Three musicians jam at the Writer's Round music collective in Los Angeles
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Mary-Alex @citrusfruitsnaps
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Topline:
Writer's Round collective helps connect musicians in L.A. through Nashville-style songwriting rounds.
Why it matters: Los Angeles is a big place. Sometimes it can be hard to connect with others. Musicians have shared that they feel this pretty acutely in L.A. Writer's 'Round started here in 2018 to create a space for singers and songwriters to connect with one another to make music and maybe some friends.
Why now: How To LA is producing a series on loneliness — why folks feel it so strongly in L.A. and how communities are finding ways to work through it and connect with others.
Walk into Ivanhoe Restaurant & Bar in Silver Lake around 7:30 p.m. on a Wednesday and you’ll think you’re at a Laurel Canyon jam session in the 1960s.
On the stage, three musicians sit beside each other, one at a keyboard and two holding acoustic guitars. The pianist, Leah Ashton, begins to play, singing a soulful R&B track from her latest album. The two guitarists watch her perform, howling and clapping with the rest of the audience in delight.
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25:37
Building A Music Community To Feel Less Alone
“It does feel like a throwback from that tradition of really talented creatives, but more inclusive, diverse and accepting of all different types of voices,” said Ryan Trask, a musician and festival promoter in Los Angeles. “Ultimately, it's a product that makes people feel something, and that's the most important thing.”
Songwriters in the round
This is a typical Wednesday evening at Writer’s ‘Round LA, a collective of L.A. based musicians and a weekly songwriter showcase. It’s born out of the Nashville-style tradition known as “writers in the round,” which originally meant a group of songwriters sitting in a circle, taking turns singing their songs.
“These songwriter rounds are very popular in Nashville and songwriting havens, but very rare out here in L.A. and the West coast in general,” said Greg Gilman, founder of Writer’s ‘Round L.A. and head of the band Greg in Good Company.
The format — which, for Writer’s ‘Round, means three artists put together on stage, each playing three songs per round — is said to promote intimacy and connection between artists and the audience.
“Right off the bat you're gonna get a better connection with artists you didn't know before by simply being on stage with them,” Gilman said. “It’s this special moment where for the rest of your career you can always say, ‘Oh yeah, we played that round together.’”
Musicians jam at Writer's 'Round in LA
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Mary-Alex @citrusfruitsnaps
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Like the folk-rock scene that flowered in L.A. in the late 60s and early 70s, Writer’s ‘Round artists influence each other musically. For example, hearing one artist’s song will help another artist finish theirs. They might harmonize or lend a baseline on each other’s tracks — that sort of thing.
“Sometimes we get full room singalongs, people riffing and soloing on other people's songs,” Gilman said.
But the energy around Writer’s ‘Round supports the artists in ways far beyond the music.
“I think of my entire support system and like my family all in Writer’s ‘Round,” said Tori Leppert, a singer-songwriter and curator at Writer’s ‘Round, originally from Chicago. “Which is kind of insane.”
“Writer’s ‘Round is the entire reason I’m still in L.A.,” added Kat Hamilton, another curator and musician. She said she struggled with finding “real friends and connections” when she first moved to L.A. from Philadelphia. Writer’s ‘Round “kept me in LA long enough to see all the ways LA can be a community.”
A lonely path for artists
Many artists like Hamilton and Leppert move to L.A. at a young age with a dream: to make it big — or at least make a living — playing music.
But the path to making that dream happen can be painful, they say.
“It’s a lonely road to be an independent artist. Speaking from personal experience, it can get very depressing, a lot of mental health issues,“ Gilman said. “I think artists are hit the hardest because along with all the other problems in the world, they're struggling with their own disappointment with where they're at.”
Beyond providing a sense of belonging and soothing feelings of loneliness, artists credit the connections they’ve made through music communities for progress in their careers.
“It's like we're all growing together as a collective,” said Ryan Cassata, a singer-songwriter originally from Long Island who is signed to the label Kill Rock Stars. “I really don't see that a lot in this city.”
After being signed to a record label, Cassata moved to L.A. in 2019 at the age of 22. But like so many artists, he said he struggled to find a community within L.A.’s music scene, feeling lost and lonely for the first few years.
“A lot of people have that feeling when they come to L.A. that it's kind of terrifying,” he said. “It's easy to get just swept under the rug and just be missed out on.”
But Cassata, who is trans, said he feels a sense of belonging in this city because of Writer’s ‘Round, musically and beyond.
“Being in this music community, I don't have to be like the trans guy. I actually just get to be Ryan. They just treat me like everyone else here, and most people here aren't queer,” he said. “And that's why I love being here so much. It's affirming to who I am.”
Play, or just come listen
Artists say music communities like this have helped revitalize the L.A. music scene in recent years, which has long suffered from a culture of promoter-driven shows and a “pay-to-play” mentality, as Gilman put it. And while Writer’s ‘Round is a haven — and often a lifeline — for L.A.’s musicians, you don’t have to be a musician to take part.
