The Hi Hat: Night Talks, Jessica Gerhardt, Scott Bertenhagen

I happened to notice that Night Talks was playing at The Hi Hat. I figured it would be a nice time to catch them for the first time in 2019. Lead singer Soraya mentioned that she had gone hiking that morning and was exhausted. It therefore made perfect sense that she ended her set crawling across the stage.

Night Talks

Jessica Gerhardt was the featured artist for the night. Her friends were out to support. There is a mystical vibe to her music. I started thinking about that Pixar movie called Brave.

Jessica Gerhardt

Scott Bertenhagen opened the night with some artsy sounds all come from a guitar, pedals and vocals.

Scott Bertenhagen

Harvard & Stone: Emma Cole and Kat Myers

It was tax day. Okay, so I had finally finished my taxes the week before, making this night a celebration of not having to do my taxes for another year.

Emma Cole is one of my favorite singers. There is just something awesome about how she powers through her songs.

Emma Cole

Kat Myers opened the night. This was her first set in about a year. She happened to joke that she should only do a set once a year. Nah, she seemed to have too much joy on stage to just play once a year.

Kat Myers

The Satellite: Forever X2 with Somme and Distant Cousins

Forever X2 is the residency band at the Satellite for April. I got to catch their opening night. This is a band that sort of evolved from Act As if -- a band I saw a handful of times back in the day. Gabby from Smoke Season joined in for a song.

Forever X2

Distant Cousins was one surprising band for me. That band with their vocals just killed it. I loved their set.

Distant Cousins

Somme opened up the night. She led with her vocals and, I couldn't help but notice, a bass. How often do lead singers play the bass versus the guitar? Pretty cool.

Somme

AEROS music videos at Club Bahia with Barrie Rose, Aimee Lay and Strange Phases

Sometimes bands or artists send me DMs on Instagram asking me to catch their sets. I don't get offers that often from special events. Well, I recently got an invitation to catch the AEROS premiere, which is a series of videos put together by various local musicians/bands. I decided to head over after taking a look at the lists of performers and saw that Barrie Rose was on the list. I last saw her way back in 2016 at Make Music Pasadena. That made my decision to agree to catch the video premiere. Also, I have to admit, I was a little intrigued by the venue it was being held at, Club Bahia. I've never been there, but they seem to "like" a lot of my Instagram photos.

Barrie Rose

Also, performing that night were Strange Phases and Aimee Lay I'd never heard of Strange Phases. And I've actually seen Aimee Lay's name listed around town, but had never had a chance to catch a set.

Aimee Lay

Admittedly, the sets for all three artists were short and sweet, but I'm happy I went. It is always nice to go someplace different, support a vision and see some local musicians perform.

Strange Phases

School Night: whenyoung with Another Sky and Bikini Trill

It was off to School Night where I ran into a new favorite band called whenyoung. Unfortunately, this band lives in London. Their tunes just have this addicting quality to it. And I just can't get enough of their lead vocalist and how she just stretches certain words for just a split second longer than might be seen as normal, but it creates a uniqueness to their sound.

whenyoung

Opening up was Bikini Trill who one might mistake for a glam rock band, but actually gets you dancing.

Bikini Trill

Another Sky's lead vocalist has those deep female vocals that will make you swoon.

Another Sky

The Bootleg Theater: Jamie Drake residency

Jamie Drake is the March residency artist at the Bootleg Theater. There were a couple unique twists on this night. Blankets were laid out on the floor of the Bootleg Theater and many of those who came to catch the night of music sat on them. A handful of free popcorn bags were given out as well as free beer (which I wonder if the Bootleg Theater approved of that one). Also, the music was largely done in music rounds, which I haven't seen in awhile. The theme was singing around a camp fire.

Those joining the night were Robbie Fulks, Courtney Hartman, Zach Lupetin and Justine Bennett.

After sets by Jamie Drake and Robbie Fulks (who gave some amusing thoughts on life in North Carolina), all the musicians went on stage for three music rounds. 

