Category: Music

Dr. Dana: Bridging Medicine and Music with a Voice That Heals

In a city known for dreamers and doers, few stories stand out quite like that of Dr. Dana. By day, she is a respected breast radiologist, dedicated to caring for patients and advocating for cancer awareness. By night, she transforms into a soulful singer-songwriter, creating music that blends folk, jazz, rock, and soul into something deeply cinematic and undeniably moving.

For Dana, these two worlds aren’t as far apart as they may seem. “Being a physician and musician feels like two sides of the same coin. Both are about healing,” she says. “In medicine, I care for people’s bodies. In music, I reach their hearts.”

A Journey Rooted in Resilience

Dana’s relationship with music began early, singing alongside her grandmother, a Palestinian refugee whose soulful voice left a lasting imprint. That foundation carried her through piano lessons, guitar practice, and the start of songwriting in her teenage years.

But when medical school demanded her full focus, music became a quiet passion in the background. It wasn’t until 2020, while working at Tampa’s renowned Moffitt Cancer Center, that Dana rediscovered her love of performing. Joining The ReMissions, a band made up of healthcare professionals, reignited her passion. From that point on, music was no longer optional. It was a calling.

“Finding music again after years of focusing solely on medicine was like reclaiming a piece of my spirit,” she reflects. “It’s brought joy and balance back to my life.”

Music With Purpose

Her upcoming EP, The Space Between, highlights Dana’s ability to weave her personal experiences and medical advocacy into songs that resonate far beyond her own story. Tracks like “Not Alone,” “Stage 4 Needs More,” “The Cure,” and “End the Confusion” capture themes of resilience, urgency, and human connection.

With “Stage 4 Needs More,” Dana channels her experiences in oncology to spotlight the critical need for more research and treatments for advanced cancer patients. “I sing to give voice to those who need more—more effective treatments and more hope,” she says.

Unlike many rising artists, Dana’s songs are written not for fleeting trends but for lasting impact. “My songs are an invitation to feel everything—the raw, the real, the beautiful—and to find something bigger that binds us all together.”

Building a Platform Beyond the Exam Room

Dana has already performed at local festivals and community events, as well as national stages, including delivering the national anthem at major league baseball games. Each performance reinforces her commitment to blending artistry with advocacy, showing audiences that music can heal in ways medicine alone cannot.

Her vision goes beyond the stage. Dana is positioning her music for film and television placements, recognizing that her cinematic style lends itself naturally to storytelling on screen. “My music is written for those moments where you just need to feel,” she says.

Why She Stands Out

In today’s music industry, where image often overshadows message, Dr. Dana offers a refreshing reminder that authenticity matters. She doesn’t shy away from sharing her dual identity as physician and artist. Instead, she embraces it fully, using her unique perspective to shape both her medical career and her artistry.

“Being a musician has taught me to be fearless in showing my true self,” Dana says. “That vulnerability makes me a better doctor, artist, and advocate.”

It’s a story that resonates in Los Angeles, a city where reinvention and passion are celebrated. Dr. Dana isn’t just another artist hoping to make it big. She is a professional already at the top of one demanding field who chose not to ignore her creative calling. That balance between two worlds makes her a standout voice in both.

What’s Next

As she prepares to release The Space Between, Dr. Dana is looking ahead to more performances, broader collaborations, and an expanding audience. Her message is clear: healing doesn’t stop at the hospital doors. With her music, she hopes to bring comfort, courage, and connection to listeners everywhere.

To learn more about her journey and music, visit DrDanaRocks.com. You can also follow her on Instagram, stream her songs on Spotify, or watch her latest performances on YouTube.

Written in partnership with Tom White

August 22, 2025
Los Angeles Film School Alumni Take Home 8 GRAMMY Wins

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Excitement was high at the GRAMMYs this weekend as hundreds of music industry professionals gathered in Los Angeles to celebrate the year’s talent, sipping martinis and exchanging pleasantries and expectations about how the awards would go. Enthusiasm was particularly strong for alumni of The Los Angeles Recording School, a division of The Los Angeles Film School, many of whom were nominated this year.

Seven of the School’s alumni took home GRAMMY wins this year on five albums—eight awards in total—showcasing their work with such stars as Beyoncé, SZA, Sabrina Carpenter, and others.

“Cowboy Carter”

Beyoncé’s album Cowboy Carter claimed three GRAMMY awards: Album of the Year, Best Country Album, and Best Country Duo/Group Performance. Credited as contributors for the wins were four Los Angeles Film School alumni, including recording engineers Henrique Andrade (class of 2011) and Brandon Harding (class of 2013), as well as mixing engineer Jaycen Joshua (class of 2003) and assistant engineer Jacob Richards (class of 2017).

This was engineer Brandon Harding’s first GRAMMY win; he was named individually to receive Album of the Year. Harding has actually been nominated twice before (in 2023) for his contributions to Beyoncé’s Renaissance album.

“Revenge”

Two of the engineers credited for work on Cowboy Carter, Jaycen Joshua and Jacob Richards, were also recognized for their work on Muni Long’s album, Revenge, which won this year’s GRAMMY for Best R&B Performance.

“Every project is a journey,” Richards remarked, “and this recognition represents the incredible path alumni like me have created in the music industry. This acknowledgment goes beyond personal achievement—it’s about the collective creativity, attention to detail, and commitment to the craft we bring to every opportunity.”

