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A day of great musicians at Waterfront Park.
12:30... Michael Carlos Band
1:30... Deb Seymour and the Debonairs
2:25... Jean Mann
3:15... Linda Waterfall
4:10... Off the Grid Band
5:00... Charlotte Thistle
5:55... High Strung Bluegrass Band
Not your usual singer-songwriter act, Michael Carlos writes music that ranges from full-throttle rock, to Latininfluenced music, to acoustic ballads with strings. The Michael Carlos Band is energetic enough to be at home on large outdoor festival stages, but balances thoughtprovoking folk-rock with acoustic material fitting a coffeehouse. In between, you’ll find music that defies any attempt to limit it to one genre. Expect something different! A Spanish-American/Latino adopted by descendants of eastern Europeans, Michael Carlos has had a diverse life experience that has led him to become a cross-over artist who is reaching back to connect with others trying to find their identity in 21st century America. Growing up in California’s San Joaquin Valley, having lived in Los Angeles, Chicago, and now living in the immigrant-rich area of North Central Washington, has repeatedly brought him back in touch with his Spanish roots. The two-first-name combination Michael Carlos represents his very American “melting-pot” experience, which is evident in his music. He draws on past experience ranging from being a solo acoustic folksinger to a member of a series of bar bands to create an eclectic mix of rock, jazz/blues, Spanish/Latin, altcountry, and modern indie-rock.
Some say that singer-songwriter Deb Seymour is from Mars, and they may be right! Having honed her chops in Boulder, Colorado, this Seattle resident is a thoroughly eclectic performer, invoking Latin, jazz, country, blues, folk and rock styles in her playing. A solid singer as well as writer, her evocative lyrics are sung in a "true" voice, punctuated by groovable, distinctive guitar riffs. Her song subjects are as diverse as her playing styles, ranging from tango-dancing aliens and beer-hating social drinkers to love lost in a tropical windstorm and other lonely-hearts tales. She has two CD’s out and listeners feel like they've been touched by both wit and wisdom.
Seattle-based, nationally touring independent musician Jean Mann is a noted singer-songwriter, guitarist, multi-media artist/craftswoman, and chef. A renaissance woman in a modern day world, jean's self-taught, "alternafolk" has been compared to Ani Di Franco, Joni Mitchell, and Norah Jones. However, with the release of her sophomore album, Seasons, she is emerging as a voice all her own. Her songs wind around life and love, speaking volumes in simple prose. Jean performs at NW festivals and house concerts, and has toured locally, regionally and nationally almost non-stop since 2002. Known for her powerfully intimate live performances, Mann's music is enhanced by a harmonic blend of guitar and lush, swelling vocals. Jean is back in the studio wrapping up work on her 3rd release.
Gavin Borchert, in Seattle Weekly has called her "…Seattle's top singersongwriter." And, most recently, the Seattle Times “Nightlife” wrote, "A Seattle treasure, Waterfall's golden voice, precise guitar and creative original songs have made her the queen of regional singer/songwriters." After thirty years as a performer, people are still asking Linda Waterfall, "Is that your real name?" Yes, it is. Her beautiful and unusual surname is the result of having her Swedish great-grandfather‘s name, Wasserfallen, anglicized to Waterfall when he came through Ellis Island. Linda grew up in a musical family in the suburbs of Chicago, and had extensive training in classical piano, composition, voice and theory. She began teaching herself to play guitar while in high school, and her unorthodox guitar style reflects this. After college, Linda began to perform professionally, soaking up influences from many different musical traditions and her music has always been difficult for critics to categorize. Her compositions and performances have received raves from the Seattle press as far back as 1977, when she released her first album. Linda currently performs occasionally, does recording studio production in her home town Seattle, and teaches guitar and piano privately. She also composes choral music for area choirs. Her album, That Art Thou: Songs from the Vedas, is an example of this new direction. Linda's 10th and latest recording, Place of Refuge, was released in August 2006.
Leavenworth’s own Alternative-Reggae– Rock Band... “How did we find each other? Jeff and Eric were doing Eric's coffee house music, and then Eric wrote some reggae songs on the mandolin. They thought it sounded cool, but was missing a drum kit. They searched a bit and stumbled acrossed Bruce. Well, luckily Bruce thought it sounded good too, even though he and Jeff had never played reggae before. Bruce knew Vern, and invited him to gig. Vern heard us play "Eminence Front", got hooked, and that was enough for him to start coming to practice. Now he sweats on stage with us at all our gigs. We really just want to make people move on the dance floor with cool music.”
A girl with a guitar... When she was a very young girl, Charlotte Thistle used to hear music
in her head when she was falling asleep, “I soon learned that if I tried to listen to it, it would go away, but that if I stopped trying, it would play softly in my ear as I drifted off to sleep.” A series of (mis)adventures led her to Seattle's Pike Place market, where, at age 26, she began earning her living playing guitar and singing on a street corner. People have always liked her songs and she had no trouble finding great musicians to play with. Her debut CD, "A Girl With A Guitar" received positive reviews and considerable radio airplay. She now teaches guitar for a living, tours regionally, practices daily and has begun working on a new CD. “I love performing live, and I see art as a vehicle for expressing emotions and ideas. If I inspire feeling or positive action, or open the audience's mind to a new point of view, I have succeeded. To this day, many of my songs still originate from music I hear in my dreams.”
The Hi Strung Bluegrass Band plays mostly traditional bluegrass and fiddle tunes, with a sprinkling of newgrass and Dawg music. They are made up of local musicians, with the exception of lead singer/guitar player Cindy Jackson, who hails from the wet side of the world, Skykomish WA. All the rest of them are Upper Valley residents. John Meriwether plays fiddle, Justin Carvitto is on mandolin, Chuck Egner on bass and vocals, and Cliff Sittman on guitar. Sometimes we trade instruments around just to spice it up. You’ll hear songs from Tim O’Brien, IIIrd Tyme Out, David Grisman, (also known as Dawg), and several hot fiddle tunes.
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