LoveLikeFire Coming to Townhouse THIS Saturday!

Once again, Clay Nutting and Adam Saake of Concerts 4 Charity: Sacramento have outdone themselves with another killer line up.

San Francisco's LoveLikeFire are being joined by I'm Dirty Too, The Dreaded Diamond and The Kelps at the Townhouse Lounge on Saturday night [October 16th | 9 PM]. Along with these amazing bands, DJs will be spinning records in between sets and probably upstairs as well.

As with all of C4C's shows, proceeds will go to their organization which helps raise money for music and arts education for kids in the Sacramento area. So YOU get to rock out for a great cause.

To give you a better idea of what you can expect from the show, here's a little breakdown . . .

LoveLikeFire = Ann, Dave, Eric, and Marty

What is most amazing about LoveLikeFire isn't just Ann Yu's vocals (though they are powerful) or how catchy their tunes are. 

What impresses me the most about this indie band by the bay is that many of their successes they achieved on their own. They self funded two EPs, and booked themselves on regional and national tours (at huge festivals like CMJ and SxSW, and have performed with bands like Black Kids, Mates of State, and Cloud Cult).

In 2008 they were signed to UK label Heist or Hit which helped them release their first full length album Tear Ourselves Away in 2009 and currently they are on a West Coast tour and will be performing multiple shows with Film School (LA).


  LoveLikeFire - Signs by Paduta

Sacramento's I'm Dirty Too is a two-piece consisting of Jess Gowrie (she played drums for the black metal band Red Host from 2006-8 with Chelsea Wolfe) and Zac Brown (Dusty Brown, DOOMbird). They say their name pretty much describes their sound which is good old fashioned "dirty guitar, fuzzed out bass, intense driving beats" garage rock.

Check out their MySpace to hear a few tracks - I personally recommend "Screamer."

Dreaded Diamond = Juli Lydell, Tyler Lydell,
and Addison Quarrels

A few weeks ago, I received an excitable Facebook message from Clay at C4C about The Dreaded Diamond and this is what he had to say:

"Dudes,

This band is going to EXPLODE and we can all say we knew it first."

Well said, Clay.

The Kelps = Tony Reyes, Cory Baringer,
and Cameron Betts

The Kelps are a nice late addition to this already awesome line up. I think they have the energy to balance out the mellow tunes of Dreaded Diamond and to compliment I'm Dirty Too.

They were also one of the nominees for Outstanding Indie for this year's Sammies.

They describe their music as blues inspired "indie" but by no means do they wished to be defined or CONfined by any genre:

"Music isn't confined by genres. Music isn't confined by audience. Music shouldn't be confined at all."

 


Hope to see you all at the Townhouse Lounge on
Saturday night for this great show for a great cause!

YLOS - What a Line Up!

You LOVE our scene, and here's why . . .

The line-ups.

In an effort to draw bigger and more diverse crowds, venues and bookers have gotten really good at putting together an equally big and diverse bill.

By booking a teen punk band, with indie folk, rock and pop acts people who might be coming out for one band are going to be exposed to new music they wouldn't normally get exposed to. Clay Nutting, founder of Concerts 4 Charity: Sacramento talked about this in our interview back in August. He agrees that creating an eclectic bill is a key factor and step to strengthening the local music community.

So when I saw this Luigi's Fungarden show poster I was really excited because it seems that this mixed-genre booking trend is becoming more and more popular in the area. Even if you haven't heard of ANY of these bands, all it takes is a little research and finding one you like and that $5 is worth it. But, you're probably busy and the show is tonight. No problem. I did the research for you!

The headliner, Holy Rolling Empire, a psychedelic pop quartet from Tuscon, AZ is currently on a West Coast tour promoting the release of their new EP Noise Will Be Noise. They were signed to Newport Beach's Burning House Records back in 2008.



  Gigantis by Holy Rolling Empire

Order their full length album People People NOW!

Sacramento's Musical Charis is not only a band but an institution. The Musical Charis Music School, in partnership with Concerts 4 Charity: Sacramento, is a non profit organization dedicated to children's music education.

