Archive for July, 2010

Rockaway plays classic rock at Azalea Park

Thursday, July 29th, 2010

Rockaway consists of Brookings-Harbor musicians.

The summer concert from 1 to 4 p.m. at Azalea Park Sunday (July 31) will feature the classic rock sounds of local band Rockaway.
Rockaway consists of Brookings musicians Kurt Kessler (bass), Kim Banfield (vocals), Pye White (guitar/keyboards), Sonny Riner (guitar), Brad Jones (drums) and Kathryn Metzler (vocals). The musicians have collaborated with one another for the last five years.
The band will perform songs by Tom Petty (I Won’t Back Down), John Fogerty (Centerfield), Fleetwood Mac (Dreams), Eagles (Peaceful, Easy Feeling/Get Over It) and Van Morrison (Crazy Love).
The Sunday concerts in the park are sponsored by the American Music Festival, a non-profit operated by a volunteer board under the non-profit Brookings Area Council for the Arts.
People attending the American Music Festival concerts at Azalea Park should bring their own seating – chairs or blankets. The Rotary Club of Brookings-Harbor will operate the Snack Shack during each of the concerts.
In case of bad weather, the concerts move to the Redwood Theater in downtown Brookings.
For information on becoming a sponsor of the American Music Festival, please contact Les Cohen at the Brookings-Harbor Chamber of Commerce, 541-469-3181 or toll-free 800-535-9469.
Upcoming American Music Festival concerts at the park are:
Aug. 15: Deadwood Revival (newgrass).
Aug. 29: Sans Prophet (classic rock).
Sept. 12: Tsunami Swing Band.
Sept. 19:  Sweet Town Little (country rock).

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Live music in Brookings Friday (July 30) and Open Mike Saturday

Thursday, July 29th, 2010
Brookings musicians Mason McKinney, Rebecca Brickley and the Harrison Brothers will perform an eclectic mix of acoustic music at 8 p.m. Friday (July 30) at Centre Stage, 703 Chetco Ave. “We have a real treat for everyone this Friday night,” said Centre Stage owner Kim Banfield. “There will be a wide variety of music styles, with acoustic and electric instruments, piano, drums and awesome vocals.”
The event is free with a suggested donation of $5 to benefit the local musicians and Stagelights Musical Arts Community nonprofit.

Listen to a previous performance by Matt Harrison and Mason McKinney at http://www.coastalgrooves.com/2010/04/matt-harrison-and-mason-mckinney/

An Open Mike is scheduled fron 7 to 10 p.m. at Centre Stage. All musicians are invited to perform. For more information or to sign up call Kim Banfield at 541-251-3952. The event is free but donations are welcome and will benefit Stagelights.

Come out and support local musicians!

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Free music! 2010 releases

Monday, July 26th, 2010
Record company SCIFidelity Records is offering a free MP3 sampler of its artists (14 songs/70 minutes of music). Artists include String Cheese Incident, Umphrey’s McGee, Keller and the Keels, Lotus, EOTO and more.
Check it out at http://scifidelity.com/

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Craig Allen Blues Band returns to Azalea Park Sunday (July 25)

Friday, July 23rd, 2010

Craig Allen Blues Band at last year's Azalea Park concert

The Craig Allen Blues Band returns to Azalea Park in Brookings to perform “rock and roll to steamroll the soul.”
The band will perform at 1 p.m. Sunday, July 24, for a free American Music Festival concert.
According to band’s website, The Craig Allen Blues Band was conceived in 1998 in Klamath Falls, where the Allens live. It began with the singing debut of Craig Allen at a blues society jam session in a small pub.
“It was because of his overwhelming reception that Craig began auditioning musicians,” says the band’s website, “leading to assembly of the best musicians attainable in the Southern Oregon/ Northern California regions.”
The band has gone on to perform and record with some of the biggest names in the country.
Singer and songwriter Craig Allen is at home in the recording studio or on stage. He said he enjoys performing before huge crowds and offering an exciting show.
Drummer and background vocalist Tommy Sims hails from the San Francisco Bay area. Sims has been playing professionally since he was a teenager, both a studio musician and stage performer.
Rhythm guitarist Tom Wallenburn made his performing debut with his long-time friend Allen in 1998. “He lays down the rhythm and riffs, taking care of business like a mechanic,” says Allen.
J.J. Hannum, lead guitar and back vocals, recently moved to Klamath Falls from Jackson Hole, Wyo. He’s been a professional guitar player for more than 15 years.
Robert Harlow performs on sax. To be able to find a great sax player in Klamath Falls was not an easy feat, but Allen says “Robert plays like an old soul.”
The newest members of the band are Wayne Zaiger on Hammond organ, lead guitar and horn, and Sebastian Jaross on bass guitar.
The Rotary Club of Brookings-Harbor will operate its Snack Shack during the concert, or people are welcome to bring their own lunch.
Streaming MP3 clips at:
See videos of the band at:

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Friday night concert: Mood Swing

Thursday, July 22nd, 2010

Mood Swing

Acoustic folk/rock musicians Ron Houck and Pamela Jones, playing together as Mood Swing, will perform at 7 p.m. Friday (July 23) at Centre Stage, 507 Chetco Ave. Tickets are $5.

