Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze – 3/5/14 – 3/18/14

Ventura Breeze logoVentura Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

Kevin Seconds

It was pretty cool catching the Numbskull Show on a rainy Wednesday night in the backroom at Bombay’s with Kevin Seconds from 7 Seconds sharing an acoustic evening with Steve Soto (Agent Orange and The Adolescents) and Russ Rankin (Good Riddance).  Kevin’s three-week tour in support of his new release, Off Stockton, kicked off in Ventura.  Rankin told me he’ll be performing the first four dates and the last three dates with Kevin. The night had the three as solo performers – just the artist and their acoustic guitar – and though there were some missteps from Soto, it was pretty cool when he just laughed it off like the true punk rocker he is.

We’re looking forward to catching Karl Hunter of Big Bad Voodoo Daddy as he returns to Squashed Grapes for another show on Saturday, March 22.  In what is being called the Karl Hunter Organ’ic Quartet, Karl will have the legendary Jimmy Calire who toured for several years with America on keyboards, Mario Calire from the Wallflowers and Ozomatli on drums and guitar player extraordinaire Hans Ottsen will round out the quartet.  Tickets are $10 and you should get them in advance at the Grape as this one is sure to sell out fast.

Technicolor Tone Factory out of Boulder, CO, will be making their debut in Southern California area with a free show at Green Art People on Wednesday, March 12.  According to Taylor Frederick, TTF isn’t a jam band that rocks, but rather a rock band that jams.  I took a listen on SoundCloud, and trust me, the band rocks.

St. Patrick’s Day celebrations officially kick off with the City’s annual parade on Saturday, March 15.    We’ll be hitching a ride on Kat Merrick’s Totally Local VC float where Dan Grimm and other artists will be performing live along with Jon Reese of Amigos on air guitar, as we cruise down Main Street.  Give us a shout out when we pass by!

And of course you are officially invited to help Ventura Rocks celebrate our 5th Anniversary with a huge St. Patrick’s Day party at Bombay’s on the 17th with first Irish music from the Lousy Drunken Uncles at 6:00, then it will Rey Fresco making this the hottest party in town.
Do you have any music related news or upcoming shows you want help on publicizing?  Then send all information short or long to  Pam@VenturaRocks.com.

Ventura Music Photos: March 2014

Photos of music in Ventura this month:

Red Cove – March 28, 2014
Mostly
Mostly


Peirano’s – March 28, 2014
Estrada and Friends


Squashed Grapes – March 28, 2014
The Jazz Punks
The Jazz Punks


Squashed Grapes – March 22, 2014
The Karl Hunter “Organ’ic” Quartet
(see full photo gallery)
Karl Hunter Quartet


Sandbox Coffeehouse – March 22, 2014
Hip Hop Vol. 3


Bombay Bar and Grill – March 17, 2014
Rey Fresco
Introducing Rey FrescoSee complete VenturaRocks.com’s party photo gallery.


Bombay Bar and Grill – March 17, 2014
Those Lousy Drunken Uncles
w/ Those Lousy Drunken Uncles


See complete VenturaRocks.com’s party photo gallery


Squashed Grapes – March 15, 2014
Trey O’Toole, Jacob Scesney, Andrew Hill, Franklin Murphy
Jacob, Trey, Andrew & Franklin


Amigo’s Surf Cantina – March 15, 2014
Joanie Collins Band with Doug Johnson, Elisabeth Blasingame and Tom Towle.
Joanie Collins Band


Downtown Ventura – March 15, 2014
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Liam, Kat, Jonny, Pam & Maggie


The Tavern – March 14, 2014 – 2-Year Anniversary Party
The Rubberneck Lions
Rubberneck Lions


The Tavern – March 14, 2014 – 2-Year Anniversary Party
Xoco Moraza
Xoco Moraza


Bombay Bar and Grill – March 12, 2014
Guy Martin
Guy Martin


Green Art People – March 12, 2014
Technicolor Tone Factory
Technicolor Tone Factory


Bombay Bar and Grill – March 7, 2014
Shelby Figueroa
Shelby Figueroa


The Wine Rack – March 7, 2014
Jodi Farrell and Jim RankinJim Rankin and Jodi Farrell


Squashed Grapes – March 6, 2014
Fausto Cuevas Quintet with special guest LaNesha Latimer
Fausto Cuevas Quintet


