Thursday, April 29, 2010

Snapshots - The girls play Yoshi's SF unplugged



Life progresses. Words have eluded me lately. Amazing things continue to happen. Niki, Betsy, and I had the pleasure of playing Yoshi's in SF last Sunday for a Sonic Zen and Bay Vibes presents: Songwriter's Unplugged event. We shared two rounds with Valerie Orth and Abigal Picache (Valerie Orth Band), and Lindy LaFontaine (with trumpet player Kevin Alvarez) which was an honor.
The show was mellow, classy, and an absolute blast. It was amazing to see many good people there. One of those people in attendance was our new friend Niall David - he's got mad skills as a photographer (and all-around awesome guy) - and he generously captured the night. 
Here are a couple of photos from that. If you want to see more, click here.
Niall has a great eye, great rates and is great to be around. I certainly recommend you hit him up to document your moments. Thanks Niall!!! And thanks to everyone who made the show happen, and all who came to share in the fun.











Friday, April 2, 2010

K & L member highlight - about the Niki




It's time for me to tell you all a bit about the other voice of this band - my dear Niki Marie. I have known her for nine years - met her just before I started college. I'll spare details about our thick history, but know this - we have been through so many things together and I'm thankful to say I'd consider our relationship an impermeable one. Our musical connection has definitely helped keep us close. Since we met in 2001, we have been singing together. She has been my partner in crime through many acoustic ventures and three bands; Bad Kissers, Djuna, and now Kindness and Lies.

Niki is a dynamic lady; strong, humble, hilarious, and of course, beautiful. It doesn't shock me one bit that many jaws have dropped and hearts have leaped in her direction. (Ha! It's true.) My favorite part about Niki - she is the best parts woman and child. Her voice and presence exemplify that - she's angelic purity rising from a smoky siren. She works hard, nurtures those she loves, and exudes genuine compassion for all living creatures. She has a lot of flippin love in that flippin heart of hers. And - well, let's face it - she does her best to keep me out of trouble. And - she makes me chocolate chip pancakes every Sunday before band practice...without which, I might not be as functional. Yes, she completes me as a friend and bandmate.

Full Name: Niki Marie (Well, that's all she'll give me to share. I usually call her Nini.)

Astro sign: Cancer

Past notable music projects: Bad Kissers.

Hometown: Born in Riverside, CA. Grew up in Rohnert Park, CA.

How long she's has been playing music: She's been playing her voice since she could talk....But she's really been singing since she was about 13.

How she got into music: She began singing because of her dad. He has been in bands her entire life, and he used to bring her to the studio with him when he recorded.

Major musical influences: Ash (who me?!) has been a major musical influence of hers. "[Ash] re-introduced music to me at a time that I had resolved to let it go perhaps forever, and she helped me remember that music was the thing I love doing the most in this world!" (Gosh, golly gee, Nik - thanks!) annnnnddddd...other more random chick singers who she's going to "shamefully NOT list here! Ha. I pulled a lot of different things, from many different artists, in all genres!"

What she's listening to lately: Grizzly Bear, Phoenix, Fleetwood Mac, Beyonce, MGMT, Loquat, Massive Attack, Azure Ray, Patty Griffin...

What she wanted to be when she grew up: The only things she remembers wanting to be when she was little was a teacher, and a mom. "YIKES. I always secretly wanted to be a singer, but I have always been so damn shy."

Favorite hobbies: Singing/Playing music, Swimming, Playing Scrabble, Watching movies, Going for walks in beautiful places.

How Niki would describe herself and her bandmates each in three words:

Brian: "Gifted, Friendly, Entertaining"

Ash: "Prodigy, Beautiful, Inspiring"

Betsy: "Genuine, Whale Sounds, Sincere"

Robert: "Warm, Kind, Dreamboat"

Niki: "Approachable, Loyal, Classy"

Favorite quote: "It is never too late to be who you might have been." -George Eliot

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Three is a charm.




Whew! Fearless readers - it has been a whirlwind of action these past couple of weeks. Kindness and Lies had a fantastic time joining Ziva and her band and Aaron Durr and his band at Pier 23 on the 18th of March...and we have enjoyed a few practices...gearing up for our spring shows.

