Column for July 15, 2009

Tonight at 5 o’clock, the Civitans’ weekly Wednesday night Revive at Five concert series is half-way through its season with The Shape Shifters Blues Project taking the stage at the Old Town Pavilion, 420 N. Main Street (map) in downtown Pocatello. The event is sponsored by Convergys’ Health & Recruiting Fair and catered by the Grecian Key. (Revive @ Five 2009 schedule)

Also tonight, a special mid-week music performance at the Vinyl Perk on S. Main Street (map): Benyaro will be in concert at 7:00 p.m., playing acoustic soul and roots music. There is a $5 cover.

Benyaro is touring as a duo, with Ben Musser on lead vocals, guitars, bass drum and harmonica and Bobby McCullough on harmony vocals, upright bass, hi-hat and tambourine. Listen for some of their crowd favorites, “Feelin’ Low,” “Cutting Words” and “Bullet-Like Belief.” (read full interview)

“Fans seem to be attracted to the emotion that comes through the vocals.” Musser said. “They are also attracted to the amount of sound and music that comes from just two performers.”

Formed in 2005, Benyaro is based out of New York, NY, but has recently been spending more time in Jackson, WY. They performed at the Avett Brothers’ after-show in Concord, NC two weeks ago with Samantha Crain and the Midnight Shivers. And the group has opened for legendary folk icon Malcolm Holcombe in New York, Boston, and Johnson City, TN.

Benyaro’s self-titled album reached #162 on the National CMJ top 200. “The music industry is hurting,” Musser commented. “I hope and think that independent artists and small labels are going to help to rebuild a music industry that focuses on the art itself and not just appealing to the masses. This will be better for the listener as they will and now have so many groups to choose from. It will be competitive for the artists, but hopefully the best music will rise to the top.” Find out more at www.benyaro.com.

Thursday the 16th at 6:00 p.m., The Clumsy Lovers make their annual trek through Pocatello to Idaho State University’s concert on the Quad (map), hosted by Summer Programming. This year, Dawnya Clarine opens. The concert is free and open to the public.

The Clumsy Lovers play a blend of Celtic, bluegrass and rock that have made them one of the most sought-after bluegrass bands on the circuit. And with ten CD’s under their belt, including their newest, “Make Yourself Known,” and thousands of live performances, The Clumsy Lovers are always welcome in Pocatello’s local live music scene. Find out more at www.clumsylovers.com.

Opening, Dawnya Clarine’s first album of original tunes divulges 45 years of life experience through a voice that sounds twenty-something fresh. Her blues, pop, soul, and jazz sound is fluid and positive. More at www.dawnyaclarine.com. (ISU's 2009 summer entertainment schedule)

Friday the 17th, the Vinyl Perk hosts the local acoustic folk and blues band, Nyr Lif at 7:00 p.m. Listen for the bluegrass tune “Capoed,” a nice harmonica blues song “Yani,” and a fan favorite, “The Bicycle of Fate.”

Formed about two years ago, Nyr Lif is a duo, with Casey Cathey on guitar and Sawn Barkdull on vocals and guitar. Cathey said it’s hard to describe their music, “Kind of like Corn Flakes,” there’s nothing else out there to compare it to, and says their show is “made for weary ears who want solitude.” (read full interview)

Recently, Nyr Lif went to Salt Lake City for a radio house show, which was great exposure. Cathey said, “Lots of fun, and lots of compliments.” They’ve played at most of the smaller venues in Pocatello as well as The Icon on Main Street, but as many local musicians have commented, “it was hard to work with those employed.”

“For us, all we ever hope for is to make a comfortable living doing something we think about every waking minute - except when we’re hungry.” Find out more at www.myspace.com/nyrlif.

And on Saturday, Jared Mees & The Grown Children, Finn Riggins, and Warbonnet will entertain at the Ross Park Band Shell for a KISU-FM fund-raising concert from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. It’s a listening party, regional showcase and pot-luck. So bring a dish to share, your own beverages and a chair for comfort. There is a requested donation of $3 at the gate. Proceeds benefit KISU 91.1 and 91.3 FM as well as up-and-coming bands. For futher information, contact Levi Keller or Chenoa Roseberry at KISU, (208) 282-3691. (blog post here)

Monday of next week, Neckbrace, The Analyst, Through the Fire and more hard rock bands play at the Bannock County Fairgrounds in Pocatello (map). Gates open at 6:30 p.m.; cost is $8. (more information)

Linda Alexander
a.k.a. Lana Banana for Idaho Live Music
slowloosegravel@yahoo.com
http://slowloosegravel.blogspot.com
www.myspace.com/showmetheband