The pair has been performing music together for more than 16 years at pubs, fairs and festivals around the country, and at their own venue “Mood Swing The Club,” in Klamath Falls.
According to the group’s website (www.moodswingclub.com), Ron and Pamela “create a beautiful sound, with unique harmonies and bold solos.” They perform a variety of music including rock, folk and bluegrass.
Although known for his bass playing (upright and electric), Ron now mostly plays guitar. The two are often joined by Sir Walter Raleigh, their 8 year-old Border Collie mix, who “sings.” There are several songs the dog loves and knows quite well, including the originals “Raleigh’s Blues” and “Bloom Where You’re Planted.”
Mood Swing has two CDs available that will be for sale during Friday’s concert. “Bloom Where You’re Planted” is an acoustic rock album, with five originals and cover tunes from the Everly Brothers, Joni Mitchell, the Beatles and more. “Thursday Night at the Club” is a jazz CD with great standards and five originals. Both CDs are available at $15 each.
Video performances can be found at http://www.moodswingclub.com/moodswingMarch27-h1000a.mp4

Mood SwingAcoustic folk/rock musicians Ron Houck and Pamela Jones, known collectively as Mood Swing, will perform at 7 p.m. Friday (July 23) at Centre Stage, 507 Chetco Ave. Tickets are $5.The pair has been performing music together for more than 16 years at pubs, fairs and festivals around the country, and at their own venue “Mood Swing The Club,” in Klamath Falls.According to the group’s website (www.moodswingclub.com), Ron and Pamela “create a beautiful sound, with unique harmonies and bold solos. They perform a variety of music including rock, folk and bluegrass.Although known for his bass playing (upright and electric), Ron now mostly plays guitar. The group is often joined by Sir Walter Raleigh, their 8 year-old Border Collie mix, who “sings.” There are several songs the dog loves and knows quite well, including the originals “Raleigh’s Blues” and “Bloom Where You’re Planted.”Mood Swing has two CDs available and will be fore sale during Friday’s concert. “Bloom Where You’re Planted” is an acoustic rock album, with five originals and cover tunes from the Everly Brothers, Joni Mitchell, the Beatles and more. “Thursday Night at the Club” is a jazz CD with great standards and five originals. Both CDs are available at $15 each.Video performances can be found at http://www.moodswingclub.com/moodswingMarch27-h1000a.mp4

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Guitar duo to perform concert in Gold Beach Saturday (July 24)

Thursday, July 22nd, 2010

Jim and Natasha Burke

GOLD BEACH – Area musicians Jim and Natasha Burke will offer a free concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 24, at the Biscuit Gallery at Gold Beach Books.

The husband and wife team performs a mix of acoustic folk, bluegrass, country, and cowboy songs, including some original compositions by Natasha. They refer to their wide variety of songs as “Americana music.”
Natasha plays guitar and sings, while Jim plays guitar, mandolin and banjo.
“In the tradition of American roots music, we aim for smooth and haunting vocal harmonies and sweet instrumental musical interplay,” Jim explains.
Natasha, a past “rock and roller,” was heavily influenced by her musical father, who sang doo wop harmonies and played percussion in the late 1950s and early ’60s with bands in San Francisco.  Jim was raised on the folk music of Pete Seeger and the Weavers, and recalls listening to his mother’s boxed record set of the Newport Folk Festival while in high school, and discovering the guitar flat-picking of Doc Watson.
Jim is a regular in the Sonoma County, Calif., bluegrass band, The Moonshiners, but says that “often the most beautiful and intimate music can come from just two people in the great tradition of country duets.”
The concert is open to all ages.  Because gallery seating is limited, patrons are advised to arrive early.
Gold Beach Books is at 29707 Ellensburg Ave., Gold Beach.

