Review: Thematic Exploration for Tankerlow's SLAGROOM Release Party

Tankerlow recently celebrated their sophomore album release, SLAGROOM, at Zebulon. The band played the album front to back, which I say is the way a record release party should be done (if possible). The Moorpark band trio includes Guy Azulay, Kyle Norvell, and Connor Scheff. For the night, the band filled out their sound with three other musicians, creating an orchestral wall of sound. 

Tankerlow at Zebulon

Song Spotlight: Very Nice Person's Trampoline (a night at Zebulon)

Very Nice Person (the duo Davis and Skyler Diamond) and their dreamy electronic sounds captured the hearts at Zebulon (a Pretty But Wicked showcase night). Their quiet demeaner and one-liners sold the deal for many. After their set ended, I overheard one person in the audience comment, "He's [David Diamond] funny as hell." One understated comedic moment came at the start of the set when he told someone in the audience that he liked their hat, because it was glittery. He mentioned he also had glitter on his shirt.   

Very Nice Person at Zebulon

Song Spotlight: The Rumba Madre's Abuela (a night at Bar Lubitsch)

Sometimes when you head out into the Los Angeles music scene, you get a pleasant surprise due to an unexpected genre popping up in a line-up. The main reason I was off to a recent WFNM showcase night at Bar Lubitsch was to see pop singer Maryon King. I previously saw her back in 2025 and it was time to catch another set. Now, WFNM has a pattern of mixing up genres on any particular night. After Maryon King, up came The Rumba Madre - a near 180 shift in style. 

The Rumba Madre at Bar Lubitsch

Song Spotlight: Alex Brown's never be enough (a night at Bar Lubitsch)

Alex Brown with her raspy vocals dropped by a WFNM showcase night at Bar Lubitsch. During the set, it was mentioned that she is a former engineer who decided to leave her job and pursue music full time. She was working in Boston and moved to Los Angeles back in March. Her Substack mentions that she is now  busy taking on acting gigs and on the music side is anticipating putting out her debut EP later this year.

Alex Brown at Bar Lubitsch

Notes from Vivace Show Alerts (Los Angeles): Oct 25th - Oct 31st

A Handful of Show Alerts

Sunday, Oct 25th: Small Shake at Non Plus Ultra. Doors at  p.m.

I wrote a Song Spotlight for their song "Toxic" back in August, which you can read here

Sunday, Oct 25th: Tropa Magica at The Haven. Doors at 7 p.m.

In 2022, I covered the band for Buzzbands, which you can read here.

Tuesday, Oct 27th: Spiral Teeth at The Smell. Doors at 8:30 p.m.
I wrote a Song Spotlight for their song "Monochrome" back in January, which you can read here.

Wednesday, Oct 28th: American Sigh at The Airliner Bar. Doors at 8 p.m.

I wrote a Song Spotlight for their song "No Resolution" back in July, which you can read here.

Wednesday, Oct 28th: Brookelen at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Doors at 9 p.m.

I wrote a Song Spotlight for her song "moon" back in June, which you can read here.

Wednesday, Oct 28th: Chemical Therapy at Oblivion. Doors at 7 p.m.

I wrote a Song Spotlight for their song "East Los Luv" back in 2025, which you can read here.

Wednesday, Oct 28th: Mirrorball at Gold-Diggers. Doors at 7 p.m.

I wrote a Song Spotlight for their song "Red Hot Dust" back in January, which you can read here.

Thursday, Oct 29th: Ali Blake at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Doors at 6 p.m.

I wrote a Song Spotlight for her song "Arrow" back in September, which you can read here.

Thursday, Oct 29th: Brookelen and Sister Gemini at El Cid. Covers night. Doors at 6 p.m.

Brookelen is doing two sets this week -- also playing on Wednesday.

I wrote a Song Spotlight for Sister Gemini's song "Elvira" back in 2025, which you can read here.

Thursday, Oct 29th: Taleen Kali at The Airliner Bar. Doors at 7 p.m.

In 2026, I covered the band for US Rocker Music. You can read about that night here. 

Concert Review: The Breeders and Twisted Teens Heat It Up

Note: This review was meant to be posted elsewhere. There were some unfortunately issues that popped up so I'm going to post it here 2 months after the fact. I spent time writing up the review and want it to see the light of day. 

Alternative rockers The Breeders took to the Hollywood Palladium on a hot August night in Los Angeles. Their low key attitude was met by a delighted crowd – a crowd that showed up well before doors opened, forming a line that wrapped around the outside of the venue. It was a packed house to catch the band’s first headlining tour since 2024. 

The Breeders at the Hollywood Palladium

Song Spotlight: Makenna Lilly's the bleachers (a night at Hotel Ziggy)

Makenna Lilly (aka Makenna Lilly Medeiros) brought a throwback attitude to a WFNM showcase at Hotel Ziggy. Her Spotify bio mentions that her music is inspired by Letters to Cleo, The Breeders, Alanis Morissette, and Radiohead. I've covered two of those bands for music blog sites. Back in 2022, I covered Letters to Cleo for Buzzbands (you can read that article here). A few weeks back I covered The Breeders at The Palladium. Due to unanticipated outstanding issues, that review hasn't been published yet. Hopefully, in the near future. Those music bonds is definitely a reason why I was immediately drawn to her music. 

