Highland Park Bowl: The Walks of Life, Nightjacket, Kiwicha

There were two reasons I went over to Highland Park Bowl this past Friday night: The Walks of Life and Nightjacket.

The Walks of Life is a band I've followed for a few years now. I love their folk sounds. It might be folk, but they bring the energy every time I've seen them.

The Walks of Life

As for Nightjacket, this is one of the bands I came across during the pandemic, watching online sets. They really intrigued me, especially their song "Lonely Archer." I just love how the guitar starts the song with that Family of the Year vibe. The vocals for that song are so tenderly perfect, as well. The set opened up with that song, which thrilled me. 

Nightjacket

Kiwicha is a band from Chicago. They have an ethereal sound that is gently crafted by this two piece band. Their one desire in their trip through Los Angeles, a good suggestion for a sushi bar.

Kiwicha

Little Joy: Mariah Priddy, Aaron Andreu, Topaz, Maio

Little Joy on Tuesday had a nice line-up of mostly singer-songwriters. Mariah Priddy opened it up with vocals that grooved at just the right moments.   

Mariah Priddy

Aaron Andreu had a surprise duet going on when Luna from Maio started to sing along from the seats of Little Joy. It made for a chamber sounding set.

Aaron Andreu

Topaz had backing electronic tracking for her set. The tracking gave the set a futuristic sound of a lost civilization that has yet to have been created on this planet of ours.

Topez

Maio closed it out. The duo met during the pandemic and it was their first show. Smooth electronic sounds with visuals against the wall.

Maio

WFNM with Lucy Clearwater, Daisy Gray, Mia Nicolai, Hayden, Windser

WFNM is known for highlighting a variety of musicians that range from crooners to rockers. Lucy Clearwater was a late add. I didn't even realize she was playing. I walked in and she was in the middle of her set. I had seen her once before during the pandemic when she played an online set for WFNM. It was nice to catch her live.

Lucy Clearwater

Daisy Gray came up next with stunning vocals that had a hint of gospel influence.

Daisy Gray

Mia Nicolai came in from The Netherlands with some pop tunes.

Mia Nicolai

Hayden providing some crooning vocals. 

Hayden

Windser closed out the night with joy.

Windser

The Echo: Kairos Creature Club with Poppy Jean Crawford and Canned Peach

Kairos Creature Club is from Florida and made a joke about the fact that they were all vaccinated. They're also the residency band at The Echo for the month of September. They let the sun shine through their music. 

Kairos Creature Club

Poppy Jean Crawford closed out the night. I've had the opportunity to catch her sets twice before. A sure fire rocking hit. She had some dress issues. She accidentally split her dress apart and showed a whole lot of leg that was not intended. She didn't let that get in the way of her putting on an awesome set.

Poppy Jean Crawford

Canned Peach opened up the night with rocking sounds. 

Canned Peach

Zebulon: Gal Pal

I went off to Zebulon to catch Gal Pal, but missed two other bands. That wasn't necessarily the intention. I guess I just remember when Zebulon didn't have bands go on until 10 p.m. By the time I showed up at 9:30, the second band was on their last song. Oh well, it was worth only seeing Gal Pal. This band has vocals that punctuate with an eclectic sound.

Highland Park Bowl: Night Talks and The Social

It was off to Highland Park Bowl for the first time since early 2020. It was also my first time since the re-opening of our music venues to catch Night Talks. You can depend on one thing when it comes to this band, a set filled with expressive display. Their pop sounds were on display for a packed crowd. In fact, some folks from the sidewalks, looking through the window, also spent a few moments watching the band play.

Night Talks

The Social came on next with their own brand of pop sounds. What I found highlighted the band was some beautiful vocals. The melodies are perfectly crafted. Such an enjoyable set that had their fans standing within inches of the stage to get the whole experience. 

The Social

Hotel Cafe: Monday Monday

It was off to Hotel Café to enjoy the Monday Monday series that is on Mondays. It is a time when singer songwriters do short 3 song sets. If you stay the full night, you can get introduced to up to 10 artists. On this particular night, I hung out for half the night. Opening up was an unannounced performance by December Fades (Kevin Rogers) who was also doing sound that night. Chris Del Rosario is someone I'd seen previously at Junior High (when it was in Hollywood). His songs were soft and wonderful. Tara Honda, I learned later, was on American Idol. She mentioned that she got her ticket to Hollywood, but didn't get to advance. Yet, the experience obviously had a positive impact as she is still singing in Hollywood. Arend Lee Jessurun was up twice. He did his own solo set and then backed up Jessica Gerhardt -- they just so happen to be paramours. Brenda Carsey is someone I've seen a number of times. It was great running into her again. Jessica Gerhardt closed out the night for me. Like with Chris Del Rosario and Brenda Carsey, I'd also seen her perform before. I previously caught her set at The Hi Hat. She was also the host for the night, taking on the duties that are normally performed by Joel Eckels. All that for just $5. 

Chris Del Rosario

Tara Honda

Arend Lee Jessurun

Brenda Carsey

Jessica Gerhardt

December Fades

Live Sessions: Rivita and Avalon Bridger

I do get asked to catch sets and I did do just that when I went over to Live Sessions on Instagram to catch Rivita. It was her first time on Instagram Live. She kind of reminded me of Honey Child Choir, operatic vocals used to sing pop tunes.

Rivita

I stuck around for Avalon Bridger. A talented teen with a cheerful personality and pitch perfect vocals.

Avalon Bridger

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.