MyWeek in Music May 16th to May 23rd
by Scott Zensen
Photos by: Scott Zensen
Back Issue
Time flies when your having fun! Here is a busy week for me! I went out to lots of shows this week. On Wednesday I started out the week as usual at the OB. Farmer's Market. The OB Street Fair is coming soon and I have been asked to manage a stage. So I am giving everyone a full schedule further down the page. Don't know which stage? I will be doing, but come on down on June 23rd and listen to some great music at a great fair at the beach. Good Music! Good Sun! Good Friends! What more can you ask for!
At Farmers market I started off listening to Chelsea Flor and Doktor Dave Sawyer play on a beautiful day in OB. Chelsea has been a staple lately at the farmers market and always a crowd favorite. Most of the time she has Jolene with her the beautiful poodle she brings with her who loves to sit and watch all the people milling around while momma sings to the crowd. Chelsea is so popular down at Farmers Market sometimes that today she was asked to do a second set later on in the day. Next in the line-up was Siren's Lure which consists of Sheri Stoltzfus and Marian Yamauchi. Two very fun ladies whom you can find around OB many days of the week. Their repertoire of songs consist of a lot of covers. But they always get the crowd tapping their feet and enjoying the music. Then Chelsea and Doktor Dave came up for their second set of the afternoon and the sun and music just made the crowd get larger as they played Chelsea's wonderful songs. The last performer on the bill today was a new artist to me but she has been playing around town for a while. Her name was Dawn Richey and she has a great voice. Who doesn't in town??? (well me for one, lol).
She was accompanied by guitarist (who also played a snare) and she plays a bass. She said she normally has a drummer too. She was in a band with them called St. James and The Blue Flames. She sounded good even with out the drummer. But she had the crowd loving what she was doing and they had a great set. So after people packed up their gear. we were treated to something that happens quite often in OB. The native Obceans were restless and got a drum circle going. This happens quite a lot, a half a dozen or more people who hang out with their Djembe's in downtown OB and have a drum session and some people dance. Sometimes its very primal and even the dancing can seem more like tribal dancing then people just out for some impromptu fun! but its always cool to watch!
I skipped going out on Thursday again so I could get caught up with the website and then went out again on Friday to two shows. I started off going to Kirin Sushi to get their new schedule because Yoshi forgot to cal me. I ended up staying to watch Jay Bradley play. Jay has a really great voice and does have a lot of songs of his own that he plays. I wanted to stay and listen to more but my ride was leaving for the next show. So I tagged along with Brooklyn to her show at San Diego Mission Bay Boat And Ski Club. It was another Listen Local SD event put on by the incomparable Cathryn Beeks. The Show started out with Brooklyn and her new band. The final configuration of the band is not complete but tonight's configuration was Tim Flack and Rob Garbo. Tim, many will recognize as the enigmatic persona behind Idynomite Media Music who gives us those great multimedia effects sometimes at venues. An Rob Garbo is in several bands of note including SweetTooth and the Cathryn Beek's Ordeal to name a couple. I have always liked Brooklyn's songs and they sounded pretty good together. Brooklyn's new CD is finished and is going to Artwork soon and then it will be available for purchase and everybody can listen to her great songs.
After Brooklyn's Band was The Christopher Cash Band. I had not heard these guys before and they were pretty good. They did a pretty long set and had quite a few great songs. The Boat and Ski stage is not huge but its usually adequate but when Christopher's band was up one of the musicians had to be off stage for them to be able work comfortably. Same thing happened for the next band who are one of my favorite bands. "Compass Rose" Took the stage and Amy and David tore up the place. I love hearing these guys whether the are just doing it as a duo or when the have the full band but I definitely like the full sound of having a drummer and bass player. I don't remember the title of one of the songs toward the end of their set but Amy just kicked ass on the vocal. Not only can she really handle a mean violin she sings too! Both the Castners are a very cute couple and I love listening to their great music!
