After the world takes in Argentina versus Spain in this year’s World Cup, consider that today — Sunday, July 19 — is also International Karaoke Day.
Ah, karaoke. Be it done in your living room, a dive bar, or in a luxe setting like Mic Drop LA, karaoke resonates because people love music, and people love to sing.
That’s the take from Leo Kremer, co-owns Mic Drop LA with his brother Oliver, an elevated karaoke lounge that opened this April.
Singing is expressive and emotional, and it is totally active, as opposed to most entertainment, which is passive,” Kremer said. “It takes a little bit of courage and vulnerability to sing, and that’s why it’s so memorable, connective, and joyful.”
Mic Drop LA, in the heart of West Hollywood’s Rainbow District, takes karaoke to the next level with lush private studios and a Main Stage with immersive lighting, professional-grade sound, and glamorous décor, all enough to get anyone feeling like Beyonce, even if we don’t get anywhere near to sounding like her.
Mic Drop LA is celebrating International Karaoke Day with free room rentals and food and beverage minimums. Rooms are fully booked at this date, with the space’s 13 private rooms able to welcome parties of six to 45. But The Main Stage will remain open and available for guests who would still like to join in the karaoke fun, sing their songs and bravely celebrate.
“Everyone can sing, or rap. If you have a voice, you are a singer,” Kremer said. “Duets are always fun. Oliver and I have a go-to duet: ‘Regulate’ by Warren G and Nate Dogg. Oliver is Warren G, and I’m Nate Dogg. It’s so fun to perform it onstage together.”
People of all ages can enjoy easy camaraderie in a social space and that’s what karaoke offers. Ask any Filipino, or Asian American for that matter. Karaoke is big in Asian cultures and in our clan, it’s enjoyed by all. Karaoke spaces can be found all over the San Gabriel Valley, from the back of boba shops to restaurants, and all the way to Koreatown and Little Tokyo.
And karaoke machines come in all price points. My in-laws’ Magic Sing is simply a microphone installed with about 200 songs that was used to much people knew their favorite karaoke tune by heart. (“6878!” many an uncle would shout, grabbing the mic. Cue “My Way” by Frank Sinatra.) Their first karaoke machine was called Magic Mic (yep. For real.)
Cheeky and her brother can duet like nobody’s business on any Olivia Rodrigo song. My boys’ go-to is anything Bruno Mars, because every song is fun, they said. Hubby still harbors a not-so-secret wish to one day sing “Endless Love” with me. (Not gonna happen.) And this is the man who sings “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” at family karaoke parties because he always gets a score of 100. (Not competitive at all, that one.)
The more-shy members of the family can be coaxed onstage with any song the crowd can join in. Many a rendition of the 1990s song “Shoop” by Salt-N-Pepa has segued into a raucous group number at our Christmas karaoke parties. (And this leads to Uncle Mickey regaling the kids about how their music can’t compare to the ‘90s. Still debatable. Still sing-able.)
Us basketball moms brought the house down one tournament weekend with “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” and songs like “Born to Be Wild” by Steppenwolf and Madonna’s “Like A Prayer” always please a crowd.
Extroverts know to break out Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’” to get the party hopping. Even the most tone-deaf among us receive applause and support. Isn’t that what karaoke brings?
I will always remember Dad’s carpool karaoke jams, pre-Late Late Show with James Corden: anything by Neil Diamond and Frank Sinatra, or the soundtrack from “Les Miserables.” Me surrounded by his voice, happy to just be in that space with him and listening.
Dad didn’t need this, but here’s Leo Kremer’s “how to karaoke like a pro” tutorial:
Choose a song you love and know really well.Don’t forget to really perform and dance, it’s not just about the singing.If you don’t want to sing, rapping is great and goes over really well.Props are great—we have wigs, maracas, tambourines, and mic stands to use while performing.But also, Kremer said, feel free to ignore the previous four rules.
“Just do your thing,” he said. “Karaoke isn’t about perfection; it’s about having fun.”
That is, if you have any voice left after all your World Cup screaming.