Lodge Room

Lodge Room and Nance Arte present Los Abandoned was one of the most innovative and influential bands in latin alternative music in the early 2000s. Their bold eclecticism and multicultural ethos helped pave the way for bands like La Santa Cecila, Fea, and Chicano Batman. In the years since their split in 2007, the legend of Los Abandoned has only grown. Their music and story are taught in the curricula of various universities including UCLA, USC and CSUN. In 2019, the band was featured in an LA Times pullout special called “50 Songs for a New LA” alongside Ice Cube, Weezer and LanaDel Rey. And in 2026, they joined Los Lobos, Alice Bag, Ozomatli, and The Beastie Boys as part of the Great Day In East LA exhibition at La Plaza De Cultura Y Artes in Downtown LA. Los Abandoned began in 2001 as a collaboration between Lady P and Don Verde. Lady P, a Chilean-born L.A. valley girl and classically trained vocalist, brought audacious song writing concepts, a penchant for performance art and her ubiquitous ukulele with her. Verde, a native Angeleno (and non-latino), was a genre-bending guitar virtuoso and producer who delighted in clever wordplay. They produced a series of home recordings that would become their first EP. Demotape was their musical manifesto: high concept, lo-fi bilingual rock, intermingling 80s drum machines and casio keyboards with thrashy guitar riffs, catchy hooks and intelligent lyrics. They added bassist Vira Lata (originally from Mexico City) to the line up and went through a Spinal Tap-esque series of would-be drummers before finally settling on Dulce, a chicano from Pomona, CA. The band was bilingual to its very core. A microcosm of the turn-of-the-millennium Southern California experience. Their fresh perspective charmed critics on both sides of the language divide, earning praise from the LA Times and La Opinion alike. Meanwhile “Electricidad” played on local latin radio and “Stalk U” found its way onto KROQ’s legendary Rodney on the Roq show. In 2004, the band released Self-Titled EP which contained their most iconic song “Van Nuys (es very nice)”. “Van Nuys” is a tribute to the humble LA suburb where Lady P grew up. The song, with its nuanced take on immigrant life, caught the attention of filmmaker Sergio Arau, who included it on the soundtrack to A Day Without A Mexican . Los Abandoned also caught the attention of Vapor Records. Vapor, an independent label run by Neil Young and his long-time manager Elliot Roberts, was home to Tegan & Sara and Jonathan Richman. After a pleasant courtship, Los Abandoned signed in 2005 and began work on their first and only full-length LP. Mixtape was the culmination of five years of writing, performing and experimenting in the studio. 2026 marks the 20th anniversary of Mixtape ’s release. To commemorate the occasion, Los Abandoned will return to the stage on Saturday, August 29 at the Lodge Room in the Highland Park neighborhood of North East Los Angeles. The band, accompanied by their Self-Titled EP era drummer Garrett Ray (Vampire Weekend, Fool’s Gold) and a slew of guest performers, will perform Mixtape in its entirety along with fan favorites from the past and new material such as their recently released singles “Suena La Alarma” and “Favorite Band” (Casete Digital Mexico). An evening with Los Abandoned is a rare occasion and not to be missed.

Don’t Stop Or We’ll Die is a Los Angeles based piano-pop-weirdo group with Paul Rust and Michael Cassady (songwriters for LOVE on Netflix, Central Park on Apple+) along with musicians Tony Thaxton (Motion City Soundtrack) and Emeen Zarookian (The Monkees Farewell Tour, Spirit Kid).

SHĀHERI is a Los Angeles–based musical project where Persian heritage meets psychedelic rock, cinematic groove, and modern guitar-driven sound. Led by Emmy Award–winning composer Jonathan Shaheri, the project draws inspiration from pre-revolutionary Iranian legends like Kourosh Yaghmaei and Googoosh, reframing those influences through a contemporary lens shaped in Los Angeles. The result is music that feels both timeless and forward-moving – rooted in Persian musical heritage while expanding into a modern psychedelic sound. Their debut project PERSIĀDELICĀ unfolds across eight tracks of hypnotic groove, vintage textures, and sweeping guitar work. Songs including TARIĀK, DOKHTAR SHEKAR, BANDITĀ, and DONYĀ capture the EP’s distinctive mix of Persian psychedelic influence and modern sonic exploration. Before anything else, SHĀHERI has earned a reputation for their live performances – immersive, unpredictable, and impossible to replicate. Through a run of headline shows across North America, the band has drawn packed rooms and built a devoted following around a concert experience that feels as transportive as it is electric. With debut performances across Europe and Latin America planned this summer and new music on the way, SHĀHERI stands at a rare intersection of cultures and eras, where the spirit of Persian psychedelic music moves confidently into new territory.

