Bone Acre and Holy Wars at Harvard & Stone

It was off to Harvard and Stone to catch Bone Acre and Holy Wars. From what I read, the lead singer of Bone Acre has performed before; however, this was the band's first time on stage. Their set was an awesome 30 minute rock/western blend. Holy Wars then came on stage with what felt like how it'd be seeing Pris (Daryl Hannah) of Blade Runner rocking it out.

Big Language with StaG at the Silverlake Lounge

A couple months have passed since the last time I was at the Silverlake Lounge. I finally got to head over again and got to caught StaG and Big Language. StaG provided a wonderful blending of instrumental and vocal melodies. Big Language kicked off their residency with some experimental flair.

Katelyn Tarver with O'neill Hudson and Groves at the Resident

It was off to the Resident for the first time since the last time I saw Katelyn Tarver in February. She was doing her final night of her May residency at Resident. I'd actually wanted to go earlier in the month, but got caught up with work and other events. There is just something about Katelyn Tarver that just makes you smile and forget about your worries -- even though she likes to say that a couple of her songs aren't so cheerful. Opening up were O'neill Hudson and Groves. O'neill Hudson is a new project by Paris Carney. She has a multitude of expressions. I've been binge watching on Game of Thrones and couldn't help thinking about a total side topic during her set, the Many-Faced God. Groves gave us some smooth sounds with an earnest take.

Peach Kelli Pop, Rotten Blossom and Mommy Long Legs at The Smell

I've always wanted to catch Peach Kelli Pop and the opportunity eventually came around. They were playing an early show at The Smell. I was thinking, "Hey, I can see Peach Kelli Pop at 9 p.m. and then just get back home by 10 p.m.-ish." Well, plans didn't work out. I got into a conversation with a guy who was from Seattle. He was hanging out with Seattle band Mommy Long Legs, which was playing third for the night. His excitement was so strong that I decided to stick around for them.

Back to Peach Kelli Pop. Their sound has this joyous outpouring. You just feel happy listening to their set. What was disappointing? They wanted to make sure that everyone was able to play according to schedule so they cut their set by a few minutes. I swear they could have squeezed in another song without problem. I guess that just means I'll need to catch them again someday.

Rotten Blossom was the middle band for me. They came in from Hawaii. That lead singer knows how to scream her lungs out. I was thinking, "Her vocal cords must hate her." They opened the set by having everyone join in saying, "Aloha."

Then came Mommy Long Legs. They produce that lo-fi punk sound. What did I notice: well, one can't help but notice that bright red wig the lead singer was wearing as well as the devil horns. The bassist went high school prom style. And one can't help but laugh at the play on Daddy Long Legs.

Kate Brady, honeychain and EZ Tiger at The Frog Spot

The Frog Spot opened up for the summer season. The Frog Spot, for those who don't know, is an open space that overlooks the Los Angeles River. In fact, if one wishes, s/he can walk down the steep concrete embankment and have a look at the river. The event was a mixture of the young and old of the LA music scene. Let's restate that: the young and middle aged. Kate Brady represented the young with her singer songwriter set. The middle aged: honeychain and EZ Tiger provided punk flavors to the outdoors. A nice outdoor venue where families came to hang out and enjoy a nice pre-summer, later afternoon.

Barrows with Psychic Jiu Jitsu and mothdrops at The Echo

Last Monday was a fun night at The Echo. Psychic Jiu Jitsu had the comment of the night when before their set they announced, "Just don't f*cking laugh at us." Their set was post punk mellow. Mothdrops had me thinking The Killers and then they ended their set with a song that started a small mosh pit. What did I notice? The lead singer loved that floor. He decided to take three brief naps on it. Ha ha. Also, couldn't help but notice the dicks drawn on their set lists. "Superbad", anyone? Barrows is the May residency band. They continued the post punk sounds. Got to say, loved the bug eyes the drummer gave during at least one moment of the set. See photo slide for evidence.

Omar Velasco and Jenny O at The Hi Hat

It was, as based on my research, my annual Jenny O set since 2011. She started out her set in what sort of looked like a bathrobe. Okay, maybe a long sleeve shawl. I just love her soft spoken singing style. Her vocals just floated out there and filled the room. What did I notice: her set list was written so beautifully. Towards the middle of her set, while she was tuning her guitar, she joked about how she joined an improvisation group to try and improve her ability to chat in between her songs. She quipped that it hadn't worked. Who cares, she had the audience under her spell.

Omar Velasco is doing the May residency at The Hi Hat. Last year, he did a residency at the Bootleg Theater. It was cool getting to catch him again. He brought a Spanish-influenced singer-songwriter set to the stage. What I noticed: he put a handful of tambourines at the front of the stage. Towards the middle of his set he invited people to pick one up. Of course, there was a condition, "As long as you have rhythm, you're welcome to pick one up."

Calvin Love with Alyeska, Fatal Jamz and Shannon Lay at the Bootleg Theater

It was off to the Bootleg Theater to catch their residency night featuring Calvin Love. Shannon Lay from Feels started the night off. It reminded me of my first night during my New Zealand vacation. I was walking around and came across this music venue where folks were in a circle, singing. Her set was such a unique difference from Feels.

Fatal Jamz reminded me of watching Rocky Horror Picture Show. Yes, a lounge singer singing while the "acting" is going on.

Calvin Love is the residency artist for May. I say it was like watching Chandler Bing (Friends) going crooner versus the humor guy among his friends.

Alyeska had the quote of the night, "Feel sympathy towards me. I've had hardly any sleep over the last two days." She's out their proving that Gen Z is ready to take their place in the Los Angeles music scene. Also, couldn't help but notice how excited she got when she saw someone in the audience wearing a Dinosaur Jr t-shirt.

