Thursday night was busy as I caught three shows in three clubs, including Dirty Sweet with co-blogger Leona. But before I made it over to Silverlake, I stopped by Genghis Cohen on Fairfax to see a buddy of mine play drums. He was backing hometown talent Michelle Armstrong, a persuasive singer-songwriter with a big voice. She played an upbeat set with a backing band, occasionally bringing it down for the rapt attention of her audience. Michelle’s vocals possess a strong, pure tone, and her fingerpicking shows she’s been doing this awhile. Here’s one she took on solo, which I think shares the huge promise of her voice.

Side note, what is up with Genghis Cohen’s college-lecture style seating? Like my buddy who played drums said, “The first time I was in there I felt like I was in church.” Quirky. But really, they’d do well to drop the gaudy promotional posters — clamped to the curtains — which trade spatial intimacy for DIY graphic design. I’m glad the talent looked so good Thursday night, because I wasn’t feeling the typography.

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