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KFOG's Local Scene 3 CD
Or, click here to purchase both Local Scene 3 AND Local Scene 2 for just$10.00 while supplies last.
KFOG's Local Scene 3 Artists: grown, Alexis Harte, Brigitte DeMeyer, Keith Varon, The Bittersweets, Etienne De Rocher, Forest Sun, Mike Therieau, Nya Jade, Chris Brown, MiGGs, The Lovemakers, The Mother Hips, Pollo Del Mar
Click here for Press Buzz about some of our artists.
The classic tale really. Two art students meet at a midwestern university (vocalist Jeff Senatra and guitarist David Sullivan) and begin composing songs. A few years later they both found themselves moving to San Francisco, though unplanned and independent of one another. After reconnecting in SF they continued to compose together, and eventually decide to record some of the wealth of their material. Fellow Midwesterner and then recent Bay Area transplant, drummer Tom Connell, was recruited to join Senatra and Sullivan in the studio, and the three produced their debut CD, entitled Raven Thoughts. Some time during the recording process, Senatra met Josh Sepe at a Haight Street bar. After a couple jam sessions, Sepe was quickly brought in to add horns and some bass to the recording. grown as a band was born from there. Shortly there after a co-worker friend of Sepe's, Matt Lucas, joined the four to take over on bass, and the line-up became complete. grown has been playing in San Francisco since 2003, and after a recent extended break, they're back at it. Favorite Venue: "Let's just say we're covetous of Bimbo's and the [Great] American Music Hall..." Favorite Hang Out: "We've enjoyed hanging at La Rondalla on Valencia and 20th St., after weekend practices. They make margaritas that sock you like an ape fist. But in the end, nothing tops the beer garden at Zeitgeist..."
Like flora and fauna quietly possessing an abandoned building, leave a similarly idle moment in your otherwise busy, professional life and one of Alexis Harte's songs will crawl in to take root. With folk, pop, and Americana at their core, the 13 songs that comprise Tumbling are a treasure trove of well-crafted gems, brought to life by Harte's alluring vocals and masterful guitar playing (his previous CD was Editors Top Choice in Acoustic Guitar Magazine). Tumbling builds on the strong grassroots support he earned through his previous studio release, The Alexis Harte Band has enchanted audiences through NPR's All Songs Considered, PBS's Bill Moyers Now, on the WB, UPN, and Nickelodeon Networks, at folk festivals, and in the top clubs of Harte's native Bay Area (including Slim's and The Fillmore, where they opened for legendary bluesman Taj Mahal). Favorite Restaurant in the Bay Area: "La Mediterranee (SF), Aperto (Potrero Hill) and Trattoria La Siciliana (Berkeley)" Favorite Bay Area Activity: "Eating and walking it off"
Brigitte DeMeyer’s career has been on the upswing since the success of her debut. On her latest effort, Something After All, the folk of today is given a new guise with her inspiring words laden with Southern groove. Working with producer and drummer Brady Blade of Emmylou Harris’ Spyboy Band, DeMeyer’s singing and songwriting take another quantum leap with a collection of strong originals and carefully chosen covers. DeMeyer and Blade obviously enjoy working together. You can feel their exuberant energy in every track. For “Honey Darlin,” DeMeyer wanted a gospel feel and Blade captured it. “He recorded us clapping live in time to the music around a microphone, and recorded our boots stomping in time to the music with a mic on the floor. He also played his sticks on the floor and Bernard Fowler made up the background vocal part in one take. I wanted a churchy vibe and that’s what I got.” Steve Earle’s harmonica adds some bluesy, country grit to DeMeyer’s bright, bouncy take on Earle’s “More Than I Can Do.” “Steve is an inspired songwriter. The fact that he played on my album was a real treat for me. I’d say the two writers that have inspired me most are Bob Dylan and Steve Earle, so with him being on this CD I’m halfway home.” “There isn't just one way for me in songwriting,” DeMeyer explains. “I try to keep myself open to every experience because you never know when inspiration will hit. I try to figure out what I’m trying to say with the song or what kind of story I’m telling and be concise about it.” Favorite Bay Area Activity: "Gigging, going out to hear live music or dining out" Favorite Hang Out: "Wherever my husband and son are or wherever I am making music with friends"
Keith Varon’s sound is often compared to the likes of Vertical Horizon, Goo Goo Dolls and Howie Day. His ability to draw from his emotions invokes a sense of what is real and honest, never afraid to touch on the darker side of life Varon always allows the light in enough to have an underlying sense of hope within. Whether it be his knack for catchy melodies or his heart wrenching lyrics. His passion for music transcends all the modern day trends and is timeless in his uncanny ability to song write and perform. His ability to draw in a crowd with his endearing stage presence and electric live energy it’s no wonder MTV has already aired two of his songs. Love is a Hero is what Keith has been waiting for since the day he started writing songs 6 years ago. Incorporating love, hardship, philosophy, heartbreak, and life experience. This brilliant mix of classic songwriting with a contemporary edge is sure to open the hearts of anyone who hears it. Favorite Bay Area Restaurant: "I love me some organic healthy food and Asquew Grill on Haight Street is the Da Bomb!" Favorite Bay Area Activity: "Going out to shows and supporting my friends in the local scene. Watching the musical progression of my friends is so inspiring for me."