Musicians, quasi-musicians and music-lovers alike can simply show up on a Wednesday evening to hang, eat, drink and enjoy a night of folk-rock style live music.
Greg Gillman, founder of Writer's "Round LA sings
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Mary-Alex @citrusfruitsnaps
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For musicians out there who do want to play, you can put your name in a hat before 7:30 p.m. to have a chance to play the open mic portion of the night.
“All the benefits that come from coming to a community like this is from just being present,” Gilman said. “Being here and being open. Being less worried about playing and more worried about having a good time.”
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 14: Max Muncy #13, Tommy Edman #25, Mookie Betts #50, Freddie Freeman #5 of the Los Angeles Dodgers look on during a pitching change during the eighth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers in game three of the National League Championship Series at Dodger Stadium on October 14, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
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Sean M. Haffey
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Getty Images North America
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Topline:
Milwaukee’s brilliant bullpen slammed the door late and the Brewers rallied past the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-4 on Thursday in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series to earn their first trip to the World Series since 1982.
What happened: Shohei Ohtani’s first home run this postseason helped put the Dodgers ahead 4-0 in the second inning before the Brewers came back to complete a four-game sweep of the two-time defending World Series champions a year after getting swept by Los Angeles in the NLCS.
Garrett Mitchell hit a go-ahead homer in the sixth inning, Milwaukee’s brilliant bullpen slammed the door late and the Brewers rallied past the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-4 on Thursday in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series to earn their first trip to the World Series since 1982.
No. 9 hitter David Hamilton’s two-out solo shot off Edwin Díaz gave the Brewers a two-run cushion in the ninth. Hamilton had just four homers in the regular season.
“We got down early tonight and we were like, it’s going to be a great story,” Brewers captain Christian Yelich said. “We’re going to come back and win this. Like, stay together, start chipping away. And that’s exactly what they did.”
Shohei Ohtani’s first home run this postseason helped put the Dodgers ahead 4-0 in the second inning before the Brewers came back to complete a four-game sweep of the two-time defending World Series champions a year after getting swept by Los Angeles in the NLCS.
Milwaukee became the first major league club to complete a postseason sweep after getting swept by that same opponent in the previous postseason.
“Playing with that chip on our shoulder,” Brewers reliever Aaron Ashby said. “You don’t ever know what to expect going into a series like that last year. You don’t know how bad it can be, and then it was as bad as it was. And we came out and we survived, and we came back this year, and those guys played their tails off.”
The Brewers lost to the St. Louis Cardinals in seven games in their only other World Series appearance, when Milwaukee played in the American League.
With the score tied 4-all, Mitchell fell behind 0-2 before reliever Tanner Scott threw three straight balls for a full count. Mitchell’s 409-foot leadoff drive to center field — the first homer of his career on an 0-2 count — put the Brewers ahead for the first time. Mitchell also homered in their 6-2 victory Wednesday.null
“I’ve always dreamt of moments like these as a kid,” Mitchell said.
The Brewers’ bullpen coolly turned away multiple threats when the Dodgers had the potential tying run on base.
Winning pitcher JoJo Romero struck out Max Muncy with Kyle Tucker at third to end the sixth.
Ashby, who worked three scoreless innings for a save, struck out Ohtani swinging before Mookie Betts grounded out with Andy Pages at third to end the seventh. Will Smith doubled to right with one out in the eighth and was safe at third when the ball got away from Sal Frelick for an error before Ashby got Tucker to fly out and Teoscar Hernández to strike out.
The Brewers tied it in the fifth, when the Dodgers bullpen issued four walks and Milwaukee stole two bases. Hamilton’s single chased starter Tyler Glasnow and scored Frelick, who walked and stole second, to pull Milwaukee to 4-3.
Alex Vesia came in and promptly walked Brice Turang and William Contreras to load the bases. Vesia then walked NLCS MVP Jake Bauers with two outs to force in Hamilton with the tying run.
Glasnow retired his first 10 batters — six on strikeouts — before the Brewers got to him in the fourth. Turang walked, Contreras hit a ground-rule double and Bauers followed with another ground-rule double that closed Milwaukee to 4-2.
Ohtani broke out of his postseason slump with a three-run homer after Pages’ RBI single in the second. The four-time MVP released weeks of pent-up frustration by raising his arms and yelling and the crowd of 49,104 joined him in celebration.
Matthew Ballinger
is the senior editor for climate and environment coverage at LAist.
Published October 15, 2026 5:52 PM
The Henderson Fire sparked Thursday afternoon at Camp Pendleton.
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Alert California
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UC San Diego
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Topline:
Parts of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton have been ordered to evacuate, and the 5 Freeway has been closed in both directions as a wildfire burns in the area. The Henderson Fire had charred more than 1,100 acres as of 4:40 p.m.
What we know so far: The 5 Freeway was closed between Harbor Drive, near Oceanside, and Basilone Road, near the Orange County line. The Camp Pendleton Fire Department was fighting the fire, according to Cal Fire.
