With Saturday temperatures nearing triple digits, to see a band outside during the afternoon at this year's Echo Park Rising demanded a special commitment, and the exceptions were handed out to local band Mini-Bear and Riverside, CA's Quitapenas. The day started traipsing up Sunset Boulevard to find the New Professor Records showcase, and catch up with Mini Bear, (whom we saw not too long ago, close by at Lot One Cafe). Now at full strength, with their bass player in tow, the band was sharp from the get go, and their back patio set raised a bar for the day.
A few years ago in San Francisco, while in town for the Noise Pop Festival, I ducked into an alley by my hotel to smoke, and started watching a band set up on the curb. The Afro/Latin/Tropical sound caught my ears, (and feet), and it quickly became apparent that they weren't ordinary street musicians. Noticing the entrance to a studio, i figured out that they must be biding time before their date.
As i was finishing my smoke, a young brother hustled up and passed me the band's business card. All this time later, it's amazing to see the seeds of what I had seen expanded into full-stage glory. They were the perfect summer festival band, and it was a pleasure to finally fully make their acquaintance.
No comments:
Post a Comment