ay Station Love the Bay Full Moon Sail -January 2019. Filmed on the Alameda-Oakland estuary during the Super Full Moon Lunar Eclipse 1/20/19
Showing posts with label songwriters. Show all posts
Showing posts with label songwriters. Show all posts
Thursday, January 24, 2019
Tuesday, May 29, 2018
Bay Station Loves the Bay: Music & Sailing Adventure
Wow, what a ride the past weekend has been. Bay Station completed its mission on Memorial Day, sailing from Richmond to Alameda after a music-filled few days with some of our favorite friends in music. Below is just a sampling of some of the tiny boat concerts staged on Espresso. Check out the Bay Station Facebook page for full videos! Thanks to all those who participated!
Wednesday, May 17, 2017
Hot Water Sessions/ #FolkFightsBack Benefit for Women in San Francisc May 18
Tomorrow, Thursday, May 18, The Hot Water Sessions 2017 travel to San Francisco, for a Hot Water/#FolkFightsBack for Women benefit performance at The Lost Church at 8pm (doors 7:30pm).
Today is the last day to get adv. ticket prices - only $10. Jump in!
Tickets at http://ticketf.ly/2ncnT8L
Seating at The Lost Church is first come, first served. We recommend you buy in advance to ensure being a part of the event (parlor shows often sell out), but you can also try purchasing at the door on the night of the show.
Online sales are active until 9:30pm the night of show (unless sold out). You can purchase tickets right at the door using a card via your phone and the above Ticketfly.com link. That old-fashioned cash is also accepted, of course.
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Folk Fights Back is a musician led organization that seeks to raise money and awareness for critical issues during the Trump presidency.
Today is the last day to get adv. ticket prices - only $10. Jump in!
Tickets at http://ticketf.ly/2ncnT8L
What are the Hot Water Sessions?
It's a luxurious soak in the sultry sounds of Americana brought to you by the combined forces of songwriters and sirens Aireene Espiritu, Deborah Crooks, and Yours Truly, Michele and features mighty man friend Kwame Copeland.
"Folk singer-songwriter Aireene Espiritu works in the elemental substance of vernacular American music with an uncanny ease. Whether blues, hillbilly, soul, folk or R&B...[she] demonstrates masterly command of each."- Jonny Whiteside, Los Angeles Times
"California songwriter Deborah Crooks’ is simply too original to be a singer who will be known as someone who sings like…like no one. She changes gears seamlessly and in regards to Lucinda [Williams], Deborah may have a wider pallet of styles than even Lucinda." - John Apice, No Depression
"She’s a celebration. No matter your mood, you’ll walk away with a smile. It’s cheaper than therapy." Tony DuShane, San Francisco Chronicle
With a sound infused with 60s pop, shadowy torch songs, and touched by by Americana Roots-Rock, it is truly Michele Kappel’s own brand of music.
Seating at The Lost Church is first come, first served. We recommend you buy in advance to ensure being a part of the event (parlor shows often sell out), but you can also try purchasing at the door on the night of the show.
Online sales are active until 9:30pm the night of show (unless sold out). You can purchase tickets right at the door using a card via your phone and the above Ticketfly.com link. That old-fashioned cash is also accepted, of course.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Folk Fights Back is a musician led organization that seeks to raise money and awareness for critical issues during the Trump presidency.
Monday, April 17, 2017
Hot Water Tour 2017: Soak in the Sounds of Sultry Americana withAireene Espiritu, Deborah Crooks and "Yours Truly, Michele"
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| Poster design by "Nemo" |
Excited about the "Hot Water Sessions" I'm doing with Aireene Espiritu and Yours Truly, Michele in May! Join us in some great venues in Niles, San Francisco, Suisun City and/or Alameda:
Hot Water Sessions 2017 Kick-Off Party at
The Mudpuddle Shop
Donations welcomed. Limited seating, RSVP https://www.facebook.com/events/1860826930831504/
Hot Water Sessions @
$10 advance/ $15 day of show. A #FolkFightsBack Benefit event! Advance tickets recommended: http://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/1459109
Hot Water Sessions @
$20 RSVP to boatysattva @gmail.com
Barkissimo is located in the heart of downtown Suisun City, across the grand plaza from Main Street. Bring a home made dish to share with the community.
