Review: Escape Artist Lovers headline Altadena Musicians Fundraiser

The Los Angeles fires that started on January 7th, 2025 will have long lasting impacts on the Altadena and Pacific Palisades communities. The local Los Angeles music community has galvanized together in a way that I don't believe I've ever seen. All to provide some glimmer of hope to those who lost so much. Zebulon shuttered for a few days to collect donations. Venues such as Permanent Records Roadhouse has held several events where door proceeds were donated to various causes. I covered a large dance party at The Bellwether (you can read about it here) that raised $70,000. 

Last week, the sense of community continued at Zebulon where Gift Horse Project put together a fundraising effort for Altadena Musicians, which is a nonprofit to help musicians who lost their gear in the fire. The nonprofit is headed by Brandon Jay, himself impacted by the fires. The website for the project has the following: 

Brandon Jay of Altadena Musicians at Zebulon

Song Spotlight: Blu Jay and The lovebombs' Money Power Sex Fame (a night at Bar Lubitsch)

I first came across Jade Duncan who releases music under Blu Jay and The lovebombs in December 2023 at a WFNM night at Hotel Ziggy. The band did a June 2024 residency at Harvard & Stone and I was able to catch the last night of the residency. I noticed that the band was supposed to play a Monday night at Harvard & Stone in January, but for some reason the band ended up not playing that night. Like it is in the Los Angeles music scene, you always get another chance. I noticed that the band was playing a WFNM night at Bar Lubitsch a few days later and so I circled the night on my calendar. 

Blu Jay and The lovebombs at Bar Lubitsch

Review: Crush's variety show entertains the crowd at Zebulon

I first came across Crush in 2022 at Zebulon. It was an interesting situation that resulted in that first encounter. A band called Clark And The Himselfs had a September residency at The Echo. There was a dispute that I won't get into as I obviously don't know the details. The end result was that the residency ending sooner than anticipated. Zebulon was kind enough to pick up the remaining part of the residency. Also playing that night was a personal favorite Laena of Feels and The Like fame. 

Crush at Zebulon

Song Spotlight: Nightjacket's My Only Heart (a night at Harvard & Stone)

I first came across Nightjacket in June 2020 via an online performance of "Lonely Archer" via Los Angeleno. You can see that Instagram video here. I fell in love with The Cranberries sound. "Lonely archer, take your aim. Might get lucky tonight. Shoot your arrows, and let ‘em rain. Yeah I might fall in love tonight." I got to catch the band live in 2021 and put them on my list of favorite 2021 new to me, but maybe not to you.

Nightjacket at Harvard & Stone

Review: Pistacioland Cracks Open the Yes

It was a Pistachioland night at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Were there any actual pistachios at the venue on a Saturday night? I didn't see any, but I did see a band called Harry Katz and the Pistachios and a tie with pistachios in the design. The night was hosted by Harry Katz and this night was apparently Pistachioland III. I missed the other two iterations of this festival of fun. It was a night filled with music as well as face painting, a juggler, and DIY shops. Hopefully, I don't miss Pistachioland IV.

Harry Katz and the Pistachios at Permanent Records Roadhouse

Notes from Vivace Show Alerts (Los Angeles): Mar 2nd - Mar 8th

A Handful (Bucketful This Week) of Show Alerts

Sunday, Mar 2nd: The Blushes at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Doors at 9 p.m.
One of my favorite bands. The band played Echo Park Rising in 2024. You can read my review of the festival for US Rocker here.

Sunday, Mar 2nd: Eagle Rock Gospel Singers at Hotel Cafe. Set time at 7 p.m.
Came across this band back in 2014. 

Tuesday, Mar 4th: Bruvvy at Madame Siam.
You can read my NFV Song Spotlight here.

Tuesday, Mar 4th: Christina Apostolopoulos at Hotel Ziggy. Doors at 7 p.m.

If you look carefully, you'll see a photo I took for Buzzbands at Echo Park Rising here.

Tuesday, Mar 4th: Escape Artist Lovers and Mercedes Kilmer at Zebulon. Doors at 8 p.m.
You can read my US Rocker reviews of Escape Artist Lovers here and Mercedes Kilmer here.

Thursday, Mar 6th: Jenny O at Gold-Diggers. Doors at 7 p.m.

You can read my Buzzbands review of Jenny O here.

Saturday, Mar 8th: Dear Elise at The Smell. Doors at 8 p.m.

You can read my US Rocker review here.

Saturday, Mar 8th: Lake at 2220 Arts. Doors at 8 p.m.

Been following this band since 2009.

Saturday, Mar 8th: Menea at Harvard & Stone. Doors at 7 p.m.

Saw her recently at WFNM.

Saturday, Mar 8th: Moonfuzz and Pegzilla at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Doors at 9 p.m.

