Notes from Vivace Show Alerts (Los Angeles): Nov 30th - Dec 6th

A Handful of Show Alerts 

Sunday, Nov 30th: Soft Palms and UGHH at The Lyric Hyperion. Doors at 8 p.m.

You can read my Soft Palms song spotlight for "Rainbows" here.

You can read my UGHH review at Happy Sundays Fest here. 

Sunday, Nov 30th: The What Four at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Doors at 6 p.m.

I recently wrote a review of their set at Frogtown Brewery, which you can read here.

Monday, Dec 1st: Brenda Carsey at Hotel Cafe. Doors at 8 p.m.

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

Wednesday, Dec 3rd: Alice Sandahl at Gold-Diggers. Doors at 7 p.m.

You can read my song spotlight for "Walk It Off" here. 

Wednesday, Dec 3rd: Baba Jenkins at Hotel Ziggy. Doors at 7 p.m.
You can read my song spotlight for "Wild" here.

Wednesday, Dec 3rd: Devon Thompson at El Cid. Doors at 7 p.m.

Got introduced to Devon Thompson via The Smell.

Wednesday, Dec 3rd: Rachel Goodrich at Healing Force Records. Doors at 8 p.m.

You can read my song spotlight for "Why Do We Fall in Love?" here. 

Thursday, Dec 4th: Pegzilla at The Goldfish. Doors at 8 p.m.

You can read my song spotlight for "Giver" here.

Friday, Dec 5th: Cosmic Kitten and Mike Watt at the Redwood Bar. Doors at 8 p.m.

You can read my Cosmic Kitten spotlight for "Hole in my Soul"  here. 

In 2024, I covered Mike Watt for US Rocker Music when he played Happy Sundays Long Beach, which you can read here. 

Saturday, Dec 6th: Crisis Actor and Jagged Baptist Club at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Doors at 9 p.m.

I recently wrote a Crisis Actor review of their Old Towne Pub set, which you can read here. 

You can read my Jagged Baptist Club song spotlight for "Temptation Death House" here. 

Photo Reviews: The Dandy Warhols (a night at The Bellwether)

A few weeks back, I got to shoot The Dandy Warhols at The Bellwether for US Rocker Music. You can read the article here. 

I figured I'd discuss a couple photos that I took. I'm happy with the shots. I got to the venue perhaps 15 minutes later than I anticipated due to the fact that I accidentally walked pass the side street that I needed to turn on and so I had to loop back. When I finally got inside the venue, there were really no good places to stand next to the stage. Would there have been if I got there 15 minutes earlier? Who knows. The venue recently took out their photo pit area that was in front of the stage. I'm not saying that if I had found a spot next to the stage that I would have stayed there the whole night. I'm just saying I didn't get a chance to shoot right up front. 

Review: Movie Club has the Soundtrack to Your Favorite Movies

Movie Club reached out to me in August 2023 to see if I was interested in coming to their residency at Harvard & Stone. I wasn't able to catch their immediate night as I had plans to catch a couple bands at Zebulon. The following week, I got sick. They pinged me a couple months later about a set they were playing at Gold-Diggers. Not only did I get to catch their set for the first time ever, but I also got to cross paths again with Wargirl (a band I hadn't seen since 2017, but left an impression at the time). What's the point of this background? Every so often bands reach out to me and I have to decline. But hey, keep asking, because I do my best to eventually make it out to a set (as long as the set is played in my definition of the core Los Angeles music scene or better explained as within a 10 mile radius of Glendale -- ha ha).

Movie Club at Permanent Records Roadhouse

Song Spotlight: Rituals of Mine's Devoted (a night at Zebulon)

I came across Rituals of Mine back in 2019 when they opened for Y La Bamba. I covered the night for Buzzbands. You can read that article here. I had specifically wanted to cover that set, because I ran across Y La Bamba in 2017 at the Music Tastes Good festival in Long Beach and really enjoyed their set. 

