Remember that one time we were heating things up in that nightclub bathroom? Or that bathroom run to sober up after drinking your heart out at that breakup? Or that sudden urge that drove you and your BFF there to gossip about your friends who were so faked?
That is the bathroom that Axwell /\ Ingrosso talks about. They kept things visual and so real, through the lenses of classic polaroids in their lyric video.
A two time DJ Magazine Top 100 PJ Poll winner, Axwell recently came #19 again, while Ingrosso came #26. Their secrets? Catchy tunes that make you dance, pairing up with pioneering ways to share their creative art. Their status as innovators got cemented especially when they post their entire “Renegade” music video via their instagram story.
Both from the former supergroup Swedish House Mafia, the re-invented duo Axwell and Sebastian Ingrosso unveil their “faces of mainstream progressive house music” once again. In conjunction with releasing their highly-anticipated EP More Than You Know, their performance was televised internationally, at arguably soccer's biggest club tournament match the UEFA Europa League final.
Their art for the EP and aforementioned video were directed by Francesco Ragazzi, frequent collaborator with hip-hop paragons Pharrell, A$ap Rocky, and the genius creative behind brands like luxury fashion giant Moncler. The EP release also follows their previous single "I Love You" feat. platinum rapper Kid Ink breaching the #1 spot on both the Billboard's Dance Club Songs chart as well as the Mediabase Dance charts.
Push that button now to reveal the darkest secrets to Axwell /\ Ingrosso’s eclectic dance tunes.
Yngwie Malmsteen is arguably one of the most incredible guitarists on the planet today. Inspired by classic composers such as Niccolo Paganini and Johann Sebastian Bach, this virtuoso from Stockholm, Sweden has taken the world by storm since going solo in 1984 and has never looked back. He is currently touring the states in support of his 2016 release, World on Fire. For those who have had the good fortune of seeing Yngwie live or have ever listened to one of his 20 incredible albums, there should be no doubt in your mind how incredible a musician he is. His distinct sound is like no other on the scene today - fusing classical music with rock into a melodic metal that is fast, powerful, and utterly unmistakable.
On June 1st, Yngwie Malmsteen took over Orange County’s premier concert venue, The Observatory – Orange County, for a night of musical mayhem that challenged the mind and inspired the soul. Whether you were a long-time follower of the Yngwie or just started listening to his music recently, there was something for everyone who attended the show on Thursday evening. Kicking off the evening was Los Angeles based power-rock trio, OWL. Chris Wyse’s energy was infectious and easily fired up the Orange County crowd with a sound that kicked some serious ass. These guys brought their A-Game to Santa Ana and their set was solid from start to finish
After a short break, Yngwie Malmsteen took the stage and immediately spun the near-capacity crowd into hyper-drive with his first tracks of the night, "Rising Force" and "Spellbound". I thought these were the perfect songs to kick off the show and set the stage for an amazing night of neo-classical metal deep in the heart of Orange County. Next up was "Into Valhalla” off their 2010 album, Relentless. Probably one of my favorite live Yngwie songs and took energy levels to an “11” down in the pit. For the next hour and a half, Yngwie absolutely killed it with 23 more tracks that spanned his entire discography. Throughout the show, Malmsteen demonstrated his amazing guitar prowess on classical pieces such as “Badinerie” (a Johann Sebastian Bach cover) as well as “Adagio in G Minor” (A Remo Giazotto Cover). Simply playing these pieces outright would be challenging enough for most guitarists. Malmsteen made it look easy, playing at a frenetic pace that few (if any) could pull off. And the way he did it was flawless. Yngwie Malmsteen wrapped up his powerful set with classics “Black Star” and “I’ll See the Light Tonight”. Not a better encore to wrap up an incredible evening of music at The Observatory.
