Review: DIY Artist Mars Rodriguez Shines at The Whisky a Go Go

I first came across Mars Rodriguez (the moniker for Maria Alejandra Rodriguez Serrano) in 2019 when I got an out of the blue invitation to catch her set at Hotel Cafe. You can read my US Rocker Music interview that I conducted after the set here. I got to catch another Hotel Cafe set in early 2020 (prior to all the venues shutting down). The final time I caught one of her sets was in 2022, which resulted in an interesting adventure on my part in my attempt to get home for the night. 

Mars Rodriguez at The Whisky a Go Go

Here's a little bio background: after having to flee Nicaragua, she has spent time living at different places around the United States. She initially moved to Atlanta before spending a handful of years in Los Angeles. At some point in the recent pass, she moved to New York City. It was a good move for her, because she won the Colossal 2025 America’s Next Top Hitmaker prize. 

Last week, I got a message saying that she was playing The Whisky a Go Go on a Wednesday night. This was likely one of those rare moments that I would get to catch a set (unless I make a trek some day out to New York City and time the excursion to catch a set there) so I made it a point to head out to the Sunset Strip. That led to another adventure (doesn't hardly rank with that 2022 night). When I was unaware that she was coming into Los Angeles, I had previously made plans to catch Devon Ross at Zebulon. The timing worked out perfectly; however, because Mars Rodriguez was playing an early 8:50 p.m. set at The Whisky a Go Go and Devon Ross was closing out the night at Zebulon. For those unaware, The Whisky is on the westside and Zebulon is on the east side. It is only 10-ish miles distance, but with surface street driving it wasn't a guarantee I'd get to catch a full Devon Ross set, but I did, getting to Zebulon with about 5 minutes to spare. 

Mars Rodriguez at The Whisky a Go Go

The year 2022 rings again in this blog post, because not only was it the last time I got to catch a Mars Rodriguez set, but it was also the last time I went to a show at The Whisky. I am not opposed to going to the Sunset Strip. I often hang out at Hotel Ziggy (which is on the edge of the Sunset Strip) and occasional go to The Roxy. My main reason for the long gap in time is due to the fact that my favorite The Whisky bands Barb Wire Dolls and Vigil of War haven't played there recently (at least I don't think they have). Venues change photography policies all the time (for long timers, we all know how the rules constantly flipped back and forth at The Echo) so I pinged a fellow photographer who spends a lot of time at The Whisky and asked about their camera policy. I got the thumbs up that they were still camera friendly so off I went with my gear. 

Nearly four years may have passed since I last caught a set, but it was refreshing to see her keeping to her DIY roots. When it was her time to take the stage, she carried up an ironing board. It was used to hold her synth gear. Knowing from personal knowledge of using an ironing board that those aren't always the most stable objects, I did feel a sense of foreboding. There was a mishap during the set-up, but it held strong during the set. Yet, let's just say I was feeling nervous throughout set -- similar to how I feel when I see an artist using a music stand for their laptop. 

Mars Rodriguez at The Whisky a Go Go

She got her set-up done a bit early and was able to start her set a few minutes before the official start time. That was a good thing, because her 7 song setlist that mostly showcased songs that will be featured on her upcoming deluxe version of her Mañana Nobody Knows album, had her playing up to the very second of the venue's hard stop time. 

Her setlist included songs that were both in English and Spanish. The first two songs of the set were no doubt songs that I heard back in 2019. The driving "Despertar" has the lyrics "All that I want is all that I need." She played that song wearing the cool sunglasses. "Pulsar" shifts to Spanish lyrics. I do find it fun how "Despertar" lyrics are in English while "Pulsar" lyrics are in Spanish.

I will say that I missed that skeleton that used to decorate her sets. 

Mars Rodriguez at The Whisky a Go Go

She followed up the two catalog songs with songs from her debut 2025 album Mañana Nobody Knows (she previously released an EP in 2020). Throughout the set, she kept herself hydrated under the bright lights of The Whisky by taking a drink of water and using the brief respite to wave to the audience. I should mention that she is a one person dynamo that shifts between guitar and keyboard / drum machines based on the needs of the music. Many of her songs are between 5 to 7 minutes, which is why her 7 song setlist took her to the very edge of her 30 minute set time even with the fact that she gave herself a few extra minutes by starting early.      

I have to know: as an adornment on her earrings was a key. Does that key actually unlock anything of importance?

The song that took her set up to the very edge of the venue hard stop was her song "Fuck That." An anthem of a song that can be taken in two different ways: political or personal relationship. 

I can't take it anymore.
I don't need your low perception.

F*ck that.

Setlist: Despertar, Pulsar, Reality, Mañana Nobody Knows, Hot Space, Fuck That.