Sometimes I just can't make it from my work to a WFNM showcase at Hotel Ziggy in time to catch the full set of the opening band / artist. That was the case for Kingstarlight (moniker for Julian Bell) where I missed the first song of the set. When I walked into the venue, the vibes of the set got my pulse racing. I squeezed through the crowd to get to a spot to take my photos and enjoyed the rest of the set.
 |
| Kingstarlight at Hotel Ziggy |
Ali Blake was the opening act at the Bigfoot Lodge for a recent Americana Joy showcase. She's a Chicago native who currently lives in Atwater Village so perhaps she walked over to the venue to play her set. Her bio describes her music as "Inspired by the natural world, the human experience, and a wide range of artists from Etta James to Fiona Apple, there is always a soulfulness that comes through."
 |
| Ali Blake at the Bigfoot Lodge |
Piper Leone (Piper Thrams), the die hard UCLA Bruins fan (graduate) from the age of 8, took the stage at the Bigfoot Lodge for an Americana Joy showcase night. Not on the setlist was her anti-USC song "You & Usc." Yes, the SC is not capitalized. I see this as a friendly rivalry diss, because if there was a real hatred there the song would be titled "You & usc." I will say that her UCLA vs USC stance is seen in a positive light for me. Just to be clear, I am a Duke fan, but when it comes to Los Angeles rivalries, I'm in for UCLA.
 |
| Piper Leone at the Bigfoot Lodge |
Semi Trucks fronted by Brenden Sepe brought a raw power to Zebulon on a recent Monday night. They were the opening band for Bondo's record release party and their gritty performance immediately injected energy into the evening festivities. The crowd gathered around the stage with a focused attention throughout the set. The band split their set between songs from their sophomore album Georgia Overdrive as well as testing out new material. Their new material was well received. In fact, the crowd seemed to enjoy their final song of the night, the unreleased "Drunken," the most.
 |
| Semi Trucks at Zebulon |
Opening up for Johanna Samuels' recent Zebulon record release party (presented by Sid the Cat) for her album Sorry, Kid was Small Shake (fronted by Aarin Wright). I covered the night for US Rocker Music should you be interested in reading the review. Why the name Small Shake? According to her brief Spotify bio, she's into sweet cakes and milkshakes.
 |
| Small Shake at Zebulon |
A Handful (Bucketful) of Show Alerts
Sunday, Aug 30th: Final day of Echo Park Rising.
Sunday, Aug 30th: Gal Musette at Scribble. Doors at 7:30 p.m.Note: Saturday (8.29) Morning Updates
Friday
Echo Park Farmer’s MarketIs yellow the "It" color for the summer of 2026? Chloe Coover walked onto the Zebulon stage wearing a yellow mini-dress. A few days later, I came across the "world's only natural yellow haired" singer (a joke, if anyone was wondering). It is a striking color that leaves an impression.
 |
| Chloe Coover at Zebulon |
Bondo's guitarist-vocalist Nikolas Escudero looked out into the packed Zebulon room and told everyone that he hoped they all had ear plugs, because it was about to get loud. Zebulon does provide free ear plugs so those who wished had the opportunity to protect their hearing. When they started out their set, they did indeed blast out the walls. A projector screen was behind the band and shown on it were grainy images of the Pacific Ocean, palm trees, sand, and lights that looked like either cars lights, the setting sun, or UFOs. The night was their release party of their self titled album Bondo.
 |
| Bondo at Zebulon |
Rio Lane (Rio Lane Bonney) recently attended the Jesse Jo Stark night at The Roxy. A couple months later, she returned to the Sunset Strip to play Hotel Ziggy (a WFNM showcase). Per her Spotify bio, her music is "a mix of catchy pop punk and disco elements." Armed with a smart phone holding her tracks, Rio channeled the sultry vocals of Jesse Jo Stark while steering her music in her own direction.
 |
| Rio Lane at Hotel Ziggy |
Prior to a couple months before Shonen Knife's set at The United Theater on Broadway, I was unaware of the band. Their PR reached out to me and asked if I was interested in covering the set. Even though I had never heard of the band, I was immediately interested. It was driven by two reasons. First, they're a Japanese band and I'm of Japanese heritage. Second, they were rocking out with Toad the Wet Sprocket and Men at Work. Those are two bands that are familiar to me. In fact, Toad the Wet Sprocket's music makes up the soundtrack of my youth.