This is a punk night.

Song Spotlight: Perrin York's Keep Out (a night at Hotel Ziggy)

 

This is Los Angeles. When you hear fabulous vocals from a singer, your first thought is that this person competed in American Idol (okay, or The Voice). That is the case when it comes to Perrin York who was a contestant in Season 18 (aired in 2020) of American Idol. 

Perrin York at Hotel Ziggy

Song Spotlight: Gretchen Klempa's A Little Bit (a night at Zebulon)

Gretchen Klempa split her set at Zebulon into two. Her first three songs were from a previously released album called Human Nature. The next three songs were new songs. Then she ended the set with Dogbite that her fans recognized with cheers.  

Gretchen Klempa at Zebulon

Song Spotlight: Ultraviolet Communication's No Return (a night at Club Tee Gee)

I will admit that I was feeling this deep desire to catch some live music. I totally understand that due to the fires that hit Los Angeles starting January 7th that venues needed to shut down due to the potential for the fires to spread (as well as thick smoke that would have made for very uncomfortable situations inside the venues for both the musicians and audience) and a show of empathy. In fact, I was ready to go out on January 8th to Hotel Ziggy to catch Kat French, but then the Sunset Fires flared up and I thought that was a really stupid idea. 

Ultraviolet Communication at Club Tee Gee

Song Spotlight: Ben Reddell's Tumbleweed (a night at Club Tee Gee)

I have not seen Ben Reddell perform all that often, but he is a very familiar face in the Los Angeles music scene. He is one of the movers and shakers in the Americana-Country scene as he curates the Grand Ole Echo series each year at The Echo. The 2025 series should be starting up on the last Sunday of March or the first Sunday of April. I tangentially did a Q&A related to the Grand Ole Echo last year. If interested, you can read my interview with Charlie Overbey over on US Rocker Music. He was playing Grand Ole Echo to celebrate his In Good Company record release. I unfortunately wasn't able to make the record release party as I was up in Big Bear - that sounds like an Americana thing to do, right? 

Ben Reddell at Club Tee Gee

Notes from Vivace Show Alerts (Los Angeles): Feb 23rd - Mar 1st

A Handful of Show Alerts

Sunday, Feb 23rd: Osnova at Gold Diggers. Doors at 7 p.m.
Osnova was one of my favorite new bands of 2024. 

Tuesday, Feb 25th: Beeson at the Moroccan Lounge. Doors at 6:30 p.m.
You can read my NFV Song Spotlight here.

Thursday, Feb 27th: Jagged Baptist Club at the Redwood Bar. Doors at 8 p.m.
I covered the band at Happy Sundays Long Beach 2024 for US Rocker, which you can read here.

Thursday, Feb 27th: The Blank Tapes at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Doors at 9 p.m.
I've been following the band since 2018. 

Thursday, Feb 28th: Brenda Carsey at Healing Force Records. Doors at 8 p.m.
I covered her at Echo Park Rising 2018 for Buzzbands. You can find a photo here.

Friday, Feb 28th: Duderella at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Doors at 6 p.m.
I covered the band at Echo Park Rising 2019 for Buzzbands, which you can read here.

Friday, Feb 28th: Bonavega at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Doors at 9 p.m.
I covered the band at Echo Park Rising 2023 for Buzzbands, which you can read here.

Friday, Feb 28th: Bruvvy at The Virgil. Music at 7 p.m.

You can read my NFV Song Spotlight here.

Saturday, Mar 1st: Harry Katz and the Pistachios at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Doors at 6 p.m.

I've been following the band since 2019.

Saturday, Mar 1st: Death Valley Girls at Scribble. Doors at 7:30 p.m.

You can read my US Rocker coverage of the band here.

NFV Song Spotlight: Cesar Maria's on ur side now (a night at Zebulon)

I walked into Zebulon and John Williams was being blasted over the loudspeakers. The music sparked a sense of positivity. The massive Los Angeles fires had just started that day and evening (Tuesday) and there wasn't yet an understanding of the true magnitude of the damage. Yet, it is depressing when there are fires that burn across Los Angeles and the music gave that window of good cheer (that obviously did not last when the reality of the situation hit home). 

Cesar Maria at the Zebulon

Song Spotlight: Maryze's Playing Dress-Up (a night at Permanent Records Roadhouse)

Strangely, the last time I was at Permanent Records Roadhouse was June of 2024. That really needed to change quickly in 2025. I happened to notice via Night Talks that there was an Altadena Wildfire relief event occurring on a Friday night at 6 p.m. What better way to spend a Friday night: donate funds to those impacted by the Eaton Canyon fire and catch a favorite band called Night Talks. 

Maryze at Permanent Records Roadhouse