Neutrals, Blood Club and More May 2024 Music

Album cover for New Town Dream by Neutrals released on May 31, 2024

On Memorial Day, right after turning in my last writing assignment of the month, I headed over to Bandcamp and played the new DIIV album. It was the first time I listened to Frogs in Boiling Water.Typically, I don’t like writing about an album unless I’ve given it a few spins, but, in that moment, DIIV resonated with me and I started typing. 

Frogs in Boiling Water is an album that sounds amazing when you’re eyes are about to fall shut at 11:30 a.m. because you had a DJ gig the previous night— your third over the holiday weekend— and you had to wake up early enough to finish some work. That is a very specific situation, but it’s one that I can hear reflected in the tough, hazy sound of the album. This album is not dreamy, as people often refer to shoegaze bands. It’s the sound of pushing forward even when your shoulders slump and you have to close your eyes ever couple minutes.

Continue reading Neutrals, Blood Club and More May 2024 Music

Miki Berenyi Trio, Tolhurst x Budgie at Fonda Theatre, May 29, 2024

Miki Berenyi Trio live at Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles on May 29, 2024 (Photo: Liz Ohanesian)
This was the least crappy cel phone pic of Miki Berenyi Trio I took from the back of the room at Fonda Theatre.

Lol Tolhurst x Budgie were a couple songs into their set opening for Miki Berenyi Trio on Wednesday night when I noticed something strange. The sea of people in front of me at the Fonda Theatre was dark. There was not a single cel phone glowing above their heads. It was a sight I hadn’t seen since the year before the iPhone was released and it was jarring. Did I miss an announcement or something? Was security going to kick me out if I pulled out my phone?

Continue reading Miki Berenyi Trio, Tolhurst x Budgie at Fonda Theatre, May 29, 2024

Happening in L.A.: Thursday, May 30- Wednesday, June 5

Club Underground 2000s Nite May 31, 2024

This Friday is 2000s Nite at Underground and I’ll be playing the jams from Peaches, Interpol, Ladytron and more for you at Chinatown’s Grand Star Jazz Club. Tickets are available on both Eventbrite and Dice, so pick up yours now. 

Then on Sunday, I’ll be back at the Grand Star for Disco Matinee. Jus’ B and I will be playing disco, funk, dance-punk and more from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. You can get tickets now on Restless Nites

As for the rest of the weekend and early next week, I have some recommendations for you listed here. 

Continue reading Happening in L.A.: Thursday, May 30- Wednesday, June 5

Here’s What I Played at Footsie’s on May 26, 2024

Dexys Midnight Runners Searching for the Young Soul Rebels on vinyl. (Photo: Liz Ohanesian)
At last, the first Dexys Midnight Runners album is mine! (Pic: Liz O.)

On Sunday, May 26, I popped into Footsie’s to play a one hour, all-vinyl set alongside DJs Scarlett Casanova, Ruby Woo 13 and Jenni Gee. It was a good time and I had the chance to play the Dexys Midnight Runners record I found at the Music Center’s record swap a few weeks ago. Here’s the set list. 

Continue reading Here’s What I Played at Footsie’s on May 26, 2024

Klub Nocturno Is Back at Catch One on 6/15/24 + My Set List from Nocturno’s San Diego Show

Klub Nocturno Catch One June 15, 2024

On Saturday, June 15, Klub Nocturno heads back to Catch One in Los Angeles for five rooms of dancing. You can hop between Rock en español vs. cumbia, new wave vs. darkwave (where I’ll be DJing), Deftones night, Sad Bunny Night and disco. Tickets are available now. Click this link to get yours.

On Friday, May 24, I headed down to San Diego to play in the new wave vs. darkwave room at Klub Nocturno’s show at House of Blues. This was the first time I’ve played a club in San Diego and it was definitely a good night. The energy was fantastic, with people staying on the dance floor until the house lights went up. Plus, there were some great requests and a few cool band t-shirts that I read as requests.  Keep reading for the set list.

Continue reading Klub Nocturno Is Back at Catch One on 6/15/24 + My Set List from Nocturno’s San Diego Show

Here’s What I Played at Harvard & Stone on May 23, 2024

Family of Light live at Harvard and Stone in Los Angeles on Thursday, May 23, 2024 (Photo: Liz Ohanesian)
Family of Light live at Harvard and Stone on May 23, 2024. (Pic: Liz O.)