Hot Water Sessions @
Donations welcomed. In the beer garden.
Hot Water Sessions @
A Private House Concert
ALAMEDA, CA
$20. Limited seating, RSVP to baystationband@gmail.com
More about the artists:
Aireene Espiritu
"Folk singer-songwriter Aireene Espiritu works in the elemental substance of vernacular American music with an uncanny ease. Whether blues, hillbilly, soul, folk or R&B...[she] demonstrates masterly command of each."- Jonny Whiteside, Los Angeles Times
Deborah Crooks
"California songwriter Deborah Crooks’ is simply too original to be a singer who will be known as someone who sings like…like no one. She changes gears seamlessly and in regards to Lucinda [Williams], Deborah may have a wider pallet of styles than even Lucinda." - John Apice, No Depression
Yours Truly, Michele http://michelekappelstone.com/
"She’s a celebration. No matter your mood, you’ll walk away with a smile. It’s cheaper than therapy." Tony DuShane, San Francisco Chronicle
With a sound infused with 60s pop, shadowy torch songs, and touched by by Americana Roots-Rock, it is truly Michele Kappel’s own brand of music.
Monday, March 27, 2017
"Be Kind" on WOS Radio
Pleased to have a song I did with Bay Station Band "Be Kind" included on Women of Substance Radio & Podcast Episode 597 "Music with a Message" along with Sandi Gregory-Olbrich Takeyce - Deborah DeDe Wedekind Elle Crossley Lisa Jane Lipkin Linda Kosut Debra Hadraba Heather Wilson Carmella Gitanjali Baynie Jane Ross Fallon Lily Kiara Erin Bentley and Sandy Rapp
Friday, March 10, 2017
March 15, 2017: Original Songwriter Showcase at The Octopus Literary Salon, featuring Bob Hillman, Maggie Forti & Peter Whitehead
I'm hosting another run of songwriter shows at The Oakland Octopus Literary Salon this year, kicking off what will be a quarterly event, Wednesday, March 15, 2017 at 7pm. March features three great artists: Bob Hillman, Peter Whitehead
and Maggie Forti. Don't miss it! The entry ($5-10 suggested) is a steal, plus the Octopus is cozy, has delicious and nutritious food and drink.
SONGWRITERS SHOWCASE
March 15, 2017 7pm
2101 Webster Street
Oakland, CA 94501
Oakland, CA 94501
all ages, $5-10 suggested
[NBC] Peter Whitehead: Anything You Want to Do Is Going to Work Eventually from Oresti Tsonopoulos on Vimeo.
Wednesday, March 1, 2017
Songwriters at Play Tribute to Lucinda Williams- Tues, March 7th, 2017
Lucinda Williams is the daughter of a Southern poet, a prolific
recording artist, and a relentlessly touring performer. She's also a
writer covered by Mary Chapin Carpenter (Passionate Kisses), Tom Petty
(Change the Locks) and Emmylou Harris (Sweet Old World). We'll cover her
hits, bluesy rockers and ballads in this night of joyous, righteous
Americana. The all-star lineup includes L.A.'s Mick Rhodes, Deborah
Crooks from the Bay Area, and local favorites Girls & Boys, Kristen
Black, Noach Tangeras, John Sandoval, Amie Richie, Holly Ann Lewis, and
Lauren Riffle. Your host Steve Key kicks it off at 6:30pm.
This special event runs 6:30-9pm at Morro Bay Wine Seller, 601
Embarcadero, Morro Bay, (805) 772-8388. No cover charge, but we pass the
tip bucket, shared by all of the performers. 21 & Over Only. Come
early for a good seat (OK to bring your own food, but the venue does
have sandwiches and snacks).
