Woodshedding at Kulak's
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Artist:
I'm not sure I've ever encountered anything quite like Kulak's Woodshed - a funky, casual, non-profit music venue that's been offering its (sort-of) stage to talented Los Angeles-area performers for over a decade, and is financed completely by donation. My introduction to Kulak's, like a few of my most valued L.A. music scene connections, was courtesy of that talented couple (and righteous MOGgers) Robin Danar and Celia Chavez.
The room, located on Laurel Canyon Boulevard in North Hollywood, doesn't serve food or drink - just melodies, words and harmonies, most nights of the week. It was the invention of one Paul Kulak - a music lover who dreamt of a sanctuary where singer-songwriters could feed their creative fires in front of a supportive group of fans, with video cameras recording the action. Kulak's Woodshed doesn't have a stage per se; there's floor space for the musicians, surrounded by seating in the form of old easy chairs, couches, wooden benches and such. It only holds about 30 people, but the cameras and mixing-board feed each show to the Internet for a webcast. Among the artists who have performed there: Delaney Bramlett of Delaney & Bonnie, Chris Hillman of the Byrds and the Flying Burrito Brothers, the Ditty Bops, Doug Feiger of The Knack, Jackson Browne, John McEuen of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Julianna Raye, Kenny Rankin, Paula Cole, Stephen Bishop, and so many more.
As it happens, my first visit to Kulak's was to catch a recent live set by ubiquitous singer-songwriter Celia - which was also my first chance to see her doing a set of her original compositions with a full band. And a fine thing it was.
Celia Chavez at Kulak's
She rambled through a number of songs from her album Sailor's Daughter - a collection of ear-caressing ruminations and exclamations that touch on pop, rock, jazz, folk and blues strains but defy easy classification. And she also did one of my favorite of her tunes, the spirit-lifting, soon-to-be-recorded "Hello, Sunshine." Her backing musicians - Tim Young on guitar, Jon Ossman on bass, and Erik Eldénius sitting in for Sebastian Aymanns on drums - were nothing less than stellar, and a collegial complement to her airy, yet seductive vocals. Young's nimble and angular guitar-playing was particularly memorable. The whole thing went out on the 'net for Kulak's live webcast - as usual.
Kulak's is an amazing place that deserves support from anyone who cares about fostering good music. You can learn more about the Woodshed by clicking here and navigating around the site. You can check out some archived performances, look at the upcoming schedule, and even make an on-line donation to help keep the joint running. If you're in the L.A. area, you might plan to attend a show; if not, just log into an enticing live webcast.
Although I don't have access to any of Celia's webcast from Kulak's, here's a clip of her and her band from a few months back, playing her jaunty song "Vega$" on the Acme Comedy Theater's Acme Saturday Night variety show. Take a look and listen.
Locating MOG account...
Comments (15)
Nice. damn
Wow MTK, thanks so much for such a glowing review of Kulak's, and your kind words about my fellow musicians who play with me here in LA. Kulak's is definitely a special and unique place for Los Angeles, both as a venue from the performer's point of view and also as a fun, casual place to come see shows.
Hope some of our fellow MOGgers can catch some of the shows online and help support this rare music venue!
xoxo -C.
wish I had places like that here in minnesota
Celia is great as is the venue! Btw, who was the guy that introduced the band? He looks really familiar to me.
dmdm: Damn right.
Celia: You are most welcome. It was my pleasure, so thank you too!
Rawk: I'll bet there's something comparable in the Twin Cities. Whether there is or isn't, try to catch a webcast.
August: That's Rick Fox, a personable TV actor and former member of the hated (by me) L.A. Lakers pro basketball team.
I'll tell you what was worse--not being a Laker fan and having a girlfriend love Rick Fox! he's a great guy though, especially now that he's retired.
cool piece, Mike. Kulak's deserves respect. don't forget.....there's a bed there as well that people just lay on, and usually a dog. asking for donations actually feels good there.
as far as C? i just heard a new one she's working on that's pretty awesome. i'm a fan. and her band? i use them on anything i can get them to play on!
Ah, ok, I knew he was some type of celebrity but just couldn't recall Fox's name. He has quite a smile.
Btw, here's a recent performance at the 'shed I found on youtube(to give people an idea of what the venue looks like inside):
Robin: That wouldn't happen to be her deliriously lovely cover of Neil Young's "Harvest Moon," would it?
August: Cool. Wanted to get a clip from the show I was at, but failing that, went for the artist. You found a fine example of the wondrous Woodshed in action, though.
Thx, it looks like an incredible, intimate live venue.
I've been diggin' this song since Christmas.
Love everything Celia does.
August: 'Tis indeed.
Dave: I'm in the club, too. Just caught her and a few of her singer-songwriter pals (some of whom are my pals) trading tunes at the Cafe Muse last night. Splendid.
Very cool, Mike.
You continue take advantage of the left coast shows - I've got 'em covered here on the right ;-)
(though did I see that Celia might be coming New York way again soon?)
Dave: Perhaps she's got some NYC dates set. Not sure. I think you can check her schedule on facebook - the infamous time vampire masquerading as a social network.
Hee, hee - "time vampire" indeed.
Though really - all of these "social networking" sites (MOG included) are time vampires.
I do think Celia is coming NYC way soon, though.
Ack! Drained of another five minutes! Losing consciousness. Can't...stay...online...