Raquel Rodríguez y los grandes hacen que rebote, #aftethebreak…
The Mint, West Los Angeles
Yeah. Spanish because that’s what I speak every time when I’m rollin’ down Pico. The LA city street where you’ll find the intimate-legendary Mint and where I found Spotlight Saturday artist, Raquel Rodriguez, last Saturday Night. Was blown away by her 2013 Kickstarter funded record — ‘Miss Me‘ — which made me want to go see her brand of soulful-sexy-loud R&B live. Happily, nothing was lost in translation.
The Mint is a one of those vintage quaint bars/venue you can only find in LA with heavy list of past performers. Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Ben Harper, Justin Timberlake, and even Robert Downey, Jr. have all took the stage one time in their illustrious career. This was my first time in it’s dark small interior. Definitely a fantastic intimate date local. Felt like Hotel Cafe. The Mint is the definition of a club, at least when I think of the word. You can see it’s cramped space containing miniature stage, wooden dance floor, leather booths, long overpriced bar ($4 bucks for a tiny fountain soda? No thank you), and groups of ‘Angels’ looking to have a great time. It’s a venue made for those kind of jazzy nights this city is made for. The best way to experience it is to reserve a booth. Will make you feel like a big shot.
Got to the venue a little bit before 9. It wasn’t busy at all seeing how they just opened up for the evening performances. Positioned myself against the wall, with my $4 coke, & waited for Raquel to take stage with her band “The Big Guys”. I wasn’t the only photographer there. Another “Tall Guy” (yeah, how I referred to him) brought along his powerful Nikon. He looked very focused. Most Nikon photographers are. Proud I’m not that stone cold. The room was small enough and lights bright enough that anyone could get a really amazing shot. Most of my shots on my cell phone came out better than my guerrilla equipment. Just how shoots work out sometimes.
After a sexy, instrumental, intro by the Big Guys…her group of skilled musicians…Raquel Rodriquez rocking her Muñeca (Slang for “Babydoll”) shirt took the stage. The first thing she did was ask everyone to move closer. Small venues can be troublesome for new dance friendly artists because most on-lookers are nervous, scared, & self-conscious in front of strangers. However, it’s part of Raquel’s mission statement.
“We want to play loud music with a groove that people can dance and drink to…You’ve got to physically feel it when we’re on stage or in your speakers. It has to be loud, dirty and gritty.” – Raquel’s Facebook Quote
It took almost the whole set to draw them in, but Raquel was playing to a full house of drunk public dancers by the end. Bravo. I felt it in my bones. Don’t like loud music or dancing like a fool? Then say out of the spotlight. My favorite was the old couple in front. Playfully flirting with each other. So cute that I couldn’t stop laughing. Raquel noticed it too & made her smile. Such a beautiful thing when an audience connects. Makes for a fun night.
The rest of their set list, see below, was a nice mix of Raquel’s catalog featuring some of the hot tracks from ‘Miss Me’, one haunting classic (e.g. Midnight Whispers), and a medley of Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On” mashed with Timberlake’s “Suit & Tie”. One of those ‘Get Nasty’ combos that brings couples closer or into bathrooms. But you can find original tracks like that on the record too.
Here is the Set List:
Part of me thinks she played “Tryin‘” for me. Little egotistical, I know, but digged hearing it live. Made my night. By then the crowd & band were connecting so the whole room was electric. Just did my gangster lean for I really just want to listen to her siren’s call & leave the pictures for later.
The set ran by rather quickly. Like being hit by a soul train with no clue what had happen. Found myself walking out of the club in daze. As if I was waking up after being hypnotized. Perfect place, perfect night, for the perfect soul artist.
We wish Raquel & The Big Guys, Sideways, and my friend Mary a huge shout out for including us in the festivities. Only a matter of time till she’s blowing up your radio. Go pick up her record and enjoy our late-night guerrilla pictures.
(Again, sorry for typos!)
Picture Selects
