 and I became a huge booster for this multi-faceted vocalist.){kind=link}
SCILLA SIEKMANN was the first act that lured me into Skinny’s Lounge in the NoHo Arts District. Once in there, her interpretation of JANIS JOPLIN’s “Piece Of My Heart” had me convinced and convicted (like a religious conviction) and I became a huge booster for this multi-faceted vocalist.
SIEKMAN’S command of a song is evident from her opening to the closing of her act.
You may checkout her website at www.scillamusic.com and hear for yourself. She has new music in the offerings which is sure to tickle your fancy and provide you with some very enjoyable ear candy.
Among the other acts that I’ve viewed there are: METALACHI, the world’s only metal mariachi band, for their record release party a few years ago; FOXY and THE SOUND to see an up and coming guitarist and of course THE SINGULARITY. THE SINGULARITY were a part of the LAMN JAM which has been staged there in the past and also is where TESS TAYLOR, President of the National Association of Recording Industry Professionals, NARIP, has staged their very well attended industry mixers. THE SINGULARITY is fronted by the very talented JULIAN SHAH-TAYLER. SHAH-TAYLER has scored several films and is a very accomplished musician who has several projects in the works including a DAVID BOWIE tribute.
The LAMN JAM is akin to a battle of the bands and has a panel of music industry experts to offer suggestions for a better performance and rate what your performance has offered. The LAMN JAM is divided into genres and then the winners are chosen from the top rated participants. TAYLOR’S NARIP/LAMN are world wide organizations and have contacts that have been carefully culled and nurtured. In addition, I’ve known TAYLOR since her early days at MCA Records and have written for TAYLOR’S LAMN Network News in the past.
During SIEKMAN’S gig there in 2012 I had a chance to meet up with the booking manager…a guy named MATTHEW ELIXIR. He had traveled in some of the same circles and I have and seemed pretty savy. By the time I attended the last LAMN JAM in 2014 a young man by the name of ADAM MAYS was the current booking agent.
Last year I had asked local band RADIONAUT, formerly known as NON, to book a gig at this club so that I could have the option of attending one of their rockin’ shows in a local setting. RADIONAUT asked how to do that so I contacted MAYS thinking he was still the booking manager. MAYS had given me his e-mail address and I contacted him only to hear he was no longer the booking manager there. He did say that he was still working with bands as a promoter.
Committed to hearing RADIONAUT music locally I pursued the matter and telephoned Skinny’s Lounge and spoke to Jeremy who told me that Rayvn was now booking the bands and to e-mail her at info@skinnyslounge.com or call 818-763-6581 and leave a message for her. RADIONAUT did as requested and they had no response. I would not pursue a gig for a band unless they were good enough to dance to and RADIONAUT is that good. Guess I’ll have to keep trudging to Hollywood to catch a gig by them.
I find the whole thing disturbing and sad as this venue really does have an excellent PA system and is a classy venue. I like the fact that I don’t have to worry about young, over- served individuals rooting through my purse and then swearing at me when I inform them that they are invading my space and my purse…this has happpened at other places in the Valley.
I’m beginning to wonder about pursuing The Knitting Factory which sits atop The Federal and see what’s up with that place. I’ve seen lines of people and filming there…hmmmm.
For those of you that care to pursue the Skinny’s Lounge venue, the address is 4923 Lankershim Blvd.
ADAM MAYS is available at adammaysmusic@gmail.com and his phone number is 818-298-9920. MATTHEW ELIXIR’S contact info is: cell phone number 213-434-1545 and you may also find him on Facebook to book a gig elsewhere. All of the above talent may be found on Facebook as well.
Am I the only one shaking my head at RIHANNA’s “Bitch Better Have My Money” as opposed to JOAN JETT’S line of “Put another dime in the jukebox baby” in her rock anthem “I Love Rock N’ Roll”? I was watching Saturday Night Live on 5/16/2015 and was kinda turned off. What was the point of this anyway? I like RIHANNA and have her on my iPod, but this…SMH. I voiced my concern on Spin Magazine’s FB site and was chewed out by an irate fan. FYI, RIHANNA is a very talented and beautiful woman, but this is beneath her talents. Please don’t come at me with the “making a statement” rationale. Sinead O’Connor made a real statement on that show when she ripped up a photo of the Pope at the time and condemned him for allowing the perpetual molesting of children in Catholic parishes. Her song of that time was “Nothing Compares To You.”
Seriously though, it’ll be awhile before SNL is found on my LG Smart TV as I have changed the channel.
MADONNA has my blessings for her new release “Ghost Town” and is the 45th song by her to reach Billboard’s Top Selling list. I think that’s gotta be a record. Anyway, in the video for “Ghost Town”, MADONNA’S wardrobe is very cool and tasteful which I like and could not help but be in awe of that chandelier. In this video MADONNA reminds me of a Pirate Queen sort of. Will be purchasing this gem at the iTunes store for my iPod.
Still reeling from the news that KANYE WEST has received a PhD/Doctorate degree from The Art Institute of Chicago. Let’s hope that he uses it to raise up his followers and not beat us all over the head with it. I’ve been dragging my feet to go to the iTunes store to buy his composition with SIR PAUL MCCARTNEY and RIHANNA, FourFiveSeconds…guess I’ll just forget about it altogether…I don’t feel like spending the money. Guess MACCA cannot rely on “branding” to sell records…DAVE GROHL yes, WEST and RIHANNA no.
Congrats to THE KONGOs on their #5 on my iPod faves list “Come With Me Now” placement on Universal Orlando’s latest commercial. Thumbs up.
And how about ELLE KING’S “Ex’s and Oh’s” tune being put to an HBO montage commerical recently. That thing got stuck in my head and it took me days to suss it all out and get it onto my iPod. Ah, the power of good music! Oh the power of being iPod wothy…kinda like Elaine Benes’ sponge worthy classification on SEINFELD.