“Short n’ Sweet”

Anthony Vilchis (class of 2018), a mixing engineer with over 600 major label credits, was awarded for his work as an assistant mixer and studio personnel for Sabrina Carpenter’s album Short n’ Sweet, which received two GRAMMYs, one for Best Pop Solo Performance and the other for Best Pop Vocal Album.

Other Credits

There were more awards, too. Engineer Julio Ulloa (class of 2015) was credited for his contribution to Nxworries’ album Why Lawd?, which won the GRAMMY for Best Progressive R&B Album. Mixing engineer Hector Castro (class of 2014) was recognized for his work on SZA’s hit single “Saturn,” which received the GRAMMY for Best R&B Song.

A Source of Pride for The Los Angeles Film School

Founded in 1999 (and adding the LA Recording School as one of its divisions in 2010), Hollywood’s LA Film School has established a legacy to be proud of. The school is where Oscar-winning sound designer Phillip Bladh got his start, and its roster of alums have worked on many multi-platinum records, GRAMMY-awarded and GRAMMY-nominated albums, and Oscar-winning films, and have been recognized at film festivals internationally. Sunday’s wins for its alums were today’s chapter in a twenty-year story.

The Los Angeles Film School’s offerings cover a broad range of fields and careers in the modern music industry. It offers entertainment-focused Bachelor of Science degrees in Animation, Audio Production, Digital Filmmaking, Entertainment Business, Film Production, Graphic Design, Media Communications, Music Production, and Writing for Film and TV, as well as several two-year degree programs. The hands-on education exposes students to industry equipment, editing labs, dub stages, and advanced recording studios.

Given this year’s wins and the school’s mission of shaping passionate students into industry-defining professionals, it will be exciting to see what both those awarded at the GRAMMYs on Sunday and the school’s other alums achieve in the years to come.

For more information on The Los Angeles Film School or The Los Angeles Recording School, check out their website at lafilm.edu.

February 11, 2025
Rancho Humilde Spreads Holiday Cheer with Thousands of Toys and Meals

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Los Angeles-based music label Rancho Humilde brought joy and support to thousands of families last week with its 16th annual Holiday Toy Giveaway. Held in Paramount, the event offered 3,000 toys, meals, and essential resources to underserved families from across the city.

The giveaway, hosted in partnership with Humilde House of Charities, emphasized the label’s ongoing commitment to supporting local communities. It followed a successful toy drive organized with the Los Angeles Police Department in Watts, which delivered more than 5,000 gifts to local children.

Winter Wonderland for Families

Families attending the Holiday Toy Giveaway experienced a festive Winter Wonderland complete with snow sled rides, holiday food vendors, and two of the season’s most popular characters: Santa Claus and the Grinch. For many, the event was more than just a chance to collect toys—it was an opportunity to celebrate the season in a joyful and inclusive setting.

“The toy giveaway is a testament to the label’s enduring philanthropic efforts and its continued legacy of giving back,” Rancho Humilde shared in a press release. The event underscored the label’s dual mission of reshaping the entertainment industry while prioritizing community-focused initiatives.

A Legacy of Generosity

Founded in 2011 by Jimmy Humilde, Rancho Humilde has grown into a powerhouse in the Latin and regional Mexican music scene. The label houses more than 60 acts under its banner, including top-charting artists like Junior H and six-time Billboard Latin Award-winning band Fuerza Regida. Its calling card? Its cultural influence and forward-looking contributions to music.

But Rancho Humilde’s impact transcends the studio and stage. The label’s philanthropy is a cornerstone of its identity. It reflects a deep commitment to giving back to the community—the same community that has supported its rise.

Humilde has long emphasized the importance of using the label’s success to make a positive difference. “We don’t just make music; we make a difference,” he often says, a sentiment echoed through events like the Holiday Toy Giveaway and other charitable initiatives.

Strengthening Bonds with the Community

This year’s toy giveaway is just one example of Rancho Humilde’s dedication to building bridges within the community. The collaboration with the LAPD in Watts demonstrated the power of partnerships in expanding the reach and impact of their initiatives. Together, these efforts provided thousands of kids with gifts that brought smiles—and a whole bunch of hope—during the holiday season.

Attendees expressed their gratitude for the support. Many families revealed that the event brought relief during challenging times. For some, the meal distribution played an even bigger role: it added much-needed stability to their holiday celebrations.

A Model for Industry Impact

Rancho Humilde’s efforts showcase how organizations in the entertainment industry can leverage their platforms for meaningful change. The label has not only redefined the Latin music landscape—it has also set a standard for corporate responsibility and community engagement.

As Rancho Humilde looks to the future, its commitment to the community remains steadfast. Events like the Holiday Toy Giveaway highlight the label’s mission to uplift and unite. The result is a legacy of generosity that resonates far beyond Los Angeles.

Other Holiday Giveaways

Other organizations throughout Los Angeles joined in the holiday spirit with toy giveaways. L.A. Care Community Resource Center also held a toy giveaway for children. The USPS, CHP stepped up to provide kids in foster care with gifts this holiday season. The California Credit Union donated over 500 gifts to the Los Angeles Boys & Girls Club.

