Notes from Vivace Show Alerts (Los Angeles): Dec 21st - Dec 27th

A Single Show Alert 

Sunday, Dec 21st: Mike Watt & The Secondmen at Alex's Bar. Doors at 2 p.m.
In 2024, I covered his Happy Sundays Long Beach set for US Rocker Music, which you can read here.

Photo Review: TR/ST at Substance Fest (held at The Belasco)

TR/ST  (the moniker for Robert Alfons) was the closing band for both nights at this year's two day Substance Fest held at The Belasco. You can read my review of the festival at US Rocker Music (click here). This was my first time attending Substance Fest. To be honest, a main reason why I wanted to attend the festival was due to the fact that Silent Mass was playing the festival. Also, the fact that Pink Stiletto was playing, helped as well. If you follow my blog site, you know I have a soft spot for DIY local bands. (Though both Silent Mass and Pink Stiletto live outside of Los Angeles, both used to live in the city.) Of course, one could argue that all the bands at this festival were DIY bands. Let's just say I like catching bands that play the smaller stages. Substance Fest had three stages: the main stage and the two other stages being in the balcony and basement. I've been to The Belasco a handful of times and didn't even know they had a basement area (other than knowing that they had bathrooms down there). Also, to be honest, I actually didn't know there was a balcony area. I did some fun exploring of the venue during the festival. One of these days, I would mind having an all access pass and seeing what the back stage looks like.

Song Spotlight: Passion Mango's Boy (a night at Zebulon)

Passion Mango (the stage name for Connor Wilkinson) was the opening band for Hotel Mira's headlining show at Zebulon. Both are Canadian bands (though Hotel Mira's Charlie Kerr currently resides in Los Angeles). It was a time for the Los Angeles music scene to go out and support their northern neighbors. If interested, I wrote a review of the night over at US Rocker Music, which you can read here.  

Passion Mango at Zebulon

Song Spotlight: Nat Lefkoff's Broken Down House (a night at Zebulon)

Nat Lefkoff took the middle spot on a three band line up at Zebulon. The headliner was Hotel Mira (you can read my US Rocker Music write-up here). What I found interesting about the night was the fact that each band had a distinct fan base. The opener Passion Mango had their fans who rushed to the front of the stage as soon as the doors opened. Once their set ended, a few spots at the front of the stage opened up and Lefkoff's fans pushed forward to take those spots. 

Nat Lefkoff at Zebulon

Photo Reviews: Felly (a night at The Echo)

I recently had the pleasure to shoot Felly (the moniker for Christian Robert Felner) at The Echo. You can read my US Rocker Music review here. I have to admit that I had never heard of Felly before this night, but I'm now a fan. While hanging out waiting for his set to begin, someone approached me and asked me about my photography / reviews. He so happened to mention that he was going to school at USC. I did not know this Felly connection until doing my post-concert write-up research -- Felly graduated from USC in 2017. After learning that fact, I do wonder how many in the audience were USC students / graduates. 

Song Spotlight: Silent Mass' A Cold War City (a night at Substance Fest)

I've followed Ammo Bankoff since 2011 when I caught a band called Black Flamingo at a DIY music festival called Silver Lake Jubilee. The band also featured Kimi Recor. I had seen Recor the previous year at Silver Lake Jubilee in a band called Lilofee. Those encounters at the music festival started off my loyalty to these two musicians. Kimi Recor, perhaps, had the greater propensity to explore new music creations. Her best known bands after Black Flamingo were Draemings and Kevin, but there were others. The band Kevin was a duo with Quincy Larsen who I knew via a band called Cat Scan and now Dove Armitage. Bankoff went from Black Flamingo to fronting Brass Box. She then started up her currently band Silent Mass (originally named AMMO). Unfortunately, for the Los Angeles music scene, Recor has returned to her home country of Germany. Meanwhile, Bankoff has moved to Brooklyn. I do love recounting the Los Angeles music history. 