The last person on the bill was only named Leldon but apparently Cathryn said he was a big rock star of sorts. but I was and am too ignorant to recognize him. I know the must be able to really play guitar well and sing great too but he was a little inebriated but he still owned that guitar and played it like he has been playing all his life. I could tell his voice quality was good too but ...well I think he has played a better show. But it was still a lot of fun and I would love to hear him again when he is feeling a little better. It was another great night of music at the Boat and Ski Club. We have to thank them for letting us come and be a part of the shows there. It is a club and you usually have to be a member or invited. But when Listen Local does a show your invited by proxy and its always fun!
On Saturday I was suppose to go to the Triple Crown for another Listen Local show and it was my friend Brooklyn's birthday too but I was feeling really ill so I never made it out that night. I felt much better the next day and midday I was ready to go to Listen Local's Tower Two Mother's Day Show! I tried to drag my mother to the show and lately I have actually gotten some of my family to come out to shows here and there. But she decided not to go. So I dragged my niece to the show! She was so sure she would hate the music and didn't like acoustic music. but I have stopped calling it acoustic music because people have associated negative connotations with it for some reason. So now I just tell people... when people ask what kind of music or what genre... I tell them "Good Music"! the line-up for mothers day was pretty good to start with but so many friends showed up, It became a really super show! It started off with The Castners, Podunk Nowhere, Not Your Mom. The Castner's were great as usual and there was a funny period in there when their child Jadyn didn't want to leave mom and dad. So Amy couldn't play the violin for a while and just did the singing parts. But it made for some cute afternoon delights when they coaxed Jaydn to sing into the mic a couple of times and they were good picture moments on this beautiful Mother's day right off the beach in Downtown OB. Luckily Alicia Ruggerio showed up and Jadyn wanted down to go over to Alicia for the rest of their set. Still it was a really cute time.
When Podunk Nowhere took stage we were ready for more great music. You wonder when a couple as cute as Johnny and Heather get up there to sing and play. You don't sit there and think that they are gonna play better than you ever heard them be before. How can they get better? They are always awesome! But they were better today! Heather's voice was just terrific and Johnny is one of the best guitar players I know! He pulled out a new toy I have not hear him use before it was a wah wah pedal. Probably not the correct tern for it but he sure liked using it and it put a lot of interesting spins on some of their already perfect songs. If you are interested in looking for it in the Back Issues from last year I once did a really cool review of their music at Portugalia that they loved and I still think that description I did still holds true today. These guys are good. My niece who said she wouldn't like acoustic music became an instant fan and when she went home she added quite a few of the musicians as MySpace Friends, especially the dunk's. after Podunk we had a treat, Barbara Nesbitt was in the house. Of course that is just a saying because Tower Two is a great spot outside in the sun on a huge sun deck at the Tower Two Restaurant at 5083 Santa Monica Ave # 1b. They have really good food and great beer and champagne prices and Cathryn does this venue once or twice a month. Barbara came up with Mike Spurgat and did a few wonderful songs of her's and the day was just getting better.
Astra Kelly another big favorite of mine was there to play in "Not Your Mom". but she took front and center and did some solo work and then Mitch Budd came up and played his mini-Djembe with her. It was a dynamite set as usual and then it was time for Astra to sing with "Not Your Mom". They are an all-female band usually consisting of Astra Kelly, Cathryn Beeks, Amy Castner, Alicia Ruggerio, Bernadette Gallegos, and Marcia Claire on Bass. but I don't know if Marcia is still with the band (she is so busy, see the April Issue of The Troubadour) and I don't know if they replaced her or not? Bernadette was also missing today but Cathryn said Kim bishop from the Kerri Dopart trio was supposed to play. But when she didn't show they asked Mitch to sit in with his mini-Djembe again! And he really is "not your mom"! The whole day of music was really special and lots of fun and I am sorry I didn't get my mom or my sister to come down as the moms I know and enjoy the music! But my Niece had a blast!