Musically, they say their tunes are reminiscent of "REM's Green Album and Jefferson Airplane's live performances with a modern Fleetwood Mac twist." 

What do you think?

This year's Sammies Outstanding Teen (Punk) Band, Dog Party, are indeed outstanding. Sisters Gwen and Lucy Giles, play more shows then most "grown up" bands in the area [I've personally seen them open for Agent Ribbons at Old Ironsides]. AND they are already signed to local label, Half of Nothing Records.

But as much as they like getting lots of gigs, bars are not their favorite venues because they think bars are smelly and I agree.

Experimental indie rock band Der Spazm will most likely round off the night with jams, improvised song breaks, and all around great sound. Formed in 2006, this band has performed all over Sacramento and have developed a strong local following. 

Derek Miller of SN&R best described their shows as "pretty much the equivalent of Jesus buying you a drink at the bar. You can't say no. It gets better too. Jesus likes your band tattoos and says he's down to smoke you out while listening to Sonic Youth" (5/21/09). 

Don't miss this amazing and diverse line up
TONIGHT at Luigi's Fungarden | 7:30 PM | All Ages | $5

Help a Sister Crayon Out!

Sister Crayon is a local electro/trip hop/"manic" band who have been making quite the splash lately. Recently signed to Manimal Vinyl, their future projects include Concerts 4 Charity's Ballet + Live Local Music event AND they will be recording a track for Manimal's Tribute to David Bowie (other artists include Duran Duran, Chairlift, Vivian Girls and more).

>> Hear their interview on Capital Public Radio's "Insight" with Jeffrey Callison <<

Music blogs have been featuring their tracks, LA Weekly has covered them, and this year they will be embarking on an exciting West Coast tour to promote their debut album Bellow which will be rounded off with performances at this year's CMJ awards in New York City and Brooklyn.

There's only one BIG problem:
They need a touring van!


Let's let them explain it to you:

After working relentlessly for a year on recording our debut album, we have finally finished it. We are incredibly proud of our record but we are eager to travel and play our music live all over the country. We are here on Kickstarter because we need your help. For over 2 years, we have toured in very uncomfortable situations (in several different vehicles ranging from barely functioning to out of our budget rentals). After a solid year of recording our debut album, "Bellow", we are finally ready to tour nationally upon it's release. We have worked extremely hard and are ready to work even harder to spread our music to those outside of California.

So, here we are. We have joined Kickstarter in the hopes that we can find support in order to reach our goal in attaining a touring van. We want to travel the ends of the earth and play music for you! We want to travel to big cities, little cities, towns, villages, communities and meet you, sing to you, hang out with you! We want to experience all that music will allow us to. In order to accomplish this, we must have a touring van.

That is why we are asking for your help. If you can afford to make a pledge today it will not only help us reach our goal on Kickstarter but it will continue to help us for years to come. Your pledge will enable us to keep touring, to keep pushing, to keep keepin' on. With your help, we will be able to spread our music all over the world.

We are offering a variety of reward items and prizes for anyone that can pledge. We will also be posting exclusive updates throughout the fundraiser-so please keep checking back for more updates.

We want to thank you for reading this and for all of you who have attended a show, listened to our music or given us a hug or high-five. Thank you for your support. It means so much to us. We want to give back to you. We want to come to your city and town and play for you and meet you.

Love,
Terra, Dani, Nicholas, and Jeff.
Sister Crayon

Prizes range from limited edition EPs and personalized autographed posters, to guitar lessons, to having the band cook dinner for you! 

So go check out their videos, prizes and the status of their Kickstarter fundraiser and while your at it, watch the video for their single "(in) Reverse" directed by Robert Ascroft. Maybe you'll even donate $1 to the cause . . . maybe? You could say you supported Sister Crayon in their early years, and I'm sure they would super appreciate it!

