AMERICA’S GOT TALENT Steph Johnson

BY BART MENDOZA © MUSICSCENESD // MUSICSCENESD.COM

San Diego’s Voices of Our City Choir, led by Steph Johnson, have made it to the quarter-finals of NBC-TV’s America’s Got Talent. Comprised of sheltered, unsheltered and community members, the choir received the coveted Golden Buzzer win in May, via host Terry Crews, and now look for the choir on AGT in August on the live shows. “It is an amazing feeling to be competing in an extremely popular, nationally televised, hit tv show for talent...and it is completely surreal that it is all happening during a pandemic,” Johnson said. “I never could have imagined any of this was in store for Voices of Our City, a choir created for people experiencing homelessness.” For Johnson and the choir, the experience has been overwhelmingly positive. “The opportunity has brought us closer together, strengthened our purpose and brought our mission of inclusivity and love to the world. It is a miracle and the choir members and I are overwhelmed with gratitude,” she said. As busy as the choir and it’s activities have been keeping Johnson, she’s also found time to release a new jazz album, So In Love. An allstar affair, the band lineup features bassist Rob Thorsen, drummer Richard Sellers, pianist Josh Nelson, guitarist Anthony Wilson and trumpeter Chris Lawrence, while the albums ten songs include the evergreen “On the Sunny Side of the Street” and a version of Joni Mitchell’s “A Case of You.” www.voicesofourcity.org www.stephjohnsonband.com

Van Bates

Stay Safe, San Diego VOL. 5 ISSUE 8 SAN DIEGO MUSIC SCENE This Is A Show!

Live performances may be at a virtual standstill, but savvy local performers are taking their shows online. One such San Diego artist taking things to the next level is Van Bates, aka SDMA nominated rapper/ hip-hop artist, Black Hesher. Look for his brainchild, “This Is A SHOW!” to debut in September 2020 on the US Weed Channel. “It’s an alternate reality talk show with sketch comedy, music performances and general absurdity,” says Bates. “After our first season debuts it will got out to Hulu, Apple tv/ Roku tv, Amazonfire tv etc. Probably drive-ins as well, because we’re magic,” Bates joked. Half of the show is filmed inside and around the USWC TV studio in Costa Mesa, while the other half is shot around San Diego at different locations. “It depends on the sketches, they are filmed inside and outside.” Bates notes the inspiration for the show is indeed our current situation. “The show was born out of my love for absurd comedy, as well as not being able to perform live shows or tour as Black Hesher due to the current state of the world,” he said. “Co-host Sarah-Rachel Peterson and I we’re going on FB live at the beginning of the pandemic, and that natural comedy chemistry between us, lead to me pitching a show to USWC. From there it just rapidly evolved into what it is now.” As for how material is chosen to go on air, “the inspiration is whatever surrealistic humor comes out of our heads, that we find funny. Everyone on the show is inspired by each other as well. We’re people who aren’t afraid to appreciate the humor in the weirder parts of life.” The shows core cast includes Bates and Peterson as well as Devon Doane, Kate Krysinski, Stephan Wild and Stevie Snow. “We all collectively write bits and sketches for the show or act in the sketches,” Bate explained. “Shane Doull is the combination channel owner, bossand possible extraterrestrial, while Michelle Palermo handles make up and costumes and Michael Fairchild of The Spice Pistols helps me score the show.” What is the criteria for being on the show? “For guests we have a variety of comedians, musicians, authors, pet psychics and so on. Basically anyone we find interesting or cool, that we can work into to our weird wacky world, can be on.” Bates is mum on the shows first surprise guests. “We’ve had so many amazing performers so far, and we aren’t even done filming yet. I really don’t want to spoil it, but let’s just say there will be some local names people will recognize, some new names they will get to know, and some secret famous guest stars sprinkled in.” What impression does Bates hope to leave his viewers with? “We just hope to make people laugh and give people a break from the madness in the world, even if it’s only for a few minutes. We hope viewers get inspired to make their owns shows that inspire other people to make their own.” Though the first of the ten episodes comprising the first season has yet to air, Bates is already clear on his favorite things about “This is a SHOW!” “My favorite thing is all the free snacks on set,” he quipped. “But also the creative freedom that we have is awesome.” www.uswc.tv

Colin Clyne

New Music and Film Debut

Two-time SDMA “Best Singer-Songwriter” winner Colin Clyne has a new single out, “Where The Ships Go To Die.” “I’ve spent many years working on boats,” Clyne said of the songs inspiration. “This song was born from such a trip, where I happened across scores of boats and vessels lying on beaches. Holes in their hulls, diesel spewing from their tanks, battered, broken and abandoned. These ships had no future, no hope, devoid of the safety, strength, buoyancy, independence and serenity we associate with ships.” Clyne saw a parallel. “Friendship, family and love are also a haven for the heart. If we don’t care for them, maintain them and respect them through the storms of fragility of these unprecedented times, they too may end up dead and abandoned on a beach like those ships.” Currently based in Aberdeen, Clyne spent many years in San Diego and continues his local friendships and connections, including working with producer Alan Sanderson (Rolling Stones / Fleetwood Mac) of Pacific Beat Studios. “Where The Ships Go To Die” the single features a cover photo by award winning National Geographic photographer, Saiful Huq Omi To celebrate the release of ‘Where The Ships Go To Die’, while promotion includes a partnership with Reid’s Gold Brewery (https://www.reidsgold.com/) in Stonehaven, UK to produce a new beer, ‘Lost To The Sea’, available in affiliated distributors throughout Scotland. Also look for Clyne to make both a soundtrack and onscreen cameo in the upcoming Oliver Mitchell film, Plain Sight, premiering this month on various streaming platforms. www.colinclyne.com