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Fishtank Ensemble brings world gypsy jazz to Pistol River Saturday

Monday, July 19th, 2010
Advertised as “french hot jazz, wild servian and transylvanian gypsy anthem,” the eclectic Fishtank Ensemble will perform at 8 p.m. Saturday, July 24, at the Pistol River Friendship Hall.
Ticket prices are $15. The hall is located between Brookings and Gold Beach off Highway 101 at 24252 Carpenterville Road.
The LA Weekly calls Fishtank Ensemble a “cross pollinated gypsy music….one of the most thrilling young acts on the planet.”
According to the band’s website, the group formed in 2005 and has played everywhere from the hippest LA clubs to festivals, cultural centers, museums, parades, and even on the street. The band includes two explosive violins, the world’s best slap bass player, musical saw, flamenco and gypsy jazz guitar, trombone, opera, jazz and gypsy vocals, accordion and one little banjolele. Tackling everything from French hot jazz to wild Serbian and Transylvanian gypsy anthems, Flamenco, and oddball originals, the band is a not to be missed event for world music lovers… and everyone will love this intoxicating mix of music!
The biographies of the four  band members, listed at www.pistolriver.com, read:
•Fabrice Martinez (violin and violintromba): A gifted fiddler who travels Europe in a mule-drawn caravan collecting and playing folk music with the group Croque Mule. Originally from France before living in the caravan, his special love is Romanian folk music. He also plays Gypsy, Hungarian, Swedish, and many other kinds of music. His special love is Romanian folk music. He also plays Gypsy, Hungarian, Swedish, and many other kinds of music.
•Ursula Knudson (saw, voice and violin): Also traveling with the Croque Mule caravan, she is classically trained in voice and violin. Self-taught on the saw, she won 2nd place in the 2004 International Saw Festival. She sings beautifully in Romanian, French, Japanese, and sometimes even in English, her native tongue.
•Douglas Smolens (guitar): An accomplished Flamenco guitarist, producer and composer. Performing as “el douje,” his album Worlds Collide is a unique and bold mixture of traditional and modern styles, from ‘jondo’ flamenco to modern day world fusion/drum and bass/techno.
•Djordje Stijepovic (bass): Djordje was a member of leading world music bands in Serbia like Shira Utfila (Sephardic), Kal (Balkan gypsy) and Marsya (Balkan). He finished classical music conservatory and department for jazz arrangement and bass. Djordje performs solo (world music/jazz), provides his signature slap for rockabilly band Atomic Sunset, Deke Dickerson, Slim Jim Phantom (from Stray Cats), and Lemmy (from Motorhead), and plays with other bluegrass, cajun, jazz, blues and other type of bands.
Listen to and watch Fishtank Ensemble’s music and videos at:
http://www.fishtankensemble.com/album.php
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjDaJDJ2hfU&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HV3R7nat1Wg

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Rävinwolf returns to Brookings Saturday, July 17

Wednesday, July 14th, 2010

Rävinwolf performs at Brookings Centre Stage in May.

Husband/wife guitar duo Rävenwolf will bring their funky, folksy, acoustic, bluesy rock and roll back to Centre Stage (703 Chetco Ave.) for a 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. dinner show on Saturday, July 17. The price is $15 for dinner and show, or just $5 for the show. This is the second time the rocking, harmonizing couple has played at this intimate venue and anticipation is running high. I was fortunate enough to catch Rävenwolf’s concert in May and was blown away by their versatility and overall musicianship. This time they hope to have their regular percussionist with them, which will elevate the music to new heights. The Washington-based acoustic musicians Jamey and Heather Bilyeu work magic with just two guitars and dual vocals to defy musical boundaries, switching from gritty blues to rock to country. Their overall style reminded me of ’60s and ’70s artists Jefferson Airplane, Heart, CSNY and Bonnie Raitt. And, while they’re more than happy to cover these artists’ songs, their originals are just as strong. If you are a fan of blues, rock and roll and acoustic folk, don’t miss Rävenwolf.

Find out more about the band, their music and see video performances at www.ravinwolf.com

Meanwhile, here is an excerpt of Ravinwolf’s concert at Centre Stage in May.

Podcast: Download

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Snapshot live at Stagelights Community Music Showcase

Tuesday, July 13th, 2010

Michael George plays and sings with Snapshot at Sunday's concert.

Brookings’ own acoustic rock band Snapshot performs covers and originals during Stagelights Community Music Showcase at Azalea Park Sunday (July 11).

Here are two of their originals recorded live Sunday:

Podcast: Download

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Rockaway live at Stagelights Community Showcase

Monday, July 12th, 2010

Members of Rockaway, a Brookings classic rock cover band, perform a number of audience favorites during a 30-minute set at Brookings Azalea Park Sunday, July 11.