Sister Crayon's Fall Tour Dates:


10/8 - Seattle, WA - Sunset Tavern
10/9 - Portland, OR - Mississippi Studios
10/11 - Santa Cruz, CA - The Crepe Place
10/12 - San Francisco, CA - Bottom of the Hill
10/13 - Los Angeles, CA - The Bootleg Theater
10/14 - Pomona, CA - Pitzer College 

Clay Nutting: Reaching Out through Music

In 2002, Clay Nutting began the Sacramento chapter of Concerts 4 Charity, a non profit organization whose mission is to raise money for music and arts education.

Since then Clay Nutting, with a highly dedicated staff, collaborative partners (like Adam Saake who helped organize the Sac Electronica Festival) and local like-minded musicians, has put together some amazingly eclectic shows, donated guitars to 450 kids and taught them how to play, and today they continue to expand their outreach.

As an audiophile who attended concerts since adolescence (his first being Huey Lewis and the News), Clay is constantly driven to put on the next great show. And according to him in order to beat a bad economy and a societal ethos that he says is too easily "captivated by Thursday night television" it is important to make every show special.


What's the first step: put together a diverse line up that draws a crowd.

CN: There are some people who aren’t that interested in the indie music scene in Sacramento but they’ll come out for John Vanderslice, [and] once they’re there they see DOOMbird open and that knocks their socks off and then Sea of Bees – how can you not like them. All of a sudden you’ve bread or cultivated this group of people who may have come out to support John Vanderslice but are now supporting the local music scene that they may not have been connected to before.

TNHZ @ the Townhouse | Aug 21st
>>Buy Tickets<<

Take for example C4C's Ballet + Live Local Music event coming up September 17th at the Crest Theater. After the success of their first show in 2007, this year's contemporary ballet will be performed with music by local acts like DOOMbird, Sister Crayon, Drifting Shapes, and Exquisite Corps.

Or one of the newest projects in the works: an adaptation of the classic Peter and the Wolf featuring Harley White Jr. Utilizing famous jazz performers as representations of instruments the goal is to encourage and invigorate jazz education.

This is what Clay is talking about by making the show "special." Create an event that brings people of different interests and tastes together to get them exposed to music or arts they wouldn't regularly be exposed to.

However special the show, C4C also puts together a cohesive marketing strategy to help spread the word. The trick is, it is a delicate balance according to Clay. You have to "tell the story of the show without overwhelming and turning people off by over promoting." 

It would appear in the age of social networking that online promotion is the best way to get people interested in your band, show, etc. It's quick and easy. Using your phone you can post on your Facebook wall, update your MySpace status and Twitpic your show photos on your lunch break. From Clay's experience, however, this is still not enough.

DOOMbird @ Harlow's | Aug 29th
>>Buy Tickets<<

CN: Social media has become a crutch for a lot of people. They think they can put it on Facebook and MySpace and people will “know” about it [the show]. But I think the opposite is true. I think it compliments a whole promotion strategy, have something that someone might see out at a coffee shop, then they see it online and then you shake their hand at Concerts in the Park, for example and say "hey I’m doing this thing" and then all of a sudden it all comes together and they are more likely to come out. 

A key promotional tool, outside of social networking, that Clay uses to catch the eye and interest of people around Sacramento are posters with original art.

CN: I have really cool people doing poster design like Asbestos Press and Melissa Arendt. They bring a whole other element to it because there are people who like music and there are people who are visually turned on by the design and check out the music later. And many of the artists develop an identity by doing it [designing poster art].

By infusing art with music, concerts with fundraising, Clay Nutting and the rest of the C4C's staff and supporters have truly created an important support system for local music and arts education. And despite the frustrations of running a non profit in a recession, of drawing people to events and inspiring them to buy tickets, Clay is positive and driven.

ChkChkChk @ Harlow's | Sept. 13th
>>Buy Tickets<<

CN: I think the music in our community is very strong. You just have to sometimes look harder. [But] If you’re not happy with the amount of people who are aware of the music and arts community find ways to bring them into it. I take it upon myself and my friends to bring other people in.

As a promoter you focus on the scene as a whole. [The plan is to] throw out this net and hope people come but really you have to pay attention to the people who influence – ask them to help you, even if it's not your show, to bring people out. Support the Verge Gallery, support a show at Old Ironsides, at Press Club, at Townhouse. Wherever there’s music going on, bring someone out and hopefully increase the number of people that are excited about the community.

