All posts by Liz O.

I'm a longtime, cross-genre DJ and writer living in Los Angeles.

Happening in L.A.: Thursday, April 25 – Wednesday, May 1

Apotheke Friday April 26 with Clifton Weaver and Liz O.

You can catch me at the clubs twice this coming weekend. On Friday, April 26, I’ll be joining my pal Clifton Weaver in the DJ booth at Apotheke in Chinatown, from 9 p.m. until close. We’ll both be playing all-vinyl sets filled with soul, funk, disco, boogie and more. I’ll definitely bring my favorite Candi Staton album and my current Toto Coelo jam. You might hear Chaz Jankel too and maybe that Scream + Dance 12” I found at Rubycon last weekend. Party starts at 9 p.m. and goes until close. There’s no cover and it’s 21+ Apotheke is at 1746 N. Spring Street. 

On Saturday, I’ll be joining Scarlett Casanova, Killed by Synth and Drayk for an Indie Sleaze night at The Offbeat. We’ll be playing ‘00s indie jams and more for the 21+ crowd and there’s no cover this one-off party.  The Offbeat is at 6316 York Ave. in Highland Park.

You can also catch me on Tuesday night at The Mermaid, where I’ll be providing the music for Dolce Vita’s Space Disco vs. Italo Disco night. I have some really fun tunes for this night, so stop by between 8 p.m. and closing time. There’s no cover and it’s 21+. The Mermaid is at 428 E. 2nd Street in Little Tokyo.

Here’s a short rundown of other events happening in L.A.  

Continue reading Happening in L.A.: Thursday, April 25 – Wednesday, May 1

Support Your Local Record Store. They’re Doing the Work That Streamers and Socials Don’t.

Rubycon Records and Tapes Los Angeles California (Photo: Liz Ohanesian)
Inside Rubycon on Saturday, April 20

I’m standing by a bin of records at Rubycon, talking to a friend, who also happens to be one of the DJs for an in-store event happening that day. She asks what records I pulled and I flip through the small stack of vinyl that I will soon purchase. I show off a 12” with wavy pink stripes and a large stick figure on the cover. The band’s name, Scream + Dance, is scrawled above the stick figure’s head in thick letters. 

Continue reading Support Your Local Record Store. They’re Doing the Work That Streamers and Socials Don’t.

Happening in L.A.: Thursday, April 18 – Wednesday, April 24

Clarence Carrot and Mrs. Broccoli marionettes made by Bob Baker Productions in 1950 from Bob Baker Marionettes 60th anniversary exhibition at Forest Lawn in 2023 (Photo: Liz Ohanesian)
Bob Baker Day is this Sunday at L.A. State Historic Park. Vintage Bob Baker marionettes from the 60th anniversary exhibition at Forest Lawn in 2023. (Photo: Liz O.)

No gigs for me this week, but stay tuned because I have three coming up the following week. If you want to get out of the house between April 18 and April 24, check the list below for some fun happenings. There is a decent amount of events that are all ages on the list this time around, including Bob Baker Day at L.A. State Historic Park on Sunday, which is ideal if you have young kids. Also, two of the events listed below are part of weekend-long happenings, Akiba Live in Little Tokyo and Plantstock over at Philosophical Research Society, so check out their websites and see if there’s anything else you might want to attend. 

Continue reading Happening in L.A.: Thursday, April 18 – Wednesday, April 24

“Energy: A Documentary About Damo Suzuki” Premiered in L.A. at Philosophical Research Society

Auditorium lobby at Philosophical Research Society in Los Feliz, Los Angeles with sign for screeening of "Energy: A Documentary About Damo Suzuki" in foreground and portrait of Manly P. Hall in background.
Energy: A Documentary About Damo Suzuki, premiered in L.A. at Philosophical Research Society on April 13, 2024. Portrait in the background is of PRS founder Manly P. Hall. (Pic: Liz O.)

Energy: A Documentary About Damo Suzuki had its Los Angeles premiere on Saturday, April 13 at the Philosophical Research Society. Fortunately, I was able to attend, so I’m writing this post now to tell you that you should: 1. Seek out Energy and watch it. 2. Go to the Philosophical Research Society. 

Continue reading “Energy: A Documentary About Damo Suzuki” Premiered in L.A. at Philosophical Research Society

Here’s What I Played at Underground on April 12, 2024

Club Underground at Grand Star Jazz Club in Chinatown, Los Angeles on April 12, 2024. DJ Liz O.
I took a photo while I was DJing and then remembered why I don’t take photos when I DJ.

