The coffee house vibe in NoHo!

With so many cool venues to choose from in NoHo Arts District, a series of three articles is planned to feature a few of those that have stood out. There are several that have a distinct ambiance about them and seem to reflect a specific atmosphere.

There was a time when there was a coffee house vibe in Los Angeles and it appears to have resurfaced here in NoHo.

Does anyone remember “Shelly’s Man Hole” in Hollywood?

There are a few venues in NoHo that give off that “boho” feeling which is as hip as it is casual.

Republic of Pie has a “white noise” feel about it and has a large space to convey sound. There is a small stage, with a small sound board/PA and lends itself to acoustic acts the best. Have been there a few times to watch acts, and find the closer to the stage the better as there is a lot of clanking going on.

This place is definately not a place to give “Spoken Word” readings as it is lost in the translation. Located at 11118 Magnolia Blvd., Sophie Ni is the booking manager there and can be contacted at: livemusicmonday@gmail.com or phone her at 818-308-7990. Ni would like it if a discription of your music, availability of your act, and sample links to your music is provided.

Another place to consider is the TeaPop which opened in January 2015 and is gaining in popularity. This is another “white noise” venue; however, the space is much smaller which lends itself to better sound control. TeaPop proprietress Arlene Yuan has many creative plans for her venue such as “ROAR” which is a music workshop series. Yuan is seeking people to “curate” a series. The series ideally would span a month and would be featured one night a week as a musical workshop.
Yuan’s venue recently staged a series that featured street artist BlackBrian in “DREAMERS.”

Yuan describes her concept as “redefined tea time” which is a description that this tea drinker totally agrees with; TeaPop serves up a mean Tea- Mosa.

Incidently, there is an event slated for April titled “REDEFINE TEA TIME”.

There is a back patio as well that lends itself to casual conversation while enjoying the sounds provided by music. On a recent visit, there was DJ music provided on the patio and was also played inside in order for inside patons to enjoy the sounds. This was a Sunday Brunch event and there was a constant stream of people flowing through the entire time I was there.

Yuan is open to acoustic music events, but it is important to remember that performers must provide their own equipment for the inside as well as outside.

Yuan is in the process of viewing submissions for her planned “Summer Series” which can feature music or media installations.

To investigate Tea Pop and it’s requirements and contact info, please go to: www.teapopla.com, Facebook, Twitter @teapopla, Instagram, Yelp also has them at TeaPop in NoHo or telephone them at 818-7320084. This venue is located at 5050 Vineland which is just above Magnolia Blvd. and has a distinctive mural painted on the side.

As a former booking rep @The Cave, my advice is: to have your material together prior to contacting any venue and be prepared to describe your music in advance of your contact. Create links to your music, as this is the preferred method of reviewing possible candidates. It’s impossible to wade through a ton of CD’s, tapes or the more melancholy method of vinyl. Be sure your act fits the venue, don’t try to make the venue fit your act. Be well rehearsed and tuned by the time you arrive. If the venue provides a sound check or rehearsal check prior to the gig, PLEASE take it. Part two of this series will be continued next time.

***RECORD STORE DAY is coming April 18, 2015…don’t miss it!