San Diego’s Americana music scene has been expanding exponentially in recent years.
Traditional music has captured the imagination of many musicians locally, but one of the most promising new San Diego-based groups actually got its start in Los Angeles.
Based around the husband-and-wife team of David and Amy Castner, Compass Rose was originally formed in L.A. in 2001 under the name KO-Z.
The new name came after a move to San Diego in 2003, with the addition of John Bordage (drums) and Jeff Dandeneau (bass).
The group will perform alongside Sandi Shaner and The Barbara Nesbitt Band as part of a “Tribute to Americana” show April 19 at Humphrey’s Backstage Lounge on Shelter Island.
While some might find it difficult to work with a spouse, Amy Castner considers it to be the best of both worlds.
“We think, in our case, that it’s actually very easy to work musically together. It’s the core of who we are with one another, and it’s when we’re at our best together,” Amy Castner said.
“[It’s] also easy to schedule rehearsals. Hard to find a sitter sometimes, but you do what you can,” she added.
With music a full-time endeavor and a toddler to look after, Amy Castner admits time is tight.
“We have a 2-year-old, work day jobs and then try to play music daily in some form or fashion, so we get no sleep,” she said.
For the Castners, Compass Rose is the culmination of a lifetime in music.
“We all pretty much come from musical families,” Amy Castner said. “David’s grandfather used to play old standards on his guitar and harmonica while his grandmother accompanied on the spoons.
“Meanwhile, I was raised by a mother who taught choirs and musical theater and her operatic siblings. My father played wind instruments and piano,” she added.
She was only 6 when she began playing violin, inspired by her older sister “who I looked up to and had been playing for a year. My whole family would sit around playing old Broadway tunes from my mom’s old songbooks around the piano.”
She gave her first public performance that same year.
“It went as well as a group of 6-year-olds on tiny violins in their first year of classes at their first recital must sound. We were all so proud,” she said.
David Castner also started out as a young performer, although as a dancer.
“My aunt Patti owned a dance studio and she taught me to tap,” David Castner said.
His first recital was at age 4, with his love of dance lasting until 11th grade, at which point he made a shift to playing and writing music.
He cites “anyone who has ever written a song that makes me groove” as songwriting influences, but when pressed, he singles out The Doors, The Rolling Stones and Paul McCartney as inspirations.
Though the emphasis of Compass Rose is on original material, it does sneak in the occasional re-invented cover tune by such groups as the Cure, David Bowie and Styx.
Though the group released the album “Campfire Songs” as KO-Z in 2002, their first EP as Compass Rose was released earlier this year. They hope to have an album out later this summer.
“The ultimate goal is to be able to keep the family afloat primarily focusing on music as our ‘day job,'” Amy Castner said.
“We’ll get there for sure. As for what’s next, we’re concentrating on the pathway to that end: one more song, one more rehearsal, one more gig, one more fan,” she said.
The tracks on their current disc will be added to new tracks to make up the impending album.
“We’ve already written our next couple of albums worth of songs and are looking forward to starting on those in the studio as soon as humanly possible,” said Amy Castner.
Though times are tough for musicians, the Castners said they are thrilled to have the opportunity to make music.
“We all agree on the enjoyment factor,” Amy Castner said. “There’s the split second after we’ve all just nailed a song together and the appreciation factor of the talent around us.”
David Castner sees the trials and tribulations of life as a music maker to be as good as the effort an artist is willing to put into the endeavor.
“I can’t answer for all musicians, but as far as whether things are better or worse for performers, it’s always been as good as I’ve made it. Everything has its ups and downs, but things seem to be getting better.”
Amy Castner agrees with David’s assessment of hard work and the committment to Compass Rose’s craft.
“I love that the Internet has made so many different types of music so accessible. Influences can come from anywhere,” she said. “There are loads of true talents out there whose music can inspire us. I agree with David, you get out of it what you put in, no matter what the times hold.”
Compass Rose performs at Humphrey’s Backstage Lounge, 2241 Shelter Island Dr., Shelter Island, on Saturday, April 19. Ticket prices are $5. The show is geared for music lovers 21 and over.
For more information visit www.humphreysbythebay.com.