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Musician of the Week

LaFuSo!!!

No Comments 01 April 2010

Players And Day Jobs

Theo Reynolds: Lead vocals and keyboard. Songwriter.

Liz Lottmann: Lead vocals. President of local blues society and office manager at engineering firm in Bentonville.

Juergen Lottmann: Percussion. Independent insurance broker.

John Hines: Bass. Information technology manager at local engineering firm.

Tom Bowen: Drums. Master carpenter and home repair.

Scott Hastings: Trombone. Information technology consultant for international retail company based in Bentonville.

Achim Ensle: Rhythm guitar, vocals. Tool and die maker.

Chris Kyzer: Trumpet. Product manager for outdoor power equipment company.

Art Fogartie: Saxophones. Writer and pastor/head of staff for a local Presbyterian church.

Joe Davis: Lead guitar, vocals. Graphic artist, product designer and warehouse manager for import/wholesale/retail manufacturer.

First Performance

At our first rehearsal with this new collection of musicians, we went through six difficult new songs without a flub. That’s when we recognized the incredible musicianship that energized 10 players who’d never played music together. Verrrrrry inspiring!

Favorite performance

We were playing our first gig on the inside lounge stage during happy hour at George’s Majestic Lounge, and the crowd became so plentiful, the newcomers had to stand on chairs and tables to find a place to see the band.

Type Of Music

Latin (La) Funk (Fu) and Soul (So) — LaFuSo!!!

Some Of The Songs

“Wanna Take You Higher” (Sly & the Family Stone), “Get Up Offa That Thing” (James Brown), “Heard It Through the Grapevine” (Al Green), “Rescue Me” (Fontella Bass), “Higher Ground, Superstition” (Stevie Wonder) and many more R&B/Soul/Funk hits.

Sounds Like

All the original funk bands: Bar-Kays, Commodores, Earth Wind & Fire, plus Memphis artists such as Al Green, Aretha Franklin and even Santana, and KC & the Sunshine Band.

Songwriter’s muse

Bar-Kays, Al Green, Aretha Franklin, Delbert McClinton and the Jackson Five.

Influences

Bar-Kays, Al Green, Aretha Franklin, Stanley Clarke, Carlos Santana, Coco Montoya, Mandrill.

Accomplishments

As individuals, these musicians have collected quite a few accolades, awards and accomplishments. But together in this band, they’ve been able to pin down some of the most-wanted gigs in the area: Happy Hour at George’s Majestic Lounge, Party on the Patio at Powerhouse, the main stage at Bikes, Blues & BBQ and this summer at the Arkansas Music Pavilion during Bikes, Blues & Hot Rods Too.

Any Albums?

Liz Lottmann has two CDs: Memphis Revisited and Lectric Liz & Livewire. Juergen Lottmann has an instructional video on percussion.

Back Stage Ritual

Always the welcoming big hug from Liz.

What Kind Of Crowd Do You Draw?

Anyone who likes to dance. Boomers, college students who appreciate hard-driving danceable funk, business people who need to break away and forget about work.

Funniest Or Strangest Thing That Ever Happened During A Performance

One of the funniest things from the band’s point of view is when Chris (trumpet) does his solo dance spot. The strangest thing is that with 10 players, we can somehow fit on the stage and not run into each other all night, even with some of the players dancing around like mad hatters.

Plans

To become the most in-demand danceable, entertaining band in the area.

Goals

To have incredible amounts of fun with the crowd at every gig! And to become the primo danceable, entertaining Latin-Funk-&-Soul band in NWA.

New Projects

Currently booked in the studio to record some new tunes. One tune will be chosen for a video which will be shot at our live AMP performance during Bikes, Blues & Hot Rods Too in May.

If You Could Open For Anyone, Who Would It Be?

With 10 musicians each having 10 favorites, we could probably all agree that opening for Al Green would be a wonderful thing.

Most Played Song/s On Your iPod?

Bar-Kays, Commodores, Mandrill, lots of funk and horns.

Web Site

www.lafuso.net

Upcoming Shows, Tours

April 29 — NAMA at Dickson Theater in Fayetteville

May 7 — Happy Hour at George’s in Fayetteville

May 21 — The AMP in Fayetteville (BB&HRT)

May 27 — Patio at Rogue in Fayetteville

June 3 — Patio at Powerhouse in Fayetteville

June 26 — Elk Festival in Jasper

Players And Day Jobs

Theo Reynolds: Lead vocals and keyboard. Songwriter.

