The Troubadour
West Hollywood, CA
Web: loveghost.com Contact: JBonner@milestonepublicity.com Players: Finnegan Bell, lead vocals, guitar; Ryan Stevens, bass, vocals; Daniel Alcala, guitar, vocals; Samson Young, drums, vocals; Cory Batchler, keyboard, vocals Material: Love Ghost is a mix of different genres all melding very nicely. They are mostly grunge with a lot of metal and hard rock thrown into the mix and then sprinkled with hints of punk, pop and even some rap. The songs are short, sweet and to the point, with a lot of meaningful and heart-felt lyrics driving each song.
Performance: This performance was pretty good. Bell has a knack for keeping good rapport with the audience, especially in between songs. He talked to them like they were longtime friends and he kept them
LOVE GHOST
entertained. Alcala, who started out a bit nervous at the beginning of the set, lit up the audience with his solo on “Pillz.” He was dancing around most of the evening, playing rhythm, and then busted out a superb solo that had the juiciest chops and that fit the song so perfectly. He did it in style and it was outstanding––all while engaging the audience. And just when you thought he was done, he did it again in “Tribe.”
PIERCE BROCHETTI
Musicianship: Each player has his own abilities and quirks, and when they come together it makes things pretty grand. Bell has a unique aura that fuels his showmanship, swinging the mic from its cable like a cowboy trying to lasso a calf. It takes a certain type to front a band and he’s it. Stevens is a solid bass player with groovy undertones, while his counterpart, Young, is feeling the reggae; and although they didn’t play reggae at this show, the “feel” was there and that made for some good groovin’. Batchler is an integral part of this group as his background vocals keep things in line. A total team player, his keys are subtle but that’s what makes all the difference.
Summary: Love Ghost is a very grunge-centric band, with songs like “Cocoon” and “Punxx” taking you back to the Nirvana and Radiohead era, but at the same time, they try to put out a positive message and tackle human issues such as mental health and depression. With tunes like “Pink Car” and “I’ll Be Fine,” they do just that. The band bring awareness to issues that regular people have to deal with on a day-to-day basis. A very commendable feat. Check out Love Ghost for a fun, informative time. – Pierce Brochetti
KYLE DION Soho House
Los Angeles, CA
Contact: Mikaela Duhs, mduhs@shorefire.com Web: kyledion.co Players: Kyle Dion, vocals; Aabo Bortz, bass; Dustin Coon, guitar Material: After two years of work on his latest record, Kyle Dion returned to the stage with fresh, fun music, delivering an impeccable six-song set at Soho House in Los Angeles. Showcasing material from his new album, Sassy, as well as a reboot of “Brown” from 52
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@LOAMISMEDIA
highlighted Dion’s tremendous vocal control and overall ability. Aabo Bortz delivered solid bass lines alongside Dustin Coon’s strong guitar playing throughout the set, and the two were well matched––delivering the perfect backdrop for Dion’s show, musically and energetically.
2019’s Suga, Dion performed a set of laid-back R&B, combining neo-soul with edgy lyrics, adding in rap, reggae and pop elements while showing a bolder, unfiltered side of himself. Musicianship: With synthesized tracks and vox machine backups to round out the sound from the trio on stage, upbeat show opener “I Could Be Your Girlfriend” delivered solid falsetto vocals and a cheeky storyline. “Pink Mink” followed, bringing after-hours bedroom vibes with lyrics touching on the addiction of toxic romance, with melodic lines and melismas that
Performance: While the venue felt relaxed and comfortable, there was an eager excitement in the room well before the show began. Dion’s approachable, genuine persona and grounded stage presence (particularly during the most poignant lyrical moments) proved his ability to command attention, while maintaining a connection with each of his fans as he sang. By his third song, “Parmesan” (a self-confessed inaugural foray into rap), the venue was standing room only, with the majority in attendance swaying to the beat and singing along. The recurring “Maxwell vibes” had all in attendance captivated by the delivery of each word and note, while “Money” had the crowd singing along in harmony. Summary: Clearly passionate about his work, Kyle Dion is a master performer committed to exquisite vocal delivery. Having done the work to develop his natural talents and understand his audience, Dion shows confidence as an artist, while remaining relatable, relaying his lyrics in a conversational, energetic exchange. Strong vocals, punchy fun lyrics, and an R&B pop vibe combined for an entertaining evening in a comfortable, open atmosphere. The perfect vibe and music for a fun night out with friends. – Andrea Beenham
musicconnection.com
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