Rich Whiteley’s Ruby Fizz CD

Bay Area guitarist/songwriter Rich Whiteley was born in Wilmington, DE but currently resides in Tampa. Good thing, too. It would really be a pitiful shame if Delaware – not Florida, was the soul-beneficiary of Rich’s groovey-styled musical offerings. Whiteley’s 2009 CD-release Ruby Fizz is chock-full-of swarthy, blues-laden riffs and grooves that bend the most sensitive ear for the purpose of pure enjoyment. He’s an extremely gifted songwriter and multi-faceted performer – he skillfully plays guitar, harmonica, banjo, and piano on Fizz, Whiteley’s fourth studio project since A Dog or a Bicycle in 2000.

Whiteley’s band history includes  Earth Bombs Mars, Uncle John’s Band, the Rich Whiteley Band, Magnolia Creek, Whiteley & Phillips, and countless others. He’s shared the stage with The Codetalkers, Oteil and the Peacemakers, New Monsoon, Jake Shimabukuro, Jerry Joseph, Beth Hirsch, Baye Kouyate, Melvin Seals, Tom Constanten, Leni Stern, Richard Drexler and many others.If you’re looking for great songwriting, poignant lyrics, and skillful musicianship mastery, then check out Ruby Fizz at www.richwhiteley.com

By Robin Tracy

So much has already been written about this all-female band. After winning the Battle of the Bands at Sawmill Campground in Dade City, FL, Karmic Tattoo continues to gain momentum at each and every show. They’re tight, professional, and fun. First of all, Lisa Noe has a world class voice. It’s that simple. Back that up with the intricate harmonies provided by Pam Green and Amy Black (and ,occasionally,  Stephanie Callahan of Halcyon) and you’ve got John, Paul and George and Ringo of that little known ‘60’s band the Beatles!

The combined members of Karmic Tattoo have been rocking the Bay Area for many years. Following its inception over five years ago when Texan Green, Kentucky girl Noe and native Floridian Black combined their separate talents into what is now known as Karmic Tattoo. When performing live, they do a spectacular version of Stephen Stills’s  “Love the One You’re With”. I was very impressed with their vocals on this one. A fun moment came when Lisa came out into the vast crowd to pull off a wonderful rendition of Janis Joplin’s “Mercedes Benz”… everybody helped sing along! Then Stephanie Callahan helped out when the band performed Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car”. She fit right in and you’d never know she wasn’t a full-time member of KT.

Lead singer, Rhythm guitarist and songwriter Lisa Noe’s songwriting has been highlighted on NPR (National Public Radio) HOMEFRONT as well as Jewel’s Soul City Cafe’ web site. Self taught on guitar since age 4, her professional career began at age 13 on local radio shows. Noe’s writing style focuses on the emotional aspect of life with occasional world events thrown in. She has performed with many different musical styles, past and present, bluegrass, rock, country, folk and classical. Born and raised in Louisville KY at a very early age (a little humor!), Lisa started playing piano and guitar at age 4. Her first guitar was Silvertone Sears and Roebuk special 12-string, and she started singing and playing guitar professionally at 13 although her Mom will tell you about stories of her singing with hairbrush in hand at age 3! “I love all music. I think this world would be a sad place without it. My studies in music include but not limited to; opera, classical guitar, piano and theater. A “near” graduate of University of Kentucky, and participating graduate of the University of Life”.

Her major influences include Barbara Mandrell. “She was my idol growing up in KY, “says Noe. “She made you feel the song; I also like  Mary Chapin-Carpenter because of her storytelling skill.” Noe also cites The Carter Family, Statler Brothers, and Oak Ridge Boys for their harmonizing. “And, of course, Wynonna,” she excitedly exclaims. “Simply because, well, she’sWynonna!”

Pam Green has a background in classical guitar and has been performed in various bands and musical duets for many years. Her collaboration with diverse artists gives her a wide range of styles, making her a well-rounded professional musician. She is extremely musically versatile, playing percussion, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, and bass, as well as singing. Pam records artists and bands in her studio, Lunar Tunes Productions, based in Seminole, Florida. Pam was Born in Detroit, Michigan and started playing piano at age 6 and guitar at 11.

