Tag Archives: indie dance

The Playlist

Here’s What I Played at Club Synth on Friday, February 23, 2024

Rio Room at Stowaway in downtown Los Angeles on February 23, 2024 for Club Synth with DJ Drayk DJ Liz O. DJ Jen Rock Image: Rio Room neon sign and mermaid statue in background.
The Rio Room at the Stowaway on Friday, February 23, 2024 before the party started. (Pic: Liz O.)

Fun Times were had at Club Synth on Friday night. I was delighted to have the chance to drop vinyl on the turntables alongside Drayk and Jen Rock. Plus, some old friends stopped by the Rio Room at the Stowaway to join in the fun. 

Tonight, I’ll be in Phoenix to play with Klub Nocturno on Saturday night at Crescent Ballroom. That said, this is a quick update and there is more info on some of the specific records played in this set coming next week. And, for those reading in L.A. (most of you), my next gig is another all-vinyl set on Sunday, March 3 for Disco Matinee: Freestyle Hi-NRG Edition at the Grand Star in Chinatown. RSVP on Instagram, Facebook or Partiful for $5 entry before 4 p.m. 

Continue reading Here’s What I Played at Club Synth on Friday, February 23, 2024 →
Happening in L.A., Upcoming Gigs

L.A. Music Events: February 1- February 7, 2024

Disco Matinee flyer for February 4, 2024 from 3 - 7 p.m. at Grand Star Jazz Club 943 N. Broadway, Chinatown, Los Angeles 90012 with DJ Liz O, DJ Jus' B, DJ Jen Rock

This Sunday, Disco Matinee is back at Grand Star Jazz Club for an afternoon of disco, funk, Italo, hiNRG and whatever else we feel like working into the mix. Guest DJ Jen Rock joins residents Jus’ B and me (Liz O.) from 3 until 7 p.m. on Sunday, February 4. RSVP via email, Facebook, Instagram or Partiful for $5 entry before 4 p.m. Otherwise, the cover is $8, cash or Venmo, at the door. Grand Star Jazz Club is located at 943 N. Broadway in Chinatown’s Central Plaza. Both street and lot parking is available, plus Metro’s A Line stop in Chinatown is right across Broadway from the venue. (Bonus: Metro is offering free rides on Sunday, February 4.) Join us for a spin on the dance floor! This is a 21+ event. 

On Tuesday, February 6, I’ll be playing Italo disco from 9 p.m. until last call at The Mermaid for Dolce Vita, L.A.’s only, weekly Italo disco party. This is a 21+ venue and there’s no cover. Parking is ample in the neighborhood and The Mermaid is about a block or so away from Metro’s A and E line stops in Little Tokyo. Find us at 428 E. 2nd Street. 

Continue reading L.A. Music Events: February 1- February 7, 2024 →
The Playlist

Here’s What I Played at Klub Nocturno on January 20, 2024

View of the dance floor from DJ booth at Catch One in Los Angeles for Klub Nocturno January 2024 (Liz Ohanesian)
One of these days, I’ll remember to take a real photo instead of screencapping my video clips

I don’t know what to say about last night except, thank you, Klub Nocturno! I played in the New Wave vs. Darkwave room from open to close, where the night went by so quickly, at some point, I realized that it was past 1 a.m. and I had yet to play “Blue Monday.” 

I noticed people had started dancing during “Something to Remember Me By,” which was great on account of that being my favorite song from The Horrors.” When I dropped “10:15 on a Saturday Night,” which ended at the time stated in the song title, I looked up and the room was pretty full. It was a really fun crowd and I’m very grateful to have had the chance to play for them. 

Continue reading Here’s What I Played at Klub Nocturno on January 20, 2024 →
Happening in L.A., Upcoming Gigs

L.A. Music Events: January 18 – January 24

Flyer for Klub Nocturno at Catch One on Saturday, January 20, 2024

This Saturday, I’ll be DJing at Klub Nocturno’s massive, multi-room bash at Catch One. The RSVP list has already filled up and if you’re on it, be sure to arrive early because entry is first-come-first-serve. See Klub Nocturno’s post on Instagram for more details. I’ll be playing in the New Wave vs. Dark Wave room and can’t wait to see those of you who are going on the dance floor. 

As for the rest of the week, here’s what’s happening. I’m keeping this brief on account of not having much time to write this week. 

Continue reading L.A. Music Events: January 18 – January 24 →
The Playlist

Here’s What I Played at Club Underground on January 12, 2024

Photo of large Alladin Sane David Bowie banner outside of Grand Star Jazz Club in Los Angeles for Club Underground Bowie Nite on January 12, 2024 (Photo: Liz Ohanesian)
The Bowie banner outside of the Grand Star on Friday night. (Pic: Liz O.)

My first club gig of 2024 was Underground’s Bowie Nite on January 12. Both floors of the Grand Star Jazz Club were open, so Larry G. played all the David Bowie jams downstairs. That’s also where people were able to get their Bowie makeovers from Miho. Meanwhile, I was upstairs playing all the other Underground jams, or as many as can be squeezed into a four hour set. Thanks to Larry for having me play and for everyone who spent some time on the upstairs dance floor!

