A Few of Our Favorite Things Outta Long Beach: 2020 Edition

With a statewide lockdown order going into effect three months into 2020, stages went quiet, and our regular haunts like Que Sera and 4th Street Vine shuttered indefinitely; most art shows and pop-ups, where many local artists showcased and sold their creations, disappeared as well. 

And so, after pushing through the initial discomfort of, well, existing in a modern-day pandemic, creatives in Long Beach did what they do best: adapt. Under new constraints, local artists experimented with new mediums and platforms, explored uncharted possibilities, and, most importantly, kept the fire of the collective creative spirit alive. 

We would be remiss to not recognize the lives taken far too soon from the Long Beach arts community this past year: musicians Piotr Fraszcynski (Big Sun) and Chaz Ferrare (The Sleeperz), and photographer Leah Norwood. We send our sincerest condolences to their loved ones and the greater community who feel their absences deeply. 

Creating and receiving art can be an incredibly healing process, and in a year rife with hardship, there was an abundance of creative offerings that lifted our spirits.

Below, FORTHE editors wrote about some of our favorite happenings in Long Beach culture this past year. This list is in no particular order nor could it ever be comprehensive, as Long Beach is blessed with so many talented artists, artisans, and innovators of every discipline.

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“The Garden” – Jairus Mozee

 Jairus Mozee (AKA J.Mo), a Grammy-award winning producer, artist, and virtuoso guitarist spent the majority of the last decade supporting a lengthy list of notable names (watch Anderson .Paak thank him here). But with the slow down of the quarantine came what Mozee had been waiting for, the time to focus 100% on his own music. 

With the May release of a five-song EP titled “The Garden,” he reveals an infatuation with the Beatles and the sounds of the ‘60s and ‘70s. Mozee says the intention was to “contribute some of that vibe to what’s going on right now, so people can kind of escape to a positive place.” 

Though he had some help from friend Anthony “L’s” Cruz on the final production, he is proud of doing the bulk of the work himself, including mixing and mastering the timeless sounding “Love.” (The song—the catchiest on the album and my personal favorite—seems to also be the most popular, with over 35,000 streams on Spotify.)  -EF

Inspired by the energy of the shoreline on the other side of the Vincent Thomas Bridge, Mozee has continued to create. A new album titled “San Pedro” will be dropping next month. Follow him on Instagram @jmothegreat.

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“Uncommon Likeness” – Angela Jane Bachman

What a year to release an album. It’s an even bigger accomplishment to release a debut full-length that sounds confident, polished, and danceable amid the chaotic murk that has been 2020. 

But that’s exactly what singer-songwriter Angela Jane Bachman has done in “Uncommon Likeness,” released on Dec. 11 after a successful Kickstarter campaign to fund its production. The nine-track album is glittered with pop hooks that are both infectious and ethereal backed by walloping beats that will shake you out of your sunken seat. 

Bachman’s lyrical style is intimate, poetic, and at times cryptic, addressing female empowerment one minute and sharing whispered existential ponderings in the next.

She draws much of her inspiration from Black R&B and hip-hop musicians, and even created a playlist of songs that influenced the album prior to its release.

“A lot of what I make is attested to music created by so many amazing Black artists, and unfortunately we’ve lived in a country where white culture has predominantly stolen from the innovators and the brilliance of Black culture, without truly giving the credit,” she wrote in a recent Instagram post.

Another influence she cited for the album was riding the Blue Line and being a part of the chaotic melting pot that stews on the metro every day between Long Beach and LA.

A music video released in September for “Boys Klub,” one of the singles on the record, features gender-bending choreography that’s equal parts burlesque, Joker stairs dance, and Saturday Night Fever. Not to mention the song is a total earworm. -KF

Bachman will be holding a record release show on Dec. 20. For more information visit her Instagram page @angelajanemusic.

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Mi Corasol Statement Pieces

While many of us had thoughts of learning a new skill during our time spent quarantining, Amy Solis not only followed through, but took it one step further and started a new business as well. 

During this time of isolation, the passionate Long Beach artist and activist has been painstakingly carving wearable statement pieces out of metal that help affirm and give respect to identities often under attack. With declarations of “Queer AF,” “Latinx,” “Undocumented,” “Abolish POL(ICE),” and “They/Them” designed to be proudly worn, Mi Corasol is more than just an aesthetically pleasing jewelry line.

