Photos & Review: Sparklmami at Moroccan Lounge Los Angeles

Sparklmami Delivers a Sensational LA Headline Debut Filled With Jazz, Sweat, and First-Generation Healing

From the vulnerable beauty of “quisiera” to the infectious grooves of “no te vayas,” Sparklmami turned her personal journey into a communal celebration.

Words by Sandra Burciaga Olinger

Photography by
WP_User Object ( [data] => stdClass Object ( [ID] => 51 [user_login] => Bryan [user_pass] => $wp$2y$12$6g3sThtZh7clbKwEAfzRnebA/.U5nkgnnaZzS9i4tJ1t51UGbY9u. [user_nicename] => bryan [user_email] => bryan.olinger@gmail.com [user_url] => [user_registered] => 2014-01-10 04:51:32 [user_activation_key] => [user_status] => 0 [display_name] => Bryan Olinger ) [ID] => 51 [caps] => Array ( [create_posts] => 1 [administrator] => 1 ) [cap_key] => wp_capabilities [roles] => Array ( [0] => administrator ) [allcaps] => Array ( [switch_themes] => 1 [edit_themes] => 1 [activate_plugins] => 1 [edit_plugins] => 1 [edit_users] => 1 [edit_files] => 1 [manage_options] => 1 [moderate_comments] => 1 [manage_categories] => 1 [manage_links] => 1 [upload_files] => 1 [import] => 1 [unfiltered_html] => 1 [edit_posts] => 1 [edit_others_posts] => 1 [edit_published_posts] => 1 [publish_posts] => 1 [edit_pages] => 1 [read] => 1 [level_10] => 1 [level_9] => 1 [level_8] => 1 [level_7] => 1 [level_6] => 1 [level_5] => 1 [level_4] => 1 [level_3] => 1 [level_2] => 1 [level_1] => 1 [level_0] => 1 [edit_others_pages] => 1 [edit_published_pages] => 1 [publish_pages] => 1 [delete_pages] => 1 [delete_others_pages] => 1 [delete_published_pages] => 1 [delete_posts] => 1 [delete_others_posts] => 1 [delete_published_posts] => 1 [delete_private_posts] => 1 [edit_private_posts] => 1 [read_private_posts] => 1 [delete_private_pages] => 1 [edit_private_pages] => 1 [read_private_pages] => 1 [delete_users] => 1 [create_users] => 1 [unfiltered_upload] => 1 [edit_dashboard] => 1 [update_plugins] => 1 [delete_plugins] => 1 [install_plugins] => 1 [update_themes] => 1 [install_themes] => 1 [update_core] => 1 [list_users] => 1 [remove_users] => 1 [promote_users] => 1 [edit_theme_options] => 1 [delete_themes] => 1 [export] => 1 [wpseo_bulk_edit] => 1 [MailPress_edit_dashboard] => 1 [MailPress_manage_options] => 1 [MailPress_edit_mails] => 1 [MailPress_edit_others_mails] => 1 [MailPress_send_mails] => 1 [MailPress_delete_mails] => 1 [MailPress_archive_mails] => 1 [MailPress_mail_custom_fields] => 1 [MailPress_switch_themes] => 1 [MailPress_edit_users] => 1 [MailPress_delete_users] => 1 [MailPress_user_custom_fields] => 1 [MailPress_manage_addons] => 1 [manage_database] => 1 [edit_plugin_filter] => 1 [edit_plugin_filters] => 1 [edit_private_plugin_filters] => 1 [delete_plugin_filter] => 1 [delete_plugin_filters] => 1 [edit_others_plugin_filters] => 1 [read_plugin_filters] => 1 [read_private_plugin_filters] => 1 [publish_plugin_filters] => 1 [delete_others_plugin_filters] => 1 [delete_published_plugin_filters] => 1 [delete_private_plugin_filters] => 1 [edit_filter_group] => 1 [manage_filter_groups] => 1 [edit_plugin_group] => 1 [edit_plugin_groups] => 1 [edit_private_plugin_groups] => 1 [delete_plugin_group] => 1 [delete_plugin_groups] => 1 [edit_others_plugin_groups] => 1 [read_plugin_groups] => 1 [read_private_plugin_groups] => 1 [publish_plugin_groups] => 1 [delete_others_plugin_groups] => 1 [delete_published_plugin_groups] => 1 [delete_private_plugin_groups] => 1 [ure_edit_roles] => 1 [ure_create_roles] => 1 [ure_delete_roles] => 1 [ure_create_capabilities] => 1 [ure_delete_capabilities] => 1 [ure_manage_options] => 1 [ure_reset_roles] => 1 [wpseo_manage_options] => 1 [read_private_aggregator-records] => 1 [edit_aggregator-records] => 1 [edit_others_aggregator-records] => 1 [edit_private_aggregator-records] => 1 [edit_published_aggregator-records] => 1 [delete_aggregator-records] => 1 [delete_others_aggregator-records] => 1 [delete_private_aggregator-records] => 1 [delete_published_aggregator-records] => 1 [publish_aggregator-records] => 1 [create_posts] => 1 [install_languages] => 1 [resume_plugins] => 1 [resume_themes] => 1 [view_site_health_checks] => 1 [wpseo_edit_advanced_metadata] => 1 [NextGEN Attach Interface] => 1 [NextGEN Change options] => 1 [NextGEN Change style] => 1 [NextGEN Edit album] => 1 [NextGEN Gallery overview] => 1 [NextGEN Manage gallery] => 1 [NextGEN Manage others gallery] => 1 [NextGEN Manage tags] => 1 [NextGEN Upload images] => 1 [NextGEN Use TinyMCE] => 1 [do_not_allow] => 1 [manage_instagram_feed_options] => 1 [ppma_manage_authors] => 1 [ppma_edit_post_authors] => 1 [ppma_manage_layouts] => 1 [ppma_manage_custom_fields] => 1 [ppma_edit_own_profile] => 1 [ppma_manage_author_categories] => 1 [wpcode_edit_snippets] => 1 [wpcode_activate_snippets] => 1 [read_wpdiscuz_form] => 1 [read_wpdiscuz_forms] => 1 [edit_wpdiscuz_form] => 1 [edit_wpdiscuz_forms] => 1 [edit_others_wpdiscuz_forms] => 1 [edit_published_wpdiscuz_forms] => 1 [publish_wpdiscuz_forms] => 1 [delete_wpdiscuz_form] => 1 [delete_wpdiscuz_forms] => 1 [delete_others_wpdiscuz_forms] => 1 [delete_private_wpdiscuz_forms] => 1 [delete_published_wpdiscuz_forms] => 1 [wf2fa_activate_2fa_self] => 1 [wf2fa_activate_2fa_others] => 1 [wf2fa_manage_settings] => 1 [rocket_manage_options] => 1 [rocket_purge_cache] => 1 [rocket_purge_posts] => 1 [rocket_purge_terms] => 1 [rocket_purge_users] => 1 [rocket_purge_cloudflare_cache] => 1 [rocket_purge_sucuri_cache] => 1 [rocket_preload_cache] => 1 [rocket_regenerate_critical_css] => 1 [rocket_remove_unused_css] => 1 [administrator] => 1 ) [filter] => [site_id:WP_User:private] => 1 )
Bryan Olinger