"I think it is a combination of having a great group of musicians, serendipity, and the fact that we've had a pretty clear plan from the beginning," says singer/guitarist Hannah Prater [about how The Bittersweets came to be]. "I used to hate country music with a passion," says singer/guitarist and the band’s songwriter, Chris Meyers. Of all places, he stumbled upon country music in his sociological studies at college in rural Ohio. "Some people go to college and discover Marx or Chaucer. I found Jimmie Rogers," he says. After graduating and moving to San Francisco, he eventually met Prater and the two hit it off immediately. Prater was a seasoned musician herself, having already toured Europe as a jazz vocalist. Within weeks of starting jam sessions in a barn behind her house, neighbors were pulling lawn chairs into their backyards and rehearsals became impromptu concerts. Dubbing themselves The Bittersweets, Meyers commented, “I'd hope that our music points towards some truth or reality about life, and I think that for many people, life is a mix of sadness and hope.” In 2005, Meyers & Prater issued a self-released EP, which garnered critical acclaim and strong audience response throughout the Bay Area. The band soon expanded from a duo to a 5-piece outfit, adding renowned drummer Steve Bowman (Counting Crows, Third Eye Blind), bassist Daniel Schacht (Jolie Holland), and multi-instrumentalist Jerry Becker. In early 2006, The Bittersweets returned to the studio with completely re-recorded versions of the EP tracks, along with 6 entirely new songs. The resulting full-length, The Life You Always Wanted, was mixed by David Henry (REM, Josh Rouse, Guster), and arrived in stores this summer. The Bittersweets are now poised to build even further on their success in the Bay Area and replicate it throughout the country, supported by an extensive national touring plan. Favorite Venue to Play: "The Fillmore, SF" Favorite Bay Area Activity: "Driving Highway 1"
Etienne de Rocher grew up in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, moved to the West Coast to study Physics at UC Berkeley, but promptly dropped out to focus on songwriting and recording. His self-released demo tapes, 7” singles, and unique soulful performances garnered a local cult-like following and a major label offer. De Rocher opted instead to keep things local and indie by teaming up with Fog City Records producer Dan Prothero and enlisting former CAKE drummer Todd Roper and bassist Todd Sickafoose (Ani diFranco, Nels Cline) to record his long-awaited debut. Favorite Bay Area activity: "Big Wheel Race down Lombard Street" Favorite place to hang out: "Kitty's Bar in Emeryville"
"If Van Morrison, Paul Simon and Jack Johnson wrote songs on the road with Jack Kerouac and Ram Dass in the back seat it would sound like this..." -CD Baby Favorite Venue to Play: "Larkspur Café Theatre, Larkspur" Favorite Bay Area Activity: "Circumambulating Mt.Tam"
In the Bay Area’s interconnected music community, Mike Therieau is what is known as a “lifer.” He was in his first band at the age of 15, the garage rock foursome, The Event. After graduating from high school in San Diego, he moved up to San Francisco and joined the 60s-influenced R&B outfit The Loved Ones. After they disbanded, Mike helped to start the classic rock/Americana band, Mover. For the past five years, Mike has been the bass player, backing vocalist and co-Songwriter in the California country band, Dave Gleason’s Wasted Days. Although the name Mike Therieau may not be as recognizable as the bands he’s played in, his bass playing, voice and stage presents are. With the release of Mike Therieau’s first solo, full length CD, Living from a Suitcase, Mike moves up to the plate (actually, the microphone) and becomes the front man we’ve all been waiting for. Favorite Restaurant in the Bay Area - "Dona Tomas (Oakland)" Favorite Hang Out - "Kitty's (Emeryville)"
Cruising effortlessly through irresistible ballads, buoyant rock, and soulful pop symphonies, singer/songwriter Nya Jade’s debut album My Denial stands as a potent introduction to a resourceful and gifted young artist. The San Francisco-based singer/songwriter has already drawn acclaim throughout the Bay Area for her unique music, a bold blend of sounds utterly unbound by genre, unified by Nya’s passionate, perceptive vocals. Songs such as the turbulent title track My Denial and the provocative first single, “One Pill” mark the emergence of a remarkable new talent, one whose fierce intelligence burns as brightly as her uncommon creativity. “I’m such a fan of different forms of music,” Nya says. “My goal from the start was to make a record where no two songs sounded exactly the same, with my voice tying it all together.” Favorite Venue to Play: "The Great American Music Hall, The Red Devil [Lounge]" Favorite Hang Out: "Golden Gate Park! We filmed part of my music video for One Pill in a section of Golden Park!"
