Jeffertitti’s Nile by Gloria Plaza

Kevin Litrow set up quietly and humbly in front of a bookladen wall on the opposite side of the room which suited the performer better than the quaint stage. The bookshelves served as a fitting backdrop for Kevin’s contemplative stories flawlessly packaged into songs. Definitely mellower in sound and more on the folk side than his full band 60 Watt Kid, Kevin’s solo project came off as a more personal endeavor filled with heavier emotions and contemplation. Finger picked guitar riffs floated through the room, occasionally accompanied by keys and a floor drum, while Kevin softly sang his verses. The weight of the performance was not lost as the crowd held their beer in one hand and his words in the other.

Following a set time change, and a slight delay involving set up, Jeffertitti’s Nile took the stage. Recently coming off a brief west coast tour with Espers, Jeffertitti’s Nile has been steadily building steam and a solid fan base—which was evident with the packed house before their set. Originally a two piece, the band has added on three more members allowing for greater depth in the psychedelic train ride they conduct. Their performance was highly energetic, decked out in face paint and plenty of movement from them as well as the crowd. The versatile set was one of the highlights of the night, flooding the room with ballads, feel good rock, and an amalgam of musical colors. A must see for anyone who’s into the ’70s revival that’s going on in L.A. at the moment.

Originally slated to open, Inland Empire’s S. Pineda closed out the night. This three-piece employs a guitar, keys, blended vocals, and drums into a sound that they make their own. Though Jeffertitti’s Nile was a hard act to follow, S. Pineda came through with mellow ethereal sounds that perfectly ended the show. Very low-fi in nature, S. Pineda’s simple dreamy songs bring about a deep sense of nostalgia. Even when they throw a more upbeat jam at you, like “The Vagrant Song,” one can’t help but still be locked into a slumber-like state. The composition of their work is pretty strong and their live show is very enjoyable.

Delays and set time changes aside, the performances were genuine and the intimate setting of the Hyperion Tavern provided for a great night.

—Zachary Jensen