It's almost 7 pm; not exactly high-traffic hour for Lost Souls Cafe. In fact, this downtown cafe often takes the day off on Saturday. Things should start to pick up in an hour or so; or at least that's what Chase Frank is hoping. She's booked for a free, all ages gig at 8pm. In fact, looks like the staff is digging some sidewalk signage out of the maintenance closet to alert passersby of the show; a necessity for this cafe, tucked as it is in the most inconspicuous of downtown L.A. alleys, just off the corner 4th and Main streets.
So I guess we'll see what kind of foot traffic rolls in for the show, but for now it's pretty empty. Just four laptop-lit faces, mine included, scattered around the perimeter of the main room. Indeed, free wireless is a draw here, and of course comes with the assumption that you'll buy something to sip or munch on.
One more laptop of note: the one driving the house sound system. The music is always loud and always good at Lost Souls. Often it's hip-hop, funk and soul, with the occasional side-order of jazz, classic rock or electronica. Each barista fancies a different sound, and they all have good ears for whatever they're into (some work with killradio.org, an L.A.-based internet radio station). Today it's Jamar, who is apparently digging on house music (ever hear the theme song from Da Ali G Show's Bruno segment? "Crank it uuuup.") But whatever the flavor, the music is a big piece of the vibe that keeps the regulars coming back.
Starting to pick up a little bit now. No sign of a band yet, but bodies are rolling in—including one of a yellow lab—and expectant staffers are straightening up for the evening crowd. Someone just ordered a beer, a new addition to the principally coffee shop menu. Beer, wine and sake service began in early January and has boosted attendance at nightly events.
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