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

The event dates back to 2010. It got suspended during COVID venue closures, but started back up in 2024. I'd never gone to one of those prior Murder Ballads nights so I decided I would attend. It helped that I was familiar with many of those taking part in the festivities. 

Another reason to head out was that this event was taking place at the aforementioned 2220 Arts. For music history buffs, the building used to be the Bootleg Theater. This was my first time at 2220 Arts, which I do believe it was Jamie Drake (who sang the song "Down in the Willow Garden") who said that this was also her first time at the venue. It isn't like I was avoiding the venue. The stars just never aligned. Laena (who performed a trio of songs on this night) had her record release there in March 2024. Zola Jesus (to clarify should there be any confusion, was not at this event) came through this past June. Unfortunately, I couldn't make it to either performance due to other commitments. 

Anna Ash at 2220 Arts

Finally getting to make it out to the venue was, in a way, comforting. The only area that was open to the crowd was the bar area so I couldn't explore the full venue. Other than the entrance to the bar being moved over to a different location, all seemed largely the same. I immediately noticed the upside down Cocktails sign over the bar. The stage seemed all the same, even the piano was still off to the side. 

Emily Rose at 2220 Arts

It being the Spooky month and the event being titled "Murder Ballads & Dark Songs," the stage was decorated with skeletons and Halloween spider web decorations (that just so happened to stick to body parts and clothing of the performers). It was amusing watching one performere trying to get the decorations off his right hand. 

One big highlight of the night was Emily Rose singing The Gun Club's "Secret Fires." 

So, touch me through your screen door
I want to remember you
We struggled
The year we lived in secret fire

I now know why her booking entity is called Secret Fires LA. 

Laena at 2220 Arts

Comment of the set comes from Jamie Drake who said, "All these songs are about women getting killed. Let's celebrate that sh*t." 

Daniel Crook covered "The Butcher Boy."  

And me poor girl to be dead and gone
With the long green grass growing over me

The lyrics do rather align with Drake's comment.

Daniel Crook at 2220 Arts

I used to see Daniel Crook around town all the time. I only recently ran across him again at Stories Books and Cafe. How about that? I suppose it indicates how dramatically my exploration of the Los Angeles music scene has changed post-COVID. My ventures to Echo Park are far more limited than they used to be. I should admit that my travels into Echo Park haven't totally ended (other than at least once a year during Echo Park Rising). I do on occasion make a late night run to the Taco Zone food truck.  

Same Ol' Smile at 2220 Arts

As the night ended, Same Ol' Smile did a convincing cover of Willie Nelson's "Time of the Preacher." 

Boo boo boo, Halloween is only a few days away.