Her major influences include Heart, Fleetwood Mac, Led Zeppelin, Doobie Brothers, Crosby, Stills and Nash, Pretenders, The Police, Joni Mitchell, Joan Baez, Simon & Garfunkel, Cat Stevens, and, of course, the Beatles.

            Amy Black is a percussionist extraordinaire. She has performed with the Florida Orchestra, the Southwest Symphony and was a percussionist in residence of the Imperial Symphony Orchestra for 18 years. Amy has accompanied such diverse artists as The Moody Blues, Lee Greenwood, Rosemary Clooney, Anne Murray, The Canadian Brass, Doc Severinson and Paquito D’Rivera. She has collaborated with several bay area bands, has provided back-up for local GALA Choruses and performed in theatrical productions of Pippin, Sound of Music and Sweeney Todd, to mention a few. A graduate of the University of South Florida’s, School of Music, her repertoire runs from classical to rhythm and blues, country to world beat, rock to jazz with a little folk to round it out.

Simply put,  Karmic Tattoo rocks! They’re taking the Bay area by storm, so get out and see them ASAP.

Lisa Noe

I remember as a child seeing my mother playing her Guild guitar and singing classic folk songs as well as songs she had penned.  I was touched by her passion.  I felt the music in the air.  It was magic.

As I grew my brother picked up the guitar and I would awake to the sounds of him playing the Star Spangled Banner, Hendrix style, on his electric guitar.  He was a teenager then and I could feel all his emotion in every note he played pouring out of his guitar.  It was magic.

I was eight and I wanted my brother to teach me to play the guitar like him.  He had me put my left hand around the neck of the guitar and told me to try to touch my thumb over the top of the neck with any of my other fingers wrapping around the bottom of the neck.  I couldn’t quite reach and he told me I’d have to wait until my hands were bigger.  I was disappointed.  I was even more disappointed when 2 years later my bother joined the Army.  It wasn’t till later that I would actually buy a guitar and take some lessons.  All the while I harbored dreams of singing and playing the guitar.  Dreams I would never tell anyone about.  Not then, hell, not till years after I had been playing and singing would I tell anyone that I had dreams of presenting my ideas and emotions to people through songs.

I’ve been writing poetry or songs since I was a punk ass.  Not a punk rocker.  Just a “Little Punk” as my bother would affectionately call me.  I’ve been trying to get out what’s inside my heart and head for a long time.  I want to get it out in a way that people understand what I am saying…  Feel it…  Know it.  Music is a powerful form of communication.  My chosen media.

I have been through quite a bit and I’ve seen a lot of tears and smiles, as we all have.  I guess one idea I hope to convey through the songs I write is that we all are human.  We all feel, sometimes intensely and although no one can know exactly how we feel, we all are united in the fact that we feel.  And even though we may feel completely alone, I am sure that someone can empathize with those feelings.  Every time someone says to me that a song I wrote perfectly explained the way they were feeling or what they thought, I feel gratitude that I could provide a positive outlet for another being.

My voice is my main instrument.  It tells the story of my heart and mind.  It solidifies ideas and emotions.  With it, I communicate ideas to the listener…  Ideas born in a nebulous zone, outside myself, to be filtered through my perspective and focused into more solid form.  There are many ideas to choose from and I try to choose ones that represent who I am.  I believe in presenting experiences in a way that leaves the truth of what they are in-tact.  Raw.  Some songs are fiction.  Some are direct personal experiences.  All are a part of me.

I thrive upon self-improvement.  I quest for understanding myself, this world and my place in this world.  I have categorized myself as a skeptical optimist…  Trying to find the balance that is right for me.  I dream of having a positive impact upon those I come into contact with, no matter how slight the experience might be.  I hope that a smile from me infects those that see it like all the smiles I have seen have infected me.  We all are faced with a choice each morning that we wake…  Are we going to be a drain on this world and those in it or are we going to add to it in a positive way?  Are we going fall in line with the sheep or be an advocate for positive change?  Are we going to be a part of the problem or a part of the solution?  Are we going to Fear or Love?  They are all the same question.  I will continue to live my dream and hope that I am playing my part and that it is a positive part in the unfolding drama.”

Check out Chucky Luv at www.chuckyluv.com

Unaslim

Unaslim: Electronica at its best!