“The messaging is something that is me, my community. So it’s kind of like us making our  mark and existing in a way that writes us into our visual history,” Solis says. “Like maybe someone finds it 100 years from now and thinks ‘What is ICE?’ or ‘What is police?’ or find it confusing to read them in jewelry because we are beyond gender binary as a culture. But also, metal melts down and you can make something new with it. That’s very symbolic to me.” -EF

Follow Mi Corasol on Instagram  @mi_corasol and shop their Etsy store here.

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The Queers Go Virtual: Club Surge Drag Shows, Queer Mondays, and Dirty Patti

This year proved that we can always count on the queers to keep on the celebration of life with sass, class, and pizazz—no matter the circumstance. Club Surge, which hosted a monthly drag show at Que Sera prior to the pandemic, debuted its virtual Twitch edition in early April, aptly titling the event “The Kar’rona Vyrus Show.” 

In the following months, they’ve had everything from a “bearded babes” themed show to drag tributes of Bjork, Erykah Badu, and Janelle Monae. Curated by Don French (a beautiful bearded babe herself), Club Surge’s virtual drag shows have hosted drag queens both local and global, from Korea, Vietnam, and the Philippines to the UK. 

Queer Mondays, another monthly residency at Que Sera and a frequent collaborator with Club Surge, has also been hosting semi-monthly variety shows on Twitch, featuring music, art, and performances from the local LGBTQIA+ community. Dirty Patti, Long Beach’s favorite raunchy puppet, hosted the summer virtual show and a few of her own as well, calling it “Humpday with Patti.” -EK

Club Surge is hosting a “Greatest Hits: Vol. 1” show on Dec. 30, re-airing all of their favorite drag numbers and never-before-seen videos from this past year, accompanied by DJ sets. For more information, visit @club_surge on Instagram.

Queer Mondays’ next show, titled “Holigay Extravaganza,” is on Dec. 21. For more information, visit @queermondayslbc on Instagram.

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“Nighswonger Sings Nilsson” – Alyssandra Nighswonger

Alyssandra Nighswonger planned to have a big release party for her new album “Nighswonger Sings Nilsson” last March. After working with a stellar cast of musicians on her renditions of a dozen of Harry Nilsson’s most enduring classics, such as “One” (“One is the loneliest number that you’ll ever know…”) and “The Puppy Song,” Nighswonger was ready to celebrate. 

But then, of course, her plans were thwarted by the pandemic shutdown. Although majorly bummed, she picked herself up and found new ways to promote her album virtually. As the former host of a popular open mic at Viento Y Agua coffee shop for 10 years, Nighswonger decided to create a new one on Zoom called “Everybody Smile” to further make the best of the stay-at-home situation.

In September, she switched to organizing themed livestreams. The first one was in honor of director Wes Anderson and was held on her birthday. Viewers kept the chat lively with expressions of gratitude to their host, shout-outs to the artists that contributed video submissions, and side conversations between friends happy to reconnect, albeit virtually. Nighswonger repeated her successful formula for Halloween and will be back soon for the Christmas edition. -EF

“A Very Merry Christmas Eve-Eve Stream” will be live-streamed on Dec. 23 at 8 p.m. on Nighswonger’s YouTube channel.

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“ForeLBC” – Destynee

Although Destynee—formerly Nesma Jones—no longer resides in Long Beach, she was born and raised here and I thought the hometown ode she released in her mixtape “ReMemberLuv VOL​.​1 (The Declaration)” in March was worth sharing. The places and childhood memories Destynee poetically describes on the track are both personal and relatable to anyone who grew up in the area: “Ice cream truck at 2 a.m. / Lucas and chili-cheese Fritos on the porch talkin’ like we know.” 

She also recalls Fatburger, the beach, swimming at King Park, and how the palm trees reminded her of her mother’s strength. Even though she may have relocated, Destynee makes it clear she’s still repping Long Beach all the way: “Where you from? / Where you been? / Don’t know where it end / Find where it begin / LBC and the ‘C’ is for community.” -KF

You can visit her website at https://destyneeom.com and follow her on Instagram @destyneeom.