Silent Mass at Substance Fest (held at The Belasco)

Song Spotlight: mop's Save Yourself (a night at The Goldfish)

If I didn't work full time and could just have the time of my life out in the Los Angeles music scene, I would head out to the Rocknite LA showcase at The Goldfish far more often than I do. In early November, I took a look at their Instagram page to see who was playing that particular Wednesday night. I didn't initially recognize anyone on the bill, which isn't unusual as they have a way of uncovering bands and singers. I clicked on through each of the three bands / artist. The first Instagram link I selected was the band mop. To my surprise, it was a new band fronted by Laura Jean Anderson. I did not realize it, but at some point in the last couple years, she moved to New York. I was definitely heading out to The Goldfish -- and so did a lot of other familiar faces from the Los Angeles music scene. 

mop at The Goldfish

Notes from Vivace Show Alerts (Los Angeles): Dec 14th - Dec 20th

A Handful (Bucket Full) of Show Alerts

Sunday, Dec 14th: The Mastersons at Gold-Diggers. Doors at 7 p.m.
In 2024, the band was part of a Roots Rock tribute night at Zebulon that I covered for US Rocker Music. You can read my review here.

Sunday, Dec 14th: Powder Pink & Sweet at The Redwood Bar. Doors at 8 p.m.
In 2023, I covered the band's set for US Rocker Music, which you can read here. 

Tuesday, Dec 16th: Mara Connor at Hotel Ziggy. Doors at 7 p.m.

Read my song spotlight for "Someone New" here. 

Wednesday, Dec 17th: Cody's Program at The Goldfish. Doors at 8 p.m.

Read my recent review of his set at The Goldfish here. 

Thursday, Dec 18th: Ava Maybee at The Roxy. Doors at 7 p.m.

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

Thursday, Dec 18th: Tropa Magica at Alex's Bar. Doors at 8 p.m.

In 2022, I covered the band for Buzzbands, which you can read here.

Friday, December 19th: Faetooth and Iress at the Lodge Room. Doors at 7 p.m.

Faetooth was one of my favorite new bands in 2022. 

Read my song spotlight for Iress' "Shamed" here.

Friday, December 19th: UGHH at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Doors at 9 p.m.

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

Saturday, Dec 20th: Duderella at Alex's Bar. Doors at 8 p.m.

In 2019, I provided some notes about the band for Buzzbands' Echo Park Rising coverage, which you can read here. 

Saturday, Dec 20th: Holiday Cabaret (fundraiser) at Zebulon. Doors at 7 p.m.
Features various artists, but highlighting Georgia Maq (you can read my song spotlight for "You'll Be Singing My Name" here) and TwoLips (you can read my song spotlight for "MFKN Free" here) that I've featured on my blog.

Song Spotlight: Kwasi Stampley's I FK With You (a night at Hotel Ziggy) - wait for Nikki Hahn post

Singer and model Kwasi Stampley had the irresistible energy going at WFNM's showcase at Hotel Ziggy. It started from the very beginning of the set when his rock, rap, R&B fusion opening song had him switching between two guitars and hair whipping. 

Kwasi Stampley at Hotel Ziggy

Song Spotlight: Hana Giraldo's Play My Sh*t (ALEXA) (a night at Hotel Ziggy)

Before playing her set, Hana Giraldo took a seat on the couches at WFNM's showcase at Hotel Ziggy. She got to catch a few songs from Tanja (read a prior review here). Tanja did a few dance moves in the direction of Giraldo who was grooving to the dreamy pop tunes. The two appeared to have made a friendship connection with each other prior to their sets.

Hana Giraldo at Hotel Ziggy

Song Spotlight: Katie Ward's Make It Up To You (a night at Hotel Ziggy)

In a pre-Halloween set, Katie Ward brought her jazz composition and vocals to WFNM's showcase at Hotel Ziggy. This was my second time checking out one of her sets. The previous time was at Bar Lubitsch in August. Based on her Instagram account, it would seem she first made her mark in the San Diego jazz scene and has since shifted her attention to playing around Los Angeles at venues such as Gold-Diggers, Hotel Cafe, and the aforementioned venues. 

Katie Ward at Hotel Ziggy

Song Spotlight: Cissi TV's I Guess I Made It (a night at Zebulon)

Cissi TV (the moniker for multidisciplinary artist Cissi Efraimsson) used the day before Halloween to celebrate her debut EP release Mixed Signals. Zebulon was packed to support her accomplishment. Backing her up was an all-star of DIY Los Angeles musicians or as bassist Kelsey Hart (The Little Ghost of Death Valley Girls) put out, "Girl Power!" In additional to Hart, there was guitarist Staz Lindes of The Paranoyds and keyboardist Izzy Glaudini of Automatic rounded out the Efrainmsson's backing band. 