W20 at The Watermark – March 6, 2014
Ventura Social Club with special guest Jimmy Calire


The Tavern – March 5, 2014
Mark Masson with pals from Shaky Feelin’ and special appearance from Jacob Scesney
Jacob Scesney & Mark Masson


Amigo’s Surf Cantina – March 5, 2014
Brian Nicolet
Brian Nicolet


Green Art People – March 5, 2014
The Rainbow Girls
The Rainbow Girls


Squashed Grapes – March 5, 2014
Daniel J. Ross Quartet


Bombay Bar and Grill – March 1, 2014
Crazy Rust (Tribute Band to Neil Young) with Neal CasalCrazy Rust with Neal Casal


Bombay Bar and Grill – March 1, 2014
The Calamity


Bombay Bar and Grill – March 1, 2014
Evan Sula-Goff
Evan Sula-Goff


W20 at the Watermark – March 1, 2014
Luis Oliart
Luis Oliart

Ventura Rocks in Ventura Breeze – 1/8/14 – 1/21/14

breezeVentura Music Scene
All Hans on deck
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

I woke up pleasantly surprised on New Year’s Day to find that Hans Ottsen had just released a brand new EP called Music for Mind Movies. While getting to know Hans and his live jazz performances at one of my favorite venues, Squashed Grapes, I learned that he also teaches guitar lessons, and is a well-sought after session musician.  He co-produced and engineered at Filzar Studios for the past year or so, and recently worked on Phil Salazar’s new release, Life on the Edge, in exchange he earned some prime studio time.

So how did Hans use that time?  He told me, “I got the band Tico Trio in there a couple months ago and we’re planning to release that one in early 2014. These tracks were really just me experimenting in the studio. I never really planned to release them as I was creating them.  Then I thought it’d be fun to release an EP without any jazz on it.”

Han’s EP titled Music for Mind Movies is seven eclectic beautifully written and performed songs that if you allow, will take you to another place. Hans explained, “As for the name, the tunes don’t adhere to any one genre. There’s some ambient electronic, instrumental pop, demented circus music, but I can’t really describe it all easily. I’ve been told that it all kinda sounds like ‘music from a movie.’ Those movies have yet to be made. They exist in the mind.  Music For Mind Movies.”   You can buy the new EP at www.HansOttsen.Bandcamp.com

The Ventura County Concert Band (VCCB) is celebrating their 50th season with their next performance scheduled for Sunday, January 26, at the Ventura High School auditorium at 3:00 pm. VCCB is a non-profit Community Concert Band, under the direction of Ms. Julie Judd based here in Ventura.  They perform for the community free of charge 4 times a year. Take the whole family for an incredible show.

And two shows to watch for at the Majestic Ventura Theater this month.  If you like grooving to what they call “Sunshine Reggae,” you won’t want to miss Iration on Friday, January 24 and then Grammy award winning Country artist Dwight Yoakum will be kicking it up on Friday, January 31, as he continues to tour in support of his latest release, “3 Pears.”  Contact Ventura Theater for ticket availability.

And don’t forget we’re helping to get Tommy Marsh to Nashville to compete in the International Blues Challenge in Memphis.  Fundraiser is Sunday, January 12 at Bombay’s with Guy Martin, Kelly’s Lot, 50 Sticks of Dynamite, Mikey Mo, Donna Greene and the Roadhouse Daddies, 4 on the Floor, Ray Jaurique and the Uptown Brothers, and Tommy Marsh and Bad Dog. All this amazing music for only $10 plus it helps get Crooked Eye Tommy to the competition.  See you there!!!

Have any music related news or upcoming shows you want help on publicizing?  Send all information short or long:  Pam@VenturaRocks.com.

Album Review: Hans Ottsen

Music for Mind Movies
By Pam Baumgardner

Hans OttsenI woke up pleasantly surprised on New Year’s Day to find that Hans Ottsen had just released a brand new EP called “Music for Mind Movies.” While getting to know Hans and his live jazz performances at one of my favorite venues, Squashed Grapes, I learned that he also teaches guitar lessons, and is a well-sought after session musician.  He co-produced and engineered at Filzar Studios for the past year or so, and recently worked on Phil Salazar’s new release, “Life on the Edge,”  In exchange he earned some prime studio time.

