Past list view

Tickets for this event are $25 but are a bargain, considering the caliber of music that you will hear. You can purchase tickets online at ticketmaster.com. I'd suggest getting them as far in advance as your calendar allows because this show will likely sell out. If you can, RSVP on the Meetup site before you buy the tickets so that maybe we can get a group together and buy tickets in the same seating area.

Check out samples of music at www.myspace.com/missyhiggins and www.myspace.com/justinnozuka

Missy Higgins: After attracting the attention of manager John Watson, Australian Singer Songwriter Missy released her first EP in November 2003. Her second EP Scar was released in August 2004, debuting at #1 on the Australian charts. Her first album, The Sound of White, was released in September 2004, prompting a national headlining tour.

In 2004, Higgins was nominated in four categories at the ARIA Awards. These included "Best Female Artist" and "Single of the Year". She received the award for "Best Pop Release".

In 2005, Higgins was nominated for a further seven ARIA Awards, winning "Album of the Year" "Best Female Artist", "Best Pop Release", "Breakthrough Artist - Album Release" and "Highest Selling Album".

In 2006, she toured the United States, United Kingdom and South Africa, and in 2007, performed her own set in the Australian leg of Live Earth. She later headlined the second annual Legs 11 (breast cancer benefit) concert with the Syndey Youth Orchestra.

Her US success is steadily growing with her single "Where I Stood" recently featured in various popular series including Grey's Anatomy, NCIS, Smallville, Lipstick Jungle, The Hills, One Tree Hill and So You Think You Can Dance.

Justin Nozuka: Blending elements of neo-soul, folk, old-time blues and pop, Toronto-based Justin is a guitar slinging aficionado with the street smarts of an urban swinger and the heart-bending soul of a gospel preacher. Additionally, he is adept at blending a dark, bluesy Americana vibe with warm, acoustic soul where bits of old folk music and flamenco tunes swirl in and out of earshot.

During his short career, Justin has already snagged stage time with greats like John Cale, Crowded House and Ziggy Marley and with up-and-comers Sam Roberts, Jully Black and Xavier Rudd.

"In his debut album "Holly", Justin Nozuka has created eleven impressive pieces of thoughtful acoustic-soul. Filled with understated melodies, minimal production and an interesting, sometimes dark take on song-craft...4 Stars." -- BBC

The best way to fall in love with these two artists is to visit their myspace pages and hear samples at www.myspace.com/schuylerfisk
and www.myspace.com/bentaylorofficial
But, in case you want to know more, here's some info, below.
Tickets for this event are $17 and can be purchased at the door, assuming you get there early. This show is likely to sell out.

Schuyler Fisk: Schuyler Fisk, daughter of Jack Fisk (Oscar-nominated production designer) and Sissy Spacek (Oscar-winning actress and 6-time nominee), moved from Charlottesville, VA to Los Angeles at age 17 to pursue a career as a singer songwriter. Since, Schuyler (pronounced Sky-ler) has held significant roles in the films “American Gun, “ “I’m Reed Fish” and “Orange County,” for which she also wrote and recorded music. Her song “Paperweight,” a duet with famed Hollywood performer Joshua Radin, was featured on the soundtrack “The Last Kiss.” Building upon public awareness garnered as an actress, Schuyler now hosts an impressive musical following. Schuyler has turned to performing full-time, and just released her self-recorded solo debut album “The Good Stuff” (Janaury, 2009.) This remarkable album, which recently climbed to #1 on iTune’s Folk chart and #17 on Amazon’s Folk chart, coincides a national tour alongside Ben Taylor (son of James.) Lyrical trademarks include Schuyler’s unique conversational songwriting style and free-spirited upbeat truth.
While Schuyler sites Ms. Spacek (her mother) as “her best friend and my biggest supporter,”Schuyler is sensitive about being written off as a member of the lucky-genes club. “Part of the reason that I moved to Los Angeles is that even though my mom introduced me to all kinds of music, I really wanted to work on having my own identify, on being who I am and doing what I do, and seeing how people responded,” she said. “The fact that people show up, that they buy the records, just blows my mind.” With nearly 50,000 Myspace friends (and counting) and 17 shows left in the tour, Schuyler has secured an important place in the LA and national acoustic music community.

Ben Taylor:
After three full-length albums and a couple intermittent EPs, singer/songwriter Ben Taylor has finally hit his own musical stride, with each project taking him one step closer to his natural artistic identity.