Podcast: Download

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Slave to the Mushroom Cloud

Sunday, July 11th, 2010

Slave to the Mushroom Cloud closes out Sunday's Stagelights Community Showcase concert at Brookings' Azalea Park.

Music is full of surprises. Example: The three-man band Slave to the Mushroom Cloud. The North Dakota-based rock band blasted the leaves off trees at Azalea Park Sunday afternoon during their too-short, 5-song set that closed out the second Stagelights Community Music Showcase concert. While the band’s punk-influenced indie rock isn’t for everybody (and those who didn’t like it packed up the lawn chairs and left quickly), Slave played energetically to an enthusiastic crowd at the outdoor venue.

For those who missed Slave Sunday, don’t fret. They musicians will play again at 7 p.m. Tuesday (July 13) at Centre Stage, 703 Chetco Ave. in Brookings. Two members of Slave will also play with two friends in the form of a band called Zoo on Fire during Tuesday’s concert. While Slave’s sound is bombastic and driving, it features creative melodic touches, good vocals and a darn good drummer. Graham Thomas is a delight to watch as he turns his small trap set into a symphony of  syncopation and snare work. Evan Morgenson’s nibble fingers provides solid bass lines, easily keeping pass with Robert Kramer’s fretwork. While most of Slave’s songs are performed at breakneck speed, the band is not afraid to turn it down, just momentarily, for a sweet guitar instrumental and a hooky rock song or two. Don’t miss Slave to the Mushroom Cloud in Brookings Tuesday. Small band with a big sound in an intimate venue.
Listen to Slave to the Mushroom Cloud:

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Garrick Rawlings in concert: Everything but the kitchen sink

Wednesday, July 7th, 2010

Garrick Rawlings performs in Brookings July 10

Singer/songwriter Garrick Rawlings will perform his mix of folk, rock, country, cowboy, jazz, punk and blues from 8 to 10 p.m. Saturday (July 10) at Centre Stage, 703 Chetco Ave.
The concert is a benefit for the Stagelights Musical Arts Community lesson program, with the suggested donation of $5 per person being split between the non-profit and the musician.
When asked about his eclectic mix of musical styles, Rawlings said, “I’m forever chasing striking blends of music in songs I write and perform.
“My music is neither traditional folk, blues nor rock and roll,” he said. “The best I can describe it, in terms of comparison, with no intent of insulting the masters, is Neil Young meets Johnny Cash meets Woody Guthrie meets Led Zeppelin meets Wayne Kramer (of MC5) meets Townes Van Zandt meets Dave Alvin meets Tom Russell meets John Prine meets …well, you get the idea.”
Rawlings began his musical career as a hard rock electric guitar player emulating the high energy rock out of Detroit. Soon after he “fell in love with the blues in Chicago.”
“Then I moved out west to L.A. to play some rock and roll and somehow became Ramblin’ Jack Elliott’s road manager, opener and sidekick for a while,” he said. “While in L.A. I had the good fortune of getting to know and open shows for world-class songwriters/guitarists Dave Alvin and Rick Shea, some of the best California has to offer.”
Check out Rawlings music at http://www.myspace.com/garrickrawlings
garrickrawlings.
The mission of Stagelights Musical Arts Community  is to provide education and outreach opportunities to students of all ages who are interested in the musical arts, regardless of their ability to pay.
Stagelights’ current projects for 2010 include a free/low-cost music lesson program for all ages, a summer youth music workshop, and a community choir.
For  information about Stagelights, its programs, sponsorships or to make a donation call 541-251-3952 or visit http://www.stagelights.us.

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Stagelights Music Showcase at Azalea Park Sunday: Three hours of live music!

Wednesday, July 7th, 2010

Rockaway, pictured here at the Stagelights music showcase in April, will play at Azalea Park Sunday.