Many children throughout Los Angeles enjoyed a festive Christmas thanks to the generous donations collected by the community.

January 9, 2025
The Best of Billie Eilish’s Los Angeles Homecoming

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Great performing artists often enjoy residences at famed venues such as Elton John and Billy Joel at New York City’s Madison Square Garden. At the tender age of 23, pop star Billie Eilish is reaching the resident stage in her hometown of Los Angeles’s Forum. The award-winning musician has played a number of times there since 2020 and recently completed her latest five-show engagement at the venue.

This multi-show stint came in the midst of a busy time for Eilish, who is continuing her Hit Me Hard and Soft Tour, which includes 36 North American dates and is scheduled to end on February 2. After that, she will head down under to complete the tour’s international leg in Australia.

Each LA show featured a different opening act, including The Marias, Towa Bird, Nat and Alex Wolff, Ashnikko, and Finneas.

Experimenting with Visuals

Eilish prides herself on using unique and intriguing visuals to accompany her acts. At the Forum gigs and throughout the current tour, she has created a music video-type atmosphere by including notable backdrops for each song in her set.

Working Alongside Friends

Eilish employs close childhood chums Jane and Ava as backup singers. The affable star made her buddies feel at home by announcing that the trio are long-standing pals, and this was Jane and Ava’s first tour.

“We were friends in middle school, then there were a few years where our lives and things changed, and then everything came back how it was supposed to be,” Eilish said.

Using Her Platform

Eilish is an outspoken supporter of abortion rights and a woman’s right to choose. The singer utilized the tour as an opportunity to make these feelings more public on a grand scale. At the LA shows, as well as other stops along the tour, she has performed her 2022 hit song “TV.” Eilish emphasizes lyrics such as “the internet’s gone wild watching movie stars on trial” before screaming the words “while they’re overturning Roe v Wade.”

At a recent LA show, the audience shouted the words right along with Eilish, who paused briefly to soak in the support given by her throngs of fans. The pop star enthusiastically supported Vice President Kamala Harris in the recent presidential election and encouraged her supporters to cast their ballots in her favor.

Celebrity Support

It was not only civilians who liked Eilish’s music. The multiple Grammy Award recipient enjoys adoration from fellow celebrities such as Charli XCX, who first appeared at the first two Forum shows in the video. Eilish reciprocated by singing her supporter’s verse on the remix collaboration “Guess,” which the two worked on together. At the third LA show, Eilish brought the British pop star on stage with her.

Members of the social media and television-dominating family, the Kardashians, are also fans. The oldest sister, Kourtney, and younger sibling, Kim, attended different gigs. Kim even braved a broken foot to give Eilish some love.

Showing Holiday Spirit

Cognizant of the holiday season, Eilish displayed a significant degree of Christmas spirit during the Los Angeles engagement. Finneas, Eilish’s brother and musical collaborator, joined his sister on stage. Adorned in a Santa Claus hat, Eilish crooned several well-known holiday tunes, including “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” and “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.”

Christmas was not the only special occasion being celebrated. On December 18, during her hometown visit, Eilish turned 23. Finneas recognized the event by leading the audience in a community song, “Happy Birthday To You,” to honor her. Eilish completed the song by blowing out a candle inside a single cupcake that Finneas brought for his sister.

January 5, 2025
Minaret Records Brings Jazz Roaring Back to Life with Winter Festival
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The Los Angeles-based record label Minaret Records, which has become a haven for artists in the L.A. jazz scene, is holding its second annual winter festival. It’ll be a weeklong celebration of artists across styles and generations, from solo trombone sets to alt/pop/jazz hybrids, held in pop-up venues across central and northeast L.A.

About Minaret

Minaret was the brainchild of Yousef Hilmy, who noticed a niche in the L.A. jazz scene: often, his friends who played jazz didn’t have a label or support system.

“I saw in the L.A. jazz scene that there wasn’t really a young label, and there were a lot of really great artists who were sharing space,” Hilmy said. “So I thought of it as something that would champion these young artists [and] try to create a label that could tell the story of L.A. jazz music and really just American jazz music.”

Hilmy, who describes himself as a lifelong music fan, started out by working with artists he knew, eventually building a cult following of devotees in the local music scene.

“I’m Arab, I’m Egyptian, and I grew up in a very ‘hospitality is everything’ culture,” he said. “I try to bring that to Minaret with these shows, just like a feeling of family and familiarity and friendliness—to me, that’s like a really important thing at a time like now that’s very alienated and where people are looking for friendship and community.”

This community ethos extends to Minaret’s work as an event series—the first of which was held immediately before the pandemic and Hilmy had to put it on pause.

“People like to say DIY—I always hesitate because I think what we’re doing has a very high production value—but just in-house, independent, cutting out all the middlemen, all the ticketing platforms, and just really keeping it direct to the audience,” Hilmy said. “That’s my biggest goal with this.”

About the shows

Rather than a traditional single-day festival, the second annual winter festival is structured as a weeklong series. Many of the events are in repurposed or unconventional venues, such as churches and nonprofit spaces. Each night will have varied offerings, as Hilmy booked double bills for each concert.

“The idea is like, for somebody that’s first getting introduced to Minaret, they can kind of get a feeling of what our shows are like while still having this kind of festival layout,” he said.

