SUNDAY DECEMBER 29, 2024 AT THE BOURBON ROOM IN HOLLYWOOD, CA
The venue packed. A sea full of Media photographers. The energy wild. A great turnout. An event to be remembered. THIS IS FEMININE ENERGY—THE 4TH EDITION. I had the honor and privilege to photograph and cover an event for SLR MAGAZINE with an evening full of young and energetic artists/musicians when the father of Ella Jay Basco, Derek Basco, reached out to me.
Written by Don Marcelo
Because I got there a little late due to LA traffic, I was only able to cover 5 out of the 6 artists this evening. And since there are 5 great artists/bands/musicians, I asked them a simple question to send me some information about who they are and what they are all about as an introduction to the world and to the music industry. Here are their responses to me (and I’m working my way backwards starting with the 6h act and the headliner, ELLA JAY BASCO AND THE SIBS, then SEQUOIA, then DEVON THOMPSON, then FORSYTHIA, and lastly (the 2nd act of the night) THE DEFFADES:
ELLA JAY:
“My name is Ella Jay Basco and I’m an 18 year old actor, musician, singer songwriter, and now recently a festival curator for our concert: FEMININE ENERGY.
I’ve always loved playing music and songwriting because it was what I was constantly surrounded by as a kind. My entire family are artists so that’s really all I’ve known. I started my personal music career publicly after booking my first feature film, “BIRDS OF PREY” where I released my first EP album MIDDLE SCHOOL.
After that I went on to release several more singles, collaborating with great artist like Ruby Ibarra, making fun music videos like the one for my song “Bubble Tea,” and having the chance to be featured on huge platforms like MTV and KCRW. Throughout all of that (acting/playing music) I think I really fell in love with telling my story through my art. It also inspired me to start a band with my siblings back in 2021 during COVID. My brother Deuce was gifted an electric drum kit and my sister had recently picked up playing bass at the time. And from then on we clicked. Playing at venues like Hotel Cafe, opening for Yo La Tengo, playing with members of No Doubt, and of my many feats: putting on the FEMININE CONCERT at The Bourbon Room.
As for Feminine Energy, it all had started with my Junior Capstone Thesis project a couple of years ago at my high school, Larchmont Charter. I told my teacher that I had this idea to produce a festival like event that purely uplifts female artists. I thought it was also really important for the event to be for a charity that supports women, which is why we donated ticket proceeds to Alexandria House, a local charity that house women and children in need.
The first event I showcased was rough because I was still figuring out what I was doing in order to plan it. I was scrambling just find four bands. But now having succeeded in curating four shows, I have met countless of female artists and bands with new exciting lineups to come. This is a non-profit event I put together and all of the bands donate their time for the cause.
But ultimately, my goal is to have these female fronted bands recognized and most importantly paid for their talents. Which is why we continue to have these events bi-annually.
Overall, I’ve been having such a great time putting these concerts together and quite honestly, It’s a hobby I plan on continuing until we get the exposure of kick ass festivals like Camp Flag Gnaw or The Lilith Fair.
Ella Jay Basco consists of three amazing American-Filipino/Korean artists:
Ella Jay – Guitar and Lead Vocals
Emerson – Bass and Vocals
Deuce – Drums and vocals
Follow Ella Jay and The Sibs on all their socials:
https://www.instagram.com/EllaJayBasco
https://www.instagram.com/ejbthesibs
https://www.instagram.com/deuce_basco
https://www.instagram.com/emerson_basco
https://www.instagram.com/feminineenergytheconcert
https://www.instagram.com/teambasco
Photo Gallery of the performance by © Don Marcelo Photography 2024
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SEQUOIA
With the release of her latest single ‘slow burn’ in December of 2024, Sequoia is a 17-year-old singer/songwriter from Orange County, California. With a style that is raw and soulful, Sequoia infuses her music with a blend of passion and authenticity that’s both refreshing and deeply personal. Since childhood, she’s been enchanted by the power of music, using it to express what words alone can’t capture. Sequoia aims to inspire people of all ages to chase their dreams, no matter when they begin. Her love for music grows stronger every day as she continues to pour her soul into every note and lyric.
