LA-based and Boston-raised singer- songwriter, Sasha Alex Sloan, performed at The Wiltern this past Sunday. Touring for her latest album, I Blame the World, Sasha performed for a packed house inside the iconic art deco style theater.
Opener of the show, Slimdan, was unexpected, however, incredibly charming. The stage setup consisted of a small folding table with a keyboard on top and 3 microphones set up as if to capture a songwriting session or a podcast. At first it was visually unique but then made sense with the musical style of Slimdan. Hiding beneath the nonchalant everyday-dude aesthetic is an incredibly thoughtful and talented pop songwriter. One moment that stood out was his cover of Phil Collins’ “You’ll Be In My Heart,” which he then blended into an Akon’s “Lonely.” Slimdan and his band happen to be Sasha’s backing band which makes sense considering their palpable onstage chemistry.
Jessie Murph performed next. The 17-year-old singer commanded the stage immediately with her unique and emotionally expressive voice. Her brand of sad girl pop was the perfect set up for Sasha Sloan to then commandeer.
Sasha opened the set with “I Blame the World”, the title track of her album. A mid-tempo indie pop jam that would feel at home being performed by a band like Bleachers. Sasha’s voice and songwriting style are a unique blend of sad girl dreaminess, 2000’s pop-rock, and a splash of seasoned pop songwriter. As an up-and-coming LA songwriter, Sasha has many songwriting credits with artists such as Dua Lipa, Camilla Cabello, and Kygo. At the Wiltern, Sasha also performed her song “Is It Me?” which is a notable collaboration with singer-songwriter Charlie Puth. Highlights of the night include matching blue-flame shirts, a crowd pleasing cover of Hoobastank’s “The Reason,” and a perfectly intimate performance of her sad girl anthem “Too Sad To Cry.” Sasha is the real deal combining a playful live set with powerful pop ballads.
Words by Benjamin Patterson
Photos by Lily Ordunez
