Good Times – The Best – Critic Pick

We are truly honored to be included with this years Good Times Critics’ Picks. We promise to work even harder to be your best friend ever.

Best New Musician’s Friend
SANTA CRUZ REHEARSAL STUDIOS
When you want to rock out but not get kicked out (of your home, garage, neighborhood), and you actually want to clearly hear every component of your band’s new song (instruments and vocals), it helps to have a sweet practice space with a sweet sound set-up. Enter the spankin’ new Santa Cruz Rehearsal Studios. One answer to the city’s sound ordinances (or your mom’s curfew for bombastic steely shreddage), the studio’s four spacious rehearsal rooms opened to the public in January, bringing a professional touch to the Santa Cruz underground. Open Monday through Sunday from 10 a.m. until midnight, SCRS is owned and operated by Paul and Jennifer Gallacher—a powerhouse couple in the music loop. With Paul’s expertise as a former luthier at Santa Cruz Guitar Company (not to mention his days in L.A. playing guitar in a power trio) adding a nice touch to the counter, SCRS makes musicians feel right at home. Bands like Archer, the Luxury Sweets, and Moon Cadillac have already uncovered this gem near Harvey West Park, and it’s helping them stay in top gigging form. Offering high-end gear and fully soundproofed studios at an affordable rate (they even serve up free snacks and drinks for starving musicians!), SCRS brings the panache of the big city music scene without the attitude or price tag. And, yes, even the bathroom is pristine. Ready to kick out the jams? Now you know where to go. (santacruzrehearsalstudios.com) | LK

You’re So Vain – How to Create a Vanity Facebook URL

Now that ALL bands are on Facebook I want to share a little tip that some excellent pages have overlooked – the vanity URL. Just like you can have your www.myspace.com slash band name, so too can you have your www.facebook.com / band name.

For example, SCRS has www.facebook.com/santacruzrehearsalstudios – this way it makes it super easy for us to promote our FB page / put it on a flyer/ ad, etc.

To get this nifty vanity URL just visit – www.facebook.com/username/ 

If you make one, send me a link, comment, email or written letter so I can post it on our site.

First Friday / Form and Flow / May 7 6-9 PM

With so many musician/artists in our midst it was only a matter of time before our once bare walls got a little decorating. Over the past week a few of Santa Cruz’s finest have graced our walls/shelves with their work (and more to come before next month).

Friday, May 7 we are participating in the “First Friday” art tour and hosting a reception (aka party) from 6-9 PM. Music will be provided by Moon Cadillac.

FORM AND FLOW
WORKS IN METAL, WATERCOLOR AND OIL BY CJ FLORES, PEPE TIGER AND MIKE WELSH. 
 
FLORES
For the past thirteen years local artist and performer CJ Flores has been sculpting lights, mirrors and outdoor art out of metal and wood. His signature lights cut out of recycled olive oil tins can be found in sacred spaces throughout the county. Constantly inspired by the female form, many of his pieces depict women’s innate sexuality and power. Also a tattoo artist, his latest series is inspired by flash and the rockabilly subculture.
 
TIGER
Santa Cruz native, Pepe NUnez, aka Pepe Tiger paints your grandmother’s caricature at the Boardwalk by day, and your wildest dreams by night. Taking inspiration from the streets, his paintings depict modern interpretations of everything from the girl next door to the Virgin Mary. www.myspace.com/pepetiger  
 
WELSH
Describing his art as “collaborative interactive” Mike Welsh embraces the impermanence of life itself.  His latest collection of skim board art was created with ink/oil on wood and then tested for function in the surf. The waves and sand add a dimension of texture to pieces that are not just decorative.
 
Please join us for our First Friday debut on Friday, May 7 from 6-9 pm at Santa Cruz Rehearsal Studios, 118 Coral Street (in Harvey West next to Polar Radiator), as we toast these fine local artists. Music & libations will be provided.

About

First Friday Art Tour is a community event that takes place the first Friday of each month throughout the City of Santa Cruz. The event is free and open to anyone. Between twenty and forty art venues are open between 5PM and 9PM for the Art Tour. Some venues have openings, talks, music, or other special activities. Others are simply open late. Individuals start their art tour by visiting any participating venue and picking up a copy of The First Friday Art Tour Brochure, the official publication of First Friday Art Tour.

Buy Art
Nearly all of the art on view is for sale. If you like it, buy it. Not only will you have a treasure that you can cherish for years to come, you will be supporting the local art scene and making it possible to see more great art in the future.

Homebrewed Tunes – Tips on How to book a show at the Parish Publick House

Full text to my Parish Publlick House blog lives on The Good Times Making Noise blog.

How to book a show at  The Parish Publick House

The Parish Publick House

841 Almar Ave
Santa Cruz, CA 95067
(831) 421-0507

21 + after 9 PM

Booking contact: Erik Granath

Preferred method of contact: Call Erik to discuss you band at (831) 421-0507. Drop of a CD and press kit in person and he will try to give it a listen. Email is reserved for specs/details after you have connected via phone or in person.