Liz Lottmann: Lead vocals. President of local blues society and office manager at engineering firm in Bentonville.

Juergen Lottmann: Percussion. Independent insurance broker.

John Hines: Bass. Information technology manager at local engineering firm.

Tom Bowen: Drums. Master carpenter and home repair.

Scott Hastings: Trombone. Information technology consultant for international retail company based in Bentonville.

Achim Ensle: Rhythm guitar, vocals. Tool and die maker.

Chris Kyzer: Trumpet. Product manager for outdoor power equipment company.

Art Fogartie: Saxophones. Writer and pastor/head of staff for a local Presbyterian church.

Joe Davis: Lead guitar, vocals. Graphic artist, product designer and warehouse manager for import/wholesale/retail manufacturer.

First Performance

Favorite performance

Type Of Music

Latin (La) Funk (Fu) and Soul (So) — LaFuSo!!!

Some Of The Songs

Sounds Like

All the original funk bands: Bar-Kays, Commodores, Earth Wind & Fire, plus Memphis artists such as Al Green, Aretha Franklin and even Santana, and KC & the Sunshine Band.

Songwriter’s muse

Bar-Kays, Al Green, Aretha Franklin, Delbert McClinton and the Jackson Five.

Influences

Bar-Kays, Al Green, Aretha Franklin, Stanley Clarke, Carlos Santana, Coco Montoya, Mandrill.

Accomplishments

Any Albums?

Liz Lottmann has two CDs: Memphis Revisited and Lectric Liz & Livewire. Juergen Lottmann has an instructional video on percussion.

Back Stage Ritual

Always the welcoming big hug from Liz.

What Kind Of Crowd Do You Draw?

Anyone who likes to dance. Boomers, college students who appreciate hard-driving danceable funk, business people who need to break away and forget about work.

Funniest Or Strangest Thing That Ever Happened During A Performance

Plans

To become the most in-demand danceable, entertaining band in the area.

Goals

To have incredible amounts of fun with the crowd at every gig! And to become the primo danceable, entertaining Latin-Funk-&-Soul band in NWA.

New Projects

Currently booked in the studio to record some new tunes. One tune will be chosen for a video which will be shot at our live AMP performance during Bikes, Blues & Hot Rods Too in May.

If You Could Open For Anyone, Who Would It Be?

With 10 musicians each having 10 favorites, we could probably all agree that opening for Al Green would be a wonderful thing.

Most Played Song/s On Your iPod?

Bar-Kays, Commodores, Mandrill, lots of funk and horns.

Web Site

www.lafuso.net

Upcoming Shows, Tours

April 29 — NAMA at Dickson Theater in Fayetteville

May 7 — Happy Hour at George’s in Fayetteville

May 21 — The AMP in Fayetteville (BB&HRT)

May 27 — Patio at Rogue in Fayetteville

June 3 — Patio at Powerhouse in Fayetteville

June 26 — Elk Festival in Jasper

Musician of the Week

Musician of the Week: Jovan Arellano

No Comments 11 March 2010

Instruments: Guitar, bass, keyboards, drums, vocals

Day job: Full-time musician

First Performance: My first performance was for a junior high choir concert here in Fayetteville. I had learned to play guitar earlier in the year and talked my director into letting me play a tune at our ninth grade spring concert. The song was “Jimi Thing” by Dave Matthews Band. At the time I was trying to learn every Dave Matthews song known to man. I never had lessons, but you could say I was under the “private instruction of Mr. Dave Matthews” and working through the tablature book of Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds “Live at Luther College.” The show was fun. It would’ve helped if I could’ve stopped shaking, opened my eyes and detached my upper lip from being inside out and stuck to my gums!

Type of music: The music that I play ranges from country to electronic.

Originals or covers: Was an original singer-songwriter for five years out of high school and finally decided to construct the ultimate cover show. Now I play mostly covers to make a living and to fund recording my original material. One of the hardest things for an artist to do is to “sell out” for any period of time. Once I finally got over the fact that people would pay me good money to hear me cover Cash and Dave Matthews, I never looked back. I now refer to it as “buying out” rather than “selling out” because it allowed me to “buy” into the music business. I know about 20 times more about performing, marketing, booking and being self-employed than I ever did previously.

