Thunderbird Lounge announces Living Room Sessions concert series

Thunderbird Lounge is using its moderate-sized indoor space to launch the Living Room Sessions, a cozy concert series that gives attendees an up-close and personal experience.

The first installment happened on July 14 with Great American Regret. Jeremiah Gratza, who is partnered in the business with Jacob ‘Jake’ Wiedmann, says it was a success.

“It was wonderful! It was intimate, cozy and just good vibes all around. Perfect for a Monday night. Plus, on Mondays we have happy hour all day,” he laughs.

Gratza says a previous event inspired the series. “Jared Kolesar recorded a set on our couch in 2020 during Covid for our first anniversary party. When things started to open back up in 2021, Jared and I thought it would be cool to do a couple of shows in the ‘Living Room.’”

Jared started going on tour, so nothing happened then with the idea.

“Fast forward to 2025, and we have a new general manager, Marcus Rushmore, who is in a band called Let Alone. He also curated the Sad Songwriter night that was at The Womack. He thought bringing back the Living Room concerts as an extension of his Sad Songwriter series would be cool,” Gratza tells New Times.
The shows will have life after the performances. “Rushmore is also going to record the sets live for the artists, and we plan on doing something cool with those recordings. Maybe a compilation or putting them on vinyl on my label.” Gratza has his own record label called President Gator. Two of the scheduled acts, Bogan Via and Micah Bentley, have releases on his label.

The plan is to highlight its love of all things local by keeping the roster focused on area acts. “It’s nice because everyone at Thunderbird comes from a local music scene background. I have President Gator and have managed and promoted local concerts and have local bands on the label. Jake was in two local bands, The Hot Guy Band and Sunrise Elementary. In addition to his other involvements, Marcus is in a local band called Let Alone,” Gratza says.

Don’t be surprised, though, if a national act finds its way onto the roster.

“B-Real & Cypress Hill did a Weedmaps meet and greet at our bar last year. Josh Conway & Maria of The Marias did an after-party/DJ set at our bar last year and Black Pumas did a Coinbase secret show in our backyard last year,” Gratza says, naming a few of those non-desert folks who have popped in to provide some entertainment.

Here’s the current schedule for the Living Room Sessions. Visit the site to see information about future shows:

7/28, Honey Marie Knight
8/11, Bogan Via
8/25, Micah Bentley
8/28, TBA
9/8, Marloma
9/22, Katie Mae

The shows are 21 and over and happen on the second and fourth Monday of each month at 8 p.m. Admission is free.