So for a guy who loves music and knows how to put on a great show, I was curious: if he could put together a music festival here in Sacramento, who would he book?

I should point out, when I asked him this question he agonized over his answer. He became quiet and intensely pensive.

CN: It's painful for me because in my mind I need to put together the perfect bill.

After a few moments, he threw out some names, suggested that he would take over a few city blocks in the Midtown/Downtown area and then stopped - stumped and looking a little defeated.

Later that day, I went through my Facebook Inbox and found a message simply headed "I thought about it..." sent ten minutes after I left our interview. Here's what he came up with (with a little added flare on my part):

Be sure to check out Concerts 4 Charity and one (or ALL) of their upcoming shows!

Exclusive Interview & GIVEAWAY with The New Humans!

TNHZ = Scott Simpson (Vocals, Keyboards), Mike
Steez (Drums), Cole Cuchna (Piano), and
Robert La Casse (Bass)

After winning a Sammie back in 2008, Sacramento’s indie electro pop outfit, The New Humans are finally releasing their very first EP called Avalanche.

Many have speculated when this talented quartet was going to put out a record. Amazingly they have been able to pack venues, gather a strong local fan base, and release a music video for their single “Fever” without one. 

And quite frankly, no one is more excited than The New Humans to finally have a finished and polished product that they were able to produce on their own terms. 

In an age of digital downloads and advanced technologies that make home recording simpler for musicians, it is certainly easier to create an album without the help of a label. However, an absence of financial backing does present some pretty obvious bumps in the road for any emerging artist seeking creative freedom: The New Humans are no exception.

Scott: We couldn’t go on a West Coast tour right now because I work a part time job, [Mike] teaches drums, [Cole] is going to school, and Robbie is the only one with a full time job. Sometimes it does seem a little out of reach without financial help. We do want someone to put the EP out after we release it, even if it’s a small independent label just to get it out there more, give us the ability to tour.

Left to Right: Cole Cuchna & Robert La Casse

Unsigned they have been able to release their first single "Fever" on iTunes and become a fixture of the local music community. 

Their infectiously catchy and powerful sound (an infusion of blues, swing, and electro pop) draws huge crowds to all of their shows. They have even created a cohesive sense of on-stage style. So what's the hardest part of the music biz for them right now: finding the time to promote.


Cole: That’s the most important thing about labels now. Anyone can make a record and put it on iTunes. I think promotion is the biggest appeal for artists right now. Not like “oh they can put me on the radio” or “they can put my CD in stores” - that’s pretty easy to do now. So, from our standpoint we’d just love to have our music promoted to extremes we could never do on our own.

Robbie: Have them book a tour for us, or put us on the festival circuit, or put us in all the top blogs or ads in the indie press.

Until now, The New Humans haven't had the tangible product needed to send to labels - an EP that took two years to finish. Apparently, the completion of Avalanche took so long after their win at the Sammie Awards in 2008 that a Sac Bee reporter wrote an article called "The New Humans: Where Art Thou?" in 2009 wondering when or if TNHZ would ever release an album. 

What the writer wasn't aware of were the creative differences they experienced with their original producer. Eventually, TNHZ turned to local producer and owner of J Street Recorders and Alley Avenue Recording Studio, Ira Skinner to help finish off what they call "Avalanche V2.0". This proved to be a bold but smart move for the young musicians who say working with Skinner was a different yet immensely better scenario.

Left to Right: Scott Simpson & Mike Steez

Scott: [Our original producer] was more commercialized – [he liked to make] everything sound perfect – very formulaic. I’ve known him for a long time too, and he offered us a deal we couldn’t refuse, which was an honest offer on his part. Ira is actually the exact opposite. He’s kind of the hand on the board and he’ll give us his two cents…

Cole: If we ask for it.

