Dubstep, moombahton and glitch-hop, and jazz, too.
— A huge music festival, with dozens of acts, comes to the Somerset amphitheater and will go virtually all weekend from Aug. 9-11 when factoring in camping and afterparties. It will feature all kinds of music for the young crowd, with diverse styles that include things called dubstep, moombahton and glitch-hop, often presented in a complex way, and even stuff an older rocker such as myself would recognize, such as The Wailers of Bob Marley fame, and the Indie rock group Passion Pit. Pages of information can be found online for set schedule, camping, tickets, afterparty stuff and much, much more (literally) by going to somersetfestival.com.
— This weekend, of course, will also feature another JazzSpring performance at Pudge’s Bar on their patio, and now that they are established locally, its time to recall favorite performances. I liked the smooth, flowing melody that came as part of a sax solo when I first saw them in June. To determine your favorite memory, check them out for yourself on Thursday starting at 7:30 p.m. or Friday at 8 p.m.
— Amanda and her duo A & W played their first of what will likely be many performances locally at Dick’s Bar and Grill, fitting since she bartends there. Amanda provided the percussion by both sitting on, and pounding with her hands, a rigged-up crate that was done in much the style as Saving Starz in their duos. A & W with Amanda on vocals did some songs that steered far from the usual classic rock, beyond the covers typically chosen by a female singer.
— Much the same from Christy Sperling, who is fast becoming an ongoing local presence, when she covered Who Will Save Your Soul by Jewel in a solo performance at the Village Inn in North Hudson to help celebrate the birthdays of stalwarts Diane (her 50th) and Joey (his 30th) last weekend.
— Lastly of note, when River Falls Days was held earlier in the summer, there were the usual bands in the usual venues, but Johnnie’s Bar also got in on the act by having three bands in three days, Chimney Fish, Old School and Dave Snyder.
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August 1st, 2013
Music lights up the night in more ways than one:
— The JazzSpring shows that have been taking place on the patio at Pudge’s Bar have been garnering attention that’s being talked about by music lovers in nightspots all the way to North Hudson. A regular downtown Hudson patron walked into the Village Inn in North Hudson, took a seat at the bar and immediately described with vigor what he’d seen just minutes earlier driving down the main drag a few miles to the south. There was something really musically different going on at Pudge’s, he told the bartender and other patrons, and since he had the windows rolled down could soon tell it was “funky jazz.”
That music, as well as other forms of jazz, is provided by the duo JazzSpring at Pudge’s each Thursday in summer starting at 7:30 p.m. and Friday beginning at 8 p.m.
— The blackout night at Dick’s Bar and Grill again had a full house dancing in the dark, with black tarp covering the windows and doors and only glow sticks and black lights providing any illumination — with an exception this time around: The till, which was kept busy, shown a brief blue hue when it was rung up. Also, the bouquets of a bachlorette party were glowing, as they were stuck with the sticks. If you missed the semi-annual event, check it out this winter.
— On Wednesday night at Dick’s, country guitarist Mark Stary added some plucky twang to his solos during the last two songs of his first set, the last number of which was Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison, as he reached into his vault of tunes to play rock, blues, oldies and originals, as well. Some of each of these styles can be found on his soon-to-be-released new record, as Stary has been a full-time musician for almost a decade. You can catch Stary and his bass player, Brian Johnson, again soon since they play Dick’s once every month or so.
Eight million Clouds and rising, and even more on local radio
August 1st, 2013
The fame being gained by Clouds continues to rise. The song, written by 18-year-old Zach Sobiech of Lakeland as he was dying from a rare form of bone cancer, osteosarcoma, has now gotten a number of hits on You Tube that’s above eight million, about double what it had the last time I wrote about it on this web site.
The song and video, which has been described as very touching, features Zach’s whispy voice and light guitar, and continues to get strong radio play on Twin Cities stations that specialize in pop music.
Zach’s mom, Laura Sobiech of Lakeland, said she doesn’t recall Zach specifically describing the genre in which he writes, but others have termed it as folk, and there are common themes that pervade his composing. Musical influences that he had named included The Lumineers, one of the prominent groups that did a cover video of Clouds, along with American Idol winner Phillip Phillips and Jason Mraz. People magazine said this might be “the most moving celebrity shoutout of all time.”
Other influences named are Ed Sheeran, Bon Iver who hails from just down the interstate in Eau Claire, and Of Monsters and Men.
Are most people aware that Zach not only wrote songs, but also sang them and played instruments? “Yes. Anyone who has Googled Zach’s name knows that he played guitar and sang, and both were strengths,” Laura said.
What was the process in which Zach and songwriting partner Sammy Brown did their composing? “They would just start writing. Sammy would write a line and then Zach would. It was very much like a conversation played out between them,” Laura said. While Clouds is getting most of the attention, other noteworthy collaborations are Fix Me Up, Blueberries and Star Hopping.
The Sobiechs have been members at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Stillwater for 20 years, where the funeral was held, and Clouds could be seen as an ode to going to heaven. “People from our church and community have reached out to us by preparing meals and offering to help us in any way we need. We’ve received hundreds of cards over the past several weeks from people in our community, but also from around the globe,” Laura said.
Does Zach have any other songs that deal with religion, or spirituality, among those he and Brown, another local teenager, have penned? “None, including Clouds, specifically deal with religion, but most deal with their spiritual journey,” Laura said.
Laura said that faith kept the family going during Zach’s illness, and that she can relate to the trials gone through by Mother Mary, who also lost a son, Jesus, to death. Others have cited Zach’s unwavering faith in God as one of his backings.
“Our faith kept us from despair and kept our eyes focused on what is truly important – eternity. We came to a much clearer understanding that this life is not what it’s all about – that the struggles in this life are really about preparing the soul for eternity,” Laura said.
