Ain’t No Love in LA without Ernie Halter

On Monday night at Hotel Café, the ever-amusing and soulful Ernie Halter gave a memorable love-themed performance to commence a nationwide tour with genre-sharing Josh Hoge.

Opening with “Count the Days,” Halter sang about missing someone “like California misses rain... like children miss summer” with guitarist Aaron Bishop and percussionist Mark Chipello. In “Different Lives,” a sincere Nashville-influenced song, Halter sang about empty sounds, unignorable differences, locked doors, and parting with a loved one to pursue independence.

More love-oriented lyrics prove that “love is not lost,” even when it appears that love has forgotten about you, even in the lonely city of Los Angeles. Additionally, the song “Lighthouse,” to be featured on the new album, discusses the type of love that is shown through unconditional friendship. Only post-shit-storm can one tell who the people are that are most dedicated to being the “your anchor, guide [for] your hand...your shelter.” Built from powerfully tender vocals, moving beats and harmonious instrumentation, these are love songs that are fitting for any state of heart: whether it is bursting, being torn from another, feeling invisible or starving.

An unfailingly charismatic man, Ernie glows even brighter when on stage; he has the type of charm that makes everyone around him feel as though they are a part of something truly special. Ernie can also coin phrases (ie: Fawesome), resurrect the slap-bracelet trend and show that the nightmare of standing in front of a crowd in one’s underwear can be survived with the help of the right fan base (contact for further explanation). His pricelessly unique stage comments/stories, which can sometimes occur mid-song as a verse-extensions, discuss everything from Vegas and the Gideon bible to crotchless panties, red-headed sluts and soldering irons. Ernie is, in addition to an incredible voice, a true entertainer.

Although local fans wish Ernie the greatest success as he presents his talent throughout the country, the LA music scene will surely miss his presence over the next two months and have a packed-house waiting for him upon return.

Learn more about Ernie and hear music samples at www.myspace.com/erniehalter

Review by Bre Goldsmith ( www.bregoldsmith.com )