Living in Los Angeles means an endless opportunity to see live music just about anywhere in the city. Whether it be an open mic or a dive bar or the opening act at a small, intimate venue, your next musical obsession is waiting for you to find it.
Downtown LA houses a punk, rock experimental music venue called The Smell. It’s known for its DIY ethic with walls covered in paintings and a grunge aesthetic. It’s the ideal venue with the perfect amount of intimacy to be up close and personal to the artists on stage. The unique ambience brought by bands and fans is one that only The Smell has. On Wednesday night, LA shoegazers, Lysithea, brought their magic onto the stage at The Smell.
Who Is Lysithea?
Lysithea came to be in 2023 when the band was founded by guitarist Ryan Coder. Being fresh out of a band, Coder decided the time for a new start was necessary. Like many bands in its early stages, the lineup was ever changing. A previous Lysithea member had posted on social media that they were in need of a singer. This message had reached singer-songwriter Joelina Garcia. Her impressive demos guaranteed her spot as lead singer and front of Lysithea. After her audition, it was no question that she was exactly what the band needed. Following Garcia, good friend of Coder, Aaron Banks joined the band on drums. As members have come and gone, Coder, Garcia and Banks have been the heart and soul of Lysithea.
The debut single “Once Again” came out in March 2024. Garcia’s powerful vocals come together with haunting, distorted guitars to make for a truly alluring tack. Lysithea followed up their impressive debut with their second single “My Game.” This track showcases the band’s variety to explore and perfect sound through their love and passion for music. It’s hypnotic and heartfelt. Shortly after this release, Alex Goetz joined the band on bass. Since then, they’ve been busy playing live shows all over California. The other night, the band made their return to The Smell and put on an unforgettable performance.
Shoegaze Magic Live
The Smell feels like the best place to watch Lysithea bring their dazzling sound to life. The fluorescent lights set the scene and create a one of a kind environment. When Lysithea walked onto the stage, the attention of the crowd shifted to the band. Front woman, Joelina Garcia stunned in a pink fur coat with a bedazzled top underneath. Her chemistry on stage with her band truly allows for her to shine. Her vocals are crisp and undeniably breathtaking, especially when the singer uses her upper register. Their set featured a handful of unreleased tracks that returning fans have grown to love and eagerly await for the release. Their show was memorable. It was refreshing to see a group of extremely talented, young musicians play together without needing any over the top production or theatrical elements. Lysithea is a band to keep your eye on.
What’s Next For Lysithea?
The band is gearing up to release their debut EP this Spring. While you wait, be sure to stream “Once Again” and “My Game.” If you find yourself in the LA area, you can catch the shoegazers on March 27th in Boyle Heights.