Top reviews have described Ben Taylor's new album with phrases such as "a calm intelligent piece," "melodically fun," "lyrically flirty," "slightly sultry." " with breezy rhythm," "ethereal backup vocals." Ben personally describes the album as "folk with a kick," or a reflective melding of folk and funk.

liveDaily says of Ben Taylor: "Though it's not essential to know that Taylor is the only son of music icons James Taylor and Carly Simon, the simple biographical fact does help explain the uncanny similarities in the men's voices, as well as the self-imposed pressure to forge his own way in the industry. Taylor proves successful with "The Legend ..." by slowly revealing a mini montage of moods, which ease from one emotional realm into another--a newfound aspect of his personal style."

Another recent review states: Ben Taylor has inherited the genetics of high voltage talent subdued by his peaceful, easy spirit. The album takes the listener on a journey far beyond 'music.' The lyrics are richly woven with life lessons, human experiences that impact with subtle magic. You listen and feel that something has impacted your own life experience.
Ben brings beauty to what so often in music is just sound. There is not a way to describe with accuracy exactly what happens when you tune in. Your senses take over and listening becomes more than what you would imagine.
The journey of 'Another Run Around The Sun' will expand your appreciation for music and musicians. Ben Taylor - richly gifted as artist and human being.

Jim Bianco is an incredibly gifted performer, reminiscent of early Tom Waits but with a sound and passionate/sexy style all his own. www.myspace.com/jimbianco
Here's a review that I wrote after seeing his CD release party last year. Seriously people, GO TO THIS SHOW! You will thank me.

With a trumpet, drums, piano, guitar, bass, accordion and a fierce-looking saxophone, Jim Bianco turned up the sex factor on the small red Hotel Café stage to a level that rivaled Harvelles on a packed night. Jim's energetic lyrics were sung in a way that allowed each audience member to drink them and linger upon them- savoring each like the last bit of whiskey stuck to melting cubes of ice.

Certain special efforts designed to hook the crowd exemplified the seasoned performance skills that give Jim star quality: Creating beats with heavy breath that mimicked some of the unmentionable acts of his songs; halting his voice at the height of crescendo to have a long hungry silence; carrying the entire band offstage and into the middle of the crowd to invite listeners to "sing" along. The diverse audience, which was still buzzing from Keaton Simons earlier set, readily ate up every one of these tactics, hooting and whistling for just one more note.

Although Jim had proven his prowess by the end of the first number, each subsequent song firmed his versatility and the multiple musical styles that he has incorporated seamlessly. If the already crowded stage could have permitted back-up dancers, the range of songs would have required costumes spanning from burlesque lingerie to a red flamenco dress, a black leather ensemble, or nothing at all.

Lyrics offered a similarly impressive diversity- one song claiming jealousy of the sun for touching his lover long enough to warm her; another asking for a leash to keep him from the beast of lust; and a harder-toned number written with an unsettled mind and foot on the pedal as he offered his own soul for sale.

After seeing dozens of "quieter" shows at the little Hotel that can, it was refreshing to watch the microphone and the floor worked a good deal harder as people clapped, jumped and swooned for the idea of being loved as desperately as the woman of focus in Jim's self-proclaimed "sexier" tracks. After last night, there are surely many more believers in the sultry, sophisticated, rocked-out and electric world that is the "Sing" album. Hotter than a bullet leaving a gun, Jim is positioned to fire an endless array of talent at the US music scene, Europe and beyond.

The Monday Singer Song Writer round at Room 5 Lounge is one of the best kept secret music nights in LA. Every week, 3-4 singer songwriters (local or national acts) unplug their guitars and snuggle into the cozy Room 5 stage to offer newly penned songs and stripped down versions of crowd favorites. Part artist-rotation and part jam-session, the musicians all sit on stage at the same time and harmonize along with others' songs by adding their own voices/instruments. There's no set list and no rehearsal- its just like you're watching a private living room recording session (complete with humor/banter)- it's extremely intimate and less than $10 for the whole night of music (usually about 3 hours.)
Room5 Lounge is above a great Italian restaurant, so you can order wonderful pastas and pizza while you're watching the show. There's also a full bar, tables and booths, but get there early as the seating options tend to fill up.