My whirlwind Memorial Day Weekend began on Thursday night with gig playing in between and after live sets from Host Family, the Rose Haze and Family of Light at Harvard and Stone. The show, presented by The Witching Hours, was fantastic and you should check out all of the bands on the bill. 

I arrived right around the time Host Family started their set and it felt like walking into Spaceland. The band has a very turn-of-the-21st century L.A. indie vibe, which I really appreciate. The Rose Haze was followed with a set that was a lot heavier than I had anticipated. Kate Ramsey is a fantastic guitarist, as well as a singer.  Family of Light hit the sweet spot between psyche and shoegaze, which influenced a decent chunk of what I ended up playing in this set. 

Continue reading Here’s What I Played at Harvard & Stone on May 23, 2024

Disco Matinee Is Back on June 2. Discount Advance Tickets Available Now

Flyer for Disco Matinee June 2, 2024 disco, funk, dance punk, Italo disco, hi-NRG

Ride a groove through Sunday afternoon at Disco Matinee on June 2. DJs Liz O. and Jus’ B bring a mix of disco, funk, dance-punk, Italo, hi-NRG and more to Grand Star Jazz Club from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m.

Discount tickets for this 21+ event are available now for $6.50 via Restless Nites. Click on this link to get yours now. Tickets will be available at the door on the day of the event for $8 (cash or Venmo accepted).

Grand Star Jazz Club is located at 943 N. Broadway, inside Chinatown’s Central Plaza. There is both lot and street parking in the neighborhood, plus, the venue is located right across from L.A. Metro’s A Line stop in Chinatown.

See you on the dance floor on Sunday, June 2.

Related: 

HERE’S WHAT I PLAYED AT DISCO MATINEE ON APRIL 7, 2024

HERE’S WHAT I PLAYED AT DISCO MATINEE ON MARCH 3, 2024

Happening in L.A.: Thursday, May 23 – Wednesday, May 29

Family of Light, Host Family, Rose Haze at Harvard and Stone Thursday, May 23, 2024

Just doing a quick update this week with a smattering of events happening in L.A. over Memorial Day Weekend and into next week. Thursday night, I’ll be playing tunes at Harvard & Stone alongside live performances from Family of Light, Host Family and the Rose Haze. Check out my previous post for more information on the bands playing. This is going to be a very fun night and I hope to see you there. Tickets are available now on Dice. Harvard & Stone is located at 5221 Hollywood Blvd and this is a 21+ event.

Keep reading to see what else is happening.

Continue reading Happening in L.A.: Thursday, May 23 – Wednesday, May 29

I’m Back at Underground on May 31 for 2000s Nite

Club Underground 2000s Nite May 31, 2024

I’ll be heading back to the DJ booth at Underground on Friday, May 31 for 2000s Nite. Head down to Grand Star Jazz Club to hit the dance for all your favorite jams from the likes of White Stripes, Franz Ferdinand, Interpol, Ladytron, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Miss Kittin and the Hacker, Peaches and so many more.

Party starts at 9:30 p.m. and it’s 21+. Grand Star Jazz Club is at 943 N. Broadway inside Chinatown’s Central Plaza, next to the Bruce Lee Statue. Both street and lot parking are available in the neighborhood and the venue is across Broadway from Metro’s A Line stop in Chinatown. Tickets are available now on Eventbrite and Dice.

Liz O. is an L.A.-based writer and DJ. Read her recently published work and check out her upcoming gigs.

Related:

HERE’S WHAT I PLAYED AT UNDERGROUND ON APRIL 12, 2024

HERE’S WHAT I PLAYED AT UNDERGROUND ON MARCH 8, 2024

Target’s Music Section and the Gentrification of Vinyl

vinyl records at Target in Downtown Los Angeles
The vinyl scene at Target

My eyes darted back and forth between two items on a sparsely populated shelf of records at the downtown Los Angeles Target. I couldn’t decide which one was more offensive. Was it the new vinyl reissue of a 15-year-old Celine Dion greatest hits collection? Or, was it the copy of Now That’s What I Call 90s R & B with the sticker that read “limited edition” and “exclusive”? 

Target’s music selection has always sucked. Today, however, it sucks in a way that’s a lot like gentrification. It helps bolster the sales of the music industry’s 1% by selling exclusivity and collectibility to fans inside big box stores, an irony that I still can’t quite wrap my head around. 

Continue reading Target’s Music Section and the Gentrification of Vinyl