Echo Park Rising

Exhausted from traveling up north the last couple weeks, I still managed to squeeze in one day of Echo Park Rising. I figured Saturday would be really packed, but after the giant that is Outside Lands, it didn’t feel like it. I’ve gone on and off since 2014, and have seen acts like Cherry Glazerr, The Allah-las, Hanni El-Khatib, and Deap Valley. As the festival has gotten more popular, it’s been harder to squeeze into the already small venues on Sunset. However, this was probably the most fun I’d had in a single day at EPR, as I discovered a lot of new acts I liked. I didn’t stick around late, so I know I missed some legit artists. Here are the acts I caught, and the high points:

1. Das Kope
2. Los Dead Dreams
3. Ward
4. Black Nile
5. The High Life Cajun Band
6. Talk Time
7. Hana Vu
8. Cosmo Gold
9. Jagged Baptist Club
10. French Vanilla
11. Talker
12. Saro

 

• Most of time was spent at the buzzbands.la stage, which was located in the Taix Restaurant. I’ve blogged about buzzbands before, and Kevin Bronson always has good choices for acts.
• There was an act I started to watch, but it was so loud in an avant-garde way, I peaced out after one song. Won’t say who it was, mainly because I don’t remember.
• Los Dead Dreams performed a nice mid-afternoon set on the Liberty Stage, which is the festival’s main outdoor stage.
• Ward was the first act that I was amazed with. I saw them on the buzzbands stage, and immediately thought they belonged on a bigger stage somewhere else. I’d keep an eye on them (link below for music).
• The High Life Cajun Band was playing outside of a restaurant, which had outdoor seating, creating an instant audience. And the fans were digging it. I heard one fan say she didn’t care for country music, but liked this (That’s okay – it wasn’t country music, it was ‘traditional Cajun dance music‘).
• Talk Time, who will be doing their September residency at the Satellite, was another standout. On the heels of working with producer/engineer Math Bishop (Silversun Pickups, Two Door Cinema Club), they’ve crafted and released a crop of catchy indie/pop songs. (link below for music).
• I caught Hana Vu at The Echo, who also had a packed room. I immediately recalled Jay Som and Snail Mail, giving the same indie vibes. Keep an eye on her.
• I went to catch Jagged Baptist Club after seeing a friend’s Instagram story. They were also performing at the buzzbands stage, and damn did they bring the noise. Arguably the loudest set of the day (except for the first one I walked out on), they had the punk energy, that at times felt like The Stooges. Great to see them mix it up a bit at this stage, which was more heavy on the indie bands. Give them a listen, and play loud!
• Talker continued the great bands at the Taix stage. Give her a listen. She’s got a free set coming up at the Satellite (9/9), with Talk Time.
• French Vanilla had a fun set at the Liberty Stage. They had that post-punk sound, mixed in with some saxophone.
• My last set of the day was Saro on that same stage. I’d never heard any of his songs, but what a great way to close my day there. And what a voice! We’ll be hearing more of his music in the future.

Albums/Playlists Currently Spinning

Iconology – Missy Elliott // The first music project from Missy Elliott in 14 years. Super stoked for this. Maybe she’ll play some fests next year?

Anak Ko – Jay Som // The follow up to Jay Som’s 2017 “Everybody Works,” this is one that I’ve personally been waiting for.

While I’m Livin’ – Tanya Tucker // The country legend is back with her first new music in 17 years!

Tracks Currently Spinning

Sketch Artist – Kim Gordon // This is Kim Gordon’s first solo outing, since Sonic Youth broke up.

Crush – Ward

Year of Self – Talk Time

Peeps to Follow

Today I want to highlight a former student of mine, Ashley Caprice, who currently hosts a podcast entitled “Go Girl with Ashley Caprice” (https://ashleycaprice.com/category/go-girl-podcast/). Prior to that, she’d worked in radio, most recently hosting the morning show at V101 in Sacramento. Her current podcast highlights topics “relating to the everyday woman and how she finds her voice.” One of her recent podcasts features a colleague of mine and author, Dr. Ebony Utley, where they speak about infidelity.

Over the years, I’ve followed Ashley on social media, and watched as she’s interviewed a whole host of musical artists. Her favorite? No doubt, Ginuwine, who she’s interviewed a number of times. But visit her page, and see pics of her with everyone from Janelle Monae, to Chaka Khan, Usher to Too $hort.

So why follow her? When she took my class years ago (I’m thinking around 2005-06?), I remember a moment before class where she came in early. I have this habit of playing music before class starts, and I happened to be playing Stevie Wonder’s “That Girl.” She commented that he was singing it for her. Of course he was! Since then, I’ve watched her graduate, and move into the world of radio, hosting live shows, and podcasting. She’s a major music fan of a lot of the music I listen(ed) to. So give her a follow. Here’s where you can keep up with her:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamashleycaprice/

Website: https://ashleycaprice.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IAmAshleyCaprice/

Other Music Stuff…

This blistering August of music continues this Sunday, with Happy Sundays LBC. Again, here’s a poster of who’s playing, along with set times. So who am I hoping to check out? Being that school starts the next day, I’ll most likely be there for the day acts. I’m hoping to catch Jane Lane, Velvet Starlings, Lily Waters, Triptides, Koibito, Prettiest Eyes, and The Molochs. If I have time, I’ll catch others. Maybe see you there, locals?

Here’s my ongoing playlist, updated weekly with both new and old tracks I’m listening to.