LA LOM has quickly established itself as a staple of the music that courses throughout Latin communities in Los Angeles. The instrumental trio — comprised of Zac Sokolow (guitar), Jake Faulkner (bass), and Nicholas Baker (percussion) — released their debut self-titled EP La Lom back in 2022 to instant acclaim. A year later they’ve released plenty of new music and teased the imminent arrival of their first full-length album, as well as announced a 2024 U.S. tour that features a stop at The Wiltern in Los Angeles on February 24th and they’ll even make an appearance at this year’s Lightning in a Bottle.
Fans hoping to get an idea of what to expect at an LA LOM show need only consult their many music videos: each one a sublime live performance of the various singles and covers they’ve released this past year. Absorbed in radiant tones and textures the band appears enamored by the spellbinding cumbia, soul, and chicha they elicit from their instruments. Their ability to kindle the passion from their covers alone has made them a beloved celebrator of the sounds that crisscross L.A.
There’s a cover of Fito Olivares’ sizzling “Juana La Cubana” and “Llorar” by Los Socios Del Ritmo, both performed against a soothingly vintage drapery of velvet curtains (the former featuring ones colorized like Cuba’s flag). They also offered up a tribute to the Queen of Tejano music herself Selena with “Como La Flor” and an electric performance of “El Paso Del Gigante” by Grupo Soñador. You’ll also want to check out their versions of “El aguajal” by Los Shapis and “Los Sabanales” by Calixto Ochoa of Los Corraleros de Majagual.
With a debut LP on the way LA LOM also unveiled plenty of new originals. There were the riff-sauntering rhythms of “Maravilla” and its companion single “Lucia,” as well as two rumbling and sonically resonant odes to Los Angeles. Of those tracks “Angels Point” — a tangle of sweltering bass named after the city’s splendid vistas — was even featured on Elton John’s Rocket Hour radio show. Then there was “Figueroa,” a dusty but simmering vision of the city’s not-so-distant desert past.
A nod from the Rocket Man himself wasn’t the only attention LA LOM received from other artists. In addition to their busy tour schedule in 2023 — playing quintessentially L.A. venues like Zebulon Café, Gold-Diggers, and 1642 Bar — they also joined Beck at his acoustic set at The Lodge Room and again at Ogden Amphitheater in Colorado. On top of that, they opened for rising soul icons Thee Sacred Souls at The Ford. Unsurprisingly, all their shows tend to sell out quickly so if you want to catch them on their winter/spring 2024 tour get your tickets ASAP!
ARTISTS YOU SHOULD KNOW
BEST NEW MUSIC
Words: Steven Ward
See LA LOM at The Wiltern in Los Angeles on February 24th.
Visit LA LOM on their website and Instagram to stay updated on new releases and tour announcements.
LA LOM tour
JAN 30 – Club Congress – Tucson, AZ
JAN 31 – Lowbrow Palace – El Paso, TX
FEB 2 – Tower Theatre – Oklahoma City, OK
FEB 3 – Emo’s Austin – Austin, TX
FEB 4 – House of Blues Dallas – Dallas, TX
FEB 6 – El Rey Theater – Albuquerque, NM
FEB 7 – Marquee Theatre – Tempe, AZ
FEB 9 – Belly Up Aspen – Aspen, CO
FEB 10 – Mission Ballroom – Denver, CO
FEB 12 – The Depot – Salt Lake City, UT
FEB 13 – The ELM – Bozeman, MT
FEB 14 – Knitting Factory – Boise, ID
FEB 16 – Paramount Theatre – Seattle, WA
FEB 18 – Revolution Hall – Portland, OR
FEB 20 – McDonald Theatre – Eugene, OR
FEB 21 – Mondavi Center – Davis, CA
FEB 23 – Fox Theater – Oakland, CA
FEB 24 – The Wiltern – Los Angeles, CA
FEB 25 – The Observatory North Park – San Diego, CA
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