Scott: Our first producer was super detail-oriented and [Ira’s] like super relaxed. Ira is a great musician with a great ear and definitely has helped us do some cool stuff to the songs. But as far as being there, he’s more like “I’m your friend, I like your band” – he’s more opening up his studio for us to use.

Robbie: It’s a lot more inviting an atmosphere; a lot more comfortable. 

Cole: He knows our sound really well [Ira’s played drums and extra percussion for TNHZ in the past]. He knows what we’re going for. And he doesn’t try to control it at all. 

Sounds like an ideal recording situation and if their track "All the Kids" is any indication Avalanche is definitely going to be an upbeat, electric, and fun listen - proof that all their hard work has finally paid off.

>>Download "All the Kids" for FREE at iLike<<

>>Vote for The New Humans | SacShows Local Music Awards<<

To celebrate Concerts 4 Charity and SEMF are presenting the Avalanche Release Party with Little Foxes, Favors and DJ Shaun Slaughter at the Townhouse Lounge.

August 21st from 9 PM -1:00 AM | $5

First 50 Pre-Sale tickets are only $7 and include a FREE copy of Avalanche EP! >>Buy Now<<
Or how about we do a GIVEAWAY!!!

We have 3 copies of Avalanche PLUS 5 tickets to the Release Party for you to win and here's how:

Copy and Paste this Text into your Facebook Status:
"Read an interview with electro-pop band @The New Humans at @Paduta's blog and enter to win their new "Avalanche" EP or a ticket to their CD Release Party Aug. 21st! http://paduta.blogspot.com"


Make Sure:

1. Both "New Humans" and "Paduta" are tagged in the status by "Liking" both pages and putting "@" in front of both.

2. That the link is present and visible.

That's it!

Contestants will have until Monday at NOON [12 pm | PST] to copy and paste our blurb into their status. 8 Winners will be randomly chosen and notified by Tuesday 12pm [PST].

Good Luck

Fresh and Free Music!

THMZ | Photo by Raoul Ortega

August is a good month for Sacramento indie electro-pop outfit The New Humans. It's been two years since they won a Sammie Award and after switching studios and producers, their first EP entitled "Avalanche" is finally complete.

On Saturday the 21st, Concerts 4 Charity is throwing a HUGE Avalanche EP release party at the Townhouse Lounge to celebrate and you won't want to miss it. Also performing with The New Humans are Little Foxes, Favors, and DJ Shaun Slaughter.

Thanks to Fuel (the all natural energy drink) pre-sale tickets are available NOW.  The first 50 to order receive not only a ticket to the CD Release Party on August 21st but a FREE copy of Avalanche for only $7!

>>Pre Order Now<<

 All the Kids by The New Humans

RSVP to the event to get a *FREE DOWNLOAD* of "All the Kids" off the Avalanche EP!

The New Humans and Paduta are planning a giveaway! Details coming soon . . .


More FREE Music From:

Mike Colossal is an upcoming local turntablist we featured a few weeks back in our "Unsigned Experience" series.

He recently released Mad DOOM: The Mixtape - a thoughtful upbeat, and well produced collection of tracks that samples music by MF Doom, Madlib, and Dilated Peoples.

It is smart, fun(ky), and the perfect soundtrack for summertime.

What I appreciate about DJ Colossal is that he truly embodies the spirit of the working artist. This tape was recorded and produced from his home, and he's releasing it on his own.

And he's even offering Mad DOOM: The Mixtape as a FREE DOWNLOAD!


Check out these guys out!

You Love Our Scene

And here's why:
Weekend Show Edition!

Friday July 23rd

Lite Brite the very loud and very awesome three piece band from Sacramento will be headlining this Friday's Concert in the Park Series.

With them will be fellow indie rockers Prieta (who says they are in a relationship with Lite Brite on Facebook) and Musical Charis (whose debut album People People is being released by JMB Records the very same day!).

Come on out, eat some great food, and watch three amazing local bands at Cesar Chavez Park in Downtown Sacramento.

5:30-8:30PM - ALL AGES - FREE!!!