 |
| Shonen Knife at The United Theater on Broadway |
Livingmore is splitting time between Los Angeles and Japan. They're currently hanging out in Los Angeles for a few more weeks before they fly back to Japan. I saw them back in late June for their self titled Livingmore record release party and then I got to catch them again this past Saturday at The Echo. For what could be described as their going away party, they put together a line-up that warmed my heart. On this day, the calendar was flipped back to pre-2020 venue closures: the night was held at The Echo and I have a long history with everyone that was on the line-up.
 |
| Livingmore at The Echo |
A Handful (Bucketful) of Show Alerts
Sunday, Aug 23rd: Maryjo with Kyra Fields at the Moroccan Lounge. Doors at 6:30 p.m.Over a month had passed since I last went to Zebulon. That was a long gap and it needed to end. I noticed that there was a free night that featured Dominique Matelson. She was celebrating the upcoming release of her third studio album The Difficult Way. I had never seen her before. Nor had I heard of the other two singers that were in support. Did that give me any pause about going? Of course, not. It instead piqued my interested.
 |
| Dominique Matelson at Zebulon |
Palindrome singer Easae (moniker for Marissa Barbalato) took to the Bar Lubitsch stage for a WFNM showcase night. This was my third time catching a set. I saw a couple sets in 2024 at Hotel Ziggy. Of course, I had to take a look and listen to those prior performances. My amusing take on what I noticed as being different between 2024 and 2026? For both 2024 sets, she did an old school MTV Unplugged performance where she was sitting on a high chair. This time around, the high chair was gone. It meant that those vocals came out all the more powerful.
 |
| Easae at Bar Lubitsch |
Prior to coming onto the Zebulon stage, Dolly Creamer (lead by Sarah Rebecca Harris) had a group hug. Thin Lizzy's "The Boys Are Back in Town" boomed from the speakers. It seemed appropriate as the band spent early July doing a 9 stop tour in Alaska. I think a good first assumption would be that the band has an affinity for nature. Maybe that was the impetus for doing the tour, but Harris later admitted, "I realized in Alaska that I'm just not that outdoorsy. Here, you can be outdoorsy, but you don't have to be."
 |
| Dolly Creamer at Zebulon |
What lifestyle will Mila Rubina's kids have? "MY KIDS WILL BE NEPO BABIES," she boldly proclaims on her Instagram page. Based on her Bar Lubitsch (a WFNM showcase) performance, she's on her way to settling up her kids for generational wealth. Is there a playfulness to that proclamation? She is the "world's only natural yellow haired" individual so that provides a clue.
 |
| Mila Rubina at Bar Lubitsch |
I first crossed paths with Johanna Samuels in 2018. The first two encounters were at the Bootleg Theater. The first encounter was when she was opening up for The Wild Reeds and Allie Buckley (it was her residency night). Later on that year, she had her own residency at the venue. I caught her again in 2019 and then venues shut down. It took a few years, but I crossed paths with her once again for her 2023 album release party that I covered for Buzzbands. The night was held at Zebulon. Fast forward to 2026 and I noticed that she was having a record release party for her third studio album Sorry, Kid. It was also being held at Zebulon (a Sid the Cat night). Buzzbands has gone into semi-retirement mode so I covered this particular night for US Rocker Music. You can read that review if you so wish.
 |
| Johanna Samuels at Zebulon |
Pillow Fight didn't bring any pillows to Rocknite's showcase at The Airliner Bar, but their lo-fi, garage rock set more than entertained. I have to say that lead singer-guitarist Adam Stafford made the move of the night by reaching up to a stage light and angling it from stage-center to stage-left. The reason it was the move of the night was because all three bands featured co-lead vocalists and all three bands avoided the middle of the stage. So it helped out the photographers (there were three of us out on this particular night) for the whole night.