Sounds like: Johnny Cash, Radiohead, Jeff Buckley, The Eagles, The Beatles, Ray Lamontagne, Tool, A Perfect Circle, The Dissociatives, Rufus Wainwright, Van Morrison, Eric Clapton, Kings of Leon, Jack Johnson, Dave Matthews, John Mayer, Silverchair, Hall & Oates, a-ha, The Police, The Bangles, Tom Petty, The Wallflowers, Sublime, Weezer, Pearl Jam, Stone Temple Pilots, Soundgarden, Cake, The Fugees, Snoop Dogg, Mark Morrison, Toto, etc.

Influences: Same as above

Muse: Jeff Buckley

Favorite performance: In addition to being a solo performer, I’m also in a Radiohead tribute band, Killer Cars. Radiohead is one of my favorite bands of all time. They’re one of the most influential bands of all time as well. They are truly pioneers of the music business — from experimenting with soundscapes and textures in the studio to writing actual computer programming to achieve completely original effects to revolutionizing the way music is marketed and downloaded. So my favorite show would have to be the first Killer Cars show at George’s last November.

Accomplishments: I’ve been nominated for four NAMAs and won one. Dropped several picks on stage and managed to bend down and pick them up without stopping the song. Paid the bills with music for eight months now. Once did a medley of 30 Dave Matthews songs in 60 seconds.

Type of crowd drawn: I play to all ages. If I see that my crowd is mostly in their 40s, I’m gonna play stuff from the ’80s and early ’90s. If they’re mostly 50s and 60s, then I’ll do songs from the ’60s and ’70s. If they’re 70s, 80s, 90s (yes it happens), then it’s Elvis, Cash and Sinatra.

Funniest or strangest thing that ever happened during a performance: The other night at Eddie Haskell’s a girl came up to the stage and started flipping through my songbook like it was karaoke, so I sort of batted her hand away and said “Uh uh.” It was just a light pat. In this business I’ve found that otherwise very smart, mature people act like children when they drink.

Any albums? I have a self-recorded and produced acoustic album that I did in high school called “Way Down Here” and the album I recorded with my old band Phantazmelodia called “Fire in Her Eyes.”

Back stage ritual: Booze, unless I’m plagued by a toothache (currently) and have to take painkillers.

New projects: I started a new progressive rock three-piece called HEX. We’ll be hitting the scene in April.

If you could open for anyone, who would it be? Rufus Wainwright. To me he might be the greatest songwriter/performer alive right now. If Jeff Buckley was still alive, it would be him.

Last CD purchased: Dave Matthews Band’s “Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King”

Most played songs on your iPod?: “Go or Go Ahead” (Rufus Wainwright), “Vancouver” (Jeff Buckley), “Without You” (Silverchair)

Upcoming shows and tours: You can find my complete calendar at www.myspace.com/jovanarellano, but the big show I’m pushing is a tribute to Johnny Cash. All Cash, all night long. It’s gonna be three sets by three of Fayetteville’s best performers — Zac Scott, Jeff Kearney (1 oz. Jig) and myself. There’s a $6 cover, and it’s Thursday, March 18 at Teatro Scarpino.

Web site: www.myspace.com/jovanarellano

Musician of the Week

Old Dime Box CD Release Tonight

No Comments 18 February 2010

Band of the Week

By Emily Kaitz

Their first CD was recorded in two weeks and “sounded like it.” But Gary Szmyd and Mike Harrod, the core duo of Old Dime Box, took three years to complete their second release “Take What You Need” at Fayetteville’s East Hall studio with Chris Moore engineering and co-producing. Now it’s time to celebrate tonight at the Mount Sequoyah Conference & Retreat Center in Fayetteville with other members of their band and some special guests.

Szmyd (pronounced “Shmid”) and Harrod have played music together for about 30 years, and are also brothers-in-law (Szmyd’s wife Jill is Harrod’s sister). They have performed as everything from a duo up to a six-piece band, and the new CD features their full line-up with Thomas Cochran on drums, Wayne Gustafson on bass, Sally Gustafson on vocals and Bob Holland on fiddle and mandolin.

All the songs were written or co-written by Szmyd, who sings and plays acoustic guitar. Harrod also sings and is responsible for the blistering electric guitar solos that, along with the drums, make the recording more of a rock album than a folky one. But there’s still quite a bit of variety on the CD, between the psychedelic gypsy strains of the title track, the down and dirty groove of “I’m Free” and the Beatlesque “Life’s Funny That Way” (co-written by Gary’s brother Johnny and also Trout Fishing in America’s Keith Grimwood, who plays bass and does a cameo vocal on the bridge). There’s also the dreamy surf rhythm of “See Ya Later Jerry Don,” which Szmyd wrote in tribute to his father-in-law on the day he died, and the pop finale “Tonight’s the Night” which was inspired by a dream Szmyd had about writing a new theme for the Johnny Carson show.

