And your ears shall hear…

Gelli Haha’s debut record, Switcheroo, has quietly become a staple in my headphones and in just about every speaker around me. At work, in the gym, in the car — and when I’m not spinning CDs I’ve rescued from the cut-out bins — she’s in heavy rotation.

My entry point was a music thread I share with friends. Brian shared a screenshot of the track “Bounce House,” mentioning it was produced by Sean Guerin from De Lux, a band we like, so I had to listen. After enjoying that track, I got curious and explored “Funny Music,” then “Tiramisu” (which might be my new favorite), and finally “Johnny.” Soon, the line “Johnny’s my best friend… how did it happen?” was stuck in my head. This led me to listen to the whole album Switcheroo many times, and once it resonated with me, there was no turning back.

Angel Abaya, known as Gelli Haha, is a 30-year-old singer from Los Angeles. She creates unique pop music and released her first EP, Quaranmood, in 2020, followed by her debut album, The Bubble, in 2023. There’s something infectious about what she’s doing. The songs are playful without being disposable, clever without trying too hard, and anchored by a voice that practically dares you not to sing along. Give Switcheroo a few listens, and you’ll probably find yourself doing exactly that.

Where in the World is Gelli Haha Tour 2026 hits Schubas Tavern on Saturday, April 25, and both the early and late sets with BIG SIS are sold out. Maybe if you hang out in the front part of Schubas’ you’ll bump into someone who has an extra. Good luck!