Friday October 11th, one of two back-to-back sold out shows for LA LOM. The classy art deco style of Bimbo’s perfectly complemented the retro-inspired music that filled the space. The standing area in front of the stage was packed, yet spacious enough for the crowd to dance all night to the upbeat, passionate sounds.
Los Tranquilos opened the evening, coming off their 2024 debut EP Todos Tranquil, with laid back yet lively groovy fusion of soul, cumbia, and bolero. Hailing from Nipomo, California, lead singer Manny Martinez paused between songs to give a heartfelt thank you to his parents, who had driven five hours to see him and his brother, bassist JJ, perform.
The band shined during “Mi Sol“, a love song sung in Spanish with soulful keys. The jammy rhythm peaked as Manny sang an intense yet smooth chorus.
“Quiero que sepas que tú eres mi sol
Iluminando lo que está a tu alrededor
Y no pudiera yo vivir sin ti
Porque yo necesito sentir tu calor”
Translated:
“I want you to know that you are my sun
Illuminating what is around you
And I could not live without you
Because I need to feel your warmth”
A smiling crowd loudly chanted “otra,” naturally wanting the band to play another song, with the headliner still to come.
LA LOM, a trio of Los Angeles natives, immediately ignited the room as the crowd cheered and danced. While the music maintained a rhythmic steadiness, each musician played with intricate variation, building up the energy even at slower tempos.
Guitarist Zac Sokolow often played with his eyes closed, and as I closed mine, I was carried by the melodic guitar, which felt so warm I was transported in time, from a sunny backyard party to a sunset in the desert. Bassist Jake Faulkner crafted rich rhythms on his large, elegant standing bass and unleashed raw, powerful screams that hyped up the crowd and got them to join in. Drummer Nicholas Baker jammed through diverse rhythms and musical traditions, seamlessly switching between his drum set, congas, and maracas, laying down a rhythmic foundation that fused beautifully with the band.
The trio played with barely a stop, switching tempos between songs. The mellow song “Rebecca,” a refreshing slowdown with dreamy, melting guitar, came from their self-titled debut album The Los Angeles League of Musicians, released in August. The night wrapped up with “Llorar”, a high-energy cover of the same song by Los Socios Del Ritmo. As a special encore, Manny from Los Tranquilos joined to sing a smooth and tender bolero with La Lom, leaving the crowd chanting his name.
To be honest, I arrived at the show a bit tired on a Friday night after a long work week, but I left feeling energized and inspired, as if my soul had gotten a massage, grooving my way into the weekend.
Review and photos by Slava Starikov