Cissi TV at Zebulon

Song Spotlight: Nikki Hahn's another 13 (a night at Hotel Ziggy)

Actress and singer Nikki Hahn opened up a pre-Halloween night at WFNM's showcase at Hotel Ziggy. The set highlighted her love of scary movies and characters. Her costume for the night was of vampire attire, which included a pearl white necklace. The bottom part of the necklace was drenched in fake blood with red beads running down her chest. Her electric guitarists (who I do believe is her father) was dressed as a lord vampire. Her other band mates were not as into the holiday spirit, but did sport some fake blood on their faces. 

Nikki Hahn at Hotel Ziggy

Song Spotlight: Devon Thompson's Wishing (a night at El Cid)

I first came across the back to basics rocker Devon Thompson at The Smell in late 2023. In 2024, she played a trio of sets at WFNM that I caught, the last one being an acoustic set. A bit too much time had passed since I last crossed paths with the self described "Angel from the Valley." When I noticed that she was playing El Cid, I circled the date. 

Devon Thompson at El Cid

Notes from Vivace Show Alerts (Los Angeles): Dec 7th - Dec 13th

A Handful (Bucket Full) of Show Alerts

Sunday, Dec 7th: Bruvvy at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Doors at 6 p.m.

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

Monday, Dec 8th: Dave Harrington at Zebulon. Doors at 7 p.m.
I recently wrote up a review of his set at Zebulon, which you can read here.

Tuesday, Dec 9th: Alex E.T. at Scribble. Doors at 7 p.m.

Read my song spotlight for "Calico II" here. 

Wednesday, Dec 10th: Adriana McCassim at Gold-Diggers. Doors at 7 p.m.

I listed her as one of my favorite new artists of 2023.

Wednesday, Dec 10th: Lower Merion at The Goldfish. Doors at 8 p.m.

Read my song spotlight for "Wolf Shirt (How I Picture Dallas)" here.

Wednesday, Dec 10th: Night Talks at the Fonda Theatre. Doors at 7 p.m.

Read my song spotlight for "Running on a Cloud" here. 

Wednesday, Dec 10th: 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 11th: Buckets at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Doors at 9 p.m.

Read my song spotlight for "Judy" here.

Thursday, Dec 11th: Meels at the Fonda Theatre. Doors at 7:30 p.m.

Read my song spotlight for "Falcon and the Loon" here. 

Thursday, Dec 11th: Jett Kwong at Zebulon. Doors at 8 p.m.

In 2022, I wrote up a review of her set for US Rocker Music, which you can read here.

Thursday, Dec 11th: Pu$$y-Cow at The Kibitz Room. Doors at 10 p.m.

You can read my song spotlight of Pu$$y-Cow's "Taco-Chariot" here.

Friday, Dec 12th: Harry Katz and the Pistachios at the Bigfoot Lodge. Doors at 8 p.m.

I recently wrote up a review of their Permanent Records Roadhouse set, which you can read here. 

Friday, Dec 12th: Julez and the Rollerz at Alex's Bar. Doors at 8 p.m.

Read my song spotlight for "Call Me Up" here.

Friday, Dec 12th: Pearl Charles at Zebulon. Doors at 7 p.m.

Read my song spotlight for "Step Too Far" here. 

Saturday, Dec 13th: Crisis Actor at The Redwood Bar. Set time at 10:20 p.m.

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

Saturday, Dec 13th: Punk Crush and Teens in Trouble at Oblivion. Doors at 7 p.m.

Lead singer of Punk Crush is also in Suzie True. In 2024, I covered the Suzie True for US Rocker Music, which you can read here. 

In 2024, I covered the band for US Rocker Music when they played the No Earbuds Fest, which you can read which you can read here.

Song Spotlight: Meernaa's Framed In A Different State (a night at Zebulon)

Meernaa (the moniker for Carly Bond) opened up the night for Shannon Lay's final October residency night at Zebulon. Outside on the patio, the venue was prepped for Halloween. A giant skeleton loomed high above the crowd. This was a subject of conversation when someone in the audience asked a question about what Bond sees when she looks into someone's eyes, "And you'll see it too, flames. You go see that skeleton outside. Bag of bones. And there's flames." 

