You can read my Song Spotlight for "Tumbleweed" here.

Tuesday, Jul 8th: Self Improvement and Memo PST at Zebulon. Doors at 8 p.m.
I covered Self Improvement at the 2024 Happy Sundays Long Beach for US Rocker Music, which you can read here.
You can read my Song Spotlight for "I Used To Be A Pretty Boy" here.

Saturday, Jul 12th: Chase Petra at The Roxy. Doors at 7 p.m.
I covered the band at Happy Sundays Long Beach 2022 for Buzzbands, which you can read here.

Saturday, Jul 12th: 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.

Song Spotlight: Lucy & La Mer's I Feel Better Now (a night at Hotel Ziggy)

I first came across Lucy & La Mer (the moniker for Lucy LaForge) in 2017 at Chinatown Summer Nights. I was immediately sold. And she must have been sold on my photography, because every so often I'd get asked if I wanted to shoot a show. 

Lucy & La Mer at Hotel Ziggy

Two Movies Seen on TCM: Duel in the Sun (1946) and State Fair (1945)

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: Ned Casual's Gentrification Blues (a night at Harvard & Stone)

I was introduced to Ned Casual via his band Zooluxx. Their PR person reached out in late January 2020 about covering their set at the Moroccan Lounge. If you wish to do so, you can read the article here. The article posted on February 21st. It is interesting thinking back to those times. Just a couple weeks later, venues would shut down and stay shut down for more than a  year. 

Ned Casual at Harvard & Stone

Song Spotlight: BANDANNA's 10 Stories (a night at Hotel Ziggy)

I really do enjoy catching the opening band or singer when I head out on any particular night. One never knows if you'll catch a gem. Then there are those times when I walk into a venue (often because I've misjudged the start times) and the opening band is just about to end their set. That's what happened when I saw Gypsum for the first time at The Smell. I caught maybe half a song, but I knew I was going to love that band from that moment onwards. Now some of you who come across this are saying, who is Gypsum? Members of the band included Rosie Tucker and  Sapphire Jewell (who tours with illuminati hotties). 

BANDANNA at Hotel Ziggy

Song Spotlight: Artificial Go's Circles (a night at Permanent Records Roadhouse)

Did a band from Cincinnati, Ohio steal the show at Permanent Records Roadhouse? Maybe I wouldn't go that far as they were book ended by Los Angeles bands Julez and the Rollerz and Jagged Baptist Club who have their fan bases. Yet, Artificial Go definitely got the crowd behind them and in rather quick fashion. How would I describe the band? I'll just steal the description from their Bandcamp page, "existential post-punk chamber pop."

Artificial Go at Permanent Records Roadhouse