If you have not seen Yngwie Malmsteen live, you are missing out on one of the most gifted guitarists on the planet today. Described by many as a guitar virtuoso, there are few on the planet that have been blessed with Yngwie’s unique and indescribable talents. His overall performance was remarkable, and his precision guitar work was (as always) second to none. Yngwie’s brand of neo-classical metal may not be for everybody, but walking away from Thursday night’s performance, I was convinced otherwise. From start to finish, he channeled the gods through his Signature Fender Stratocaster and put on an incredible show that many long-time fans said, “was one of his best in recent memory”. All I can say after being astounded for almost 2 full hours is, "Well Done Maestro, well done."
For more information on Yngwie Malmsteen and his and his 2017 World on Fire World Tour, please click HERE.
Stay Frosty and Rock On!
Setlist
Encore:
Australian psych rock juggernaut and Hot Tub favorite King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard proclaimed I am a black hole shitting into the void. The band releases the video of their latest epic single off the upcoming release Murder Of The Universe available on ATO Records. It's their second full album so far this year, five albums are expected. King Gizzard are currently touring the world. Hunnypot Approved!
Hot Tub Johnnie brought us a whopper of a Memorial Day celebration that just happens to be LA's best event for discovering great music. The night was packed full of ear candy and musical delights. Cerritos based artist Z Chambers arrived in a party bus packed with 30 fans ready to bust out. Z had the room singing along to his choice covers and new material off the just released Fire Of Love EP. Next up was Siobhan Heard who presented a beautiful heartfelt and moving set filled with Soul and Jazz masterpieces from her just released album. Breaking Heights returned to the Hot Tub and reminded us it's possible to soar to new levels. Closing out the night was a very special Los Angeles reunion performance from hip hop Pioneers Delinquent Habits. Ives Irie & Kemo The Blaxican shared a few DH classics and ripped into new material off their just released album It Could Be Round Two. Big love to Scorpion 420, who smoked us out during the sample session side party. Truly an evening filled with family fun and memories that will last forever. 5/29/2017
Z was born on September 24, 1993 in Torrance, California. His appreciation for art at an early age gave him the desire to become a professional singer-songwriter. During his school years, he strengthened his skills by taking part in school performances, choirs and community talent shows. After graduating from Cerritos High School, he pursued higher education by moving to Hollywood and enrolling in the Vocal program at Musicians Institute.
Inspired by the sounds of Justin Timberlake, Michael Jackson and Ne-Yo, Z has a strong love and admiration for great art, and believes that when people stop and notice, art changes the world.
Allow us to introduce Siobhan Heard — the newest addition to the Hunnypot family. Texas-born singer/songwriter, Siobhan Heard, started singing in her father’s church at 12 years old. Using the church to break out of her shell, Heard eventually found joy in studying jazz and classical music academically. Siobhan’s introduction to the creative mecca of Leimert Park, in Los Angeles was a turning point, opening doors to key musical relationships as she sought her unique sound. During this time, Siobhan met the very talented, late Samantha Purple. Purple took an interest in Heard’s talent, and used her resources to develop Siobhan into what would eventually become the flagship artist of Purple’s production company Tha Blazin Star. Love In All Aspects is Siobhan Heard’s debut album, the culmination of over a year’s worth of work, and a lifelong love of song. Perfect for fans of Jill Scott, Lauryn Hill & Sade.
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Born on a hundred degree day in the bone dry San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles. There was no wind, not a single cloud. Just a blinding sun. Like a crystal hole in the never ending sky. From producer Ozzy Doniz, rapper Zoh and singer Greg Cahn, comes a musical twist of psychedelic sonic showers tangled in Trap mixed with velvet hooks and grimy soul-baring lyrics. The trio born in raised in Mexico City, Detroit, and Cleveland is LA's newest music immigrants having just released their debut EP, Where We Are to the world in March 2017.
