Mo Dotti for Thursday Lunch – recorded at Outer Space Arcata on September 25th of this year.
Much as I complain about the state of contemporary American music – how it’s been relegated to a permanent state of malaise and all the interesting stuff is happening in another country, and not this one – I am blown out of the water and having to eat my words with a discovery that put it all into perspective.
Yesterday I was doing some background information on Hotwax, the band I posted for the Lunchroom, I ran across a blurb about an L.A. band – Mo Dotti. I sadly confess I was not familiar with them (okay; I can’t be everywhere all the time). I ran across a few of their gigs via YouTube – and aside from the vocals being buried so far you couldn’t hear them, I was wildly impressed with a band who, even though they passingly reminded me of several other bands, avidly maintained their own identity and point-of-view and it was refreshing. I spent the better part of the day listening to everything I could lay my hands on and finally ran across this gig, recorded just a few weeks ago – but also benefiting from a good mix and ability to hear vocals.
They immediately put me in a better place – mostly because it gave me further evidence there is still a treasure trove of ideas to explore – even though the genre may be the same, the way its approached is unique and refreshing.
From checking out their Instagram page, Europe appears to be no stranger to them – and it figures – they are also pretty much in control of their vision, which is great because they strike me as a band with something to say – they are adding to the conversation, and that’s critical if music is to continue being the life force it always has been.
It also bolsters the notion that Los Angeles is far from being a dead city – victim of COVID and complacency. It’s alive and kicking and taking up residence in abandoned spaces and forgotten neighborhoods – it’s the music – it’s the notes – it’s that way of looking at things.
I’m a fan – they’re locals. I’m going to keep an eye on them and grab their stuff when I can. Like everyone who is trying to make a difference, they need your support – and they do have a Bandcamp page as well as their Instagram page and you really need to bookmark them, support them and say nice things about them.
Press Play – crank it up – stare off into space and repeat. There are still good things happening – good things everywhere and Mo Dotti is in the middle of it.
