Kēvens

http://indiancountrynews.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3082&Itemid=72 - Indiancountrynew

Beth Peerless: Reggae's a major presence in Santa Cruz these days

The Monterey County Herald
Article Last Updated: 09/04/2008 01:44:07 AM PDT

Click photo to enlarge

Americana artist Lucinda Willliams performs Saturday at The Catalyst in Santa Cruz.
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Hard to say exactly what's behind the Monterey Bay Reggaefest's struggle to survive over the last 13 years, but if there has been a problem up until now, I have a feeling it's not going to get much better any time soon.
The two times I was able to make it out to the event this last weekend, both at times when there should have been the biggest crowds in my estimation, I found there to be only a decent sized crowd.

Lack of professional promotion might contribute, but one thing for sure is, with the economy in a nosedive and a glut of reggae acts regularly appearing in the Santa Cruz area, I don't see where the presenters are going to dig up any more people to make this thing grow.

Still, there was a beautiful multi-racial audience grooving together in peace. Performers did show their respect to the legendary Bob Marley and his music, and that could never disappoint the reggae faithful.

Sunday evening's highlight for me was Kevens' set, spiced up by the eclectic fusion of music styles he brings to his reggae beats, and his commanding appearance on stage (wow, cool full-length leather duster).

And then there's his space cadet-dressed band. Jazz, drum 'n' bass, and rock edginess helped to take his message of positivity out of the ordinary and into the interesting. At least for my ears and eyes, this was the set to rave about.

Ky-Mani Marley on Friday also had what I thought was a different spin to the standard reggae mix, yet his set was confusing

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with its switches and right turns in the middle of a tune.
I found the reggae audience to be tuned out and less prone to applaud when an artist doesn't spell out the message or the song's end clearly. Or they just didn't care. Marley was left begging for attention.

But I've got to say, he should know his audience by now and be less oblique. Much love to A & P Productions for keeping the flame alive.

To support the premise of reggae's major presence in Santa Cruz, this week alone there are four nights devoted to either a double bill or larger showcase groupings.

The Catalyst has Rebelution and Iration set for Friday night for those 16 and over. Tickets are $15 advance, $19 door for the 9 p.m. show.

Santa Barbara-based Rebelution has distinguished itself as a top seller on iTunes, at least last October when they released their CD "Courage to Grow."

Also, Saturday the band appears as one of the headliners for the 10th annual Power to the Peaceful free event in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., at Speedway Meadows.

With Rebelution on the bill: Michael Franti & Spearhead (event organizer and a world-wide warrior for peace), Ziggy Marley and Warren Haynes (Gov't Mule), plus supporting acts. (www.powertothepeaceful.org).

At Moe's Alley tonight (Thursday), presented in conjunction with Greensphere Records, there is a four-act reggae showcase under the heading of Rooted in Unity, featuring ArkAingelle, Popo Ites, Blaak Lung, Phillip Merchant & Dion Hopkins, (D.A.A.P.) and the Greensphere Band. Show begins at 9 p.m., tickets are $12 advance, $15 door.

Sunday at Moe's, Lloyd Brown, plus Haile Maskel & the 7th Street Band appear beginning at 9 p.m.

Brown is a U.K. reggae star and this is his Santa Cruz debut with a full band, including horns and harmony vocals. Tickets are $12 advance, $15 door.

And then there's Wednesday's multi-reggae band lineup, topped by Chuck Fenda, the Poor People Defenda.

His new recording "The Living Fire," was released on his own label. Also on the bill are Winstrong, Fire Star, Bobby Tenna, Bigga Happiness and DJ Rebs. All shows at Moe's are for those 21 and over.

Fenda's night gets started around 9 p.m., and tickets are $12 advance, $15 door, available online at www.moesalley.com. For more info, call the club at 479-1854.

Listen up, there's a major push going on to promote Colin Gilmore's appearances on the Central Coast next week.

In Santa Cruz, Jimmie Dale Gilmore's talented son appears at Don Quixote's on a double bill with Sharon Allen (7:30 p.m., $10, under 21 w/parent).

And he will also appear in Monterey this Saturday at The Ol' Factory in Sand City as part of a double-bill benefit concert with Champagne Sunday, a Monterey Mattress Marquee presentation.

A suggested $10 donation goes to the Big Sur Fire Relief Fund, channeled to the Coastal Property Association to benefit individuals impacted by the Basin Complex Fire. And, there's another show in Big Sur Sunday at Fernwood.

The more of it ...

· Thursday — New West Guitar Quartet, Kuumbwa Jazz Center, all ages.

· Friday/Saturday — B-Side Players (eclectic Latin/reggae fusion), Moe's Alley, 21+.

· Saturday — Lucinda Wi - Monterey Herald

http://www.nowpublic.com/culture/reggae-star-kevens-takes-it-another-level - Monterey county weekly

http://www.nowpublic.com/culture/reggae-star-kevens-takes-it-another-level - Monterey county weekly

http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:xDo7EJFCZl4J:smashingmag.com/feature/02feature/0207kevens.html+kevens&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=31&gl=us - Smashingmag

http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:xDo7EJFCZl4J:smashingmag.com/feature/02feature/0207kevens.html+kevens&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=31&gl=us - Smashingmag

http://74.125.45.104/search?q=cache:5DAZt7muc2QJ:www.mtvadria.com/forum/viewtopic.php%3Ft%3D400%26start%3D0%26sid%3D552348f35110f54de66745110eb23824+ky-mani+marley+kevens+croatia&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=9&gl=us - MTV Croatia

