Song Spotlight: Horse Rider's Horse Rider (a night at Zebulon)

Horse Rider opened up a The Witching Hours night at Zebulon. From what I can tell, they're an Austin based band that has since moved out to Los Angeles. I was impressed with how they perfectly blended their bass and guitar play to create their layered music that slowly unfolded. The lyrics (as per my interpretation) leans towards how people deal with various difficulties that life throws at a person and sometimes not for the better. For example, their song "Call" starts off with the lyrics, "When you pick up the gun. Not gonna let em talk to you that way." Is it about a school shooter or an encounter with this individual, "Im just sittin at the corner store." 

Horse Rider at Zebulon

Song Spotlight: Hannah Hughes' Stranger With My Secret (a night at Harvard & Stone)

In late September, Hannah Hughes closed out at a Swyndle Monday night showcase at Harvard & Stone. Hughes is someone I started following via Julez and the Rollerz. I first came across the band at Happy Sundays Long Beach in 2022. (I covered the festival for Buzzbands and you can read a comment I made about the band here.) I only caught a couple songs that day as I was jumping around from band to band, but they did leave an impression as I ended up catching the band 4 different times in 2023. It also so happened that 2023 was the first time I caught a solo Hannah Hughes set at Hotel Cafe. I've had the privilege of both using my photos on their Instagram pages. I should note that Hughes left the band earlier this year -- should you show up to one of their sets for the first time ever and wonder if I'm getting bands mixed up in my head.

Hannah Hughes at Harvard & Stone

Song Spotlight: Madisenxoxo's Control Freak (a night at The Goldfish)

There was a time when Portland bands were the top of the list for me to see (such as The Lower 48 that ended their run in 2018 and, of course, Y La Bamba). I once told music friends that I'd never seen a Portland band that I didn't love immediately. For some reason, I don't feel like I run across Portland bands all that often these days. Perhaps I need to be more purposeful in my search. 

Madisenxoxo at The Goldfish

Song Spotlight: Still Blank's What About Jane (a night at The Goldfish)

I love randomly heading out on nights when I don't know any of the bands. If the night is free, it is all the better, because there is low risk (just my time) to taking a chance on unknown bands / musicians. Promoters such as AM Presents Music, Ryan Pollie, Swyndle, and WFNM as well as Zebulon (venue) over the last few years have provided me with that opportunity. Recently, Rocknite over at the The Goldfish has stepped into the mix. 

Still Blank at The Goldfish

Notes from Vivace Show Alerts (Los Angeles): Nov 9th - Nov 15th

A Handful (bucketful) of Show Alerts

Sunday, Nov 9th: Lael Neale at the Lodge Room. Doors at 7 p.m.

Read my song spotlight for "Down On The Freeway" here.

Sunday, Nov 9th: Rosie Tucker at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Doors at 6 p.m.

In 2021, I covered them for Buzzbands, which you can read here.

Monday, Nov 10th: Lily Waters at Harvard & Stone. Doors at 8 p.m.

I've followed her since 2017.

Monday, Nov 10th: Marcus Buser at Club Tee Gee. Doors at 8 p.m.

Read my song spotlight for "Right Man" here.

Wednesday, Nov 12th: Donna and Blimp at The Goldfish. Doors at 8 p.m.

I just recently covered Donna for US Rocker Music, which you can read here.

In 2024, I covered Blimp for US Rocker Music, as well, which you can read here.

Wednesday, Nov 12th: Gilbert Louie Ray at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Doors at 9 p.m.

Read my recent review of his set here.

Thursday, Nov 13th: Brenda Carsey at Bar Lubitsch. Doors at 7 p.m.

In 2018, I covered her at Echo Park Rising for Buzzbands, you can see a photo of the set here.

Thursday, Nov 13th: Draag at the Lodge Room. Doors at 7 p.m.

In 2024, I covered the band for US Rocker Music, which you can read here.

Thursday, Nov 13th: Giant Waste of Man at The Goldfish. Doors at 8 p.m.

One of my favorite new bands from 2022.

Thursday, Nov 13th: Moonfuzz at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Doors at 9 p.m.

Read my song spotlight for "Hell Week" here.

Thursday, Nov 13th: PAGOTO and Salem's Bend at The Redwood Bar. Doors at 8 p.m.

In 2024, I covered the band for this site, which you can read here.

Made my list of favorite new bands from 2024, which you can read here.

Friday, Nov 14th: Baba Jenkins at The Smell. Doors at 8 p.m.

Read my song spotlight for "Wild" here.

Friday, Nov 14th: Bardo at The Echo. Doors at 7 p.m.

Read my recent review of his set here.

Saturday, Nov 15th: Mating Ritual at the Lodge Room. Doors at 7:30 p.m.

In 2021, I covered the band for Buzzbands, which you can read here. It is their last show ever (never say never for a reunion show, but that could be years away).

Song Spotlight: Neska Rose's Very Green (a night at Hotel Ziggy)

Neska Rose has to be one of the quirkiest singers in Los Angeles. She has to rank up there with Henry Hall. For better known names beyond the Los Angeles music scene, go with Amanda Palmer, Björk, and Laurie Anderson.  