Rituals of Mine at Zebulon

Song Spotlight: Zara's Breathe Child (a night at Hotel Ziggy)

Zara (aka Zara Sargsyan) took the Hotel Ziggy's WFNM showcase stage for the second time this past October. The first time was back in November 2024. I was lucky enough to catch both sets. The recent Berklee College graduate had fellow alumni Angelo Della Valle playing backing guitar. Zara also played the guitar while singing. The duo guitars made for nifty jazz-pop interplay with intricate fingerpicking one her part. Her vocals had those Basia vibes from the 1980s-1990s. This was all perfectly highlighted from the top with the opening song "Stolen Joy."       

Zara at Hotel Ziggy

Song Spotlight: Holy Wars' Metamorphosis (a night at Pico Union Project)

As I mentioned in my Ramonda Hammer write up (you can read that here), I had a rather thrilling back to back nights in the Los Angeles music scene. Thursday night it was Ramonda Hammer at The Goldfish and then Friday night (11/21) it was off to see Holy Wars at Pico Union Project. Those two bands are two of my favorite bands in Los Angeles and it had been a rather long time since I last saw either band on stage. 

Holy Wars at Pico Union Project

Song Spotlight: Ramonda Hammer's Eyelash (a night at The Goldfish)

It was a thrilling back to back nights for me in the Los Angels music scene. I got to reconnect with two favorite bands that included an introduction to their new music. On Thursday (Nov 20th), I went to The Goldfish to catch Ramonda Hammer and then on Friday I saw Holy Wars. These are two of my favorite Los Angeles based bands, but it had been awhile since I last saw either one of them. 

Ramonda Hammer at The Goldfish

Notes from Vivace Show Alerts (Los Angeles): Nov 23rd - Nov 29th

A Handful (less than) of Show Alerts 

Sunday, Nov 23rd: Fashion Club at The Roxy. Doors at 7 p.m.
Lead singer Pascal Stevenson is in the band Moaning and for long time Los Angeles music fans, used to be in Moses Campbell.

  

Wednesday, Nov 26th: Mikayla McLean and Ron Blakely at Hotel Ziggy. Doors at 7 p.m.

Read my Song Spotlight for Mikayla McLean's "Run!" here.

Read my Song Spotlight for Ron Blakely's "Tired" here.

Saturday, Nov 29th: My Veronica at Oblivion. Doors at 7 p.m.

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

Song Spotlight: Nico May's Give 'Em Hell (a night at Hotel Ziggy)

What got me heading out to the WFNM showcase at Hotel Ziggy on a late September evening? It was Nico May. I took a listen to all the bands and singers for the night and as soon as I heard "Lover, Who Hurt You?" on Spotify, I knew I was heading out. His vocals and music had influences from Benson Boone and Morgan Wallen with a touch of Shaboozey. During his set he mentioned that he is a fan of Zach Bryan so I'll include that country artist, as well.  

Nico May at Hotel Ziggy

Song Spotlight: John Vincent III's City Rain (a night at the Greek Theatre)

I don't get to shoot the Greek Theatre as often as I'd like. This particular night with headliner The Head And The Heart represented my second time (and final time) getting to shoot at the venue this 2025 season. You can read my US Rocker Music review here. I live in Glendale and so it is only a four mile drive. Since I hate paying for parking, I'll drive into Los Feliz and park in an area that I know generally has plenty of free parking and do the long walk up to the theatre. One of the best moments of any night at the Greek Theatre is when the last song has been performed and everyone is heading home. That's when I'm part of perhaps 200 people who are just as cheap as I am and are walking down the Hollywood Hills and into Los Feliz. Not only is the whole walk representative of my own cheapness, but it also gives me a cardio workout (the walk up, not so much the walk down).   

