California Love & Freedom

Driving up the 101 from a weekend spent in Irvine for Far West, following the Presidential debate and the Giants game on my Twitter feed, I reflected anew on how incredibly grateful I am to have grown up and still live in California. As we made our way north, from the beaches to the agricultural fields and rolling hills of the Central Coast, the Giants were winning and the debate... was giving me pause. My renewed gratitude for growing up in California wasn't completely about the game. It was about how fortunate I felt have lived amid diversity and varied lifestyles, freedom of speech and choice, and general encouragement for finding and expressing one's voice, and that I generally experience this on a daily basis.
"This is the best place there is," my dad, a WWII vet and native of San Francisco, used to tell me. Of course, I didn't believe him for many years, until I'd traversed much of the globe, and lived in a different state, double-checking for myself. And so California has always found me circling back. Its varied physical beauty, is of course a major draw, but the varied terrain reflects an equally diverse population I've come to expect.  Living in the Bay Area most of my life, I've been privy not only to beaches and mountains, but exposed to seemingly every color, denomination and mode of expression there is...and — mistakenly — thought it was that way everywhere. I so often take this for granted when the precariousness of our rights is highlighted by the gravity of what's at stake during an election. Especially, it seems, this one. I'm glad I get to inform myself and to vote. I very much hope you are too.

Next Up: Songwriter Serenade in Arcadia

I'm pleased to return to this sweet songwriter's showcase in Southern California run by J.C. Hyke. If you're in or around LA do come down for a night of accomplished songwriters in a friendly atmosphere.
"The Songwriter Serenade is a weekly show held every Tuesday night at Matt Denny's Ale House Restaurant & Bar.  It starts at 7PM and goes to 9:30.  Performers play their original songs for the audience on a lovely patio with a warm, inviting atmosphere.  There are all styles and genres of music, with 4 or 5 different songwriters each week.  The music is on a patio which is covered and has plenty of heaters for a warm, cozy evening.  It is located at 145 E. Huntington Dr. in Arcadia, CA 91006. There is parking around the back. "

Tickets On Sale for Far West Fest

The 7th Annual Far West Fest is going to be another great day in Point Reyes. I'll be playing on the acoustic stage amid a slew of other musicians, artisans and purveyors of yummy food in one of the best areas in the world.
Tickets to Far West Fest go on sale June 8, 2012 at noon. Get yours ASAP.

ASCAP, Souls & Sessions

Silverlake mural

Last week was a packed few days of yoga practice and the ASCAP EXPO in Southern California. Encinitas and LA were sunny and happy in all respects. ASCAP was, as in prior experiences, a great mix of networking, know-how and inspiration. I caught up with songwriter friends, received some nice feedback and even heard a fabulous talk by Carly Simon. I had not fully appreciated Simon's career until hearing this recap of all her hits and overview of her rich and varied career in music. Slim, composed and still in full voice, she spoke candidly about the auspicious beginnings of her career, the stammer that plagued her confidence and ultimately helped her find her singing voice and her writing process. She's a true artist!

Oakland Symphony premier of Art Khu's Symphony of Souls

I flew home with just enough time to get to the Paramount Theater to witness the premier performance of Ark Khu's Symphony of Souls by the Oakland East Bay Symphony. It's no secret in the Bay Area and in jazz circles that Art is an amazing musician. I've been extremely fortunate to know him as well as have some of his piano and guitar playing on several of my CDs. Seeing this premier just confirmed to the world how great he really is. There were two premiers during the program, "Notes from the Philippines," one by Khu and another by Victor Noriega, and both were met with standing ovations as well as enthusiasm from conductor and musical director Michael Morgan. Along with a Cello Concerto by Dvorak and an overture taken from Mendelssohn, it truly was a great night of music for East Bay symphony goers.

Being surrounded by other songwriters and composers for three days is motivating to say the least. I was glad to have a session scheduled Saturday after all this musical richness. Half of a very beautiful sunny day Saturday was spent in the studio recording basic tracks for a couple of new songs. The next project has begun!

Bass, drums & coffee

Artist Interview: Kate Burkart

Sharing a love of many of the same songwriters (such as Lucinda Williams,  Emmylou Harris, etc) it was inevitable that I eventually meet fellow East Bay songwriter Kate Burkart. Playing her own personal brand of Americana, I was impressed by both her approach to lyrics and the fact that she plays bass and sings at the same time. As well as performing and recording her own material, Kate is also the founder and host of the popular Under the Covers music series which gives 3 (mostly) local artists a chance to interpret the work of 3 other musicians.  Leading up to the next Under the Covers show on April 21, which I'm happy to play, I asked Kate about her music:
Q: You're that rare combination of bass player and singer. How did you first pick up the bass? Does it feel natural to compose on it?
KB: I first picked up the bass when I was singing in a band where we always seemed to be losing either the drummer or the bassist — one day, my band mate commented on how much easier life would be if I played either of those instruments. So I rented a bass and showed up for the next rehearsal saying "OK, what now?” I didn't even know how to hold it, I didn't play guitar... Somehow I just kind of took to it, and started playing gigs soon after. Singing and playing felt natural to me, maybe that's why composing on it feels natural as well. I always focus on the rhythm of a song as I'm writing lyrics.

Q: Can you discuss your writing process.... Are you a disciplined, regular writer or do you wait for inspiration to strike? Do you write solo or co-write?
KB: I write solo, usually when inspiration strikes. Although, once a song's framework is there, I'm pretty disciplined about going back to it until it feels finished. I should add that I have collaborated on songwriting, and loved it — I'm a good partner for anyone who's suffering from writer's block!

Q: How did you come up with the idea for Under the Covers?
KB: I know so many musicians who, like myself, are passionate about other songwriters. I just had this brainstorm one night about giving everyone a chance to share a whole evening of covering the music of someone else. The name seemed like a natural fit, and the support — and talent — we've gotten has been amazing. We've also been lucky in finding a beautiful, non-profit venue with great sound: The Subterranean ArtHouse in Berkeley.

Q: How did you select your current artist to cover? What do you look for in a song? Any new discoveries happening as you prepare for the upcoming show?
KB: I don't always play and host the evening, sometimes I just host, since it takes a lot of time and organization. But I've got a long list of admired songwriters, usually they're telling a story, and their songs feel heartfelt and authentic to me. I don't necessarily choose mainstream artists, and have covered Blaze Foley, Mary Gauthier, Richard Thompson, and Lucinda Williams.
There are always surprises and learning experiences in deconstructing another writer's work — it can difficult but inspiring. I've always been a fan of Warren Zevon, and in going over his songs for this upcoming show, I discovered a song I'd never heard, and now it's a huge favorite. Part of the challenge is making it your own, and I love hearing the interpretations created by the talented musicians we been lucky enough to have perform.
The next Under the Covers showcase is Saturday, April 21, 2012 @ The Subterranean ArtHouse, 8pm $10.  2179 Bancroft Way  Berkeley, CA 94704 http://subterraneanarthouse.org/
For more information about Kate Burkart visit http://kateburkart.com/

Hitting the 'road to Texas

I'm hitting the road to Austin, Texas, today with Local Music Vibe. Follow us as we cross half the country in Chuck Prophet's van on our way to the music celebration that is SXSW. Check for updates here and on Twitter.
@LocalMusicVibe
@DeborahCrooks