Thanks to Larry G. for having me back at Underground on Friday night and for everyone who showed up and hit the dance floor. Some notes on last night’s set: I played the newest additions to my virtual crates really early, so you probably didn’t hear them. Mostly, I wanted to see what “Cadenas de la Infancia” and “I Forget” sounded like in a club. I might stick with them. I might not, but both Mueran Humano’s album, Reemplazante, and Jaako Eino Kalevi’s album, Chaos Magic, have been playing on repeat at home and I absolutely recommend getting both.  

I’m so happy to see people digging Pet Shop Boys’ recent single “Loneliness.” It’s a jam. The lyrics are poignant in a way that only PSB songs are. Plus, we’re only two weeks away from the new album and I, for one, can’t wait to hear Nonetheless. And— omg!— Neil Tennant sang “Rebel Rebel” with Johnny Marr in London last night. (And they did “Getting Away With It” too!) Anyhow, here’s the set list.

Continue reading Here’s What I Played at Underground on April 12, 2024

Happening in L.A.: Thursday, April 11 – Wednesday, April 17

Club Underground Grand Star Jazz Club March 8, 2024 (Photo: Liz Ohanesian)
When everyone is vibing to Animal Collective at Underground and they realize I’ve turned my camera on the crowd.

I’m back at Club Underground on Friday night for The Strokes Nite. Both floors of Grand Star Jazz Club will be open, with Larry G. and me playing from 9:30 p.m. until 2 a.m. Tickets are available now via either Eventbrite or Dice. Hope to see you there! Here’s what else is happening in L.A. this weekend and into next week.  

Continue reading Happening in L.A.: Thursday, April 11 – Wednesday, April 17

Here’s What I Played at Disco Matinee on April 7, 2024

Toto Coelo "Milk from the Coconut" extended dance mix 12" single on vinyl (Photo: Liz Ohanesian)
Toto Coelo 12″ single with the extended dance mix of “Milk from the Coconut.” (Pic: Liz O.)

Thanks so much to everyone who came out to the Grand Star on Sunday for Disco Matinee. It was so much fun to dig through my vinyl crates for this one and even more fun to play alongside Jus’ B and Televandalist. 

Details for the next Disco Matinee are coming soon. In the meantime, get your tickets for The Strokes Nite at Club Underground, which is happening at Grand Star Jazz Club this Friday, April 12. 

Here are my set lists from Disco Matinee on April 7, 2024. 

Continue reading Here’s What I Played at Disco Matinee on April 7, 2024

The Strokes Nite at Underground Is This Friday

The Strokes Nite at Club Underground with DJ Larry G. and DJ Liz O., Friday, April 12, 2024 at Grand Star Jazz Club in Los Angeles

This Friday, April 12, is The Strokes Nite at Club Underground and I’ll be DJing alongside Larry G. for it. Both floors of Grand Star Jazz Club will be open, so you’ll get a good dose of hits and deep cuts from The Strokes, as well as all your Underground favorites. The party starts at 9:30 p.m. and goes until 2 a.m.

Tickets are available now on both Dice and Eventbrite, so scoop up yours now.

The Grand Star is located at 943 N. Broadway in Chinatown’s Central Plaza. Both street and lot parking is available and the venue is a short walk from Metro’s A Line station in Chinatown. This is a 21+ event.

See you this Friday at Underground!

Liz O. is an L.A.-based writer and DJ. Read her recently published work and check out her upcoming gigs.

Related:

HERE’S WHAT I PLAYED AT UNDERGROUND ON MARCH 8, 2024

HERE’S WHAT I PLAYED AT CLUB UNDERGROUND ON JANUARY 12, 2024

Here’s What I Played for Night Shift at Bar Franca on April 4, 2024

CDJ with Taleen Kali "Flower of Life" Dildox Remix playing
I got to play Dildox’s remix of Taleen Kali’s song “Flower of Life” in my set last night.

Here’s most of the set list from Night Shift at Bar Franca on on Thursday, April 4. I was using flashdrives and wrote everything down because it just takes too long to wait around for the history to load into Rekordbox on my laptop and I have no patience for that. I definitely forgot to write down a couple songs and can’t remember what they were. There’s at least one instance where I couldn’t read my own handwriting, which is generally terrible and always gets worse the more I write. The important thing, though, is that the new tunes in last night’s set include Taleen Kali “Flower of Life” remixed by Dildox, “Monaco” by Ride, Optometry’s cover of “Into the Groove” and Pedal Steel Noah’s cover of “Love Will Tear Us Apart.” They’re all keepers.

Next gig is Disco Matinee on Sunday at 3 p.m. With Jus’ B, Televandalist and I digging for our punkiest, funkiest jams, I have a feeling this will be a good one. Click here to get discount advance tickets now on Restless Nites.

Continue reading Here’s What I Played for Night Shift at Bar Franca on April 4, 2024