Posts by Kathrine Bryan

Performing together since 2004, Still Time has become a household name on California’s Central Coast.  They have shared the stage with acts such as Steel Pulse, Ozomatli, and Ben Harper.  With two full-length albums under their belt – Stream of Consciousness (2007) and See America (2009), Still Time falls under the category “groove rock,” and they seek to promote a positive message.

Held during the weekend of August 13-14, 2010, the two-day festival featured 16 panels, 14 stages and over 150 musical acts.   Hosted by Lafayette Hotel, the panels covered everything from music industry basics, to legal issues, tour budgets, and the resurgence of independent labels.  Panelists came from a variety of backgrounds and attendants participated in the sessions, with the hopes of learning how to make it in the exciting, yet competitive industry of music.

The other performers of Lilith Fair joined Sarah McLachlan for a cover of Patti Smith’s rocking hit, “Because the Night.”  At the closing of this event, it all seemed to come together nicely.  The tour may not be as popular or as dynamic as it once was, but it still carried McLachlan’s vision of celebrating women in music.

e Damon Castillo Band is all about music and love. The quintet from San Luis Obispo, CA, entertains its loyal home base time and time again.  They operate out of a quaint recording studio on a street called Laurel Lane, and have toured the West Coast and beyond.

The Like has grown up.   After the release of their first studio album in 2005, original members Z Berg and Tennessee Thomas went through a couple of line-up changes and reemerged with Release Me.  Joined by newcomers Annie Monroe and Laena Geronimo, The Like returned with 60’s inspired pop and a very mod fashion sense.

There is nothing wrong with a little back up.  And by “back up,” I mean a bass guitar and a set of drums.  I have listened to Jake Nannery’s voice, accompanied by nothing but an acoustic guitar.  The added sounds provided by bassist, Ramon Salumbides, and drummer, Mike West was excellent.  The slap of the bass and the solid percussion was the perfect touch to Nannery’s signature bluesy, rock style. The three have been playing and creating music for three to four years, and the opportunity to tour as a group was an exciting and fulfilling experience.  Between April 16 and April 20, they traveled down America’s west coast, and camped in beach towns between shows.

The barren landscape served as an appropriate backdrop to Jakob Dylan’s live performance at the Wiltern in Los Angeles.  It depicted the overall tone quite well, which was simple, with images and landscapes of a rural and forlorn country.  However, the show was sometimes a little jaded and monotonous. 

Mason Reed has released an EP titled, You Can’t Come Back from Heaven, in February.  As the follow-up to his 2005 release, Witches and Whiskey, the new record is his account on lost loves and the comfort and freedom of driving the open road. “I hope it gives people an idea of where I'm coming from. I hope to be able to write songs and tour as long as I live.  I'm in this for the long haul.  Willing to follow the road wherever it leads for the love of the song, the story, and the music,” he says.

Lindsay White's vocal style gets compared to Jewel’s quite often, which is taken as a compliment; however, she believes that her lyrics are just a tad more sarcastic.  For example, her song, “All Damn Day” explains her frustrations with happy people.  As dark and as negative as it sounds, Lindsay uses her songwriting as an outlet.  In other words, she keeps it real.

The Nikhil Korula Band has opened for artists such as Dave Matthews, O.A.R., Rusted Root, and Jason Mraz.  Their musical resume, if you will, is already a few pages long. But how did all of this happen?

Tours, art and boys aside, this Southern California band wants to chill in your living room. When I met Nick Schutz last year, I never knew he was in a band.  The night before our date, he was en route to the Knitting Factory in Hollywood for business matters. I asked him what his band sounded like.