On Monday, the little community of Lincoln Heights was equal parts alive and asleep. Very few late walkers were in the streets as shops closed early. However, a large group of showgoers loitered outside of the Airliner. Minimal L.A. presented eight acts, ranging from Bestial Mouths to We Break Cameras, and Manicorn was up first. With two stages, it was difficult to scurry back and forth among acts. However, I soon detected a series of manly yelps resonating from downstairs—“Doctor! Doctor!” A lanky and semi-shaven man stood center stage all by his lonesome self, his guitar looking loosely tuned, and a handful of familiar faces at the bar stools and lounge couches appeared somewhat in awe of him. At first listen, Manicorn—a.k.a. Eilam Wolman—is Richard Simmons plus Erase Errata, but his performance unraveled in further strange ways. Apparently influenced by Jonathan Richman, his live sound greatly differs from his recordings with partner Daniel Yasmin, since Eilam only does solo gigs. It was difficult to know if this performer was serious or just having fun with it, but towards the end of his short-lived performance, it was made clear that he concocted a good mix. His music is intrinsically catastrophic to the point that it becomes a beautiful mess. But he held his own as the only soloist amidst the other band with the strength that comes from being half man and half beast.

—Katrina Guevara