On Monday I went down to Dublin's to yet my third or fourth Listen Local event of the week (but not the last) to listen to Astra in another local. One she host's each Monday. This week she had Lee Coulter who had backup from Doktor Dave Sawyer, Alyssa Jacey and Beat Beat Whisper. Astra Kelly was super good tonight and she was trying a few new spins on how she sings some of her songs. But I was in good spirits anyway because I discovered a trick with digital cameras earlier in the day that when I tried here i got pleasant results! Most of the picture from the night were experimental but I think I got a few I will be happy with! When Astra was done with her set Lee Coulter came up and did a song and then Doktor Dave joined him for the rest of the set. Lee's songs are always upbeat and this was one of the few times I didn't see anyone get up to dance to his songs. but Dublin's may not be that kind of venue and there is little room for dancing if any. But lee had us bouncing on our toes. Doktor Dave always impresses me he is such a great guitar player and they had not had any practise time because Lee has been on a tour lately and just got back in town for a couple of days before going back out again. But it probably helped that Doktor Dave did a few tracks on one of Lee's CD's I am sure that always helps, but still it was a bit of a jam session for them.
Alyssa Jacey was next and I had not heard her play before. While she was playing; a couple of guys who were interested in her, noticed me taking pictures and asked if I was her publicist. But I told them; "no. I am not anybody special", "I just write about local music". But she was good and deserved the attention. She has a expressive voice. Her songs are cheery and fun to listen to and when I get the chance I will go see her again if I can. the last act of the night were out of town-er's by the unique name of "Beat Beat Whisper" but they were pretty good. They were a sister and brother act (so you know they have had lots of practise together) They really harmonized well together they both played guitar and the brother played both electric and acoustic. The sister played acoustic and a little musical box that was reminiscent of an old African instrument that Earth, Wind and Fire used to play but the name escapes me right now. But they had a very folk type style but still interesting enough to keep you interested. they said they would be back in town because they liked San Diego so If you see their name go check them out. Their cool! that was the end of yet another great night of music from Listen Local but their was another one the next day!
Listen Local usually has a show at Desi N Friends every Tuesday. This Tuesday had a great line-up. Happy Ron, Eben Brooks, Brenda Xu, Sandi Shaner, Eight Minutes to Twilight, Matt Silvia and friends. they show started off great Happy did his favorite songs for us and got the crowd all loosened up and ready for more music. We always like listening to Happy's songs because they put us in a great mood and a smile on our face, ready and eager to hear more music. Tom the guy who plays guitar with Happy had a small sound problem but it was quickly taken care of by one of the best (if not the best) sound men in San Diego, "Jon Edwards". After Happy left the stage Eben Brooks went up and sang a few in between telling us a few stories and telling us about signing up for the Listen Local walk team.
If you want more info on that check out the Listen Local link
Keep Walking to info on the event. Sign up to sponsor someone already walking in the event or sign up yourself in the process! It should be a lot of work but very rewarding fun! And very rewarding for the cause! Eben was in fine form and if some of the pictures I took actually come out ( I was experimenting artistically with the camera) they should be great. Eben has a great head of hair that i am totally envious of and I was playing with the light, which is horrible at Desi's. Most of the time I am lucky if I get a shot at all and for some reason my camera was acting up last night, so we'll see if any of them come out! If you haven't heard Eben's music before he is a great songwriter and his songs are thought provoking.
Brenda Xu was here at Desi's and she is the Artist of the Week on the Listen Local site. She came with Isaac Cheong's younger brother Ivan Cheong. He was really good. And why not? His brother is talented it must run in the family. Brenda sounded great and with the guitar back up she sounded even better. But she is still in the beginning of her career of music and there is lots of time for her to hone her craft. as much potential and talent that she has that won't take long. Sandi Shaner was up next and I loved what she was doing I took a few pics and then went downstairs to get more water and got hung up in a couple of conversations so I didn't get to watch the performance. but I got to hear it and I thought it was pretty cool she had another guy who played keyboards with her and later he sang the lead on one of the tunes. Not shabby!