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Hailing from the lower east side Los Angeles urban-Latin hip hop pioneers “Delinquent Habits” was forged in the talent-rich golden era of hip hop. While their self-titled debut release was unleashed in June of 1996, the band had been rockin’ house parties, battles, and any show there was a mic on since their formation in 1991. Ivan S. Martin PKA “Ives Irie”, David L.K. Thomas PKA “Kemo the Blaxican”, and then producer/DJ OG Style, the original members, created together the first four offerings from the band: ‘Delinquent Habits’, ‘Here Come the Horns’, ‘Merry Go Round’, and ‘Freedom Band’ with features from Sen Dog, Big Pun, Hurricane G, Ozomatli, and Mellow Man Ace. The aforementioned albums, sold well over 1 million copies & propelled Delinquent Habits into the scene and onto the road for several tours worldwide putting Delinquent Habits at the forefront of the Latin, hip hop, and underground scenes. Boasting one of the liveliest and truest hip hop shows on stage in over 50 countries, “Delinquent Habits,” highly-anticipated album, It Could Be Round Two, features the return of Kemo the Blaxican and is slated for release nationally March 3, 2017 on Delinquent Habits Records.
Their new album, It Could Be Round Two, is a series of hip hop tracks inspired by the collaboration of Ives Irie and Kemo the Blaxican re-uniting to bring back the original and true form that made Delinquent Habits the cutting edge alternative Latino hip-hop group for the masses. Like a beautiful blend of café con letche, It Could Be Round Two, is the lyrically splendid West Coast Re-Connection of two powerful MC’s delivering once again on an album overflowing with radiantly diverse, rhythms, styles and lyrics. The album also features guest appearances by Sen Dog (Cypress Hill).
It Could Be Round Two is Delinquent Habits seventh official album release. This 13-track embracement erupts with modes of expression and convincing calibrations. Ives Irie and Kemo the Blaxican’s lyrical skills stretch back and forth between polished poetry saturated within masterful verses, sprinkled with a touch of powerfully blended Spanish, always presenting a balanced collection of intermixture. It Could Be Round Two rouses the listener through atmospheres of philosophy and melodically pervasive paradoxes, pulling the listener out of a tug-of-war co-existence and into an album that embraces relevant issues with deliberately calm perplexity.
Record companies were at first hesitant to take a risk on the new music, but when upstart PMP records decided to release Delinquent Habits in 1996, the result was pure magic. The group's debut single , "Tres Delinquentes" blew up almost overnight, receiving airplay not only on hip-hop radio but rock and Top 40 stations as well. Helping spark a bold new Latino pride, the track eventually landed Delinquent Habits an appearance on the former-NBC show, “Late Night with Conan O'Brien” and sparked tours with heavyweights like Korn, Limp Bizkit and Ice T. In no time, "Tres Delinquentes" became a worldwide hit, selling over one million copies around the globe and pushing the group’s self-titled album to nearly the same figure 2003 brought changes for the band, with Kemo the Blaxican embarking on a solo endeavor which included the release of 3 full albums, garnering the respect of the fans and artists’ alike. At the same time Delinquent Habits, with Ives Irie and selected guests and backup MC’s toured and offered up two more Delinquent Habits albums. Both albums, New & Improved and the most recent Common Man, were offered up independently and kept the band in the spotlight rockin’ stages worldwide; from the largest festivals in continental Europe, such as Sziget Festival in Hungary, to small local shows in L.A., every time showing up for the hip hop lovers, new and old guard alike.
The reuniting on stage and on record of Ives Irie and Kemo The Blaxican for the newest album, “It Could Be Round Two”, marks the first time in over a decade that the two MC’s collectively strike the minds and souls of their listeners. Releasing March 3, 2017, “It Could Be Round Two” features what is the best of two respected and true to the game MC’s. Through the pairing of their raw talents and experiences together and apart, in life and within the music industry, Delinquent Habits has musically, lyrically, and on message created an album that is not only body moving and head bobbing, but also deeply meaningful and revealing of thoughts and perspectives shared by the two lyricist. Together the two paint lyrical visuals that speak to real life and truth on what is in Ives Irie’s opinion, Delinquent Habits most complete offering, both lyrically and musically. While still true to the Latin roots, Delinquent Habits has once again merged other genres such as soul, funk, and rock to create in the bands’ opinion the most diverse album musically to date. Featuring producers, J Matik, DJ Invincible, Ruck N Wiz, and ‘Delinquent Habits’ at the helm as executive producer, ‘It Could Be Round Two is an extensity of dimensionality and incitement, feeding all cravings.