Music lovers at this Sunday’s summer concert at Azalea Park will be treated not just to one band but six bands – four of them from the Brookings-Harbor community.
The event, from 1 to 4 p.m., will feature:
• Crabgrass (traditional and modern bluegrass);
• SnapShot (originals and class rock interpretations);
• Stagelights House Band with special guest Billi Ruth Furuichi (classic rock and folk originals);
• Rockaway (classic rock).
The event will also include two North Dakota-based bands:  Zoo on Fire and Slave to the Mushroom Cloud, which play music described as melodic punk-influenced rock and pop.
Each band will play 30-minute sets of music with only a brief break between acts, said concert organizer Gordon Later.
“This is a great opportunity for people to enjoy the very talented musicians we have right here in our own community,” Later said. “It gives local musicians a chance to perform and get their music out to those who want to hear it.”
The Sunday concerts in the park are sponsored by the American Music Festival, a non-profit operated by a volunteer board under the non-profit Brookings Area Council for the Arts. The concerts usually feature bands from outside the area.
This Sunday’s event, billed as the “Stagelights Community Music Showcase,” is the second in an ongoing series of concerts presented by the non-profit group Stagelights Musical Arts Community. The first Stagelights concert, held at the Harbor Performing Arts Center in April, was standing room only, with more than 100 people who came to watch 11 local bands (check the Coastal Grooves archives for live recordings of that concert.)
The purpose of the Stagelights concerts, organizers said, is to spotlight local musicians and raise money and awareness of the organization’s mission to provide education and outreach opportunities to students of all ages who are interested in the musical arts, regardless of their ability to pay. The concerts are free, but donations are welcome.
Stagelights’ current projects for 2010 include a free/low-cost music lesson program for all ages, a summer youth music workshop, and a community choir.
Stagelights also promotes concerts by local and touring artists, and hosts regular music events in an effort to foster a thriving local music culture.
For  information about Stagelights, its programs, sponsorships or to make a donation call 541-251-3952 or visit http://www.stagelights.us.
People attending the American Music Festival concerts at Azalea Park should bring their own seating – chairs or blankets. The Rotary Club of Brookings-Harbor will operate the Snack Shack during each of the concerts.
In case of bad weather, the concerts move to the Redwood Theater in downtown Brookings.
For information on becoming a donor or sponsor of the American Music Festival, please contact Les Cohen at the Brookings-Harbor Chamber of Commerce, 541-469-3181 or toll-free 1-800-535-9469.
Upcoming American Music Festival concerts at the park are:
July 25: Craig Allen Blues Band.
Aug. 1: Rockaway (classic rock).
Aug. 15: Deadwood Revival (newgrass).
Aug. 29: Sans Prophet (classic rock).
Sept. 12: Tsunami Swing Band.
Sept. 19:  Sweet Town Little (country rock).

Check the archives for live recordings of bands features in the first Stagelights community concert.

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Musical Fireworks all month long!

Thursday, July 1st, 2010

Plenty of live local music coming up this Fourth of July weekend and throughout the month.
Saturday (July 3)
•Brookings’  Boondock Band will perform at 9:30 a.m. during the Children’s Parade at the Chetco Community Public Library (405 Alder St.). The band of folk musicians will lead sing-alongs featuring patriotic tunes and children’s songs. People are encouraged to dress up in red, white and blue.
•Guitarist Aaron Reed will perform solo at 9 p.m. at Mo Vino Wine Bar, 635 Chetco Ave.
• A variety of local bands will play during the outdoor jam scheduled from 3 to 6 p.m. at Zola’s Pizzeria at the Port of Brookings Harbor.
• Award-winning singer/songwriter L.K. Potts will perform an eclectic mix of acoustic folk from 7 to 9 p.m. at Centre Stage. (See post below for more information.)

Sunday (July 4)
The Boondock Band will perform again from 1 to 3 p.m. during the Chili Cookoff on the boardwalk at the Port of Brookings Harbor. The band  encourages everyone to join in by singing or wearing costumes, decorations and waving flags.
July 9
Local bands, including the Stagelights House Band, will provide music during the all-night Relay for Life event. Music is slated to begin around 11 p.m.
July 10
Local bands and artists will perform free at various locations in downtown Brookings during the monthly Second Saturday Artwalk.
July 11
The American Music Festival series of summer concerts at Brookings’ Azalea Park continues with the Stagelights Community Music Showcase, featuring three hours of music by the region’s best bands. Styles of music include rock, country, folk and bluegrass. The concert begins at 1 p.m.
July 13
Brookings rock bands Slave to the Mushroom Cloud and Zoo on Fire will perform at Centre Stage. The event is hosted by Stagelights Musical Arts Community with a suggested donation of $5.
July 17
Encore performance of raging blues and classic rock and roll by Ravinwolf, consisting of duel singers/guitarist Jaime and Heather Bilyeu. This is a dinner show at Centre Stage. Tickets are $15 per person. See earlier posts about Ravinwolf for MP3s of their last concert in Brookings.
July 29
Local bands will compete for the audience’s votes and cash prizes during the Battle of the Bands during the Curry County Fair. Bands will take the main stage from 2 to 7 p.m.
(Got a concert coming up? Contact Coastal Grooves and let us know.)

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