While many of Minaret’s signings are younger artists, the festival will feature an intergenerational lineup. For example, Roy McCurdy, known for his recordings with Cannonball Adderley in the 1960s and 1970s, will perform at Highland Park’s Scribble on Tuesday.

“Jazz music a lot of times takes place at bars, which there’s nothing wrong with that,” Hilmy said. “But there are so many young kids, high schoolers, middle schoolers, or even people in college who aren’t 21 yet who are big fans of this music and who contribute—and sometimes those are the people that know the most.”

That inclusivity is especially important to Hilmy during what he called “the time of conglomerates in music.”

“I strive to program very anti-corporate events and really try to keep ticket prices accessible,” Hilmy said. “It’s a community that takes care of each other and where everyone is welcome.”

The Shows

For more details, visit Minaret Records’ website.
- Monday, Dec 16
  - Performers: Paul Cornish Trio, Zekkereya El-Magharbel (Solo)
  - Time: 8 p.m.
  - Location: The High Low, 3000 Los Feliz Blvd
- Tuesday, Dec 17
  - Performers: Henry Solomon Trio (feat. Roy McCurdy & Carmen Quill), Thom Gill/Sam Wilkes/Chris Fishman
  - Time: 8 p.m.
  - Location: Scribble, 5541 York Blvd
- Wednesday, Dec 18
  - Performers: Genevieve Artadi, Yibs
  - Time: 8 p.m.
  - Location: Mid City Yacht Club, 4904 W Adams Blvd
- Thursday, Dec 19
  - Performers: Steve Lehman Trio + Mark Turner; Ambrose Akinmusire, Chiquitamagic, & Justin Brown
  - Time: 8 p.m.
  - Location: 2220 Arts + Archives, 2220 Beverly Blvd
- Friday, Dec 20
  - Performers: Jon Hatamiya Big Band, takoda/Telemakus/Miguel Atwood-Ferguson
  - Time: 8 p.m.
  - Location: Harmony Room, 2109 Chickasaw Ave
December 23, 2024
After 50 Years, Alma del Barrio Still Delivers Latin Hits to LA

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KXLU, a non-commercial, educational broadcast station, delivers Latin beats to the LA population through its popular program, Alma del Barrio. With a debut over 50 years ago, Alma del Barrio is one the longest-running Latin music programs in the United States. The program runners reflect on this legacy and years of providing music to the Latino diaspora within the region.

KXLU and the Debut of Alma del Barrio

KXLU operates out of the Westchester campus of Loyola Marymount University with a license granted by the Federal Communications Commission, according to the official website. It was founded in the public interest and staffed by the university’s students, faculty, and volunteer staff.

The broadcast station made its on-air debut in 1957. In 1973, the first run of the Alma del Barrio program was initiated by then-students Enrique “Kiki” Soto and Raul Villa.

Alma del Barrio translates to “soul of the neighborhood.” Beyond showcasing excellent Latin music, Alma del Barrio educates listeners on the cultural origins of the music it plays and the artists who perform it. The program is now entering its 52nd year on the air.

Uplifting the Soul of the Community

Within over half a century of running, Alma del Barrio has proven to be a pillar of the local community. As reported by SFGATE, it has worked as a resource for the Latin diaspora community in the region, promoting critical health initiatives, such as blood drives and local voter registrations.

Alma del Barrio has also participated in the local culture of salsa clubs, festivals, and other events that sustain the music scenes of Southern California. The music and artists featured in the program help to tie together the diverse cultures living in the region, providing them the opportunity to celebrate their unique heritage.

A Dedication to Knowing the Beats

The showrunners for Alma del Barrio strive to deliver not only Latin-themed playlists that will uplift the spirits of those stuck in LA traffic but also to provide genre knowledge and insights on the music they play.

Nelson Rodriguez, one of the program’s several DJs who rotate sets on the show, spoke to SFGATE on his process. “I keep notes. I keep comments,” he stated. “I know everything about the recording—the name of the recording, who the singer is, then little tidbits.”

Over his years of serving Alma del Barrio, Rodriguez has shared with listeners his deep knowledge of Afro-Cuban percussion, salsa romántica, cumbia, and more of the diverse sounds found under the umbrella of Latin music.

Reaching the Next Generation of Latin Music Listeners

Although Alma del Barrio has its roots in the local community across several generations, the music scene has proven to be an evolving one. A lot of contemporary music now incorporates elements of classic Latin genres, such as salsa, while putting new twists on it.

Reaching younger generations of listeners has proven challenging for the runners of Alma del Barrio. Lydia Ammossow, the director of KXLU, commented on these barriers, stating, “I think it is challenging to get the current generation of students engaged in this music unless they have grown up with it if they have a parent or a grandparent and they have a natural connection.”

To keep new generations engaged, Alma del Barrio takes cues from all listeners, young and old. “And so we started realizing that we have to be more focused on what’s happening on the internet and how we can incorporate that,” says DJ Rodriguez.

However, the stunning new beats have not always impressed older listeners. “Hey, you guys need to slow down your music a little bit because we’re now getting to an age that our hips can’t move that fast,” Rodriguez recalls being told by a listener.

Like a delicate tango, Alma del Barrio dances between old traditions and new with its blend of diverse Latin beats from multiple regions. After over fifty years of serving the LA community, the program remains dedicated to keeping the music playing.

