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

About not having ever heard of Host Family and Seko, I'm sure there are some wondering how that is possible. I've been running into a handful of fans of the Los Angeles music scene lately on a rather constant basis. I suspect that they see far more Los Angeles bands than I do and I'm someone who goes out about 3 times a week. Sometimes I'll get into conversations with them and they'll ask if I'm heading out to see such and such a band. A lot of times, I'll have to say, "I've never heard of that band." 

It feels a bit strange to me. I go out so often to catch bands, but there are people who are aware of so many more bands. How are people aware of all these bands? In some ways, I get a bit envious about the knowledge that many have about the Los Angeles music scene. Oh well, I can only go out so often. If I went out more often, I wouldn't be relaunching this blog site (which takes a lot of my free time) and I would be falling asleep at work. In a round about way, this is me giving high praise to bookers such as Pretty But Wicked, Rocknight LA, and Sid the Cat who book the eastside.

Host Family at Zebulon

Back to Host Family. When it comes to the band name, I have two images in my head. First is the more literal interpretation which is a family that lets a foreign student stay at their house. My second interpretation has a more Sci Fi / horror thought to it. 

The band has shoegaze influences though the band didn't cloak the stage in fog nor spend time staring at their guitar peddles. Their step away from the stereotypes of a shoegaze band was aided by the fact that lead singer Imogen Lolos spent much of the set hopping around while singing. How shoegaze can you be when your lead singer isn't looking a touch glum while singing the lyrics? 

Host Family at Zebulon

Perhaps the moment of the set came at the end. Hand shakes were shared to start off the song. Bassist Cameron Burt was playing from every possible body position imaginable. My camera was focused on him, because he was playing in such a dramatic fashion. Then I turned away from him for just a moment. The song ended and something caught my attention. I looked back over to him and his bass was on the floor, the headstock had snapped off. I don't feel like he had slammed his bass onto the floor or any other similar violent motion. Hopefully, it is fixable. 

Host Family at Zebulon

"Dromedary" is a song propelled by the tender vocals of Lolos with fuzzy guitar playing. A song about wondering what is next in life while smoking a cigarette?      

Distance travel, and I can't see ahead
Stories unravel, light a fire instead