Unaslim is the new age DJ of today, fully representing the lady DJs of the world with her innovative sound, her trend setting looks, and her cosmic attitude. She started DJing in early 2000’s in downtown Buffalo, New York at 16 years old, playing with artist like, DJ 3po, Dirwood, Twist, and DJ Pakman at after parties. DJing at such a young age gave her the ambition to go where the House music was more popular. She moved to Florida around 2005 and attended the International Academy of Design of Technology, majoring in Recording Arts and Digital Productions, all the while playing out at some of Tampa’s most popular electronic hotspots. Unaslim embodies the electronic sound and because of that, has worked with such international renowned acts such as Sweden’s own Zoo Brazil (”Lights” 2007 and “Like This” 2007) & J-Break of Cyberian Knights (Unaslim’s remixes of “Artificial Love” 2006 and “Electric Delusions” 2006, “Ghetto-Clash” 2006, and “Beauty in Darkness” 2007). With such hard work she’s earned her a spot on Hallucination Recordings with Three, Monk, Grumptronix, Bob Skies and Rabbit in The Moon, and her regular apperance at SNATCH in Tampa which is run by Hallucination Limited’s DJ Three (Hallucination Limited, Crosstown Rebels). Her popularity kept growing when she was interviewed by Tuesday in Closer Magazine

Pre- Winter Music Conference 2008, called “Women in Electronica- Una Slim.” Her fusion of minimal, tech, electro and progressive house into one, blended with her unique style, ended her with a chance meeting with Hypno-Traxx’s label owner/ producer St. Marc, and now has regular monthly releases on Beatport, and other digital downloading sites.

Look for “Ouroboros” and other remixes coming out during WMC. She is currently working on a live theatrical music performance. A cross between live electronica and earthy organics, performing her debut at Ultra Music Festival 2009. She’s a regular proton radio pioneer, playing on stations such as Balance Record Pool and Subminimal Sessions L8 Night Mix. Unaslim also has played with internationally renowned acts such as, Justin Martin, Junkie XL, Tommie Sunshine, Three, Lee Burridge, Laurent Garnier, Christian Martin, Marc Ashken, Worthy, Ryan Elliot, Kaskade, Sean Cusicks, Rabbit in the Moon, Pendulum, BT, Shiny Toy Guns, Grumptronix, Kevens, Dave Seaman, Noel Sanger, DJ Rap, Keoki, Bassbin Twins, Uberzone, Paul Sparks, John B, Granite & Funk, Jody Wisternoff. A future project in the works with Darren Mcfarland of past Buckethead, and engineer for bands like STS9.

Mixing organic instruments with analogue synths gives her a unique sound and another worldly presence. She’s dark by nature, intriguing, and her mixing is magic. Check out Unaslim at www.myspace.com/unaslim.

 It all started late 2006 when Josh MacFarland and Nate Jones decided to become “unmotivated” to simply hang out and make ceremonial noise. The lead singer Brian Adams (not THAT Bryan Adams!) joined the noise fest in late 2007. Bassist Zach Hendricks, percussionist Cansey Green, and lead guitarist Vidak completed the motivational seminar. The St. Petersburg-based musical six-pack started performing at local venues and, according to MacFarland, it’s been a “fun-filled journey of ‘unmotivated moments.”  
MacFarland states that Unmotivated has made a “pretty big name” in the local scene and currently enjoys a solid “motivated” local following since its inception three years ago..”The venues that support local bands have been great to work with and have been nothing but professional examples,” adds MacFarland. “We’ve hopefully formed good, healthy, long-lasting lasting relationships with the business that supports our music.” Unmotivated has been featured in several on-line magazines, including Underground Xpress, Skaflamagazine, and PCI Promotions.  
“Myspace has been a basic addition since the start of doing gigs and has provided an electronic ‘word-of’mouth’ so to speak,” he says. “We’ve played all over, including Gainesville, Orlando and other remote parts of Florida. We’re hoping to play more and more as we get confident about our abilities to continue to dazzle audiences throughout!” So, yes Unmotivated are, indeed, available for bookings and seeking sponsorship. “We’ve shared the stage with the likes of Dirty Heads, Supervillians, Iration, Outlaw Nation and Ballyhoo.” MacFarland insists that all wisdom seekers check out Unmotivated at www.myspace.com/unmotivatedband.