December 20, 2024
Spotify’s ‘Now Playing’ Event Incentivizes Top Creators

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Some of the world’s top creators descended on Spotify’s Los Angeles campus earlier today for Now Playing, where the streaming giant unveiled a series of new offerings aimed at helping creators monetize their video podcasts on Spotify better and deepen their relationships with audiences.

Spotify has long been thought of as a place for streaming audio, with songs and podcasts serving as the streaming company’s bread and butter over the past decade-plus. Now, however, the company is also turning its sights to more visually based entertainment options, with accompanying music videos and video podcasts. The Now Playing event was rooted in highlighting these new offerings and getting some of the world’s foremost audio-rooted talents onboard with these more visual-heavy elements.

Top Talent in Attendance

Among the guests who heard from Spotify leaders and mingled with their partnerships and product team members were Drew Afualo, Emma Chamberlain, Bailey Sarian, Haliey Welch, Jay Shetty, Chris Williamson, Josh Richards, Colin Rosenblum and Samir Chaudry, Zach Justice and Jared Bailey, Don Lemon, Anna Sitar, Rhett McLaughlin and Link Neal, and Andrew Huberman.

Following a keynote from Spotify CEO and founder Daniel Ek and Co-President Gustav Söderström, creators were invited to attend panels that explored their business opportunities on Spotify.

The creators of The Good Children, Joe Hegyes and Andrew Muscarella, explained how they found their format, what drives them to innovate, and how to cut through the noise. “We launched right before video podcasts had not only become the norm but the necessity,” they recalled. “We noticed that a lot of podcasts were cutting down video for TikTok clips to get more followers and information out about the podcast.”

Additionally, those in attendance heard how creators from Higher Learning and NewlyWeds have taken cultural moments and fandoms and built them into successful video podcasts.

Pivot to Video

“Video is more immersive,” stressed Higher Learning’s Van Lathan. “When you can see it, you get a much better sense of somebody’s emotions and personality. It forms a stronger bond with your audience.”

Furthermore, Spotify monetization experts Geoff Chow and Matt Huang walked the audience of content creators through some helpful tips and insights on how to build a business as a creator on the platform.

“We see some shows that are primarily an audio show dipping their toes into video with special episodes,” said Matt. “This program is going to help them monetize all of those different types of content as they’re experimenting and figuring out what works for them.”

Also, Spotify’s Chief Public Affairs Officer, Dustee Jenkins, got deep with creator Drew Afualo, pop star Meghan Trainor, and Spotify’s Sulinna Ong on the intersecting worlds of music, podcasts, and audiobooks.

“On Spotify, my podcasts, my audiobook, and my music are all in one place,” said Meghan. “It’s one place, one app where fans can find everything and learn more if they didn’t know I did all that. It’s the best.”

Closing it Out

“I truly believe that artists and creators are the ones that change and drive culture,” added Sulinna. “We give you the tools to affect it, but you are the ones who change it.”

Throughout the afternoon, Spotify also introduced creators to their homes via guided office tours showcasing the 360-degree aspect of Spotify’s support for video production, from the podcast studios to the listening rooms to the seamless recording rooms and edit bays, all available to podcasters and video creators on Spotify.

To close things out, Spotify brought out global pop sensation Halsey, who proceeded to bring the house down with a special performance of her hits, including “Without Me,” “Lucky,” and “You Should Be Sad.”

November 22, 2024
LA’s Indie Music Venues Are Struggling to Stay Afloat

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LA’s small indie music venues are proud to provide the people of LA with independent artists who are yet to be discovered. They often support underground and niche genres people haven’t heard of before.

These small venues are essential places for up-and-coming bands to play for an audience. Without such locations, these bands often wouldn’t get discovered otherwise. Many of these independently-owned music venues are struggling to stay afloat against competition from corporate-owned venues.

The Mission of Independent Venues

The owner of Zebulon, Jef Soubiran, says his place “gives access to some people who never listen [to] some free jazz or some avant-garde or some experimental, some minimal, some punk rock,” he said. They can experience a kind of music they wouldn’t have heard anywhere else.

These small spaces give a stage to bands that are lesser-known, experimental, or that don’t conform to the norms of music. Non-mainstream musicians need a place to be staged, too, and indie venues are the place for them to get their foot in the industry’s door.

Challenges Faced By Indie Venues

As inflation rises and rent prices go up, independently owned venues are struggling to stay open. They are also in competition with major music conglomerates that own venues in the area. AEG runs El Rey, the Shrine, and The Roxy. Live Nation runs The Echo, the Hollywood Palladium, and The Wiltern.

It’s not easy to stay open when these larger venues have a significant source of income for marketing and constant traffic to even their smaller music hubs.

Financial Strategies Indie Venues Are Adopting

Independently-run music venues are taking up two major financial strategies to stay open. The first is a focus on ticket sales. The Lodge Room in Highland Park heavily relies on entry tickets at the door. “We’re not making that much money at the bar,” says the owner, Dalton Gerlach. “We have to survive on ticket sales, so it’s really just a volume thing for us,” he says. In the case of the Lodge Room, the number of people they can get to attend is more important than anything else.