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Some hot punk from Austin's A Giant Dog. This single, off the album Pile came out last year on Merge Records. The band was recently featured on the soundtrack to the Netflix show GIRLBOSS and are on tour now. Los Angelinos can catch them at The Bootleg Theater June 14th. Tell them Hunnypot sent ya!
“SABATON’s brand of ‘no-frills’ melodic metal may not be for everybody, but walking away from Thursday night’s performance I was convinced otherwise. Their music was powerful, their lyrics were meaningful, and their performance was heartfelt. I’m definitely in the SABATON Army now!”
SABATON may be one of the most killer foreign bands touring the states this year. Inspired by power metal and fused with progressive undertones, this talented quintet from Sweden have taken the states by storm on their current tour in support of their 2016 release, The Last Stand. If you have never listened to SABATON, they truly are an amazing band. Their distinct sound is like no other on the scene today - fusing traditional rock and melodic metal with lyrical themes that focus on war and historical battles throughout time. SABATON is fresh, powerful, and unmistakable.
On Thursday May 11th, SABATON took over The City National Grove in Anaheim, CA for night of musical mayhem that challenged the mind and inspired the soul. Whether you were a long-time follower of the band or just started listening to their music, there was something for everyone who attended the show on Thursday evening. Kicking off the evening was a German-Norwegian symphonic metal band that goes by the name, LEAVES’S EYES. Elina Siirala and Alexander Krull’s energy was infectious and easily fired up the Orange County crowd. These guys brought their “A-Game” to Anaheim and were super impressive top to bottom. Next up was BATTLE BEAST. This Finnish metal powerhouse took it up a notch with a sound so fierce (and yet so beautiful) it left little to be desired. Noora Louhimo’s voice was amazing and haunted me long after the 8-song set was complete.
After a short break, SABATON took the stage and immediately spun the near-capacity crowd into hyper-drive with their first tracks of the night, "Ghost Division" and "The Art of War". These were in my opinion the perfect songs to kick off the show and set the stage for an amazing night of metal in the OC. Next up was "Blood of Bannockburn” off their 2016 album, The Last Stand. Probably one of my favorite SABATON songs and took energy levels to a whole new level down in the pit. For the next hour and a half, frontman Joakim Brodén and company absolutely killed it with thirteen more tracks that spanned their entire 8-disc catalog. Throughout the show, SABATON’s amazing chemistry was showcased by an unbelievable group of musicians including the ever-talented Hannes Van Dahl on Drums, Chris Rörland and Tommy Johansson on Guitar, and Pär Sundström on Bass. I am sure it's not easy to pull off a show like this with so much talent on stage at any given time, but this band does it in fine fashion. SABATON wrapped up their powerful set with a four-song encore including "Night Witches”, Primo Victoria”, Shiroyama”, and “To Hell and Back”. Simply electrifying ending to a surgically precise 15-song set of unabridged metal mayhem in Anaheim, CA.
If you have not seen SABATON live, you are missing out on one of the most talented bands on the metal scene today. Brodén’s voice sounded remarkable from start to finish, and the musicianship of Van Dahl, Rörland, Johansson, and Sundström were second to none. SABATON’s brand of “no-frills” melodic metal may not be for everybody, but walking away from Thursday night’s performance I was convinced otherwise. Their music was powerful, their lyrics were meaningful, and their performance was heartfelt. I am definitely in the SABATON Army now! Until next time…
For more information on SABATON and their 2017 World Tour, please click HERE.
Stay Frosty and Rock On!
Setlist
“In the Army Now” (Recording)
“The March to War” (Recording)
“Ghost Division”
“The Art of War”
“Blood of Bannockburn”
"Attero Dominatus”
“The Last Stand”
“Swedish Pagans”
“40:1”
"Sparta"
“Screaming Eagles”
“Carolus Rex”
“Gott mit uns”
“Resist and Bite”
“Diary of an Unknown Soldier” (Recording)
“The Lost Battalion”
“Winged Hussars”
Encore
“Night Witches
“Primo Victoria”
“Shiroyama"
“To Hell and Back”
The incredible HOT SAUCE HOLIDAY drops their official video for the super single GERMS! The bands members are RAMBLES, BOOGIEWHIP, ENIGMA, AXE MONKEY, THE ROOSTER and PENTHOUSE PET CHRISTIANA CINN. Oh wee, as you can see they bring the fun
The piece also showcases members of DISHRAG BURLESQUE featuring JEN MILLER, MIA A. IRIZARRY and KIMBERLY HOWARD.
Hot Sauce Holiday is for everyone that wants to kick over their office desks and start dancing. We are for the eccentric outsiders, the burners, and the lovers. Join us in taking on the banality of convention.
Hot Sauce Holiday is a five piece cabaret rock band from Los Angeles. Their live shows emphasize crowd participation and a great deal of improv. Bongo-solos, skits, poetry, and dance numbers have been known to break out. They have been known to feature burlesque dancers, hula hoop artists, and scandalous routines involving Playboy playmates. Genre-wise the sound varies from song to song drawing influence from 60's psychedelic and folk, to early punk, 80's electro, disco, and even a bit of barbershop. The song lyrics are surreal and witty with every band member trading off on vocals or singing in harmonies. In addition to over 20 originals the band has a variety of party cover songs they are able to play ranging from George Michael to Motorhead. So leave the outside world behind you for a couple hours and come experience the originality, joy, and chaos that is Hot Sauce Holiday. Hunnypot Approved good time guarantee!
It's no government secret and we tell everyone; Hunnypot Live! is the best Monday night event. Hot Tub Johnnie launched show #366 with a "green" heavy set and got us to come out of hiding in the bushes for some dancing and smoking. Our guest Adam Wolf told us the secrets of his musical journey and dropped a set of classic and new inspiration. Zosia started the live music with mood melodies, Fabian James "popped" and locked us in, Static & Surrender put our hands up and hearts out with anthemic rock songs, EMAEL "psyched" us out with their complex compositions and FTTSM & Diggy Wiggy rapped the classic and new sounds. Hot Tub closed the night with a dance party. We wiretapped the whole night so you can revisit and listen to the action here: - J. Gray 5/15/2017
Adam Wolf formed Wolf House Songs In June of 2015 with the goal of building a catalog of songs that maintained the highest level of artistry and credibility. Wolf House has built a roster of songs and master recordings by artists including The Turtles, Yoko Ono, Moby, Dusty Springfield, Iggy Pop, Andy Paley, Brian Wilson, Missing Persons, TRIO, The Dead Kennedys, Black Flag, & Husker Du.
Prior to Wolf House Songs, Adam was responsible for building the Creative and Synchronization departments of several independent publishing and licensing companies and with his recently formed Company Wolf House Songs has had placements in commercials including Acura, Pepsi, Fendi, Fuze, Tory Burch, and Marc Jacobs. Film and TV credits include NCIS, This Is Us, Vampire Diaries, Why Him, The Girl On The Train, The Affair, Scorpion. Adam recently curated the music for luxury culinary line Gaggenau.
Wolf's extensive connections with the film, TV, trailer, advertising, and brands have landed him synchs in projects ranging from thousands of films and TV shows. This, along with his extensive marketing experience, have made him a first call for great innovative ideas for sync. Wolf has been featured as a panelist at such prominent music industry gatherings as SXSW, AIMP, FUSE (Australia), LAMP, the International Music Summit (Ibiza), Folk Alliance (Canada), and UCLA extension. He has also been a judge on the prestigious UK Music & Sound Awards two years in a row.
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Named after her grandmother, a seamstress who fled Poland during World War II, Zosia is the project of Anneke Lada, an LA-based singer, songwriter, and producer. With a diverse set of influences ranging from 90s pop to contemporary folk rock to sci-fi cinema, Zosia creates dark, alternative electro-pop with elements of trip hop and r&b. She began writing songs at age nine in Silicon Valley where she was born and raised by an artist and engineer. While her childhood songs spoke of wide-eyed romance and heartbreak, her music now of ten explores the depths of anxiety, morality, and finding fulfillment. Zosia’s first official collaboration with LA producer/D J Alluxe, ‘Hold On,’ is a driving pop song about the unshakable fear of inevitable ends.
Patrick McCutcheon, better known by his stage name Fabian James (after his grandfather) is a singer/songwriter and producer from Milwaukee, Wisconsin who relocated to Los Angeles, California in 2016. Featured on a track titled "Your Love" by fellow Milwaukee DJ duo Antics, the track was remixed by Chicago Native INZO. The remix reached a collective total of over 1,000,000 plays in its first 4 months, and even got picked up in a set by The Chainsmokers. This will be Fabian James's debut Los Angeles show and we are excited to have it be with us at Hunnypot!
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Made up of members of venerable Bay Area rock bands The Trophy Fire, Pine and Battery, and Cold Hot Crash, national award-winning singer songwriter Jeff Campbell was recruited by brothers Adam & John Schuman to write and record new ideas. The result is a body of songs that all 3 were excited enough about to recruit decorated Berkeley producer Jim Greer (The Rondo Brothers, Foster the People) to help them bring their ideas to life. The members’ combined careers boast multiple festival appearances, regular radio play on 3 major Bay Area radio stations, a performance on the Jimmy Kimmel Live show, onstage appearances with and support for Filter, Train, John Mayer and more. The name Static and Surrender was given to the project to symbolize the members' surrender to the static that they felt their individual careers had settled into, and their hopes that joining forces would open new doors for them collectively.
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A Brand, Entertainment Company & Independent Record Label. The brand consist of DeeJay's, Artist & Producers such as, WITT2, West Kavi Bo$$ Boone, Nu She Nu, Jeff Stone, Chill Wize & DJ Ka$h. The brand was founded by Diggy Wiggy. A DeeJay & Producer servicing Clubs, Mixtapes & Shows throughout Southern California. Diggy Wiggy has worked with Ya Boy aka Rich Rocka, Mac Lucci, The Young Giantz, kokane & The Pomona City Movement. The President Big HBizzle has 20 years of experience in Personal Artist Management, Music Production & Music Marketing. Big HBizzle has been state to state making connections with Club Promoters, Artist & Radio Personel. The dynamic dual formed this brand and carefully hand picked some talent to Produce and Market!
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Difficult to label, they have been dubbed "indie chamber pop" by San Diego's Tim Pyles of 91XFM and “pushing music to new boundaries“ by David Pack of Ambrosia. EMÆL is an eclectic quintet that has converged many genres of music ranging from their classical roots to indie/alt-pop influences. They have been compared to bands like Alt-J, Hiatus Kaiyote, and Radiohead. Orange County natives, they have shared the unique sound opening for artists such as Young the Giant, Diplo, David Benoit, Kansas, Juicy J, New Politics, Beat Connection and many more. Multi-instrumentalist frontman Emmanuel Ventura-Cruess assembled the band from his most talented friends in 2014. EMÆL has spent the last two years developing their debut album “Glasswork”, working with Grammy nominated producer/mixer Itai Shapira.
Super proud to share our newest current/upcoming single compilation. This is the best way to check out some of the fine talented artists we represent for synchronization licensing at Hunnypot.
Featuring tracks by Michete, Siobhan Heard, Mark Mallman, Barnyard Stompers, Sleeplust, and more, don't dally Stream/Download today!
