Song Spotlight: Stacey Ryan's Fall In Love Alone (a night at Bar Lubitsch)

As I've said before, I try to stick to a specific amount of nights out in the music scene each week. I am actually keeping to my self-discipline better this year than last year. Yet, a recent week was a cheat week as I went out five different nights (one of those nights included hopping venues). I already knew I was going to head out 4 nights that week, but then curiosity hit. I took a look at what WFNM  had scheduled for Bar Lubitsch. Catching my attention was jazz singer Stacey Ryan from Montreal, Canada. I sent Grant Owens (WFNM founder) an Instagram message to ask when she was hitting the stage. I learned she was the first performer up for the night. Off I went and then I made a quick exit to head back home. The computer was turned back on and I put in another hour of work.

Stacey Ryan at Bar Lubitsch

Review: Chalk Teeth has a Black Celebration at Licorice Pizza Records

I first came across Chalk Teeth back in April. After seeing their set, I wrote up one of my Song Spotlight posts for their song "Floor It." Ever since that point in time, I've wanted to catch another set. I know I've had other opportunities to catch a set, but the timing never worked out. That ended when they had their official record release party (I'm assuming it was their release party) at Licorice Pizza Records for their self-titled debut album. The album came out in June so a little delay in having a party. The band was scheduled at Licorice Pizza a few months back, but had to cancel due to illness. 

Chalk Teeth at Licorice Pizza Records

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

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

Song Spotlight: Walter the Producer's Memphis (a night at Zebulon)

Walter the Producer (moniker for Reid Hosp) opened up a recent night at Zebulon. With vocals that hinted of Bob Dylan, he took command of the venue. Or maybe not. While up on stage suggesting that people should feel free to dance during his set (though he admitted that he himself did not dance when he went out), he heard some people off on the step seats talking, "Who's talking? What the hell. I thought I commanded request."

Walter the Producer at Zebulon

Review: Blood is Spilled at Murder Ballads & Dark Songs Event

October kicks off three months of holiday celebrations. And for those in the know, Explorsion (aka Daiana Feuer) and Stepping Stone Presents (aka Liz Garo) put on their annual Murder Ballads & Dark Songs event. Last year, the event occurred at 2220 Arts. This year, they shifted locations to Zebulon. 

Sugarmill Slim at Zebulon

To bring along the Halloween spirit, there were bowls of candy throughout the venue. Did I have some candy? Of course, I did. The Halloween theme did not stop there. As one entered, spooky sounds could be heard. The stage was decorated with skeletons, a severed arm, eye ball floor lights, and synthetic spider webs. Those spider webs did do their job as I saw them clinging to people throughout the night.

What were some of the highlights of a night that included 16 acts? 

The scene-stealer belongs to Sugarmill Slim (Anders LaSource). "Have you seen my daughter?" LaSource said, rushing around the venue before getting back up on stage to sing PJ Harvey's "Down By The Water." It ended with fake blood being splattered across a white dress and a death scene. Add to it all: Easy Love on drums -- do I have to go back to Summer Twins days when I last saw her behind the drum kit? Maybe. "I bet you never saw that episode of SpongeBob SquarePants."

Main squeezes, Borrowed Lips and Swimming Bell, sang tales from two perspectives. It was Borrowed Lips first performance ever. Swimming Bell (Katie Schottland) mentioned that "Murder Ballads were the very first form of storytelling. That's how news got around. People would write songs and tell the story of the news." 

Borrowed Lips and Swimming Bell at Zebulon

Ravens Moreland took Bob Dylan's folk tune "Ballad of Hollis Brown" and turned it into a "nocturnal industrial death rock" cover. Does one dare say that Ravens Moreland's version is superior to Bob Dylan's. It can't be. It must have been the Halloween ghosts having too much influence. 

Ravens Moreland at Zebulon

Los Angeles punk royalty, Alice Bag, performed a song before a peak audience crowd. Backing her up were the Bloody Death Skull band members. You could tell it was a moment to remember for them. Alice Bag's right hand was telling the story. "I love Alice Bag, that's all I've got to say," was Taleen Kali's reaction.  

Alice Bag at Zebulon

Four favorites went back-to-back starting with Taleen Kali. I've seen her a number of times throughout the years. There was a moment where I was just stunned by her vocals. I was thinking, I don't believe I've ever heard her hit those high notes before. Anyways, the band has a Kickstarter going to raise funds for their sophomore album (link can be found on their Instagram page). 

Taleen Kali at Zebulon

Covers of the Williams country family were a favorite for Harry Katz and the Pistachios and Emily Rose. Harry Katz sang "Endless Sleep" by Hank Williams Jr. while Emily Rose sang "The Angel of Death" by Hank Williams. 

Harry Katz and the Pistachios at Zebulon

Between Harry Katz and Emily Rose was Bart Davenport with Emily Rose doing backing vocals. 

Emily Rose and Bart Devonport at Zebulon

I had seen over half of the 16 acts before, many multiple times. So who was new to me (in a way) and will need to catch in the future? Crowjane. She's a member of Egrets On Ergot (I don't know how active they are at the moment). Oh mercy, it was a blast from the past. That band made my list of favorite new finds of 2018. 

Crowjane at Zebulon

The night ended at "10 o'clock on the dot."