the bands
Acoustic set by Brian Aubert and Nikki Monninger of Silversun Pickups
Brian Aubert (guitar, vocals) * Nikki Monninger (bass)
Joe Lester (keyboards) * Christopher Guanlao (drums)
Silversun Pickups have always considered their sonic density a source of pride: The Los Angeles band’s four studio full-lengths—including their 2006 gold-selling debut, Carnavas,which spawned the hits “Lazy Eye” and “Well Thought Out Twinkles”—reveal additional sonic gifts with each subsequent spin.
Their fifth album, Widow’s Weeds, also caters to an adventurous, patient group of listeners. Strident acoustic strumming tussles with raging electric riffs, as urgent, precise beats and moody electronic pulses percolate underneath…..
“We didn’t know exactly which emotional level the lyrics were going to start at,” Aubert says. “I was like, ‘Are they going to be angry, with these crazy times?’ Everything seems so polarized and bizarre and scary. All of these things affect you. And then as they were coming out, it was like, ‘No, they sound like they’re kind of mourning.’ I couldn’t quite put them all together.”
Widow’s Weeds strikes a perfect balance between provocative noise and distortion, and lush, introspective pop tranquility…(and) ends up being about rebirth and renewal, facing darker elements of the soul (or society) head-on, and choosing to either engage—or leave them behind. This shift toward blunt candor wasn’t lost on Lester. “I feel Brian’s lyrics have gotten more direct over the last couple of records. He’s much more open and less coy about what he’s singing about. There’s less trying to put Vaseline on the lens.”
Over the years, Silversun Pickups have racked up 210 million worldwide streams and 10 Top 20 hits on Billboard‘s Alternative Songs chart, led by 2009’s ferocious chart-topper “Panic Switch.” Nearly 20 years after the band formed, it’s not lost on Monninger that they’re one of the few groups they’ve grown up with who have sustained a career. “I don’t know many bands that have lasted that long,” she says. “But we started as friends first, and we care about each other—you know, this is our second family. We really believe in what we’re doing. We’re going to take it as far as we can.”
For Aubert, moving forward involves staying connected to his own self (and remembering to prioritize self-care) and being attuned to creative impulses when they arise. If that means going outside of his comfort zone, so be it. “This album feels the most naked out of all of them,” Aubert says. “That’s scary at first. But that goes into my whole headspace. That goes into how things went down. It was like, ‘Hey man, you were so unaware of the things you needed, and so closed off. Just do it. Stop hiding. It was crushing you. Don’t be afraid.’
Photo: Claire Marie Vogel
Crown City bombers
CROWN CITY BOMBERS has been together 10 years playing classic Rockabilly, early R & B, Rock ‘n’ Roll of the 50's & early 60's, as well as rockin' originals with a vintage feel. "CCB" has built a dedicated legion of fans in the Southern California roots and rockabilly scene. On any given weekend you can find them playing at local car shows, clubs, casinos, festivals, corporate events, private parties or weddings. They are also a regular presence at the annual Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Festival, the Bo Huff & Cruisin' National Car shows, Joe’s American Bar and Grill and Downtown Disney. CCB’s fan base has grown nationally, & internationally. They recently performed at the iconic Wiltern theatre in Los Angeles, Kustom Kulture Festival in Seattle Washington, & the Bethune Retro Festival in France! On top of that, CCB just released their 7th album of all new original songs!
Buy their CD HERE COMES THE NIGHT here: https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/store.cdbaby.com/cd/crowncitybombers
Find them here:
the la hootenanny
The LA Hootenanny is a collective of musicians whose music is founded in the sounds of Outlaw Country, and then spreads quickly through all the individual influences of the eleven member crew. At any time in a set, you’re likely to hear the story of a Louisiana cajun boy, followed by a tale of the bear tracks of Ole Slew Foot, into a lament on a river of whiskey, and then chased with a quasi-German interpretation of a Pixies classic.The shows are further enhanced by the amazing and talented LA Hootenanny Dancers as well. It’s always an adventure experiencing the LA Hootenanny!
Find them here:
http://www.facebook.com/lahootenanny
@lahootenanny
bebo and the goodtime boys
Bebo and the Goodtime Boys play traditional rockabilly music influenced by the 1950s but with a modern approach and sound. They mix their influences of Rockabilly and Latino music creating a hot pot of unique and contemporary rock n’roll. The band’s first record was released at the end of 2014 and received fantastic reviews as well as enthusiastic responses all over the world. Bebo and the Goodtime Boys are one of the most in demand RnR bands in Southern California.
Find them here:
wildrecordsusa.com/bebo.cfm
@boppinbebo
the blackouts
The Blackouts are a Los Angeles-based 80s, new wave, dark wave, and indie cover band which formed in 2007. Although each member has played in their share of original bands from a variety of musical genres, they all have one thing in common; they love to passionately perform songs from classic 80s and indie bands like The Smiths, Joy Division, The Cure, Morrissey, Echo & The Bunnymen, The Damned, Bauhaus, David Bowie, The Cult, The Jesus & Mary Chain, Dramarama, Duran Duran, The Strokes, She Wants Revenge, Interpol, The Killers, Franz Ferdinand, and The Editors to name a few.
