Hotel Cafe | Music Junkie Press

Justin Furstenfeld of Blue October set for a 5 week residency in Los Angeles at the Hotel Cafe

June 4, 2014

My favorite artist, Justin Furstenfeld of Blue October has announced his five week residency in Los Angeles at the Hotel Cafe. He will be performing his “Acoustic Storytelling” and it promises to be an amazing night. It is set for five Wednesdays, starting on July 30th at the Hotel Cafe and it will be a unique acoustic storytelling experience which will include songs and stories. It will have an intimate atmosphere which allows you to connect with the artist through his words and music. If you were lucky enough to attend one of Justin’s Open Book Tour nights, you will understand what I mean, when I tell you how magical the night will be. Check out our coverage from his Open Book Tour. Justin explains the residency, “I’m happy to say ill be doing a residency in Los Angeles . I’d love to know which songs you’d like to hear ? Which songs you’d like to hear the stories behind ? I cannot wait to meet and shake everyone’s hand . It’s these types [Read More]

Roses and Revolutions at the Hotel Café: their bright future is here and now by Patrick O’Heffernan

May 22, 2014

The duo of Alyssa Coco and Matt Merritt, known as Roses and Revolutions played the 9 pm set last night at LA’s famed showcase club Hotel Café and proved they are even more fun live than on their superb recordings. The crowd of about 50 or so fans – not bad for a Tuesday night – had been warmed up nicely by the humor and tunes of Eliza Rickman. As they loaded Alyssa’s Yamaha keyboard and Matt’s acoustic and electric guitars on stage, a record producer and talent scout quietly slipped into the room. The equipment set up, tuned and ready to go, Alyysa, brilliant in a white brocade bodice and very short multilayered flared skirt greeted the audience, joked about assuring her grandmother that the skirt was not really too short (it was close) and opened with “Home”. The song is a contemplative pop ballad embroidered with piano and Matt’s skillful instrumentation that the pair wrote for their first album, Earth and Everything. Alyssa’s Norah Jones-like voice filled the room and got everyone’s immediate [Read More]

The ROAMies at Hotel Café by Patrick O’Heffernan

March 8, 2014

The ROAMies at Hotel Café by Patrick O’Heffernan Music lovers at the Hotel Café discovered that the way you spell fun is R-O-A-M-i-e-s, as in the ROAMies, the delightful married duo of Alexa James and Rory Partin. They had the audience rocking, clapping, laughing and singing for almost an hour with a 9-song set that ran the gamut from original songs to early Beatles to Cajun classics. Alexa James – who is a song writing and vocal power in her own right with several hit albums, a number 1 single and 5 top ten songs, not to mention several film tracks and a new single out now, “I Don’t Know How To Be Here”- kicked things off with a conversational nod to Mardi Gras and the upbeat happy tune “Fun To Love You” on the guitar. Her husband Rory backed her on the keyboard and Peter Cho added to the lightheartedness with his wicked banjo chops. You knew immediately, the evening was going to be fun! With her Betty Boop eyes, curly crown of bright [Read More]

The ROAMies at Hotel Café by Patrick O’Heffernan

March 8, 2014

The ROAMies at Hotel Café by Patrick O’Heffernan Music lovers at the Hotel Café discovered that the way you spell fun is R-O-A-M-i-e-s, as in the ROAMies, the delightful married duo of Alexa James and Rory Partin. They had the audience rocking, clapping, laughing and singing for almost an hour with a 9-song set that ran the gamut from original songs to early Beatles to Cajun classics. Alexa James – who is a song writing and vocal power in her own right with several hit albums, a number 1 single and 5 top ten songs, not to mention several film tracks and a new single out now, “I Don’t Know How To Be Here”- kicked things off with a conversational nod to Mardi Gras and the upbeat happy tune “Fun To Love You” on the guitar. Her husband Rory backed her on the keyboard and Peter Cho added to the lightheartedness with his wicked banjo chops. You knew immediately, the evening was going to be fun! With her Betty Boop eyes, curly crown of bright [Read More]

Review of Maggie’s Magic at the Hotel Cafe by Patrick O’Heffernan

February 12, 2014

MAGGIE ‘S MAGIC AT THE HOTEL CAFÉ Review by Patrick O’Heffernan, Host of Music FridayLive! Hotel Café, Hollywood, Saturday night. If you were in Los Angeles this was the place to be. Canadian-born, LA-based, soul pop singer Maggie (aka All About Maggie) was introducing her new single “Tidal Waves and Hurricanes” with a high-powered concert and a screening of the new song video. You did not want to miss this show. I got there a little before 8 pm for the 9 pm gig and the crowd was already filing in. Maggie and her band – Sam Campbell on drums, Nate Evans on rhythm guitar/background vocals, Mike Minjarez on bass guitar/keys/background vocals, Kyle Calvillo on lead guitar, and special guest Jarrett Furst on the carbon graphite cello were hanging out on the floor chatting with friends as the James Apollo Five finished up their set and the country singer Dawn McCoy came on. As McCoy sang her last song, there was a surge of Maggie fans through the door. Every chair was filled and [Read More]