This week, Jay Nash (one of the nicest people in Los Angles and the unofficial Godfather of the Hollywood acoustic scene), Joey Ryan and Chris Seefried will be performing.
Here's a bit about each musician, but the best way to get to know these artists is to visit their myspace page and listen to some music samples. www.myspace.com/jaynash, www.myspace.com/joeyryanband, www.myspace.com/chrisseefried

Recent Jay Nash Reviews: "A modest singer/songwriter from the East Coast who has embraced the LA music scene with a passionate heart; this is Jay Nash." "There's a softness in Jay's voice that's undeniable, along with a vulnerability that's oh-so sweet. There is a realness to all of the songs on The Things You Think You Need. It is an album that can be listened to for hours." "Jay Nash's new album 'The Things You Think You Need' is a must have. Soul soothing music that will calm your inner beast even in bumper to bumper traffic. Jay's music congers up similarities somewhere between John Mayer, Johnny Cash, Dave Matthews and Jack Johnson." "Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter Jay Nash is the consummate troubadour."

Joey Ryan: An accomplished Los Angeles songer wongwriter whose songs have been placed in top TV shows and recently headlined a Unicef campaign. The critics say: "One to watch" (BBC Radio)
"effortlessly charming music with a warm streak of melody, honesty and humility" "Armed solely with his acoustic guitar the Californian singer – who appeared completely relaxed on stage – strolled his way through his set with consummate ease. His gravelly and powerful vocal ranged from boombox to mouse-like whisper"

Chris Seefried: Chris Seefried is an American singer, songwriter and record producer . He is best known as the founding member and producer of bands Gods Child, Joe 90 and most recently Low Stars. Gods Child's album Everybody (signed by Quincy Jones) features the billboard hit "Everybody’s One" that topped both the billboard “Modern Rock” and “Album Rock” categories simultaneously. Joe 90 (signed by Adam Duritz of Counting Crows) has released two albums. Dream This includes the song "Drive" which was featured as an end title on the HBO hit series “Six Feet Under” and A Raccoons Lunch featuring "And When I Die", the end title from the New Line Cinema film Final Destination. In between making records and touring as Rosanne Cash's guitar player, Chris has scored numerous films and commercials. His music has also appeared in countless television shows. Chris wrote and performed the song “You all everybody” for the hit ABC television series "Lost" and the theme song for ABC television series "What about Brian". This song "Calling All Friends" is featured on the Low Stars debut which was released on Hear Music through Starbucks in February of 2007. Solo record "Denim Blue" featuring performances from David Immergluck of Counting Crows and Richard Lloyd or Television was just released in 2008.

Aaron Beaumont is an LA-newcomer who has knocked the socks off of the local music scene. He's an intelligent composer, a poetic and studied lyricist, a quirky performer and timeless piano player. Check out his samples at www.myspace.com/aaronbeaumont, and read his bio / reviews below.

Aaron's lush, melodic piano music is anything but typical singer-songwriter fare. This is thanks largely to Aaron's rich and eclectic musical upbringing, which ranged from performing piano concertos with an orchestra to playing trumpet in a jazz quartet to touring the U.S. and Europe as the bassist in a rock band. And that was just the first 20 years. Based on the results of his recent stint as a songwriter, the next 20 look just as promising.

Aaron released his freshman project, "Nothing's Forever, Not Even Goodbye" with Milan Records in October 2008. A synthesis of early 20th century piano-roll influences and melodic lines reminiscent of the Beatles, along with nods to Tom Waits and Elliott Smith, this superb 10-track release represents a piano-centered aesthetic that is at once daring and refreshing.

Recent Press:

"Maybe, just maybe, a new Elton John might be just what the doctor ordered, someone who can bring a new life to the ancient music-hall/pop piano-man tradition, with clear-headed songs of genuinely witty lyrical oomph and, most of all, a historically informed musical depth -- all delivered with style, grace, wit and elan, of course. Your candidate for such a new contender might very well be one Aaron Beaumont. His stuff simply never sounds trite, at least not in the earnest passion of his emotional palette -- and he's got that in spades." -L.A. Weekly

"Nothing’s Forever (Not Even Goodbye) is filled with impeccably crafted, pleasantly retro songs that rescue piano pop from the arch snarkiness of late-period practitioners like Ben Folds is clearly a songwriter who understands the difference between the strongly nostalgic and the simply timeless." Jeff Giles, Eat Sleep Drink Music

"I'm absolutely blown away by this man's music right now. The man who's name sounds just too perfectly fitting with his music to be true, creates piano-based soul-tinged songs that ooze with a revivalism of older composing values while yet staying timeless." The Lemur Blog