A Morro Bay Tribute to Lucinda Williams
-
6:30-9:00pm
601 Embarcadero
Morro Bay, CA 93442
Morro Bay, CA 93442
Price: Free!
Tuesday, February 14, 2017
Songwriters Deborah Crooks and Michael McNevin at The Lost Church Friday, February 17, 2017 7:30pm
A bright spot on the calendar this Friday, February 17, 2017, when I'll be doing a show at The Lost Church in San Francisco, with my friend, the imitable, and great, songwriter Michael McNevin. The show is also a celebration of our respective February birthdays, so we'll be playing songs covering the spectrum of our songwriting lives. We'll even have cake or pie (or both!) to celebrate that much more, and I'll be playing with a full band (yay!). Finally, we LOVE The Lost Church, one of San Francisco's best, intimate listening venues, and we LOVE YOU. Please join us (and save $5) by picking up tickets in advance! Your presence completes the evening.
Tickets for $15 via tickefly HERE/$20 at the door.
* I'll have a limited number of these awesome Nemo-designed posters, available for $5, as well.
Thursday, December 15, 2016
Songwriters in the Round at The Octopus Salon Dec. 21 w/Alex Walsh, Briget Boyle, Steve Waters & Deborah Crooks
Now, more than ever, I'm feeling its that much more important to gather to listen and to share. If we artists are doing our job right, our work will tap into, reflect and express all that it means to be human. Hopefully we'll build a bit more connection and understanding between all, and transcend some of our differences. Toward that lofty goal, I'm hosting another round of songwriters at the Octopus Literary Salon in Oakland this month. I'll hope you'll join me, along with Alex Walsh, Briget Boyle and Steve Waters, for an evening of song sharing.
Wednesday, December 21, 2016, 7pm
Songwriters in the Round at The Octopus Literary Salon
2101 Webster Street
Oakland, CA The Octopus is close to 19th St BART. $5-10 suggested, all ages.
2101 Webster Street
Oakland, CA The Octopus is close to 19th St BART. $5-10 suggested, all ages.
Sunday, October 16, 2016
Songwriters in the Round at The Oakland Octopus October 19 7pm
Songwriters in the Round at Oakland Octopus
Austin Willacy “…an edgy adult contemporary sound that goes down easily and speaks to the heart.” — San Franciso Examiner
Wendy Beckerman
A great singer/songwriter with a wonderful, unaffected voice. Amazing arrangements of acoustic guitar, vocals and strings. Gorgeous melodic songs with perfect harmonies. Her songs seem to aim not to impress, but to express. Very creative.”— Derek Sivers
Valerie Jay
“Valerie Jay has one of the best country voices I have ever had the pleasure to record, the way she phrases the lyrics makes you believe that every word is coming straight from her heart” – Tom Tyson, Producer, Music Farm “Valerie is singing great, it’s always a pleasure to hear her lovely voice” – Albert Lee England’s Calling
Deborah Crooks
"Deborah Crooks’ is simply too original to be a singer who will be known as someone who sings like…like no one. She changes gears seamlessly and in regards to Lucinda [Williams], Deborah may have a wider pallet of styles than even Lucinda." — John Apice, No Depression
Tuesday, June 7, 2016
Thursday June 9: A Night of Americana at The Ivy Room
This week's fun: Thursday, June 9 at the Ivy Room in Albany, Bay Station shares a with Kate Burkart and Nate Jones & The
Sloe Sippers, it's going to be a fine night. Three bands, $7, good
vibes; hope to see you there!
Thursday, June 9th, 2016
Bay Station (full band) at The Ivy Room
with Nate Jones & The Slow Sippers, Kate Burkart Band
858 San Pablo AveAlbany, CA 94706
510-524-9299
Show starts at 8pm; Price: $7. Bay Station plays at 10:30
Monday, March 21, 2016
Bay Station "Go Out and Make Some" National Tour
Bay Station is celebrating the release of Go Out and Make Some with a full
band show at Amnesia in San Francisco, on March 24, before setting out
across the US performing as an acoustic duo.