John Vincent III at the Greek Theatre

Song Spotlight: The Chameleons' Feels Like The End Of The World (a night at the Belasco)

For a band that formed in 1981 and has taken some rather lengthy breaks (per Wikipedia, two breaks that lasted over a decade each), The Chameleons have had a rather active 2025. They spent July touring with the Psychedelic Furs across the United States. Their first full length album in 24 years, Artic Moon, was released in September. Then they did a 11 stop headline tour across the west coast of the United States during parts of September and October. When this posts on my personal blog, they'll be in the middle of European tour.  

The Chameleons at the Belasco

Song Spotlight: donna's burn, Pt. 2 (a night at Permanent Records Roadhouse)

Donna opened up for my favorite New York City band Laveda on Oct 1st at Permanent Records Roadhouse. I covered the night for US Rocker Music. You can read the article here. For some strange reason the band name sounded very familiar to me even though I knew I'd never seen them before. My first thought was that I must have come across the band name during Echo Park Rising. That wasn't the case. I finally figured it out. They played on a July bill with Hysteria at Zebulon. I'm a fan of Hysteria so why didn't I go to that set? I was sick during that timeframe and ended up not going out at all for a full week. It took two and half months before catching donna live. In the Los Angeles music scene, there is always a second, third, fourth chance to catch a band. That is what makes the scene so vibrant. 

Donna at Permanent Records Roadhouse

Song Spotlight: Laveda's Cellphone (a night at Permanent Records Roadhouse)

I first came across Laveda in 2022 at Permanent Records Roadhouse. They were playing along side a couple favorite bands of mine: Janelane and Mo Dotti. I went out that night specifically to catch Janelane and Mo Dotti, because it isn't that often where both bands are paired up. I remember being surprised at how many people were at the venue, not to see my two favorite bands (not that they didn't have their fan base), but were there specifically to see Laveda. 

Laveda at Permanent Records Roadhouse

Song Spotlight: Adam Wilson and KIA's Together (a night at Hotel Ziggy)

Prior to heading off to the late September WFNM showcase at Hotel Ziggy, I listened to the music of the various performers for the night. That included opener Adam Wilson. I went to his Instagram page and clicked on his links. There was a Youtube video to his song "Together." The song is a duet with Kia (KIA) Knoester, a WFNM alumni who I had happened to catch a year prior at Bar Lubitsch. I was thinking it would be awesome if that song was on the setlist. But I wasn't holding out much hope. When I arrived, I noticed her in the crowd and my hopes rose ever so slightly, but I was keeping a pessimistic viewpoint -- why get my hopes up too high. 

Adam Wilson at Hotel Ziggy

Notes from Vivace Show Alerts (Los Angeles): November 16th - November 22nd

A Handful of Show Alerts

Sunday, Nov 16th: Bardo at Alex's Bar. Doors at 8 p.m.

Read my recent review of his set here.

Monday, Nov 17th: Alex E.T. at Club Tee Gee. Doors at 8 p.m.

Read my song spotlight for "Calico II" here. 

Tuesday, Nov 18th: Baby Fischgrund at The Fable. Doors at 8 p.m.

Read my song spotlight for "If You Still Called" here.

Wednesday, Nov 19th: Johanna Samuels at Zebulon. Doors at 8 p.m.

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

Thursday, Nov 20th: Horse Rider at Oblivion. Doors at 7 p.m.

Read my song spotlight for "Horse Rider" here.

Thursday, Nov 20th: Ramonda Hammer at The Goldfish. Doors at 7 p.m.

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

Friday, Nov 21st: Cosmic Kitten at The Redwood Bar. Set time at 11:15 p.m.

Read my song spotlight for "Hole in my Soul" here.

Friday, Nov 21st: Holy Wars at Pico Union Project. Doors at 7 p.m.

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

Friday, Nov 21st: Matt Axton with Nocona and Rah Rah Rabbit at the Big Foot Lodge.

Read my song spotlight for Matt Axton's "Golden Times" here.

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

In 2024, I covered Rah Rah Rabbit for US Rocker Music, which you can read here.

Saturday, Nov 22nd: Buckets at Gold-Diggers. Doors at 7 p.m.

Read my song spotlight for "Judy" here.

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