Szmyd and Harrod originally named their group after an east Texas town that neither of them has visited. Originally called Crossroads, they soon learned the name was more evocative of a blues band. In seeking a new name they began to consider the names of various Arkansas towns, but settled instead on Old Dime Box, which was mentioned in a favorite Willis Alan Ramsey song, “Northeast Texas Women.”

Tonight’s CD release party is free, and runs from 7 to 10 p.m. in the Bailey room, which has room for dancing. Old Dime Box will perform with all six band members, with Zane Harrod, Mike’s teenage son, subbing for Cochran on drums. There will also be some guest appearances. Expect to hear songs from the new CD along with a lot of danceable cover tunes. Copies of “Take What You Need” will be on sale for $10.

Musician of the Week

Musician of the Week: Candy Lee

No Comments 11 February 2010

Instruments: Guitar, Vocals, Glockenspiel, Recorder

Day job: Server at the Greenhouse Grille

First performance: Before I started playing guitar and started my solo project, my husband and I were in an acoustic duo project called “50 Cent Trade.” It was about six years ago, so I don’t remember much other than I had a term paper due the next day, so I was about to cancel the show (not to mention I was more nervous than I had ever been in my life). I remember crying and chickening out. The only way I was calmed down was by the reassurance of a friend of mine, and the show went great.

My first Fayetteville gig, and my first performance playing guitar and singing my own songs was at the Green Door. Jeff Kearney was hosting his monthly Skinny Squinty show. The Phosphenes were playing as well. I felt way out of my league, but the performance was fine and enjoyed by all.

Favorite performance: I guess my favorite performance so far was my first performance with my band the Sweets — Jennifer Graham on bass and back up vox, Emily Jenkins on back up vox, Dan Dean on percussion and Warren Dietzel on mandolin. It was at the Greenhouse Grille. Many friends came out to see us. The sound was good. And we had a really great audience response. I also enjoy any of the Sisters In the Round events.

Type of music: Conscious Folk/Jazz

Originals or covers: Originals

Sounds like: The love child of Fionna Apple and Devendra Banhart

Songwriter’s muse: The two other worldy entities listed above

Influences: Fiona Apple, Devendra Banhart, Radiohead, Modest Mouse, Beirut, Eisley, Andrew Williams

Accomplishments: NAMA best female singer/songwriter nominee last year

What kind of crowd do you draw: People who like to sit quietly and listen.

Any albums: My first solo full-length album, entitled “The Gate” will be coming out this May. It will feature the nine songs from my demo re-recorded and revamped, plus seven more new songs. I also have an electro/triphop project called Metasapien, that has an EP out called “Art or Die.” 50 Cent Trade’s album was “Moonlit Walk.”

Plans: To finish up my full-length CD (find some classical string players to be on it) and go on tour with the Sweets.

Goals: To play a part in the conscious music revolution while playing sweet tunes and touring the world.

If you could open for anyone, who would it be? Devendra Banhart, or Fiona Apple

Last CD purchased: “Crayon Jewels” by an awesome local band, Memphis Pencils.

Most played song/s on your iPod? Sadly, I don’t have an iPod. I’ve been geeking out to the Memphis Pencils CD and a lot of Pinback.

Web site: www.myspace.com/candylongsmusic

Upcoming shows and tours: Feb. 21 during the Sunday Brunch at the Greenhouse Grille 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Planning a west coast tour with the Sweets for this summer.

Music, Musician of the Week

The Strut: new album, sound

No Comments 21 January 2010

bandoftheweek

free weekly staff

A Fayetteville band has come up with a sound that puts them in a category all their own. The Strut has created what we’ll call, for lack of a better descriptor, classical rap. The band has just released their first album, “Rappers Today, Vol. 1.” and will play Opal Fly’s Feel Good Lounge on Sunday night.

The Strut amps up the rap and hip-hop genre with orchestral sounds that are more akin to string quartet. The lyrics, including the f-word, are delivered in stiff and proper King’s English by violinist and guitarist Ryan Cockerham who sounds more like a newscaster than a street rapper.

