Let me start by saying this: On Saturday night, go see King Washingtonat Kathy's Pub.
I caught the majority of their set last Saturday and was blown away. The music available to stream on their website, kingwashingtonmusic.com , gives you an idea of the highly original songwriting they bring to the table, but their live show makes the quality of their music, which falls somewhere near the territory occupied by The Beatles, Paul Simonand Tom Petty, even more evident. The band has a captivating stage presenceand a penchant for three-part vocal harmonies that will leave you smiling in your seat (or paused in awe on the dance floor).
Their shows are normally comprised of all-original songs, but their three-hour sets at Kathy's give them an opportunity to play some rad covers, as well. Last week they played a murderous version of the Talking Heads' "Psycho Killer,"and later promised my lady that they'd have "This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody)"ready for Saturday night.
They play Kathy's every Saturdayuntil the end of November, which means you only have two more chances to catch them before they head back to their native land of Los Angeles. They take the stage at around 10 p.m.
Now, for the rest of the weekend.
ADVERTISEMENT
On Fridaynight, Sothea Lam,lead singer of local favorites Push & Turn,will play a solo set at the Wicked Moosestarting around 8 p.m. Expect to hear a host of laid-back covers and expert guitar strumming.
Gypsy Lumberjacksplay Whiskey Bones Roadhousestarting around 8 p.m. This Minneapolis-based crew plays Americana with dashes of international flavors like Flamenco, Gypsy jazz, and Caribbean, as well as bluegrass.
Their website, gypsylumberjacks.com , features a trio of songs available for streaming. "What you Wanted Here,"starts off with an impressive demonstration of the group's percussive capabilities, while "I Bring it Around"feels like something you might hear on a Grateful Dead bootleg. It shows off the band's careful cross-breeding of Americana with the worldlier ingredients listed above, while also serving as a platform for the lead singer's energetic delivery to shine through.
If you're downtown early on Saturdaynight and looking for somewhere to fill up before King Washington hits the stage, head over to Sontes,where The Old Fashionedswill be providing tunes starting at 7:30 p.m.
Their blend of old-time rock and old-time jazz sounds like a perfect accompaniment to the chorizo-stuffed dates and lychee martinis everyone is so fond of.
For an idea of what to expect, head over to the band's Facebook page, f acebook.com/theoldfashionedswinona .
Outside of town, Chastity Brown, a banjo-wielding soul songstress from Minneapolis, will play the Oak Center General Storein Oak Center, starting at 7:30 p.m. Admission ranges from $5 to $15, depending on what you can afford.
Brown has a distinct sound that meets at the nexus of blues, Americana, and soul music,with plenty of other influences thrown in for good measure. She possesses a smoky, emotive voice that can evoke happiness just as easily as it can despair or road-weariness.
ADVERTISEMENT
Her latest single, "Colorado,"was released in September and was recently featured on NPR's "Heavy Rotation." It finds Brown singing about life on the road over a countrified backdrop of brushed snare-drums and lilting guitars that wouldn't sound out of place on a Ryan Adamsalbum.
For more of her sounds, head over to her website, chastitybrownmusic.com , where her latest full-length album, 2012's "Back-Road Highways,"is available to stream in its entirety.