Meernaa at Zebulon

Review: a campy Christmas Eve story as told by girlish figure's Please Her For Pleasure

On occasion, I get pinged by bands that are new to me, giving me a heads up about an upcoming gig. This happened recently when girlish figure (moniker for Analise Nelson) sent me an Instagram IM mentioning that they were having a video release party for "Please Her For Pleasure" at The Goldfish. I was given a synopsis of the music video, "a heavily 80s inspired pop jam with a video that will tell a dark, but campy story about queer love and transformation. We follow a Nun (girlish figure) whose Christmas Eve mass gets turned upside down when a mysterious woman (Catherine McCafferty) inspires them to leave the church and the habit behind. They’re sneered at by the sexually repressed priest (Sam Pancake) and chased down by Animal Control, but what their attackers don’t know is that the gay club they’ve fled to is frequented by gay werewolves...and tonight is a full moon."

girlish figure at The Goldfish

Song Spotlight: Talk2Strangers' Fawn (a night at The Goldfish)

When online sets were the rage in 2020, I caught Talk2Strangers via Los Angeleno (from what I can tell, the website still posts articles on an intermittent basis). It was an artsy set in the vain of other Los Angeles notables like Bloody Death Skull and Jess Joy (since moved back to her home state of Louisiana). You can see that performance here. 

Talk2Strangers at The Goldfish

Song Spotlight: American Mile's Photograph Of You (a night at Hotel Ziggy)

I got introduced to American Mile by Sideways Media (Nicole Poulos) back in May. I've worked with Poulos for nearly a decade (give or take a year or two either way). She was asking if I could make their American Dream album release party in June, but that just wasn't going to work out for me (real life work issues). I did suggest doing a Q&A with the band for US Rocker Music. 

American Mile at Hotel Ziggy

Below is a response to one of the questions:

Question: Your sophomore album American Dream, just came out. How would you like the album to impact those who listen to it?

Answer" I would like the album to inspire people, make people groove and dance, give people hope and faith in life. I want the album to let people know, to never give up, to keep going. I also hope it inspires people to write more songs and pick up more instruments too.

American Mile at Hotel Ziggy

You can read the full Q&A here. 

Fast forward to August and Echo Park Rising. I noticed that they were playing with  The Doohickeys at The Den Studios. The venue was way too off the beaten path for me so I once against had to skip out on their live show. 

During my research of the band in June, I did learn that they play 200 shows a year so another opportunity was sure to pop up. Jumping a couple months to October, and I noticed that they were playing the WFNM showcase at Hotel Ziggy. I could make that one. The date was circled. 

American Mile at Hotel Ziggy

Was it worth the wait? Actually, I wish I had come across them far sooner in life. Their set was a blast. When people were hanging out in the hotel lobby to start off the set, guitarist Joe Perez left the stage and corralled people into the venue area. And if people weren't immediately convinced to leave the lobby area, they soon were via their Southern rock tunes. People were immediately inspired to dance. The band kept it entertaining and high energy throughout. A couple times lead singer Eugene Rice used a talk box, which gave their music a modulated sound.

Their final song of the night "Shake That Thing" is by far their most popular Spotify song. Drummer Colton Miller went Whiplash on the song. At one point, Perez, Rice, and bassist Dezmond Saunders all went out into the crowd. Perez stepped up on a round table. Saunders swung his bass in all directions. Rice slide-danced his way across the floor. "Stay Young," was the band's farewell advice to the audience. The response from one individual was, "That was insane."

American Mile at Hotel Ziggy

The song spotlight goes to "Photograph Of You." It comes off their American Dream album. It is a song about a couple breaking up and later realizing that they truly are in love with each other. 

Last twenty in the tank

Truck is set to cruise

I drive along with a photograph of you

Song Spotlight: TELAH!'s Winner (a night at The Goldfish)

I first came across Telah! when they played Echo Park Rising's Sunday after party (that's what I called it) at Sticky Rice in 2024. I don't believe I was there for all the bands that performed that Sunday, but they were the first band playing when I arrived. Their world music tunes stuck with me. This past October 2025, I got to catch up with them once again at The Goldfish (the sister location for Sticky Rice). Based on scanning their Instagram, I believe this was also their first set since Echo Park Rising. Though this was only the second time I've ever seen a set, this band has always remained top of mind. This is, admittedly, partially driven by the fact that I cross paths with their leader Dani who works at The Goldfish and also worked Echo Park Rising 2025 at the Sticky Rice stage. 

TELAH! at The Goldfish

Song Spotlight: Maryjo's Don't Call Me (a night at Hotel Ziggy)

Maryjo brought her stunning vocals back to the WFNM showcase at Hotel Ziggy -- she said that this October set was her 6th time at the venue. She mentioned to the audience before her performance that she was going to be singing her saddest songs. There was more than just singing. There was much laugher, because there were some off the cuff sexual entendre one liners (as well as some more direct ones) -- she did threaten to hunt down people if they posted the comments online, but I'll take the chance as they were amusing. 

Maryjo at Hotel Ziggy