Live review and photos by: JACOB GAITAN
Coming across an artist or entertainer in Los Angeles is equivalent to finding trees in the forest. The entertainment capital of the world is oversaturated with self proclaimed artists and talented individuals desperately waiting for discovery before the masses. Some fade into obscurity, others achieve mild exposure and few reach unimaginable territories. Performing at small local venues are stepping stones to sell out crowds in metropolitan areas and The Hotel Café has paved the road for plenty of shining stars currently enjoying adequate success. Singer and songwriter Steven Roth is the next big thing to appear from the City of Angels and he’s calmly waiting to be escorted into the next category.
With a three-piece outfit accompanying Roth on stage, the vintage blues folk rock grasped audience members within the first song. ‘Make You Love Me’ did exactly what it states, seducing attendees with soothing melodies and confidence in his lyrics. Throughout the night, elegance, honesty and a blatant sense of purity consumed every note and word. Although The Hotel Café flirted with the capacity limit, it still provided an intimate environment. The red walls with scattered tables up front provided a time capsule to the 60’s and balanced the soft jazz entrance with a modern and exquisite approach.
Midpoint through the night, Roth withdrew his guitar in exchange for a baby grand piano. The aged and full flavored classic direction secured everyone’s attention leaving the venue yearning for more. Closing the night with the appropriate title, ‘The Last Song’ exposed a wounded Roth. The lyrical content focused on a vulnerable and fragile person putting an end to a painful chapter. The nine-song set list was the perfect teaser introduction for Roth’s debut album ‘Let It In’ arriving this fall. An eleven-date tour has been scheduled beginning the first week of summer in Las Vegas, NV and concluding July 3rd in San Luis Obispo, CA.
Set List:
Make You Love Me
Hurricane
Goodbye To Summer
Sneaking Sally
Get Back Jack
Crosstown
Renegade
Mercy
Last Song
Summer Tour Dates:
Wed 6/20 Artifice Las Vegas, NV
Thu 6/21 Hog Wallow Salt Lake City, UT
Fri 6/22 The Spur Park City, UT
Sat 6/23 Silver Moon Brewing Co Bend, OR
Sun 6/24 Silver Moon Brewing Co Bend, OR
Tue 6/26 Buffalo Gap Portland, OR
Fri 6/29 Cafe Racer Seattle, WA
Sat 6/30 Alberta St. Pub Portland, OR
Sun 7/1 The DownLo Chico, CA
Mon 7/2 Audie’s Olympic Fresno, CA
Tue 7/3 Frog and Peach San Luis Obispo, CA
photos by: JACOB GAITAN
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