Ventura Music Scene 11/2 – 11/15/22

Ventura Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.comartwork

Good Kids artworkIt didn’t surprise me at all when I heard that several members from Army of Freshmen had taken on a new project, an album for children, called Good Kids. It features 14 high-spirited, multi-genre songs that speak to children. If you know the band, then you know what quirky high energy fun-loving free spirits they are, so this totally makes sense!

A few factors help mold the project, the most important one being that

Army members

they are parents themselves, but then the pandemic hit and it was the perfect time to fill in all that free time they now had on their hands. To accompany the release of Good Kids on November 4, will be a new web series of the same name offering four-minute episodes hosted by a different band member interviewing a “real” good kid, as well as comical vignettes of the band taking on the subject themselves from sports to going to school to starting a band. Way to go boys!

Expect frivolity, over-the-top theatrics and just an awesome stage show when punk legends Gogol Bordello hit the stage at the Ventura Theater on Saturday, November 5; and then Canadian indie pop duo, Tegan and Sara (twin sisters) play the Majestic on Friday, November 11.

Meanwhile just a few miles away on Thompson Blvd, this is the Ventura Music Hall line up for the next two weeks:
Sammy Johnson on Thursday, November 3
Tai Verdes on Wednesday, November 9
The Longest Johns with Shane Alexander opening on Thursday, November 10
Big Head Todd and the Monsters on Friday, November 11
The Sinseers on Saturday, November 12
Flamingosis & Blockhead on Sunday, November 13
Dave Alvin & Jimmie Dale Gilmore with the Guilty Ones on Tuesday, November 15

anchor and bear artworkI’m looking forward to the new release from Anchor & Bear. You can see them perform “No More Nights on the Roof” at Topa Topa Brewing, downtown Ventura on Friday, November 11, with Looking West opening the show. By the way, if you haven’t been to this Topa Topa Brewing location in a while, you need to check it out. They cleared out the back room where they use to have their brewing equipment and now they have a spot for live bands, open mics and screenings. I’m hoping this will become consistent listening room for artists to perform.

Quick Notes: Danny Carey of Tool returns to the Grape with the Doug Webb Group on Thursday, November 3; Poseidon Brewing’s First Friday is offering up the CocoKnots with a Hawaiian vibe on November 4; the final free Ojai Pops Concert Series show of the season will be Sunday, November 6, at 3:30 pm at Libbey Bowl with Larktown & Friends; Jodi Farrell’s live performers’ workshop at Namba will be on Sunday November 6 (donations appreciated); Michael Falcone does a tribute to Sinatra on Thursday, November 10 at the Manhattan in Camarillo; David Franz album release party will be at the new Feros Ferio Winery in Ojai on Saturday, November 12; local singer/songwriter, Krystal Park, performs a set at Surfers Point Café on Sunday, November 13 (1 pm); and tickets are on sale via eventbrite for Dr. Know & Stalag 13 at the Oceanview Pavilion in Port Hueneme for Saturday, January 7, 2023;

Do you have any music-related news or upcoming shows you want help publicizing? Please send all information short or long to Pam@VenturaRocks.com, and for updated music listings daily, go to www.VenturaRocks.com.

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze – 5/20/20 – 6/2/2020

Ventura MusVentura Breeze logoic Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

Ventura RocksBefore I get to more interview with local artists, I have a couple of updates on a few of our venues, musicians and events.

QUICK NOTES

Both Bombay Bar & Grill and Sans Souci are open again serving up food and libations, they both have limited hours and earlier in the day, in other words, no closing down the bar at 2 am, and they’re only providing takeout/curbside service; Ventura Music Festival has launched “Music Connects” a digital weekly series and they’re looking for musicians who would like to participate (www.VenturaMusicFestival.org); I’m sorry to report the passing of one of the Estrada Brothers, Henry Estrada (saxophonist), passed from a long-term illness at home this month; and the City of Ventura has officially cancelled the Music Under the Stars series for the summer. As with the fair, I wish I knew who they had lined up and who we’ll be missing out on this year, but I guess it’s just as well.

