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

Blake Stokes started off the romance. He mentioned to the audience that the two of them had a favorite song called "Angel Baby," which he dedicated to Liza. Though the night was filled with love, he did sing his song "Aftershock" which he told the audience is about, "The anticipation of losing somebody more than it's about heart break. The anticipation of losing that person is worse than actually losing them." Love was back on track; however, for the song "Bad." He told the audience, "It's about my girlfriend, because she's a baddie. She's f*cking awesome." Liza was up front and center and had that glimmer in her eye. 

Blake Stokes at Hotel Ziggy

The set did not totally revolve around Liza. He did ask the audience how many of them lived in West Hollywood. When not many people raised their hands, he responded with, "Thanks for driving out here!"

Stokes also provide guitar backing for his love Liza when her set came around next. Early into the set, she looked Stokes in the eye and said, "I'm so lucky to be your baddie." She did sing a trio of depressing songs; however. The lyrics for her latest single "heaven" include the lines, "I miss the girl I used to be. I miss my innocence." After concluding her song "Ghost," she told the audience, "Sorry for making it so depressing. Now I'm going to make it more depressing." That more depressing song was the Radiohead cover "Creep." 

Liza at Hotel Ziggy

Don't worry, the mood picked up for the final two songs of the set. The background story to "Bailey" was interesting. She mentioned that she was bullied in middle school -- not by other girls, but by the boys. "There was one boy in the class and his name was Will Bailey. He was sweetheart. And I was saying the other day, 'I wonder how he's doing.' He would always try to make me laugh." Of course, she had to assure Stokes that she wasn't in love with the subject of the song. It was just a sweet song about wondering what ever happened to that specific person from long ago, "Maybe I'll tell you what this song is about someday." 

Liza at Hotel Ziggy

Stokes did not need to worry about the fact that she wrote a song about Will Bailey. Her final song of the set "By Myself" was written with Stokes in mind. It was a song that got the crowd humming along, providing added layers to the music. Magical. To end the set, the two gave each other a hug.  

Love: sometimes, you've got to blog about it.

Blake Stokes Setlist: Secrets, Angel Baby (Rosie and the Originals cover), Aftershock, Fallen for You, Bad, Needing Me Now.

Liza Setlist: heaven, Ghost, Creep (Radiohead cover), Bailey, By Myself.