Heartless Bastards | Way Over Yonder | Santa Monica Pier | 9/27/14 [Photos]

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THE ACT: Heartless Bastards | Facebook | Twitter Instagram

SOUNDS LIKE: 

THOUGHTS: I was really looking forward to seeing/hearing Heartless Bastards live, but sound problems at the start of their set didn’t really give me a chance really appreciate what I know this band is capable of. Granted, I only stayed for the first half of their set (I had to photograph another artist whose set had started) and, as you can tell from the Instagram video clips bellows (that I filmed as I was walking to the other state) their sound issues did get better. But, I think I’ll reserved my opinions … until I can catch them in concert again.

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VIDEO CLIPS:

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Linda Perhacs | Way Over Yonder | Santa Monica Pier | 9/27/14 [Photos]

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THE ACT: Linda Perhacs | Facebook | Twitter Instagram

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THOUGHTS: I had never heard of Linda Perhacs before Way Over Yonder, but when I googled her name, I found a Wikipedia entry that revealed to me that she had recorded her first album in 1970 titled “Parallelograms”. Further research revealed that this psychdelic folk album, though not commercially successful when it was initially released, was having its own modern day renaissance. Highly rated by many critics and online resources, the album has been reissued on several occasions over the years. It took over 40 years, but Ms. Perhacs finally recorded and released her sophomore album, “The Soul of All Natural Things” earlier this year.

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VIDEO CLIPS:

To Check Out Other Acts that I Caught At Way Over Yonder, CLICK HERE!

Chris Robinson Brotherhood | Way Over Yonder | Santa Monica Pier | 9/27/14 [Photos]

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THE ACT: Chris Robinson Brotherhood | Facebook | Twitter Instagram

SOUNDS LIKE: 

THOUGHTS: Chris Robinson, the Black Crowes frontman, has been recording and releasing music “solo” since 1993 and has at least 10 albums since 1993. Founded in 2011, Chris started the Chris Robinson. Though I don’t have all of the band’s albums, I do have “The Magic Door” (released in 2012) and that album is a solid album that jams with the best of them. The Chris Robinson Brotherhood didn’t let me down. It was a great, mellow vibe that I can only imagine audience would have experienced at a Grateful Dead show back in the day.

SETLIST (Unverified):setlist-image-v1

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VIDEO CLIPS:

To Check Out Other Acts that I Caught At Way Over Yonder, CLICK HERE!

Joe Pug | Way Over Yonder | Santa Monica Pier | 9/27/14 [Photos]

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THE ACT: Joe Pug | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

SOUNDS LIKE: 

THOUGHTS: Joe Pug is a singer-songwriter whose folk music is as tender and moving as it comes. Performing solo, armed with just his acoustic guitar and a harmonica, Joe’s soothing sound, under the bright red spotlight, mellowed the audience into a blissful trance. His performance was emotional, without being overindulgent. Critics have favorably compared him to Bob Dylan, and I can’t disagree. I like Bob Dylan. I also like Joe Pug.

PHOTOS:

 

VIDEO CLIPS:

To Check Out Other Acts that I Caught At Way Over Yonder, CLICK HERE!

Jamestown Revival | Way Over Yonder | Santa Monica Pier | 9/27/14 [Photos]

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THE ACT: Jamestown Revival | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

SOUNDS LIKE: 

THOUGHTS: I first saw Jamestown Revival at KCRW’s concert series Country In The City this summer, and they were terrific. Noted music industry blogger Bob Lefsetz called them a “revelation”. I completely agree. In fact, I won’t bother writing any more about them in the post. Rather, I suggest you take a read of what Mr. Lefsetz said about them by CLICKING HERE … after you take a look at some of the photos that I snapped 😉

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VIDEO CLIPS:

To Check Out Other Acts that I Caught At Way Over Yonder, CLICK HERE!