The next part of the showcase was a band called Eight Minutes to Twilight. I heard these guys doing a duo at Acoustic Alliance and they were great then! Now Josh Wright had his whole band and they were even better. Josh wright has a really great voice. As anyone who reads this column knows I am a little partial to the female singers. but I do like male voices too but they have to be really good. Josh wright has one of those voices. Its clear and crisp and very on key. I think if these guys get any recognition they could go national real easy. they are that good and have a little bit of the sound that is popular these days. So keep your eyes on these guys! The final Band tonight and the final band of this week that I saw was supposed to be Matt Silvia and Friends. What that really boiled down to was Jeff Johnson was in town and he is the Bass player for SweetTooth who quit the band to better himself by going back to school. Well he is on break and it was his birthday tonight and he decided to play with his friends (who have never been able to find someone to replace him) and so that means we got a spur of the moment opportunity to hear SweetTooth once more.
It may be a last time in this configuration but I hope not. SweetTooth is still one of my favorite local rock bands and I hope they will continue to play for a while. But if they don't then I was honored to get to hear them when they were and will always remember that I got to see these guys play when they were together. Because I am sure it won't be the last we hear of any of them for quite a while. this is why I try and convey to all of you out there who read this weekly diatribe why its so important to go out and listen to the music that is happening here in your own backyard of San Diego. If you don't go out you might miss these rare opportunities to hear something great! And really everything in music is a slowly mutating, constantly changing scene of musicians, who get together and make music here and then make it somewhere else with someone else. Its the same with corporate music for the people who make it. Things change all the time and we are just experiencing small little snippets of the time in our lives when these things happen and you can't experience them sitting behind a computer or sitting at home. And listening to a cd is wonderful but listening to LIVE music is so much more that just listening. Its an experience!
Ciao
The OB Street Fair is Coming! The OB Street Fair is Coming!And I will be managing one of the Stages!
The 2007 lineup was announced May 17th
28th Annual Ocean BeachStreet FairChili Cookoff and Fireworks Festival - June 23, 2007
Five Ocean Beach Stages-10am til 8pm
MAIN STAGE
- 10:00-10:02 TJ (National Anthem)
- 10:02-11:45 Deacon Moore Band
- 11:55-12:45 On the One
- 1:00-2:00 Cash’d Out
- 2:30-3:30 Taubab Krewe
- 3:50-5:00 Lady Dottie & the Diamonds
- 5:20-6:30 Vegitation
- 6:50-8:00 Agua Dulce
92107 STAGE
- 11:15-11:45 The Chi Club
- 12:15-1:00 Mike Pinto & The Mashers
- 1:30-2:15 Gadfly
- 2:45-3:45 The Grams
- 4:15-5:30 Deadline Friday
- 6:00-7:00 Shoestring Strap
BACON SUN STAGE
- 11:00-11:35 Sara Petite
- 12:00-12:40 Citizen Band
- 1:10-1:50 Bad Science Fiction
- 2:15-3:00 Jose Sinatra
- 3:20-4:00 Blizzard
- 4:20-5:00 Joey Harris & The Mentals
- 5:20-6:00 The Shambles
- 6:20-7:00 The Palominos
ARTISTS ALLEY
- 11:15-12:15 Israel Maldonado and Davy Carano
- 12:30-1:30 Danya Vaad & the Shimmy Sisters
- 1:50-2:45 Podunk Nowhere
- 3:00-4:00 Mas Grande
- 4:30-5:30 Jalopy
- 6:00-7:00 Tapwater
ACOUSTIC STAGE
- 11:45-11:55 Barry
-
- 12:00-12:40 Sheri Stoltzfus
- 12:45-1:25 Chelsea Flor
- 1:30-2:10 Barbara Nesbitt
- 2:15-3:20 Simeon Flick
- 3:30-4:10 Kent Johnson
- 4:15-4:50 Julie Mack
- 5:00-5:40 Anna Troy
- 5:45-6:15 Christopher Dale
Design