Wendy V's Local Blend

Volume 11 Issue 4

March/April 2004 - Writer/Editor: Wendy Vickers

Related Links:
 
 Gig Calendar

Coffeehouses/venues

Just Plain Folks

 Radio Regulars page

What this newsletter's about.

Matter of FAQ: So what's it (normally) take to have your CD mentioned in Wendy V's Local Blend? Click here for the guidelines!

Singer/songwriters, venues: Have a web page full of gig dates? Send me your link for the gig calendar! 

A Milestone...

It was in late March of 1989 that, after much research, preparation, prayer, and soul searching, I made the Twin Cities my home. It was a big risk...I had no job lined up right away, I had no family here, only a couple of contacts and a place to live. All I knew was that I loved what I was hearing and seeing artistically out here, and I wanted to do something to support it. The risk paid off. These past 15 years have been the best of my life. I have all of you in large part to thank for that, for allowing me to indulge my passion for music and trusting in me to directly support all of the great talent I admire around here.  I hope that the coming year will bring even more support opportunities my way, as I make a life change or two to fulfill a commitment to relentlessly pursue a goal to do music support full time one day. But for now, here I am, doing what I can!

WIMM 

You might remember me mentioning a new local cooperative effort spearheaded by Gigi Swanson, Rebekka Fisher and Megan Foley for  Women In Music, bringing more awareness to the contributions of women musicians in the Twin Cities area. The effort has developed further in the past months. WIMM ( Women In Music Minnesota Networking) is now holding a series of monthly gatherings with women in music to discuss issues pertinent to the female musician and to share ideas and interests. Hosted by Rebekka Fisher, these discussions happen on the last Sunday of the month at the Rockin' Lobster in St. Paul. I attended the gathering in January and came away impressed and excited about the enthusiasm and the passion carried by so many women working to build a strong local music scene.

Catching up with...Andy LaCasse

About three years ago I went to one of the Minnesota Music Academy's "Demo Listen Live" sessions which took place over one of the MMA's "Seminar Saturdays". I was there either taking part or listening in on the day's seminars but thought I'd drop by the demo session for a bit to hear what new folks were out there. One fellow, Andy LaCasse, handed over a CD done with his band, Kilter. They played the first track off of it, "I Guess You're Letting Me Know." I sat there with my mouth open. Not only was it a good, catchy song that I thought had some hit potential, but I heard one of the best pop voices to come from this area.

I got myself a copy of the CD to review in Local Blend (July/August 2001 issue). I lost track of Andy LaCasse for awhile until earlier this year.  Plans I had for a brief trip to Nashville in January didn't work out...I was a bit depressed about that until I received an e-mail from Andy saying he'd lined up a last minute gig at Anodyne Coffeehouse in South Minneapolis. I went and it was a great consolation about not making it to Nashville...I wouldn't want to have missed this gig. Andy's voice is as superb live as it was on the CD. Every song he sang, whether a cover or one of his own, was on pitch, in the pocket...when doing covers, he has a great ability to choose those that fit him well and make them his own.

Andy's upcoming plans are for gigs this summer with Kilter and with the band Temporary Heroes, in which he is lead guitarist. He will also do some solo gigs here and there, including one with Bobb Fantauzzo at the Riverview Cafe in Minneapolis on the evening of March 5.  Andy will play fretless bass for Bobb's Native American flute, and he'll be performing a solo set in between duet sets. If you'd like to know where else Andy Lacasse is playing, you can get on his mailing list by dropping him a line at PO Box 270352, St. Paul, MN  55127 or lacasse@spacestar.net (he'll have a website up later this year!).


CD Spotlight:

Amy and Adams (with Jim and Mary) - Must Be Dreamin'

You can't help but like Amy and Adams. These two make you smile. Their music and interaction with the audience engage the listener effectively with warmth and sincerity. On their latest release, "Must Be Dreamin' " the songs run the gamut of the human experience...disappointment ("Rejected Again"), optimism ("There's A Road") and gentle humor ("Spider In My Guitar"). Amy and Adams are joined on this CD by Jim Finders (bass, vocals) and Mary Adams (vocals, harmonica). Nice harmonies and lovely acoustic work throughout.

Bill Geezy and the Promise Breakers- The Orchid Lounge 

This CD was just rated one of the top 10 albums of the year by the Star Tribune's "How the Critics Voted" survey, winning raves from noted columnist Tom Surowicz. Indeed, this CD has several elements of success: the highly regarded songwriting of Bill Giese (credits include Stoney Lonesome, Kate MacKenzie), stellar harmonica genius Clint Hoover and many other fine area musicians coming together for a blend of roots rock and acoustic arrangements. You can catch them May 6 for their CD release party at Ginkgo.

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There are always new and updated features at www.wendyv.com ... 

Please have a look around!

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Coming Soon:

Wendy's audiobook follow-up to 
"Out of the Jar...and Into the World":

"Treasures In the Tip Jar: the Art of Awesome Fan Support"

So what's this all about? If you're a fan who wants to show your support for an artist, or an artist hoping for more fans to support you, this is a message you'll want to hear. This honest look at the wide world of fandom from both sides shows you how to do it right and what pitfalls to avoid. Watch for it this spring!

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