DRIVE-IN CONCERTS II

Speaking of the fair, in my last column I wrote about drive-in concerts and I mentioned a couple of locations that might work including the fairgrounds parking lot, and lo and behold we have a promoter stepping up to the plate. It great to hear Vincenzo from CBF Productions (the good folks who bring you the Winter Wine Walk, Boots & Brews Music Festival, Tequila & Taco Music Festival and more) was already on it and working on a concert series to be held this summer and as soon as the first few weeks in June, and I’m hearing Ventura won’t be their only venue. Keep tuned to www.ConcertsInYourCar.com for bands, dates and ticket information. There’s no doubt about it, there are a number of hurdles to overcome, but if anyone can pull something like this off, it would be Vincenzo.

(Post Breeze: First concert celebrating the class of 2020, Super Duper Kyle, June 12 & June 13.  Tickets & Information: www.ConcertsInYourCar.com )

MAIN STREET VENTURA EXPERIMENT

There are discussions afoot in the City to shut down Main Street from the mission to Fir Street to allow merchants and restaurants to spill out onto the sidewalk and street to provide social distancing for pedestrians and their customers. I’ve seen an artist’s rendering and I have to say, “I like it!” My comments are few but include a couple of small stages for singer/songwriters (solo or duo) to enhance the experience; perhaps one on each block. Other cities throughout the country are considering the same idea to help ease out of this shut down and get people out enjoying their downtown safely while supporting local businesses.
(Monday, May 18, the City Council approved an emergency ordinance to accelerate the planning process and approval for businesses for use of outside space – but will wait for phase III to be enacted)

Now on to interviews!


BRIAN BRINGELSON OF ANCHOR & BEAR

How are you Katy holding up during this Stay at Home mandate?

Brian and KatyBrian: We’re doing fine here thankfully. Healthy, happy, but honestly a bit anxious as well.

Are either one of you still working?

Brian: No we’re both not working and of course no shows to play.

Do you find you’re playing music more…or less now?

Surprisingly it’s about the same. Before all of this we had at least three shows a month and rehearsals twice a week. But since all of this happened, we’ve both been writing a lot and making videos. In addition, I’ve started a side project with an old friend from high school. I record guitar, bass, and vocals at home and then send him the tracks to add his drums to. It’s been really inspiring and keeps me sane. Katy by the way has been finishing up her soon to be released new EP for her project Bearkat. So, we are keeping busy with music.

Any inspiration from this weird time we’re going through in history?

Brian: Yes, lots of writing/recording/making videos, (but) nothing really about the current state of how things are going. I think I write to distract myself from all of it.

Tell me about the live streaming events you’ve been hosting.

Brian: We’ve had a few (concerts) on our Instagram where we play a couple of songs and try to interact with the people leaving comments. They’ve been really rewarding in the sense that we get to connect with our friends and share our music. We also recently just had a simple chat with our bassist Zeke Berkley on Instagram live and lots of our friends joined in on that as well. They’re certainly not a replacement for a live show, but they’ll have to do for now.

Anything else you want to share?

Brian: Katy and I miss playing shows soooo much. And that includes rehearsing with our friends/band mates: Zeke and Paul. We also miss seeing all of our friends that work at Topa Topa Brew in Ventura, Ojai, and Santa Barbara. I’d like to encourage Breeze readers to pick up some beer at one of their locations. And that goes for all of the excellent venues we’ve been lucky enough to play in the last year: Peirano’s – Ventura, The Nest – Ojai, Lucky Fools Pub – Moorpark, MadeWest – Ventura, to name just a few. These places need our support. Besides being some of the only places to hear/play live music, they also provide so much to the community.

AnchorAndBear.com/
https://www.facebook.com/anchorandbearmusic/


Singer/Songwriter Karyn 805

How are you holding up?

Karyn 805

Photo credit: Monica Karl

Karyn 805: I’m coping very well right now. I think I’ve gone through a variety of emotions during this time: disbelief, fear, sadness, stress, acceptance, and finally a realization that this time may be a gift to slow down a bit more, enjoy the small wonders around especially in nature and have more time to write more songs and to check in with family and friends through Zoom or FaceTime.

