Here's a nice story about Transfer in today's Union-Tribune. See them tonight at the Birch!

Four Hot Local Bands, presented by The Casbah, Take Over the Birch

The pop music scene in San Diego is more exciting than ever, and on Friday May 28, four of the city’s hottest, award-winning bands will come together for one amazing night of music.

Dirty Sweet, Transfer, The Silent Comedy, and Apes of Wrath usually sell out every club where they play, so premiere live music presenter The Casbah is bringing them together at the Birch for one night only. The concert is for all ages, general admission, and begins at 7:30pm. Tickets are $19 in advance, $21 on the day of the show.

With a wide range of musical influences and styles, the four bands have a few things in common: they’re all in the burgeoning stages of their careers, playing local clubs and touring, getting noticed at the SXSW festival and similar showcases, getting noticed by recording labels, and releasing their first few recordings, building a rabid audience base that may catapult them to the next level.

Three won San Diego Music Awards last year: Transfer for best rock band, The Silent Comedy for best pop band, and Apes of Wrath for best alternative band; Dirty Sweet walked with the award for best rock band in 2008, 2007 and 2005.

Dirty Sweet is an American rock band steeped in this nation’s musical roots, from country to R&B, gospel to classic rock and heavy metal to proto-grunge. A mixture of disparate influences such as The Rolling Stones, jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt, and early U2 make the band an interesting addition to today's budding rock climate. The San Diego-based quintet’s name perfectly describes their two-pronged approach to writing and performing, what the NME calls “skuzzy, ass-shaking rawk ‘n’ roll” crossed with the ability to pick up their acoustic guitars and craft a melodic ballad.

A review of their performance at last year's SXSW festival wrote, “Ryan Koontz gives you everything you need in a front man, his commanding vocals matched by his shimmying and shaking across the stage. This band rips, with a born-in-a-garage sound and an effortless Sunset Strip strut that also appreciates the rootsy side of the street. Most importantly, they have a damn good time up there, with their faces beaming as they assault you with a balls-to-the-walls approach. Just a fan-freaking-tastic rock band, keep on eye on them.”

The Silent Comedy started as a side project of the now defunct post-punk group Dehra Dun, named for a city in India where some of the founding members had lived in 2002. The band changed from its original idea of a fluid lineup and a strict “recording only” vision to a five-piece core with a variety of guests. In addition to a cast of guest performers, The Silent Comedy is known for its frequent instrument changes, and lively stage antics. Their live show has become their defining characteristic.

Old-time clothes, high-energy stage antics, foot stomping, and group sing-a-longs define a Silent Comedy performance. "It's some kind of mix between vaudeville and a tent revival meeting," says violinist I. Forbes. “We want to give you more for your money than just a bunch of indie guys on stage trying to look as bored as possible. We don't care a whole lot about being cool."

Over the last year Apes of Wrath (Robert Kent, Jake Bankhead, and Dustin Elliott) have adjusted their lineup from 4 to 3 members, and continue to pump out a large, catchy, and energetic sound. Now that the unsigned San Diego band have recorded and released their first CD, and grown into their ability to give memorable live performances, Apes of Wrath are ready to give audiences and listeners their catchy and frenetic brand of metamorphic indie pop. At the SXSW festival they were a part of two Future Sounds Rumble showcases, a Beauty Bar Austin showcase, and the Obscure Magpie Two Headed Party showcase.

As for Transfer: “Transfer is a muumuu of music draped over the grandma of their genre.”

Click here for more info and tickets.

Are YOU Looking for a Job in the Theatre?

If so, we want to hear from you! 

LOSDBlog is taking a serious moment out of our usual hilarity to tell you that we're hiring a Theatre Chief Operating Officer, and if you or someone you know fits the bill, we want you to contact us. Feel free to pass this on.

Here's the job description:

Reporting to the Board of Directors of Lyric Opera San Diego, the Theatre Chief Operating Officer will assume leadership of the administrative operations of the Birch North Park Theatre, overseeing the theatre budget, as well as seeking and managing the revenues necessary to assure a sound financial base for the Birch North Park Theatre. The Theatre Chief Operating Officer is the ambassador and advocate for the Birch North Park Theatre in the community.  Major areas of responsibility include: Finance, recruiting and supervising administrative personnel, executing a long-range plan, income generation and liaison with City of San Diego government and arts organizations.

The successful candidate will have experience in the areas of financial management, strategic planning, staff/board development, and have a proven track record in seeking earned and contributed revenues including: Theater Rentals, corporate sponsorships, individual contributions, and special events).

The ideal candidate will be a highly motivated individual with experience in not-for-profit management; preferably theatre, excellent analytical, financial and organizational skills; oustanding written and oral communication skills; knowledge of theatre operations, as well as a track record in responsible fiscal stewardship and good board relations. Astute political skills and the ability to communicate with a broad spectrum of personalities are essential characteristics.

Training or relevant experience in not for profit management/arts administration and/or finance is required. Preference will be given to qualified San Diego area applicants.

Salary commensurate with experience. Please send resume, cover letter with salary requirements and a list of references to: General Director, Lyric Opera San Diego, 2891 University, San Diego, 92104 or e-mail lnatker@lyricoperasandiego.org.

One of the Hottest Jazz Tickets in Town!

 It's official! The Birch North Park Theatre has become one of the top venues in San Diego to hear great jazz. Find out for yourself with the Terell Stafford Quartet, featuring Gerald Clayton, on Wednesday, June 2.

Presented by Lyric Opera San Diego in collaboration with Music Director Holly Hofmann, in association with KSDS (88.3 FM) radio, the concert begins at 7pm. Single tickets are $27 for
adults, $15 for students (Day of Show). 
You can show your Lyric Opera or KSDS membership card and save $5 off single show tickets. (Discounts and show packages not available online.)

Born in Miami to a musical family, trumpeter Terell Stafford spent his formative years as a sideman in alto player Bobby Watson’s Horizon quartet. Since leaving Watson, Stafford has spent time with McCoy Tyner, Wynton Marsalis, Jon Faddis, and with Jay Leno’s “Tonight Show” house band.

Terell is an exciting performer and his playing shows a lyrical commitment to melody with an adventurous spirit.  His rich, expressive tone can be heard on two recent recordings from MaxJazz Records, including “Taking Chances: Live at the Dakota.” Stafford’s quartet features the young pianist Gerald Clayton, the son of bassist John Clayton. The critics comment that Clayton has “a lyrical and ethereal approach,” and he’s a pianist that is “always intriguing,” adding that his playing is “extremely sensitive and consistently satisfying.”

The Jazz in North Park Series wraps up for the summer with Denise Donatelli and the Geoffrey Keezer Quartet on July 7 -- one of a handful of real jazz vocalists featuring one of the best pianists/arrangers in the business! Joining the quartet for this performance is San Diego's favorite jazz guitarist, Peter Sprague.

   

For more info or to purchase tickets, you know where to go: http://www.birchnorthparktheatre.net or (619) 239-8836

Is there such a thing as too much jazz? The Union-Tribune's pop and jazz writer, George Varga, takes a look at the San Diego jazz scene, noting that the Birch North Park Theatre has become a home for great jazz concerts like this one.