Neska Rose at Hotel Ziggy

Review: Bardo Grooves His Way Across Zebulon

I've followed Bardo's career for a number of years via Chicano Batman. For those not in the know, Bardo Martinez is the lead vocalist for the band. Last year, I got to cover the band for US Rocker Music, which you can read here. I even went knowing I would get to cover only the first three songs before being escorted out of the venue. I could have put my gear back into my car and returned to the venue, but I have some expensive gear and I wasn't going to be one of those photographers who goes viral on social media for doing something stupid. 

Bardo at Zebulon

Song Spotlight: Sun Colony's Aerodyne (a night at Zebulon)

I cross paths with Sun Colony on occasion. I first caught the band back in late 2018. At the time, Lauren Andino from Tremours and L.A. Witch was playing guitar with the band. I do believe this was the first time I saw her on stage. Since that time, the band has gone through some line-up changes, but their shoegaze sound remains intact via founding member Derek Mabra. (In some ways, Andino has also kept that shoegaze tradition going via Tremours.)  

Sun Colony at Zebulon

Song Spotlight: Ryan Hahn & The Believers' Farmers Son (a night at Sassafras Saloon)

The week ending September 13th was a rather joyous moment in the Los Angeles music scene. On Tuesday night, KCRW x School Night relaunched at Zebulon after ending their run in December 2024. Then on Friday night at Sassafras Saloon, Small Town Friday Nights relaunched after having to end its run at the Silverlake Lounge due to an ownership change at the bar in July 2024. 

Ryan Hahn & The Believers at Sassafras Saloon

Song Spotlight: The Little Miss' A Week into New Year's Resolutions (a night at the Sassafras Saloon)

My first encounter with The Little Miss (the moniker for Hayley Johnson) was back in 2018 at the Resident. I'm not going to lie, that was one strange first time encounter. Why? It was a mash up night. The headliner was Ever So Android (renamed Boy Deluxe a few years later). They're an electronic punk band. The Little Miss, a country folk singer. I was there for Ever So Android, but enjoyed The Little Miss and continued to follow Johnson throughout the years. 

The Little Miss at Sassafras Saloon

Song Spotlight: Ron Blakely's Tired (a night at Bar Lubitsch)

Ron Blakely hit the stage with high expectations on my part during their WFNM showcase at Bar Lubitsch. First off, WFNM founder Grant Owens mentioned to me that Blakely had great vocals. Then Giselle (who opened prior to their set) pumped them up during her set. (You can read my Song Spotlight of her song "Skeleton" here.) 

Ron Blakely at Bar Lubitsch

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

A Handful (bucketful) of Show Alerts

Sunday, Nov 2nd: Primitive Ring at Zebulon. Doors at 8 p.m.

In 2024, I covered the band for this blog site, which you can read here.

Monday, Nov 3rd: Dave Harrington at Club Tee Gee. Doors at 8 p.m.

I recently covered his set for this blog site, which you can read here.  

Tuesday, Nov 4th: Kelcey Ayer at Zebulon. Doors at 6:30 p.m.

You can read my song spotlight review for "No Sleep" here.

Tuesday, Nov 4th: Sharon Silva at Gold-Diggers. Doors at 7 p.m.

In 2022, I covered Sharon Silva for Buzzbands, which you can read here. 

Tuesday, Nov 4th: Tanja at Hotel Ziggy. Doors at 7 p.m.

You can read my song spotlight review for "L.A. Boys" here. 

Thursday, Nov 6th: Alex E.T. at Alex's Bar. Doors at 8 p.m.

You can read my song spotlight review for "Calico II" here. 

Thursday, Nov 6th: Laena Myers at Zebulon. Doors at 8 p.m.

In 2021, I covered Myers' former band Feels for Buzzbands, which you can read here. 

Thursday, Nov 6th: Y La Bamba at the Lodge Room. Doors at 7 p.m.

In 2019, I covered the band for Buzzbands, which you can read here.

Friday, Nov 7th: Lilliana Villines at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Doors at 6 p.m.

You can read my song spotlight review for "yours" here.

Friday, Nov 7th: Unpolished* at the Redwood Bar. Set time 8 p.m.

You can read my song spotlight review for "nobody knows" here. 

Friday and Saturday (Nov 7th - Nov 8th): Substance Fest at Belasco.

The festival includes a handful of bands that I've featured in the past.

Saturday, Nov 8th: Born Ruffians, and zzzahara at the Lodge Room. Doors at 3:30 p.m.

In 2024, I covered Born Ruffians for US Rocker Music, which you can read here. 

In 2024, I also covered zzzahara for US Rocker Music, which you read read here.

Saturday, Nov 8th: Queen of Jeans at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Doors at 6 p.m.

In 2024, I covered the band for US Rocker Music, which you can read here.

Song Spotlight: Kelcey Ayer's No Sleep (a night at The Goldfish)

Seeing Kelcey Ayer in concert always reminds me of my first few years in the Los Angeles music scene. Way back in 2009, a friend mentioned to me that I should head to the Silverlake Lounge to catch a band called Local Natives. The place was packed from stage to entrance. Somehow I was allowed inside -- I'm sure the fire marshal would have shut the place down. I squeezed my way to the front of the stage so that I could take photos of the band. It was love at first sight. And via Local Natives, I connected with bands such as Eastern Conference Champions (Mondo Cozmo) and Family of the Year. 

Kelcey Ayer at The Goldfish