The other strategy is a focus on bar sales, as seen by Gold Diggers in East Hollywood. “The door is a break-even for us. We’re making money off the bar. We want to sell drinks, and that’s what it comes down to,” says the owner, Dave Neupert. However, even with bar sales, the venues are struggling as younger generations are buying fewer drinks.

Hybrid and Nonprofit Venues

On the other hand, Permanent Records, an independent venue and record store combined, gives all of the ticket sales to the artist. The owner, Lance Barresi, says, “We only take revenue from our shows from the sales we do at the bar and whatever sales we do in the record store. Generally speaking, 60% of our revenue comes from bar sales, 40% from record sales.”

Places like Flow Sanctuary, which operate without a bar or any alcohol, rely solely on donations to stay afloat. “We’re hoping we can do fundraisers and other things that other nonprofits do,” says the owner, “Magick” Mike Milane.

Rewards Beyond Financial Gains

Although money is vital for staying open, the owners of indie venues find it inherently rewarding to run a place where new artists can get discovered. Jef Soubiran of Zebulon is exposing people to music they’ve never heard before and finds that very rewarding. “You need to have the love of what you do,” he adds.

Gerlach from the Lodge Room says, “The financial reward of it is not really quite there,” but instead, “the social and relational reward of it is there. . . Just being at shows and the community, and there’s so many intangible things around what I get to do that [are] really special.”

Losing indie venues in LA would be losing a piece of the heart of music. Without experimenters and avant-garde artists, LA music risks becoming too homogenous and lackluster. “It’s nice to have [a] different flavor,” says Soubiran.

Preserving these diverse scenes is what maintains LA’s vibrant and eclectic music culture.

November 20, 2024
Markus Schulz on LA’s Dance Music Legacy & Dreamstate Return

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With the release of his exclusive mix for the signature In Search of Sunrise (Black Hole Recordings) compilation series, Markus Schulz has Los Angeles on his mind. The City of Angels has always held a dear place in the global trance/progressive music DJ/producer’s heart. The new In Search of Sunrise 20 (ISoS20) release commemorates the 20th edition and 25 years of the series, a must-have mix compilation for every self-respecting electronic dance music (EDM) lover. Though he spends every weekend touring the world and DJing in venues intimate, huge and festival mega-sized, he somehow always manages to come back around to Los Angeles. Considering he spends more time on First Class flights than most flight attendants, we wondered what it was about L.A., exactly, that keeps drawing this globetrotter back time and again. On the eve of Markus Schulz’s return to The Golden Stage to play Dreamstate on November 22nd, 2024, L.A. Examiner sat down with the man himself to discover what makes him tick.

L.A. Examiner: You’re somewhat of a DJ legend around L.A., a metropolis that’s very fickle when it comes to nightlife. What is it about your relationship with Los Angeles that’s proved so resilient over the years?

Markus Schulz: The Los Angeles chapter of my career has to be among the most important. When I started touring, I was quite intimidated by playing in Los Angeles and wasn’t sure if I belonged in the same sentence as the greats of our scene. I was really lucky that there was a small but very passionate selection of fans who embraced my sound early on, and it was through their enthusiasm and word-of-mouth that the number of people coming to see me would grow quite quickly. I’ve never forgotten those people. What makes it special is that they are still coming to the shows to this day.

L.A. Examiner: Take us to the beginnings of your involvement with Avalon Hollywood. When you first started performing there, did you envision your events would become the beasts they’ve become?

Markus Schulz: It would have been around the late 2000s. I didn’t really have a regular home in the clubs there. Most of my appearances in Southern California were at the big arena or outdoor events such as Monster Massive and Together As One. But when I was booked to play at Avalon, knowing that there was an after hours culture and the club would stay open beyond 2am, it really fed into my soul as a DJ.

L.A. Examiner: So, in a way, the city’s culture inspired you artistically, which in turn allowed you to grow your foothold in Los Angeles?

Markus Schulz: I used to have a mix compilation series themed around certain cities around the world which held special resonance, and the 2012 edition was dedicated to Los Angeles. For the release party, we took over Avalon for two consecutive nights on Presidents’ Day weekend. The first night was my first open to close solo set experience at the venue, and on the second I was joined for back to back sessions with a selection of DJs from the Coldharbour Recordings family. That sowed the seeds for everything that has happened at Avalon since.

L.A. Examiner: You are one of the rare DJs on earth who regularly play “marathon” DJ sets exceeding eight, nine, 10 hours, often more. In and around L.A., your New Year’s Eve shows at Avalon Hollywood (open-to-close, naturally) came to be known in some circles as almost a rite-of-passage for ringing-in the New Year. Can you share with us some of your all-time highlights and memories?

Markus Schulz: It’s an incredible privilege to have been able to play open to close sets at a historic venue like Avalon on so many occasions, especially on New Year’s Eve. I haven’t kept count, but it must be getting close to 10 times, soon. The great thing about them is because Los Angeles is a destination city, people from all over the United States and even internationally plan trips around the shows; so it feels like there’s a worldwide family housed within those famous walls.

The most memorable moment I ever had was when I proposed to [my wife] Adina [Butar] onstage on New Year’s Eve. I was so nervous about it and had practiced the sequence with my visuals guy to make sure everything was right. Adina had been onstage performing and thought she was about to start singing another song, when the audio changed to “Destiny,” one of my biggest tracks and a personal one because I wrote it about her. I get emotional thinking about it because Adina’s parents were there, and mine were there, too. My mother, Rose, passed away in February 2019, only a few months before the wedding; but I look back and I was so grateful she got to experience such a personal moment.