Best Robbie Fulks story: He recently went to his 30th high school reunion. He recommended not going to your 30th high school reunion, because life can take a toll on folks. But he came across an individual who hardly looked like he'd aged. Talking with the guy, he found out that the individual had spent the last 30 years living with his parents, smoking week and doing occasional painting jobs for money. He couldn't help but wonder if that was the way one should live their life.

Best Justine Bennett story: Justine is close friends with Jamie Drake. She told a story about how a venue did some internet searches for a night that she was headlining. The venue wanted to create a poster. Unfortunately, they selected a photo of Jamie Drake.

The Satellite: The Absurd

The Absurd is the residency band at The Satellite. If you like a bit of irreverence when catching a band, you'll love this band. Their whole set started off with them stating that they were the Oil Barons and that no one should stick around for the next band up, The Absurd. The Oil Barons was the band coming up next.

This band brought some traditional rock sounds to The Satellite. 

The Satellite: The Gooms with Egg Drop Soup and It's Butter

It was the final residency night for The Gooms.

I couldn't help but notice that the music progressively got more aggressive.

It's Butter opened up with a jazz set.

It's Butter

The Gooms went on with some garage rock.

The Gooms

Egg Drop Soup ended the night with their punk rock sounds.

Egg Drop Soup

Highland Park Bowl: Sam Marine

I got an invite to catch Sam Marine at Highland Park Bowl. I had previously caught him at Echo Park Rising. I headed over and he was going on stage just as I walked in. It was a 30 minute rock set that thrilled due to his awesome vocals.

The Satellite: The Gooms with Emma Cole and Slugs

The Gooms might actually be the only February Monday residency band I catch. The start of the month was just real busy. If this is the only band I catch, it was a good pick. This band had the crowd pumped throughout.

The Gooms

Emma Cole tossed out her always solid vocals.

Emma Cole

Slugs did more of an acoustic set for the night.

Slugs

The Hi Hat: Jesse Jo Stark with Kate Clover and Minke

It was a solid line-up at The Hi Hat. Kate Clover opened things up. She's been off working new music outside of her band ExSage. You could tell she was having fun on stage. Playing to the photographers. Tossing beer around. Talking to fans after the set.

Kate Clover

Minke tuned things in with some singer-songwriter songs. It took a couple songs before the sound guy was able to get things set up properly for her, but after he got the sound right, we all got to enjoy her magic.

Minke

Jesse Jo Stark (along with Kate Clover) is one of my favorite musicians out there. Her songs are filled with dynamic power. And I have to say, I love how her fingers move with the motion of her music.

Jesse Jo Stark

Bootleg Theater: Justus Proffit, Janelane, Ryan Pollie and Nylon Smile

There was a chill vibe for Justus Proffit's last residency night.

Justus Proffit

For me, the main reason to head out was Janelane. What wonderful vocals. One funny thing that happened was that her electric guitar lost power due it not being plugged in tight.

Janelane

Ryan Pollie and Nylon Smile (can't find a link) opened up the night. In fact, it is possible that most folks came out to catch Ryan Pollie's opening set. Nylon Smile came on next with their lead singer off to the side, which had me thinking those chill vibes.

Ryan Pollie

Justus of Justus Proffit did double duty on this night. He played drums for Nylon Smile and then fronted his own band. While giving shout outs to the bands, he hesitated giving a shout out to Nylon Smile as that would seem like praising himself.

Nylon Smile

The Echoplex: Jen Awad Residency

The Jen Awad residency night had a little for everyone. You could tell by the fact that individuals and photographers showed up for very specific performances.

Cassandra Violet and Sarah Ault and the Super Natural gave us some music tunes that seemed inspired by old western musicals.

Cassandra Violet

Sarah Ault and the Super Natural

Polartropica brought a little Asian inspired rock.

Polartropica

Jen Awad just blew down the Echoplex with her energy. And one couldn't help but notice how she made sure her friends always stood as close to the stage as possible.

Jen Awad

Disco Shrine ended the night with a midnight dance show.

Disco Shrine