Column for June 16, 2010

Although summer weather hasn’t hit full swing in southeast Idaho, the outdoor concerts have, this week, with three free outdoor shows, plus one special and intimate indoor performance by a returning favored musician.

Tonight, Swifter Currents, a locally-based 3-piece rockin’ bluegrass band, takes the stage at the Old Town Pavilion on N. Main Street (view on map) for Revive at Five (view full schedule), sponsored by American Family Insurance. Food will be provided by The Sand Trap. The concert is free and open to all ages, 5 to 8:00 p.m.

Tomorrow the 17th, Danielle Vaughn opens for the Mike Sullivan band at Idaho State University’s concert on the quad (view on map). The show will be moved inside the Student Union Building in case of inclement weather. Music entertainment is free and open to all ages, starting at 6:00 p.m. (view full schedule).

Based from Utah, Danielle Vaughn is a singer / songwriter, playing styles from folk to bluesy jazz. She currently holds an Arts degree with emphasis on classical piano. Her voice has been compared to the likes of Alison Krauss and Eva Cassidy. Find out more at www.daniellevaughn.com.

Singer and guitarist Michael Sullivan, based from Los Angeles, delivers an oh-so-smooth performance pop, jazz, funk that wow’d the crowd at ISU last summer. His music is perhaps comparable to Jack Johnson, Dave Matthews or John Mayer. The Los Angeles Music Awards gave him a nod with a nomination for Independent Male Singer / Songwriter of the Year. More at www.mikesullivanband.com. Read full interview.

My favorite concert of the week is on Friday the 18th. Shannon Curtis, vocalist, songwriter and sultry pianist, favors the area with an intimate concert at The Vinyl Perk on S. Main St. (view on map), starting at 7:00 p.m. The show is free and open to all ages.

Shannon Curtis is perhaps best known in the area as a popular repeat performer at ISU’s summer concerts, where she has headlined solo twice, and with her former band, Paradigm, several times before that. If you haven’t caught her show before, imagine Norah Jones meets Colbie Callait. Of her music, Curtis says, “People can expect to be happier when they leave this show than when they came.”

Originally from Stockton, CA and now based from Los Angeles, Curtis has been touring as a solo artist for the last three years, all over the country, laying 130,000 miles on her VW Jetta. “I tour constantly and think it's the very best way to connect my music to music lovers,” Curtis said. “Even though the internet provides endless opportunities for digital distribution of music, there is nothing that replaces the personal and intimate experience of a live show.”

Curtis recently released her first full-length CD, "I Play the Piano and Sing Love Songs," in March of this year. She will also have her three previous EPs available for purchase at the show, released in 2009, 2008, and 2007. She’ll also bring brand-new t-shirts and posters for sale. Find out more at www.shannoncurtis.net. Read full interview.

And on Saturday the 19th, Riverfest (website) returns to Taysom Rotary Park in Pocatello (view on map), rain or shine, from 2 to 9:00 p.m. Let’s hope for shine! This year, The Clumsy Lovers headline the music entertainment at Riverfest, with southeast Idaho’s Somewhere In the Middle opening. Prize drawing is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

Somewhere In the Middle, featuring vocalist Aaron Ball, plays rock music that is modern, acoustic-based, middle of the road (not too hard, not too soft). They have been compared the GooGoo Dolls, 3 Doors Down or a softer version of Shinedown. The bulk of their music is original, but their live shows also incorporate a few covers, humor, dialogue and interaction with the crowd. Their single, “Second Gear,” is on regular rotation on regional and national radio stations. Request it! And visit www.myspace.com/aaronballmusic for more. Read full interview.

The Clumsy Lovers, a Canadian-based bluegrass dance band, has been a local favorite for years, arguably the band with the greatest fan base in our area. They are constantly on tour with more than 2000 live performances under their belt.

“Make Yourself Known,” the Clumsy Lovers’ most recent CD release, is perhaps my favorite to date, attaining that often elusive balance between smart studio production and a rompin’ live show feel. Listen for the new single, “Way Down the Old Plank Road.” It’s a good one. Find out more at www.clumslylovers.com.

Also this week: Elvis Has Left the Building plays at Sandbagger’s on Thursday, the Mike Banks Band plays at Marigolds Wine this weekend, and Portneuf Valley Brewing has Almosta Band on Friday and Corsetti and Davis on Saturday.

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