CD Reviews

Trains Across the Sea made an impression recently with Before It Ends, a collection of roots tunes by Midwest transplant and bandleader Andy Gallagher. That project included alt-country and pop ballads and rockers, some with protest messages and others with smart, often autobiographical lyrics. It turns out that Gallagher was busy before leaving Columbus, Ohio […]

Politicians and professional athletes enjoy using the term “lucky town” toward a city that has proven fortuitous in the past. Musicians are keen on their memorable locations as well. Take Rex Broome and Christina Bulbenko of the Armoires, a Burbank-based group that continues to find connectivity with our city, 130 miles to the south. The […]

A part of the local roots scene for a long time, Cici Artemisia plans a move to Oregon (and is still one of the featured performers the day this is written at the Lady Brain Fest 2019 in Encinitas). Playing locally since singing for the band Bordertown in the 1980s, she snagged awards and set […]

Storybook is the debut EP by Chloe Lou and the Liddells, who have been playing all over town in recent months. Liddell is established in the local roots scene, singing in bands that include the Good Mojo Band and occasionally taking the mic at Farmers gigs. The band was put together in 2018 by her […]

Line in the Sand is the new EP by Barrie Dempsey, a well-traveled singer-songwriter who started out in New Jersey and transplanted to the Left Coast in the seventies. He played locally while with the band Amber, getting recognition for his songwriting and gigging all over the country. His music is soft folk rock, playing […]

Smitty and Julija are from Ojai, and have combined with the talents of central coast artists on a number of projects that have included discs released by keyboardist Smitty West, and a previous Leonard Cohen tribute EP that garnered attention. The Cohen connection ties into the latest release, Openings, which is a laid-back, eclectic collection […]

Award-winning local blues and jazz guitar whiz Robin Henkel has a dozen previous album releases, but none featuring his Robin Henkel Band with Horns until now. The self-titled project is an unusual recording that gathers 11 tracks composed and arranged by Henkel, played by a crew that includes Henkel’s guitar, Steve Ebner on trumpet and […]

These days it’s rare to find an album that allows the listener to transparently trace its roots, influences, and aspirations to a realized completion of what may be a minor pop masterpiece. Rob Bonfiglio’s latest solo release, Trouble Again, is a rich tapestry of skillfully written, arranged, and produced power-infused pop-rock songs. Contained within are […]

A Nashville country band that is playing a lot of San Diego area gigs, Ginger Cowgirl is built around Stacy Antonel, a gifted young singer from San Diego who also contributes four originals to the self-titled debut EP. According to the band’s website, the classically-trained UC grad got started writing music jingles in Argentina, then […]