But The Strut comes by their sound honestly. Emerging from the classical and jazz disciplines, the musicians are known more for their conventional performances than this sarcastic mix of rap, funk, hip-hop and classical.

In addition to Cockerham, the professionally educated clan is: Drew Packard (guitar and vocals), Garrett Jones (bass and vocals) Chad Safarik (drums) and Michael Adkins (drums). Although the music is playful, technically it is primo. Clear and clean guitar and violin riffs are enhanced by funky bass lines and an exotic mix of drums and percussions.

However, the story doesn’t stop with the music. The band dons costumes and stages a light show to draw their audiences into their world. The Strut’s cleverness also transfers to their album.

Each of the nine songs on the CD is introduced by a “radio dj” and a robot. Prepare for some comedic relief, as “Sir Rap-o-Tron” describes the formation of the band, from its roaring success to its tragic end.

Songs on the album range from the slow lament about the blue-collar lifestyle in “Blues in the Key of Corporate,” to a raunchy depiction of Julia Childs’ “vacation” in “Down South.”

After the Sunday night show, the band will hit the road. They’ll first play The Aardvark in Fort Worth and then New York City, where they’ll play two days in the subway tunnels. Next month, Jones will head out for a tour with Capstone Theatrical’s production of “The Taffetas.” The band will be back in NWA to play Wakarusa in June.

Check them out online at www.myspace.com/strutlove.

Musician of the Week

The Rocketboys

No Comments 26 November 2009

The Austin, Texas, band The Rocketboys will cruise into town on Monday night for a show at George’s.

The Rocketboys just finished up a nationwide tour and released their first fulllength album, “20,000 Ghosts.” The album was engineered and produced by Louie Lino (Nada Surf, Matt Pond PA, Sea Wolf ) and mastered by Alan Douches (Animal Collective, Sufjan Stevens).

The Rocketboys are a fine-tuned machine. If you like Coldplay, you’ll like The Rocketboys. Opening will be a new local band, Monster Heart. Monster Heart is from Fort Smith, but is now calling Fayetteville home.

Features, Musician of the Week

Geoff Oelsner Releases A New CD

No Comments 19 November 2009

By Emily Kaitz

Fayetteville singer-songwriter and poet Geoff Oelsner will celebrate the release of his second CD, “Ordinary Mystery” at a free event at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks. The CD debuts 15 new songs and includes musical performances by his wife Leslie Oelsner, their daughter, Amy, and son, Adam. With the addition of 16 poems by Geoff and a series of nature photographs by Leslie in the CD booklet, “Ordinary Mystery” could be considered a multimedia family project as well as an artistic venture of the highest order for Geoff.

Oelsner is concerned with historical themes, reverence for the natural world, equality and dignity for human beings, and expressions of love for those close to him. He is masterful with words and has a very creative approach to presenting his songs, which was evident on his first CD, “Morning Branches.” Oelsner generally accompanies himself on guitar, but also uses the droning Middle-Eastern shruti box and harmonium as well as the harmonica, sometimes building layers of meandering tonalities into an aural labyrinth, which the listener may wander in a trance-like state.

This CD is for serious listeners. With many of the songs more than 5 minutes long, Oelsner is less concerned with commercial airplay than with presenting each song as a world unto itself, unfolding like a short story in breadth and description. Such is the opening song, “Chero-

Leslie and Geoff Oelsner

kee Trail Of Tears,” which gives an unvarnished account of Native American relocation.

“Our terrified children, our dear ones in fear, were dragged from our cabins in Georgia.”

“We were torn from our homelands and penned in stockades, taking only the clothes that we wore.”

Oelsner’s soulful voice is showcased on “I Been In The Storm So Long,” his psychedelic rendition of a traditional spiritual. His keen wit is evident on “Pawhuska Poppa,” replete with an imaginary ethnomusicologist’s lengthy introduction to “a seminal example of Northeast Oklahoma swing music.”

Co-produced and engineered by Kelly Mulhollan, “Ordinary Mystery” also features the multi-instrumentalist on acoustic and electric guitars, acoustic and electric bass, mandolin and octave mandolin, recorder, ukulele, pump organ and guiro.

Leslie and Amy Oelsner contribute harmony vocals, Adam Oelsner plays accordion and electric bass, and Robin Rues and Andrew Sieff add powerful performances on upright bass and percussion respectively.

