February 2nd, 2009
Just when I feel like giving up on Los Angeles, this city manages to show off its very best. Last night, the Hotel Café was super packed with an excited, enthusiastic, and (dare I say?) happy crowd. This was a great change of pace, as several shows I’ve been to the last week have been pretty empty. We were all there to see Jen & Abby, a local indie-rock girl band. But instead of the sticking to same old indie sounds, they provided the audience with a sort of musical time machine. Jumping through genre and style, they got the place buzzing with even more energy.
As soon as they started playing, I knew it was going to be a fun show. Lead singer Abby Miller was phenomenal. She was our bubbly pixie-like host for the evening, constantly offering jokes and anecdotes for the audience’s pleasure. Instead of introducing a song she simply said, “This song is… Oh you’ll figure it out!” Jen Trani on guitar offered the steady musical grounding to Miller’s rich vocals. The songs bounced from jazzy numbers (the king that belong in a black and white Cary Grant movie) to the sort of 1990’s Grrrl rock that Seattle would be jealous of.
Formed in Los Angeles four years ago, Jen & Abby are apparently Hotel Café regulars. They have a pretty strong local following and I can see why. The band members were great at what they did. I was particularly impressed by Adrienne Woods on cello. I’m a huge sucker for cello, and she was not disappointing. My first favorite song of the night was a Gothic folk song about a father who loses his daughter and seeks revenge. It was dark and haunting and put the Hotel Café at a stand still (which is quite the accomplishment when you think about how many people in the audience were drinking). After this number, Miller looked at the audience mischievously and got ready for the last song.
It was time to really bring the house down. It was time for a 1970’s, badass, groove-tastic reinterpretation of Britney Spear’s Toxic. The song was so well done that I didn’t recognize it until half way through. I just stood there and thought, “Wait a minute? This is a Britney Spears song. But… But… it sounds good!” Britney should take more than a few lessons from Abby Miller’s example. People were dancing, clapping their hands, and not a single pair of booty shorts were in sight.
All in all: Great people, great music, great times. Jen & Abby provided an instant pick-me-up to my night without that nasty sugar-crash that Red Bull causes. Thanks LA, I needed that.
Rachel K.
www.loudvine.com
Tags: Abby, acoustic, Cafe, Hotel, Hotel Cafe, Jen & Abby, LA Music, Lazy Angels, Live Music, Loudvine, Music Buzz, Music Community
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January 14th, 2009
Been underground for the last week…in a deep contemplation about the new year and its challenges. Music, live music, oddly enough has not been a priority for a few days. So with that backdrop, a friend is in town for a few days, and we decided to randomly roll into the Hotel Cafe last night.
Eight dollars later, and straight to the back room, we were both met with with a personal serenade by Justin Hopkins. Singing to an attentive, yet small crowd, Justin Hopkins did his thing, and did it well.
Equally gifted on acoustic guitar and piano, the guy is fun and engages with his audience, almost like a comedian would between songs, telling small snipets of stories, which always are about the way the song was written. Justin Hopkins is lyrical and makes wonderful and soothing music, the kind that soothes one after a long day.
Unfortunately only playing to a small crowd but who was there, the people listening to Justin Hopkins, loved every dam minute of his performance. Part comedian, part story teller, Justin owns the stage when he sings to you. I was glad last night live music was again a priority. Another simply pleasurable set at the Hotel Cafe, this time courtesy of Justin Hopkins.
www.loudvine.com
Tags: Cafe, Hopkins, Hotel, Hotel Cafe, Justin, Justin Hopkins, Loudvine, Rock
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January 7th, 2009
If David Lynch ever decides to make a vampire movie, he should call Eleni Mandell to do the soundtrack. She’s sultry, she’s sexy, and she really knows how to croon. The Hotel Café was definitely giving off a seductive vibe last night. The lights were down low and the curtains on stage looked like red wine. Opening with the song “My Twin”, Mandell immediately hypnotized everyone with her rich vocals and dark content. “Was my twin among the dead?” she asks, “I know he’s out there and he’s looking for me.” While the crowd was an even mix of young and old, I wouldn’t have been surprised if there were a few creatures of the night lurking in the shadows.
But don’t get me wrong, Mandell is no vampire princess. Her most recognizable songs are “Girls” (a touching tribute to high school nostalgia) and the carefree “Let’s Drive Away” (featured on the soundtrack to Weeds). She tends to sing about “sounds, colors, and boys,” telling the audience about her love of dark chocolate and being warm in the summer sun. Definite non-vampire. In fact, the most impressive thing about Mandell is her wide musical range; she runs the gamut from gothic sway to rockin’ alt-country. Last night, she ran it with ease.
Mandell was also very keen on giving due credit to the other musicians on stage with her. Ryan Feves is especially suave with his bass, Jeremy Drake gives off a tragic guitar twang, and Kevin Fitzgerald’s drums provide a young lover’s pulse. Not once do they get bogged down into supporting-band-territory because they work well at highlighting Mandell’s vocals while still making great music as a team. Half way through the set she tells the audience about “my album-no wait-our album. All four of us worked on it.” She then challenges the audience to come up with a name for the rest of her talented crew. Many ideas run through my head, but the name that really makes sense to me is, “Eleni Mandell and the Red Room Lovers.” Mostly because the red curtains on stage worked so well with their music.
