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

I got won over rather quickly and left having fallen in love with a new band. Though, I will admit, that I initially started calling the band Laveta (after Laveta Terrace in Echo Park) by mistake. I especially loved their song "Better Now" that focused on the reverb vocals of guitarist Jake Brooks. They then popped on by Permanent Records Roadhouse in 2023, which I covered for US Rocker Music. (You can read that article here.) I don't believe they came through town in 2024 (always a possibility that they did come through town, but it was mentioned at their recent show that they've only played one venue in Los Angeles so it is very unlikely that I overlooked it). 

Laveda at Permanent Records Roadhouse

Flash forward to the early part of August. I noticed that the band was going to hit up Permanent Records Roadhouse once again on October 1st. The date was added to my music calendar. A couple weeks later, their PR team reached out to me to see if I was willing to cover the band. Of course, I told my contact, I love the band. You can read my review of the show (once again for US Rocker Music) here. 

Laveda at Permanent Records Roadhouse

The band was on tour to promote their third studio album Love, Darla. As I took a listen to the album, I noticed that the band had shifted their sound. Out were the melodic sounds of their songs such as "Be Yours," "Dream. Sleep.," and "Better Now." They were shifting to a clashing, raw, and aggressive stance. As I mentioned in my US Rocker Music article, one has to suspect that this shift was influenced by their move from Albany to New York City (Queens specifically). You're moving from a city with a population of 100,000 (metro area of 913,000) to New York City with a population of  8.5 million (metro area of 20 million). It surely must have had an influence on their music. 

The song spotlight goes to "Cellphone." The song has a fun instrumental alt rock intro that carries throughout the tune. Taking lead vocal duties (and through much of the new album) is Ali Genevich who introduced the song with, "This song is about how much I want to crush my phone." The frustration with social media was expressed in her vocals and in the lyrics. The audience cheers at the end was indicative of their empathy for her.

Laveda at Permanent Records Roadhouse

The frustration of social media and how it can have negative impacts on your life are reflected in the below lyrics.

I don't need to know that my hair looks like a boy    

And yet, you must have it.

I said, I want it
Incinerate it
I know you won't

Laveda setlist: Care, Cellphone, I Wish, breathing, Surprise, Heaven, Dream. Sleep, Strawberry, Tim Burton’s Tower, Sprat, Bonehead, Dig Me Out, Highway Meditation.