Feeding the Soul at House Of Blues
By Ricky Small, Oct 16th, 2011
If you are anything like me and see more live music in a year than you can even recall, you know that there are always one or two shows that leave a lasting impression. It’s not just that you LOVE the performers, or even the venue, but that one show has a certain electricity that everyone in the room is feeling simultaneously. I had a chance to experience just that at the Feeding the Soul Foundation’s charity event at the House of Blues in San Diego on October 16th. It didn’t just blow me away; it had the entire place in the grips of its spell.
As part of their effort to do good for the local and global communities, the Feeding the Soul Foundation along with Olive PR Solutions brought together a wide range of talents to benefit the Indigenous Education Foundation of Tanzania. The evening’s performances included the San Diego-based duo The Lovebirds, followed by the carefree Paul Cannon Band, as well as headliners Raining Jane from Los Angeles. As an added bonus, Jason Mraz himself was also in attendance to support his co-collaborators Raining Jane. Mraz, known for his support of local artists and charities, performed two songs with Raining Jane as a surprise guest and fellow supporter of the Feeding the Soul Foundation.
The event drew a positive crowd, receptive to the vibes and the overall purpose of the night. Opening the show, The Lovebirds set the tone perfectly! The duo’s seamless harmonies and catchy melodies were a nice transition into the feel-good trio that is the Paul Cannon Band. Fronted by the incomparable San Diego native Paul Cannon, this upbeat, bare foot-stomping, self-described beach-rock group was accompanied by their very pregnant cellist Christine Cyr, whose performance was so engaging that she gave birth only hours after the show! Fortunately, it was after Raining Jane took the stage. The incredibly polished five-piece girl group proved to be worthy of a headlining spot on the House of Blues mainstage.
They are not only seasoned instrumentalists, with notability given to percussionist Mona Tavakoli’s energy, skill, and creativity on the cajon drum, but they are talented songwriters. Their slow, melodious rendition of Pat Benatar’s “Love is a Battlefield” was followed by their collaborative performance of “Beautiful Mess” with Jason Mraz, a song they co-wrote. Mraz looked at ease among friends and despite the large venue, the performance felt very intimate.
I suppose this review contains a bit more gushing than reviewing, but the cause behind the night combined with the incredible energy and unity among the performers left everyone with a lasting impression.
www.feedingthesoulfoundation.org
By Talin Hartounian, Oct 14th 2011
Voted Best New Artist at the 2011 San Diego Music Awards, Sister Speak not only earned their title but surpassed all expectationsduring their showcase performance at Bar Eleven, the latest San Diego music venue. It was an intimate setting with the stage only a few feet away from their biggest fans, and the laid back duo – comprised of Chicago transplants Sherri-Anne and Samantha Cathcart – set an eclectic tone with their partial rock and partial blues vibes. Whether they were playing guitar or accompanying the other on percussions, the two complimented each other well (sending each other looks of approval during favorite moments in songs) and in doing so captivating the audience with every note and every lyric during their set.
Though their voices were distinctly different individually, the dynamic between the two was incomparable. Songs like “Lose Control” and “My Baby” made it nearly impossible to uncover where ones voice ended and the other’s began. Surprisingly, the synchronized voices and the soothing interplay of guitars did not overshadow the lyrical content of their songs.
The seemingly soft spoken duo was not afraid to address real issues within their music by calling attention to the nation’s problems and enticing people to take action and gain back control of their lives. Even what was anticipated to be a cheesy love song, the somewhat more upbeat one of their collection “My Baby” was a pleasant surprise, with soulful undertones and lyrical edge that remained true to their style, even as a long song.
Whether they are performing as a duo or in their band, the combo between Cathcart and Sherri-Anne is a raw talent and a refreshing addition to the San Diego scene.
By Talin Hartounian, Oct 14th 2011
Just another Manic Monday? Not if you’re at Bosen & Suede’s Music Showcase at the newly opened Bar Eleven in North Park. Scheduled for the first and third Monday of every month, this bi-weekly open platform brings some of the most entertaining and skillful musicians together in an intimate setting, providing a venue for collaboration, improvisation, and an open forum for creativity. Not to mention the fact that you are immediately among friends upon walking into the venue, with musicians horsing around before their shows, playfully criticizing one another’s hair, passing around a hat for everyone in attendance to autograph (yes, even yourself), and welcoming any newcomer by quickly introducing themselves and making room on the benches for them to sit.
