Brenna Whitaker : Dear Brenna

Dear Brenna
I can't take it. You won me over. You were obviously born to do this. You know what to do and how to do it. Your onstage hip-hop references and errrrr... colorful vocabulary kept me entertained. Yours is a voice that is like no other, yet has a familiar warmth to it. When you grab a note - it stays grabbed! And you hold it for as long as you f*ck#n' want to!! Impressive, your voice is a truly pure instrument that you are in complete control of. Kansas City's loss is L.A.'s gain. Can't wait to see you again!!
Sincerely,
Nick

Koffeehouse Sessions :Catching Ghosts & Spinning Tales

The Koffeehouse night at Harvelle's has developed into one of the premiere showcases of new talent in Los Angeles.

Tonight's event opened with Genuine Brandish. 

The duo of Ariana Hall and guitarist/singer Tony Clinebell are at the center of this "group" which incorporates collaborations with percussionists, singers and poets. Arianna multi-tasked, tapping her glockenspiel, playing the piano & guitar and sharing her voice.

Chris Accardo has brought his singer/songwriter game to a whole new level. With his talented backing musicians Jacob Fatoorechi and Reade Pryor, they created sweeping cosmic landscapes from Accardo's emotional radio-ready songs. Chris' singing and playing surrounds the room with intense drama and nothing but big things are in his future. I'm gonna call attention to a favorite jam of his I like called "Maybe".

Caught A Ghost brought a 7 piece group - with an 'artsy' stage set-up - (primarily dressed in white - with a film loop of various clips and images projected onto themselves as they performed) - in which they presented an original update of the Motown/Stax sound, complete with horn arrangements, keys, bass, drums and a little shing-a-ling guitar, with backing vocals courtesy of the lovely Tessa Thompson. Tessa, who is a talented actress stood slightly "stage right" of the lead singer, backing him with her heart and soul (and a tiny tambourine).

Koffeehouse sessions is held at Harvelle's the first Thursday of the month.

LA's Westsiders : House Of Vibe & Ruben's Tacos

The House of Vibe All Stars always represent on Wednesday nights at Harvelle's. It's a Venetians super hang with The Westside Tribe in numbers down on 4th St. They bring light and love and music and good times. No bad vibes. No fakin' the funk. And now with tacos out back!!*

*Ruben serves up mighty fine tacos. Find him here: 310-343-9200

John Nemeth : Another Perfect Night

Sometimes, a night at Harvelle's is like a B-12 shot in the arm. 

It's just what I needed. 

Tonight was one of those nights. 

The end of a long week is that much worse when you realize it's only a Thursday and there's still one more day until the weekend. 

One more day to go. 

I could have the time of my life and call in sick tomorrow which is preferable to staying up all night and showing up with hand-stamp ink and cigarette stink still on me... (This will no doubt piss off my cubicle dwelling co-workers). There's friends here, John's bartending and good times apparently await me, as John Nemeth is one of the coolest cats I've seen in a while. Upbeat party goodtime music and I found myself dancing to a slow number with Heather who was there with one of her wildest friends. (pictured here). 

Conrad Oberg : Crosstown Traffic

 I love the word "Hendrix-ian".  

It has described many a rock album/ rock group/ guitar player.  Conrad Oberg (not Conor Oberst) is that and more.  His youth has branded him a prodigy, and the fact he's only partially sighted seems to be a key bullet point in his marketing (the poster in the club says "Blind Blues Phenom Conrad Oberg"). He covered quite a bit of the Jimi Hendrix catalog, bringing sparks and controlled warmth to these - some of the most classic rock songs of all time. 

I Got The Munchies For Your Ultralove

Ultralove is the man.

His Monday nights at Harvelle's are becoming the party place to be. Ultralove celebrates the beginning of each new work week by giving back to the community with his righteous grooves and ridiculously talented band. Every week they seem to play harder and engage the crowd more and more.

Doug Showalter on dynamite guitar, plays with flash and verve, not to mention his re-interpretation of funk as it fits the unique Ultralove model.

Jon Piazza (aka Jon Swift) sat in on keys - on loan from Wednesday's mid-week massive House Of Vibe All Stars - and threw down in a way he doesn't generally - that is showcasing his considerable keyboard chops!! 

Bassist Mike Gunn is having so much fun on stage it's truly joyful to watch (and hear) him dominate his 5-stringed beauty. The contrast in personalities with the lead singer creates a sort of dynamic duo; a Richards/Jagger or Page/Plant kinda vibe.

This week, singers Love Logiq and Soul Star were absent, so the sound was much more focused on the band's playing which is skin-tight and pocket deep due in large part to accomplished drummer Seth Murphy. He keeps the rhythm going - his hits per pound pack a wallop. I'm sure he's practicing in-between Mondays cuz he's making the songs "groove"-ier and with more rhythmic depth every time I see 'em.

Special guests like Toledo (of the Toledo Show) and the very rock-star haired rapper Joe Con understand the appeal of Ultralove's vibe and shared the stage adding flava, to make it that much better!

Café R & B : Baby Get It On!!

And so begins a raucous night full of skin-tight grooves and skin-tight dresses! Cafe R&B hit it out of the park and bring it all back home!! The result is a slam-bang home run that leave the audience cheering and leave the suited up band spent - though proudly wearing  the "W"!!

Everyone loves Café R&B, and as near as I can tell it's vice versa. The sheer amounts of love Roach sends is proof. I love everything about this band and so does everyone here tonight. My favorite song they do is "Phonecall From Levenworth" but every song is electrifying and their sets run the gamut of rock 'n' roll to grimey blues to heartfelt soul.

Bobby Pickett is the head-bobbing bassist with the bottom end like no other. Check out his recent article* in the 2011 Blues Festival Guide!! Harry Cohen jammed the wicked organ and drummer Don Swanson was in absentia due to injury, leaving Adam Gust holding the sticks. He did a totally righteous job!! Played like a champ!! Here's wishing Don a speedy recovery and looking forward to his return to the throne. Watching Byl Caruthers dominate his axes make me almost feel sorry for the Stratocaster and the others, but their pain is all for art. And music.  Beautiful fuckin' music!!!

*Blues Festival Guide Magazine 2011 (p.52—54) - [click on the article to enlarge]