Are you actively playing and writing?

Karyn 805: I have continued to play music daily, but now I have more time to create new songs (which is my passion) and work on new covers. Before the “Stay at Home” policy there was less time for this because I was performing regularly and spending a lot of time going over my sets.

Since the policy was enacted, I’ve written 3 songs – two deal with Covid 19; one is called “Corona” and it echoes my first impressions and emotions regarding this whole Twilight Zone experience; the second one, “It’s Just Who I Am” is a tribute to all who work in the medical field: nurses, doctors, and all the staff. I have three doctors in the family and when my daughter-in-law Nina volunteered to go to NYC to help on their front lines, I asked my son how she has the strength and courage to do this, he answered, “It’s just who she is.” That said it all, and his words and her bravery gave me the inspiration to write that song. She has shared it with her friends who are on already in this “war zone” fighting this pandemic. I just hope they realize how much they are appreciated. The other original, “Siren’s Song” is a bluesy, seductive tune which I had fun coming up with a nice riff on my guitar at the end.

How do you think this pandemic will change Ventura?

Karyn 805: I think the music scene will change in the near future. Of course, musicians need to perform, many are doing live-streaming, but there is nothing like performing to a live audience! (I miss this!) It will be hard for venues like restaurants to make enough money to pay musicians when they are limited in the number of people they can have. However, with a bit of creativity, there will likely be solutions. We all need to be innovative until we have a safe vaccine at which time the music scene can get back to what has been normal.

https://karyn805.hearnow.com/
VenturaRockSpot with Karyn 805
Facebook


Bill Rotella, Singer/Songwriter, Amber & Smoke

How are you holding up during this Stay at Home mandate?

Bill RotellaBill: I’m holding up as well as can be expected. We in Ventura County are fortunate to have coast lines and trails to help us weather these challenging times. I’m taking advantage of this time I’ve been afforded to create music.

Are you still working?

Bill: Yes, I just filmed a show for Beverly Hills TV and I’m streaming two concerts for the Beverly Hills Virtual Art Show this month. I’m also streaming shows for the Center For Spiritual Living and for BIG BIG SLO productions in San Luis Obispo.

Do you find you’re playing music more…or less now?

Bill: I’m always writing, recording, playing no matter what’s happening but I’m performing far less due to venue closures.

You have new music right? Any inspired by the recent state of affairs?

Bill: I just wrote and released a new song born from quarantine called “River of Smoke.” It is the title song of my new album “River of Smoke ~ a Retrospective” which was released May 1. I recorded the title song, and many songs on the album, with Ventura County’s Doug Pettibone. Doug and I recorded together in the late ’80s at renowned Sound City recording studios in Van Nuys.

Have you hosted any livestreams or Facebook events?

Bill: I hosted 7 episodes of “Live @ 5” on Facebook. It was a happy hour hang more than a concert. It was a cool way to stay connected with friends and fans and they really dug reconnecting not just with me but with each other. My last show had 700+ comments, like they were in a bar chatting with each other. We toasted, did rock ‘n’ roll trivia, I shared some vinyl with them and sang songs from my new album as well as some nuggets from my favorite artists. However, I must admit it was pretty strange creating conversation with a distant and silent audience while singing into an ipad …from my living room. Now with the new album released and more time on my hands (those shows require prep!) I will resume “LIVE @ 5” in June. My streaming capabilities will be upgraded by then.

Any other thoughts you’d like to share?

Bill: Music brings people together. If ever we needed to be reminded of the magic of music this is that time. Some say you don’t know what you have ’til it’s gone (live music venues) but I think many people have always valued live music venues. They just really miss connecting with each other and experiencing music together. Listening to good live music collectively is just a great moving experience. I am grateful that VenturaRocks.com allows us to keep sharing and delivering music during these unprecedented times. They are in service to our community. Thanks for allowing me to share my music. Everyone please stay safe. Together we will get through this.

https://www.facebook.com/brotellamusic
www.BillRotellaMusic.com


Do you have any music-related news or upcoming shows you want help publicizing? Please send all information short or long to Pam@VenturaRocks.com, and for updated music listings daily, go to www.VenturaRocks.com.