Originally from Los Angeles, Eleni Mandell is in her hometown to promote her latest album, “Artificial Fire.” Last night was the first night in a three-week stint at the Hotel Café followed by some major touring. I highly recommend checking her out on January 16th or January 30th, especially if you want to treat a date to a sultry evening out. Mandell sings, “I’m a killer at heart… and this is my artificial fire.” But I disagree. There is nothing artificial about this singer’s fire. By the time her set ended, I needed a glass of water.
Rachel K.
www.loudvine.com
Tags: Cafe, Eleni, Eleni Mandell, Hotel, Hotel Cafe, Loudvine, Mandell, Rock
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November 20th, 2008
Anya Marina. Singer. Songwriter. Los Angeles musician to the very core inspires with a silky, rock and roll voice. She must be doing something right besides making cool music because she is playing at the Hotel Cafe again on Friday, November 21st before leaving for a mini tour of Florida. And I know there is something about Anya because people are talking and talking a lot about this wonderful singer.
Play Anya Marina “Move You”
As the title of this track implies, its is obvious Anya Marina wants to move you. And she does move me. Easily, with the power of a guitar and a rocketing voice, the stripped down, pure sounds of Anya Marina show a singer that is as easily willing to go from the softness and contemplation of a solo, heartfelt song to a girl willing to just flat out rock and roll on songs like “Afterparty at Jimmy’s.” There is something fun, relaxed about the way Anya sings, and it is nice to listen to. Her songs set for me a mood, where I can just be. And I love that.
Now here is a word I do not use very often, but her style has a spunk about her. Anya Marina will have fun with you and you are left wanting just a little bit more. And more. Luckily for us, we get to have Anya Marina all to ourselves again at the Hotel Cafe tomorrow night. Anya Marina keeps it coming with her songs and we all look forward to the new album which should drop shortly.
Florida Theater, 12/2, Jacksonville
Hard Rock, 12/3, Orlando
Ruth Eckerd Hall, 12/4 Clearwater
Fillmore, 12/5, Miami Beach
Tags: Anya, Anya Marina, Cafe, filter, Hotel, Loudvine, magazine, Marina
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November 20th, 2008
Carina Round at The Hotel Cafe. She was excited, thrilled to play the Hotel Cafe. And why not? A sip of whiskey and she started a set with her duo backing her up. There is something about live music that makes you wonder what goes through a band’s mind as they set out to tackle their performance. The thing about Carina Round, is simply this, she belonged on the Hotel Cafe stage last night and the people in the audience made their best efforts to make her feel that. She delivered a performance worthy of the “indie” label because she just kept it real, stripped down, doing it her way.
The thing about this type of performance is, we demand it. Its real, simple, personal and you get to the know the band a little. Rather then just go through a hurried set, Carina Round, was part therapist last night, talking about relationships, part word smith, joking with us, about some of the word choices we make in this country, and part comedian, as she just engaged us all. But ultimately, she was a serious performer with a message and fierceness to match her short set.
Carina Round is currently recording a new album, her fourth. In between songs, she said she was “looking for a rich person to help fund her latest album!” If I had the money Carina, I would give it to you in a heartbeat Carina. But that would mean you would have to do more shows in LA. And if the crowd’s reaction was any indication, they would welcome her back openly every time she wanted to play. Funny, engaging, and totally Rock & Roll, Carina Round kept us involved at every step of the set while performing older material and new material from a yet to be finished new album.
I felt a connection with her. Maybe it is because when she looked off stage I was eagerly staring at her, almost like a child, saying “pick me,” but I just wanted to have everybody else disappear and have her serenade me. And only me, but then again that would be too self-serving, for Carina Round’s songs and sound should not just be for me to enjoy. I know that! So I am writing about it and helping pass along the word on Carina Round that way. www.loudvine.com
Tags: Cafe, Carina, Carina Round, Hotel, Magus, Rock, Round
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November 20th, 2008
Just a few words. The reason is because I do not want to cheapen or influence others with what I say. But simply put, you put the beautiful singer/songwriter Lex Land on stage and within, oh maybe 30 seconds she will light up the entire room. The sultry, voice keeps you consumed for her entire set. She has been doing some shows regularly at The Hotel cafe and last night I finally got a chance to see her for myself.
Last night was a happy accident, I showed up early and here was one of the local artists we have been mentioning on Loudvine.com for a while but always missing her. So I sat down and watched her perform.
What a treat to listen to her last night. A sweet, and I mean sweet voice, accompanied by her bassist and drummer, she fills in the cracks, touches you were you like to be tickled so deeply, you almost feel embarrassed when someone finds your spot. Lex Land found my spot last night. She found it with a voice that bounced off the Hotel Cafe brick walls and lingered in the air. Over and over and dam it felt so good. This girl is going to blow up, mark my words. Her tenderness, vocals need to roam and her time will come. While the attitude is so very LA, her sound is worldly.
She can do it all, from classical to acoustic, all in such a loving way, like soft a hand on your back that gently guides you. You trust it, her voice that is. You do not know where it is going to take to take you but you know you will be in a happy place after listening to her sing live.
www.loudvine.com
Tags: Cafe, Hotel, Land, Lex, Lex Land, Loudvine
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