Come See Nicki Bluhm and The Gramblers

Nicki Bluhm and The Gramblers: Check them out at The Soho, Santa Barbara, CA


Craving that summertime sound? Please be sure to check out Nicki Bluhm and The Gramblers at Soho in downtown Santa Barbara. With a cool infusion of rock, soul, folk, and even a little blues, Nicki Bluhm and The Gramblers have a little something for everyone. Their record "Driftwood" provides an eclectic mix of sounds that are worth a listen, with feel-good melodies and heartfelt harmonies that are mellow and cool. Bands like The Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, and Linda Ronstadt come to mind as tracks like "Ravenous" and "Little Too Late" set a dusky, warm mood that is both intoxicating and inviting. It's sure to be a  fun night at Soho- stay tuned for the full article after their performance, as well as a short segment on an interview with Nicki herself. Come enjoy their music and their awesome vibe at Soho on May 3rd..... it's sure to be a great night.

Renegade Stringband at SoHo

It was a night of foot stomping, soul-warming bluegrass from the band Renegade Stringband. The group of singer Jessica Jarris, banjo player Joe Seamons, guitarist Austin Moore ( a Santa Barbara native), Fiddler Ben Hunter, Bassist Max Kutzman, and dobro player Gavin Duffy who wasn't present. An eclectic group of people, Renegade Stringband offers a plethora of sounds that both delight and intrigue. Each individuals talent is impressive; Jessica Jarris' voice offers powerful folksy and bluesy tones that radiate through the room, while Kutzman's bass gives the band a solid foundation. Seamon's banjo gives their music that quintessential bluegrass feel when added to the richness of Moore's guitar, and Ben Hunter's fiddling is something truly outstanding. Tunes like "Mission Creek" and "Walls of Time" are like walking through an apple orchard on a warm spring day. Jarris' voice really carries and blends seamlessly with the band. Of course after talking with Jarris after the concert she informed me that she had trained in classical voice, and boy could you tell- her musicality is intuitive and she treats each note with a kind of delicacy that's like dessert for your ears. Renegade Stringband also plays bluegrass versions of famous tunes like "Chocolate Jesus" by Tom Waits and "Tighten Up" by the Black Keys, giving these popular songs a wonderful new twist- Renegade Stringband isn't just a typical Bluegrass group- they have solid elements of folk and blues and even a little rock in their music that only further elaborates on their fundamentally grounded, cowboy boots necessary kind of sound. Joe Seamon's banjo on songs like "Anna's Breakdown" exhibit the variety of their music- each song offers a different glimpse of their many gifts, as there was not a dull moment at Soho- what more? It was a Tuesday night, and everyone was dancing along to the irresistible sounds coming from stage. Bluegrass is a genre that is either loved or greatly disliked by people- its this interesting mixture of blues and folk and twangs of country that give it a flavor that has really evolved over the last twenty years.Bluegrass lover or not, its almost hard not to love Renegade Stringband- they offer something novel, that while still being Bluegrass, does not ignore solid folksy and blues inspired sounds that make their sound so much more universal than just a typical bluegrass group. Overlapping vocals in songs like "Terror Risin' Blues" are accompanied by a slightly muted banjo with the heart being in the bass creating an earthy feel that has you swaying and leaves you a little mesmerized. There is something wonderfully homey about Renegade Stringband; their connection with each other and passion for their music leaves you feeling content and satisfied and has the ability to make you forget your worries for a little while- something we all want music to do. After their performance, I got to talk to them a little bit and they could not have been a lovelier bunch; if you're just getting your feet wet in Bluegrass music, Renegade Stringband will not disappoint. The band comes to the Santa Barbara area twice a year, so be sure to check them out when they swing by again.

I highly recommend "Nature's Gospel" and "Terror Risin' Blues"

Renegade Stringband is currently on tour

http://renegadestringband.com/site/

From the left: Gavin Duffy, Max Kutzman, Jessica Jarris, Ben Hunter, Joe Seamons, and Austin Moore

