Acoustic, melodic pop-rock band Waldo Bliss are back at the Cinema Bar on Thursday, a year after we last chatted, and singer Dan Carlson told the News about what they have planned this time……
It’s been a year since we chatted — how was your 2024? Any musical highlights?
The musical highlight for us in 2024 was opening for The Fifth Dimension at The Coach House. They didn’t have all the original members but they still had the energy that made them awesome. It was a great night.
Besides this show coming up, how have you filled the first half of 2025?
We’ve only had one gig so far this year. We played at Genghis Cohen Cantina in LA (genghiscohen.com). It’s a classic venue and we were very happy to play there opening for Bruce Sudano (brucesudano.com). After 40 years the venue is closing at the end of this month to relocate elsewhere.
Is the band still the same lineup?
The update to our lineup is that we have a new bass player. His name is Brett Simons (brettsimons.com). He has a great resume. He very much continues to make our three-part vocal harmonies sound great. We are also inviting Butch Norton (butchdrums.com) to play drums with us when he can. He played in Waldo Bliss years ago before playing in Lucinda Williams band for a good number of years. He’s told us that he would like to join us if/when his schedule permits.
How were the shows at Cinema Bar last year?
We very much enjoyed both times we have played at the Cinema Bar and were well received there. Looking forward to the upcoming show.
What can we expect from the set this time?
The show will basically be the same style in that it will be a mixture of originals and covers, with Gia, Brett and myself trading off singing lead. We will be playing some songs that people did not hear the last times we played there. Harmony on everything.
What else do you have coming up in 2025?
You can see what else we have coming up here: waldobliss.com/gigs. We’re especially looking forward to opening for The Association in November. Opening for Dan Navaro (dannavarro.com/home) in Ojai in October is going to be a great gig as well.
Waldo Bliss performs at 9 p.m. on Thursday, May 29 at the Cinema Bar. Go to thecinemabar.com for more information about the venue.
Elsewhere this week
The Culver Hotel will be hosting the likes of Sylvia & the Rhythm Boys and and Scotty Bramer. Go to culverhotel.com for more info.
The next concert at Boulevard Music is on May 31, with Diego Garcia. Go to boulevardmusic.com for more info.