WFNM Online: Ships Have Sailed, Trapdoor Social and Luke De-Sciscio

On a recently Wednesday night, I stopped by WFNM to catch Ships Have Sailed, Trapdoor Social, and Luke De-Sciscio.

It was three great sets to catch.

Luke De-Sciscio was playing at 3 a.m. from the UK. He was playing in his car with his girlfriend (?) doing the recording. He said something about how maybe he should be afraid about strange people walking around at 3 a.m., but that he was probably the strange person playing tunes in his car. Got to give it to him for being thoughtful about his neighbors and playing inside his car versus his apartment/home.

Luke De-Sciscio

Skylar from Trapdoor Social played next. The band seems to have a nice following of fans from South America. One would think that after this pandemic has passed that they should head to South America.

Trapdoor Social

Ships Have Sailed talked about supporting local businesses. He mentioned how he does take out from his favorite restaurants. I'll be honest that I've avoided my favorite restaurants due to fear of COVID-19. I've yet to read a study about people catching COVID-19 from takeout food so I'm probably going to be heading to some of my favorite spots as well in the next couple weeks to give some support there.

Ships Have Sailed

Buzzbands Quarantunes: Oddnesse

Oddnesse hit Buzzbands' Instagram page on Saturday. She provided a soothing performance during this time of coronavirus. She was also very cheerful throughout the set, letting us know that her excellent sound was driven by a microphone that was above her. It looks like musicians are figuring out ways to provide great online performances. What was amusing? She started to take off her glasses before starting a song, because she said that the comments being written were making her laugh.

WFNM: Kordelya and Austin Ward

I probably found a new favorite musician in Kordelya via WFNM. A great personality with solid vocals. Though the lyrics were all in Spanish, it didn't matter to this English speaker. And the music just has the perfect pop rhythms.

Kordelya

Austin Ward opened the night for me with smooth deep vocals that got me thinking of the great pop vocalists from the 80s.

Austin Ward

McKail Seely Online

I happened to come across McKail Seely via six degrees of separation. I'm a fan of Lauren Ruth Ward who runs in the same circle as Ari Tibi. I then caught Ari Tibi at Hotel Cafe. Then I learned that Ari Tibi is in a band called Luci. I caught that band, which also includes McKail Seely. (I believe Ari may have left the band recently.)

While doing "stay at home" work, I happened to notice that McKail Seely was doing an Instragram Live set. I'd never actually seen her do a live set so I turned away from doing my work and tuned in to her live set. She was doing her live set from a bathroom. That was a unique set to see right there. It probably helped with the vocal acoustics.

A fun diversion from work.

WFNM Online: Georgia Green, Cheridomingo, Hayley Warner

This was my first time catching WFNM in 2020 and it so happened to be an online version of the night. I'm happy that I tuned in. Georgia Green opened the night up. She's also with the band Trousdale. Her set was coming from her parent's home. Though she might have had some problems getting her phone set up (as her face was always on the lower bottom of the screen), it was great hearing one of the vocalists from Trousdale. That band just knows how to sing.

Georgia Green

Cheridomingo played their set from the home of one of the band members. They played a rocking acoustic set while also have fun messing around with each other. Though perhaps not a perfect example of social distancing, they did spread out throughout the house.

Cheridomingo

I think Hayley Warner mentioned that she was doing her set at either a friend's house or recording studio. She played her set under the low lights of a single lamp. The lighting set the tone of a wonderful singer-songwriter set with vocals that had that Aussie accent.

Hayley Warner

Stuck at Home: Rituals of Mine/The Quarantine Stream

In this time of quarantine, it is nice to catch some music online.

On Tuesday, I caught Rituals of Mine. I first saw them at The Echo when they were opening for Y La Bamba. I admit at the time, it was a big shock, because Y La Bamba is folk while Rituals of Mine is hard core punk/metal. Watching the band do their music online and knowing what to expect was enjoyable and fun. They had the whole set-up: lights, sound, stage space.

Rituals of Mine

Come Wednesday, it was over to Lily Water's The Quarantine Stream festival. I got to catch Space Honey, Precious Kid and Lily Waters (of course, Lily Waters). Space Honey had this beatnik poetry style going throughout her set. Precious Kid was enjoyable pop. And Lily Waters had that country vocal whine nailed.

