On Saturday the 22nd of September I ventured off to Black Noise Studios, a new music recording studio space located in Huntington Park. I was made aware of the space by Kim, the space’s all-around point of contact for artists, vendors, and promotion, whom I ran into during a Rudy De Anda set at the LA County Fair (I love when stuff like that happens). I was intrigued and started looking forward to the spread of artists they had performing the new location.
The first thing to note is the entryway to the studio is the space in which bands perform in. Apparently, before they would perform in a small space found after the immediate entrance to the studio which has a colorful painted mural done by nonother then Kim the jack of all trades. Once the first couple shows had taken place the body heat from more heads at the shows had them switch up the performance area which I was thankful for.
The first act, Morye, is a three-piece rhythmic synth band fronted by Eva on keys and vocals. What started off with a bit of synth build up was soon jettisoned into post-punk shoegaze with Darrens explosive drumming feats. I can say personally that if I can connect to the drums of any act I am 100% invested and Morye really has something special on their side. Michaels subsumed shoegaze guitar playing finds his mark balancing the bluesy voice of Eva with the energy of Darren’s drumming prowess and I look forward to what they cook up in their next studio session.
I knew ahead of time that I was in for a treat once Bad Joy was on the bill. Having had them on my radar for quite some time I was glad this would be my moment to see them perform, and then I grew even more psyched to see they picked up a cello player to boot. The band’s appearance reminded of Broken Social Scene due to how many members were on the floor at the time but once they began to perform you could hear the eclectic influences present in their artistry. The band is known to work their songwriting first and then build the sound around it with a revolving door of other talented musicians. Bella, that cello player I mentioned before, was that extra wow factor who took the performance to another level… eventually, that is after a missed queue for the bands first song but so are the ways of a live show with a new inclusion. I could try and describe their sound to you but it would be a disservice to the talented cast of players and I would ask you to listen to them yourself to get what all this Badjoy is about.
It was around this time that I was checking out some of the vendor’s wares when I looked back to see a guitar player and bass player out front with no front man. I was perplexed for a minute but soon caught a voice projecting outward with a relaxed tone which soon went harsh. Hexed was up and running with one of my favorite niches of performers, a singing drummer! The three-piece psych-punk band is made up of Christian (guitar), Ian (bass), and Mikel (drums). The band does well to bring a false sense of calm with their psych riffs only to break the lie with the punk influence as can be heard between tracks like “Everything is Temporary” and “To the Wolves”.
Earl Grey came up next with a positive recommendation from Kim herself saying she had been trying to pick the band up to play a show for a while and after their set was through I understood why. Axel (drums), Enrique (lead guitar), Kevin (vocals), and Marco (bass), have created an upbeat sad boy’s groovy heaven, think of a bit more nasal sounding Smiths band mixed with a Two Door Cinema Club rhythm section. The band drew most of the crowd out, partly due to the fact that they had their own film crew come in to record part of their set so they can appease their fans with some quality video content. Their latest release Wallflower will do your soul some good plus they have a split with Ameoba Boys coming out Friday the 28th so check it out.
James (vocals), Arturo (Guitar), and Guillermo (Drums) make up Bad Abstract, an inventive progressive rock outfit that has some quality reggae flair to their work. I was already beat down from the day beforehand but found myself rejuvenated when the band pulled out their track “Somebody New” with its simple rhythmic guitar picking and clear vocal delivery. Body swaying and head bobbing I looked about the space and saw I was not alone in the triggered responses. I still recalled their tune “Subliminal Woman” from a few years back being what caught my attention but I am glad to see their sound is progressing right along and was happy to have them close out the set for my first time at Black Noise Studios. Give them a listen on Spotify and see if you are not mesmerized enough to catch their next show.
Overall I am happy to know there is another space to catch local acts that’s not an hour plus away from where I reside and others who find the space can use its walls to practice and add themselves to the evolving scene here in Huntington Park and beyond. I implore you to follow Black Noise Studios Instagram page for upcoming shows or even if you wish to use one of its practice spaces or recording studio so you can add your sound to the local scene. Catch the next performance coming Saturday November the 10th with Twin Seas, Introverted Funk, and Velvet Collide.
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