March 24 San Francisco, CA Amnesia
March 25 Los Angeles, CA MUSE on 8th
March 26 Phoenix, AZ Fiddler's Dream Coffeehouse
March 27 Bisbee, AZ Bisbee Grand Hotel Bed & Breakfast
March 29 San Antonio, TX Fralo’s
March 30 San Antonio, TX Sanchos
March 31 Austin, TX The Driskilll
April 1 Dallas, TX Opening Bell Coffee
April 2 Flora, MS The County Seat
April 3 Atlanta, GA Red Light Cafe
April 6 Knoxville, TN Preservation Pub
April 7 Nashville, TN Two Old Hippies
April 8 St. Louis, MO Stone Spiral (early)
April 8 St. Louis, MO Evangeline's Bistro & Music House (late)
April 9 Lawrence, KS Gaslight Gardens
April 11 Taos, NM Adobe Bar
April 12 Santa Fe, NM The Cowgirl BBQ
April 13 Flagstaff, AZ Cultured
April 16 Joshua Tree, CA Joshua Tree Saloon Bar & Grill
March 24 San Francisco, CA Amnesia
March 25 Los Angeles, CA MUSE on 8th
March 26 Phoenix, AZ Fiddler's Dream Coffeehouse
March 27 Bisbee, AZ Bisbee Grand Hotel Bed & Breakfast
March 29 San Antonio, TX Fralo’s
March 30 San Antonio, TX Sanchos
March 31 Austin, TX The Driskilll
April 1 Dallas, TX Opening Bell Coffee
April 2 Flora, MS The County Seat
April 3 Atlanta, GA Red Light Cafe
April 6 Knoxville, TN Preservation Pub
April 7 Nashville, TN Two Old Hippies
April 8 St. Louis, MO Stone Spiral (early)
April 8 St. Louis, MO Evangeline's Bistro & Music House (late)
April 9 Lawrence, KS Gaslight Gardens
April 11 Taos, NM Adobe Bar
April 12 Santa Fe, NM The Cowgirl BBQ
April 13 Flagstaff, AZ Cultured
April 16 Joshua Tree, CA Joshua Tree Saloon Bar & Grill
Go Out and Make Some is a true melting pot of Americana, blues, jazz and rock and roll, with songs about love, lust, sandy beaches, dusty roads, wandering holy men, wolf birds and more.
More information new dates being added at http://baystationband.com/
Tuesday, March 1, 2016
Songwriters in the Round at The Octopus Literary Salon March 16, 2016 with Annie Bacon, Maurice Tani, Matt Langlois and Deborah Crooks
Annie Bacon
www.anniebacon.me/
Matt Langlois
http://welcomemattsf.com/
Maurice Tani
www.mauricetani.com/
host Deborah Crooks
www.deborahcrooks.com
The Octopus is a literary salon,* re-interpreted in the 21st Century to engage and entertain readers, writers, musicians, artists of all ages in Uptown Oakland, California. The Octopus Literary Salon includes a most excellent café with delicious food, beer & wine, a small-scale specialty used and new bookstore (we sell used records too!), and a space for public readings and discussions as well as other literary spontaneity and, of course music performance.
Friday, February 12, 2016
Bay Station (nee KCDC) "Go Out And Make Some" Celebration in Alameda
Please join us as we celebrate the release with a live show at The Fireside in Alameda, CA, on February 20, 2016. 1453 Webster Street, Alameda, CA 94501. We go on at 9pm. Plus our blue-rocking friends, The Dirty, will be sharing the evening. No cover!
If you'd like to join the Bay Station mailing list, please visit our site and Facebook pages for news about our upcoming shows and tour.
Bay Station | baystationband@gmail.com | www.baystationband.com
Saturday, February 6, 2016
Bird Songs II: "I Like Birds" "Broken Wings Heal" and "Proud Penguin"
More selections from the world of contemporary bird-referencing songs.
