Local Color
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Artist:
The past week had more than its share of unexpected delights on the club circuit in the City by the Bay, not the least of which was my first in-concert exposure to country-flavored Los Angeles-based ensemble Leslie and the Badgers at the cozy, no-hassle Hotel Utah bar (http://mog.com/Mike_the_Knife/blog_post/175399). And, during the most recent Saturday night edition of the Bootie mash-up party at the DNA Lounge, there was an unbelievable hour-plus of simultaneous (and outrageous/hilarious/contagious) audio and video mash-ups from Jonny of the pioneering British DJ-VJ/production troika Eclectic Method. But I was most intrigued by a smaller scale gig.
At a buddy's behest, I caught a set by Liz & the Lifted upstairs at a longtime Polk Street joint called Kimo's. Liz Culley - the sly, sexy, petite, but powerful-voiced R & B singer in the group - was a genuine surprise. With all of the fuss that's going on about the new wave of young soul divas from the U.K. (Amy, Duffy, Leona, Adele, etc.), it was a treat to encounter someone in my own backyard who could (with production support, hard work, and a few breaks) join their ranks. It didn't hurt that she was backed by some top notch San Francisco area musicians, including two members of the cult-favorite jam group Box Set - bassist Chad Heise and drummer Mark Abbott - and peripatetic keyboardist Mitch Stein of Mitch Stein & His All-Star Band.
Liz Culley - Photo by John Carman
Although she's a little rough around the edges, she's written some catchy original material, and she delivered on the vocal side. She's cute, personable and, at times, endearingly silly. With a little more seasoning, Liz could make some serious noise. And her show made a good argument for supporting your area clubs and artists.
It's not all about superstars, flavors-of-the-month, arena concerts, and festivals. Or it shouldn't be. Beat the bulrushes. Keep your ears and eyes open. You never know what you could discover.
Contrary to what Graham Parker sings, you just might want to bother with the local girls.
Locating MOG account...
Comments (21)
Discovering beauty, whether musical or not, in unexpected places, is the best. The Bay Area seems to be loaded with little-known talent.
Sir Knife: ...one of my fave Graham Parker tunes... thanks for the heads up on some state side Diva Dish... delish.
Found out about some of my favorite bands this way, it always feels good when it happens.
nice! i'm definitely gonna check her out. i love the idea of a sultry soul crooner in SF!
Spike: She's definitely attractive, but that don't mean nuthin' on stage if she doesn't have some talent. Thanks to the muses that she can hit the right notes.
vannatta: I'm curious to see where she goes from here. Show biz can be such a hard climb with so many precipitous falls, but she may have the necessary skills and the chutzpah.
Rawkkiddoh: I know you share my love of the search, and getting in on the ground floor with an act. Feels good.
mollifire: I'll try to be aware of her next gig, and let you know, molli.
Would be great to hear her. I'm sure you'll satisfy us when that opportunity arises.
"Would be great to hear her"
Failing that, another pic would do. ;)
"Leslie and the Badgers at the cozy, no-hassle Hotel Utah bar"
The Hotel Utah bar...that's where the Phantom Jet played...isn't it a kick in the head. To call it cozy...that's an understatement.
Would have loved to hear Leslie.
And yes, the locals do have color.
Do share some ear-candy with us when you get the chance :)
You sure can spot 'em, MTK....
Jonh Ingham: If and when she gets something recorded, expect to get a blast of it.
FluxCapacitor: Hmmm. Dare I show another shot and risk overheating the MOG-O-SPHERE?
annieander: You'll catch Leslie next time, I hope. Until then, you can check out the Badgers tracks on my previous post - or get a CD. Good stuff.
Anna: Will do, nomadic one.
ivylander: That's only because I'm out there lookin'...
So true... the real perseverance that it takes too - some only relate that word to the climb to the top, but as many performers have indicated, the climb up is nothing as compared to the climb (or even tumble) down, and that nothing is as tough as staying on top (like a childhood game of King of the Hill) eventually someone knocks you off your perch, it's inevitable.
From your glowing review - she has nothing but blue skies ahead for a long, long time. Grab a rough mix off the board at her next show and let's get her in the studio!
P.S. _Definitely overheat the MOG-O-SPHERE. :)
vannatta: We'll have to see what she gets into over the next few months. I'll report any notable activity. Meanwhile...
Danke... and it appears that john carman has his own brand of genius...
I know John well. He's an esteemed journalist and critic who decided to switch careers a few years back - and has become a superb photographer. He's also a great guy for allowing me to post his photos of Liz in conjunction with my ruminations.
Between listening to the brilliant Graham Parker (Damn! I LOVE that song... haven't heard it in while...) and looking at thoses beauty pics, I missed the point of this post. Were you saying something?
ha...
Support your local artist. What else?
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS REVIEW!! I just sent you an email thanking you. It is amazing that you wrote this and that people responded.. if you want pictures... Ill gladly give 'em.. and more music!! Thanks so much xooxoxox LIZ ( and theLifted)
Just doin' my duty as a concerned citizen and MOGger, ma'am. Happy to be of service.
good on ya mike! it's great to showcase local talent and I just checked Liz & the band's myspace page and they sound very promising.
True - and she's joined the ranks of the MOGgers to expound on some of her favorite music, as well as (hopefully) drop some tracks of her own and let us in on her career progress. Check it out: http://mog.com/lizculleysings