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Will Bater: Like Us

Have you ever been to a house show in Long Beach? Or caught a band at 4th Street Vine? Or Fight Club? Then you’ve most likely seen Will Bater, a tall, scruffy dude behind his camera shooting the action. 

Bater allows us to remember moments we forgot the next morning: the feelings of bliss in the middle of a dance pit or the people we met whose names we forgot but still vibed with until the bar closed. He’s a true documentarian of Long Beach’s music scene.

His show “Like Us” had a brief but enthusiastic showing at 4th Street Vine a few months before COVID-19 forced us indoors, but you can experience the show on Bater’s website and even purchase a print or two yourself. Who knows, you might spot yourself in a snapshot. -MD

You can also follow him on Instagram @willybeats.

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WACKO Makes Some Noise Outside City Hall

This summer of protest saw poets take over intersections, murals take over broken storefronts, and a punk band take over City Hall.

When a protest calling for police reform and the ouster of Mayor Robert Garcia congregated outside City Hall in the middle of June, it became an ad hoc audience for a hardcore show courtesy of Long Beach’s very own grand slam band WACKO.

“The mayor knows exactly why we’re here. He’s been hiding behind the front of being queer and brown and slithered his way into office in Long Beach,” the band’s vocalist and guitarist Zaine Drayton told protestors. “The mayor is in full cahoots with the Long Beach Police Department.” 

Before a crowd of over 100 people holding up signs declaring that “all cops are bastards” and that the mayor is a sell-out, WACKO tore through a blistering set of noise and guitar crunch that could surely be heard up on the mayor’s 11th floor office. -KF

You can follow WACKO on Instagram @wacko_theband_luvsyou. Their Bandcamp is at wackobandcamp.bandcamp.com. Video via the Signal Hill Tribune.

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“Remain” – Shiro

Remaining still has most definitely been the virtue to learn this year. In their second EP titled “Remain,” released on Nov. 13, Long Beach duo Shiro explores the themes of sitting through grief and struggle in order to overcome inner darkness. This is especially poignant for the duo, who could easily be considered one of the busiest bands in Long Beach after playing 49 shows in 2019. 

Throughout the five-track EP—produced by Dylan Wood (Very Crush) and mastered by Kris Jackson—Hannah Park’s feathery vocals and synth melodies anchor Steven Spillane’s sparse, crystallized guitar riffs, and the result is an atmospheric reverie that almost feels like a quiet anthem. With sweeping brushes of vocal harmonies (featuring Elise Ewoldt of Very Crush on “Guilt”), warm cascading keys, ‘80s-inspired midi drums, and feedback drones that dig into the heart, “Remain” enticingly invites the listener to embark on an inward journey without looking back.  -EK

In February, Shiro will be releasing a new single titled “No Evil,” an electronic revamp of a song off their 2018 self-titled EP. To purchase their music, visit shiro.bandcamp.com. Follow @shiroband on Instagram. 

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Rose Park Running Club

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If you’re anything like me, finding the motivation to workout during the pandemic has been hard and even more difficult has been finding ways to safely workout with other people. Rose Park Running Club created a safe and welcoming space for folks to move their bodies during this time of isolation. “We Welcome All Faces and Paces Unless You’re Racist” adorns the back of Rose Park Running Club’s t-shirts. 

Before the most recent lockdown, we used to meet outside social justice bookstore Page Against the Machine every Sunday at 10 a.m. and run 3.1 miles at whatever speed felt right, with whomever felt right, and then pound Liquid Death after the walk/skip/roll/jog/run/sprint is over.

Sometimes four runners showed up, sometimes 10. Regardless, the vibe was kindness over competition, and everyone (unless you’re a racist) was welcome. I’m an ex-collegiate runner who had no prospects of making the Olympic team, and finding a group of runners from the community who are non-judgmental, and as inclusive and warm as RPRC, is hard to find. 

I only found out about this club through my friend Jess (thanks Jess), and now, for you, I am that friend that is telling you to follow RPRC on Instagram and buy some merch (proceeds always go to an organization like the Native American Rights Fund or Freedom For Immigrants). Now that’s something I can run behind. 

Unfortunately, because of the recent spike in COVID-19 cases, future running meets have been postponed until further notice, but if you want to stay in the loop, you can sign up for their weekly newsletter on their Instagram @roseparkrunningclub. -MD

 You can join the club at www.strava.com/clubs/715375 and connect with other members on their Facebook group page.

