The Standard

Summer is in full swing and we couldn’t be happier!! Desert Nights at The Standard, Hollywood is what Summer in Southern California is all about, the nights are warm, the drinks are strong, and the music is fantastic.

Keith Zarriello: KZ is a singer, guitarist and front man of the NYC band The Shivers. Keith started the band in 2001 in NYC. Since then, there have been 5 albums and the band has gone through many line up changes and now exists as a duo. They’ve toured extensively and recently did a session for BBC 1 at Maida Vale and are about to play the End of The Road Festival in the UK. Keith is currently working on his 2nd solo album in New York. He will be doing his first proper solo tour ever this summer.

photo by Holly Bronko

Billy Harvey: Over the years Billy Harvey has been playing his own brand of Post Modern Pop, working not only as a songwriter but also as a producer (Charlie Mars, Bob Schneider, Slaid Cleaves, and Steve Poltz are among his credits). A prolific writer, he has been the recipient of the International Songwriters Award for Best Rock Song “Frozen Through”, and broke into the Top 100 on the CMJ Charts with his 2007 release “Bearsick”. The caffeine-addled do-it-yourselfer has also been quietly directing, animating, and editing the accompanying music videos to his records. In February of last year Billy shot and directed a documentary film entitled “EVERYWHERE NOW”. Filmed entirely on his laptop camera Harvey intimately chronicles a 7000 plus mile tour in a car powered by waste vegetable oil. From crossing the continental divide on a sheet of ice to digging through oil dumpsters in the freezing cold, what follows is a near epic journey of endurance and self-discovery that is both beautiful and at times harrowing. Billy’s website has won various media and internet awards including the Interactive Design Award at South By Southwest and the Flash Forward award in NYC. Please visit it www.billyharveymusic.com.

Jo Krasevic: Jo learned to play guitar by ear without sheet music listening to Neil Young’s albums, and influenced by her older brother’s music collection. Born in Detroit, Jo globe trotted throughout many countries and lived for ten years in Los Angeles. She currently lives between Los Angeles and Paris. Follow The Sun aka Merrygoround is her first album (Taken from the forum of “ Land of Hope and Dreams”) “A carousel of melancholic songs, at times deep, often languorous but always profoundly moving. A rich musical canvas, raw and from the heart, where you feel the restraint and unexpressed moments in life; on the guitar, two great musicians accompany her: Doug Pettitbone (Tracy Chapman, Jewel, Ray Lamontange, Lucinda Williams) and Daniel Lanois (Bob Dylan, U2). Merry Go Round not only reveals an outstanding singer in the tradition of Chrissie Hynde it is also a Magical ride through timeless songs.

What is Desert Nights?

Desert Nights is a weekly gathering at The Standard, Hollywood, hosted by KCRW’s DJ Valida. Every Wednesday, Valida curates three acoustic musical acts to perform a set in the Cactus Lounge. The vibe is warm and intimate, evoking an impromptu jam in a musician’s living room. The music begins at 7:30pm, it’s always free and always a good time. Guaranteed.