Better Things (album version) by headshine
One Spark (album version) by headshine
Headshine
When you hear about a local band opening for legendary Bob Marley’s The Wailers, presumably you have high expectations for that band’s talent. Without any doubt, Headshine met or exceeded everyone’s expectations in providing a fresh smooth-mood sound to Friday night’s audience at House of Blues.
As the quilted curtains opened, the four members of Headshine were placed comfortably on the stage. You wouldn’t be surprised to hear these guys are jammin’ from Huntington Beach. Their cool wave rhythms and soft drumbeats accompany the acoustic guitar so nicely, you could imagine yourself just chillin’ on the beach listening to their music. Their harmonic vocals can ease your troubles as they sing their song, “Better Things;” with lyrics such as “better things are coming my way.” The lead singer, Ras, played acoustic guitar while seated beside him was multi-talented percussionist Jeff Maldonado, singing back-up vocals. The band also complements their sound with a third back-up singer that uses maracas and soft hand claps next to the DJ, (Yes, DJ) that scratched records or hit up beats on faster paced songs like “One Spark.” The combinations of their instruments are both raw and materialized for today’s audience. All of their songs had relaxed and subtle lyrics such as “…It hits me like a cool breeze,” or “diamonds in the sun, you might be the one I’m looking for.” I thoroughly enjoyed the light swipe of the chimes after each song. As I listened to their performance, I found Headshine could be compared to the island acoustic rhythms of Jack Johnson while also implementing beats like The Dirty Heads.
Headshine @ The House Of Blues. Photos by Jeremy Villa
Whether the music put you in a meditative state or lullaby you into sleep, (we found a sleeper in the front row) it definitely kept you content and it was easy to indulge in their laid back sounds.
Headshine is inspired by the California sun and the calmness of our beach waves on a summer afternoon. They believe ‘good music brings good people together,’ and their performance brought on a great crowd. Their latest four-song EP entitled “Better Things,” released last summer. Headshine has already grasped the attention of kroq and CBS radio as well as many other noteworthy media. They will be performing as part of the OC Music Awards showcase series at The District in Tustin on January 10th, and they will be back at the infamous House of Blues on February 18th for Reggae Brunch. Check them out here to find their latest events.
