The Standard

Mosey on over, it’s time for another installment of The Standard, Hollywood’s Desert Nights! This weeks line-up is sure to have you tipping your hat and tapping your toes!

The winsome Marnie Herald

Marnie Herald: We think this is the best description of Marnie’s music: Rainy afternoons in a small cottage on the sea…the wind blows cold but the tea pot is warm and the fire even warmer. There is a storm. It is lonely, sometimes sad, but it is real.

Here’s a little taste from Justine’s new album “Heavy Feeling”

Justine Bennett: Singer songstress Justine Bennett grew up amongst artists and hippies in the remote mountains of British Columbia, listening to the folk songbirds of her piano teaching mothers generation. As a late teen, she packed her bags and moved to San Francisco. After years of playing on the streets where she lived, Justine recorded her debut album “Invisible”, which synched every song to television and afforded her performances at legendary venues such as the Fillmore in SF and the Troubadour in LA. Her most recent work, “Heavy Feeling” is a mystical folk rock album, capturing her North Country influences and hauntingly unique vocal timbre. There’s something vintage in her alto voice, that recalls other singing sirens, Joni Mitchell, Stevie Nicks and Natalie Merchant, from rocks golden ages. Producer Chris Seefried (Rosanne Cash, Low Stars) along with musicians David Immergluck (Counting Crows, John Hiatt) and Don Heffington (Emylou Harris, Ricky Lee Jones) have adorned this record with loose instrumental embellishments, creating songs that feel lived in and music that is timeless. Justine now resides in Los Angeles, living and playing amongst some of the most talented musicians in the country. Her music frequents the legendary Hotel Cafe, the birthplace of Sarah Bareilles, Colby Caillat and many other popular LA bred artists. She has travelled across the country playing colleges and venues.

Brandon Mayer gets it done.

Brandon Mayer: Originally from Florida, Brandon Mayer moved to California with his family during high school. He went on to study music and documentary film at UCLA. After living in Spain and New York, he returned to California and, while working as a schoolteacher, made the beautiful full-length Sea of Stars, which was self-released in the fall of 2000, soon after followed by the EP Palm Tree and Culver. As an ensemble and solo artist, Mayer has toured and performed extensively. Also a composer, he has written music for theater and films that have been broadcasted on television and performed/screened at festivals throughout the U.S., Europe, and Asia. Mayer lives and works as a teacher in Los Angeles; he also serves as a music lecturer at UCLA.

What is Desert Nights?

Desert Nights is a weekly gathering at The Standard, Hollywood, hosted by KCRW’s DJ Valida. Every Wednesday, Valida curates three acoustic musical acts to perform a set in the Cactus Lounge. The vibe is warm and intimate, evoking an impromptu jam in a musician’s living room. The music begins at 7:30pm, it’s always free and always a good time. Guaranteed.