An award-winning independent filmmaker by day, Chris's work has screened in festivals worldwide. His latest film, "Scared New World," won Best Feature at the 2006 Pacific Edge Film Festival. With Now That You’re Fed, his solo debut, Chris brings his layered, catchy, sometimes caustic vision to the music world. Recorded in Chris’s Richmond District apartment and mixed by childhood friend Chris Manning, Now That You’re Fed has been named “one of the best albums of the year,” by Alan Haber and Absolute Power Pop. Having played in a number of Bay Area bands over the last decade, Chris can also be heard singing or playing on upcoming releases by Heidi Jane, Jon Del Arroz, the Well Wishers and Chris Manning. Favorite Restaurant in the Bay Area: "Tommy’s, Trattoria Contadina, La Barca" Favorite Hang Out: "North Beach"
If the Beatles and Weezer had an affair (sorry, Yoko) and abandoned their love child for the wolves at New York's CBGB (pre-bankruptcy), MiGGs would be the bastard child. Blending musical genres like an iPod hopped up on steroids, MiGGs moves from alt/rock and emo to pop and classic melodic rock with grace and ease. Heartfelt lyrics, memorable live shows, catchy hooks, and vocal harmonies captivate listeners anywhere, anytime whether its opening for Aerosmith and Lifehouse or creating acoustic magic in an intimate venue. No desire to be pop whores and not to be lost in the abyss of today's disposable entertainment, MiGGs is for real ROCK. Their 2005 released second album, InsOmnia, ups the ante even more. Produced by Gavin MacKillop (Goo Goo Dolls, Barenaked Ladies, Sugarcult) with 3 additional songs produced by JC Convertino (Madonna, Goo Goo Dolls) InsOmia is a feast of intimate, honest lyrics, unforgettable solo and harmony vocals, and music that can veer in a heartbeat from near silence to peaks of sonic power. Favorite Venue to Play: "Slim’s and Hotel Utah" Favorite Restaurant in the Bay Area: "NEVER disappointed in a PF Chang's"
The Lovemakers make electronic/rock dance music with a passionate, sexually charged fury. At times aggressive and mythical, other times painfully honest, their music is rich in melody and drama with an underlying commitment to pop hooks. The Lovemakers radiate pure love for what the do, not least of all in their mission to entertain, liberate and, yes, command audiences to once again dance to a rock band. Having been kicked out of their previous band, Scott Blonde and Lisa Light formed The Lovemakers in the spring of 2002, together with Jason Proctor, who conveniently lived on the same street in Oakland. Rounding out the group is the loosest cannon from Concord, CA: Josh "The Eagle" Kilbourn on the drumkit. On their Cherrytree/Interscope Records debut album, Times of Romance, The Lovemakers tease and condemn, love and hate, break up to make up, all to an addictively danceable heartbeat. The first single, "Prepare for the Fight" has already made waves in clubs and radio nationwide.
Formed nearly 15 years ago at Chico State in Northern California, The Mother Hips have seen it all, and there are already two documentaries about them -- Stories We Could Tell and This Is The Sound. And when singer/guitarist Greg Loiacono told his bandmates he wanted to take a break following the release of 2001’s critically acclaimed Green Hills Of The Earth, it seemed as though the Hips were on their way to getting thrown into the coulda-woulda-shoulda pile. But with the release of the band’s new seven-inch and EP on New York City upstart Camera Records, it’s clear that The Mother Hips (Bluhm, Loiacono, drummer John Hofer and bassist Paul Hoaglin) aren’t just back -- they’re back with a purpose. “Red Tandy,” “Blue Tomorrow” and the EP-only “Colonized” are all perfect examples of the group’s ability to channel such classic bands as The Byrds, Buffalo Springfield, The Band and The Beach Boys while writing thoughtful and beautiful tunes that sound just as timeless as the Hips’ inspirations. And, of course, the guys still have something to say. The quartet’s first release in four years features songs—two on the vinyl, four on the CD (including an alternate version of “Red Tandy”)—written both collaboratively and separately, and is an excellent appetizer for a new full-length LP slated to be issued next year. If the Hips sound creatively energized amidst all the harmony-drenched, California-baked rock, it’s because they are. Favorite Venue to Play – "The Independent, SF" Favorite Hang Out – "It’s a secret"
Favorite Bay Area Activity: "Checking out live music!" Favorite Hang Out: "Friday evenings at The Speakeasy Brewery, Surf Sundays at The Hotel Utah" |
Once again, KFOG’s Local Scene 3 is a benefit for Music In Schools Today, (MuST), which supports, develops and promotes music education for youth in public schools grades K-12 and in the Bay Area. For more information about Music In Schools Today, go to 
And, KFOG's Local Scene 2 CD is still available for purchase. 
Alexis Harte: 
Brigitte DeMeyer: 
Keith Varon: 
The Bittersweets: 
Etienne De Rocher: 
Forest Sun: 
Nya Jade: 
Chris Brown: 
MiGGs: 
The Lovemakers: 
Pollo Del Mar: