Tag Archives: Depeche Mode

Happening in L.A.

Happening in L.A.: Thursday, December 12 – Wednesday, December 18

Club Underground Grand Star Jazz Club Chinatown Liz O. Friday the 13th darkwave birthday party

I’ll be back at Underground with Larry G. this week. Join us at Grand Star Jazz Club for a special Friday the 13th edition of Club Underground. It’s darkwave night and my birthday party, so don’t miss out on this one. Advance tickets for Underground on Friday the 13th are available now and, while you’re at it, click here to pick up tickets for Underground’s New Year’s Eve bash. 

“What else is happening this week?,” you (didn’t) ask. Well, here’s the lowdown. Saturday night is going to be a busy one this week. Cut Chemist, one of L.A.’s very best DJs, and friends are playing at Lodge Room. Lara Sarkissian, an amazing producer who merges both modern electronic and traditional Armenian music, is playing live at Sooki Studio in Frogtown to celebrate the release of her debut full-length, Remnants. Plus, later in the evening French pop soirée Décadanse is happening downstairs at the Grand Star, while goth night Disintegration goes down upstairs. 

Sunday is the annual Depeche Mode Convention at Avalon, which is always a good time filled with DJs, tribute bands, contests and host Richard Blade. This year, Devotional and Blasphemous Rumors are playing live and the DJ lineup includes Alex Transistor, Larry G., Protokall and Dark Chrystal. It’s also an all ages event. On Monday, Museum of Home Video, the fantastic found footage livestream, will be at Vidiots, where IVOR hosts “A Holly Jolly Dollython” filled with music videos, live clips and TV performances. Check out the trailer to see what’s in store. There’s a lot more happening in L.A. this week too, so check out the list below. 

Continue reading Happening in L.A.: Thursday, December 12 – Wednesday, December 18 →
The Playlist

Here’s What I Played for Depeche Mode Nite at Underground on Friday, August 30, 2024

Crowd dancing to Depeche Mode "Route 66" during DJ Liz O. set at Club Underground at Grand Star Jazz Club in Los Angeles
Here’s the crowd dancing to Depeche Mode’s cover of “Route 66” (The Nile Rodgers Mix) at Club Underground’s Depeche Mode Nite on Friday, August 30

Last night was the first time I DJed the Depeche Mode room at Underground’s Depeche Mode Nite. By the end of my first set, I realized that playing nothing but Depeche Mode-related songs (Yaz counts, it’s Vince Clarke) is really easy to do when you’ve been a big ol’ fan since you were 10 years old. 

I got in my favorite Alan Wilder cut, “Fools (Bigger),” which is a B-side for “Love in Itself.” I have a whole story about that, which involves tracking down a sample I heard, accidentally finding it in a used record bin, playing it at a club and making a friend with whom we became the Alan Wilder Appreciation Association, but we’ll save that for another day. 

Mixed in some synth pop that wasn’t made by members of Depeche Mode in the second set, plus a mini Vince Clarke tribute right after “Send Me an Angel,” and then went all DM again for my third set, which closed out the night upstairs at the Grand Star. Anyhow, the set list is below. Thanks for sticking through the sets. I hope you got to hear a Depeche Mode song that you hadn’t heard in a long time, or maybe one that’s new to you. 

Continue reading Here’s What I Played for Depeche Mode Nite at Underground on Friday, August 30, 2024 →
Happening in L.A.

Happening in L.A.: August 29 – September 4

Flyer for Depeche Mode Night at Underground at Grand Star Jazz Club on Friday, August 30, 2024 with DJs Larry G., Liz O. and Filthy Rich

Want to know what’s happening in L.A. this Labor Day Weekend. Let’s start off with where I’ll be DJing. 

Friday, August 30

Club Underground: Depeche Mode Nite @ Grand Star Jazz Club

Not only is it Depeche Mode Nite, but we’ll be celebrating the birthday of Underground’s founder and resident DJ Larry G. Both floors of the Grand Star will be open, so expect Depeche Mode jams and deep cuts, plus your Underground favorites on Friday night. Larry G., Filthy Rich and I are DJing from 9:30 p.m. until 2 a.m.

Grand Star Jazz Club, 943 N. Broadway, Chinatown 90012; 9:30 p.m.; 21+; Get tickets

Saturday, August 31

Klub Nocturno @ Catch One

Nocturno is back at Catch One on Saturday, August 31, with five rooms for dancing. I’ll be playing in the Indie vs. 80s Room. There’s also Rock en Español vs. Cumbia, Deftones Night, Corrido Night and Sad Bunny Night. Online tickets have already sold out, but there will be a very limited amount available at the door. Early arrival is suggested and the line starts at 8:45 p.m.

4067 Pico Blvd., Arlington Heights 90019; 9:30 p.m.; 18+; Online tix sold out, limited amount at door only, follow Nocturno on Insta for updates. 

Check out what’s happening in L.A. for the rest of the week. Everything here is under $30 and it ranges from Spanish oldies at Grand Star on Thursday night to an L.A. Synth Club event in Long Beach on Sunday to a meet-and-greet with Night Tempo Tuesday night. There are some killer film screenings too, especially on Labor Day. If you’ve never seen The Time Masters, from Fantastic Planet director Rene Laloux, I highly recommend it.

Continue reading Happening in L.A.: August 29 – September 4 →
Upcoming Gigs

Friday, August 30 Is Depeche Mode Night at Underground

Flyer for Depeche Mode Night at Underground at Grand Star Jazz Club on Friday, August 30, 2024 with DJs Larry G., Liz O. and Filthy Rich

This Friday, August 30, is Depeche Mode Night at Club Underground. It’s also the birthday of Underground’s founder and resident DJ Larry G., so you know this is going to be a night for the books. Both floors of Grand Star Jazz Club will be open and DJ Filthy Rich and I (Liz O.) will also be dropping heat all night. Be ready to dance to Depeche Mode’s biggest hits, plus album cuts and B-sides, along with your Underground favorites. Tickets are available now on Eventbrite and Dice, so take your pick and get yours now.

Continue reading Friday, August 30 Is Depeche Mode Night at Underground →
Upcoming Gigs

Club Underground’s Next Depeche Mode x New Order Night is March 8

Club Underground Depeche Mode x New Order Night at Grand Star Jazz Club on Friday, March 8, 2024 with DJ Larry G., DJ Scarlett Casanova, DJ Liz O.

Club Underground‘s next Depeche Mode x New Order night is Friday, March 8. Larry G., Scarlett Casanova and I, Liz O., will be your DJs and both floors of Grand Star Jazz Club will be open.

Tickets for Depeche Mode x New Order Night at Club Underground are available on both Eventbrite and Dice. Pick up yours as soon as possible and join us at Grand Star Jazz Club in Chinatown on March 8. Party starts at 9:30 p.m. and is 21+.

Continue reading Club Underground’s Next Depeche Mode x New Order Night is March 8 →
Adventures in L.A.

I Went to Depeche Mode Day at Los Angeles City Hall

Dave Gahan and Martin Gore of Depeche Mode with Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez at Los Angeles City Hall for Depeche Mode Day December 13 2023 (Photo: Liz Ohanesian)
Dave Gahan and Martin Gore of Depeche Mode with Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez at Los Angeles City Hall for Depeche Mode Day on December 13, 2023 (Pic: Liz O. )

“This is incredible,” Martin Gore said from the steps of Los Angeles City Hall before thanking Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez for declaring December 13 Depeche Mode Day and the crowd for showing up on the occasion. Over the roar of cheers, he spoke of Depeche Mode’s connection to L.A., how the band played their first stadium show here and about “the Wherehouse fiasco.” 

“Sorry we didn’t sign the records, but thank you,” he added. “It helped our career a lot because we made nationwide news.” 

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Classic Jams, DJ Diary, Got It On Vinyl, The Playlist

I Love Playing These Five Depeche Mode Songs

Depeche Mode 12" vinyl single for "Everything Counts" Depeche Mode vinyl 12" single for "Love in Itself" with "Fools (Bigger) on B side
Depeche Mode 12″ singles for “Everything Counts” and “Love in Itself” from my vinyl collection.

There’s one band I’ve played more than any other in my DJ sets. That’s Depeche Mode. The British synthpop pioneers have been a part of my gigs, often regardless of the vibe of the party, since I started DJing. I doubt this will ever change. 

I’ve been a Depeche Mode fan since I was a kid, but there are a lot of bands that I’ve loved for most of my life and don’t play nearly as often. It does help that L.A. has a lot of Depeche Mode fans. Outside of the clubs, the band frequently appears on request lists for weddings and birthday parties. But, that’s also not really the reason for so much Depeche Mode play. 

Continue reading I Love Playing These Five Depeche Mode Songs →