Jessica Klausing

Concerts

CONCERT REVIEW: Static and Surrender ‘Electrifies’ @ Hollywood’s Hotel Café

July 17, 2018

Written by Jessica Klausing Bay area rockers Static and Surrender are on tour throughout California in honor of their debut album release. Their energetic riffs and rhythms are on par with the alternative superstar acts such as Lifehouse and Matchbox Twenty. Jeff Campbell (lead vocals, guitar) backed by John Schuman (drums), Adam Schuman (guitar, vocals), and Lauren Stockner (bass player) delivered a passionate performance at Hollywood’s Hotel Café. Jeff Campbell puts his heart into each song and it certainly shows. He kept the set running smoothly and without interruption for the majority of the night. Opening up with “Killing The Vibe” Campbell belts a powerful vocal delivery that commands the attention in a room while his band mates exerted lighting-in-a-bottle energy around the small stage with ease. With such a strong reaction from the crowd, the level of energy and intensity only grew with each song.  The next song, “If Only We Could Sleep” was no exception.  John Schuman pounded the drums as if his very life depended on it! His intensity was so great, [Read More]

Interview

INTERVIEW: The Falling Doves’ Chris Leyva Shares His Love For Rock n’ Roll by Jessica Klausing

May 17, 2018

The Falling Doves never play it safe. Chris Leyva (guitars, vocals) and Mike Dorsey (lead guitarist) create an unpredictable mix of garage rock with jazz, metal, Latin, and pop infusions. Known for their deep lyrical confessionals and aggressive playing, this band is not afraid to combine the classics with the new. No Falling Doves show is ever the same either. Leyva and Dorsey bring onstage professional musicians from all musical genres.  In their latest album, Doves of War, they have revived the classic rock spirit with today’s modern pop.  Currently, The Falling Doves are on a world tour with plans to release a new single later in the year. We got to chat with Chris Leyva about his musical influences, international touring, and the new upcoming Falling Doves album. Which musical element pulls you into a song? (Lyrics, Melody, or Composition?) Chris: That’s a really hard question…I’m going to be cheap right off the bat and say melody (laughs). With composition, for me, melody has to be key. If the melody is not there then [Read More]

Review

CONCERT REVIEW:  Szlachetka’s Heart Of My Hometown @ Hollywood’s Hotel Café

May 15, 2018

Written by Jessica Klausing Szlachetka (pronounced SLA-HET-KA) is out on tour in support of his new album release, Heart Of My Hometown. Rolling Stone Magazine praised the album citing Szlachetka as a ‘New Country Artist to Know.’ That was evident as many Angelinos packed into the Second Stage venue at Hollywood’s Hotel Café on Wednesday night. The music was Americana roots rock superb, the storytelling honed the heartland spirit, and with the added chemistry of Szlachetka’s full band— it was transcendence into musical nirvana. The minute Szlachetka crooned into the steel guitar opener “Algebra” the audience knew it was on a heartfelt journey. Bathed in blue stage lights and clad in a button up faded shirt and jeans, Szlachetka exemplified raw emotion and musical prowess. Delicate guitar strums coupled with rich, warm vocals. Electric guitars cranked up for the rock n’ roll road trip anthem, “Ready to Run Again,” forcing everyone up on their feet. Szlachetka followed with the titular, “Heart Of My Hometown,” which prompted many cheers from the audience. Szlachetka bids farewell to [Read More]