July 28, 2026

Last Updated on August 2, 2026

Chicago music maven Sparklmami, (aka Ariella Granados) made her Los Angeles headline debut at the Moroccan Lounge on July 22 as part of the Jazz Is Dead series.

With an incredibly talented band featuring sexy saxophone (Kenneth Leftridge Jr.), funky bass (William Corduroy), pulsating percussion and drums (Alec Trickett and Eddie Burns), and vibrant keys (Josh Jessen), Sparklmami delivered an amphitheater-level performance within the intimacy of a cozy small club where there were vibes for days.

Let me just say, it was the most sensational, sweaty, and soothing dance party. By the end of the night, we were all glistening like glazed donuts. I felt like I was dancing at a beach club somewhere in the Mexican Caribbean.

A rising artist who’s pretty new to the stage, Sparklmami was charming and engaging with the crowd in between songs, sharing personal bits of her life. Even her incredible new album, in this body, literally feels like a diary, but the kind you can dance to and vibe to. I can’t say I’ve ever vibed to anyone’s diary, so this was a welcoming first.

What truly touched my soul was when she spoke about growing up as a first-generation kid before cradling our hearts with “quisiera,” a song she has described as a complicated love letter to her mother. I felt this one hard.

Sparklmami performing “quisiera’ at Moroccan Lounge

Growing up as a first-generation kid is challenging, not just on the outside but also, and sometimes even more so, at home. There’s so much love and grace for your parents because of everything they endured to get to this country and for “doing their best” to raise their kids. But there are also so many complicated feelings that can exist between a mother and her first-generation daughter, including disappointment, grief, and resentment. Those emotions can create a frustrating disconnect.

For me, it took turning 40 to finally recognize that and begin the healing process. It’s been an emotional and at times, confrontational journey ever since. So yeah, hearing Sparklmami perform this song live hit me hard. It was genuinely moving.

While these collective moments of reflection really touched the soul (and maybe got my eyes a bit teary), it wasn’t too long before the dance party stirred up again. Sparklmami and her band (btw, Eddie and William are also executive producers on her album, in this body) seamlessly shifted us right back into celebration.

Throughout the evening, there was something truly special and communal about dancing to jams like the playful “no te vayas” and “penso en voce,” and the manic, psychedelic jazz splendor of “it was 5am,” “fajas,” and “vaga.” Oooof. Sparklmami took us on a legit trip through her psyche where every thought and emotion made a unique sound. At times, I felt like I was in an enhanced daze (minus any sweet gummies). The vibes just flowed naturally.

Sparklmami at Moroccan Lounge by Bryan Olinger

By the end of the night, after talking with fans and seeing the smiles across everyone’s faces, it was clear that Sparklmami was deeply loved. She and her band gave us more than a beautiful night of music. They created a space to reconnect with friends, meet new ones, and simply be present.

Outside the warmth of that cozy venue, the world can feel heavy and daunting. But for one evening, Sparklmami helped us to set those worries aside and fill our cups with joy, community, and the healing power of live music.

Lately, that feeling has become a recurring theme every time I catch a live show. I’m not sure if that’s a reflection of the times we’re living in or a reminder of just how essential live music has become. Maybe it’s both. Either way, on this night, it was exactly what we needed.

This article may contain affiliate links, and Grimy Goods may make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting our independent, fan-powered media network.