Not to be confused with an open mic night, Bosen & Suede’s Music Showcase consists of carefully selected and talented local artists, all of whom have proven to uphold a level of entertainment and stage presence. Sharing the platform with the likes of Ricky Small, Sister Speak, Corey Cottrell, SHaron Hazel Township, and emcees Bosen and Suede, local artists and lovers of music are encouraged to attend the showcases as a means to network and build relationships within their community. And quite honestly, just to meet some quality individuals.
“We want to give musicians in the community a place to be around like-minded artists and expand on the similar vibe that already exists in the scene, while providing entertainment for the non musician who just enjoys experiencing good talent” said Brian Bosen, co-Master of Ceremonies. Staying true to their mission, all the performers of the night are called up on stage for what looks like a unifying pow-wow, building upon the harmonious family-like sense of the entire evening.
Bar Eleven’s intimate setting continues to uphold that harmony among one another by letting you get up close and personal with the artists, positioning the stage only a few feet from the seats. The picnic style benches in place of individual seats also enhance open interaction between friends and former strangers, while the charismatic emcees invite the opportunity to meet every person in the venue within the first few minutes.
Having only been in “business” since last spring, the showcase’s networking forum has net way to the formation of bands, as well as inspired collaborations between artists on CDs and EPs, and most importantly built a camaraderie among music lovers in San Diego.
“We love the positive vibe every Monday and want it to continue to grow while keeping a strong sense of community within the local music scene” said Craig Suede, co-Master of Ceremonies.
Whether you are a musician or simply a music-enthusiast, Bosen and Suede’s Music Showcase is the place to find casual, yet lively local music in a welcoming setting. Did we mention the showcases are free?
www.facebook.com/bosenandsuede
East coast native Ricky Small is an ever-evolving songwriter with a contagious charm and electric stage performance. His material demands attention, while instantly drawing in and soothing the listener. His band, Ricky Small and The Talls bring their leader’s infectious Pop/Folk sound to another level with heavy grooves, funky jams, and professional use of dynamics. They have played countless venues on the East and West coasts and continue to expand.
Ricky Small and the Talls MP3: “Same Old Story”
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By Talin Hartounian, Oct 14th 2011
“Were those angels singing to us just now?” No silly, that was just Jackson Price’s angelic voice echoing through the walls of Café Libertalia. It was an intimate Friday night full of friends new and old, witty banter in between songs, and audience Q&A about yes, angels.
Price’s smooth-sounding songs and thought-provoking lyrics came from his debut EP Jackson Jack. With songs like “Shine the Light” and “Magic, I Promise” it was evident that Price, with his big hair and even bigger smile, writes and arranges every song from the heart. Whether it was about falling in love or of self-reflection, the soothing melodies from his voice and his guitar chords almost took you through the journey in a dream-like trance.
Sharing the stage with Price were fellow musicians and supporters Ricky Small and his not-so-small band mate Sam Johnson.
Though Small’s performance on the acoustic guitar is fairly upbeat and dance provoking (Small himself barely could stand still), the music as a whole gives off an older sound – with bluesy vibes from Johnson’s bass mixed with the surprisingly soulful groove from little Ricky Small himself. Singing from the perspective of cats (“Scratching at the Door”) and about mistakes we’ve all made (“My House”), there was sincerity behind every lyric and every expression on the singer’s face.
The talents complemented each other’s style and showcased their Jason Mraz-like musical abilities in a relaxed and easy flowing manner – tag teaming between songs and even inviting an unexpected performance from the soulful Corey Cottrell.
By Talin Hartounian, Oct 11th 2011
Anyone who has ever seen The Rapture live, or has even heard their music, knows that it is nearly impossible to do either without bobbing your head, shaking your butt or even downright dancing with the stranger next to you by the end of the first song. The Rapture’s upbeat, hard-hitting bass lines combined with lead singer Luke Jenner’s melodic vocals have you engaged and moving before you even know it.
The Rapture’s recent show at Belly Up Tavern, San Diego’s leading venue for live music, was no different. Nearly everyone in the crowd was moving along with the band’s high energy as they brought their own brand of dance-punk to San Diego. Even first timers (you know, the ones who most likely won tickets through a radio drawing and didn’t get the hipster memo) were recognizably entertained by the band’s New York dance rock vibe. The soulful melody of the title track “In the Grace of Your Love” was practically hypnotic, specifically at the end when the music cut out and Jenner’s haunting voice echoed throughout the venue. Even the crowd stood silent for those 30 seconds.
Critics may relate the repetitive nature of some of the lyrics to “radio pop” but in actuality The Rapture maintains their individuality and, if anything, harness the creativity of rave-like DJ sets during which all eyes are on stage, and every nuance results in immediate crowd approval and reaction.
Going to a Rapture show feels like being at a kick-ass house party with some of your closest friends rocking out on stage.