Martin Harley

You may say he's got a bad case of the dirty blues. Opener to ZZ Ward at Soho, singer and guitarist Martin Harley delivers a punch through a strong set of songs that are reminiscent of open spaces, hot summers, and dimly lit bars.  Raised in England, Martin Harley has elements of the greats like BB King and Junior Kimbrough in his music, offering to the audience the ultimate ear candy. With a rough approach to his guitar, Harley releases something primal and attention grabbing the moment his fingers strum the first chords. His album "Mojo Fix" is full of foot tapping and jaw droppingly good riffs that leave you lusting for more. Songs like "Outlaw" begin with a kind of muted guitar sound and a folksy twang that meet together in perfect harmony. Harley's voice glides over his guitar like distressed leather, with the wear and comfort you crave in a good blues singer. With a glass of bourbon in his hand, Harley made quite the appearance at Soho; the moment he starts playing you find yourself watching with delight as his hands skillfully caress the guitar that compliment his tough aesthetic; his lyrics touch on what a lot of blues talk about; going against the man and working hard, except Harley has a pleasantly surprising sensitive approach, as songs like "Cardboard King" are as romantic as they are sentimental, yet with an underlying toughness that gives it a boldness that is unique to him. Harley's "Ball and Chain" showcases his exceptional sliding skills, something that is not only difficult to master but is a large part of most of Harley's music. Delicate folk elements and the hardness of the blues coming together give Martin Harley's style an individual flavor that makes you have the urge to get on a motorcycle and go on a road trip. Barren landscapes and good whiskey seem to come to mind when you listen to him; its singers like Harley that makes the blues so sexy. Thanks to artists like Jack White and the Black Keys, blues has made a comeback, and Harley is not far from those talents- his sincerity, and possibly that charming English accent make his music irresistible. Completely acoustic at Soho, you could really hear the intricacies of his melodies and the glorious improv riffs that he goes into; Harley's album simply adds a couple layers that are definitely worth a listen. Harley is incredibly in tune with his music and you can really hear him feel every note that pours out of his guitar and he fully radiates that to his audience. Martin Harley was the perfect opener for ZZ Ward, and I most definitely look forward to what comes next from him.

Check out "Mojo Fix"

I recommend "Ball and Chain" and "Outlaw"

ZZ Ward: Fire and Shine Tour @ Soho, SB

"Put the Gun Down" Ward's voice commands in a soulful manner as she sways along to her song on stage at Soho in Santa Barbara. Soulful, sultry, and brazen- ZZ Ward brings the cool element to her unique mixture of blues, pop, and folk. Raised in Oregon, Ward has blues in her blood, with her inspiration stemming from listening to old rock, blues, and pop vinyls as well as her father's influence. Ward's voice could be explained as the love child of Adele and Amy Winehouse, except it also has a sound that is distinctly hers. Ward started her set at Soho with numbers like "Home" and "Till the Casket Drops", each offering pleasantly different harmonies and melodies; none of ZZ's music is repetitive, each song has you feeling something totally different from the one that was just played. While songs like "Home" are sentimental and poetic, songs like "Put the Gun Down" and "Blue Eyes Blind" give a kick of female power. Maybe that's what makes ZZ Ward so cool- she embodies female empowerment through her music, and isn't scared to sing what she thinks, something I can totally respect in an artist. Forget sappy teen washout singers that are more show and glitter than substance; ZZ is all substance with a fiery flare that attracts all kinds of audiences. It's obvious that the band she plays with are in love with her as well- not only were they having fun performing, but there is something intuitive between all of them; you can really feel those blues hit you when Eric, the guitarist touring with ZZ goes off into a riff that transcends time; its that kind of sound that gets you closer to god. Good music does this- and ZZ Ward's soulful and sincere voice along with the band is like melted butter on pancakes. Not only is ZZ Ward's music distinctively hers, but her style is also quite something, with her dusky speaking voice and a signature hat with a feather, emphasizing her larger than life eyes. ZZ Ward is too much her own woman to be put in the same category as a bunch of other young female singers- yeah, her music is about a boy that broke her heart, but are they songs about her pining for his love? Hell no. Instead they're a retaliation in the best way; through hearty melodies and sexy rhythms that would leave any boy that broke a girl's heart running back to her in a split second. ZZ Ward is in the big leagues with singers like Adele, Amy Winehouse, and Duffy- with a folksy twang that just may have you hopping onto i-tunes to buy the album. It's rare that so much talent can be found in someone as young ; her lyrics are poetic yet bold, and her f*** off attitude matches the album perfectly. ZZ has a kind of demanding presence, and you can't help but dance when her sound hits you- Ward is definitely the new cool chick on the block and someone that you should look out for in the future. Her album "Put the Gun Down" is just the start of something pretty amazing- the girl's got it.

Check out ZZ Ward's album "Put the Gun Down"

I recommend her songs "Put the Gun Down" and "Move Like You Stole It"