Acoustic Performers:
Lighter Sounds at the Acoustic Stage
You will find many different styles of music and performers in the following pages, most with a softer and gentler approach to both songwriting and performance. Musefest offers a wide variety of music suited for any taste. Whether you seek out hard and heavy sounds or enjoy a lighter, danceable rhythm, you can find it onstage at Musefest. The acoustic stage offers a more intimate atmosphere, showcasing an eclectic mix of artists performing in a coffeehouse setting.
The Musefest acoustic stage has a full schedule of events, ranging from small bands and solo artists, as well as an open mic session and independent film screenings. Here you can relax and enjoy some of the area's premiere acoustic performers while enjoying a beverage or a bite to eat from the festivalÕs own coffee shop. In the coming pages are articles on performers who play lighter sounds, mostly at the acoustic stage, over the festival weekend.
Five2
by Linda Stout
Sisters Charisse and Yvette Lucente and their friend Uniit Carruyo craft gorgeous three-part harmonies like it's their destiny. They call themselves Five2, and their angelic vocal harmonies will likely take them soaring beyond the recording credits the Lucentes chalked up in John BrownÕs Body and what Uniit achieved in seven good years with the Sim Redmond Band. Five2's wall of sound,
as full as any band, shows up more like a many-colored curtain blowing in a breeze.
The Lucentes are two Peruvian-American sisters who've been singing together all their lives and sound like it. Uniit, who was born in Venezuela, joined them in 2003. They share a South American culture that emphasizes music, food, and family, they say, so rehearsals start with talk and dinner, and then they focus on the musicÑsoulful vocals accompanied by Uniit's solid folk guitar rhythms.
Uniit wrote most of the songs on the new Five2 full-length release (Yvette co-wrote one song). Live, they also interpret intricate covers, such as Those Memories of You,
inspired by the version recorded by Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, and Linda Ronstadt. The song Carey
was the first one they performedÑat a Joni Mitchell tribute night. They say they really hone in on details and listen for the nuances in each other's voices.
There's a sense of rightness,
says Charisse. Her sister Yvette says she hadn't planned on staying in Ithaca for more than a summer. That was until the three women started singing together. It changed the course of our lives,
Charisse says. Uniit says, They've changed mine.
The three in Five2 describe a bond touched by grace and committed over time. This is a serious relationship for the three of us,
Charisse says. Seriously harmonious.
Be sure to catch Five2's Musefest performance. Meanwhile check out www.five2.net.
Jody Kessler
by Erin Leidy
Ithaca local Jody Kessler is making her second appearance at Musefest this year. Hailing from NYC, she started her career as a teacher but in 1995 left that work to pursue music. She performs folk music that serves as sonic comfort food. Her style, both musical and lyrical, is right at the crossroads of the more vital branches of contemporary folk music Ñ weaving together threads of inspiration from a variety of traditional musical cultures with personal, insightful poetry. Her songs frequently assume the perspective of the spiritual traveler, inviting the listener to come along with her on the journey. The guitar and vocals are crystalline, reminding one of the best of the 1960s folk movement. Jody's sound and message come together to create an aural space that is truly meditative and conducive to community empathy, which is appropriate as she is an ordained interfaith minister. Her music is inspirational and refreshingly honest. Her solo performance at Musefest will provide audiences with a stripped-down taste of the songs that have come out of her studio work.
Since 1996 Jody has released four albums, most recently Bare Bones in 2003. This year will bring a few new songs which will be available for download on her website, jodykessler.com. She performs in a variety of venues ranging from festivals with a few thousand people in the crowd to intimate living room concerts.
Review for Linda Stout
by Becky Reyes Ð Hideaway
I want you to meet someone. She's beautiful and talented and she writes these amazing songsÉ
ÐTodd Stratton
When my friend Todd told me about Linda Stout, my first thought was, oh, he's so smitten. Then he introduced me to this beautiful wispy blonde. We talked a bit and as it happens so often between musicians, we shared our songs with each other. From the first note I heard her sing back in '92 to this day, I am still mesmerized by the depth and clarity of her vocals and lyrics. Linda is one of those rare vocalists who can sing with exhilaration like a bird taking flight.
Her debut album Good Luck Child is Linda at her best. She covers a broad spectrum of sounds and moods, which is typically Linda. She can go from sweet and child-like to hot, sultry and urgent (just listen to Tangled
). I Don't Wanna Know
takes the listener right to that heartbreaking place in a relationship where one's gut is wrenching at the realization that the relationship may not be working. Falling
on the other hand, gives you the sensation of falling in love, butterflies, and the quick catch of your breath when you think of a new love.
