The Standard

This is what Los Angeles is all about: warm nights, cocktails, good music, and an ocean breeze. This Wednesday, join us in our poolside Cactus Lounge for another toe-tapping edition of The Standard, Hollywood’s Desert Nights. This week’s line-up is guaranteed to soothe your soul and jump-start your heart.

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Phantom Tortoise: So, allegedly, there was a tortoise. Justine and Brendan James Willing had been working the Los Angeles singer/songwriter circuit for about a year before they started singing together. It was a night at Zoey’s Cafe in Ventura that their record was conceived, though neither of them knew it at the time.

Justine Bennett: Singer songstress Justine Bennett grew up amongst artists and hippies in the remote mountains of British Columbia, listening to the folk songbirds of her piano teaching mothers generation. As a late teen, she packed her bags and moved to San Francisco. After years of playing on the streets where she lived, Justine recorded her debut album “Invisible”, which synched every song to television and afforded her performances at legendary venues such as the Fillmore in SF and the Troubadour in LA. Her most recent work, “Heavy Feeling” is a mystical folk rock album, capturing her North Country influences and hauntingly unique vocal timbre. There’s something vintage in her alto voice, that recalls other singing sirens, Joni Mitchell, Stevie Nicks and Natalie Merchant, from rocks golden ages. Producer Chris Seefried (Rosanne Cash, Low Stars) along with musicians David Immergluck (Counting Crows, John Hiatt) and Don Heffington (Emylou Harris, Ricky Lee Jones) have adorned this record with loose instrumental embellishments, creating songs that feel lived in and music that is timeless. Justine now resides in Los Angeles, living and playing amongst some of the most talented musicians in the country. Her music frequents the legendary Hotel Cafe, the birthplace of Sarah Bareilles, Colby Caillat and many other popular LA bred artists. She has traveled across the country playing colleges and venues.

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Angelo De Augustine: Angelo is a tiny child who lives with his white dog who loves to bite him and growl. Singer/songwriter Angelo De Augustine lives in Westlake Village, California. His first release, Black Wool and second, Strangers, have received overwhelming praise from established musicians including Marcella Detroit of Shakespeare’s Sister, Pat MacDonald (Timbuk 3), the Band of Heathens, Tom Freund, and legendary drummer Dony Wynn (Robert Palmer, Steve Winwood, Patti Labelle, Brooks and Dunn).

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.