Read on ... for more on evacuations and weather conditions.
This is a developing story. For the most up-to-date information about the fire you can check:
Parts of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton have been ordered to evacuate, and the 5 Freeway was briefly closed in both directions due to a wildfire in the area. The Henderson Fire had charred more than 1,118 acres as of 7 p.m.
CHP closed the 5 Freeway between Harbor Drive, near Oceanside, and Basilone Road, near the Orange County line, but began reopening the interstate just before 6 p.m.
The Camp Pendleton Fire Department was fighting the fire, according to Cal Fire.
The basics
Acreage: 1,118 acres as of Thursday afternoon
Containment: 0%
Structures destroyed: None reported
Deaths: None reported
Injuries: None reported
Evacuation orders
According to Cal Fire: "An evacuation order has been published for the Las Flores (41 Area). All affected personnel, please evacuate to Paige Field House, located in the 11 Area." A secondary evacuation point was set up at 21 Area gym, according to the Camp Pendleton Facebook page.
Road closures
5 Freeway between Basilone Road and Harbor Drive, but it was being reopened.
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Destiny Torres
covers all things SoCal, from breaking news to local government, with a focus on Orange County.
Published October 15, 2026 4:19 PM
A Costa Mesa woman who pleaded guilty earlier this year for registering her dog to vote and casting ballots in two elections has had her case dismissed
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Tiffany Ujiiye
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LAist
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Topline:
A Costa Mesa woman who pleaded guilty earlier this year for registering her dog to vote and casting ballots in two elections has had her case dismissed, according to the district attorney’s office Thursday. She won’t serve time but will have to pay for four anti-voter fraud billboards that feature her dog’s image.
Background: Laura Lee Yourex, 64, was charged with five felonies in 2025 for illegally registering her dog and casting ballots on its behalf. Yourex was facing up to six years in prison. In April, Yourex pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor charge of knowingly registering a “non-existent person to vote,” and the DA’s office dismissed the remaining four felony charges against her. LAist did not immediately hear from Yourex’s lawyer.
More on the billboards:As part of the plea deal, Yourex was required to pay $1,500 for four anti-voter fraud billboards along the 55 and 22 freeways in Orange County for the Nov. 3 General Election. The billboards read, “Don’t be a dog. Voter Fraud is a Crime. If you can’t legally vote, don’t vote. The Orange County District Attorney’s Office will prosecute.”
Laura Lee Yourex was required to pay $1,500 for four anti-voter fraud billboards along the 55 and 22 freeways in Orange County.
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Courtesy of the OC District Attorney's Office.
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Why this matters: The dog incident comes at a time of heightened debate over voter ID. In the General Election, Californians will be asked whether to require voters to show proof of ID at polling places and provide identification numbers on mail-in ballots. Currently, voters only need to provide an ID and Social Security number when they register to vote.
Wine sales have decreased by more than 20% over a five-year period.
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Kelsey Knight
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Unsplash
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Topline:
California’s wine industry is still trying to figure out how to adapt to a world with fewer alcohol drinkers, where even the most high-end wineries are fighting a losing battle. Because the state has more wine than people want to drink, some wineries are quietly selling their premium bottles under generic retail home brands like Costco’s Kirkland Signature or Kroger and Aldi labels.
Sales: Wine sales have decreased by more than 20% over a five-year period, causing grape prices to drop and prompting California growers to take roughly a quarter of the state’s vineyards out of production.
“They have way too much of it, and they haven’t been able to sell it the last few years,” said Jess Lander, wine reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle, during a conversation on AirTalk, LAist 89.3’s daily news show.
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15:51
How California wineries are dealing with a high-end bottle surplus
Bargain bottles: Lander has reported that bottles that typically cost around $150 are now, in some cases, going for less than $30 under a different brand label.
How to take advantage: Lander says if you’re looking to take advantage of the surplus bargain, look at the region on the bottle and then do a little experimenting with your palate.
Listen to the full conversation above: To learn more about the wine industry’s outlook and the effects on consumers.
Topline:
California’s wine industry is still trying to figure out how to adapt to a world with fewer alcohol drinkers, where even the most high-end wineries are fighting a losing battle. Because the state has more wine than people want to drink, some wineries are quietly selling their premium bottles under generic retail home brands like Costco’s Kirkland Signature or Kroger and Aldi labels.
Sales: Wine sales have decreased by more than 20% over a five-year period, causing grape prices to drop and prompting California growers to take roughly a quarter of the state’s vineyards out of production.
“They have way too much of it, and they haven’t been able to sell it the last few years,” said Jess Lander, wine reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle, during a conversation on AirTalk, LAist 89.3’s daily news show.
Bargain bottles: Lander has reported that bottles that typically cost around $150 are now, in some cases, going for less than $30 under a different label.
How to take advantage: Lander says if you’re looking to take advantage of the surplus bargain, look at the region on the bottle and then do a little experimenting with your palate.
Listen to the full conversation above: To learn more about the wine industry’s outlook and the effects on consumers.
