Photos and Review by NOTES FROM VIVACE
LOS ANGELES – I first came across Gracie Gray in 2019 at a since-vanished venue called The Satellite in Los Angeles. I immediately fell in love with the layered simplicity of the music that sets a foundation for softly sung vocals. To me, the perfect example is the song “Oregon in a Day.”
A guitar plays and then what almost feels like random notes of soft raindrops touch throughout the song. It might seem like random notes, but in full it creates a lovely palette for dreamy sounds and vocals. Then there is her signature cover of “Over the Rainbow.” Every time I’ve heard her sing that song, one can also hear the gasps from the audience as though they’ve heard the song for the first time in their lives.
It was with great anticipation that I took off to Permanent Records Roadhouse in Cypress Park. (This venue is a three in one: a record store, a bar, and a music venue with generous free roadside parking.) Why the anticipation? It was the delayed record release party for the album “anna,” which was released in February. I wasn’t the only one wishing to celebrate the release as the venue was sold out.
With the set taking place outdoors, the crowd circled around the band as an occasional cool night breeze swept through the area. The set started off with the poetic “Maybe” before shifting to the soaring “Anna.” “Oregon in a Day” and “Over the Rainbow” touched the hearts.
Towards the end of the set, one of my favorite songs “Morphine” was played. The lyrics are a stream of short bursts of thoughts: “Morphine, cagar. Jealous, I know what you mean. Heartbreak, your car. I’m thinking about everything.” The set ended with the rocking “Alienlover.”
Opening up the night was Cartalk with a song about another since vanished Los Angeles venue called The Hi Hat. And Smooth Jas with an intoxicating genre busting sound.
