Australian singer-songwriter Grace Cummings brought her powerful, emotionally charged vocals to Lodge Room in Highland Park, Los Angeles, on October 15, sharing the bill with Tyler Ballgame and Jean-Luc Eldenwood. Originally from Melbourne, Cummings blends folk, blues, and rock into a sound built around her unmistakable voice and deeply personal songwriting. With her latest album, Bloodhorse!, released in August 2026, she continues to show just how much emotion she can pull from a song. When the opportunity came up to photograph her performance for Hollywood Veil, I decided to step outside my usual musical territory. I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect, but I was curious to see what the night had in store.

It was my first time at the Lodge Room, and I immediately fell in love with the venue. Tucked into Highland Park, its vintage look and intimate atmosphere made it feel like a hidden gem. The crowd was a change of pace from the heavier bands I usually photograph. Everyone seemed relaxed, taking in the music and genuinely listening to what was happening onstage. There was no need for chaos or a packed crowd pushing toward the barricade. People were simply there to enjoy the music, and that energy made the room feel even more inviting.

Then Grace Cummings walked out with a Coke in hand and got ready to play. There was something refreshingly unfiltered about her. She openly pointed out that the piano was out of tune, along with the guitar, and carried on without making a big deal out of it. As someone seeing her perform for the first time, I thought she was cool as fuck. Her voice was incredible, shifting between delicate moments and powerful, almost overwhelming bursts of emotion. I came into the night excited to photograph an artist I wasn’t familiar with, but I quickly found myself slowing down with my camera because I was genuinely fascinated by what I was hearing. I never expected to find myself so drawn to this kind of music, but Cummings made it impossible not to pay attention.

Sometimes, the best shows are the ones you never planned on attending. I went to Lodge Room as a photographer covering an unfamiliar artist, and I left with a new appreciation for a style of music I might not have explored otherwise. Sometimes, all it takes is an artist, a voice, and the willingness to put everything into a song.

Words and photos by Chris Rivera