Click here to read the first installment of this two part blog post.

I get down into Silver Lake, passing the reservoir at about nine, and I find the place for free parking down there.  Don’t believe Yelp, you can find free parking down by Satellite without getting a ticket; you just have to park about four blocks from the venue and next to a sketchy park.  You also have to arrive before 10 p.m.,  otherwise you won’t find any space on the short strip next to the sketchy park.  Okay, if you are faint of heart, perhaps it’s best you pay five bucks for valet.

I was excited to see what they've done with the former Spaceland venue, but from what I can tell nothing has changed.  There are small details that jump at me, but there have been no significant renovations.  I had half-expected to walk into the Roxy, but I’m glad it’s the same old Spaceland--familiar and comfortable.

I queue up to the now well lit and perfectly arranged bar.  They’ve got all the standards, but my eye spots Boddington's Pub Ale and I know what I’m having.  So I retreat to what was once the smoking lounge but is now--something else. I’m not sure what it is now--I’d call it a parlor or sitting room.  There’s just one person there sitting and sharing the space with me; some guy engrossed by something on his laptop.  It is the loneliest VIP room in Los Angeles.  I pass the time reminiscing until the first act--Wilding--have taken the stage.

This was supposed to be Gothic Tropic.  I kinda like the samples I heard from them.  They are not them.  I don’t relish random music.  Too many times I have been burned by some band trying too hard or not trying at all.  When the driving drums and crunchy licks begin I am very pleased.  For the first few songs I am not bothered by the whiny, shrill vocalist.  I don’t think how much more interesting and appropriate a stronger voice would be to accompany the tight music.  I wish they had tried some harmonies.  These flaws wear on me a little more, but I endure it for the sake of the beautiful music--very much like a popified Joy Division--until the set ends.  Perhaps they solve this in the studio. The vocal is intentional, but it sounds worse to me live.

I’m outside again,smoking, while the last act gears the stage.  A small crowd begins to form.  Some are smoking while others have only just arrived in time to catch Younglight.  I see Wilding’s drummer catching some air.  I tell him how much the music pleased me, especially his tight drumming.  He thanks me for the compliment.  When I criticize his vocalist the conversation ends shortly thereafter.  This is why I’ve never been able to make friends with musicians--I can’t keep my critical mouth shut.

I end up back inside, chilling in the back parlor watching Young Light set up.  I think there’s more left to set up after a drum kit and guitar are done, but soon enough two guys take the stage and start to play.  I’m always intrigued by two-piece acts; how can they avoid sounding hollow and dull?  Despite being a two-piece, Young Light fills the room with gorgeous, delicious distortion.  This band blew me away.  There were a few minor hiccups; they did not affect the quality of the experience.  They were more endearing then anything else.  Micah couldn’t quite accept a slight difference in key between synth and guitar, but they pushed past that after a couple of aborted attempts.

Standing there listening to Young Light, I am reminded why going out to shows was once so enjoyable for me.  There’s a certain pleasure in being there, knowing of the thousands of other people all around me at home just watching television; they don’t know what their missing.

After Young Light’s last song ends, I head back out into the night resolved to find as much music by Young Light and to put their music in front of everyone--the two people--I know. (Unfortunately I end up being stymied by the fact that Young Light doesn’t have a presence as yet on the Internet.) Despite how unbearable it is to go out to live music alone, I’m comforted by the possibility of catching Shadow Shadow Shade next week at the Satellite or Eastern Conference Champions at the end of February.

So that’s it.  That’s how I find new music.  Pick a day.  Check the venues.  Check the bands.  Enjoy the night.