Proceeds from CD sales will go to Native American and indigenous Canadian nonprofit groups. See geoffoelsner.com for more information.

Features, Music, Musician of the Week

'Don't Think It Hasn't Been Fun'

No Comments 15 October 2009

By Ginny Masullo

Emily Kaitz CD Release Party

GoodFolk

229 N. Block St.

Fayetteville

Phone 521-1812

Drew Pearce and Emily Kaitz

Emily Kaitz moved to Fayetteville 11 years ago from Austin, Texas, where she played prominently in the Austin music scene. Still performing there and around the country, her latest CD, “Don’t Think It Hasn’t Been Fun” marks Kaitz now as a Fayettevillian. Three songs on the album are distinctive to either the Ozarks or our fine town.

Known for her quirky and irreverent songs, Kaitz is a master of juxtaposing musical melodies against sardonic yet poignant lyrics. An accomplished bass player, guitarist and pianist, Kaitz assembles on “Don’t Think It Hasn’t Been Fun” other consummate musicians such as three-time Grammy nominated music producer Fred Bogert, Kelly Mulhollan of Still on the Hill and Keith Grimwood and Ezra Idlet of Trout Fishing in America.

On the opening song, “Banjo Players in Heaven,” Phil Lancaster of Unlikely Stories plays what Kaitz characterizes as possibly the worst banjo solo ever played. But, she says it takes a really talented banjo player to pretend to “play badly so well.” The “good” banjo player is Drew Pierce. Kaitz says in the song that “it’s hard to find a banjo player up in heaven. There are some things that even Jesus won’t forgive.”

The songs recorded at different studios over the past five years are rich with various styles of music and unusual themes. Included is one of Kaitz’s rare serious love songs, “When I Am With You.” Sung with Grimwood, it features Bogert playing an exceptionally evocative trumpet.

“Catch and Release,” a song about fly-fishing, morphs perfectly into a song about love that never stays.

“Catch and release. He only keeps them long enough to admire and maybe get a picture if they truly please the eyes … one brief and wistful moment. No regrets or sad goodbyes.”

Darcie Deaville’s fiddle and Drifty Texarkana’s pedal steel contribute impeccably to the song’s longing.

Kaitz’s songs are definitely lyric-driven. She creates the lines as seamlessly as she does the often complex and sophisticated musical compositions that bring greater depth to her words.

As the title song, “Don’t Think It Hasn’t Been Fun,” might imply, Kaitz says this may be not the last CD she produces but it may be awhile before the next one. With six other CDs available on cdbaby.com, this listener and fan finds it her best yet.

The CD release show will feature all of the songs from “Don’t Think It Hasn’t Been Fun” and some of Kaitz’ other hits, some of which have been recorded by other bands such as Trout Fishing in America and the Austin Lounge Lizards.

Better get your reservations in early for the 7:30 p.m. Wednesday night show at GoodFolk. It will be a rocking, joyful house.

Features, Music, Musician of the Week

Adele and the Matts

No Comments 24 September 2009

Band Of The Week

Adele and the Matts

Band members, instruments and day jobs:

Adele Fournet, piano and vocals. Composer and anthropologist by day, musician by night.

Matt Todd, percussion. Recording artist by day, percussionist by night.

Matt Lewis, bass guitar. Musician by day, secret agent by night.

Band born: August 2008

Type of music: Jazz, jazz fusion, pop

Originals or covers? We play a mixture of covers and originals. Right now we are on a big Thelonious Monk kick, so a majority of the standards we cover are by Monk with the occasional Horace Silver. We got started by doing covers of The Bad Plus, an awesome avant garde jazz trio originating out of Minneapolis, so we still cover their stuff. Adele just graduated with a degree in composition from The New College of Florida in May, so the remainder of the tunes are her originals.

Sounds like: The Bad Plus

Songwriter’s muse: Michele Foucault, feminism, institution-itus, heartbreak

Influences: The Bad Plus, Monk, Ravel, Mike Markaverich, Tori Amos

Accomplishments: Our biggest accomplishment has probably been learning some of those Bad Plus numbers, which provide a different challenge to each instrumentalist. We are also just very happy to be playing for Fayettevillians, who always seem to enjoy our sets.

What kind of crowd do you draw? Our music really ranges the musical gamut, so our listeners tend to have a variety of tastes and musical backgrounds. There is something in our set for the traditional jazz aficionado, the lover of funk and even a straight up Rush fan (our favorite Bad Plus cover is probably “Tom Sawyer”). We also love it when people dance. Dancers welcome!