 |
| Pillow Fight at The Airliner Bar |
A Handful of Show Alerts
Sunday, Aug 16th: Harry Katz and the Pistachios at Alex's Bar. Doors at 2 p.m.Music that you hear when in high school or college is encoded into your being. I was past my college years when I started to hang out in the Los Angeles music scene all those many years ago and yet I feel like certain bands just stand out in my memory. In those very first years, there was Automatic Music Explosion and The Mulhollands. Shortly after that, there was Queen Kwong and Rocket. Those were all pop-punk-rock bands. Then the Americana wave (the precursor to the current country wave) hit Los Angeles and I got swept up in that via Eastern Conference Champions (Mondo Cozmo), Honey Honey and Local Natives. Jenny O was part of that wave of music. Many of the mentioned bands have long called it quits. Jenny O is still going strong and putting out music that has you (or maybe just me) getting misty eyed.
 |
| Jenny O at Zebulon |
Worthitpurchase (the duo of Nicole Rowe and Omar Akrouche) came through The Airliner Bar for a Rocknite showcase. They were playing songs off their upcoming album. They mentioned that they just finished mixing the album that will be called Near Life Experiences. Akrouche gave a chuckle after making the announcement and Rowe responded, "Let us know in the comments if that is a stupid name." Someone in the crowd yelled out an alternative suggestion of Near Life Compilations. So are they set with the album title? The chuckle has me thinking there is a chance they were telling a joke. I guess we'll find out shortly.
 |
| Worthitpurchase at The Airliner Bar |
Beaming (the duo of Braden Lawrence and Derek Ted) closed out the night at a recent Rocknite showcase at The Airliner Bar. Braden Lawrence is the drummer for The Districts while Derek Ted works with Field Medic. The duo brought their fan base to The Airliner Bar. I noticed it immediately when those in the crowd were singing the lyrics to the opening song "Stuck (here)" louder than the band. It only took that one song to sweep me into a sense of meditation.
 |
| Beaming at The Airliner Bar |
Gold Child (moniker for Emily Fehler) opened up the night for Gracie and Rachel at Permanent Records Roadhouse (a Sid the Cat night). Gracie and Rachel were celebrating the release of the album If We Could, Would We. In a way, this was a release party for Gold Child, as well. At the start of the year, she released her EP Angelina Jolie. It is a four track EP where she wears her heart on her shirt sleaves.
 |
| Gold Child at Permanent Records Roadhouse |
The Bluesadelic Sessions put on a showcase at The Den Studios with the headliner being One Tribe Nation, fronted by Living Colour's Corey Glover. Starting off the night was glam blues band Sugarmill Slim (fronted by Anders LaSource). This wasn't my first time coming across the band. I previously saw the band back in 2023 at Zebulon. I knew I was in for some good music. I'm not sure all were convinced about the music; however. There was The Den Studios' dog that was hanging out (Brisket, I do believe). For a portion of the set, the dog sat in the middle of the floor, facing the band. Yet, the dog seemed to be mesmerized by his toy.
 |
| Sugarmill Slim at The Den Studios |
I had the opportunity to cover Gracie and Rachel for US Rocker Music for their recent set at Permanent Records Roadhouse (presented by Sid the Cat). I had not previously heard of the band before when I received the invite to cover the band (as is often the case for me). I took a listen to maybe one or two of their songs and agreed to cover the set. I liked their self described chamber pop tunes. It kind of reminded me of the soundtrack to a minimalist movie set out in nature, far from the population centers.
 |
| Gracie and Rachel at Permanent Records Roadhouse |
A Handful (Massive) of Show Alerts
Sunday, Aug 9th: American Sigh at Oblivion. Doors at 7 p.m.Country music arrived at the School Night (a collaboration between Make Out Music and KCRW) showcase. Olivia Barnes brought her Southern accent to The Airliner Bar. She grew up in Atlanta, but is currently living in New Orleans. A rather interesting coincidence of the night was the fact that the night's headliner, Macy Todd, also grew up in Atlanta.
 |
| Olivia Barnes at The Airliner Bar |
I last saw a full Julez and the Rollerz's set in May 2025. I did see about two-thirds of their set three months later at Happy Sundays Long Beach. What was up with the band during that time gap? They released their debut album Dirty Little Rock 'n' roller. (Where's the 'z' in that album title?) They had an album release part at Zebulon and will be doing an 8 stop tour on the East Coast come September. For those in Los Angeles, you'll have an opportunity to catch them on August 30th (Sunday) at Echo Park Rising (yes, they're officially expanding to two days after a couple years of just holding the festival on Saturdays -- though there were unofficial sets being held on Fridays and Sundays).