Linda's songs are delicate, and refined, and emotionally charged. Go see Linda as soon as possible. You will be smittenÉ
Alan Rose:Man, Myth, or Legend?
by Taz Cannon
Alan Rose has been a regular performer at Musefest since its inception. For those of you who may not have caught his act, he plays acoustic guitar and writes bitterly sarcastic love songs that we can all relate to. His live shows have been known to leave audiences breathless. AlanÕs show is fun for the entire family. The younger kids will like his smile while Mom and Dad will enjoy his lyrics. So do yourself a favor and check out Alan's setÑit will help to shed light on how bad things can really get. His songs are guaranteed therapy and salvation for all of those who may think nobody could have it as bad off as me.
Alan Rose will convince you life isn't as bad as it may seem. You might even leave his show with an entirely different slant on reality.
Nate Marshall and Katie Hand
by Emily Koester
Folk guitar and cello, upbeat and original, Nate Marshal has been traveling and playing his music to crowds in the United States and Europe for a number of years. When he can't be found on stage, you can often find him in front of the club, juggling for spare change. You tap in time to his music and try to sing along simply because his tunes are so upbeat and full of zest. At Musefest 2006 Nate will be playing with his touring partner Katie Hand, whose tender cello playing and lovely voice creates harmonies of exquisite intimacy. A great mixture of traveling blues and folk, Nate and Kate hope to give their audience a real treat. "Don your derby or Stetson, hemp necklaces and shredded jeans and bring friends with bags of tomatoes and switch-blade combs." This duo has a unique perspective on life, like the perspective a person who sings a lament while doing a back flip. See www.natemarshall.com for more information on Nate and Kate.
CROWmarley & Son
All Original Boot-stompin' Appalachian Based Folk Funk Fusion
by Emily Koester
CROWmarley & Son is a dynamic mother and son duo that explores the meaning of modern, breathing, living folk music. The rolling rhythms of their music blend and create an honest and unique sound that has qualities of classical technique and jazz theory mixed with organic intuition of the complexities of life. CROWmarley has been involved in the power of music since she was a child, knowing instinctively that creation through composition is a natural and beautiful part of being alive. This understanding has definitely been passed on to her son Tobias as well, whose bass playing brings a smooth and strong undercurrent to their music. Listening to CROWmarley & Son reminds a person that folk music is about reclaiming pride by understanding the reality of environmental destruction, war, and politics, while also contemplating the absolute beauty of our planet and it's people. As CROWmarley says, "I want folks to feel the beauty of our world --- then hopefully we will stop destroying it". www.crowmarley.com.
Ashley Cox
by Jacob Roberts
Having just returned from a European tour, Ashley Cox is ready to ride the wave of success that her new CD Honey By The Pound
has in store for her. Articulating her musical spirit through mindful verse, guitar, piano, ethereal vocal symphonies and various electronica influences, Ashley Cox has woven a tapestry of rhythm and emotion that takes the listener on a beautiful journey into the evocative world that intercedes Ashley's real life experience and creative genius. Honey By The Pound
is an hour of phenomenal musicianship (16 tracks) that travels to places vast and near, never stagnant or formulaic. Containing as much folk, rock and pop as it does electronica, the CD showcases her many styles as an artist. As the name suggests, Honey By The Pound
is simply abundant and delicious.
Ashley has an intrinsic gift of verve, which delivers passionate music that flows at once like a raindrop and tidal wave, always immersing her listeners in absolute honesty and intensity. Her unique sound has led her to perform with the likes of Me'Shell Ndegeocello and The Fun Lovin Criminals, while sharing production time with Russ Titleman, who produced Eric Clapton's Grammy award winning Unplugged CD.
Never one to gather dust, Ashley actively supports the Central New York music scene by developing new opportunities for emerging musicians and artists as an independent event producer and promotions diva. She is also mentoring her beautiful daughter Chloe in the finer points of creative self-expression.