When and where do you practice? We practice at Adele’s place whenever we need to get ready for a show.

Any albums? We are in the process of recording our first album, which should be done by early spring. Hopefully we will have a shorter EP ready by this fall.

Total number of tattoos and piercings: We consistently wear temporary tattoos to our gigs and are known to give them out to the audience as trivia prizes.

Back stage ritual: Dancing around the disco ball that we also consistently bring to gigs.

Funniest or strangest thing that ever happened during a performance: Someone decided to come on stage at Wasabi in June and sing the lyrics to Tom Sawyer as we did a funky jazz cover of it.

Plans: Our plans are to play as many gigs as possible over the next few months as we are recording our album. Adele is leaving in March, 2010 to live in Peru for a year to study female rock instrumentalists in Lima with a Fulbright scholarship, so the band might make a Latin American tour next summer before returning to Fayetteville the following year.

Goals: To get the accents right on “Rhythm-a-ning” by the end of the month and produce a sweet album.

New Projects: Adele is also working on her solo album right now, which should also be available by early spring.

Dream act to open for: The Bad Plus, Tori Amos, St. Vincent

Last CD purchased: Music from SEAMUS: the society for electro-acoustic music in the united states

Most played song/s on your iPod? “Ravel Quartet in F Major”

Web site: www.myspace.com/adeleandthematts

Upcoming shows and tours:

Oct. 16 Teatro Scarpino

Oct. 25 Fayetteville Public Library

Nov. 13 Teatro Scarpino

Features, Music, Musician of the Week

Deacon

No Comments 17 September 2009

Band members, instruments and day jobs:

Deacon — Bass, guitar, lead vocals. Songwriter, producer, engineer.

Bryan Burkhart — Drums. Producer, engineer.

Peter Reis — Lead guitar, bass, background vocals. Guitar instructor, bartender, just married!

J.L. Jennings — Sax, percussion, keyboards. Entrepreneur.

Faryl Boykin — Background vocals, keyboards, percussion. Salesman.

Type of music: Rock, soul, funk, alternative, experimental.

Originals or covers? Both. It’s an ever-growing library of originals and selfishly chosen covers that we adore like “Pusherman” and “The Song Remains The Same.”

Songwriter’s muse: Instant gratification.

Influences: 1746-2009.

Accomplishments: Written and recorded more than 700 songs.

What kind of crowd do you draw? The beautiful ladies and gentlemen that love to drink, so it seems.

When and where do you practice? We don’t, but Deacon is always recording new songs everyday 24/7.

Any albums? Yeah! About nine Deacon albums, but the one you should download free at www.deaconmusic.com is called “Pirate Radio.” “Pirate Radio” is my new 23 song album featuring some very special guests including Peter Reis, Jay-Z, ChromeDome, David Gilmour, Shannon Forrest, Michael McDonald, Dumb Angel, Jimmy Chamberlin and my brother Walker. This album is one I will always stand behind because it is a damn good record that I crafted for years. It represents my eclectic, riff-loving, vocal-harmonizing self better than any of my previous secret releases.

Backstage ritual: We usually learn the songs we’re about to play and talk about you people.

Funniest or strangest thing that ever happened during a performance: One time during Springfest, we had two gigs and the first one stiffed us. So, we decided to abuse the bar with vicious revenge and no inhibitions whatsoever. After that we loaded our gear in a hardcore thunderstorm and jumped onstage for round two completely soaked and quite fuzzy. Once onstage, I sneerily decided I wanted to kick Pete in the ass and taunt anyone else in my sight for more riot starting fun. Pete followed my drunk kicks with bigger, drunker kicks while we played “Sugartown” completely soaked, spilling every beer onstage and eventually spit taunting the headlining band’s blue-haired crowd. Maybe I should have just told you about the Weezer blue album show.

Plans: Expose my new album “Pirate Radio.” Heard that yet?

Goals: Write the greatest songs ever made, record the next “Thriller,” continue to do what I love for a living, tour worldwide with realistic demand.

New Projects: Check out 80th Action (alt rock supergroup) and VomitonCommand online.

Dream act to open for: Beck, Coldplay, Kanye … basically opening for anyone that pulls 15,000 a show would be not too boring.

Last CD purchased: Brian Jonestown Massacre, Spacegirl

Web site: myspace.com/deaconsmyspace

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