http://74.125.45.104/search?q=cache:5DAZt7muc2QJ:www.mtvadria.com/forum/viewtopic.php%3Ft%3D400%26start%3D0%26sid%3D552348f35110f54de66745110eb23824+ky-mani+marley+kevens+croatia&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=9&gl=us - MTV Croatia

http://74.125.45.104/search?q=cache:1Apfp_VBLJ8J:elgroovecrab.tumblr.com/post/31773261/the-kevens-interview-unabridged+kevens+croatia&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=6&gl=us - Grooveshark.com

http://74.125.45.104/search?q=cache:1Apfp_VBLJ8J:elgroovecrab.tumblr.com/post/31773261/the-kevens-interview-unabridged+kevens+croatia&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=6&gl=us - Grooveshark.com

http://indiancountrynews.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3082&Itemid=72 - Indiancountrynew

Beth Peerless: Reggae's a major presence in Santa Cruz these days

The Monterey County Herald
Article Last Updated: 09/04/2008 01:44:07 AM PDT

Click photo to enlarge

Americana artist Lucinda Willliams performs Saturday at The Catalyst in Santa Cruz.
1
2
3
»
Hard to say exactly what's behind the Monterey Bay Reggaefest's struggle to survive over the last 13 years, but if there has been a problem up until now, I have a feeling it's not going to get much better any time soon.
The two times I was able to make it out to the event this last weekend, both at times when there should have been the biggest crowds in my estimation, I found there to be only a decent sized crowd.

Lack of professional promotion might contribute, but one thing for sure is, with the economy in a nosedive and a glut of reggae acts regularly appearing in the Santa Cruz area, I don't see where the presenters are going to dig up any more people to make this thing grow.

Still, there was a beautiful multi-racial audience grooving together in peace. Performers did show their respect to the legendary Bob Marley and his music, and that could never disappoint the reggae faithful.

Sunday evening's highlight for me was Kevens' set, spiced up by the eclectic fusion of music styles he brings to his reggae beats, and his commanding appearance on stage (wow, cool full-length leather duster).

And then there's his space cadet-dressed band. Jazz, drum 'n' bass, and rock edginess helped to take his message of positivity out of the ordinary and into the interesting. At least for my ears and eyes, this was the set to rave about.

Ky-Mani Marley on Friday also had what I thought was a different spin to the standard reggae mix, yet his set was confusing

Advertisement

with its switches and right turns in the middle of a tune.
I found the reggae audience to be tuned out and less prone to applaud when an artist doesn't spell out the message or the song's end clearly. Or they just didn't care. Marley was left begging for attention.

But I've got to say, he should know his audience by now and be less oblique. Much love to A & P Productions for keeping the flame alive.

To support the premise of reggae's major presence in Santa Cruz, this week alone there are four nights devoted to either a double bill or larger showcase groupings.

The Catalyst has Rebelution and Iration set for Friday night for those 16 and over. Tickets are $15 advance, $19 door for the 9 p.m. show.

Santa Barbara-based Rebelution has distinguished itself as a top seller on iTunes, at least last October when they released their CD "Courage to Grow."

Also, Saturday the band appears as one of the headliners for the 10th annual Power to the Peaceful free event in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., at Speedway Meadows.

With Rebelution on the bill: Michael Franti & Spearhead (event organizer and a world-wide warrior for peace), Ziggy Marley and Warren Haynes (Gov't Mule), plus supporting acts. (www.powertothepeaceful.org).

At Moe's Alley tonight (Thursday), presented in conjunction with Greensphere Records, there is a four-act reggae showcase under the heading of Rooted in Unity, featuring ArkAingelle, Popo Ites, Blaak Lung, Phillip Merchant & Dion Hopkins, (D.A.A.P.) and the Greensphere Band. Show begins at 9 p.m., tickets are $12 advance, $15 door.

Sunday at Moe's, Lloyd Brown, plus Haile Maskel & the 7th Street Band appear beginning at 9 p.m.

Brown is a U.K. reggae star and this is his Santa Cruz debut with a full band, including horns and harmony vocals. Tickets are $12 advance, $15 door.

And then there's Wednesday's multi-reggae band lineup, topped by Chuck Fenda, the Poor People Defenda.

His new recording "The Living Fire," was released on his own label. Also on the bill are Winstrong, Fire Star, Bobby Tenna, Bigga Happiness and DJ Rebs. All shows at Moe's are for those 21 and over.

Fenda's night gets started around 9 p.m., and tickets are $12 advance, $15 door, available online at www.moesalley.com. For more info, call the club at 479-1854.

Listen up, there's a major push going on to promote Colin Gilmore's appearances on the Central Coast next week.

In Santa Cruz, Jimmie Dale Gilmore's talented son appears at Don Quixote's on a double bill with Sharon Allen (7:30 p.m., $10, under 21 w/parent).

And he will also appear in Monterey this Saturday at The Ol' Factory in Sand City as part of a double-bill benefit concert with Champagne Sunday, a Monterey Mattress Marquee presentation.

A suggested $10 donation goes to the Big Sur Fire Relief Fund, channeled to the Coastal Property Association to benefit individuals impacted by the Basin Complex Fire. And, there's another show in Big Sur Sunday at Fernwood.

The more of it ...

· Thursday — New West Guitar Quartet, Kuumbwa Jazz Center, all ages.

· Friday/Saturday — B-Side Players (eclectic Latin/reggae fusion), Moe's Alley, 21+.

· Saturday — Lucinda Wi - Monterey Herald