"I Like Birds" by The Eels
This punchy number caught my ear more than a decade ago when a friend turned me on to The Eels. No birder pretension here, just simple bird appreciation:
"I Like Birds" by The Eels
This punchy number caught my ear more than a decade ago when a friend turned me on to The Eels. No birder pretension here, just simple bird appreciation:
"I can't look at the rocket launch
The trophy wives of the astronauts
And I won't listen to their words
'Cause I like birds
The trophy wives of the astronauts
And I won't listen to their words
'Cause I like birds
I don't care for walking downtown
Crazy auto-car gonna mow me down
Look at all the people like cows in a herd
Well, I like birds
Crazy auto-car gonna mow me down
Look at all the people like cows in a herd
Well, I like birds
If you're small and on a search
I've got a feeder for you to perch on"
I've got a feeder for you to perch on"
"Razor Wire" by Carolyn Aiken
There are bird references all over Aiken's latest recording, Broken Wings Heal, and the title track itself is a confident ode to healing. But "Razor Wire" is the heartbreaking gut punch of the album, a song I first heard live at The Freight a last summer:
"behind razor wire
sings a song bird
her heart beats strong
her spirit flies free
undaunted and sublime
she sings to the sun and the wind and the trees
she remembers in her dreams
Outside her confines
she knows what it’s like
flying tandem with her kind
free to dive and climb and be
and she…dreams
of the time she will fly
and readies her wings
calming her mind
knowing that all that stands between her and the sky
is time."
"Proud Penguin" by Jamie Purnell
Purnell is a Bay Area songwriter I met at FAR-West. He performed this song live the other night at the KC Turner Presents Shhhongwriters Open Mic at Doc's Lab. A shorty and powerful ditty about flying, swimming, being only who you can be and self acceptance, I couldn't help but love it.
"hey there seagull, it's fun to swim in the sea/I may not be able to fly, but I'm happy to be me."
Know of a fairly-recent (post-2000) "bird song" I should hear? Please email me!
Thursday, January 14, 2016
Songwriters in the Round at Oakland's The Octopus Literary Salon, January 20, 2016
Melissa Phillips (with James DePrato)
www.melissaphillipsmusic.c
Michael McNevin
www.michaelmcnevin.com/
Paul Griffiths
www.paulgriffithsmusic.com
host Deborah Crooks
www.deborahcrooks.com
The Octopus is a literary salon,* re-interpreted in the 21st Century to engage and entertain readers, writers, musicians, artists of all ages in Uptown Oakland, California. The Octopus Literary Salon includes a most excellent café with delicious food, beer & wine, a small-scale specialty used and new bookstore (we sell used records too!), and a space for public readings and discussions as well as other literary spontaneity and, of course music performance.
Friday, January 8, 2016
Bird Songs: "All Over Ohio", "Birds Fly South" & "Scarecrow"
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| photo by Don McCullough |
In the meantime, here's a sampling of some of my recent favorites:
"All Over Ohio" by Over the Rhine
I swoon over the sensibilities of Over the Rhine in general, who call an Ohio farm home between their own musical peregrinations, and whose lyrics bespeak their deep connection to place. They know their land deeply, as well as the creatures who share it. "All Over Ohio," sung in duet, is a long, lovely tour both of place and the birdly need to come and go:
"And the starlings they were flying
Earlier today
Doing their maneuvers
Clouds of feathers on display
Makes me wanna kneel in prayer but
I’ve forgotten what to say
I’ll just name all the birds in Ohio
...
Earlier today
Doing their maneuvers
Clouds of feathers on display
Makes me wanna kneel in prayer but
I’ve forgotten what to say
I’ll just name all the birds in Ohio
...
All I wanna be is a thousand black birds*
Bursting from a tree into the blue
Love – let it be not just a feeling
But the broken beauty
Of what we choose to do"
*Listen to an actual blackbird call HERE.
Bursting from a tree into the blue
Love – let it be not just a feeling
But the broken beauty
Of what we choose to do"
*Listen to an actual blackbird call HERE.