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Happening in L.A., Upcoming Gigs

L.A. Music Events: January 11 – January 17, 2024

Flyer for Bowie Nite at Club Underground Grand Star Jazz Club Los Angeles on January 12, 2024 with DJ Larry G. DJ Liz O. and make-up artist Miho

You have two chances to catch me in the DJ booth this week. First up is Club Underground’s Bowie Nite this Friday, January 12, at Grand Star Jazz Club in Chinatown. Underground is taking over both floors of the Grand Star this week, with Larry G. playing open to close on the main floor and me, Liz O., doing the same on the second floor. Discounted tickets are available now via either Dice and Eventbrite. 

The Grand Star is located at 943 N. Broadway, Los Angeles 90012. It’s inside Chinatown’s Central Plaza, right next to the Bruce Lee statue. Both street and lot parking is available in the neighborhood. The venue is also right across Broadway from Metro’s A Line station in Chinatown. Party starts at 9:30 p.m. and it is a 21+ event. 

On Tuesday, January 16, you’ll find me at The Mermaid loaded up with Italo disco jams for L.A. Industrial’s weekly party, Dolce Vita. There’s no cover and it’s 21+, so stop by with your pals for some tasty cocktails and a soundtrack filled with tunes by the likes of Fancy, Fun Fun, Ken Laszlo, Sabrina and more. 

The Mermaid is located at 428 E. 2nd Street in Little Tokyo. There’s typically loads of free parking available after 9 p.m., which is the same time that Dolce Vita starts. The bar is also a (very) short walk from Metro’s A/E line stop in Little Tokyo. 

As for the rest of the week, here are my picks. 

Continue reading L.A. Music Events: January 11 – January 17, 2024 →
Adventures in L.A., Got It On Vinyl

New Year, New Vinyl

Records from Musical Youth, Detroit Grand Pubahs, Body of Light inside Going Underground Records in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles from "New Year, New Vinyl" by Liz Ohanesian
Records from Musical Youth, Detroit Grand Pubahs and Body of Light inside Going Underground Records (Pic: Liz O.)

My first quandary of 2024 occurred late in the afternoon on January 1 inside Going Underground Records as I quickly flipped through a crate of indie releases alphabetized by the letter F. There, I found Kate Fagan I Don’t Want to Be Too Cool and Future Islands As Long As You Are on vinyl, both of which I could use in my collection. But, when it comes to new vinyl, I need to exhibit some restraint. Which should I choose? 

In the end, I chose neither. 

Continue reading New Year, New Vinyl →
The Playlist

Here’s What I Played at Club Underground’s New Year’s Eve Ball

Club Underground New Year's Eve Ball December 31, 2023 (Photo: Liz Ohanesian)
I probably should take pics, but I don’t, so here’s a screenshot from some video I got during “Tren al Sur.”

It was such a 2023 ending to the year. I was upstairs DJing at Underground’s New Year’s Eve Ball and preparing for the countdown. My stupid iPhone does everything but count down the seconds to midnight. So, I find a website with the time in L.A. down to the seconds. We’ve got 15 minutes to go. I slow things down with “Por Que Te Vas” so people can get their drinks. Keep it mellow with “Tide is High” and “Rock Steady.” We’re about three minutes away from midnight when I work in “E.V.A.,” then one minute, then 30 seconds. Then the website crashes, because, of course that’s what will happen at the end of the year where everything stops working. We got through the countdown regardless, but I’m adding  “watch with a second hand” to the list of antiquated things I need to get this year because nothing new works. 

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Happening in L.A., Upcoming Gigs

L.A. Music Events: December 28 through January 3

Club Underground New Year's Eve Ball Sunday December 31, 2023 at Grand Star Jazz Club in Los Angeles with DJ Larry G, DJ Malvada and DJ Liz O.

Club Underground‘s New Year’s Eve Ball is ready to drop this Sunday, December 31 at Grand Star Jazz Club in Chinatown. I’ll be DJing alongside Larry G. and Malvada as we takeover both floors of the venue from 9:30 p.m. until 2 a.m. Tickets for the party, which is a NYE event pick in Southern California News Group papers, are going fast online, so get yours as soon as possible via Dice or Eventbrite. Last year’s event sold out, so don’t wait until the last minute for this. This is a 21+ event.

Continue reading L.A. Music Events: December 28 through January 3 →
DJ Diary, The Playlist

Here’s What I Played at La Cuevita on December 22, 2023

La Cuevita bar in Highland Park, Los Angeles (Photo: Liz Ohanesian)
Waiting for the Lyft outside of La Cuevita. (Pic: Liz O.)

We were right around a dark stretch of the 110, near where the freeway crosses the L.A. River when I saw very brief flash of light and heard my Lyft driver gasp. Somebody was running across the freeway, he said. I looked to the side and saw a figure— thin, dressed entirely black save for the sneakers, which had something reflective on them— climb over the barricade. I don’t know about the driver, but I was stunned for the rest of the ride home from La Cuevita, remaining mostly silent through the end of “Personal Jesus,” which was bumping in the car, and then nervously tapping the beat of “This Charming Man” on my leg while thinking about how grateful I was to have gotten such a good driver right before the surge pricing went into effect on the Friday before Christmas. 

Continue reading Here’s What I Played at La Cuevita on December 22, 2023 →