Confessions of the Starving Artist - 2/21/08

Road to October
When monkey see monkey do
Ah youth has its day

Well, we are back in the swing of things again. We were away and now we are back and jet lag is no longer an excuse.

Friday nights are most often for the debut of new artists. October Road is a duo that consists of Charlie Spina on guitar and Barbara Blasucci on vocals. They played to a full house on Friday, February 15, and kept them happy with an endless supply of hits from the 1970s and 1980s. Charlie's guitar playing was impressive on "Dust in the Wind." Barbara's voice was powerful and at times reminded one of Janis Joplin. We'll see them again, further down the road.

It's always my pleasure to present Young Musicians' Night. When I was a young guy playing out, it was hard to get gigs, good ones, anyway. There were the open mic nights or "hoots" as we called them. These were a good way to learn your craft. Then there were the guys with the clipboards. These were cold auditions. Usually the audition was a half a song long. No audience, just performers. Well no more, it's all different now. We offer a forum for talented young people at Starving Artist. Saturday night, February 16, we featured two such performers. First up was Who Ha Mike Mendoza, a very funny, creative guy. He sang a few covers and a few originals and mostly won the audience with his wit. Next up was a young and pretty gal with a mile of presence and talent that I met at a gig I was playing as well. Lauren West played very solid originals and her guitar playing matched the songs nicely. I think her personality went a long way toward owning the room. Watch for these young artists.

Port O' Monkeys filled Sunday, February 17, with an exotic air. City Island's own Dr. Chris Wertenbaker is the driving force of this modular band. This time it was a duet. Chris was joined by bandmate Eve Moon playing flamenco, rumbas and gypsy tunes on guitars, and they play Middle Eastern songs on traditional instruments such as an oud. Catch Port O' Monkeys the next time they play and be transported. It's incense for your ears.

Check the schedule for this week - and treat yourself and support live independent music. Click the links. Be with us on Thursday, February 21, at 8 p.m., as Fish Altieri of the Shells fame will be giving a one-hour free seminar on "making it" and the four streams of income in the business. "CLICK ON GLICK" (#113 and #120 this week on Neil Young's Living With War Web Site. And save the date - March 8 at 8 p.m. - for I'm playing the Starving Artist myself with some surprises. And come in, and live right.

Elliott Glick