The Mastersons, an Austin-based duo, also evoke bird migration in the title track of their 2012 release, a song about their own need to move, the pull of the heart, the mystery and reasons of why humans and animals pick up and go when they do.
Birds fly south, before the cold
all night, I'm going to drive
New York's getting me down
run out of reason to hang around
that's why birds fly south,
when it all comes down
All night, I'm going to drive
Will you be, right by my side?
"Scarecrow" by Michael McNevin
This is one of my all-time favorite songs for a lot of reasons: not only it it a great evocation of the behavior of gulls* (the species of sea bird I've projected upon this song), its a beautiful love song, period. I believe its won some awards, and I've a CD containing the song, but it's hard to find online to easily share. Fortunately, for these purposes, there's this video (Track McNevin down at one of his shows or hit him up at Muddpuddle Music if you want your own copy.) I heard him sing it the first time I saw him perform and became an insta-fan.
She's a sea bird I'm a scarecrow
She came to rest upon my elbow
She flys fast I watch the corn grow
Will she come back, well damned if I know
Damned if I know
...
She's a sea bird I'm a scarecrow
Will I turn to driftwood in the shallows?
Damned if I know, damned if I know
*Listen to an actual California gull call HERE.
(McNevin's also got a song called "Early Bird" worth giving a listen)
Saturday, November 21, 2015
Bazaar Stock #8 December 5 at Bazaar Cafe
December 5, 2015 10am-10pm
Bazaar Cafe
5927 California St
San Francisco, CA 94114
I'm pleased to be a part of Bazaar Stock #8, when KC Turner Present 36 (!) local musicians at SF's venerable and loved songwriter haven, Bazaar Cafe. Free and all ages, a tip jar will be passed with 100% of the proceeds to be donated Music in Schools Today. I play at 3pm and encourage you to come for as much of the event as you can! It's going to be be a great display of original music.
Monday, October 19, 2015
Indie Rock, Twang & Twilight: October 24 at The Starry Plough Berkeley, w/ Laura Benitez & the Heartache
Laura Benitez and the Heartache use the three chord tools of country music to tell the simple, unvarnished truth about love, too much whiskey, and the call of the road. Their songs range from honky-tonk shuffles to rock 'n' roll numbers to sweet old time waltzes, and cover everything from unwed motherhood ("Me or the Baby") to mean drunks ("Don't Wake the Devil"), with a whole lot of heartbreak in between. Their twangy honesty shines through in straightforward arrangements, crystalline harmonies, and spare instrumentation. Beware their catchy hooks and sweet melodies - these stray puppy tunes will follow you home and become your most steadfast companions. www.laurabenitezandthehear
California songwriter Deborah Crooks' lyric driven and soul-wise music draws on folk, rock, and Americana and is often compared to Lucinda Williams and The Cowboy Junkies. Her music ventures into everything from funk and reggae to rock and blues, reflecting her expansive and eclectic tastes, a sound which has evolved over her years studying writing and poetics at The Naropa Institute, voice with Chloe Goodchild and Mysore V. Amba Prasad (India), and cowriting and collaborating with her Bay Area peers. She’s released three CDs and several EPs of critically noted original music, including 2015’s Something Special, which reflects both her California Roots and global peregrinations. “Quite simply smart and engaging music." — RockWired Magazine www.deborahcrooks.com
Tuesday, October 6, 2015
FAR-West Venues' Choice Concert October 15, 2015 at the Oakland Marriott City Center
On Thursday evening, October 15, FAR-West will kick off its 12th annual conference with the Venues’ Choice concert. Five venues from around the region, dedicated to presenting acoustic music year-round, will each present an artist(s) of their choice. The diversity of styles represented are indicative of the broad range of expression that makes the West such a rich cultural melting pot. FAR-West's opening night concert is always one of the highlights of the conferences and 2015 is shaping up to be another great night.
Public tickets ($15) can be purchased at the FAR-West Brown Paper Tickets site.
VENUES' CHOICE CONCERT Thurs, Oct 15, 2015 at 7pm Oakland Marriott City Center 7:00 PM
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