Stacy Clark at the 2010 Acoustic Finals
OC Music Magazine’s goal is to bring attention to the bands and the venues that even longtime residents of Orange County don’t know; but we aren’t the only group whose mission is to bring awareness and life to the fantastic music produced, written, sung, and even dreamed of in the OC.
The OC Music Awards is celebrating its 10-year anniversary this year, and this week they kicked off their Acoustic Series, which alternates Tuesdays with their Live Series, at the District in Tustin. When I saw the address for the location, I walked toward the District, almost certain that I would most likely be in the Auld Dubliner. When I walked up, I saw a large crowd of people in the courtyard underneath the bowling alley, facing a hardly-ever used stage and a KROQ booth.
And then the show began with Skee & the Motion Detectors. My best description of Skee is indie with wispy and airy vocals reminiscent of Andrew Bird.
Honeypie played after Skee. Trisha has very clear vocals, and the band played with an upright bass on stage, which adds a certain element of nostalgia and tradition. Additionally, they invited Billy Kernkamp and various other friends to come and sing with them on stage.
Headshine came after Honeypie and made me think of Randy Newman’s voice mixed with Jason Mraz’s instrumentals. Not surprising considering it’s the acoustic showcase; it works really well and is absolutely relaxing.
Canvas followed Headshine. A core band of three members, they came fully prepared with a group of seven and, frankly, took my breath away. With instrumentals reminiscent of Explosions in the Sky and vocals similar to Vanessa Carlton, Canvas was the most composed and surprising of the bands, particularly because I had never heard of them.
Stacy Clark, a favorite of OC Music, ended the night spectacularly. She came onto stage and took command of it without hesitation. Her years as an acoustic live performer have taken her this far and she has the musical talent to rightfully headline the opening showcase.
Despite the cold, overcast skies, and slight drops of rain, the bands all came and performed with no regard to the chill. Not that California has intense winters, but the bands didn’t even consider stopping for a moment because of the weather. There was a crowd, and that was enough.
And what a crowd it was. From the very young to the near geriatric, fans of the bands, old timers of the Orange County music scene, other bands including Blok, the Orange Effect, and more came to support the Orange County Music Awards. The choice of an outdoor venue was an excellent decision for an acoustic showcase. It allowed a larger demographic to find new and never-before-heard-of bands and music in our own backyard.
This is what we live for at OC Music Magazine.
The Orange County Music Awards will be at the Gypsy Lounge for Best Live Band next Tuesday the 18th, and it will be at the Lab for Best Acoustic on the 25th.