Timing:  Booking about 2 months in advance.

Days:  Live music is usually Thurs/Fri/Sat nights

Genres:  Think strings – country, punk inspired folk, bluegrass, singer/songwriters, blues.

Capacity: 110

Payment: It’s more about getting your music heard but talk to Erik about working it out.

Equipment:  Rudimentary PA System. It is a small space so not much amplification is needed. This isn’t a club, it is a pub that hosts some live music so come prepared.

Typical start time? After dinner and hockey games end – usually about 10 PM – Midnight

Food/Drink:  You will probably get some, especially if you sound good.

Booking mostly local or touring bands? Open to both local and touring bands. A great stop for bands playing San Francico and then driving through as they tour the coast.

Also books the Maiden Publick House in Big Sur, CA.

Success Stories:

 First show they booked was Fire Whiskey, other local favorites include Tater Famine (Monday, April 26). Touring favorites include Larry and his Flask (Monday, April 26),

Streetlight In-Stores & Record Store Day

 

My latest Good Times Making Noise blog is up featuring info on this Saturday’s record store day including info on how your band can book yourself a nice little in-store of your own.

Streetlight has a great schedule of live music all day:

April 17, 2020
Record Store Day
7 Come 11 (Funk/Jazz from SC) – 1:00
Special Guests – 2:00
Special Guests – 2:30
DJ Rob Monroy (House from SC) – 3:15
Pillow Fights (Pop-Punk from SJ) – 4:00
Rodent (Gothic/Industrial from SC) – 4:30
Tetherhorse (Folk/Bluegrass from SC) – 5:00
DJ Tom LG (45s from the 30s, 40s and 50s) – 5:30
Stellar Corpses (Psychobilly from SC) – 6:00

No More Hourly Booking Minimum

In response to your feedback, we have eliminated our three hour booking minimum. There will still be a free half hour for load in/out for every session.

Thank you for your continued support.

Please keep the feedback coming.

Record Store Day – Saturday, April 17

Please support Record Store Day this Saturday, April 17th! This is a special day where independently owned record stores come together with artists to celebrate the art of music. For a full listing of participating store locations, check out http://www.recordstoreday.com/Home

Santa Cruz’s own Streetlight Records is a participting store.

Streetlight Records
939 S. Pacific Ave.
Santa Cruz , CA 95060 
831-421-9200

Rock ‘n’ Bowl – Tips for local bands on How to Book at Show at Coaster’s

How to book a show at Coaster’s

Coaster’s
115 Cliff Drive
Santa Cruz, CA

21 + after 9 PM

Booking contact: Rogelio Guzman

Preferred method of contact: Receiving an email at rogelio@scseaside.com with your MySpace page included. You can also call (831) 426-3324 or drop off a CD and press kit in person.

Timing: Coaster’s is booking about 2 months in advance.

Days: Live music night is Friday but some Saturday or weekday shows for the right lineup.

Genres: Rock n’ roll, punk, metal, reggae. Coaster’s is open to all genres of music, but happens to be one of the few places in Santa Cruz where louder bands are welcome.

Capacity: 145

Payment: Bands start off with a small guarantee. Once they are established at the venue, they get bumped up to a guarantee plus % deal.

Equipment: Coaster’s PA System is made for karaoke, not bands, so plan on brining your own PA and pretty much all other necessary equipment. The venue has a dance floor and might even let you use the fog machine and lasers if you ask nicely.

Booking Guidelines:

Coaster’s prefers local bands; you won’t see many touring acts competing for slots.

Bands usually start out on Friday nights. Coaster’s will book about one Saturday a month for the right band(s). Shows start at 9:00 PM and usually run until around 11:45 PM. Never past 1 AM.

Success Stories:

Stand out local acts that have proven themselves at Coaster’s include The Devil Himself, Who’s Holdin’, 3UpFront and Honest Mistake.

Full text to my Coaster’s blog lives on The Good Times Making Noise blog.

Performer Magazine – April 2010

We got a nice Tour Stop mention in this months Performer Magazine.

Family Music Day – April 25 – Free

We are excited to have been invited to participate in this awesome event!

Family Music Day
A Family Concert and Music Resource Fair
Sunday, April 25, 2:00 – 4:00 PM
Pacific Cultural Center
1307 Seabright Ave
Free Admission

Schedule:

Family Friendly Live Music

2:00 – 3:00 PM

• Sing-along with Joya Winwood of Mothersong
• Little Mozarts 4 Fun
• Music fun for everyone with Lizz Anderson of MusicalMe

3:00 – 4:00 PM

• Mice in the Mug Celtic Teen Band
• Be Natural Music/Real Rock Band
• Abbott Family/ToneWay Music Project

Resource Fair

• A dozen local organizations displaying their music programs for kids, teens and families.
• Instrument “Petting Zoo” of stringed things to pick up and play
• Check out music books courtesy of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries

For more information, please see www.communitymusicschool.org or contact Janet at 831-429-1691 or fasola@cruzio.com