Entries for May 2022

Anyone who hasn’t yet familiarized themselves with the rumbling rhythm and sway of pianist Sue Palmer and her Motel Swing Orchestra, you need to do two things. First, kick yourselves for not yet getting in the groove with his keyboard mistress’ magistral sense of the galvanizing groove. Seriously, the music is that good. Second, get […]

In 1975, composer/musician Brian Eno and Peter Schmidt published Oblique Strategies, a set of playing-style cards that were intended to shake up stasis, break deadlocks, and encourage artists to find creative solutions outside the present moment and established norms. Essentially, when happening upon the inevitable creative roadblocks that can occur during the recording and producing […]

Yes, guitarist/vocalist Christian Del Priore is alive and well as documented on his debut self-produced and home recorded CD, I’m Alive. With the aid of the digital audio workstation GarageBand, and the smooth mastering work of John Volanski, Del Priore breezes through eight original tracks and one cover, an overall pleasing mix of pop-flavored tunes, […]

A plot of land that has been vacant for many years in Julian will soon be transformed into a new, vibrant town square, and a celebratory ‘soft opening’ is planned for June to introduce the idea to the community. The lot, at the corner of Washington and Main streets, had in the past been home […]

When you sit down with Liz Ajuzie it becomes very apparent, very quickly, that she has a clear understanding of what matters most. Family is first; music, a close second. But Liz’s love and respect for both seem so intertwined it could very well be the other way around. When pressed, she just smiles, “My […]

Over the past few decades, the importance of music in film has expanded significantly as film and television has increasingly become a conduit for music lovers and tastemakers to discover new music. Thus, music supervisors or the people who “sync” music against a “visual medium” (the film or television show) are some of the most […]

The lights go down at Seattle’s White River Amphitheater, and the spotlights illuminate Taylor Swift and her band entering the stage. Swift waves, and the amphitheater roars with cheers. Or it might be Bruno Mars and Silk Sonic thrilling thousands as they make their great dance moves in Detroit’s Ford Field. Or it might be […]

At last, we can look forward to quality in-person bluegrass music festivals. Here are some great opportunities. Father Day Grass Valley Festival Produced by the California Bluegrass Association. This venerable festival has been held annually, Covid years excepted, in Grass Valley, California and is back again for 2022. Camping, vendors, good food, and outstanding musical […]