Since my last post, I have been busy running around. Work, music, and quite a bit of playing. I was fortunate enough last week to have a friend in town from Seattle - gave me the excuse to take a bit of time off work and frolic about Sonoma County and SF... Amidst all that action, I was blessed to attend three awesome shows in one weekend. I'll spare you the amusing/touristy/drunk/personal details of my friend's visit and share with you a bit about the shows I saw:

Wednesday, 3/24 - Metric @ the Fox Theater, Oakland:
My dear friend Becah brought me to this show. We both had obligations earlier that night and missed the opening acts. (Niko Vega being one). I had done a review of Metric's album and was certainly curious to see them live. It felt like one of those make-or-breaks for my opinion of the band in general. I love half of the Fantasies album a lot, and respect it as a whole. But - my apprehensiveness rises again - was that record just doctored and well-produced? Could they pull it off live? Well, the fans certainly believed in them to do so - the place was packed.

You know what? They killed it. Absolutely brought it. Emily Haines is an incredible front-person. She holds the crowd with unpretentious and genuine energy. She dances her ass off, sings her heart out. They even had me into songs I didn't care for on the record. What I liked about the adaptation live - was that they kept the music a lot more rock-based. A bit more aggressive, but still keeping the digestibility there. The band and the audience were in fantastic spirits and I was right there with them.

The Fox Theater is one of the most beautiful venues I've ever been to. There's not a bad stage view in the whole place. The space is classy and warm and feels really good to be in. The lighting is impressive. The sound system for me has been all over the place - depending on the show - often feeling a bit too bass-heavy and intangible. The Metric show was some of the more decent sound I've heard there, so I was pleased.

Friday, 3/26 - John Mayer @HP Pavillion, San Jose:
My partner-in-crime Betsy invited me to this show. I just recently got interested in John Mayer - I was apprehensive due to his media reputation and obnoxious popularity. Though, it helps to experience things with someone who already is appreciative/passionate about them - and Betsy has been into Mayer since his humble beginnings. She recently introduced me to his new record, Battle Studies, and it is a very well-done record. When she invited me to the show, I new it was going to be worth braving the gigantic crowd.

HP Pavillion - distracting for me. So big. Tight seating. Lots of people. But... the moment John and his band were up there, I forgot about sharing them with so many people. He is certainly talented enough to deserve every ounce of his musical respect. That man knows himself well - his songs are flawlessly written, and his guitar and voice seem a direct extension of his soul. He's got a tight band. His drummer, Steve Jordan, provided us with one of the most impressive drum solos I've experienced. (I usually feel like they are super cheesy.)

The sound was good...the lighting was impressive. The music he played seemed a little safer than I'm sure he's capable of presenting in a set - but I was certainly entertained and engaged for the two hours he was up there.

Saturday, 3/27 - Copeland @ Slims, San Francisco:
Ahhh. So bittersweet. Copeland - a longtime favorite and certainly an influential band for me - playing a farewell tour. Last chance to see em. Blarrgh. Again, generous and badass-moment-making-specialist Becah treated me to the show. (We were in good company as well - our Seattle friend Stephanie, my lovely bandmates Niki and Betsy, and our friend Greg joined in the magic.)

Copeland brought some decent guest bands with them - I was able to catch the energetic Person L and the sweet I Can Make a Mess Like Nobody's Business. Both good fits to accompany - even with differing sounds - each represented elements that I appreciate about Copeland.

After a night of drinks and anticipation, ours truly took the stage. The audience ignited as they began to play, and embraced the band with genuine enthusiasm. This is a group that its fans have really invested in and it was obvious by their presence that night. If you haven't heard Copeland's album In Motion, you should. It's in my top ten of all time. I love hearing those songs live, but the energy seemed to be heavier and more apprehensive than the glassy and potent recorded versions. I saw them last year and was not feeling that difference as much. It felt like they wanted to be there a bit more then.
I'm certainly not saying that Copeland was bad this time - the songs and the musicianship make that almost impossible. But they felt a bit lackluster. Maybe roadworn? Sick of being in that band? Hard to say. 

Slims did well this time to have good sound and a positive crowd. I've been there a few times when I didn't feel that great being there. But I was having a fun time, a good view, and the drinks were cheap.

I hope there is something musical in the future of the members of Copeland. And if there is, and I see it, I hope they want to be there and that it translates.

Overall, I couldn't have had a richer, more incredible weekend. I was totally inspired and impressed by all the music I took in. It was also reitterated to me that I have generous and amazing friends that help facilitate this blessed life I'm living. :)

xo.
-Ash