Mike Colossal's Birthday Bash 

If it's too hot for you, come out to Butch N Nellie's coffee shop for a birthday party you don't want to miss. Mike Colossal will be doing live mixing and scratching with fellow Sacramento hip hop artists Poor from Tribe of Levi and Mr. P Chill, along with the rest of the Velvet Wax crew!

Have an iced coffee or a cold brewski and celebrate local influential hip hop!

Saturday July 24th

Boats the punk/powerpop group are releasing their "Totally Jawsome" LP and performing at Luigi's Fungarden this Saturday to spread the word. This three piece band is becoming a fixture of the Sacramento music scene. Their tunes are loud, energic and a lot of fun!

To celebrate the release, local punk icons The Secretions will be performing along with Bastards of Young and Ashtray.

All and all it should be a loud, explosive night. Get there early, grab a beer and a slice and have a blast!

7PM - ALL AGES - $5

Also Coming Up:

*Jerry Perry Presents* with:
Be Brave Bold Robot, Odame, Secret Argyle, & Jem and Scout

Old Ironsides - 1901 10th St. - Sacramento

9PM - 12 AM | 21+ | $7

*Concerts4Charity* Benefit Concert at Beatnik 

Supporting the McClatchy Music Program Boosters with:

Musical Charis, Prieta, Lite Brite, & Goodness Gracious Me

Beer By Sudwerk

Beatnik Studios | 2421 17th | 5PM

You Love Our Scene

There seems to be a quiet debate within the Sacramento community about whether or not we actually have a music "scene." And while I agree, perhaps we do not have the established and easily recognizable "sound" that other cities are associated with (i.e. Seattle and Grunge, Portland and Indie Folk, New York and Hot Dudes/Chicks in Leather Pants with Keyboards), I do not agree that we are sans scene. We in fact have some amazing venues, great local bands, and a ton of local music supporters.

So, with that said I introduce a new feature on Paduta's blog; a weekly local show preview called "You Love Our Scene" . . . 

And here's why:

Friday - July 16th

The Freebadge Serenaders

are releasing their first CD of hilarious and nostalgic music they like to call "discount jazz." And since every ticket includes a copy of their album with the price of admission you could really afford to go to this show. As an added bonus special guests like Keith Lowell Jensen, John Ross, Stunt Improv, and a baton-twirler will also be performing along with the men of the hour: Greg Sabin and Patrick Skiffington (a.k.a. the Freebadge Serenaders).

8-10PM @ Sacramento Comedy Spot (20th between J and K - MARRs) $15 for one - $20 per couple!!!

Admiral Radley (Jason Lytle/Aaron Burtch of Grandaddy and Aaron Espinoza/Ariana Murray of Earlimart) recently released one of the most highly anticipated and well received albums of 2010 with the collaborative I Heart California (The Ship). 

Exclusive First Listen @ NPR Music

Though both bands can be considered quite shoegazy, their collaboration is upbeat, even at times humorous (i.e. "I'm all Fucked Up on Beer"). 

With them Jared Dreams of Far Out Things and localites Sea of Bees will also be performing.

*Presented by Concerts 4 Charity* 

@ the Blue Lamp (1400 Alhambra) 9-11:30PM 

$10 --> Buy Tickets Here 21+

Saturday July 17th

Desario is no stranger to the Sacramento music scene (the members of this band have also been a part of Holiday Flyers, California Oranges and Rocketship). Last year they released their first album Zero Point Zero (Darla) which features inviting vocals (seriously, Conley sounds like a guy you want to know) and upbeat pop tracks (I like "Nautical Ways"). 

With them are indie/southern rock out of Oakland outfit the Shants, and Manteca's Boy Scouts who say they do "glam glam glam" but I say they are more like if Juno and Paulie formed a band (in a good way).

@ Luigi's Fungarden  (20th between J and K - MARRs) 8:30-11:30PM *ALL AGES*

*Some Other Shows You Won't Want to Miss*

The Aggrolites @ The Blue Lamp 9-11:30PM, $12 
--> Buy Tickets Here 

Bastards of Young CD Release Party w/ Ashtray, 
and The Secretions @ the Press Club 5-9PM, $5 21+