 |
| Julez and the Rollers at The Fable |
Tanner Massey arrived in Los Angeles the previous day after driving 32 hours from Oklahoma. He showed no signs of exhaustion from the drive during his WFNM showcase at Hotel Ziggy. If his name sounds familiar, it is because he was on the 24th (2023) season of The Voice and finished in the Top 12 while being part of Team Gwen Stefani. Could he had placed higher? He felt if he had done Shawn Mendes' "Mercy" that he would have gotten to the next stage. Either way, his fans showed up to catch his set and to spend a few moments afterwards to talk with him.
 |
| Tanner Massey at Hotel Ziggy |
San Diego based Elizabeth Bowersox came up north to play the Bigfoot Lodge on a recent Friday night. The night was a collaboration between two Americana-country promotors: Americana Joy and Small Town Friday Nights. This is embarrassing to admit, but when I was walking up to the Bigfoot Lodge, I saw Jack from The Doohickeys standing outside next to Bowersox who was wearing a bright red cowgirl hat. Perhaps it is time to head off to the optometrist, because I was thinking for sure that was Haley (okay, okay, Haley wears blue). As I walked closer, I was like, oops. Hey, maybe I did right by giving Jack the heads up about a recently (enough) opened venue in Highland Park, Oblivion.
 |
| Elizabeth Bowersox at the Bigfoot Lodge |
Lua & the Nightflowers (fronted by Lara "Lua" Norton) opened up the night at The Fable (an In Sonic Dreams showcase) with some old school funk and jazz packaged with Americana and psychedelic rock. It was a genre blending set that had friends sitting up close.
 |
| Lua & the Nightflower at The Fable |
A Handful (Bucketful) of Show Alerts
I first came across Megan Winsor in 2023 at a WFNM night so I was familiar with her sound when I recently showed up at Bar Lubitsch for a WFNM showcase. I was expecting to hear a singer-songwriter set. I was in for a surprise from the now Nashville based artist's set. There was a set within a set performance where she brought up her band mates from Girlstupid. The trio performed three songs. It was a pleasant surprise, because I was aware of the band and had wanted to catch a set back in 2025, but had a conflict. The trio is rounded out with Diana Thale (in 2025, I wrote a Song Spotlight article) and the artist that goes by Yugs.
 |
| Girlstupid at Bar Lubitsch |
Nymphlord (moniker for Tia Rabinovitz) closed out a Make Out Music showcase at The Airliner Bar. Including Nymphlord, this night was a both a flash-back, anticipated, and unexpected night. I circled the date, because I'll show you magic was on the bill. I saw them earlier in the year and became an immediate fan. The flashback happened when I talked to Gigi after the set. You'll have to click on that link to read the story. The unexpected happened when Nymphlord hit the stage. This was my first time seeing the band and I didn't do any research on the band prior to heading out. I made an assumption based on the band's name on what I might expect to hear. I honestly was expecting a sound similar either Patriarchy or Lord Friday the 13th. I was in for a surprise as the sound was, using her own description, "angsty, ethereal, dissonant and hopeful." In some ways, it was a flash back moment, as well, as the music reminded me of Happy Hollows (circa 2009).
 |
| Nymphlord at The Airliner Bar |
My introduction to the alternative rock band Hardcastle was back in 2022 at a WFNM showcase. Time passed and I happened to notice that the band was playing Bar Lubitsch for another WFNM showcase. Somethings change and somethings do not change. Like what doesn't change is seeing the band at a WFNM showcase. While writing up this blog post, I decided to return to those 2022 days and checked out my photos of the Graham Laderman fronted band. I scrolled through my photos and then decided to go looking for my videos of the band. I didn't find a single video. Then it dawned on me that their set was prior to my decision to start taking videos of band performances. I did one additional check. I decided to see if I took a photo of their 2022 setlist. That, I did find. Here's a comparison of the two setlists:
 |
| Hardcastle at Bar Lubitsch |
Blast from the past. My primary reason for heading out to the Make Out Music showcase at The Airliner Bar was to catch I'll show you magic, a band I recently wrote about in a Song Spotlight article. The first band up for the night was Gigi. The band has an eclectic sound that just might remind you of the beatnik music that accompanied Audrey Hepburn in Funny Face.
 |
| Gigi at The Airliner Bar |
