During the weekend of Coachella, far from the madding crowds, there was something special shaking down at the AC Supper Club, in Venice. Those of us that decided to stick around town were treated to an intimate reggae affair with Kevin Kinsella alongside Raiz Muzik.

Fresh off the high of his guest-performance with John Brown's Body at The Roxy, Kevin put together a standout show that featured a host of material from his time as front man for his former band, throwing in a few classics from his 10 Ft Ganja Plant (a name you'll not soon forget) project, alongside exclusive new material.

He kicked off his set by treating us to a handful of those new tracks. Backed by pulsating bass lines, killer keys and a guitarist who simply shredded it up (hell, there was even a saxophone player toasting it up too). Raiz Muzik rocked it all night along, helping set Kevin's songs sailing into the Supper Club sky.

"They're a real good, classic roots reggae band," Kevin told me. "The drummer, Sonny, is actually an old friend of mine, in fact he was one of the first promoters to bring John Brown's Body out here. We just became the best of friends and now every time I'm out here it's just a family affair really."

Stage presence is one of Kevin's strong suits and he soulfully captivated the crowd despite not resembling anything close to your stereotypical Rasta. Dreadlocks-be-damned, he pointed to me and said, "This one goes out to my man, Ryan." The opening riffs to one of my favorite 10 Ft Ganja Plant tracks began and I instantly added a little extra energy to my "skank."

"I always try and keep the listener engaged," Kevin had said earlier and indeed he did. Also, I can now happily say I've crossed "Need to hear a 10 Ft Ganja Plant Song live" off my "Musical Must List."

Immediately following my shout-out song, Kevin's version of the the tall plant band's track "To Each," (which originally featured the mighty Meditations) hits. This is also a song that Kevin is immensely proud of. "Making that was a dream come true," he shared with me. The passion in which he performed it did more than enough justice to the legendary reggae group's original vocal stylings.

Isn't it funny how sometimes when you go hear a show, the artist will perform a song that you may not have noticed much before in the past but somehow seeing it performed live changes the way you view it? I had one of those moments when Kevin dropped the scorching "Full Control," an admittedly overlooked gem off his last album as lead singer for John Brown's Body in 2005. After seeing Kevin perform it with such spirit, I've played it nonstop on my iPod ever since.

It was a fitting end to a scintillating set that was full of life and exuded endless energy. It was also one that richly rewarded anyone who allowed themselves to bask in the reggae bliss that hit Venice on this night.

THE DETAILS:

Air Conditioned Supper Club
625 Lincoln Blvd
Venice. CA 90291
(310) 230-5343
http://www.airconditionedbar.com/locations_venice.html

Kevin Kinsella
http://www.myspace.com/kevinkinsella

Story by Ryan Simoneau.

Photos by Robbie Young.