I had a busy and NERFAlike musical weekend. That’s not an accident as four of the five bands I saw were in town because of APAP, the Association of Performing Arts Professionals conference. On Saturday I saw TAARKA in a non-APAP show but they had a showcase earlier in the day.
I saw the other four acts on Sunday, Dan Rauchwerk in the afternoon at the Word Up Community Book store, then The Bright Siders, Kaia Kater, and Lula Wiles at Rockwood Music Hall Stage 1. That was the Smithsonian Folkways Women of Music APAP showcase. Civilians are allowed in. I end up at Rockwood most year on the Sunday of APAP.
Dan’s show was at a bookstore so his opening acts were writers. First up was his sister Autumn who read poetry. I’ve known Autumn for as long as I’ve known Dan and had no idea she was a poet, and a good one at that. Then came his friends Jordan and Rachel Kutzik. I knew that Jordan writes for The Forward and has an interest in Yiddish literature. He and Rachel published Yiddish children’s books translated into English and one in Faroese the translated into English then Yiddish.
Michael Croland’s was on Jewish Punk music. He actually wrote two books on the subject, one scholarly and academic and the other personal. I bet you didn’t know there were punk versions of Hava Nagila and dances that combine the hora with moshing. Hey both punks and Jews say “Oy!”
Most of the songs on Dan’s new album have historical or literary inspiration, that’s why he chose to have the show at a bookstore. One of his brother Noah’s friends said that all of Dan’s songs are about the Civil War or George Washington and I decided to take that as gospel. It makes things more fun. Tears Shaped Like Islands is about Queen Liliuokalani, the last monarch of Hawaii. In my mind it’s about her affair with George Washington, just as Victoria is about the torrid romance of Queen Victoria and Washington. Our first president had a thing for Queens; ironic isn’t it?
The show could have been a Ted Talk as Dan teaches history through song. He should do this as a presentation at schools along with a power point presentation. Dan is known for his ridiculous ideas for businesses. Mine are more practical.
The store was up in Washington Heights, which is down for me as I’m in the Bronx, near Columbia Presbyterian. The usual suspects, his parents and siblings were in the audience as well as Gail, Perry and Beth. Perry is a “Presenter.” That gets scare quotes because of what happened. I suggested that he join me that night at Rockwood where he could discover artists he needs to know. Just because they had been to multiple shows every night this week he begged off. Being a music aficionado requires dedication.
I headed straight down to Rockwood after the show to ensure I got seats for me and my friends. I got there at 6:17, even though the Bright Siders didn’t go on until 7. The place was empty so I got the table of my choice. There was music, not part of APAP and not folk. It was a no-adjective rock band. It took me a while to get my head into the show as I had to message Ellen and Kevin who were joining me and then Emerald about Tuesday night. When I did get into the music it was great. It was the classic combo, two guitars, drums, and bass, except the bass was an upright. It was loud and energetic and what rock and roll is about. I wish I knew who the band was. I’d see them again.
The place kept filling up as the evening progressed. The crowd was healthy for the Bright Siders and packed by the time we left. I didn’t feel bad about getting their early. The Bright Siders is Kristin Andreassen and Kari Groff. I think this is the third year in a row that Kristin has played the APAP Sunday there. Somehow it’s become a tradition that she leaves her stuff with me when she goes onstage. I like being part of the furniture. I love that usage, its’ from Oliver. A nice way of saying you belong.
Kari is a fiddler, one of the Calamity Janes, who I have often written about. She’s also a psychiatrist, specializing in families and children. The Bright Siders combine those two careers. She and Kristin wrote songs to teach children how to deal with emotions. That could be disastrous in the wrong hands. These are the right ones. I love the songs as pure music. The best art for children can be enjoyed by adults. I listen to the songs for my own pleasure. If you didn’t listen to the words you wouldn’t realize they are kid’s songs. They don’t sing down to their audience. If you do listen to the lyrics it’s a free therapy session. I took videos that I haven’t edited yet. I took them to share with presenters but I’m going to send them to my therapist too. Don’t worry My Gentle Readers, if they came out well, they will be on You Tube, and you’ll be able to see them. One more thing they have going for them. Kari and Kristin and just such fun people. They have such a great time themselves and it’s infectious.
I met Kaia at NERFA years ago. It can’t be that many years as she’s only 25. Her mother Tamara goes every year as she’s a manager, he company is Maven Music. I keep forgetting to ask if she’s Jewish, not a Jewish name but Maven is Yiddish. See how this all comes together, I linked to it the first part of the blog.
When I first saw Kaia she was an old time, very trad, banjo player. She is from Canada but went to university in West Virginia to study Appalachian music. She incorporated percussive dance into her show as does Kristin. That first time we met I told her she needs to meet Kristin. They have. I’m a prophet.
I hadn’t seen Lula Wiles before but heard good things about them. Some of my friends had played with them, who? I don’t remember but a small voice says Anthony da Costa was one of them. I listen to the small voices but don’t totally trust them.
They are a women’s harmony trio from Boston. They mystery is why they haven’t played John Platt’s On Your Radar. They are dead center in John’s sweet spot. I’ll have to talk to him about them. They are my musical discovery of the weekend. I had heard them before but that’s not the same as seeing them live. They have great range, can go from a murder ballad to a song about texting. They can be sorrowful and funny. I don’t even know their names but I can tell you what they play, fiddle, guitars, and upright bass. They stand around a condenser mic. I always like that format. I’m listening to them now.
Sorry to give Lula Wiles short shrift but I have to eat and head out. I have an appointment for genetic counseling. I want to write more. This weekend I heard the kinds of music I love. The kinds that make me want to get on a soapbox and tell the world. These are not household names and they should be. At heart I’m an evangelical, and music is the gospel I preach.
Wise Madness 