Space Honey

Precious Kid

Lily Waters

Bootleg Theater: Temme Scott with Ruth and Trousdale

Temme Scott put on an excellent final residency night. Opening up was Trousdale who can most definitely challenge the band Joseph for pitch perfect harmonies. Then there was Ruth of Lauren Ruth Ward. She played the set with her back to the audience while sitting on the floor. Audience in the know obviously backed the Bootleg for her set. Rounding it out was Temme Scott with a beautiful singer-songwriter set.

Trousdale

Ruth

Temme Scott

The Satellite: Cartalk with Cheekface

It was off to The Satellite to catch Cartalk. The month of February is their residency. The lead singer had an amusing story. At a prior set, a person came up and said, "Truck, I really love your music." Response was, "Truck? No, my name is Chuck." The music rings of America folk.

Cartalk

Cheekface opened up the night for me. Their sound rocked The Satellite.

Cheekface

Club Tee Gee: Neon Cowgirl and Andrew St. James

I've been in slow recovery from an illness. Yet, I found the energy to head out to catch Neon Cowgirl at Club Tee Gee. It is always a joy to catch Holly Marilyn. Her current music is very introspective.

Neon Cowgirl

I was going to leave after neon Cowgirl, but ended up with talking to a friend of Andrew St. James. I decided to stay for half of set of this San Francisco artist. It was amusing (or maybe it shouldn't have been amusing) listening to his random comments about his difficulties with San Francisco law enforcement.

Andrew St. James

Bootleg Theater: Kate Clover with Strawberry Army and Blue Rose Rounders

I was able to make it out to the Bootleg Theater to catch Kate Clover. She is one of my favorite musicians in Los Angeles. With the band Crocodiles backing her, she was swinging that microphone stick and rocking out.

Kate Clover

Blue Rose Rounders and Strawberry Army opened. Strawberry Army was first up with their pop-punk style. They're such a fun band. They'll kick up those heels while singing catchy tunes. Blue Rose Rounders brought in the folk and blues sounds.

Strawberry Army

Blue Rose Rounders

The Hi Hat: Momma and Gal Pal

For my last outing for 2019, I took off to The Hi Hat where I caught Gal Pal and Momma. I was actually under the weather (still under the weather while writing this), but I was bored with sticking around my apartment.

I stuck around for two of the bands on the bill.

First up was Gal Pal, which I previously caught at Non Plus Ultra opening up for Kevin. I love how this band switches up instruments. And they ended the set with their drummer playing out in the audience, similar to what was done at Non Plus Ultra. It was a thrilling way to close the set.

Gal Pal

Momma was a band I hadn't seen before. Their music has a garage rock/pop sound. Those vocals are silky smooth. Moment of the set was when the lead singer admitted that she hung out that day to catch two Tiktok influencers. She found herself surrounded by 13 year olds.

Momma

The House of Machines: Taleen Kali with The Knitts and New American

It was off to The House of Machines to catch Taleen Kali's 100th set. I'm actually surprised by the fact that she kept count of all her sets. I have no clue how many times I go out in a month. It was also her friend's birthday, which was celebrated with a cupcake. To celebrate set 100, the band rocked it out and Taleen put on a show.

Taleen Kali

Opening was The Knitts and New American.

The Knitts

New American

The Knitts put on some garage rock while New American rocked out.

Zebulon: Shannon Lay with Earth Girl Helen Brown

It was my second straight Monday night catching Shannon Lay and her short 3 night residency at Zebulon. There is beauty in those vocals. And with three backup singers, there is harmony layered with those vocals.

Shannon Lay

Earth Girl Helen Brown did a night mostly spent covering Joni Mitchell. The set definitely had me wanting to take some time on Spotify, listening to Joni Mitchell.

Earth Girl Helen Brown

South Lake Avenue to House of Machines: Trapdoor Social, The Letter Openers and Mean Heat

It was off on a double venue outing on a recent Saturday. First it was off to South Lake Avenue in Pasadena to catch Trapdoor Social. It was raining hard on the way to Pasadena, but once I got there, the rain was dying down. By the time Trapdoor Social hit the stage, the rain had stopped. It was great seeing Trapdoor Social for the first time since Echo Park Rising. And it didn't really matter if Skylar had a sprained ankle. He spent the set on the chair, but the music still shined through.