I have recently been watching a lot of Japanese popular movies from the 50s and 60s. I loved the vibrant Japan of this era. After the war, Japan was rapidly changing due to its rapid economic growth. I was very attracted to the Japan in the movies. They had humor and sex appeal. The mix of foreign influences and Japanese culture was exciting. I wanted to go back to that time. I wanted to touch and smell it. But that was not possible, so I decided to create my own version. I envisioned a soundtrack for a variety show set on a southern island. This album is a collection of theme songs for the fictional variety show “Hotel New Yuma. The show is set at Hotel New Yuma, somewhere in the south of the country. It was to be a 30-minute live broadcast starting at 11:15 p.m. on a Friday night. The host of the show is Yuma Abe, who plays the role of the hotel manager. The program features guests who appear each time, and includes skits, songs, readings, talks, and more. Short skits were performed in accordance with the theme, and dancing, playing, and singing were inserted in between the skits. There were also some contrived appearances by singers and a comedian singer. It was fast-paced, stylish, and exotic. Despite its late hour broadcast, it was a popular program watched by the whole family. Born on September 4, 1990 in Tokyo, Japan, Abe began his career in 2014 as the vocalist and guitarist of never young beach. He writes all lyrics and songs. He has performed at many music festivals in Japan such as FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL and SUMMER SONIC, and performed with international artists such as Devendra Banhart, The Growlers, Mild High Club, HYUKOH, etc. He was also featured in BTS’s RM’s 2nd album “Right Place, Wrong Person” Yuma Abe has been expanding his activities not only in Japan but also in other Asian countries such as Shanghai, Beijing, Chengdu, Shenzhen, Hangzhou, Taipei, Seoul, and Bangkok, performing at live tours and festivals. He had an interview with Haruomi Hosono, whom he has admired for a long time, and made radio appearances. He also appeared in the “Yellow Magic Show 3,” an event commemorating the 50th anniversary of his music career, and became a topic of conversation. In 2021, he began his solo career and released his first solo album “Fantasia” on June 2 of the same year. Haruomi Hosono mixed three songs, and Devendra Banhart played guitar on two songs. 2023 saw the release of the EP “Surprisingly Alright,” and February 2024 saw the release of the single “I’m folling for you / 惚けるな. He also toured the U.S. for the first time in 11 cities from Los Angeles to New York. Coming December, he will tour the U.S.for the second time.

Kendrick Jeru Davis, known globally as Jeru The Damaja, represents hip-hop’s authentic evolution from Brooklyn streets to worldwide recognition. This iconic MC, producer, and founder of Mind Spray Records has transcended geographical boundaries while remaining anchored to hip-hop’s foundational principles. His razor-sharp lyricism and profound wisdom established him as a defining voice during hip-hop’s golden era, emerging from East New York’s unforgiving streets to become a true cultural ambassador. Launched into prominence through Gang Starr’s “I’m the Man,” Jeru’s career began under the legendary production guidance of DJ Premier as part of the Gang Starr Foundation—a legacy he honors in tribute to the late, great Guru (R.I.P.). This foundational connection established the authentic sound that would define his artistic journey. Jeru’s cultural impact extends far beyond traditional music boundaries, with his tracks featured in iconic video games like GTA and NBA 2K, as well as the hit Netflix series Narcos, cementing his influence across multiple entertainment platforms that reach millions worldwide. His artistic journey reflects hip-hop’s global expansion—from Brooklyn legend to Berlin resident, now thriving in Barcelona where he continues pushing creative boundaries. Operating independently through Maximum Warp Entertainment, Jeru challenges industry conventions by prioritizing genuine artist-to-fan connections over traditional streaming models. His direct-distribution approach through Mind Spray Records proves that authentic artistry doesn’t need corporate validation. Beyond music, Jeru serves as mentor and wisdom-keeper through his acclaimed “Quick Jewel” series, seamlessly blending street knowledge with spiritual insights. His latest masterpiece, “Blessed The Evolution,” stands as testament to his unwavering commitment to pure artistic expression. Through his exclusive merchandise drops, and electrifying live performances, Jeru continues building meaningful connections with dedicated hip-hop enthusiasts across continents, proving that real artistry recognizes no borders.