Author: Adam Johnston

party at the Funk ‘N Dive

~ Adam Johnston

It’s been a long time since we got to play Funk ‘N Dive, so this Saturday, Feb 15, 9p – midnight ($5 cover, 21+) will be a great celebration for us and a fun party for you. We still have this fond memory of FND from early on in our gigging, everything from setting up to hanging out in the green room to having people behind us sing along to Sesame Street in one of the best dive bars in the country.

This time around it’s even more meaningful. We’re honoring the life of our first patron and number one fan, Caryn’s mom, Sherri, who died this week and whose funeral is earlier the same day as this show. We’re all out to support our Diva from all corners, the rhythm section to the folks on the floor to the people calling out from the bar stools. Join in as we turn it up and celebrate a life by playing favorite songs at this after party. Come sing along, raise a glass, and cheer on Caryn.

jazz for the loins

~ Adam Johnston

Here at the home of the plinky pianist, we were listening to music from the parallel projects Vulfpeck and Vulfmon. (If you’re unfamiliar you should change that — we’re big fans here in the band.) Plinky piano’s partner reflected that she really likes the Vulf projects. They’re jazzy in that funky groove way rather than the traditional jazz club way. And then she said the words that moved us: “They’re like Standards & Substandards. Instead of jazz for the mind it’s jazz for the loins.”

We’ll take it, happily. A comparison to Vulf? That’s probably a bit too much. But a suggestion that we play music that makes sense to our gut rather than something more academic? Absolutely. Thanks to one of our biggest fans for helping us with a good description of what we’re trying to do — and maybe our next t-shirt design.

If you need some more jazz for the loins, the heart, or even a little for the mind, join us tonight at Grand America Lobby Lounge, 7-10p, Friday January 10. All ages, no cover. We’re pulling out a long list of standards and working our way into contemporary songbook twists. Hope to see you and friends there.

our one holiday show this year

~ Adam Johnston

We almost forgot to alert you! Tonight we’ll be playing the Grand America Lobby Lounge, 7-10p; Friday, December 20th; free / all ages. It’s a nice evening out and the setting is festive, AND it’s the one gig of the year when we have the full set of holiday music readied: Bluesy twist on “What Child Is This,” an upbeat version of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” a newly learned jazz take of “My Favorite Things.” Yes, and so much more. And other stuff, too. Call one out and we’ll play it.

And have a Merry Christmas. We’ll see you again in the new year!

music! tonight!

~ Adam Johnston

We got behind in our posts and updates, but in case you’re in the Big City tonight, we’ll be playing the Grand America Lobby Lounge, 7-10p; Friday, October 25th; free / all ages. Fancier vibe with the nice furnishings and fancy small plates and drinks. Hang out while we play a set that we’re going to call from the line of scrimmage, challenging each other with songs as we go. We’re looking forward to an easy Friday night hangout. We always make new friends each time we play this lounge.

Here’s us being fancy last month on Peery’s Egyptian stage (photo courtesy of Excellence Concerts, Lex Anderson)

a big night

~ Adam Johnston

We have a big night coming up. Monday isn’t usually an eventful evening out on the town for us, but this is an especially notable exception.

Thanks to the good folks at Gandy Dancer Mercantile and Excellence in the Community, we get to play on the stage of Peery’s Egyptian Theater in Ogden on Monday, October 7, at 7:30. We get a full stage, big sound, bright lights, and a grand piano; and you get theater seats under the stars of the historic architecture.

Doors and pre-show at 6:30, featuring Stampede playing in the lobby. We’re co-headlining with bluegrass band Basin & Grange, a different musical style but clearly a group with the same sense of playfulness in band names.

This is free and all ages. There are 800 seats; make sure you’re there to claim your favorite. A big crowd would warm our hearts, inspire the music, and demonstrate to the generous sponsors just how much benefit this brings. Bring yourself, your family, a couple of friends. And please share widely!