Parlour to Parlour, Episode 37: Sean Hayes

Sean Hayes is sometimes referred to as San Francisco's folk hero. He's well respected and very much loved across the Bay Area, and the feeling is plainly evident in the audiences at his local shows. So, to close out 2011 with a big red bow, Sean gifted us with a Parlour to Parlour interview at his own private studio.

See the full episode at http://popdose.com/parlour-to-parlour-episode-37-sean-hayes

Parlour to Parlour, Episode 36: Bells

As a band they're quite young, having had their first live public performance only eight months ago. Hearing them play together, however, you'd never know it. This, and perhaps a certain unnameable intangible something else, could be the reason why Bells have become one of the most exciting new bands in the Bay Area.

See the full post at http://popdose.com/parlour-to-parlour-episode-36-bells/

Parlour to Parlour, Episode 35: Magic Leaves

Joshua Bruner has been making a simultaneously gentle and intense style of music that blends the Bay Area's love of psychedelic and folk music with his own unique African and Eurpean psych rock influences. But as the sound of Josh's music has become heavier, it makes more sense to simply call it by his band's namesake: Magic Leaves.

See the full post at http://popdose.com/parlour-to-parlour-episode-35-magic-leaves

Parlour to Parlour, Episode 34: Bart Davenport

His visual style is equal parts '60s, '70s and early '80s. His movements are the natural strokes of a born rock star, and he has a voice and a smooth style of playing to justify it all. He's the total package - singer, songwriter, guitarist, producer, solo performer, collaborator, curator, recording artist and stage performer. And while he has fans around the world, he's not yet a household name. Though he should be. Meet Bart Davenport:

See the full post at http://popdose.com/parlour-to-parlour-episode-34-bart-davenport/

Parlour to Parlour, Episode 33: Quinn DeVeaux

Once upon a time, a big voiced, ambitious young guitar slinger showed up at Chess Records in Chicago for an audition. It was sometime in 1964. After belting out one song, a mysterious hooded figure tapped the young prospect on the shoulder from behind, and whispered in his ear: “come with me. I need you 45 years in the future…”

See the full post at http://popdose.com/parlour-to-parlour-episode-33-quinn-deveaux/

Parlour to Parlour, Episode 32: Obo Martin

Obo Martin is one of a rare breed – that of the native San Franciscan. Born in a hospital next to Golden Gate Park, Obo has traveled here, there and everywhere, weaving tales of adventure into music that blends American and Irish folk music with a little bit of rock to create a sound and voice distinctly Obo’s, and still very music a part of what makes San Francisco so lively and fun.

See the full post at http://popdose.com/parlour-to-parlour-episode-32-obo-martin/

Parlour to Parlour, Episode 31: Michael Musika

He's a sorcerer, a gangster, a magician, a gatherer of spirits, and sometimes he's known as a world-traveled musician and published author. He holds his audiences in rapt attention, seemingly without even trying. And the surname to which he was born could not have been an accident. Meet Michael Musika.

See the full post at http://popdose.com/parlour-to-parlour-episode-31-michael-musika/

Parlour to Parlour, Episode 30: Anna Ash

With roots in Michigan and a new home in Oakland, California, singer/songwriter Anna Ash has been quietly building a charming and ambitious musical and artistic vision, one that is meant to be savored and shared. In her first interview of 2011, she talks about the full-length album she is working to complete, along with a much larger community-building project that promises to be as magnificent as Anna’s voice.

See the full post at Popdose: http://popdose.com/parlour-to-parlour-episode-30-anna-ash/

Parlour to Parlour, Episode 29: Ash Reiter

Though by her own admission she does not feel she is very good at interviews, Berkeley-based singer/songwriter/bandleader Ash Reiter came through in this one with characteristically casual grace, slowly warming up to the whole process as she shared some thoughts on what has made writing come more easily to her as of late, among other things.

See the full post at Popdose: http://popdose.com/parlour-to-parlour-episode-29-ash-reiter/

Parlour to Parlour, Episode 28: The Beehavers

Led by a charming, long-haired bohemian foodie named Bryant Denison, the Beehavers have existed in various guises for the past few years. Though a regular band eluded him, Bryant’s vision of a gypsy voodoo folk rock collective began to gel towards the end of 2010, in a way that made The Beehavers’ inclusion in the Parlour to Parlour series a no-brainer. And then, something entirely unexpected happened…

See the full post at Popdose: http://popdose.com/parlour-to-parlour-episode-28-the-beehavers/

Parlour to Parlour, Episode 27: fpodbpod

Though he spends a great amount of time lending his talents to folks like Indianna Hale and especially The Blank Tapes, Sean Olmstead has been quietly stockpiling his own quirky psychedelic garage-pop-soul tunes as fpodbpod. Sean and I were equally happy to turn down the quiet and swivel the spotlight around for his first interview of 2011.

See the full post at Popdose: http://popdose.com/parlour-to-parlour-episode-27-fpodbpod/

Parlour to Parlour, Episode 26: The Blank Tapes

He was among the first people I met when the door to this year's Parlour was opened up for me by Steve Taylor. He's proficient at every instrument necessary to make a complete album (and others beyond), and he has a mountain of tapes full of songs to prove it. And if you're out hittin' up the San Francisco rock clubs on a regular basis, you've probably heard him play, seen him hangin' at the bar, or even know him personally. Meet Matt Adams of The Blank Tapes!

See the full Parlour to Parlour episode at Popdose:
http://popdose.com/parlour-to-parlour-episode-26-the-blank-tapes

The return of Parlour to Parlour (and other stuff)

Hard to believe it's been more than half a year since I last posted here, but there you have it. During that time, I've been playing more music, seeing more shows than I could ever keep track of, and making a lot of new friends. In short, I've had little time to blog.

This year, however, does mark the return of Parlour to Parlour - you can read more about that in the announcement posted at Popdose last week. The first episode of the year posts today, and as before, I will update this space each time a new episode is posted. The new scheduled is last Monday of each month (though in December it will likely be the second to last Monday so I can have a break during xmastime).

Beyond that, I'm now playing bass in a band called The Beehavers. I've played two great gigs with them so far (at the Make-Out Room and at Kaleidoscope), and there will be more to come. On top of that, I'm singing backup vocals with a new group called Sugar Candy Mountain, featuring members of The Blank Tapes, fpodbpod, and the Ash Reiter and Anna Ash bands. Their live debut is scheduled for February 20 at the Make-Out Room. If you're in San Francisco that night, come on by and check us out.

That's all for now. More soon, and welcome back to the Parlour.