Sister Mantos, Aye Nako and Potty Mouth at The Hi Hat

It was a variety of sounds at The Hi Hat a couple Mondays ago. Sister Mantos hit the stage with their Latin rock sounds. There was a cow bell and stylish dance twirls. There was also a song that the band plays at quinceaneras. What did I notice: I nearly got knocked over the head by falling cymbals. In fact, a fellow photographer had to save my skull. All good.

Aye Nako came in from Brooklyn, NY. They're good friends with Potty Mouth. This band trades off their lead vocals. Memories were shared between Aye Nako and Potty Mouth: one being where they were on the the bill together, but Potty Mouth had to leave before their set, because Abby had her high school classes the next day. What did I notice: they were all rocking the short shorts.

Potty Mouth is the reason why I showed up for this night. I'd seen them earlier in the year and was eager to catch them again. They gave us their rocking best.

Potty Mouth's comment of the set:

Ally: I almost twisted my ankle again. I'm getting old at 29.

Abby: You mean you were doing a cool dance move.

The Diamond Light with Well Hung Heart and Robbery Inc at The Satellite

The first residency night for The Diamond Light started off with a blast. Well Hung Heart just rocked it. And their fashion statement went like this: glamour vs. black dress vs. jeans. To end their set, they went with a rap sound with the lead singer jumping off the stage and showing some moves on the floor. The lead guitarist came on down and they ended their set with the lead singer jumping on his back.

Robbery Inc brought their rock sound up next with some smooth keys and bended knees.

The Diamond Light brought a country rock sound to the stage of The Satellite. The lead singer wore an outfit straight from a 1950s Western movie. The crowd loved it all.

KONA with Melody Reyne, Drum and Lace and VIAA at The Bootleg Theater

What an awesome night of music at the Bootleg Theater. Opening up was Melody Reyne, an earnest singer songwriter set. Up next was Drum and Lace. She played her electronic synths with a background of videos playing against the Bootleg wall. There were city images of Europe from the 50's/60's. A young woman could be seen walking the streets of Europe. VIAA reminded me of a disco queen with a touch of Sade. One of her songs was about an ex-boyfriend that thought she had done something, but she hadn't so she wrote a song like she had done it. The residency night belonged to KONA. It was a set that screamed out love. It was a very important set as KONA's grandmother had died earlier that day. It was a heartfelt set, showing love for her grandmother.

What was noticed from the night: I swear that someone was taking selfies inside the bathroom of the Bootleg. Flashes could be seen.

Draemings with Jesse Jo Stark, Ever So Android, Brass Box at The Echo

The Echo. One thing I've learned about the Los Angeles music scene: if you're interested in checking out a specific night and you suddenly see an added name pop up on the website and if that band/individual is up first, you better show up early even if you don't have a clue who that individual is. That was the case on this specific Draemings residency night.

I noticed that Jesse Jo Stark was added to the line-up. I'm not hip on the fashion scene so I had no clue who she was, but after doing some research I learned a whole lot more. I made sure I was there by 8:00 p.m. as were a whole lot of other individuals. Her music has that Mazzy Star feel to it. That is a connection that one can't complain about. She was calm and comfortable on stage while her bassist had this gritted teeth wild look that just caught my attention.

Jesse Jo Stark

After Jesse Jo Stark, Ever So Android came on stage. This was my second time seeing this band. They are one of my new favorites. The lead singer paces that stage like a caged animal.

Just before their set I had the following paraphrased conversation with a fellow photographer:

Me: I’m here to see Ever So Android.

Photographer gives me a side eye look like I’m crazy. [On Instagram, I stated that this was the night to head out to see Draemings, because Ever So Android was on the bill. So I was there to see both. I just failed to mention this fact.]

Ever So Android played their set.

Photographer: What did you say their name was?

Me: Ever So Android.

Photographer: They’re so good! [One more convert.]

Ever So Android

Brass Box came on stage next. The lead singer used to play with Black Flamingo. There is a connection here as the lead singer from Draemings also played in Black Flamingo. It was like a family reunion. Actually, it is always nice to see this happen as that let's you know that the breakup of a band didn't cause a breakup in friendships. Brass Box has an ethereal sound that has a touch of influence from Black Flamingo.

Brassbox

Draemings did their third residency set. The Echo was packed for the weirdness. Lead singer Kimi, dare I guess wrong, was dressed like a flaming Phoenix bird. Another member of the band was dressed up like a manic toy soldier. With their theatrical fashion and wonderful stage decoration, it was a set to remember. Well, let's not forget that college radio '80s/90s alternative rock sound. Oh yeah.

Draemings

Barb Wire Dolls with earthsleep, Turbulent Hearts and Svetlanas at Whisky a Go Go

It was off to Whisky a Go Go to catch Barb Wire Dolls along with earthsleep, Turbulent Hearts and Svetlanas. The first band up for me was earthsleep. It was my first time seeing this band, but I was well aware of them. Occasionally, the lead singer of earthsleep will like one of my Instagram photos. What I heard: the lead singer has the perfect feminine vocals to crosscheck her male band counterparts' musical muscle. Next up was Turbulent Hearts, a band that hits the peddle and doesn't let up. The headliner, Barb Wire Dolls came up third. I swear this band gets better and better. There wasn't a dull song in their set. The band also works so well together, like the proverbial well oiled machine. I was going to take off after Barb Wire Dolls, but it was suggested that I check out Svetlanas for a song or two. She'll give you that bug eye. Intense.

I got to talk to a photographer that I always see at the Whisky a Go Go. I found out he was approaching 2 million photos. Crazy. The camera has was currently using was approaching 1 million. No way. It was a great conversation learning about how another photographer approaches life.