Trapdoor Social

A few hours later it was off to the House of Machines to catch The Letter Openers and Mean Heat. Perhaps over a decade has passed since I last saw The Letter Openers. There was a nice crew of Kiss or Kill folk in attendance to catch some rock and roll. Mean Heat told off their videographer, I'm assuming in jest. The set was filled with their lead singer showing her  body flexibility and emotional vocal delivery.

The Letter Openers

Mean Heat

Zebulon: Shannon Lay with Anna St. Louis

Shannon Lay has a December residency on Mondays. It is unfortunately just three weeks long. I swear to those coming across this post that there are 4 or 5 songs that will leave you just gasping at how beautifully crafted they are. I'm not saying she just has 4 or 5 good songs. I'm saying she has a number of great songs. I also think it was genius of her to include a backing band of individuals who also do back-up vocals. It really fills out the music.

Shannon Lay

Anna St. Louis opened the night with country tunes.

Anna St. Louis

The Hi Hat: The Colour Coast with Surely Lorraine, The Time Travelers and All Things Blue

It was off to catch The Colour Coast one last time in 2019. It happened to be their final residency night at The Hi Hat. Their Latin-flavor beats were awesome, but someone in the audience kind of bumped lead singer Marley off the stage. An individual decided to take to the stage and started dancing to one of the songs. A friend could be seen trying to encourage the individual to get off the stage.

The Colour Coast

Opening was Surely Lorraine, The Time Travelers and All Things Blue. There were some blasts to the past, hair flings and songwriter touches throughout the sets. 

Surely Lorraine

The Time Travelers

All Things Blue

Bootleg Theater: Rosie Tucker with Ramonda Hammer, Bella Porter, Jess Kallen and Pauline Lay

I went over to the Bootleg Theater to catch Rosie Tucker's closing residency night. Opening up the night was Bella Porter who drew a solid crowd for her layered yet minimalist style.

Bella Porter

The night was packed with five different bands and artists. I wasn't sure how that was going to work, but I learned quick when Rosie got on Bar's stage after Bella Porter's set and told us to head over to another stage. I'm not sure of the name of this specific stage. Maybe it is called the multi-purpose stage? Anyways, on this stage Jess Kallen gave the audience a singer-songwriter set. She also happens to be part of Rosie Tucker's band.

Jess Kallen

Then it was back to the Bar stage to catch Ramonda Hammer who roared through their final set of 2019.

Ramonda Hammer

Then back to the multi-purpose stage, Pauline Lay gave a solo violin set. She took her violin through the paces with an artsy take on strings.

Pauline Lay

Then closing out the night was Rosie Tucker.  I haven't gotten to catch Gypsum all year long, but I've gotten to catch Rosie Tucker and Cuffed Up a couple times each. Both are formed via members of Gypsum.

Rosie Tucker

Redwood Bar: Prince of Lilies with Dirtycakes and Nebulaen

I've followed the members of Prince of Lilies for a decade or so via Barb Wired Dolls and Royal Distortion. When I noticed that they were hitting the stage at the Redwood Bar, I decided to head on over. Replacing Sunset Strip sounds of Barb Wired Dolls and Royal Distortion is straight out rock and roll. Also, Pyn who in Barb Wired Dolls and Royal Distortion was more the hard driving guitarist took lead vocals.

Opening the night was Dirtycakes and Nebulaen. Dirtycakes hit the political activism of rock music while Nebulaen hit the dark notes of life.

Nebulaen

Dirtycakes

Prince of Lilies

The Satellite: Kristeen Young and Spare Parts for Broken Hearts

Kristeen Young concluded her residency at The Satellite. It went out with a bang with Spare Parts for Broken Hearts opening up the night. Spare Parts for Broken Hearts let it all out there with their grunge rock. They made a break in their set for a marriage proposal. So I went out on Friday night and caught a birthday celebration and then a couple days later I go out and witness a marriage proposal. Not bad.

Spare Parts for Broken Hearts

Kristeen Young has vocals that rank up there with Mariah Carey, but instead of pop sounds, she uses her talents for Avant-garde music.

Kristeen Young