the mint la

A Homegrown Venue: The Mint LA

Los Angeles. The name itself screams success. City of Angels. City of angelic singers is more like it. LA is one of the greatest hubs in the world for newfound talent. It’s not a surprise that the city is home to some very historic venues that have hosted some of the best names in music. Let’s take a closet look at one of those venues. It’s been in operation since 1937, known for its low ceilings but high esteem: The Mint LA

the mint

History & Ambiance

Not only is this spot frequented by the greats, but it also boasts a marvelous social atmosphere. A tapas-style menu that features Asian, American and Southwestern-inspired cuisine offers a tasty experience. Couple this with the ambiance and they have themselves quite a mood. The red velvet curtains, disco ball, wooden walls and cushy booths take customers back to the decade when The Mint was opened. It’s easy to let oneself be transported back to a time when prohibition ended and people were letting loose to new and exciting sounds. Watch a video of Darren Criss covering Katy Perry’s “Teenage Dream” there. Let this candid smartphone video convey a sense of what the experience is like.

The venue might house some famous artifacts – Johnny Cash paintings, glass display cases full of souvenirs, and old vinyl on the ceiling – but the place itself radiates a historic feeling. Perhaps the most special thing about the place is its history. Every time an artist sets foot on that stage, they are standing where many before them made history. Performers carry with them the weight of LA’s music history as they perform, and the significance of the venue resonates with each note. The Mint is special because it is quintessentially “LA” – its character stems from its city; it has grown with the city and the city has grown with it. Both have experienced the city’s music scene since the 1930s, and they’ve been through a lot together.

(Above) Band Nice Enough People performing.

Today at The Mint LA

Owner Todd Christiansen feels connected to the venue in his heart and by virtue of his location.

“Established in 1937, The Mint is one of the oldest clubs in LA.  We are there for the long term, do not change our character to fit the moment,” Christiansen said. “If you like good music, tasty food and drink, excellence in sound quality in a smaller, intimate setting then The Mint is your place. To our patrons, my hope is that they feel they can leave their troubles behind, come to the club, take in some great song, food and beverage, lose themselves in the moment a bit and leave with a smile on their face.”

Look at their page on Gigmor to get a better sense of their booking schedule, and try to drop by! If not for the music, stop in for a quick bite and a social, musical experience unique to this special LA locale.

Get more with LA band, 7 Less

There’s nothing like a sweet, charming pop song to brighten your day or at least make it a little bit brighter. Add a little rock to it, and you get a certain energy with that quiet twinge of funk. This combination will addict you and draw you closer. In this genre, and with this style of rock-infused pop songs, artists can come to a happy medium and range – one that transcends the two genres gently while never fully leaving one or the other in the dark. LA band, 7 Less embodies this combination discussed before. Their mixes of melodies and are creative yet simple and humane. Listen to them here performing their original song, “Don’t Go,” in their music video.

The group is relatively new – they only formed in the year of 2017. However, they’re already on a roll, producing songs and an EP and receiving acclaim from around the music industry. The band has been previewing their new six-track EP entitled “Two Sides of the Story” all around Los Angeles, and it even caught the attention of a Channel Islands music professor. Craig Bickel said that their song “Let’s Fall in Love” is “a lovely song with enormous potential.” Take a listen!

The three members of 7 Less have some interesting music backgrounds. Lead singer Marc Rasec picked up the guitar at age 11 and taught himself to play from music books his father gave him. From there, his music career blossomed, and he used his struggles in high school to add an emotional level to his songwriting and performing. The band’s drummer, John Htun, is the son of a well known Burmese artist named David Htun Htun. He moved out to Los Angeles in 2003 to immerse himself in the American music industry some more, and ended up meeting Rasec in 2016. The two of them teamed up for a few shows together and ultimately decided that it was a match. Since then, their band received an endorsement from Zion Cymbals for a few of their music videos and a contract for the band’s upcoming projects. Obviously, they are off to a great start as a band. Take a look at their official music video for their original song, “New Zealand.”

7 Less is off to a pretty much ideal and fantastic start for an LA band thus far, and they’re on a roll. Be sure to check out their page to see when their next gig is, so you can go and support these guys in concert. If you get the chance to see them live, you’re in for a treat.

Booking shows on Gigmor

Fly with Band Flights Over Phoenix

Talk about a music manifest destiny success story. Keith Longo had spent too much time in Boston feeling the need for a change, so he packed his bags and drove west. He had nothing but his car, his playlists, and his hunger to find his place in the music scene. Listen to his band, Flights Over Phoenix, playing their moody song, “Hypnotize.”

Longo got lucky as he could have been, and all it took was a little Craigslist-ing. He found guitarist Chris Santillo, and the two immediately hit it off. They started working on new material, practicing and jamming and writing as they saw fit. Little did they know, they were setting up what was soon going to become much more. Jordan Nuanez was just coming off some national tours when Santillo met him through a mutual friend. The drummer was in search of a permanent spot in a band, and the opportunity fell into his lap. The three of them started playing together and their chemistry was too obvious to be ignored. They got to work, and now their band is thriving; they’ve been playing together since. Listen closely and get swept away by Flights Over Phoenix’s official music video for “Middle of the World.”

It’s impossible to deny how good they sound together. Santillo’s lines carry each song with an upbeat yet smooth sound, never letting the speed fall and keeping a steady, twangy rhythm that’s peaceful on the ears. Nuanez’s beat is powerful and heavy but artistic, syncopated, and synchronized perfectly. He manages to tie together the voices of his counterparts and weave them into his playing, all the while making it seem effortless. Longo begins every song with his unique, confident, dimensional verse, but his voice takes a journey in each song. He begins with a simple, almost respectful voice, begging the audience to think that he does not have a strong range. Then, in the chorus, he offers his surprise in the form of a beautiful chorus, followed by rifs between him and Santillo on the guitar. The two of them sing together, while Nuanez holds down the back. The three of them support each other in sound, but manage to sustain their unique personas while playing. Listen to this last example of this undeniable chemistry, “Runaway California.”

Make sure you come see this guys if you’re in LA. Check their page for more music and any upcoming concert dates. Listening to them will make you want to get up and dance so we promise that seeing these guys live is an experience not to be missed!  

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