putting the knit in shizknitz

I’ve been a fan of Vienna’s since reading about her in Eric Cheng and Adam’s blog years ago. I was inspired by her love for music (leaving a good tech job to pursue this) and her talent to write some of the best lyrics. I looked her up last week to find out she was coming to LA.

There’s something so special about seeing a performance live. As a musician years ago, I remember the way music can move you during a performance. Even though I haven’t performed in years, there are rare moments that take me back to how I felt back then.

The Hotel Cafe is a cute, cozy place out in Hollywood, just north of Sunset. They have valet parking in a run down garage behind the bldg for $7. Our cover was $12 each (bring cash!). There was a bar, drinks affordable at $6 and appetizer plates about the same price. The tables were taken so we found a place along the wall. The previous person was still performing. As we neared 9 PM, the place filled up with a mostly asian crowd and I realized I was on the wrong side of the room so I couldn’t see vienna from where I stood (see vid). No matter, I could hear her voice. In addition to her piano, she had two very talented ladies on the violin/viola and cello.

She was smaller than I imagined her to be and her speaking voice is much deeper. It was a fantastic concert.

I have to mention the groupies I was standing next to - 3 older caucasian women who would rudely bump me at every opportunity even though they were already at an angle at which they could see her. They loudly talked about each song “that’s YOUR favorite”, no “that’s MY favorite”, “oh oh!! I can’t believe shes playing this!!!” and it was almost humorous, if they wouldn’t have been so rude.