FOLLOW SEQUOIA ON ALL HER SOCIALS:
https://www.instagram.com/sequoiabranson
https://www.threads.net/@sequoiabranson?xmt=AQGzVHZ7K2Vby1nRwroCXUS1CsSB7LJeXmgN3NL6OGZx6ww
Photo Gallery of the performance by © Don Marcelo Photography 2024
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DEVON THOMPSON
“Born in the valley of Los Angeles, I’ve always loved music. I started singing around 7, playing guitar around 10, and was playing in bands by age 11. By 16, I started my own band, and now at 23 I have my project “Devon Thompson”. It’s a mix of alternative rock, with notes of whimsigothy shoegaze. Taking inspiration from The Sundays, Paramore, Mazzy Star, & The Black Keys, I use a little of each element to craft my music. I love the duality of the soft and hard aspects of life, which I write about a ton. I recently got a sponsorship from Gibson Guitars for my songwriting and guitar playing, went on my first tour this year, and much more. My goals are to tour for a living, play with some of my heroes, and make music that makes a true impact on people. Shedding light on the not-so-comfortable topics, the ones that matter.”
FOLLOW DEVON THOMPSON ON ALL HER SOCIALS:
https://www.instagram.com/devonthompsonmusic
https://www.threads.net/@devonthompsonmusic?xmt=AQGzVHZ7K2Vby1nRwroCXUS1CsSB7LJeXmgN3NL6OGZx6ww
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLx5WHN04C-IPdLtjPfOD3Q
https://tiktok.com/@devonthompsonmusic
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/devon-thompson/1507732902
Photo Gallery of the performance by © Don Marcelo Photography 2024
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FORSYTHIA
Forsythia, an indie rock/pop group formed in 2021 by Nami Conness, Riley Arce-Riolo and Eli Williams, started out performing the 90’s indie anthems of Pavement and the Flaming Lips in the Eagle Rock neighborhood. In December of 2022 they shook the LA teen music scene with their debut single and music video Pretty Lungs, and have since gained a following across the Los Angeles area.
FOLLOW FORSYTHIA AND THE MEMBERS ON ALL THEIR SOCIALS:
https://www.instagram.com/forsythiaband
https://www.instagram.com/the.life.aquatic19
https://www.instagram.com/_.eliwilliams
https://www.instagram.com/ry.guy26
Photo Gallery of the performance by © Don Marcelo Photography 2024
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THE DEFFADES:
“Hey hey we’re the Deffades! Monkees and obscure Beatles references aside, Edie Anderson (drummer) and Ruby Blackburn (bassist) became friends in elementary school and spent many hours dreaming about being in a band together. Ruby and Edie met Charlotte Callahan (guitarist) while we were keeping kids in line at theater camp in the summer of 2023. When we struck up a conversation about music, it became clear that we had something special. That became even more clear when we had our first practice in Edie’s garage and wrote a song within the first hour.
We now have over 10 original songs that we’ve written over the last year and half, and we are currently working on an album of all original material. In the spirit of the Beatles and the Bangles, we all take turns singing and harmonizing with each other, and we all write; the principal songwriters being Charlotte and Edie. We have a long list of influences, including The Breeders, Alvvays, Sleater Kinney, Hole, The Strokes, Weezer, Blondie, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Regrettes, Fountains of Wayne, and Oasis (although we’re bigger Blur fans). We can’t wait to play more shows and hopefully tour!”
FOLLOW THE DEFFADES ON ALL THEIR SOCIALS:
https://www.instagram.com/thedeffades
https://www.instagram.com/edieanderson_
https://www.instagram.com/roohooby
https://www.instagram.com/charcharchar_3
Photo Gallery of the performance by © Don Marcelo Photography 2024
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