The Blackouts have played shows all over the greater Los Angeles area from Hollywood to Pomona and everywhere in between. They’ve had the honor of warming up the stage for acts such as Berlin, The English Beat, and Gene Loves Jezebel and have received praise from noted DJs such as Richard Blade of KROQ fame and Raul Campos of KCRW.
"Los Angeles has plenty of cover bands, but not many have the killer talent and range to cover some of the best dark decades of music as The Blackouts do! " ~ Aldo Serrano (Filmmaker/Director)
The Blackouts are:
Mike (Licks)
Ernie (Licks, Keys)
Eric (Slaps)
Rich (Skins)
Adrian (Pipes)
Find them here:
https://www.facebook.com/theblackoutslosangeles
@theblackoutslosangeles
the djs
luis vasquez (aka the soft moon)
The one-man project of Luis Vasquez, the Soft Moon gives the darkly hypnotic sounds of Suicide, Joy Division, Bauhaus, and Krautrock new life with a stripped-down approach. Vasquez is also inspired by his Afro-Cuban heritage and the wide-open spaces of the Mojave Desert where his family relocated after being born in Los Angeles, California. Vasquez released his first single, Breathe the Fire, on Brooklyn based label Captured Tracks in March 2010. That September his second single Parallels followed, and the Soft Moon's self-titled debut album appeared in November. Darker still was the Total Decay EP, which arrived in late October 2011. Vasquez continued to write songs while on the road, and enlisted the help of engineer/producer Monte Vallier to turn them into the streamlined tracks that appeared on 2012's Zeros. After touring in support of the album, Vasquez moved to Venice, Italy, using the solitude and his status as a foreigner as inspiration for a set of songs that explored despair and healing. Working with producer Maurizio Baggio at Hate Studios, Vasquez honed his singing and songwriting to produce 2015's Deeper, the Soft Moon's most emotional album yet. A pair of remix EPs featuring work by Ancient Methods, Trentemøller, and Blush Response arrived early the following year. For the Soft Moon's fourth album, Criminal, Vasquez reunited with Baggio and built on the confessional territory of Deeper as he explored his childhood and its aftermath. Sacred Bones released the album in 2018
Joey radikal
One of Los Angeles hidden talents and a resident of Atwater (way before the Village) Joey Radikal has been mixing records for over 25 years. Starting in the late 80’s in the house party scene he gradually moved into the underground movement. In the late 90’s he took his talent along with his vast knowledge of music to the night club scene, taking over popular night/day clubs in the city. Not taking a break till this day, he’s running around doing his pop up parties at some of L.A.’s hippest bars.
hoseh
DJ Hoseh (born Jose C. Salguero) is a Los Angeles native who has been a part of the city’s music fabric for 24 years. He hosted “Headspace” on KXLU 88.9 FM for 22 years and is a founding member of Dublab.com where he hosts “Version Sounds.” His mix CD “Poppy Sol” was the first release as part of the dublab Future Roots series, and it has garnered much praise and recognition internationally. He has opened for such diverse acts as Lee Perry, GAS, The Orb, Belle and Sebastian, Eddie Palmieri, Plaid and Tortoise. He has played at venerated Los Angeles venues such as Walt Disney Concert Hall, The Natural History Museum and The Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. The music he shares is multi-dimensional and uses a broad palette of past, present, and futuristic sounds.
Find him here:
Rose knows
There's always some Rose, somewhere, with a big nose who Knows.
Rose Knows is a native Los Angelina, Poly Genre DJ, amateur writer, True Crime Trivia Maitresse, Provocateur and Jill of all trades. She enjoys dark films in sunny places, creating magick, contemplating the absurdity of reality and the desperate need for art that provokes. You can follow her musings at @rose.knows and her writing at @eyesthatwhisper. You can listen to her live sets at mixcloud.com/rose_knows.
dj rockin’ vic
A well known name in the Southern California scene, DJ Rockin’ Vic for over 18 years has DJ’d countless car shows, night clubs, and rockabilly weekenders. He will play the platters that mater to get you Jivin’ n Boppin’ n Strollin’!
Scarlett Casanova
For more than a decade, Scarlett Casanova has been bringing together L.A.'s party people for eclectic events big and small. Scarlett launched her signature party, Hang the DJs, at The Echo in 2004 to instant success. With a keen eye for talent, she filled the DJ booth with up-and-coming talent from the local scene and beyond. During its 10-year run, Hang the DJs welcomed guests like Steve Aoki, Hercules and Love Affair, The Presets, Big Freedia and so many more. Scarlett earned local and national acclaim for her work and has appeared in publications like Paper, Urb, L.A. Weekly and La Opinión. Scarlett continues to host and promote events at The Offbeat.
Hansel tato
A record collector since 80’s and lover of Soul/Hip Hop, New Wave, Psych, and Oldies.
Hansel worked as an event promoter for Stereophonic Productions at Venues such as The El Rey Theatre- Fais Do do-House of Blues and other locations throughout Los Angeles, San Francisco, and NYC.
As a musician and vocalist, Hansel played with the bands Su Blah Nu and Fire Lotus Society.