It’s not surprise we’re huge Marco Benevento fans ’round these parts, and he’s got a huge tour coming up on both the East Coast and he starts a West Coast jaunt on December 1 in San Diego. And don’t forget he’s doing some shows with Garage a Trois in Colorado during December and then he’s on Jam Cruise with the boys in Surprise Me Mr. Davis. Busy as always.
He recently put out an MP3 of his cover of Pink Floyd’s “Fearless” which was recorded during the Me Not Me sessions.
Marco Benevento – “Fearless” [MP3]
Read on for his dates. >>>
Many of you have heard of The Slip and have followed Surprise Me Mr. Davis via this here blog, but one part of that musical creativity that we haven’t covered much is the new-ish solo-ish project by The Barr Brothers. They’re releasing an album soon with Sarah Page, “a classically trained harpist from Montreal with a propensity for the experimental” and their friend and multi-instrumentalist Andres Vial…and with that, they’ve announced a stretch of shows back at home and (somewhat) state-side to promote the new release. The eponymous debut is due out September 27th.
I’ve got @phortin on lock to cover the gig at El Rey Theatre but the band is playing at Mercury Lounge in NYC the week before that. Then a quick stop in Toronto, then out to LA before returning up to our “hat” for a bunch of dates across Canada. Read on for the dates and check out their single, “Beggar in the Morning,” for a taste of their folky sound. It’s cool. For sure. >>>
The lineup for Jam Cruise was announced first thing this morning here on the West Coast, and I couldn’t be happier that I’ve already taken the plunge and pre-booked a cabin for the 10th anniversary of the floating festival that everybody has been raving about for years. This will be my first year on the boat, so I’ll be seeing plenty of unbelievably great music all while sailing the seas and partying with my fellow like-minded fans. Can’t wait.
One of the bigger reveals of the lineup has been the port destinations that the cruise is choosing, and this time the festival is setting sail a full week after New Year’s Eve with a January 9th departure n Ft. Lauderdale to make stops in Labadee, Haiti and then onto Falmouth, Jamaica. The whole thing winds back down on January 14th, 2012. Umphrey’s McGee, Surprise Me Mr. Davis, Galactic, The New Deal, Shpongle, New Mastersounds, EOTO, and Orgone are just some of the artists I’m excited to get a crack at seeing this year, and there’s tons more talent rounding out the lineup this year.
As hedonistic as the whole vacation is, I’m actually proud that the organizers thought to bring a stop by Haiti into the equation. More about those efforts were detailed in today’s press release… READ MORE
It’s not surprise that social media has really changed the way many artists can make a living these days. Take for instance the case of Nathan Moore, the solo artist and frontman for Surprise Me Mr. Davis — the man has been able to organize a Bay Area “tour” in the matter of 36 hours after he flew out to California to play the Mystic Garden Party…
From JamBase…
When he flew in to perform at an established festival in California this past weekend and discovered most of the main artists had pulled out for fear of not being paid, he did what Nathan Moore does best – he jumped in with both feet. “I think they need me,” he told his manager when discussing the options. So, he went, knowing that like most artists struggling to make ends meet on tour he risked losing money yet again. The festival meltdown illustrates the impact of hard times on festivals, musicians and fans alike, and Moore’s attitude shows he takes his role as everybody’s troubadour to heart.
I love the spontanaiety of it all and it’s cool to see Nathan has some friends up here in the Bay Area to help him stay busy this week and recoup some of his plane ticket and transportation costs coming out West. I’ll be at the Yankee on Friday night barring any unforeseen changes in that plan.
Hippy Fiasco Rides Again: A Spontaneous Nathan Moore Tour
Tuesday, July 27: The Downlo, Chico CA, 7:00-? $7
Wednesday, July 28: 8240 Bodega Hwy. Sebastapol CA (park on the left) 7:00 $10
Thursday, July 29: McNears, 21 Petaluma Blvd N, Petaluma CA 8:00 free plus DoughNation
Friday, July 30: Connecticut Yankee, San Francisco CA, 10:00 $10
Saturday, July 31: private affair
Sunday, August 1: A semi private party at the compound in Oakland, call hot line for details, Doors 4:00, Music 6:00, $10 Donation.
Monday, August 2: TBA, working on it- Santa Cruz CA beach party? Tea and crumpets in San Jose? Anyone? Call the hotline!
Here is a smattering of other photos from our crew’s first day at High Sierra. I had an amazing time on day one but definitely hung back and bit and turned it in early. My friends raged hard and made it a few spots I didn’t, so I lovingly poached some of their photos here. Videos from Surprise Me Mr. Davis end the first day of coverage for us…so much fun memories to sort through after this festival. We’re already planning for 2011 as well. READ MORE
Photo by Andy Gadiel
My High Sierra High is dwindling. I have taken multiple showers, the dirt is almost completely off my feet and my sleep schedule is almost back to normal. Friends keep asking me about how my festival experience was, what bands I saw and what ridiculous costumes I wore. There was so much magic that happened in those few days up in Quincy, and yet I can’t stop thinking about Surprise Me Mr. Davis’s set at the infamous Camp Harry.
Now, I think at this point, I should let the reader know, that I am half way through the Po Bronson book, What Should I Do With My Life, and I have been thinking a lot about my own purpose in life. My hippie friends tell me it is part of my Saturn Return, my therapist tells me its a quarter life crisis, and my parents tell me not to do anything rash. Whatever it is, it all seemed to come together while I was huddled in a circle around Camp Harry at 1:30 in the morning, freezing cold, rocking a leopard snuggie that I borrowed from my friend Neal, exhausted…and yet I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else.
READ MORE