So how did Hans use that time?  He told me, “I got Tico Trio (Randy Tico, Adam Clark n’ me) in there a couple months ago and we’re planning to release that one early 2014. These tracks were really just me experimenting in the studio. I never really planned to release them as I was creating them.  Then I thought it’d be fun to release an EP without any jazz on it.”

Han’s EP titled Music for Mind Movies is seven eclectic beautifully written and performed songs, that if you allow, will take you to another place. Hans explained, “As for the name, the tunes don’t adhere to any one genre. There’s some ambient electronic, instrumental pop, demented circus music, but I can’t really describe it all easily. I’ve been told that it all kinda sounds like ‘music from a movie.’ Those movies have yet to be made. They exist in the mind.  Music For Mind Movies.”

The first track, “111113 DMS,” remains my favorite, it starts so simply and builds to a beautiful crescendo. You can’t help but imagine how perfectly this would fit in any number of blockbuster movies on the big screen.  “Zoey’s Lullably” is just flat out too cool for school and “Circus Animal Lullaby” just takes you subtly to another place.  They’re all incredible tracks.

You could listen to Music for Mind Movies in the car driving up the coast, listen while working, listen with your headphones on (eyes closed), but just make the time and listen.

The EP was produced by Phil Salazar & Hans Ottsen.  All All tunes were written by Hans Ottsen except Kornflakes (Hans Ottsen & Phil Salazar) and Ayefbe (Phil Salazar).

For now, “Music for Mind Movies” is only available on Bandcamp, where you can give it a test drive, but you’ll want to actually purchase it for a couple of reasons:
1. Have it at the ready for your listening pleasure
2. Support your local artist
3. It’s not okay to steal music
4. It’s only $7.

https://hansottsen.bandcamp.com/
www.HansOttsen.com
www.Facebook.com/Hans.Ottsen.7

Ventura Music Scene is Alive!

Randy Tick, Adam Clark, Rachel Flowers, Hans Ottsen

Randy Tick, Adam Clark, Rachel Flowers, Hans Ottsen

This past week alone reminds me yet again of how much I love this music scene here in Ventura.

Thursday night I cruised over to Squashed Grapes for what I knew would be outstanding jazz. I love that I can just show up, order a great Italian sandwich and Josh and Adam will make sure I’m taken care of. They told me a little about their crop about to be harvested and how they’d be doing it with some help from friends after hours – all night – Friday night.  Crazy!

In any case, as you probably already know, the jazz scene in Ventura is notorious for changing of members and adding new faces so you never know what you’ll get.  But with certain musicians, you just know you’re in for some solid jazz; and so it is with Hans Ottsen and Adam Clark. The Facebook invite named the band Tico Trio with Randy Tico who plays a standup bass, Ottsen & Clark. It also stated that they’d be playing Tico, Hermto, Airto, Miles, and Pink Floyd.

The night was amazing as they had the extremely talented Rachel Flowers join on several songs playing the flute. Flowers, blind since she was a baby, fit in like a glove and the crowd was thoroughly enthralled. Her smile was contagious and her skills amazing.

The trio played as if they’d been playing together for years.  They were tight, in the zone and incredibly hot; but you know, you get that with this caliber of musicianship. And yes, the Floyd was worth the wait.

Spencer with Nate and Cougar

Spencer with Nate and Cougar

Friday night was all about Spencer the Gardener.  I was given a head’s up a few weeks ago that Nate Birkey would be sitting in with the band.  That just did not compute! The Nate Birkey Quintet out of New York City playing with our beloved Spencer and all his quirkiness? (Turns out he was an original member way back when…)  OH MY GOD!!!  What a night.  AND THEN, Cougar Estrada on drums???  The combination of Nate and Cougar had Amigos hopping well into the night and seeing such world-class musicians tearing up in our local Amigos on Main Street, well, like I always say, Ventura ROCKS!

Saturday night Shawn Jones has a gig at Yolies, and Zoey’s has Omar Velasco & Shane Alexander who will be sharing the stage with special guests Neal Casal & Jesse Siebenberg. But then there’s Big Tweed at The Tavern, Porterhouse Bob at Olivas Adobe, D.on Darox & the Melody Joy Bakers at Bombays…Geez!

Here’s a YouTube video of Tico Trio with Randy Tico (bass), Adam Clark (drums), Rachel Flowers (flute) and Hans Ottsen (guitar).