The writing was on the wall back in 1997 when she won the Syracuse Area Music Award (SAMMY) for Best New Artist. Nearly a decade of hard work later, her endearing spirit, sound and smile have given her access into people's hearts and souls. Honey By The Pound
aims at taking her to the top. For more information about Ashley see www.ashleycoxmusic.com or www.myspace.com/receptiverecords
David Besag
Original Fingerstyle Guitar
by Emily Koester
Music is an intrinsic part of David's life and this is clearly portrayed in his focus and dedication. Labyrinthine melodies ebb and flow through a playing style that fully utilizes the guitar as a percussive and harmonic instrument. David's music comes from a place of peace where the complexities of the world can be reflected upon intuitively. The creation of music has always been a sublime experience for David - natural images inspire his composition. Through his artistic creation, starling flight is captured in music, waterfalls are reflected in harmonic tapping, and the motions of life flow from the musician to the audience. David hopes to inspire people to look around them at the beauty and perfection of living. He hopes to encourage us to awaken our artistic potential and find the mode of creation that inspires us to live a life that is conscious, aware and original.
Patti Witten
by Sean Kobuk
A lifelong musician, Patti Witten played in local bands as a sideman on alto flute, backup vocals and rhythm guitar. She abandoned the lifestyle of bands and bars in 1990 after the sudden death of her first husband. A long hiatus from music ensued while she freelanced as a graphic artist and illustrator. But when divorce, death of a loved one and hardship coincided a few years later Patti rediscovered solace and transformation in her songwriting. In 1997 she was invited to join an intensive songwriting workshop given by Rosanne Cash and it changed her life.
Patti's style of bold and intelligent
folk-pop earns frequent comparisons to Joni Mitchell, Aimee Mann and Shawn Colvin. Since the release of her 1999 debut CD Land of Souvenirs,
she has won top honors in a number of local and international competitions. She's heard on radio in the US, in Europe, on satellite radio, and in films and TV shows. Rosanne Cash remains a fan and wrote liner notes for Patti's latest CD, Sycamore Tryst, saying She is a gifted, original songwriter who delivers her songs with a clarity and strength that are quite rare.
Based in Ithaca, NY, Patti has toured cafes, concert halls and festivals in NY, PA, NJ, CT, mid-Atlantic and southeastern states. At home she hosts a monthly songwriters group and plays an active role in local co-op I-Town Records. A new CD is in the works with producer and multi-instrumentalist Rich DePaolo. Tell the Wind is scheduled for a Fall 2006 release.
Sean Kobuk
by Zack Schoedel
Anyone whose musical tastes align with well-rounded, solid alternative rock will undoubtedly fall in love at first listen with Sean Kobuk. Hailing originally from across the continent in Noorvik, Alaska, Sean's path has ultimately led him to a spot in the roster of I-town Records - a record label showcasing such local talent as John Brown's Body, Sim Redmond Band, Crow Greenspun, Thousands of One, and other great bands.
Sean's most recent endeavor Angels in the Rearview Mirror
was produced and engineered by Matt Saccuci-Morano at Electric Wilburland studios and was released in 2004 on I-town records. The album spans a dynamic musical spectrum: the songs are skillfully constructed and arranged, and Sean's lyrics are insightful, intelligent and poetic. He has an ability to craft original, introspective music while appealing to the tastes of the average music fan. His particular style seems to be unique in this region's rock scene, acquiring himself a niche for those who want more than the average. Angels in the Rearview Mirror is a complex and complete work, emotionally charged and nourishing. The album offers value and profound meaning for those who seek it.
says Papa Muse.
While some musicians cannot live up to their studio recordings once onstage, Sean's live performance is inspiring and captivating. At this year's Musefest he will play solo on the acoustic stage, exposing the true nature and unfettered expression of his convictions. For more information on Sean Kobuk check out his official website www.seankobuk.com.
Steve Gollnick
Solo Indie / Acoustic / Folk Rock
by Emily Koester
Steve Gollnick is a familiar voice to the Ithaca music scene. He is the lead singer and primary songwriter for the alt/country, roots rock outfit, Hubcap, and also is proving to be a wonderful solo artist. His atmospheric guitar and vocal style alternates between haunting and sweet, and his music has a feel of deep reality to it, music with a sense of purpose. Steve Gollnick is a unique and distinctive songwriter with a tender and precise vision and voice
says Papa Muse.
Steve sees his solo music as an opportunity to express and challenge himself as he creates his own standards of excellence. While playing with a group allows for an intense atmosphere of communication and group inspiration, solo creations are unique in their potential for intense levels of self exploration, and this artist takes full advantage of this fact. The adjustments that Steve has had to make working with Hubcap, on one hand, while performing solo on the other, puts a spotlight on his considerable talent, his versatile and commanding stage presence, and his song writing ability. Steve Gollnick believes that his solo work inspires him by exposing his talent in a raw form which he then molds to his own challenging standards. The result is wonderful music offering both pleasure and food for contemplation.
