Song Spotlight: Small Forward's Hollywood Con (a night at The Fable)

I was trying to figure out how I was going to plan out a recent week of music. I knew I had two days locked down towards the end of the week. I had a random day to plan out. On Monday, I checked out Ryan Pollie's Instagram page to see what he had scheduled for his showcase at The Fable. One of the bands playing was Small Forward and I knew I was going to do the short drive from Glendale to Eagle Rock. 

Small Forward at The Fable

Strangely, prior to this particular date, I only saw this Fleetwood Mac and Neil Young inspired band at DIY music festivals. I first caught the band at the Broke LA Fest in 2018 (previously known as Brokechella). Then later that year, I saw them at the Eagle Rock Music Festival. In 2019, I caught them at Echo Park Rising where I took a photo of the band for Buzzbands (you can find the photo at this link). I knew they still played around town on occasion, but just didn't have a chance to catch back up with them.        

The band played a toned down set that fit wonderfully in the context of The Fable. Lead singer Michael Stevenson sang with a drawl that gave their music an Americana-country sound. I loved the blending of the acoustic and electric guitars throughout the set. 

Small Forward at The Fable

Comment of the set by Stevenson: Eleven years ago, I sent Ryan Pollie some demos.

That would be about 3 years before I first caught the band. 

Moments of the set: one of their fans (Baby Fischgrund) could be heard chanting sweeting, "Michael Michael Michael," throughout the night. He gave no indication at all that he heard the charming chant. His restraint was impressive. 

Was it coincidence? It was NBA draft night and earlier in the day BYU forward AJ Dybantsa was taken first. 

Small Forward at The Fable

The song spotlight goes to "Hollywood Con." If one closed their eyes, one might be excused for thinking that the electric guitar was actually a steel guitar. Stevenson stretches out his vocals as he sang about contrasting views on the Hollywood / Los Angeles life. 

You tell me you feel alone
That L.A.'s not your home

Partial Setlist: These Days, Star, Year of Honey, Hollywood Con, Great Rains Still Sometimes Fall.