Unmotivated

Lorna Bracewell

Lorna Bracewell

The Pride of Tampa Bay

Embarks On Her Next Chapter and Journey…

by Jeannette Goldman

How is it humanly possible to write about Lorna Bracewell. How could I in any way come close to maneuvering the English language with such eloquent finesse as she can? That eloquent finesse and determination has extended into her songwriting, her stage performances, educational workshops, and benefits that have helped support local and national organizations.

Lorna is not your typical 25 year old. And this not a typical article. Not only am I a business associate, friend and fan, she has designated me as her JM (to clarify the acronym, “Jewish Mother” ) which, according to Lorna, I’m an “a nagging, overprotective, , controlling, smothering, and overbearing mother who persists in interfering in her children’s lives long after they have become adults.” I know I’m not that bad! I would like the Bay Area Community to take extreme pride in recognizing that Lorna was born and raised in Indian Rocks Beach. This article is far from the mechanical rantings of surrogate Jewish Mother surreptitiously reveling in her adopted progeny’s talent. It’s really for those in the Bay Area to acknowledge this young lady’s plethora of personal and professional accomplishments prior to her leaving the area and pursuing a career in academics. Hence our June Issue and subsequent showcase is dedicated to Lorna Bracewell and her Farewell Concert at ProStar Soundstage June 26.

Rather than listing her oodles of accolades, I’ve chosen relevant quotes and ancillary information pertaining to her wondrous musical journey over 12 years ago. Her discography – released through her independent label Braced Well Records, includes Don’t Stop Now (2001), Little Miss Oblivious (2003), God Forbid (2005), Live for CASA (2005 DVD), Flowers on the Chains (2007), and Released (2009). She’s performed over 100 concerts, benefits, engagements, including two European tours. She’s worked as a school instructor, including workshops exploring the relationship of music, history and culture. She’s a member of the Florida State Touring Program, as well as headlining concerts for local charity organizations On This Earth, YWCA, Habitat for Humanity, and local domestic violence shelters The Spring and Casa.

To adequately document her musical accomplishments will require another issue; as she dares to tread the hostile waters of academics it’s no secret Lorna will craftily navigate with little or no ebb tide. Be it told that Ms. Bracewell was our inspiration for creating Bay Area Beat.

Recently her close circle of family members, mentors and friends received the following e-mail from her:

LORNA- -“I’ll be studying political theory at the University of Florida’s department of political science in the fall. They’ve offered me an appointment as a Graduate School Fellow and I am enthusiastically accepting this offer! I also was accepted at the University of Virginia and the University of Colorado at Boulder, but, after much deliberation, the pull of the Sunshine State has proven the strongest”.

     I had the pleasure of seeing and interviewing Leslie Kille when she recently performed at the Sunset Grill. She informed me that her new CD Cover of the Clouds will be released in November. If you like jazzy show tunes ala Michael McDonald, kd Lang or Amanda Marshall, you’ll love Leslie!

Kille works full-time as a psychologist, but still finds the time to write and record marvelous music. Her voice is reminiscent of Emily Saliers (Indigo Girls), but she also flows between the vibe of, say, a bluesy  Rickie Lee Jones with a high falsetto ala Bonnie Raitt. When she sang Alicia Keys’s “It Ain’t Got You” it gave me chills! Leslie’s original “Freedom” was as good as anything Rickie Lee Jones ever did, and her hands were meticulously pounding the keyboards. Leslie is definitely talented and a true Bay Area gem.

Born at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania and raised throughout the United States and Vietnam as a “military brat,:, Leslie started writing music at age 5 on a backyard swing set. When she lived in Alaska, Leslie was singing/writing for churches and this musical “habit” continued in Maryland, Colorado, Oklahoma and, finally,  Florida. At 13 she played in her first ‘band’ and, for the most part, was “hooked” on the gift and life-giving world of music.