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Baked Papaya’s Wares

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Many of us in the Long Beach music and arts community know Tatiana Velazquez as the frontwoman and bassist of the beloved local band Asi Fui or as the prolific visual artist responsible for the iconic mural on the side of Ashley’s Bar on Fourth Street. Yet, upon losing her job in March, Velazquez has been channeling her creative energy into a new medium: resin. 

Under her artist moniker Baked Papaya, Velazquez has been churning out a motley of one-of-a-kind creations, like dinosaur-themed ashtrays, colorful glass stash box sets, cow-inspired incense holders, and the list goes on. Most recently, Velazquez has been making a variety of unique domino sets, a game dear to her heart as she used to play often with her grandfather growing up. -EK

Baked Papaya vends every Saturday at the Los Feliz Flea Market in Los Angeles. Follow her art @bakedpapaya on Instagram. For more info, visit bakedpapaya.com.

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Compound’s Virtual Programming

Compound is a physical art and wellness space located in the Zaferia District curated to provide a contemporary, inclusive, and holistic experience, according to its website. Whether you are into immersive art shows, yin yoga, or collages, from now until their opening in 2021, Compound aims to provide virtual programs and art to every member of the community, a word that means a lot to the organization behind the space (the About page on their website is titled “Belonging.”). 

I had the pleasure of photographing their most recent poster campaign featuring artwork by Josue Thomas, Shana Lutker, and Luis Zavala Tapia, which was strategically placed all over Long Beach. The posters read “Radical Empathy,” “A VESSEL FOR YOU….A VESSEL FOR ME,” and “A Cultural Sanctuary,” and after those three hours of working with some of the warmest artists and collaborators, I let my guard down and accepted Compound for what is: an idea that is much needed in a community worthy of inclusive, radical creativity and healing. -MD

You can visit Compound’s website at www.compoundlb.com.

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Gusto Bread Makes Food & Wine’s 100 Best Bakeries List

The owners of Gusto Bread, Arturo Alonzo Enciso and Ana Belen Salatino, are true artists when it comes to the way they operate their thriving young business and live their lives. Long Beach baker Enciso took it upon himself to coordinate traveling both across the country and internationally to hone his craft under the tutelage of professionals honoring ancestral traditions and using pure, simple, high-quality ingredients.

His time spent studying has continued to pay off with success. Gusto Bread was honored by Food & Wine magazine this past May as one of the top 100 best bakeries in the country and also made the leap from their living room cottage bakery to a beautiful new space on Fourth Street near Temple Avenue.

Salatino, a visual artist and graphic designer who has played a big part in Gusto’s clean, vibrant aesthetic says, “Creativity is limitless. It can apply to all aspects of life: home, work, business, etc. We have always approached Gusto Bread as a creative endeavor, being thoughtful about everything we do and the meaning it can have for us and the community at large.”

Recently, after reading FORTHE’s reporting on the fight to protect the sacred land of the Tongva and Acjachemen people from further encroachment by CSULB, the pair  jumped into action. Featuring loaves of bread with a “Protect Puvungna” design created by local artist George Christensen dusted on top with flour, they created a fundraiser that raised $600 for the cause. -EF

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“peeled” EP – onu blu

There isn’t a musician more in-tune with depth and raw feeling in Long Beach than our very own Esther Kang, also known as onu blu. Released on Nov. 17, her second EP titled “peeled” blends ethereal layers of simple, haunting guitars and airy soprano to create an overall feeling of rebirth and nostalgia. 

The beginning of this EP opens with its title track  “peeled,” a slow, churning ballad in honor of Esther’s late mother, followed by “sweet jasmine” and “chiron,” my favorite track. “Chiron” is dreamy and holds a certain hopefulness. And like the songs before it, “m’nest” closes this collection on a longing note, heavy with thoughtfully layered ambient guitars and melodies.

It was hard not to sound cliché and describe this EP as beautiful while writing this review, but that’s what it is: pure, infectious beauty. -MD

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More music released this year from local artists and producers, in chronological order:

If you’re a Long Beach musician who released music this year and we missed you, email us a link to your release at editors@forthe.org and we’ll add you to the list.