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.

Making his LA mark: Shea Welsh

If you want to talk about true Angeleno musicians and figureheads, Shea Welsh is quite a prototype. Though he was born in Baltimore and raised in the East Coast, he obviously found his niche in the famed music capital. First and foremost, he is a massively accomplished guitarist, having performed with members of some of the most famous bands to grace the music industry and logged countless hours in the recording studio with various artists. His ability to transcend multiple genres “keeps him at the top of many music-makers’ lists.”

(Pictured above mid-concert.)

Shea fronts an LA-grown band that performed for three years on Thursday nights at Pip’s on La Brea as a part of a residency, so it’s not hard to see that he loves to perform. He’s very involved in the Jazz world and has really dipped into that scene – he’s headlined at Jazz festivals like the Long Island Jazz & Blues festival and the Panama Jazz festival to name a few. He’s been a sideman for many groups, always being flexible in his ability to adapt and create, whether it’s with a small combo or a big-band like Paul McDonald’s. Check out Shea performing “Sancho T. Panza,” an original composition, with his band. Perhaps this will give you a sense of just how talented he is.

Not only has he made his mark on the scene as an artist, but he has also done quite a lot of work as a producer and a writer. His most recent producing project was the The Hipnotics’ debut recording along with his work helping to write and produce Michelle Coltrane’s second album. However, this isn’t all. Shea decided early to give back to the industry that shaped him through education. He is a member of the faculty at the University of Southern California’s Thorton School of Music and has written a few instructional books on Blues and Jazz. Most recently, he has opened The Shea Welsh Institute of Jazz as a branch of The Conservatory of Performing Arts over near Westwood in Los Angeles. The school is open for dedicated high school and middle school students looking for an intense experience and immersion into the study of Jazz. He will be giving these kids masterclasses in theory, performance, and repertoire, and they are bound to benefit from his experience and absolute mastery. He’s pictured below with some of his students.

Shea is certainly making his mark, not only on stage and in the halls, but almost most importantly, in the minds of the young. His commitment to his young students goes to show how much he truly cares about bringing out the love of music in as many people as he can. If all of this wasn’t impressive enough, there’s one more thing. In addition to all of his work with Michelle Coltrane, Shea released his own debut jazz album entitled Arrival to the world earlier in 2017. Go give this album a listen, as it will take you to a place different from all others. His unique composition will grab all listeners with intent and fury and also with the soft tenderness of the blues. Look out for Shea Welsh around Los Angeles – whether he’s performing, producing, writing or teaching. Wherever he is, he is leaving quite a stamp on this historic city.

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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