Music News You Can Use - July 2015

August is almost here -- I'd better get my July newsletter out !!

I had an amazing time at the Festival for the Eno in Durham, North Carolina over the July 4th weekend; and I have some fine music to share with you.  Top of the list is Mandolin Orange (click the play button on their website).   Oh my -- right up there with Gillian and David.  The other group that knocked me out was River Whyless.   Watch this and stay with it -- it takes off big time.   And there were lots of other great acts.  So much fine music in two days !!  Oh, I almost forgot to mention, there was also this guy.

I was staying in Durham with my newly discovered second cousin, Richard Harkrader, and his family.  We share a common great grandfather, and this was the first time we had met.   It was wonderful and a bit uncanny.  We look like brothers; definitely from the same part of the DNA pond.
 
I got back to California on July 10th, after almost 8 weeks on the East Coast.  It was an amazing trip: becoming a grandpa, meeting new family, hearing a lot of fine music, playing the Eno.   Life is pretty miraculous sometimes.

Since getting back, I have been playing parties and events pretty much every weekend -- like Teddy Bear Picnic day at the SF Zoo.  (The Berenstein Bears were even there!!)  Otherwise,  I've been working on preparations for the FARWest Folk Alliance conference in Oakland in October.   If you are a folk/roots/americana flavored musician, you want to be there.  Four days of shows, jams, workshops, networking -- like nothing on earth!!  I've been hooked on FARWest for five years now.

Mark your calendars:  I have two concert dates that I have to tell you about.  Coming up first, I am very excited to be playing with singer songwriter Keith Alan Mitchell, at the Octopus Literary Salon in Oakland on August 8th.  Check him out here.  Great songs and delivery !!

Then, on September 11th, I have a date at the Monkey House in Berkeley with JC & Laney, a powerhouse duo from Phoenix.  Listen here.  Bring your seatbelts; they will blow the roof off !!

Summer is definitely rolling and roaring along here.   I look forward to hearing what you are up to.

John
Roy Zat
Croizat
Whatever
  

Music News You Can Use - June 2015

June is almost gone !!  It has been a lovely month stepping into my grandpapa role.  Young Henry has been doing all the proper baby things and the new parents are adjusting pretty well.   I've been helping out with shopping, cooking and chores, but I have been enjoying the riches of Washington DC a lot too.  There is so much here:  parks, museums, restaurants, music and cool neighborhoods.  It is quite a candy store !!

I have discovered some very fun open mikes in the DC area, including the Vinyl Lounge, the New Deal Cafe, and the Modern Times Coffeehouse.  A lot of talent and variety out here, and friendly folks.   If you are looking for open mikes to play or to listen wherever, check out www.openmic.us and openmikes.org -- both are comprehensive and up-to-date.

Music to share with you -- I caught a feature set at the Iota Cafe open mike by Eric Sommer.  Here is a representative video of his show.   Quite a wild man on the bottle neck guitar, and that arsenal of guitars and amps is all his.   My, my!!

Big weekend for me coming up.  I'll be playing at the Borjo Coffeehouse on Thursday, the Front Street Public House on Friday, and the Eno River Festival on Saturday.  Details on my website as usual, here.

And I'll be meeting my cousins in Durham for the first time, and seeing one of my high school pals who now lives in Williamsburg. The following week, I'll be flying back to the West Coast with a lot of happy memories, and looking forward to catching up with friends and family back home.

That's a bit of my news and I always enjoy hearing yours.

very best,

John
Roy Zat
Croizat
Whatever