Ticker: News Bits from Charleston’s Music Scene
Crowfield Get ‘Eclectic’ at the Royal American
The Music Initiative will present a pretty hefty installment of their ongoing live music series Eclectic Evenings at the Royal American this week. Charleston-based pop/rock band Crowfield — fronted by singer/guitarist/songwriter Tyler Mechem — will share the small bar-level stage with the Jacob Jeffries Band, local groove-rock quartet Old You, and special guests on Tues. Dec. 4 at 7:30 p.m. The sets will be videotaped for an upcoming episode of Balcony TV (on Comcast Channel 2). Crowfield recently headlined the Jail Break festival at the Old City Jail, and they’ve been touring the Southeast all month. The show is free. Visit themusicinitiative.com and crowfieldmusic.com for more.
Bill Carson (photo by Brad Ferguson)
Bill Carson Offers Bridges in the Wine Bar
Over the last few years, Charleston songsmith, singer, and guitarist Bill Carson has performed and recorded as a solo artists and with the New Music Collective, the Opposite of a Train, Lindsay Holler’s Western Polaroids, and many other projects. On Thurs. Dec. 6, Carson will celebrate the release of his latest batch of original works, a concise collection titled Bridges, with a reception and performance at the cozy downtown venue O’Hara & Flynn (225 Meeting St., 843-534-1916). “I had a small batch of rock ‘n’ roll type songs that I thought belonged together, so I recorded them fairly down and dirty at home with the help of some of my favorite players and singers,” Carson says.
In 2009, Carson collaborated with several local colleagues — Michael Trent (of the Films, Shovels & Rope), Cary Ann Hearst (Shovels & Rope), Owen Beverly (of Tent Revival, the InLaws), Joel Hamilton (of The Working Title, the InLaws, Mechanical River), and Sadler Vaden (ex-Leslie, Drivin’ N’ Cryin’) — to form the record label/collective Shrimp Records. Carson performs weekly shows at O’Hara & Flynn on Thursday nights at 9 p.m. The featured guest musicians this week will include Michael Flynn, Rachel Kate Gillon, Joel T. Hamilton, Nathan Koci, and Ron Wiltrout. Bridges will be available on CD and via Bandcamp.com this week. Visit facebook.com/bill.carson.503 and billcarsonmusic.bandcamp.com for more.
Oyster Rock with Larry and David at the Windjammer
The Larry David Project have signed on for another series of weekly oyster roast gigs at the Windjammer on the Isle of Palms. Singer/guitarist Dave Dunning (of the Diesel Brothers) and singer/percussionist Larry Strickland (of Spunjwurthi) make a lot of sweet noise for a two-piece act (*I’ve played on stage with both fellas from time to time, so I know their proficiency, style, and ‘tude). The duo’s repertoire includes plenty of classic rock standards, old-school country, ’70s pop, A.M. gold, and Key West-style jams. The Larry David Project performs at the club every Tuesday from 5-9 p.m. through the oyster season. The staff will be steaming local oysters “for $6.50 a bucket while they last.” Admission is free. Visit the-windjammer.com for more.
Bands Battle for the Lowcountry Food Bank at the Farm
The first annual Lowcountry Battle of the Bands (previously billed as the Trident United Way Battle of the Bands) is set for Thurs. Dec 6 at the Music Farm. Designed as a fundraiser for the Lowcountry Food Bank, the event’s roster features seven local acts, including Steel Petals, Mojo McGee, Headrush, On the Hunt, Dirtweed, the Victoria Station Band, and NOTA. The Lowcountry Food Bank serves the 10 coastal counties of South Carolina and distributes more than 19 million pounds of food a year. The event starts at 5:30 p.m. Admission is a $10 donation at the door. See music farm.com and lowcountryfoodbank.org for more info.
Keb Mo’s latest
Mo’ Keb Mo at the Charleston Music Hall
Local promotors All-In Entertainment and Ear for Music will present Grammy Award winner Keb Mo in concert at the Charleston Music Hall on Fri. Dec. 7 at 8 p.m. Mo is an acclaimed blues/Americana songwriter and guitarist who’s been touring the world for years. He provided commentary for the acclaimed 2003 PBS series Martin Scorsese Presents the Blues. Mo’s latest disc, The Reflection, leans away from his Delta blues style and toward a jazzy soul/R&B mix of styles. He’ll be solo on stage at the Charleston Music Hall this week. Tickets are available for $36 via the venue’s box office, at Monster Music & Movies Cat’s Music stores, and online at etix.com. Visit kebmo.com for more.
The Cool Host Annual Toy Drive on Folly
Veteran Charleston-area rock/pop party band the Cool will host their long-running annual Cool Yule benefit show at the Sand Dollar on Folly on Sun. Dec. 9. As always, the event is set up to showcase a variety of local rock, blues, and pop acts while raising funds and supplies for the local Toys for Tots organization. Lead guitarist/singer Bill Cool, singer/keyboardist Fiona Phillips, bassist Robbie Bendell, and drummer Adam Bradley will headline the show with support from Sarah Cole and the Hawkes, Neverthaless, Jamisun Hodge, Hot Sauce, Jeff Dent, Hollowpoint, and the Sandinistas. Doors will open at 4 p.m. and the music will start at 6 p.m. Admission is $10 or a wrapped/new toy donation. See thecool.biz for more.
The Cool (photo by Stephen Blackmon)
Jazz at Voodoo with the Gradual Lean
With all of their core members involved with numerous live and studio projects, local jazz/improv combo the Gradual Lean (pictured above) rarely gets to perform around town these days. Fortunately for local fans, four of the main Gradual Lean musicians plan to reconvene at the Voodoo Tiki Bar and Lounge (at 15 Magnolia Road in West Ashley) on Tues. Dec. 11 at 9 p.m. Electric guitarist Lee Barbour, bassist Kevin Hamilton, trumpeter Charlton Singleton, and drummer Quentin Baxter will work out a variety of eclectic grooves, instrumental improvisations, Latin-tinged explorations, and unexpected interpretations. Admission is $3. See voodootikibar.com for more.
Top photo by Ballard Lesemann.
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About the Author
Ballard Lesemann is a musician and writer. Born and raised in Charleston, S.C., he spent years playing in bands and working for Flagpole Magazine in the bustling music town of Athens, Ga. He returned to his hometown and served more than seven years as the Charleston City Paper's music editor. He's better at drumming than he is at playing guitar.
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