Five local shows over the next two weeks
Jen Van Tieghem | Uptown News
Natural Child, The Abigails, and The Paragraphs at Soda Bar
Sunday, July 20, 8:30 p.m.
$8
Natural Child’s sound can be summed up by the name of their song “Country Hippie Blues.” Their style is heavy on southern twang with rock and blues influences thrown in. The Abigails also fall on the country spectrum with a dark nostalgic sound thanks to the Johnny Cash-like vocals of Warren Thomas (formerly of The Growlers). Local favorites The Paragraphs round out the bill with music that ranges from surf-pop to folk-rock.
Erika Davies and The Midnight Pine at the Whistle Stop Bar
Wednesday, July 23, 9 p.m.
Free
Miss Erika Davies has been a staple on the local scene for years with her pristine vocal prowess. Whistle Stop couldn’t have picked a better songstress for the “debut of mid-week jazz nights” at the venue; Davies won the 2012 San Diego Music Award for Best Jazz performer and her sultry and swanky album “Part The Sea” was nominated for Best Jazz album in 2013. Her voice possesses a timeless ethereal quality, which fans will be treated to more of when she releases her fourth studio album later this year.
Hello Penelope, Ranger, and Creature and The Woods at Tin Can Alehouse
Wednesday, July 23, 9 p.m.
$5
Hello Penelope’s latest single “Winona Ryder” is a good indication of what you’re in for with the band. An upbeat pop vibe permeates their classic rock backbone with catchy melodies. Also in the accessible pop vein, Ranger presents sweet feminine vocals with a touch of folk. Delving further into the folk side of things, local duo Creature and The Woods will also play the show with a vocally driven performance courtesy of young siren Shelbi Bennett and her beau/guitarist Roger Molina.
The White Buffalo at The North Park Theatre
Friday, July 25, Doors at 8 p.m.
$25+
Jake Smith aka The White Buffalo offers a brand of folk wildly different from the banjo-heavy pop folk currently saturating the music world. Smith’s vocals are smoky and deep lending themselves to his storytelling style. His latest album, Shadows, Greys, and Evil Ways, is a concept-album of sorts, which Smith describes as a “love story.” The emotionally charged songs should play well in the dramatic beauty of the North Park Theatre. We also recommend you look up Smith’s delicate, yet powerful, rendition of Bruce Springsteen’s “I’m on Fire” for another side to this versatile artist.
The Burning of Rome, SanguinDrake, Mursic, and Spero at Brick by Brick
Saturday, July 26, 8:45 p.m.
$12+
With the uncertainty of some local venues looming (Ché Café) and others being converted into boring ol’ bars sans live music (The Griffin) it’s nice to see Brick by Brick rise from the ashes after closing in February. The Bay Park club is seemingly back in full-swing. Case in point: this fun-filled lineup. The Burning of Rome never disappoints when it come to high-energy rock pop performances. They’ll be joined by LA dream pop outfit SanguinDrake and two local groups — metal band Mursic, and blues-folk quartet Spero for an eclectic night of great music.
