Sonic Ritual’s free showcase at Los Angeles’ Harvard and Stone Monday night, February 20, 2023 made for a solid night of celebrating the eclectic and independent in music featuring Steven Dayvid McKellar, Queen Kwong, Nyte Skye and Imaad Wasif.
Steven Dayvid McKellar plays “Stop Running” on Monday, February 20, 2023 at Harvard and Stone, Los Angeles (Photo: Justin Bieggar for Girl Underground Music)
Steven Dayvid McKellar opened the night on guitar with an alt slugger of a heartache on the track “Stop Running.” The former Civil Twilight frontman crafted a melancholy atmosphere on his solo journey and performance, playing on the emotional pines of bedroom electronica. Shifting between guitar and keys, and working through a minor technical disruption, McKellar’s performance catered to a slower pace of listening and at times fell short in comparison to his 2022 release, NAMA.
Queen Kwong hypnotizes on Monday, February 20, 2023 at Harvard and Stone, Los Angeles (Photo: Justin Bieggar for Girl Underground Music)
One of the most mesmerizing and best sets of the night was delivered by LA’s own Queen Kwong. The artist’s presence instantly shifted the mood once on stage and it became incredibly hard to believe this was her first LA show in 3 years, nonetheless only met and worked with her performing band through the weekend.
Performing tracks from her latest album, Couples Only, QK’s stage presence and delivery was freeing in its transmittal. The artist’s sound of the night varied from industrial to the slacker alt-rock modulation doused in her matter-of-fact vocals that ripped through the single “Sad Man.” The artist contorts her body and commands an audience’s attention, when not on guitar, and left show-goers hanging on her every move. The off-the-wall arrangement, vocal inflections, and thunderous percussion translated her last album as neatly as one could due to time.
Queen Kwong being a badass on Monday, February 20, 2023 at Harvard and Stone, Los Angeles (Photo: Justin Bieggar for Girl Underground Music)
It’s a true delight to witness an artist who isn’t afraid to be immersed in the noise and crowd and simultaneously bring the whole room to a silent halt awaiting the tail end of her lyrical rasp.
Nyte Skye performs on Monday, February 20, 2023 at Harvard and Stone, Los Angeles (Photo: Justin Bieggar for Girl Underground Music)
Another favorite of the night came came from Bay Area-based band Nyte Skye. Featuring Nyles Lannon and son Skye Lannon, Nichole Kreglow, and Michael who replaced David Gould on bass for the night due to Covid, the ensemble gave a full and rich performance with dreamy washes of synth pop.
Skye Lannon of Nyte Skye also being a badass on Monday, February 20, 2023 at Harvard and Stone, Los Angeles. (Photo: Justin Bieggar for Girl Underground Music)
Nyte Skye’s set was cohesive in sound and flourished through their clarity and unison. N. Lannon and Kreglow did wonders with their harmonization, while the rhythm section showed no gaps. The band moved from the conceptual sounds of shoegaze to the bouncier rhythms of indie-rock seamlessly thanks to a well curated setlist. Countering the heaviness of the pandemic, N. Lannon and S. Lannon’s written conception on their debut LP, Vanishing, equally cut through the clamor of the bar for an euphoric performance.
Imaad Wasif performs on Monday, February 20, 2023 at Harvard and Stone, Los Angeles (Photo: Justin Bieggar for Girl Underground Music)
Imaad Wasif closed the night and brought his meditative and illustrious arrangements from the acclaimed LP, So Long Mr. Fear to the stage. Fitting for the night as a moment of reflection, Wasif designed a poetic setting that delicately moved from thought to feeling, traits heard on his sixth album. Featuring a performance by Jen Wood for the track “Fader”, Wasif’s overall delivery was stunning and once again another example of an artist that silently commands full absorption from a crowd.
Girl Underground Music 
Sonic Ritual’s free showcase at Los Angeles’ Harvard and Stone Monday night, February 20, 2023 made for a solid night of celebrating the eclectic and independent in music featuring Steven Dayvid McKellar, Queen Kwong, Nyte Skye and Imaad Wasif.
Steven Dayvid McKellar opened the night on guitar with an alt slugger of a heartache on the track “Stop Running.” The former Civil Twilight frontman crafted a melancholy atmosphere on his solo journey and performance, playing on the emotional pines of bedroom electronica. Shifting between guitar and keys, and working through a minor technical disruption, McKellar’s performance catered to a slower pace of listening and at times fell short in comparison to his 2022 release, NAMA.
One of the most mesmerizing and best sets of the night was delivered by LA’s own Queen Kwong. The artist’s presence instantly shifted the mood once on stage and it became incredibly hard to believe this was her first LA show in 3 years, nonetheless only met and worked with her performing band through the weekend.
Performing tracks from her latest album, Couples Only, QK’s stage presence and delivery was freeing in its transmittal. The artist’s sound of the night varied from industrial to the slacker alt-rock modulation doused in her matter-of-fact vocals that ripped through the single “Sad Man.” The artist contorts her body and commands an audience’s attention, when not on guitar, and left show-goers hanging on her every move. The off-the-wall arrangement, vocal inflections, and thunderous percussion translated her last album as neatly as one could due to time.
It’s a true delight to witness an artist who isn’t afraid to be immersed in the noise and crowd and simultaneously bring the whole room to a silent halt awaiting the tail end of her lyrical rasp.
Another favorite of the night came came from Bay Area-based band Nyte Skye. Featuring Nyles Lannon and son Skye Lannon, Nichole Kreglow, and Michael who replaced David Gould on bass for the night due to Covid, the ensemble gave a full and rich performance with dreamy washes of synth pop.
Nyte Skye’s set was cohesive in sound and flourished through their clarity and unison. N. Lannon and Kreglow did wonders with their harmonization, while the rhythm section showed no gaps. The band moved from the conceptual sounds of shoegaze to the bouncier rhythms of indie-rock seamlessly thanks to a well curated setlist. Countering the heaviness of the pandemic, N. Lannon and S. Lannon’s written conception on their debut LP, Vanishing, equally cut through the clamor of the bar for an euphoric performance.
Imaad Wasif closed the night and brought his meditative and illustrious arrangements from the acclaimed LP, So Long Mr. Fear to the stage. Fitting for the night as a moment of reflection, Wasif designed a poetic setting that delicately moved from thought to feeling, traits heard on his sixth album. Featuring a performance by Jen Wood for the track “Fader”, Wasif’s overall delivery was stunning and once again another example of an artist that silently commands full absorption from a crowd.
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