Cover Me Contest

Iconic songwriter / Encinitas resident Jack Tempchin is sponsoring a “Cover Me” contest, with a $1,000 prize for the winner. Artists are encouraged to record one of Tempchin’s tunes however, only newer songs from his popular podcast are eligible, with 18 to choose from. “Friends, family, and past co-writers of Jack Tempchin are not eligible to enter,” making this an incredible opportunity for up and coming talent. Tempchin remains as prolific as ever, with a new single, “Six Feet Apart,” out this month, complete with a lyric video by Gregory Page. Meanwhile, two of his classic songs recorded by the Eagles, “Peaceful Easy Feeling” and “Already Gone” will be included on that bands new live album out on October 16, Live from the Forum MMXVIII. Details on the contest and podcast can be found here: www.jacktempchin. com/covermecontest

Jack Tempchin

Lux Records has a new live album from the Charles Burton Blues Band out this month

Blaise Guld + Night Viber will release a new EP on August 14. “It’s electronic synth pop, with blended influences coming from different eras and features three original songs plus one cover of Bananarama’s “Cruel Summer,” Guld said. Sandra Castillo has edited the new autobiography of graphic artist Ruby Mazur, Get Up And Move On. Mazur has received acclaim for his numerous of album and single covers, including Elton John’s Friends LP and The Rolling Stones “ Tumbling Dice” single.

The Black s Beach Boys have a new self-titled album out on August 21, with the first two singles set to be, “ Piehole” and “HGTV in HD” Bassist Ken Dow has performed in shows such as Jersey Boys, as well as with such legends as Pete Townshend, last month taking home a 2020 San Diego Music Award trophy for Best Pop band as part of the Jonny Tarr Quintet. This month he releases his first solo single, a cover of Australian combo Icehouse’s 1987 hit, “ Crazy.” Making the release extra special, the recording includes songwriter and original Icehouse member Andy Qunta www.kennymd.com

Local Music News

Hocus has recorded two new songs, “ Damage with Care” and “ Rid of You,” with videos for both imminent. If the name of the band in the current movie, Mighty Oak, sounds familiar, you’re not mistaken. No spoilers but the movie combo, “Army of Love” is based on the San Diego band from the early 1980’s who scored a turntable hit with “ Exodus” and opened for the likes of The Kink s.

Legendary jazz saxophonist

Charles McPherson releases a new album in September, Jazz Dance Suites. The album includes 15 new originals and guest appearances from singer

Lorraine Castellanos and drummer Billy Drummond. As busy as the Voice of Our City Choir and its activities have been keeping guitarist/ singer-songwriter Steph Johnson, she’s also found time to release a new jazz album, So In Love. An all-star affair, the band lineup features bassist Rob Thorsen, drummer Richard Sellers, pianist Josh Nelson, guitarist Anthony Wilson and trumpeter Chris Lawrence, while the albums ten songs include the evergreen “ On the Sunny Side of the Street ” and a version of Joni Mitchell’s “A Case of You.” www.stephjohnsonband.com New videos include Joyk ill’s socially distanced indie rocker “ This Is Not The End (Half Way Home Session)” Louis XIV is up for the deluxe vinyl reissue of their 2005 album, The Best Little Secrets Are Kept. The proposed reissue from Run Out Groove Records would feature the original twelve tracks including the hit single, “ Finding Out True Love Is Blind,” would be pressed on 140g colored vinyl and come in deluxe packaging, with 10 non-LP bonus tracks.

Gar y Puckett has a new album out, Love Songs. The ten tracks include his take on classics such as Journey ’s

“ Open Arms” and Foreigners “ I Want to Know What Love Is.” Tom Brosseau releases his 17th album, The Prairie, on August 19. The album includes a cover of John Prine’s “ They Oughta Name A Drink After You,” with the first single set to be, “ My North Dakota Home.”

Cambrian Shores has new music out August 14, with the release of four song disc, The

Coming Home EP, on Pacific Records. Blues fans will want to hear the new self-titled album from Piatt Pund. The former MBHS student turns in seven new original originals, with influences from sweet soul with “ Heartbreak Blues” to funk in “ Blue Eyed Baby.”

Queen Divas of the Universe featuring guitarist Roni Lee, bassist Shaaron Hancock-Schuemaker and keyboardist Laurie Lewis, will have their version of “ Hark The Herald Angels Sing” included on the third volume of the Power Chords Harmonies and Mistletoe series of holiday compilations due this fall from

Spain’s SNAP! Records.

Guitarist Patrick Yandall has a new album out September 1, Rouge River. While Yandall is a longtime Californian, he grew up in the Midwest. “The theme of the album reflects my love for the state and the people of Michigan, where I grew up,” he said. The album’s first single

will be “ Son Light ” Pacific Records has just released The Josh Rosenblum Band’s debut album, As The World Goes By. The first single is a tune called “ Stronger.” The Spice Pistols long awaited second album, Spice Train, is due this November. The album will consist largely of originals, but is set to include covers of The Sex Pistols song “ Submission” as well as The Rocky Horror Picture Show ’s “ Sweet Transvestite.” Vista based duo This Debacle have released their debut album, Oxen City Limits Live Stream, on all streaming sites as well as Bandcamp. Baseball tee merch is on its way. Trouble In The Wind’s third album, Weird Living, was released on August 7. Produced by John Reis (Rocket From the Cr ypt) and mixed by Ben Moore at local Singing Serpent Studio, the album’s first single is “ We’ ll Make It Through.”