Leslie Stevens | Way Over Yonder | Santa Monica Pier | 9/27/14 [Photos]

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THE ACT: Leslie Stevens | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

SOUNDS LIKE: 

THOUGHTS: Leslie Stevens sings with a sublime, soprano frailty that reminds me of country singers like Tammy Wynette and Dolly Parton. I don’t know much about her, but I think she is a Los Angeles native (her latest album was recorded at Five Star Studio in Echo Park). There was a wave of country that came out of California with the likes of Merle Haggard … perhaps she cane the catalyst for another California, Country renaissance.

PHOTOS: Darn that red spotlight!!!

 

VIDEO CLIPS:

To Check Out Other Acts that I Caught At Way Over Yonder, CLICK HERE!

The Lone Bellow | Way Over Yonder | Santa Monica Pier | 9/27/14 [Photos]

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THE ACT: The Lone Bellow | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

SOUNDS LIKE: 

THOUGHTS: These guys were great to watch live. This Brooklyn-based group of transplanted Southerners have a brand of Americana (a rocking and rolling, country sound) that is a perfect soundtrack for a beautiful summer afternoon by the sea. Having released an album in 2013, the group is planning to release their sophomore album in early 2015, and it was produced by Aaron Dessner, a member of The National who writes the majority of their music (Listen to the track by CLICKING HERE). Look, if The Lone Bellow are good enough for Mr. Dessner, it’s good enough for me.

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VIDEO CLIPS:

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Riff Raff | Sunset Strip Music Festival | 9/20/14 [Photos]

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THE ACT: Riff Raff | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

SOUNDS LIKE: 

THOUGHTS: Riff Raff. He started from the bottom now he’s here. He first came onto the scene as a contestant on MTV’s reality show “From G’s to Gents”, and he’s still a G. His eccentric style coupled with crazy lyrics are on full display with his latest album, “Neon Icon”, that was released earlier this year, and his performance at the Sunset Music Festival was filled with his catchy hooks and undeniable swagger. Perhaps the most amusing, and out of the box, moment of his performance was when he went “old school” and got his long, flowing locks braided during a song. Definitely a first for me.

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VIDEO CLIPS:

To Check Out Other Acts that I Caught At The Sunset Strip Music Festival, CLICK HERE!

Lenny Goldsmith | Way Over Yonder | Santa Monica Pier | 9/27/14 [Photos]

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THE ACT: Lenny Goldsmith | Facebook | History

SOUNDS LIKE: 

THOUGHTS: Though I typically do my research before attending festivals, I didn’t do so with this year’s Way Over Yonder because I, for the most part, knew a majority of the acts that were scheduled to perform. One of the artist’s that I really had no clue about was Lenny Goldsmith. When I walked into the carousel stage area, I noticed and elderly gentleman seated behind a keyboard, back by a full band and background vocalists. I was at first skeptical of what I was about to hear, that changed as soon as he started singing. Soulful blues music filled the room and I quickly pulled my phone out to see who this man was. It turns out Lenny has had quite the history in the music industry: fronting several bands and performing records that were Billboard #1 singles, mentored by Clive Davis, was, for a time, the lead signer of Tower of Power, it all made sense. I couldn’t stay for his entire performance, but I was glad I was able to hear what I heard.

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VIDEO CLIPS:

To Check Out Other Acts that I Caught At Way Over Yonder, CLICK HERE!

The Barr Brothers | Way Over Yonder | Santa Monica Pier | 9/27/14 [Photos]

To Check Out Other Acts that I Caught At Way Over Yonder, CLICK HERE!

THE ACT: The Barr Brothers | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

SOUNDS LIKE: 

THOUGHTS: The first band that I was able to catch perform on the second day of Way Over Yonder was the Canadian folk quartet The Barr Brothers. Their acoustic sound was a pleasure to listen to during the mid-afternoon, especially with Sarah Page playing the harp on a number of selections. I mean … how often do you get to see a harp played on stage at a non-classical concert? I was particularly impressed with their instrumental arrangements and musicality.

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VIDEO CLIPS:

To Check Out Other Acts that I Caught At Way Over Yonder, CLICK HERE!