Makenna Lilly at Hotel Ziggy

Song Spotlight: Girlfriend, Wife's Focus (a night at Zebulon)

It was a Pretty But Wicked showcase night at Zebulon that featured dream pop duo Girlfriend, Wife (a collaboration between Kacy Hill and Tessa DeNicola). Kacy Hill has been releasing music for around a decade. This new duo continues her artistic expression. 

Girlfriend, Wife at Zebulon

Photo Review: Tommy Newport at The Bellwether

A couple weeks back I got to photograph Tommy Newport at The Bellwether. I was there covering Pond for US Rocker Music. You can read my article here. I got to capture a photo that I think is a rather cool shot of the singer.

Tommy Newport at The Bellwether

Song Spotlight: The Natural Supernatural's Dreamland (a night at Harvard & Stone)

The Natural Supernatural, fronted by Sean Fortier, closed out a Swyndle Monday night showcase at Harvard & Stone. I first came across the band in 2021 at a WFNM showcase night at Bar Lubitsch. I've got to say that was a good night of music as the line-up included Beck Pete, Carli Storms, and Young Rising Sons. I did a Q&A with the band at the time that is tucked way back in 2021 on my Instagram account. Here's a small snippet:

The Natural Supernatural at Harvard & Stone

Song Spotlight: Emma Smalley's Too Far Gone (a night at Hotel Ziggy)

Emma Smalley stepped up to the microphone at Hotel Ziggy for a WFNM showcase with her acoustic guitar. It was her second time in Los Angeles. She's a native to South Carolina, currently living in Nashville. Is this one of the last times people in Los Angeles will be able to catch her in such an intimate setting? 

Emma Smalley at Hotel Ziggy

Notes from Vivace Show Alerts (Los Angeles): Oct 18th - Oct 24th

A Handful of Show Alerts

Sunday, Oct 18th: Anna Ash at Zebulon. Doors at 7 p.m.
In 2025, I wrote a review of the Murder Ballads & Dark Songs event that she took part in, which you can read here.

Sunday, Oct 18th: Agender and Dagger Polyester at Oblivion. Doors at 7 p.m.

I wrote a Song Spotlight for Agender's "Damaged Girls" back in 2025, which you can read here. 

In 2023, I covered Dagger Polyesterday for Buzzbands, which you can read here.

Monday, Oct 19th: Small Shake and Sugarmill Slim at Zebulon. Doors at 8 p.m.

I wrote a Song Spotlight for Small Shake's "Toxic" back in August, which you can read here.

I wrote a Song Spotlight for Sugarmill Slim's "Family Affair" back in August, which you can read here. 

Tuesday, Oct 20th: Linus Hablot at The Fable. Doors at 8 p.m.

I wrote a Song Spotlight for his song "Say Yes" earlier this month, which you can read here.

Thursday, Oct 22nd: Addie Addie Addie, Cuffed Up and Family Cash at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Doors at 6 p.m.

I wrote a Song Spotlight for Addie Addie Addie's "Industry" back in 2025, which you can read here.

In 2022, I covered Cuffed Up for US Rocker Music, which you can read here.

I wrote a Song Spotlight for Family Cash's "Funny" back in September, which you can read here.

Thursday, Oct 22nd: Neta at Bar Lubtisch. Doors at 7 p.m.

I wrote a Song Spotlight for his song "Blood and Ink" back in September, which you can read here.

Thursday, Oct 22nd: The Sleeperz at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Doors at 9 p.m.

In 2024, I listed the band as one of my favorite new finds of the year, which you can read about here.

Friday, Oct 23rd: The Anti Groupies at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Doors at 9 p.m.

I wrote a Song Spotlight for their song "Nice is Not an Invite" back in April, which you can read here.

Friday, Oct 23rd: Grace Kay at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Doors at 6 p.m.

I wrote a Song Spotlight for her song "When You Wanted" back in 2025, which you can read here.

Friday, Oct 23rd: Fartbarf and Jesika Von Rabbit at The Redwood Bar. Doors at 8 p.m.

In 2013, I wrote a review of Fartbarf, which you can read here.

I wrote a Song Spotlight for Jesika Von Rabbit's "Psychic Spcie" back in 2024, which you can read here. 

Friday, Oct 23rd: Starling at The Roxy. Doors at 7 p.m.

Earlier this year, I wrote a review of their set, which you can read here.

Saturday, Oct 24th: Bardo at The Haven. Doors at 7 p.m.

In 2025, I wrote a review of his set, which you can read here.

Song Spotlight: Dylan Andrews' One Beer (a night at Hotel Ziggy)

Trucker country stole the show at the WFNM showcase at Hotel Ziggy. Dylan Andrews was playing his third WFNM showcase night. If I understood correctly, this was the first of those three sets where the majority of the songs were his own. No matter if I heard correctly or not, I was caught up in his country charm from the start. He's putting together a catalog of songs that are just waiting to get released in a debut EP or album.

Dylan Andrews at Hotel Ziggy