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Genre: Dreamy Pop
Sounds Like: Lorde, Halsey
Location: Los Angeles, CA/Salt Lake City, UT
Genre: Dream Pop
Sounds Like: Little Dragon, Dirty Projectors
Location: Newcastle, UK
Genre: Experimental Rock
Sounds like: Pixies, The kills, Joy Division
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Genre: Indie Rock Super Hero
Sounds like: "I’m desperate to feel something, to feel something real."
Location: Seattle, WA
Genre: Rap/Dance/Party
Sounds like: 2017 Gay Club Anthem
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Genre: Folk-Pop
Sounds like: Everybody But The Girl, 10,000 Maniacs
Location: Cleveland, OH
Genre: Hip Hop
Sounds like: The New Edition parties with Migos
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Genre: R&B/Soul
Sounds Like: Jill Scott, Sade, Erykah Badu
Location: Texas, but mostly the road.
Genre: Outlaw Country
Sounds Like: Hank III, Reverend Horton Heat
Location: Los Angeles, CA/Salt Lake City, UT
Genre: Dream Pop
Sounds Like: Perfume Genius, Tears For Fears
Location: UK/Sweden
Genre: Fun Pop/Dance
Sounds Like: Kiesza, Robyn (Remix by popular Swedish duo Producer/DJs, ManyFew available)
Destiny Frasqueri, better known as Princess Nokia, is the most powerful woman I’ve ever seen grace the stage. Last night she gave the Starline Social Club energy like I had never seen it; whereas my experience with the space has been mainly through Noise Pop’s (((folkYEAH!))) series and, at most energetic, pop-punk bands like Tacocat, last night it was turned into a night club with bright laser lights and banger-dropping DJ’s. The audience was full of love and celebration, dancing and jumping around far before Princess Nokia began and cheering wildly every time Frasqueri or someone in her crew teased the audience and peeped out from the lighting booth.
My favorite thing about the Starline Social Club will always be its lack of a backstage, forcing the artist to actually walk through the crowd on their way to finally perform. Nokia does not lie when she raps, “when I step up in the party it’s a function of course,” because when she strutted through the audience the crowd absolutely went wild, screaming and dancing before her music even played. Despite her small stature the largeness of Frasqueri’s presence overwhelms the room, and seeing someone with that kind of a superstar presence in the 400-person capacity Starline Social Club was purely surreal.
She started with her biggest hit “Tomboy” and the crowd exploded. Then, after catching the audience’s attention, she began with her first of a series of powerful speeches, declaring the room a safe space for queer black and brown folks and especially femmes. “If anyone is being disrespectful or rude or sexualizing anybody you will be kicked out” she firmly pronounced, adding for the queer black and brown folks “I don’t care about what’s going on out there but in here you are free.” The couple in front of me mimed their tears while shrieks and screams echoed through the space. Frasqueri has no problem laying down the rules, making the space exactly what she wants it to be: a safe space for freedom and empowerment.
Her following set defied a normal structure, starting with her biggest hits and moving towards more of the deep cuts, allowing isolated sections first for partying excitement and then later, for more serious moments that allow the crowd to really hear what she has to say. She managed to give us a space to really appreciate the presence of the people around us, encouraging us all to hold our sisters and celebrate ourselves as she spun around on stage, arms stretched wide and basking in her own glow. She somehow walked the line between dominantly owning the space and also intimately connecting to the audience, spraying her cooling mist on us, burning sage, and continuously acknowledging individuals with “thank you baby” or “bless you baby.”
She finished with an optimistic and incredibly powerful speech about the generation to come after us, and how much better a world they will have with the progressive parents our generation will be. Most inspiring was probably when she declared “listen sister, you might not have a voice in front of your family, but god damnit your daughter is going to have a voice,” almost bringing herself to tears and bringing me to tears along with her. I left feeling so incredibly inspired and warm at heart, despite having just danced my ass off for the last two hours. Princess Nokia was everything I imagined her to be and more, and her show is certainly one that will not be forgotten.
Photo by Javier Romero