Ms. Kille has played venues from Washington, Boston, Canada, New York and the Tampa Bay area. Her roots stem from jazz to classical though she enjoys music that’s piano and keyboard-oriented. She has shared the stage with Lisa Koch, Tret Fure and Chris Williamson from the Lighted Tree adventures and The Friday Morning Musicale Theatre. She’s directed theatre productions from 42nd Street, Jacque Brel, Suessical the Musical, and Once Upon a Mattress. Ms. Kille recently relocated to Florida from Savannah, GA and currently performs in downtown jazz clubs, wineries and private clubs. She has recorded three album projects – Storm, Moving Closer, and Loosely Sane (with Women’s Blues Review’s Barb Brown playing alto sax), the latter a swarthy musical outfit with sultry vocals, driving keyboards and saxophone hits! Loosely Sane’s  moving ballad “Art of a Whisper” is rotation on the Top 10 of MP3.com’s Jazz Vocals charts. Check out Loosely Sane’s new CD available at CDStreet.com. On a sad note, Barb is in need of some medical care and is unable to perform at this time. Look for more info on Leslie’s website regarding a possible musical bash/fundraiser. For more information, please go to www.lesliekille.com.

The Shakes Society

Bay Area group The Shakes Society was formed over 25 years ago as a neo-punk band Dialogue.  By 1987, the group changed its name to, simply, “The Shakes” but in the early 90’s the group’s name morphed into its current moniker,   Sometime in the 90’s, the name morphed into The Shakes Society, reflecting the revolving pool of talent the remaining band members drew from.

In 2006 or 2007, the original members got back together for a reunion gig at WMNF’s Birthday Party.  They decided to reconvene, rented a studio, and started playing together again.  The Shakes society, once again, was one big, happy, partially functional family for over 25 plus years!

Dialogue won the Tampa Invitational Talent Search and finally recorded original material that was invigorating to say the least.  The Shakes briefly cracked CMJ’s Top 10 then toured Europe, playing such noted cities as Berlin, Amsterdam and Cologne The Shakes Society played the strangely named Corn Hole Bowl (actually, they’ve scored other sweet gigs in the last few years…)! The reformed Shakes Society enjoy playing music, particularly rock, reggae, and ska. Their five year plan has, so far, worked incredibly well. When invited to play corporate gigs, Shakes Society meekly performs G-rated Jimmy Buffet covers and the one guitarist gnaws like a gerbil on nicotine gum. Then the other members politely ask permission to take a pee break. Is this believable or what? Check out the Shakes Society at  www.shakesociety.com/bio.

Come Celebrate Black Music Month

Motown Maurice and Wide aWoke Wednesdays Supports Black Music June 17

Please join me on Wednesday, June 17 at the USF Alumni Center Traditions Hall as I, Motown Maurice, as I pay tribute to the extraordinary talents, achievements, and creativity of African American singers, musicians, composers, performers who have enriched our lives and culture. In further celebration, join me and some of Tampa’s most talented performers participate in our special Wide aWoke Wednesday’s show as we celebrate Black Music Month and the 2^nd anniversary of our show. 

Music is, perhaps, the most powerful tools I use to get me through life’s sometimes unstoppable journey. This is why I stress the importance of paying my respect to those pioneers responsible for creating Black Music. Black Music, in my opinion, has been a significant contributor and immensely strong influence on American music. 

The original African Americans were ritually enslaved and reluctantly transported across the Atlantic to horrific lives of involuntary servitude. For over 300 years Black Americans could not participate in government or any other contributory community activities but they were quick to adapt their native culture to the dominant Christian doctrine as well as church music.

Church-going slaves who converted to Christianity of the 17th and 18th centuries would repeat-often in call-and-response fashion, the hymns and psalms sung by the service leader. This organized and inspiring religious practice spurred the “Negro spiritual,” often called a “jubilee.” Among the most beloved spirituals were “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” and “Roll Jordan Roll.”

By the beginning of the 20th century, the remnants of post civil war African-American music evolved into new a form of music known as ragtime, a popular genre that later inspired the formation of jazz music.

By 1930, elements of the blues and old Negro spirituals were crystallizing into gospel music. Gospel had a direct impact on more secular forms of Black Music such as rhythm and blues (R & B) and soul.  For generations, Black Music has communicated across racial boundaries and expressed both joy and sorrow. When facing the scathing cruelties of slavery and injustice, African Americans lifted spirituals to the heavens, bringing comfort to troubled souls yearning for spiritual salvation. Black Music is an important element of our survival. It’s a lifeline- it’s the air we breathe and an indomitable source of our spiritual strength.

As a result, I invite you to join us on June 17 and, together, we’ll  show respect to all the musicians past and present who have paved the way for us. Hope to see you there!

Motown Maurice

Wide aWoke Wednesdays