The Musical Prowess of L’Rain at Schubas Tavern
Walking into Schubas last night I could feel the excitement and anticipation of the crowd who came to see L’Rain perform. As couples and friend groups filtered in, I heard conversations about the intriguing vibes on L’Rain’s music, wondering how they would be live. Little did they know what a wave was about to hit them.
The show opened with Lipsticism, an impressive one-person act starring musician and producer Alana Schachtel. Her music filled up the room with the first note creating an ethereal feeling in the small venue. Playing songs off of her most recent album “Elapsed Kiss,” released in October of 2023, Schachtel emphasizes the interplay between her voice and the synthesizer. The room could feel the transcendence of her music, which enveloped the crowd in a universal trance. Schachtel left the crowd cheering and wanting more as she stepped off the stage.
Trinity Star Ultra was next to take the stage. Starting with a bang, the trio said their name in unison and immediately burst into their first song “Dance Alive.” When they start playing the excitement is palpable among the crowd; the electricity of Trinity Star Ultra brings everyone alive into the flow and groove of their music. As they announce their last song, “Visions from Another Realm,” the crowd protests, wanting to hear more from the trio. But they bring the energy, starting slow and working their way up into a crescendo of synth-y jazz improv, making an exciting exit.
After much anticipation the lights go out and the stars of the show, L’Rain, is lit in a blood-red light. The composer and curator of L’Rain, Taja Cheek, starts her show laying out the ground rules for her set: she asks her audience to be present and to howl along with her. She then bursts into a howl, as the crowd joins in with her. They opened with “I Killed Your Dog”, the title track of L’Rain’s newest album. Cheek’s voice floated above the crowded room, feeling like an angel just out of reach. Then, picking up in energy there was a sharp shift in the music as her bandmates joined in; guitarist and sampler Justing Felton, saxophone and keys player Ben Chapoteau-Katz, vocalist and bass player Zach Levine-Caleb, and drummer Tim Angulo all coming together to create a perfect disjunctive yet connected cacophony. In the intimate space of Schubas Tavern, the crowd pulsed in unison with the electricity of the improvisation of the group. I felt like I was in a dream every time I closed my eyes, letting my body just sway to the exciting beat and Cheek’s ethereal voice, creating a dreamlike state of existence.
Every element of the show felt purposeful and in the moment, each musician felt and moved with the music. Looking around at the crowd, I did not see a single person without their eyes fixated on the electricity of the stage. About halfway through the show there was a casualty that led to a temporary pause and regroup; a string on Zach’s guitar had snapped. However, the group quickly and professionally recovered by switching up instruments and were back with a new-found fire in their next song, “Knead Bee.” Justin’s passion for the music vibrates into the crowd as he begins to use the wooden pillar as a guitar slide, creating an intense visual and musical performance, like the music was in his blood.
Another essential pause in the set came when Taja announces a surprise… in walked a woman holding a chocolate cake, and Taja starts singing happy birthday to Zach, and the whole crowd joins in to celebrate. Chuckles and smiles come from everyone; a feeling of gratitude and community comes over me as we all clap. Happy Birthday Zach! They start up again with “Uncertainty Principle” as newfound excitement emanates from Zach following this surprise.
Closing out the night with “New Year’s UnResolution,” L’Rain leaves it all out on the stage and ends with an ovation from the crowd. As they left the stage the crowd was visibly changed by the music; as L’Rain left the stage I saw Cheek comforting a fan who was moved to tears by the set.
I have never been to a show so intimate and explosive; the improvisation and passion in everyone left me wanting more. After a truly next-level show with L’Rain, many of their fans stayed back to purchase merch, a temptation I almost gave into. We all want a physical copy of the memory of their performance to make sure it is never forgotten.
L’Rain and Lipsticism can be streamed on Spotify and Trinity Star Ultra can be streamed on Soundcloud, with music coming soon to Spotify.