This is not the first time locally that faith and popular music have intersected. The hard rock cover band Decibel, which played Dibbo’s many times, specialized in numbers by singers such as Ronnie James Dio and appreciated offering listeners something spiritual to consider, said its guitarist, named Paul. In fact, lead singer Lance, who once was recruited by a member of Metallica who stopped by Dibbo’s to check out his vocals, said he cut his teeth musically in a Christian metal band.
At the front bar, spirituality and religion often would find their way into conversations, spurred by the lyrics of national acts such as Blue Oyster Cult (Don’t Fear the Reaper) that performed in the back hall, then stayed after their show to talk about music with the patrons until well after bar time.
Also of note is the music of Geno, of Saving Starz, who says he is a Christian and tries to incorporate that into songs. Geno told me that he truly was appreciative that I mentioned that fact in a profile of the band, rather than skirt it under the rug as some would do.
July 25th, 2013
Of Perry Como, Tico Tico and country
— JazzSpring’s weekly selections on the Pudge’s patio are branching out.
“Lately we have gotten into playing the traditional song, ‘Battle Hymn of the Republic,’ because it has such a bluesy, 6/8 gospel feel,” said Melissa Stoudt, flutist and saxophonist for the duo JazzSpring.
A couple of other signature tunes on their set list are ‘Well You Needn’t’ by Theolonius Monk and ‘Tico Tico’ by Zequinha Abreu. “JazzSpring’s pianist, Ann Marie McIntire, created a pretty funny arrangement for Tico Tico with a dramatic tango type interlude and a ‘swingle singer-esque’ chrous. You gotta hear it,” Stoudt said.
This Thursday and Friday, July 25 and 26, Herb Reinke, a guitarist, is sitting in for McIntire. Reinke played for a while as Perry Como’s guitarist and he pulls a beautiful sound out of his guitar, Stoude said. Connie Dussl will also be singing some tunes. Music starts about 7:30 p.m.
For more information, check out JazzSpring.com.
— Longtime area guitarist and singer Mark Stary, who is no stranger to Nashville, brings his unique style and attitude of hard country to Dick’s Bar and Grill on Wednesday night, July 31. Mixed in with the potent finger-picking are some smooth, mellow strains. A second guitarist who is regular with Stary and joins him on stage to produce that signature sound is Brian Johnson — and not the one of AC/DC fame.
July 17th, 2013
Hey Daug, perform some jazz or prominent karaoke:
— At the Willow River Saloon on Saturday night, July 20, it’s Blind Dog, a little old country rock band that’s become quite big, and well-known regionally with a great following. “They’re really fun,” said a bartender, adding they’re widely renowned from the Twin Cities on over for that attribute. playing 70s, 80s and 90s music. On the previous night, a Friday, its Load Center, which plays classic rock, blues, originals and “5 country songs.” You’ve got to love it when a band’s bio is that precise.
— On Saturday, July 20’s celebration of the “fifth annual grand opening” of the Kozy Korner grill and bar in North Hudson, there will be at least that many ways to enjoy yourself, the owners point out. A bean-bag-toss tournament will be held using multiple boards, with registration at 12:30 and action at 1 p.m., Darren Caster will play a solo acoustic guitar show (think giving the Who’s Behind Blues Eyes a new, bluesy treatment), the joint’s trademark pizza will be sold in slices, and 16 ounce beers such as Michelob Golden will be on sale for $3.
— There is a reason JazzSpring has been asked to play on the patio at Pudge’s Bar each Thursday and Friday night through the end of August. Pudge’s owner Michael Murphy says that he regularly is contacted by bands, often inexperienced, that want to play gigs at his bar, but he knew right away that this jazz duo was something different and special — and has become the only band he’s hired. Music by these veterans of jazz starts at about 7:30 p.m. each night.
— Each Thursday night, it’s DJ Chad hosting karaoke at Bo’s ‘N Mine in River Falls, with the added feature that patrons itching to sing can put up their request via their Smart Phone. Down the street each Wednesday night at the Corner Saloon, its the karaoke of S&S Power, which has the added attraction of seeing your name in lights, as you or your alais and the song title will be listed in order of appearance on a TV screen. That’s how I got my singing alias of The Count. Don’t ask me why that name, I haven’t a clue.
July 10th, 2013
Cool jazz to soak up, as well as lots of root beer and regular beer:
— The jazz duo JazzSpring will again play on the patio at Pudge’s Bar on Thursday and Friday nights, but since — can you believe it? — the length of the summer days are already starting to wane, the music can be seen and heard in the sunlight hours, those waning into twilight, and even those in the heat of the night. As one of the members of JazzSpring, Ann Marie McIntire says, there is no favorite time to view their act, as the song selection doesn’t change, but the crowd does tend to mellow a bit as the sun sets. It makes for a cool jazz experience, in more ways than one. The music starts at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday and 8 p.m. on Friday.
— Singer Amanda, long a fixture on the local scene, has a new, or at least downsized band. The new duo are called A & W, for Amanda and Will, and their flyers prominently show the root beer logo along with the wording “established in 2012.” In her former band, Smirk Worthy, there were questions about who should share most of the frontman (or frontwoman) and lead vocal assignments, and most fans favored Amanda for those duties, although she tends to shirk the limelight, even with Smirk. In any case, you can catch the new duo’s act at Dick’s Bar and Grill on Wednesday night, July 17.
— New at the Village Inn in North Hudson is the HOPR, a tall glass cylinder shaped like a tall blonde that can be rented, for lack of a better term, and dispenses 96 ounces of your favorite beer, such as Miller Lite or Honey Weiss. A nearly two-foot tube of ice running down the middle keeps it cold, and while it has been around other places in the state, the HOPR is relatively new to the Hudson area.