ECHO PARK, CA- Lauren Ruth Ward‘s residency at the Echo/Echoplex was more than just a chance for her to flex her seemingly otherworldly talents. It was also an opportunity for a number her talented friends to showcase their music to an audience that they perhaps would not have had the chance to otherwise. Lauren is such a vibrant member of the local musical/arts community, it was almost no surprise to discover that her friends shine just as brightly as she does.
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Pulling double duty for Lauren, playing two short sets on the outdoor patio between main stage performances was the indie rock band Slugs. Typically a four piece, at this second residency showcase it was the two women (Marissa and Sarsten) of the band who took the patio stage to play stripped down versions of their indie rock
It was a short performance (see below), but I really got a sense of the vibe that these two share. Their vocal harmonies and rhythms were tight, and they really fed off each other’s energy. Marissa and Sarsten would also pull double duty the following week with their other band Hydokitten, which, from what I could hear during their soundcheck, leaned more neo-soul/R&B.
What the video and my photos don’t show was that the outdoor patio was packed. As far as I could tell, everybody that was inside literally stepped out to watch Slugs perform. Clearly, there’s a buzz about this band, and I’m just glad that I got to experience a little bit of the energy that Marissa and Sarsten shared. Looking forward to catching them with the rest of their band mates this year.
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