L.A. Examiner: Where else can dance music-lovers find you playing in the L.A. metro area?

Markus Schulz: I’m delighted to be playing Dreamstate Southern California on November 22nd. I’ve played Insomniac’s events all over the world – from Poland to Mexico and in the U.S. in San Francisco and Chicago – so, to finally play at the one where the Dreamstate experience began will be pretty cool.

Follow Markus Schulz online:

Official website: https://www.markusschulz.com/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/markusschulz

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6OO0PboZcIWUWL7j2IyeoL

Instagram: www.instagram.com/markusschulz

Written in partnership with Trillest Ent.

October 16, 2024
Grammy Museum to Launch Landmark K-pop Exhibit Featuring Hybe and Iconic Artifacts from BTS, LE SSERAFIM, and More

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In a groundbreaking nod to Korean pop music, the Grammy Museum is about to roll out its first full-floor K-pop exhibit, shining a spotlight on the lively music, culture, tech, and fandom that fuel K-pop’s global rise. Partnering with Hybe, the South Korean entertainment giant behind BTS and other global hits, this exhibit dives deep into the company’s influence on the music scene.

“Hybe: We Believe in Music, A Grammy Museum Exhibit” will take place from August 2 to September 15 at the museum in downtown Los Angeles. Spanning a hefty 4,000 square feet, this display is a landmark for the museum, being the largest exhibit ever curated.

“This will be one of the most extensive exhibits we’ve ever curated,” said Grammy Museum President and CEO Michael Sticka. “Hybe’s impact on music worldwide is undeniable, and this exhibit celebrates their contributions to K-pop and beyond.”

A Treasure Trove of Artifacts

For the first time, the exhibit will showcase artifacts never before displayed in a museum, including items from 78 K-pop idols. Attendees can expect to see iconic outfits from music videos and concept photos, such as BTS’s “Yet to Come (The Most Beautiful Moment),” SEVENTEEN’s “Maestro,” TOMORROW X TOGETHER’s “Sugar Rush Ride,” and LE SSERAFIM’s “Easy.”

The exhibit also features memorabilia from Hybe’s rookie teams, including BOYNEXTDOOR, TWS, &TEAM, and ILLIT. Additionally, three influential books from Big Hit Entertainment founder Hitman Bang’s personal collection will be displayed, highlighting their inspiration behind BTS’s albums. These include Hermann Hesse’s “Demian: The Story of Boyhood,” Erich Fromm’s “The Art of Loving,” and Murray Stein’s “Jung’s Map of the Soul.”

Interactive Experiences and Technological Innovations

Beyond the artifacts, the exhibit offers several interactive experiences designed to engage fans and newcomers alike. A “random dance play” in the museum’s rotunda will allow visitors to sing and dance along to Hybe artists’ music. There will also be a Photoism booth for fans to pose with images of their favorite acts.

“We’re even going to have a little fan area where fans can express what K-pop means to them and leave their mark on the exhibit,” said Grammy Museum curator Kelsey Goelz. “This is the biggest and most in-depth K-pop exhibit we have ever done.”

A permanent interactive feature, “Mono to Immersive,” will demonstrate the evolution of recording technology using BTS’s 2022 Grammy performance of “Butter.” Visitors can experience how the performance would sound through different eras of technology, from the 1920s to the present day.

Hybe’s Vision and Global Reach

Hybe’s COO, Tae-Ho Kim, expressed his hopes that the exhibit will appeal to both K-pop and Hybe superfans as well as those curious about the genre. “We aim to introduce Hybe to visitors and showcase the journey we have taken in the global music industry,” he said. “I hope this exhibit will be a great chance for our rookie teams to be introduced to American music fans. This can be a significant momentum for their entrance into the American music market.”

Expanding the Narrative of Music History

This exhibit stands as a testament to the Grammy Museum’s dedication to exploring a wide array of music genres and their cultural significance. With K-pop growing worldwide, this exhibit offers a rare chance for both fans and newcomers to dive into the genre’s complexities and its impact on the global music scene.

“Hybe: We Believe in Music, A Grammy Museum Exhibit” doesn’t just celebrate K-pop’s artistic feats; it also bridges cultural divides, inviting visitors to connect with the lively, dynamic realm of Korean pop music.

July 19, 2024
Los Angeles to Celebrate Make Music Day

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Almost nothing else can bring the world together in the same significant way as music can. Breaking cultural boundaries and translating across seas, the magic of music resides with its ability to build connections and let others feel seen and heard. Celebrating the power of music and bringing artists together, the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with LA Commons and Make Music LA, is celebrating Make Music Day this Friday, June 21.

Being live streamed globally, LA’s Make Music Day celebration is a part of the Paris 2024 Cultural Olympiad, an event that runs through the end of summer 2024 and combines art and sport (or “muscles and mind” as Pierre de Coubertin put it). This popular celebration aims for inclusiveness, with Paris 2024 encouraging everyone, including, artists, troupes, non-profits, communities, sports clubs, and more, to get involved with the cultural program.

