The lyric-less Studio Milwaukee Session is a rare bird. It’s not that we have something against instrumentals. We just tend to get more session opportunities with bands who mix in some singin’ with their playin’.
That made the recent visit from LA LOM (an acronym for “The Los Angeles League of Musicians”) all the more special — something our Radio Milwaukee members must have sensed because they turned out for this one in a big way.
After sending our customary invitation, the RSVPs came fast and frequent, forcing us to open all the doors and squeeze in seats wherever we could put them. The audience was unfazed by the relatively tighter quarters, perhaps distracted by the skilled musicianship on display in front of them.
The trio of Zac Sokolow, Jake Faulkner and Nicholas Baker have a formula that at first glance seems like it has too many elements: surf guitar, cumbia, Peruvian chicha, bolero and even hints of country. Then they start playing, and the sounds bubble up and recede and coalesce into something intoxicating.
The results of that could be seen on every face in the crowd. Guitar, bass and percussion put some in a trance while others swayed and bounced — intentionally or otherwise. As Sokolow explained during the mid-set interview with Dori Zori, the group attracted attention early on because “we play a lot of dance music, and the places would just fill up and get really hot.”
Wisconsin’s typical early spring temperatures kept the mercury manageable during the session, but the positive vibes were off the charts. You’ll get a taste of that feeling when you hit the “Listen” button at the top of the page, and if you want to be in the room for the next Studio Milwaukee Session, jump over to our membership page and see how to score an invite for every single performance.
