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.

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"

Junipero at SoHo

Organic, Folksy, Creative. These are just a couple of words to describe UCSB's own Junipero, a band that has a soft spot in the hearts of all that know of them and their music. Composed of Kasey Warner, Dave Pascoe, Michael Sallstrom, and Hanna Haas, Junipero has a quintessential sound that is reminiscent of warm sunsets, long walks on the beach, and comforting chai lattes. With numbers like "Case of Fire" and a heart-warming rendition of Simon and Garfunkel's "Cecilia", Junipero makes use of compatible harmonies between Michael and Hannah, as well as Dave to create warm and memorable sounds. All four of them create a kind of energy on stage that you can't help but gravitate toward them- Dave's incredible violin skills, Kasey's simple yet unique approach to percussion, and Michael and Hannah's soulful vocals and guitar make Junipero a band that you find yourself swaying to. Junipero has become so popular among UCSB"s student population that during a performance, like the one I recently attended at Soho, people will be singing along and dancing- Junipero also has a fun aesthetic as they like to dress up (especially Dave) and encourage the audience to do so as well. Junipero's music draws in every kind of listener,  from the hippie girl that like to dance barefoot, to serious music lovers and critics, and it seems that Junipero finds a way to make everyone happy. Maybe its that violin or Hannah's grainy vocals, or their alternating melodies and harmonies that slowly take you to a place where all is calm and peaceful. If the phrase "down to earth" could be categorized into a sound, Junipero would be that sound- they are what people seek when they crave that local, "home" feeling you get from listening to a good set of songs. Not only are they all full of talent, but Junipero also consists some of the nicest human beings you'll ever meet. They make sure the audience is feeling good, and radiate love and compassion through each one of their songs. I'm always left with chills and there's undeniably a smile on my face after listening to songs like"Cecilia" and "Case of Fire". Junipero also performed some new songs at Soho, including " The Ballad of Captain Planet" which has your foot tapping, and has a kitschy feel with Kasey's light percussion and Dave skillfully placed violin as Michael sings.  Want to know what Santa Barbara sounds like? Listen to Junipero- they will not disappoint. Be ready though, you'll soon be left with a similar feeling of seeing a warm Santa Barbara sunset.

I highly recommend "Cecilia" and "Case of Fire"

Check out Junipero's MySpace page:

http://www.myspace.com/juniperosound

Hannah Haas, Kasey Warner, Michael Sallstrom, and Dave Pascoe

Kiven

From the dusty and traffic filled land of dreams, otherwise known as Los Angeles comes a trio of transplants that have a sound and aesthetic that is their own. After meeting at USC, Tyler Demorest, Matt Cohen, and Danny Schnair came together to create Kiven (pronounced Kee-vahn), a band that doesn’t really pertain to one particular genre.  With ethereal and clean vocals, Tyler Demorest’s voice takes the listener on a spiritual journey and add to that Danny Schnair’s hypnotic guitar riffs and Matt Cohen’s bass, the listening experience becomes something surreal and truly beautiful. Elements of MuteMath, Radiohead, and a kind of fortified Bon Iver come to mind, as their different sounds blend together to create something unique and intriguing. With the release of their album “1840” Kiven is a band that can truly hold their own- they defy all categories and labels and have created something that cannot be put into any one kind of genre, something that really separates them from other bands. Kiven recently performed as an opener to Junipero at the Soho, and was a rare treat, and totally unexpected. Numbers like “Hope and Smoke” and “Release” are full of powerful vocals, and heavy machinery, while songs like “Blur” and “Forward” show a more sensitive side that is refreshing, as Tyler also adds piano to some of the songs, giving them a kind of edgy yet delicate feel, an intricate and hard balance to achieve. It is this marriage of different sounds and different approaches that gives Kiven its individual flavor- they defy the rules by tapping into every kind of sound, yet abiding by none. The energy they have as performers is also something really special to see- its as if each performer is having a spiritual and emotional experience with the music, and they emote that to their audience- Danny and Matt’s harmonies add something really profound to their sound as well, as its where the rough meets the pretty, and born are memorable melodies and soulful harmonies that stay with you long after the song is over. Kiven’s music is everything you want in a band; their sound is pleasing yet tough, and their lyrics are introspective. Songs like Blur greet you with rich chords and then disintegrate into a harmoniously set of distorted riffs as Tyler’s vocals float over the band, with Danny and Matt coming in periodically creating surreal moments in their music. For a relatively new band, Kiven has already started to find their footing, bringing something new and interesting to the table. Their energy and diversity of songs demand your attention, and before you know it, you’re captivated, enthralled, and emotionally pulled toward that intangible force that only good music can get you close to. After their concert at Soho, I was able to talk with them a little bit and found them all to be genuine, witty, humble, and all about the music- Kiven is a tremendous force of talent and I highly recommend a listen, it’s an experience of its own. Kiven is recently on tour and just performed at SXSW- it’s a band to look out for; who knows what else these artistic geniuses will come up with next.

I highly recommend “Blur” and “Forward” on their album “1840” and be sure to check out their video “Release” on YouTube

From the left: Matt Cohen, Tyler Demorest, and Danny Schnair of Kiven