Founded in 1982 as Fête de la Musique, this musical celebration is celebrated in more than 1,000 cities in 120 different countries, becoming an international phenomenon since its birth. Its wide recognition is the reason why the Paris 2024 Cultural Olympias has named Make Music Day one of its key days of action leading up to the games.

As part of the Paris 2024 Cultural Olympiad, LA’s Make Music Day will be a part of the global “rhythmic relay” called “Pulsations,” which means “heartbeat” in French. “Pulsations” is under the creative direction of French-Lebanese trumpeter Ibrahim Maalouf. Uniting 24 countries with a shared rhythmic heartbeat, “Pulsations” started in New Zealand, traveling throughout Asia, Africa, America, and Europe, offering a 100% livestream that invites everyone to join the celebration.

The LA celebration will be held on People Street in Leimert Park Village Plaza in front of the historic Vision Theater. “Pulsations LA” will feature artists recognized as “Cultural Treasures” by the Cultural Treasures of South L.A., a community-based resource for anyone looking to learn more about the culturally rich life of South Los Angeles. The resource provides a database, interactive map, and multimedia story bank of cultural treasures, featuring people, places, organizations, and events that help keep the multicultural community vibrant and diverse.

LA’s Make Music Day will feature musical performances from Kinnara Taiko, Fernando Pullum Community Arts Center Jazz Ensemble featuring vocalist Dwight Trible, tap dance by the Nicholas Dance Studio, poetry by “artivist” S. Pearl Sharp, and a family-friendly drum workshop by Project Knucklehead.

Los Angeles City Councilwoman Heather Hutt, 10th District, expressed, “We are honored and thrilled to have our Make Music Day Celebrations in Leimert Park, and partake in an amazing experience of global artistry and unity. For decades, South Los Angeles has been a vibrant center of expression with a rich cultural history. This celebration will be a testament to this legacy, inspiring our city for years to come.”

Los Angeles is set to pick up the rhythm from Mexico and pass it along to Canada, inviting musicians of all ages, cultures, genres, and skill levels to create a free public outdoor concert to share their musical heartbeats with family, friends, neighbors, and strangers.

For information on how to participate in Make Music Los Angeles, visit makemusicla.org, and a complete global livestream schedule can be found at makemusicday.org/pulsations.

June 20, 2024
Kendrick Lamar Announces Upcoming Los Angeles Show

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Robert Frost. Harper Lee. George Walker. Julia Wolfe. Ben Taub. The list of Pulitzer Prize winners extends back decades, a reflection of the talented individuals who have achieved greatness in categories like journalism, novels, and music. Adding his name to the list of Pulitzer Prize winners is rapper, Kendrick Lamar, who is the only musician outside of the classical and jazz genres to have received this notable award. Lamar’s lyrics, which often act as a medium for political and social commentary, have consistently kept him at the forefront of the rap scene. Bringing his powerful lyrical messages back to the stage, Lamar has recently announced a one-time show entitled “The Pop Out — Ken and Friends” that comes to Los Angeles on June 19th.

Beyond his Pulitzer Prize win in 2018, Lamar has been the recipient of various accolades, including one Primetime Emmy Award, one Brit Award, four American Music Awards, six Billboard Music Awards, and a staggering 17 Grammys. But these awards are not without their merit.

It is the messages and commentary behind the lyrics Lamar writes that have helped propel him toward being recognized as one of the greatest rappers of all time. Lamar’s artistic ability to dive into emotional storytelling via verse and pull back the curtain on racial injustice, allowing new marginalized perspectives to take center stage, has opened a doorway for listeners across the globe to finally feel seen.

Understanding more intimately how issues like gun violence, racial and socio-economic discrimination, institutional racism, sexual abuse, and mass incarceration are still prevalent in American culture, Lamar has consistently utilized his platform to not only raise awareness of the social injustices marginalized communities still face but to also praise these communities for their strength and resilience. Yet, while many listeners recognized Lamar as the voice of Black America, not all players in the game show the same respect for the rapper.

Most recently, a buzz has been stirring over the lyrical death battle between Lamar and Canadian rapper, Drake. While the hip-hop battle saw the two rappers lashing out at each other’s physical appearances and talent, when Drake’s song, “Family Matters,” hit, the heat skyrocketed. Bringing Lamar’s family into the battle was the climax of this heated feud, leading to a bewildering, lyrical blade response from Lamar just an hour after Drake’s song dropped—Meet the Grahams.

Yet, it was “Not Like Us” that solidified Lamar’s lyrical victory, a club banger that inspired the title of Lamar’s June 19th show, “The Pop Out.” In “Not Like Us,” Lamar raps, “Sometimes you gotta pop out and show n—s / Certified boogeyman, I’m the one that up the score with ’em.” This nail-in-the-coffin jam has continued to climb the top of the charts today, arguably one of the best tracks released in the rap battle.

Fresh off the battle scene, Lamar’s one-time LA show on Juneteenth is presented by pgLang and Free Lunch. Presale tickets for the concert at the Kia Forum hit the market on Thursday at 10 a.m. PT via the Cash App, while the general on-sale starts Friday at 10 a.m. PT on Ticketmaster. The event is for all ages according to the rapper on his social media profiles, and will begin at 4 p.m. PT.

June 11, 2024