The night L.A. Witch were the Coolest Girls in Cambridge
Sonia on Brookline hosted one of the most captivating groups of female artists, and a $6 photobooth.
Photo: @critical.zero
On a Wednesday night in Cambridge, USA, I stepped over the threshold from the crowded sidewalk into the blue light and freezing air of Sonia, which this week saw the arrival of L.A. Witch. Retro and haunting, the group is a quartet of certified Los Angeles cool-girls with enviable nonchalance. Leading up to 10pm, the room filled equally with college students and experienced heavy metal fans alike, all with their own varying interpretations of the unspoken all-black dress code, which for many included an L.A. Witch t-shirt.
The band walked on stage all in leather and black lace, with the lead singer sporting a messy black ponytail. Each of the members leaned forward, allowing their faces to be covered by dark curtains of hair, except the drummer, Ellie English, whose blonde curls and angelic white dress created a beam to the back of the stage. The light changed from green to blue to purple, drowning the room in a hypnotic light that only served to emphasise the distorted serenity of their music. Sights and sounds all cloaked in shadow.
Their music wasn’t the standard heavy metal you might expect from the looks of the audience they attracted. Rather, metal heads all gathered to appreciate a slower and spookier sound. The band’s set began with a numbing fuzz, which quieted the audience, then transported them from the stage and bar into a foggy and unfamiliar landscape. The mic amplified lead singer Sade Sanchez’s vocals with an echo that matched the slow pace of the first half of their set and coincided with the soothing static of the bass, played by Irita Pai.
As the set progressed, the pace shifted from an edgy folk style into lively dancing and headbanging, showcasing a range of distinct yet equally captivating styles. Throughout the set, Laura Andino was a powerhouse, effortlessly throwing around insane guitar riffs, then switching to the keyboard and back to guitar with ease. This hour-long build-up culminated in a two-song encore that captivated a clearly devoted audience. The band mimicked the ending of their newest release, DOGGOD, by playing the album’s final track, SOS, followed by a cacophony of sound to end their set.
What I found at this show is extremely rare — a seemingly random assortment of fans: Bostonians of all different ages and backgrounds, all convening over an unexpected common ground. The amount of respect and loyal following that L.A. Witch were able to cultivate from hardcore fans made their show feel like something to indulge in and enjoy; every song offering a point of connection between the sleep-deprived college students and decades-long metalheads…
Their tour continues through the end of June in the U.S. and picks back up with a European leg in the fall; an ideal destination for your next favourite band t-shirt, your next favourite band, or, if you’re lucky, a $6 photobooth.