Ventura Music Photos – August 2017

Beach House Tacos – August 27, 2017
Anchor & Bear (Photo credit: KC Staples)


Historic Olivas Adobe – Music Under the Stars – August 26, 2017
The Blues Breeze Band

Squashed Grapes – August 19, 2017
Paul Weitz Trio with Donna Deussen


Amigos – August 11, 2017
Los Dudes


Squashed Grapes – August 11, 2017
Don Randi (The Wrecking Crew)


Ventura County Fair – August 9, 2017
Shinedown

Ventura Music Photos: July 2015

W20 at the Watermark – July 30, 2015
Anchor & Bear
Anchor & Bear


Sans Souci – July 26, 2015
My Modern Valentine
My Modern ValentineAll-A-Blur
All-A-Blur


The Wine Rack – July 26, 2015
The Swilley’s – Steve and Sally Williams
Steve and Sally Williams


 

The Star Lounge – July 25, 2015
Arockalypse Now
0725_Arock_002 0725_Arock_003 0726_Arock_001


Squashed Grapes – July 24, 2015
Jerry Vivino & Friends, guest appearance by Jacob Scesney
Jerry Vivino and Friends


 Surf Rodeo 2015

Pam Baumgardner, Staci Brown and Mark Hartley

Pam Baumgardner, Staci Brown and Mark Hartley

Pierpont Beach – July 11 – 12, 2015
Surf Rodeo

 


Saloon BBQ – July 10, 2015
Charles and Christine Law

Charles Law


Ventura Beach Club – Hi Hat Entertainment – July 10, 2015
Hot Roux CD Release Party
Hot Roux


Peirano’s – July 10, 2015
Lola Haag & the Back Beat Boys
Lola Haag


Sandbox Coffeehouse – July 4, 2015
Kevin Stanley
Kevin Stanley


Ventura Street Fair – July 4, 2015
UnUusual Suspects
UnUsual SuspectsVentura Street Fair – July 4, 2015
Iron Mountain Boys
Iron Mountain BoysVentura Street Fair – July 4, 2015
Singing Valentines (for hire!)
Singing Valentines


Discovery Ventura – July 3, 2015
Queen Nation
0703_QueenNation_001


Sans Souci – July 2, 2015
Burien (Seattle, WA)
Die Nasty Die NastyDie Nasty

Ventura Music Photos: September 2014

Squashed Grapes – September 30, 2014
Andy Waddell Quintet – Andy Waddell – Guitar; Katisse Buckingham – Sax/Flute; Aaron McClendon – Drums; Josh Nelson – Piano; Hamilton Price – Bass.
Andy Waddell Quintet


Amigos – September 28, 2014
Jen Staves and the Bluzfish
Jen Staves and the Bluzfish Jen Staves and the Bluzfish


Squashed Grapes – September 25, 2014
Jazz Hates Johnny – Karl Hunter, Rufus Philpott, Andy Langham, Aaron McClendon
Hunter, McClendon


The Wine Rack – September 24, 2014
Camille Bloom (from Seattle)
Camille Bloom


Cafe Fiore – September 24, 2014
Coso Live
Coso FranklinCoso Live


Discovery – September 24, 2014
The Paul McCallum Band – (San Diego)
Paul Cannon Band


Milano’s Italian Restaurant – September 23, 2014
Bluegrass Jam
Bluegrass Jam


Yolie’s – September 19, 2014
Kelly’s Lot CD Release Party
Thanks to all photographers.  Photos are watermarked.


Squashed Grapes – September 17, 2014
Adam Hawley with Trio B.A.D.
Adam Hawley


Bombay Bar and Grill – September 18, 2014
Carousels and Limousines (from UK)
Carousels and LimousinesBombay Bar and Grill – September 18, 2014
Anchor and Bear
Anchor and Bear


Ventura Beach Party – September 7, 2014
Ray Jaurique & the Uptown Brothers
Ray Jaurique & the Uptown Brothers


Billy O’s – September 2, 2014
The NaVaNaX
NaVaNaX